What do you say in your last weekly email on the mission? Bitter sweet is an understatement. My mission in South Carolina and Georgia has my WHOLE heart because God and Jesus Christ have my WHOLE life now. I have found Him in angels here on earth. Members, people taught, people baptized, companions, missionaries and strangers have all taught me something of Jesus Christ and have helped me be ALL IN. Nothing compares to the joy I find and hope I have through my AMAZING Heavenly Father. Before I finish my thoughts though here's some things that happened this week:
-GERRY GOT BAPTIZED!!!! What an amazing, amazing thing and so many people were there to support! She bore an absolutely BEAUTIFUL testimony about the trials she has faced in her life and how God was there all along but now she knows Him and sees His hand! Side note: It was kinda funny in the middle of the testimony her phone rang (her ring tone is that cute song, "I believe there are angels among us") so she reached inside her bra and told Monty to answer it HAHA! It honestly was kinda perfect because I knew there were a lot of angels there for her that day and especially listening to her testimony--including her close family members who have passed and loved one's (November 29th--her baptism day, was the anniversary of Willie's death-- the love of her life, so she wanted to remember that day with a joyful memory) who have tragically passed on too. I know Willie was there. She talked about him so tenderly too! Pray for her. She got a high fever on Sunday so she couldn't get confirmed but she knows how important this gospel is. I am so grateful to know her!
-For my LAST exchange, I went with THE HERMANA WOLFLEY to her area! We are actually going home together lol. We called it the trunky pump even though we aren't that trunky but everyone has been joking about it so why not haha. We decided we are gonna start a social impact organization for refugees (queen has already done her research--so awesome) and we wanna do a half iron man together!!! So yeah--big plans and we are hecka excited... besides the fact that we could barely do a .5 mile in our morning workout... we'll get there haha. Also, throughout the day I prayed to understand more Spanish and Wolfley pushed me by having me say a prayer and testimony in Spanish!!! It was so simple and basic but even then it felt so powerful to me. The gift of tongues is real and I connected so much on that exchange. I love it! The Holy Ghost is amazing. Don't doubt the power of God to carry what you say to people!
-We went Christmas caroling with the slaystrict and got Andy's ice cream after, which is sooooo good. We had fun we died laughing looking at each other and trying to sing in front of people baha.
-Shout out to my comp Monty for being an absolute legend. She's so full of love and support for everyone around her! She's my bestie:) <3
-The slaystrict also held a funeral for me and Riska on our last pday--RIP. Apparently I look like I'm from Ukraine and Risky from Puerto Rico, so those were the themes lol. The elders had to get creative. They mummified me in blue and yellow haha.
-Sista Monty made escargot at DCM lunch... it was actually pretty good--like a buttery oyster. Sign Monty up. 5 star restaurants frfr!
-Served at the soup kitchen:,)
-Explored a true Buddhist temple... I learned that idol worship is truly still a thing even in the US aha. Also may or may not have possibly stolen a sacrifice flower off the sacrifice tray. (But it was gonna be thrown away anyway soooooo...) Monty was mad. It was spooky y'all. I felt like I was in Night at the Museum or Indiana Jones. Kinda lit though.
-Had a lot of last meals with fav members.
-Started to pack and prep A LOT.
-Some sweet lessons! I'm so grateful for the new Preach My Gospel. READ IT! It is for members just as much as for missionaries--so EPIC!
-Sang songs with the kids in primary and bore my testimony at church. I was a mess y'all--literally bawling my eyes out it hit so hard. I love it here:,,) The members were all hecka supportive. I've only been here 6 weeks and I feel like a part of the family.
-Got some BALLER life advice on marriage and dating. I wrote lots down from members and Gerry haha.
-WELP what would my last week be if there wasn't a HUGE turn of events... We had an Emergency Transfer in our zone and now a sister is going home to serve a service mission and THE SISTER HOMIE is gonna be in a trio with me and Monty. #3amigos what a party! I got to hang with all the legends at the mission office this morning. They are the best 'cuz only the best for the best mission in the world.
OK y'all holy moly. I can never get everything in these emails especially how I feel about my mission. But luckily I thought about it and decided I'm gonna send my final weekly email next week from AZ with some pics and a little thoughtful recap with thoughts and feelings... Hee hee but here's a paraphrased scripture from my favorite Bible chapter 'til then that I put in my life standing quotes that I will say out loud every day after my mission:,)
1 Corinthians 13:12
For now [I] see through a glass, darkly; but [I shall see Him] face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know [Him] even as also I am known.
LOVE THIS and I know Jesus won't be a stranger when I see Him face to face because I can already see bits of Him in all of us and ESPECIALLY the people I've met here in South Carolina and Georgia. Little parts of us point to Christ and I'm so grateful I can look back on my mission and see my bestie Jesus in all the faces and experiences and trials I've had. My vision still isn't crystal clear yet but I WILL KNOW HIM AS HE KNOWS ME! Dang that's powerful because He really knows me and loves me perfectly. I can only imagine what that will feel like to know Him and others as He knows and loves. I'll keep praying and seeking the pure love of Christ 'til then. I've got a LONG way to go. If you need directions on where to start with knowing and loving better, read the rest of 1 Corinthians 13 for we are NOTHING without His perfect pure love:,)
VOCAB
"God is good" in every language/ethnicity I've met on my mission:
Arabic- الله جيد
Chinese- 上帝是好的
French- Dieu est bon
German- Gott ist gut
Haitian Creole- Bondye bon
Hawaiian- Ua maikai ke Akua
Hebrew- אלוהים הוא טוב
Hindi- ईश्वर सही है
Italian- Dio è buono
Japanese- 神は良いです
Kinyarwandan- Imana ni nziza
Korean- 하나님은 좋은
Portuguese- Deus é bom
Russian- Бог хорош
Samoan- E lelei le Atua
Spanish- Dios es bueno
Swahili- Mungu ni mwema
Ukrainian- Бог добрий
Southern- "Father God my Lord and Savior are so good. They woke me up this morning and give me breath in my lungs."
*Lol I have not mastered the Southern art of talking for hours without a breath yet but God gives the air to them. I'm gonna miss the friendly long convos about our gracious Lord.
LOVE Y'ALLLLLLL AND SEE YOU SOON <3
-GERRY GOT BAPTIZED!!!! What an amazing, amazing thing and so many people were there to support! She bore an absolutely BEAUTIFUL testimony about the trials she has faced in her life and how God was there all along but now she knows Him and sees His hand! Side note: It was kinda funny in the middle of the testimony her phone rang (her ring tone is that cute song, "I believe there are angels among us") so she reached inside her bra and told Monty to answer it HAHA! It honestly was kinda perfect because I knew there were a lot of angels there for her that day and especially listening to her testimony--including her close family members who have passed and loved one's (November 29th--her baptism day, was the anniversary of Willie's death-- the love of her life, so she wanted to remember that day with a joyful memory) who have tragically passed on too. I know Willie was there. She talked about him so tenderly too! Pray for her. She got a high fever on Sunday so she couldn't get confirmed but she knows how important this gospel is. I am so grateful to know her!
-For my LAST exchange, I went with THE HERMANA WOLFLEY to her area! We are actually going home together lol. We called it the trunky pump even though we aren't that trunky but everyone has been joking about it so why not haha. We decided we are gonna start a social impact organization for refugees (queen has already done her research--so awesome) and we wanna do a half iron man together!!! So yeah--big plans and we are hecka excited... besides the fact that we could barely do a .5 mile in our morning workout... we'll get there haha. Also, throughout the day I prayed to understand more Spanish and Wolfley pushed me by having me say a prayer and testimony in Spanish!!! It was so simple and basic but even then it felt so powerful to me. The gift of tongues is real and I connected so much on that exchange. I love it! The Holy Ghost is amazing. Don't doubt the power of God to carry what you say to people!
-We went Christmas caroling with the slaystrict and got Andy's ice cream after, which is sooooo good. We had fun we died laughing looking at each other and trying to sing in front of people baha.
-Shout out to my comp Monty for being an absolute legend. She's so full of love and support for everyone around her! She's my bestie:) <3
-The slaystrict also held a funeral for me and Riska on our last pday--RIP. Apparently I look like I'm from Ukraine and Risky from Puerto Rico, so those were the themes lol. The elders had to get creative. They mummified me in blue and yellow haha.
-Sista Monty made escargot at DCM lunch... it was actually pretty good--like a buttery oyster. Sign Monty up. 5 star restaurants frfr!
-Served at the soup kitchen:,)
-Explored a true Buddhist temple... I learned that idol worship is truly still a thing even in the US aha. Also may or may not have possibly stolen a sacrifice flower off the sacrifice tray. (But it was gonna be thrown away anyway soooooo...) Monty was mad. It was spooky y'all. I felt like I was in Night at the Museum or Indiana Jones. Kinda lit though.
-Had a lot of last meals with fav members.
-Started to pack and prep A LOT.
-Some sweet lessons! I'm so grateful for the new Preach My Gospel. READ IT! It is for members just as much as for missionaries--so EPIC!
-Sang songs with the kids in primary and bore my testimony at church. I was a mess y'all--literally bawling my eyes out it hit so hard. I love it here:,,) The members were all hecka supportive. I've only been here 6 weeks and I feel like a part of the family.
-Got some BALLER life advice on marriage and dating. I wrote lots down from members and Gerry haha.
-WELP what would my last week be if there wasn't a HUGE turn of events... We had an Emergency Transfer in our zone and now a sister is going home to serve a service mission and THE SISTER HOMIE is gonna be in a trio with me and Monty. #3amigos what a party! I got to hang with all the legends at the mission office this morning. They are the best 'cuz only the best for the best mission in the world.
OK y'all holy moly. I can never get everything in these emails especially how I feel about my mission. But luckily I thought about it and decided I'm gonna send my final weekly email next week from AZ with some pics and a little thoughtful recap with thoughts and feelings... Hee hee but here's a paraphrased scripture from my favorite Bible chapter 'til then that I put in my life standing quotes that I will say out loud every day after my mission:,)
1 Corinthians 13:12
For now [I] see through a glass, darkly; but [I shall see Him] face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know [Him] even as also I am known.
LOVE THIS and I know Jesus won't be a stranger when I see Him face to face because I can already see bits of Him in all of us and ESPECIALLY the people I've met here in South Carolina and Georgia. Little parts of us point to Christ and I'm so grateful I can look back on my mission and see my bestie Jesus in all the faces and experiences and trials I've had. My vision still isn't crystal clear yet but I WILL KNOW HIM AS HE KNOWS ME! Dang that's powerful because He really knows me and loves me perfectly. I can only imagine what that will feel like to know Him and others as He knows and loves. I'll keep praying and seeking the pure love of Christ 'til then. I've got a LONG way to go. If you need directions on where to start with knowing and loving better, read the rest of 1 Corinthians 13 for we are NOTHING without His perfect pure love:,)
VOCAB
"God is good" in every language/ethnicity I've met on my mission:
Arabic- الله جيد
Chinese- 上帝是好的
French- Dieu est bon
German- Gott ist gut
Haitian Creole- Bondye bon
Hawaiian- Ua maikai ke Akua
Hebrew- אלוהים הוא טוב
Hindi- ईश्वर सही है
Italian- Dio è buono
Japanese- 神は良いです
Kinyarwandan- Imana ni nziza
Korean- 하나님은 좋은
Portuguese- Deus é bom
Russian- Бог хорош
Samoan- E lelei le Atua
Spanish- Dios es bueno
Swahili- Mungu ni mwema
Ukrainian- Бог добрий
Southern- "Father God my Lord and Savior are so good. They woke me up this morning and give me breath in my lungs."
*Lol I have not mastered the Southern art of talking for hours without a breath yet but God gives the air to them. I'm gonna miss the friendly long convos about our gracious Lord.
LOVE Y'ALLLLLLL AND SEE YOU SOON <3
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