Tuesday, January 26, 2016

January 25, 2016 - The Best Year and a Half

Hola familia y amigos, 

So this is it. the end has come. This is my last email as a missionary. 

Wow I can't believe this day is already here. I feel like its not actually happening, that I'm dreaming... 

Well this week was pretty normal. I won't spend too much time on details because I'm going to be seeing you all soon... 

On Wednesday we had a world wide missionary training conference and we got to watch it through satellite transmission. we got to listen to Elders Anderson, Bednar and Oaks, and it was awesome. I felt really animated to work and then it was like "wait, I go home in a week" but we still worked hard. 

Friday I had my last interview with Presidente Obeso. It was a really special experience. So much has changed since our first interview when I didn't know what was going on and he had to speak to me in broken English haha. We talked a lot about what I've learned in my mission and what I will continue to learn after. I was relieved that he didn't tell me I have to get married within 6 months haha. 

On Friday the branch threw we a farewell party along with a family home evening. It was really sweet. They made cupcakes and printed out signs of my nametag to put on all the walls. I shared my testimony with them and cried. The members here in San Pablo are like my family. 

Sunday I gave my last talk in church. I also had to teach the Sunday School class so the branch was tired of listening to me haha. I`ve already started saying goodbye to people and packing suitcases... 

Presidente Obeso told me that when a missionary goes home, its normal to have three feelings 1. excitement 2. sadness 3. fear. I'm excited to see my family and friends. I'm sad that I have to leave Chile, leave the people I love and stop being a missionary. And I'm afraid  and nervous of what the future holds and what it will all be like when I get home. 

Well, I would like to end with my last testimony: 

I remember what I came into the mission, I thought a year and half would last an eternity. But it has gone by in the blink of an eye and it has surely been the best 18 months of my life. It hasn't been easy.  I have passed through pain, suffering, sadness, but it was all worth it. Because now when I look back all I remember are the wonderful moments. 

someone very dear to me once said that the mission is like a beautiful field of white roses. from a distance it all seems spectacular but as you start to work your way through the field the thorns start to prick and you bleed and it hurts and you start to think that you don't want to do this anymore. but you keep going. and in the end when you make it through the field you look back at all the beautiful roses and you realize that it all seems even more wonderful now and it was worth every painful step. 

It has been a complete honor and privilege to serve my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the past 18 months. I wish I could do it for the rest of my life. I wish I could have more time, but it must come to an end. Heavenly Father has other plans in store for me. More people to serve, to love, and to help. More blessings to discover and more lessons to learn. The end of the mission and the removal of my nametag do not mean that I stop being a servant of the Lord. I will serve Him for the rest of my life until the day I die and then for the rest of eternity. 

As a representative of Jesus Christ I testify that He lives. He is the Son of God. He is our savior and redeemer. He suffered and died for every single one of us. His sacrifice, His atonement is powerful, it can clean and purify us. He is the only way we can return back to the presence of our Heavenly Father. He is my example, my friend, my teacher. He is my Master. I serve HIm. I have not been a perfect servant, but I know He loves me. 

I testify that God and Jesus Christ have restored their church on the earth. That Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and today we have a living prophet, Thomas S.  Monson to lead and guide us. He holds the priesthood keys and power to direct the work of the Lord here on the earth. 

I testify that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know it is true. That book has changed my life. Every chapter, every verse testifies of Christ and of God`s plan for all His Children. 

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the church of God and of the living Christ. 

I will never forget these days. I will never forget the blessings, lessons, trials, and miracles that I have seen. I  don't want it all to end. 

But the Lord calls me to a new work. I will serve Him for the rest of my life. 

I want to thank all of you for you love, support, letters, and encouragement. I love you all. see you soon. 

love, Hermana Williams 

4 comments:

  1. You made it. I am so thankful for your example and testimony. I know your reunion with your family will be sweet. You are an amazing daughter of God who had touched and will continue to touch many lives as you endure to the end. Thank you for your sacrifice, obedience, and love.

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  2. You made it. I am so thankful for your example and testimony. I know your reunion with your family will be sweet. You are an amazing daughter of God who had touched and will continue to touch many lives as you endure to the end. Thank you for your sacrifice, obedience, and love.

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  3. Thank you for sharing that very sweet testimony and for sharing your blog posts your whole mission!
    Love you!

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  4. It is amazing how fast the time has gone! Congratulations on finishing an honorable mission even as hard as it has been. Sorry to hear about some of your trials. The good part is, it will give you great stories to tell for the rest of your life!! I'm excited to see you. From watching Andrew and Lauren, the re-entry is hard -weird- but you've got lots of people around you to help. See you soon!

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