Final words

We had a really good week this week. Actually it was one of the best weeks of my mission with teaching lessons. We were able to have some investigators progress so that was really good to see. I love all of them but I'll tell you guys about my favorites.

The first is Cèsar and Suzy. They're a married couple that have talked before with missionaries and almost got baptized. The only thing that held them back was Cèsar coudn't quit smoking. We've been talking to them and it looks like there is a lot of hope for them!

The other is Juan Pablo and Karen. Juan Pablo was a missionary and bishop but now doesn't go to church. I admire him so much. He loves god and has such a good testimony, he just has a lot of questions and confusion from different sources but he has always kept the faith. Karen was a jehova witness and knows a lot about the bible but is receptive and  little by little is progressing. I've seen it so many times. The best way for people to come to christ is to let love be the source of motivation. 

So this is my last email to you guys. I kind of went off in my last email ha so we'll keep this one tranquilo. So many good people here in chile, but I promised Roberto and Paola and their family I would give them a shoutout :) I'm so happy for them and their decision to get baptized this sunday. Unfortunately I can't go but I will say bye to them in the airport. I'll say bye to my chilean family in the Santiago airport, and be with my family again in the salt lake airport next week. Should be a good time:)

“And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”

MISSION COMPLETE

I can't believe how fast time is going. I can't believe next week I'll finish my mission. I read through my journal and can't believe all of the experiences I've had, all the ups and down, successes and failures. It's hard to describe how I feel right now. I think the very best word is satisfied. The gospel is so wonderful because you cannot fail, all that is required is your best effort. Even though sometimes I feel like I couldn't always give my best effort, I feel like God gave me more than I ever deserved. I remember feeling lonely alot but looking back, I realize that I never really was alone, not for a single minute. 

I think the most important thing I learned on my mission is love. I learned that change and growth comes only in the pure love of Christ, not in condemning or critiquing. I've seen with my own eyes people overcome addictions and very serious problems, and the reason was because of love. Loving God over all things as a direct result truly allows me to love myself and other people for who they are even in our weaknesses.

I think about all the people I had the privilidge of meeting and I wish I could muster up the right words to tell them how much I love them and how much they mean to me. It's hard to believe two years ago I didn't know anything about this country or culture, and now I can hardly breathe realizing that I'm leaving it all in just two more weeks. Thinking how hard it was at the beginning and all the frustrations I had and seeing them all be turned into blessings is a pattern I've seen Christ do with everybody.

I am so grateful how god has healed my heart. I remember feeling frustration about certain things that I had done or experienced, and now it's as if it was never a problem. Grace by grace, step by step he showed me his love and has given me answers. There is so much that I still don't know, but I truly do believe in him and I honestly think I always will.

I love my companions and how much they have helped me. I know there was a reason that we were together. Each one has taught me and shown me attributes that will make me into the person I  desire to be. A good satisfying life seems to be the plan for each one of us.

I'm so happy to see my family again. I'm so heartbroken to leave my family here. When someone finishes the mission we say that they "die" I hope with all of my heart that in a long time when I  do have to pass on from this life, I feel this same peace and joy. I love you guys so much. I'll be seeing you soon.

 24 And behold, there were divers ways that he did manifest
 things unto the children of men, which were good; and all things which are good cometh of Christ;otherwise men were fallen, and there could no good thing

come unto them.