Olá (:
So turns out, I received my transfer instructions a little
early. You won't believe what is going to happen... I'm being transferred.
AGAIN. I just got here to Parque Pinheiro to train, and now, I'm heading out
again. I'll be opening the area again, but the craziest part is, I wasn't even
given a companion! It's just going to be me and the Lord. My new area is called
Alpine, Utah. There's really not too much missionary work to be done there,
since the majority of the people are already members of the church, but I'm
excited. It's going to be really great to see what the Lord has in store for me
there (:
And, it finally came. After 18 months of thinking that this
day would never come, (and hoping that it wouldn't come either...), my mission
is coming to a close. Where to begin to describe the things that I have
learned? There are no words. There is nothing to describe the feelings that I
am feeling at this moment. It's a mixture of gratitude, heartache, love,
longing and excitement.
I had many moments this week that brought me to tears. And I
don't think it was because I was going home. I was brought to tears because of
how much love I feel for these people that I am working with. I felt how much
Heavenly Father loves them. I knew that He sees them in a different way. I saw
their potential, I saw who they ultimately could become. One of the most
special moments of my entire mission took place this week as we were reading
Alma 26 with a couple who was recently baptized. We talked about how difficult
this change is, to come into the church, to leave the life we once knew, and
then completely change our lives for the better. It's difficult, but it is
worth it. I felt so much love from our Father in Heaven in the exact moment,
and we all sat in tears, hugging each other.
Afterwards, I spent a few more days studying Alma 26.
Yesterday, it hit me. It all came together. And as I thought about what I could
write you all for the very last time, the
words of Alma seemed to be perfect.
29 And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we
have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their
hills; and we have also entered into their temples and
their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and
mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned,
and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and
through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again.
30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this,
that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that
our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving
some.
31 Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of
our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many; yea, and
we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love towards their brethren
and also towards us.
This past year and a half has been the most trying, the most
exhausting, and the most rewarding time of my entire life. It has not been an
easy experience. But, oh, has it been worth it. As I thought about those that I
have helped, those lives that I have seen changed because of the gospel,
because of their testimonies in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, I realized
how much this really has been worth it. The heartaches, the days we spent
walking in the rain without umbrellas, the times we were rejected, the times
that I felt inadequate and useless, the sunburnt faces, the blistered feet, the
exhaustion and the sleepless nights - they were all made worth it because of
those people that I have met and because of those lives that have been changed.
Hearing the words, "Sister Card, you have changed my life. You have
changed my family. We can never ever repay you for what you have given us. We
love you. We will never forget you," makes every ounce of heartache worth
it. It has not been easy, but I have loved every minute of laboring in this
part of the Lord's vineyard for the past 18 months. These people have given me
far more than I have given them. How I have loved my time as a missionary! How
I have loved serving the people of Brazil and the people of Alabama! What a
sweet experience this has been.
I am grateful for all the prayers, the letters and the love
that you have all shown me throughout this time. You all have given me more
than I could have possibly asked for. I am so thankful for each one of you and
I cannot wait to be back with you, to squeeze each of you, and to catch up on
everything that has taken place over the past year and a half. Thank you for
all that you have done for me.
I know and I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior. They
have been with me every step of the way. They live and They love every single
one of us. It doesn't matter how many times we fall short, how many times we
want to give up, They are there. They are pushing us forward. Ever since I put
the name of my Savior Jesus Christ next to my own, I felt His influence. I have
become His disciple. I have truly been changed and have started on this path
that He needs me to be on. Nothing about that will change. I will continue to
push myself to be a little better, to truly be the person that He needs me to
be. I know that this church is the only true church on the face of the earth. I
know that it was restored by the prophet Joseph Smith. I know that he
translated the Book of Mormon and that it contains the fulness of the gospel. I
know that we have a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson, that leads us and guides
us in the things that we need. I know that our families can be together
forever. I know that this work is the work of the Lord.
16 Therefore, let us glory, yea, we
will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full;
yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the
Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and
of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I
cannot say the smallest part which I feel.
I will never be able to express the gratitude that I feel
for having served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints. Oh how I have loved it!
I'll see you all soon (:
Sister Card
xoxo
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