Almost Home 8.18.2014

Dear Family,

This is what you face at a departing missionary fireside. 

You have 3 minutes to leave my legacy with the mission as President Weidman would say. You have 3 minutes to tell members, recent converts, less actives, investigators, and missionaries not only what I value most but something that they need to hear. Just 3 minutes, and let me tell you those 3 minutes go by extremely quick. All week I prayed to know what to talk about and what I could share that impact those attending the most, and I week I was coming up with a blank. Everyday I didn't feel any peace or clarity about anything! By the time Sunday came around I was pretty much freaking out. I have never felt so anxious about something for such a long period of time. Not even entering the mission! We had 30 minutes for personal study on Sunday, so I took that time to prepare somewhat. I prayed, I read my patriarchal blessing, and I thought back to scriptures that have a lot of meaning to me. I finally came to the conclusion that the one thing that meant the most to me throughout my mission was learning more about using the atonement in my life, and as I studied our purpose("Invite others to come unto Christ....through faith in Jesus Christ and in His Atonement...") I finally felt like that was what I should share. I shared Omni 1:26and told them with as much power as I could about the power of the atonement, that we all have a personal Savior, that the atonement can only take affect into our lives on condition to our faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, and our obedience to our gospel, and that we can all use the power of the atonement more effectively in our lives. It was certainly not what I expected to finally be on the other end of the fireside, but it was rewarding in so many different ways. I was filled with so much love for the people I was able to serve and gratitude for the things I have learned. I was also grateful for the feelings of peace and love from my Heavenly Father telling me that I serve my mission as best I could and I can come home satisfied and continue to progress in the gospel.

This is just parts of my letter to President:

"This last transfer has been such a mix of emotions, joy, love, heartbreak, sadness, uncertainty, but when it come down to it I am just filled with gratitude. I am filled with gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve in certain wards, to serve and learn from my companions, learning from my leaders, but mostly I am grateful for my Savior and my knowledge and testimony of the restored gospel. The mission truly is what every what everyone says, the hardest but best experience. At times I am so scared about the future. There are small moments of peace, but after the fireside last night there are no more doubts of whether I did a good job or whether I became the person I was suppose to become. Yes, I still have a long way to go and much to learn but I have know doubt that I did my best that I could and it's time for me to go on to the next phase of my life.

After zone conference I threw out 2 or 3 shirts that I had and today we saw another miracle similar to one that was shared at conference. While we were waiting in the parking lot in the library today for the sisters a car in his car slowed down and told us we were dressed nice and then asked us why. We were able to explain that we were missionaries and a little bit about what we do. He told us he has gone to SLC multiple times at worked for an LDS professor at Utah State for a little bit, and then asked us if we had services anywhere! We also used the Book of Mormon in a street contact and were able to get a new investigator out of it! This week I saw the Lord guide us so much! I don't know if my companions recognize it but when I go to bed and think throughout the day I am once again filled with so much gratitude because if we are obedient and diligent the Lord will guide and direct us in every aspect of the work! "

OH exciting news! Maria had her baby on Tuesday!! Her due date was the 27th of August and the whole time she has mentioned how badly she was the baby to be born before I left so I could see him and what do you know it actually happened! On Saturday we made dinner for them....correction, Sister Yanez cooked for them. I mostly just washed the dishes(that's my specialty:)) 

Welp, I love you all and will see you soon!

Love,

Hermana Ford