So yep, that's the scoop on Tim!:) And Beatriz was at church and came to a baptism on Saturday. She's not quite ready for baptism yet, but she will be for sure soon. It will be a great experience for Sister Haycock and her new greenie to teach her and help her prepare for baptism.
So yeah, this week was a good one. A really good one. Sister Haycock and I spoke in Mission Bay! It went pretty well. It was sad saying goodbye to everyone yesterday at church. I love the Gilbert branch and the Mission Bay ward so much. I feel so blessed to have served around so many amazing people. That's how I've felt my whole mission. The people I have met and the experiences I've had in serving them have changed me.
I guess this is it. I can't believe this year and a half is coming to an end. I love my mission. Every bit of it. I know that where I've been, and what I've been doing is exactly what my Heavenly Father wanted for me. I thought, before my mission, that I was coming to change the lives and baptize all the hispanic people I could find, I thought they needed me. But, the humbling reality I have found is that God called me to serve because I needed a mission. I needed this to change and to become closer to the person God wants me to be. I know I still have a long way to go, but I will forever be grateful for my mission because it pulled me out of where I was and got me going on the path that leads to true and everlasting happiness. God is our loving Heavenly Father. He is real, He is perfect. He loves me perfectly, knows me perfectly and has a perfect plan for me. I have no reason not to trust God. He sent his Son, Jesus Christ to show me the way, to make it possible for me to make it back home. I know that Jesus Christ lives and that He is my Savior and Redeemer. Without Him, I would have no hope. I would be stuck the way I was a year and a half ago. But because of Him, because of His Atonement, His love and mercy I am changed and I will continue to change so I can be worthy to enter into my Father's Kingdom with my eternal family. The reason I know all of these things is because a 14 year-old boy had the courage to ask God a question. And because he did, he was able to restore the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its fulness back to the Earth today. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet. I know that he translated the Book of Mormon and that that book changes lives because it testifies of our Savior and His power to redeem all mankind. Priesthood power is real and it is on the earth today. I have seen it change the lives of others and change my life too many times to ever deny that it is real. We have a living day prophet, Thomas S. Monson who leads us and guides us to know what we need to do to get back to our Heavenly home. These are all things that I was taught before, but all it really was was information in my head. This mission has put these things into my heart. I know these things are true with all of my heart because I asked God and He answered me. This knowledge brings me so much hope, peace and joy. I feel so blessed to have dedicated a year and a half of my life to the cause of helping others know of that same joy through the Restored Gospel. I am so grateful for the people I've met and come to love, and the experiences that brought me joy and refined me into who I am now. My mission means everything to me and I know that it will bless my life for the rest of eternity! And I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Okay, just you wait until I get back, you'll get an earful about how my mission was the BEST. I can't wait to tell you about it in person and give all of you ABRAZOS GRANDISIMOS!!!:) Thank you for all your support, love and prayers. One of the greatest strengths I have had on my mission is my amazing family. You guys are the best and it will be one of the greatest days to see you all tomorrow!
Les quiero muchísimo y nos vemos mañana:)
Con todo mi corazón,
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