This is not the end but the beginning

On Wednesday I will be leaving the WA-TAC. The time I have had hear is such a sacred time to me. It is tradition here in the WA-TAC to write what we call a "final report". This is meant to be something that you use to summarize and reflect on your mission but lets be real there is no way I can summarize the last year and a half of miracles. I love my mission as it has been a means for me to come to know our Savior, Jesus Christ, on a personal level and to truly come to love each person I meet. I can't even begin to share what my mission begins to me but I have attached my final report as a way of trying to share a piece of it. Thank you all for your love an support. Know that I love our Savior. I know this gospel is the truth. I know Jesus Christ has restored His church to the earth and I hope you can each gain some insight to what a gift this time has been to me as you read (if you read... you aren't required to) this report.

 

Love you all.

An Instrument In HIS Hands

           

I often find myself reflecting on the beauty that is the work of the Lord. In the last year and a half I discovered the truth taught in Doctrine and Covenants 18:15-16. “And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!  And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!”

            There is such a great joy that comes from this work, the work of salvation. It comes over time through the many experiences we are blessed with. As our Savior taught the apostle Peter, “... when thou art converted strengthen thy brethren.” - Luke 22:32 I have found no better way to become more converted than by sharing the gospel with everyone around me. Along the way I’ve come to the realization we all need missionaries. My sister was my missionary as she had the courage to follow a prompting and remain persistent, despite my refusal to listen, as she encouraged me to serve a full time mission. If it wasn’t for her service I wouldn’t have come to where I am now.

            Whether people have found the truth and are striving to stay on the path, or have become turned around in the mist of darkness, or if they “are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it” it doesn’t make a difference. We each need someone to strengthen us along the way. Nobody can make it home alone. We are blessed with the joy and knowledge of the restored gospel and when we feel this knowledge take root in our hearts we will find greater joy by strengthening and serving our brothers and sisters.

            I was blessed to get to know many amazing individuals while serving in the WATAC. One of these outstanding people is Christina McCarthy. She is a woman with such astounding faith and trust in God. She moved with practically nothing from Gig Harbor to Olympia holding onto the only thing she couldn’t lose, the truth. As she faced various trials and struggles many people reached out to strengthen her while she sought to feel her Savior’s love and have the gospel fully in her life. As many of us reached out to strengthen Christina, we were the ones who were truly strengthened when we saw her example of courage, faith, and perseverance as she fully placed her trust in God.

            Facing many trials that each of us would have run away from, Regina turned to God as she discovered the gospel and its truths that had been restored. Again, countless individuals reached out in love to Gina and lent her support when she felt she couldn’t stand. Each and every one of us was strengthened as we were able to witness the miracles God performed in Gina’s life. She showed us there should be no limit to how far we must be willing to walk for our Father in Heaven.

            Aaron and Jen wanting their family to be eternal always seemed to have never ending opposition trying to interfere. As many continually reached out to lend them strength and support, they stood as an example of strength and taught, we are only weak when we do not lean on our Savior. The many sacred lessons they have taught me on the value of family and the power of faith, the scriptures, and prayer can not be put into words.

            Seeing families healed, pains and sorrows relieved, and miracles performed through the most unexpected means are just a sample of the joys which can only be discovered as a missionary. However, while there is much joy in this sacred work, it isn’t always easy. There are often personal trials we must face as we are in the core of the refiner’s fire, but it is these trials that open our eyes to see the miracles.

            One of the greatest challenges I faced on my mission is something we all must battle throughout our entire earthly lives. Fear is a part of the natural man, and it’s something we must all fight to overcome. Throughout our lives we will each face fears that will force us out of our comfort zone. Perhaps we will fear approaching someone about the gospel, failure in something, or rejection. No matter where we are in life, if we allow it to be present; it will be there ready to hold us back and delay our progression.

            At the end of my first transfer, I faced the fear of leaving my comfort zone. My trainer was being transferred, leaving me stressed and terrified. I felt I had no clue how to be a missionary let alone how to run the area without my trainer. Planning for the night of transfer day was painful and took forever as my fears blocked my mind from thinking of anything productive. All I could think was, “I have no

clue what to do...”. It was the love of my trainer that eased my fear as she gave me some simple suggestions of things we could do, and expressed her confidence in God’s plan.  After Sister Sandau had transferred, I read a note she left for me which included a scripture that eased my fears and shaped my mission as it has continually helped me push past my fears in later moments.

            “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

- 2 Timothy 1:7

            If we fully place our trust in our Savior and press forward in faith and love, fear can have no power over us. It is by the grace and love of our brother, Jesus Christ; we can uncover power, love, and peace, which cast out all of our fears. This is something I have come to experience in my own life and I know as we each serve God we will be able to discover it continually.

            To truly be the best instrument in His hands, we have to be willing to yield to God’s will no matter how badly we want things to go another way... Easier said than done. But the scriptures are there to reassure us He is there and truly does have a perfect plan. He will lead us through life if we just choose to follow Him, just as He did for Lehi and his family.

            “...I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led.” - 1 Nephi 17:13

            He knows what lies ahead far beyond what we can see. He knows where we need to travel and every need we will have along our journey. He’s ready to provide us with it all, He only asks us to follow and trust Him.

            There will be times along the way where we will feel overwhelmed by a task that seems too big to handle. When we are feeling inadequate we must remember, “...by small and simple things are great things brought to pass...” - Alma 37:6 Something I have discovered in the course of my mission is the truth of the statement, “Heavenly Father doesn’t call the qualified, but qualifies those He calls.”

            I had the truth of this statement impressed upon me when I was serving in my fourth transfer. I was approaching 6 months out and still in my first area. Through the end of November and into December every night seemed to be a continual battle within my head as I had no clue what to do. We had nobody in our teaching pool and nobody seemed to be listening to us. I had no clue why I was still there. I felt it had been a mistake for me to take over the area and felt the lack of work was because I wasn’t experienced enough to know what to do. I felt I was letting God, my companion, and everyone in the ward and area down, but in reality it was just my pride. I finally let go of some pride and truly pled with God for help. At this point I didn’t know what was wrong, but I felt the conflict within myself. I pled to know what was wrong, to know why I felt the way I did. That night is still printed clearly in my mind as I knelt with my blanket over my head to hide my tears from my companion and prayed. I had never felt more inadequate but it was as a result of that moment that I came to discover the Atonement.

            I believe that if we were never called to do things unless we were qualified it would defeat God’s plan. We are here on Earth to progress. Often times we will be given a task to help us uncover skills and talents yet to be developed. Heavenly Father can use anyone to progress His work, so in His perfect knowledge He calls the under-qualified to lift them higher, and along the way He helps many of His other children. Through the Atonement we can never fall short if we fully rely on Him. As we strive to yield our will to the Father’s and serve our brothers and sisters, we gain greater hope for not only our own salvation but for everyone around us. This hope is a driving force.

            “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation.” - 2 Nephi 22:2 When we have hope we look past our fears, we trust in our Savior knowing He is stronger than we are. We look forward with excitement knowing  we can make it back home because of His love and sacrifice.

            This hope we have shines brightly and draws others in. People will see us and wonder why we’re different, but many will be too afraid to ask or perhaps we will be too afraid to answer. However through the grace of God, our Savior’s strength, and hope shining brightly we can overcome our fears and open our mouths to share exactly what is said in 2 Nephi 22. Through our Savior’s love and power

we will be instruments in sharing the glorious restoration.

            As we go about this work we will be filled with love far greater than we can fathom. Love like the sons of Mosiah which will create a powerful driving force, giving us greater desire to share the truth with everyone. Mosiah 28:3

            Words cannot express the deep joys, struggles, sorrows, and incomprehensible love that can be discovered in being a missionary for Jesus Christ. It’s something we can’t truly comprehend unless we experience it for ourselves daily. To be a missionary isn’t to put a plastic name tag on our shirt each morning. Becoming a missionary is consciously placing the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, on our heart each day, and then striving through our actions to help people see it.

            Being a missionary requires a simple desire to serve, “...if ye desire to serve God, ye are called to the work.” - D&C 4:3 We must push past ourselves, letting go of everything: fear, doubts, pride, and yield to our Father with the simple desire to be an instrument in His hands.

            I have been blessed with this time in the Washington Tacoma Mission and it has truly been a miracle. My time to leave has come, but as I remove the name tag from my shirt Christ’s name is permanently written on my heart because of all I have seen and felt here. My time as a missionary has just begun because I have discovered who I am. I know our Redeemer lives. I know Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of our Heavenly Father. He is our loving older brother and in His love He gave His life for each of us. I know in His perfect plan He has restored His church in all its glory. I know He called Joseph Smith to be a prophet in these latter days and that He provided the Book of Mormon as evidence. It is the word of God. I know today we are blessed to have Thomas S. Monson as a living prophet to help us keep our eyes toward Christ. Beyond this I don’t know much but I have experienced the greatest joy from this simple knowledge and desire to share it with the world. This work is sacred and I am grateful for the privilege to serve side by side with each one of you for our Savior’s cause.

“Regarding one’s testimony, remember, that which one willingly shares he keeps, while that which he selfishly keeps he loses... Teach and testify. There is no better combination.” - Thomas S. Monson

Transfers	Homes	Blessings	Memories
MTC	------	Sister Lachele Baldwin	“Don’t run to the mountains; Hand sanitize; Comp. Inventory; Yawning; Temple Exchange; Skipping lunch; Thin blanket; Bow shirts; Role plays; Calf raises; hangman; “I heard heaven is nice this time of year.”; Baldwin is so patient with me
1	Olympia 4th Olympia Zone	Sister Erica Sandau Honorary Companions ~ Elder David McRae ~ Elder Mark Singleton	Temple with Geagea; “Elders need mothers”; “Green things grow”; “There’s not growth in the comfort zone...”; Frog count; Weird Olympia things; Foot tan lines show your green; The ‘Backing Face’; All-abouts; Juan the corn; “Which Juan?”; The rescue of Juan; “Sight, sound, and smell”; Scriptures in action; Christina; Lost keys; Berg Family; Dog culdisac; “Jesus’s toe-jam”; Forgotten name tag; “I love you too”...”what?!”; “Sleeping with your name tag is almost like cuddling with a baby”; 2 Tim 1:7; Nail #1
2	Olympia 4th Olympia Zone	Sister Roxanne Lechuga Honorary Companions ~ Elder Mark Singleton ~ Elder Kade Rogers	“Truck!”; “Look what ya did ya little jerk”; “Dang it James!”; Shondra; “Does this count as an OYM?”; No more pizza!; Gina Parnell x2; “I’m 15 days smarter”; The Crist’s Fish; Drunk Kyle; Articles of Faith; Scuba diving date; James’s serenade; “The goldfish ate the shark...”; Nail #2
3 & 4	Olympia 4th Olympia Zone	Sister Makenna Kramer Honorary Companions ~ Elder Brady Mosbrucker ~ Elder Logan Geier	Lost planner; knocking in the dark boonies; “Can we get a ride?”; Double knocking; “Amen... I am going to kill you!”; “It’s cute!”; Eating “healthy”; Frog in the hood; “Its all ditches!”; Park day on bike; Caroling; “No Proselytizing”; OLY 4th Christmas!; Too much food!; “I returned with honor”; Gina; Creeper on Elm Street; Nail # 3
5 & 6	Kitsap Lake Bremerton Zone	Sister Angel Combs	Squishy; Daily Personal Goals; Frozen Apple Juice; Smoothies; “Fill your planner with faith”; Bold role plays; Steve is on meth; Knotia; March Madness; Chicken attack; Uhl family; “Is my name tag straight?”...”never”; “I’m going to punch that bike!”...“With your face?”...“Maybe”; “Like a shark shark?”; Serenade phone number; Nail #4
7	Kitsap Lake/Seabeck Bremerton Zone	Sister Rou Fang Liao	Taking over Seabeck; Learning how to speak English; Killing spiders; Creepols; Chinese names; Aiden Baker; Tiwi; Book of Mormon famine; Speedy exchange; Tacoma sleepover; “Iyuuh!”; Random outbursts of Chinese; “Accept the freaking compliment!”; “10 for the 10 commandments” on repeat; “Help yourself a merry little Christmas; “I’m forgetting Chinese!”; “Appol!”; “You get suntan?”; “Contractions... like baby?”; “Is that a star or a plane?...Is Jesus coming?! It’s so bright!”
8	Chambers Creek Tacoma West Zone	Sister Lachele Baldwin	The Bathroom; Tacoma Rainiers; “I’m gonna go explode my head”... knocking in the ghetto; That one guy’s face; Gregory is broken... oh wait he was faking!; OYMing in Soundview; “When is Jesus coming on His UFO?”; LOC with Lee and Berry; Pee shivers; “Good morning Tiwi”; “How old are you?” “19” “Let me just put this out...”; District potlucks; Baldy went back blonde!
9	Elma 2nd Elma Zone	Sister Morgan Brewster	The promise land; “Stop sign!”; Comfy pants; #happens; “Check your speed” x22; Fruit addict; Chicken on a tailgate; double desserts; Sketchy salmon guy; Zonkey; Lian!; “Bordering on spectacular”; Tyler; “I’ll save it ‘til Thursday”; Scaring Brew; Spirit of Elijah; Satsop River Resto; Sleepovers galore; Never seeing my companion; Joseph; Credit card break in; The beach; Bubbles in the fountain; Temple with Harmony
10	Elma 2nd Elma Zone	Sister Anika Bigley	Man hunt in the apartment; “My gut!”; Nephi and Sam; “That’s a big fat NOPE”; Contractions; Flora’s murder plan; “My heart is in a little puddle”; Knocking struggles; “I’m still listening!!!”; Pepto-Bismol blue; Frank; Bigles’ B-day fun; “I’m not going to tease you anymore”; “Do you see her too?”; Bible study class;  5 minutes of silence
11	Bainbridge Island Silverdale Zone	Sister Hannah Henderson	“EBD... it’s a real thing”; Did you brush your teeth?”...“Fetch!”; Poly Atheist Jew?; “I only do laundry when I have to” Arm wrestling in the mall; 3 new apostles!!!; “Curb!”; BEST p-days ever!; Dameon’s excitement; “I don’t speak to people with Bibles in their hands”; 5 to 7 serenade; “Your mustache is showing”; “How far away is that plane?!”; Moth attacks; “Does this dress make me look like a polygamist?”; “We’ve been smelling each other’s estrogen for way too long.”
12	Bainbridge Island Silverdale Zone	Sister Charity Wilson	Jesse; Halloweentism; Exchange drug bust; Pine needle paranioa; “Her spirit animal is an enchilada”; Snail fiasco; “I may be drunk right now but I go to AA every morning”; “I did a bad thing!!!”; Wool socks; Squirrel; Elbow; “Quarter million $ house...”; “Its a Bainbridge thing”; Comp. Inventory is a mirror; Walls; “You pray like a dinosaur”; “Want a vacuum?” Take a Book of Mormon!”; “Lead the way burrito!”; “Oh My Horse!”; Homeless
13	Soundview Tacoma Zone	Sister Anika Bigley Sister Makenna Kramer	Round 2!; Stomach flu; “When those people come to the door you be nice and then shut it.”; “Surcome sounded like a big word.”; “I’m not stealing your milk”; Puddle; Kristi and so many other miracles!; God is so wonderful!