Well family, this is it. And I can't even believe it.
It
is really hard to put into words how I feel about the last 18 months of
my life. But what I do know is that the decision I made to serve a
mission is the best choice I have made thus far in my life. Being a
set-apart representative of Jesus Christ is the most incredible,
fulfilling, and meaningful thing you could ever choose to do. I feel so
blessed that I have been able to feel that and see that this last year
and a half. The reason that missions are so special is because they are
a front row ticket to watching the Atonement work. You get to watch
the Atonement work in the lives of everyone around you, but most
importantly you get to watch the Atonement work in your own life.
Missions are really hard. And they literally wouldn't even be possible
without the Atonement to help enable us to accomplish the things our
Heavenly Father has asked us to do.
I have learned a lot.
I
have come to know that Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ love
us. They love us so much! They love us each individually and
perfectly. They show their love to us by the tender mercies that we see
in our lives everyday, and often times through other people. They love
us so much that they want each and every one of us to return to live
with our Father again and be exalted in the Celestial Kingdom. God
knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows what is best for us
and he knows what we need to become better- even if those things are
hard. Jesus Christ understands us perfectly because he has felt and
experienced everything that we have ever felt and experienced. God
loved us enough to send us His only Begotten Son, and Christ loved us
enough to perform His infinite Atonement. That is love.
I
have also learned that the Book of Mormon is true. I enjoyed reading
from the Book of Mormon before my mission. But not until now have I
come to understand its role in the Restoration and its importance in
helping us to learn more about Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon
testifies of Christ EVERYWHERE. I truly believe that the real reason
that missions are so life changing is because we devote this time to not
just reading but studying from the Book of Mormon every single day and
helping others to learn about it as well. The Book of Mormon is how I
learned about the Atonement. There is a special power that comes
into our lives as we read the Book of Mormon every single day. I can't
even describe it. You just have to do it yourself and find out
the difference that reading the Book of Mormon makes. The Book of
Mormon is also how we can come to know the church is true and that the
gospel really was restored through Joseph Smith. If the Book of Mormon
is true, then Joseph Smith really was a prophet and this is his church
on the earth! The Book of Mormon is a book with a promise. I have done
as Moroni directs and asked God. I will tell you this much- The Book
of Mormon is true.
I have learned that Eternal
life= Family life. Living with God and our families forever! The
gospel blesses families so much! I already knew that because I have
seen what the gospel has done to my own family. But on my mission I
have seen families that don't know about these principles start to apply
them, and they are forever changed. They are happier and they are
closer! When your family starts to live the gospel, you can't even stop
the blessings from coming! Families can be together forever because of
the binding and sealing power of the Priesthood. The authority to act
in God's name has been restored to the earth for us today through a
prophet. We can all feel the priesthood giving us power in our lives as
we keep true to our covenants. I am so grateful that I was able to
serve a mission because I have been so blessed to have to knowledge that
I can be with my family forever and everyone deserves to know that!
Even
though missions are full of life lessons and hard times, they are also a
lot of fun. I have met people- investigators, ward members,
less-active members, President and Sister Cutler, and especially
companions- that have changed my life. Preaching the gospel is fun and
it makes me happy. That really is why I love this gospel. It brings
peace and happiness into our lives. So while this year and a half
has been hard and a huge struggle, I also don't think there has been a
time when I have felt happier and more fulfilled. Serving others, and
most importantly, serving God is the best thing we can do.
Having
to leave all of this behind is going to be one of the hardest things I
have ever had to do. But I have learned that God has a plan for each
and everyone of us. I know that God always has greater things in store
for us than we will ever be leaving behind. My mission will be a part
of me forever.
I love God. I love my Savior
Jesus Christ. He is the Savior of me, you, and anyone you will ever
meet. Even though my full-time missionary service is coming to a close,
I look forward to continuing to serve and love God through out the rest
of my life and the rest of eternity.
I love you and will see you soon!
Love,
Sister King
