Well, family and friends, it has officially been 2 years. Last Friday was the day I entered into the MTC. It feels like that was so long ago, but also feels like it has just flown by. I will be flying home this Thursday, so like this email says... this will be the last letter.
Tuesday I went on exchanges with Elder Peck. We are both heading home this Thursday. We talked a lot about these past 2 years on the mission and also plans for after the mission. It was a fun last exchange with a good friend and we were able to see some pretty cool success stories from our hard work.
This past week has been a lot of goodbyes. I have said goodbye to some of my favorite families in the ward. Of course for the Hmong members, I have said goodbye to the Xiong's and plan on saying goodbye to the Vang's sometime this week. For the English members, I said goodbye to the Wrights and the Murphys. We also said goodbye to the people we are teaching. Said goodbye to Ee, Ze, and will say goodbye to Vince later today. Goodbyes are sad and something I am not a fan of. I've got a few more goodbyes this week and then the hardest of them all, Wisconsin. This place has become a very dear and special place to my heart because of these last 2 years, my experiences, and the many friendships that I have made with so many wonderful people, especially the Hmong missionaries and Hmong people, but so many more as well.
Well, today is my P-day. Today I am getting my haircut. Afterward, we plan on going to B-dubs one last time with some of the missionaries in the North Zone and afterward we're going bowling. It should be pretty fun. Tonight I'll say a few more goodbyes and hit the doors for the last time.
Tomorrow is transfers, so we will get all my stuff over to the South Stake center and will chill there until the AP's take me to my departing interview with President Murphy at 1:00. Afterward, I'm hoping I can go out and work a little more, but we will see. The mission might have to tie me down and put me on a plane on Thursday lol. Afterward, we will have a Q and A session with all the departing missionaries and President and Sister Murphy. We will then have dinner with everybody and then end the night off with a testimony meeting.
* The mission has been wonderful. I would not change it for anything. There is nothing as hard, tiring, frustrating, and time demanding as serving a mission, but even with all that there hasn't been a time in my life where I have been more happy in my entire life. That is a strong testimony builder for me. These 2 years will be something I will look back on for the rest of my life. These past 2 years will be a building block for how I want to live the rest of my life. I have been far from perfect on my mission. Missionaries are far from perfect. Growing up I always thought missionaries were these glorious and perfect beings, but I am far from that. I have so many weaknesses and things that constantly tempt me and pull me away from the Lord. I feel exactly like Nephi does in 2nd Nephi chapter 4. I have a long way to go and many things to work on, but I know who I have trusted, who has supported me, and who has uplifted me these past 2 years and I know who will continue to do that for me the rest of my life. God lives and because he loves us he sent his son Jesus Christ into the world. Jesus Christ is our Savior. He loves us, he died for us and atoned for all our wrongdoings. All of them every single one and because of that we can be forgiven. I have felt the power of Christ's atonement before my mission and on my mission. It is because of Him that I have the hope of growing, becoming, being something far better. The gospel is true. Take the time and make it a priority in your life like it should be. Pray every day, read the scriptures, and you will feel the peace, comfort, and happiness that I have experienced these past 2 years and longer. You will come closer to your Heavenly Father and Savior. You will feel their love for you. You will know of their role in your daily lives. That is a promise I make to all of you. I know because I have felt it and I know that it can be the same for you all as well.
I love you all and am excited to see you soon!!
Love,
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