T-2 Weeks! March 8, 2016

Hello!

This week:

We went to the temple!! It was so great. And I got to see a lot of old companions and friends. Pictures coming later, sorry!

I got to see JOSE! His granddaughter finished her mission so the family had a big welcome home party and he was there. We talked about plans for him coming to Salt Lake to go to the temple this summer! smile emoticon

We (my companions, the bishop and his fam, the ward mission leader and his wife, and Juan himself) all fasted for Juan Cigarroa that he could receive his answer. We haven't heard from him yet but he was really touched that so many people were willing and wanted to do that for him. I sure love that man. And I want this so bad for him.

I had my prayers answered so quickly this week! On Sunday morning I prayed that I would be able to receive a confirmation from Heavenly Father that the work I've done on my mission is accepted and that He is pleased with me. I've been reflecting a lot on my mission lately and have been hard on myself and focusing too much on all the things that I could have done and didn't, etc. I had been warned that that happens to a lot of missionaries as their missions come to a close and not to focus on those thoughts...but it happened anyways. But the comfort that I was looking for came quicker and not in the way that I had expected. During sacrament meeting there were several less-active members that we've been working with that got up and bore their testimonies. I was so proud of them and felt the spirit so strongly! They each mentioned us, the sister missionaries, and how grateful they were for us and how much we had helped them. That was something that I so needed to hear. And that was my answer!

Although I have made lots of mistakes on my mission, and maybe haven't been able to see as much success as others do, I know that I have fulfilled my purpose and been able to help others come unto Christ. I that is why I came. Not to get a certain number of baptisms or social recognition...but to help others feel the happiness of the gospel, the love of our Father in Heaven, and to use and feel the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ. I have loved this work and these people so much. I have kept going even when the trials were almost too hard to bear. I have learned to love with everything that I am. And I have to trust that that is enough. That my Heavenly Father is proud of me. I am so grateful and amazed that He has given me this opportunity to be a missionary and to learn and grow and change. To truly live the gospel and help others to do the same. This really is a labor of love. When we feel God's love in our lives we want nothing but to share that with others!

My heart is full. I know that He is always there to love and guide and bless us as we let Him.
With love,
Hermana Dearden