I'm Coming Home

My miracle - la familia Vasquez

Friends

worn out and used up

SO tired


Querida familia.

Wow... it doesn`t even feel real. Time passes so quickly and so perfectly, just as the Lord would have it. Right now it is as if half of my heart is so happy and grateful and excited- and the other half is breaking and can´t even breath or stand the thought of leaving. But I have peace. And that is what matters.

This week was incredible. I feel like my eyes were opened a little bit more to be able to see how the Lord really is in each and every single detail of our lives. Saturday was so great. We were running around all morning visiting different people and then I got a phone call from some missionaries in Huehue. They just asked if I remember someone that I had taught there named Jason... I said yes and then they said ¨listen!¨ and help the phone up to the faucet in the baptismal font. I heard the water filling the font and almost shouted for joy in the road! He was baptized this weekend. La familia Vasquez was also baptized on Saturday night and it was so so special. They are precious and exactly where they need to be. The Lord will help them stay faithful and active. On Sunday, I could not help but be overwhelmed with joy as each of them was confirmed and than as I sat in the meeting, surrounded by la familia Polio, David, Esmeralda, la familia Vasquez, and so many other people that I have known and loved here. The bishopric asked me to share my testimony and then Hermana Cordova and I sang ¨We´ll Bring the World His Truth¨ with the missionaries from the other ward. Everyone was bawling and the Spirit was so strong. 

During the Sacrament I just said a prayer and tried to really focus on the Savior and hear his voice. Towards the end I asked ¨Father, did I do all that Thou didst send me to do?¨ I heard a voice so clear and perfect in my head say ¨Yes, be at peace.¨ From that moment on I have no been able to keep the smile off my face. I love my Father in Heaven.

   

1 Nephi 9:6 But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. Amen. 

I am a living witness of that. He prepared a way each and every day of my life so that I could come here and fulfill His righteous purposes and plan for me. And He will keep doing that for all of us.

I am honored to say that I was a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It really is just a thrilling experience. Talking to everyone in the street, planning how to help people grow and progress, going on divisions, zone meetings, p-days, lessons with members, teaching about the Book of Mormon, answering people questions, teaching people how to bring about a family night, kneeling together and praying, receiving revelation, following the Spirit, finding new people... it is so fun! I love missionary work. And I cannot wait to see what new opportunities the Lord has prepared for me at home. I want to share the gospel with everyone for the rest of my life. The process of conversion truly is precious and incredible to watch. For those who really are seeking the truth, it is as Lehi saw in his vision of the Tree of Life-

 1 Nephi 8:30 ...he saw other multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.

They just kind of catch hold of it all. The doctrine makes sense and they want to keep commitments and it just all falls into place. And at the end, we are all there together, falling down at the feet of the Savior- because of spiritual exhaustion, hard work, trials and sicknesses, temptations... whatever it may be- just to be able to partake of that precious fruit of the tree. Oh how I love that fruit. And I want to share that fruit with all those around me. Missions help us to keep the 2 greatest commandments of loving God with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength- and loving our neighbor as ourselves. My companions are precious to me. I adore each and everyone of them and I am so so so grateful for all that they have taught me. I am eternally indebted to each of those angels.

As Nephi said, I don´t know all things and I still have a lot to do and become, but I know that the Lord loveth His children and He that takes care of us. I still haven`t changed and become all that I want to, but I have learned what I want to change and how I can do it. And more than learning Spanish, I have learned the precious language of the Spirit. More than living in another country, I have tried to live in obedience. More than spending time with people, I have tried to spend time with the Savior. I am still trying to talk to everyone that I see and follow the little impressions of the Spirit. Just this morning I talked to a lady on the bus that is so awesome and dating an inactive but returned missionary. She has never talked to missionaries but knows just where the chapel is and gave me all of her information to be able to give to the missionaries. And she even mentioned how she would like to go in the temple someday with her husband. So that is awesome. And then the zone leaders called me and said that a man I contacted in the bus forever ago and passed the reference to them is now there most positive investigator and went to church on Sunday. Miracles are all around us. They are so fun to watch come to pass. I love that about being a missionary. 

My interview this morning with President was so wonderful. We talked about all that I have learned and become, what my goals are for the future and how I can live all that I have taught as a member for the rest of forever. At the end he said a prayer and then looked at me, with tears in his eyes, and said ¨Heavenly Father is SO pleased with your work. In fact, He is thrilled. And so grateful for all you have done.¨

People ask me what I am most excited to do when I get home. After taking a 2 hour shower, rolling around on the carpet, and eating mom´s food... I truly think that I am most excited to just live the gospel with my family for the rest of my life. That is joy. That is peace. I just want to share a quote and a scripture that I love...

"The past is to be learned from but not lived in. We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes. And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future. Faith always has to do with blessings and truths and events that will yet be efficacious in our lives.... Faith is for the future. Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there. Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us and that Christ truly is the “high priest of good things to come” (Hebrews 9:11)....Keep your eyes on your dreams, however distant and far away. Live to see the miracles of repentance and forgiveness, of trust and divine love that will transform your life today, tomorrow, and forever.¨ - Elder Holland (The Best Is Yet To Be)

26 And I saw that I must soon go down to my grave, having been wrought upon by the power of God that I must preach and prophesy unto this people, and declare the word according to the truth which is in Christ. And I have declared it in all my days, and have rejoiced in it above that of the world.

 27 And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father. Amen.

I know that I am not dying, but those 2 references describe how marvelous the past is. but help me keep me faith in the future and remember that there are such wonderful experiences ahead. I love this gospel. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints truly is the kingdom of God here on the earth. I love the temple and want to honor the covenants that I have made within those sacred walls. I know that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ and that through the Restoration we have all the truths and ordinances necessary for our salvation. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. It is the iron rod that will lead us to that tree of everlasting and eternal life. Families really can be together forever. Jesus Christ lives. His Atonement is real. He can heal us and help us. Always.

I love you guys with all of my heart. Thank you for everything. We did it all together. I have done all that I can, and I am coming home to you.

Hermana Jane