Monday, 29 May 2017
Well folks this is it the final blog posts as a full time missionary.
It's quite bitter sweet for it all to be coming to a close. But I am
forever grateful for my mission. Before I sob I'll tell you about my
final week!
We started off with pday at Top Golf!! It's a a super fancy, huge
golfing arena. It's like batting cages for golfing! I stink at it, like I
can't swing to save my life but it was still SO fun! We then did the
usual pday activities. After dinner we had a little desert and lesson
with the Hill family! Sister Kikel shared a quote from Elder Hollands
talk "Missionary Work and the Atonement." Its long, but trust me, it's
good!
"Presidents,
you will have occasion to ask, and your missionaries will have many
occasions to ask, why is this so hard? Why doesn’t it go better? Why
can’t our success be more rapid? Why aren’t there more people joining
the Church? It is the truth. We believe in angels. We believe in
miracles. Why don’t people just flock to the font? Why isn’t the only
risk in the mission field that of pneumonia, just being soaking wet all
day and all night in a baptismal font? Why isn’t it easier, President?
Why do the people not understand, President? Why do they reject us,
President? Can’t they see? These are things that a nineteen and a
twenty and twenty-one year old will ask. These are things I have asked.
I have thought about this a great deal. I offer this as my personal
feeling. It is not Church doctrine per se. It’s just my feeling to you
as you prepare to go into the mission field. I am convinced that
missionary work (life) is not easy because salvation is not a cheap
experience. Salvation was never easy. We are the Church of Jesus
Christ, this is the truth, He is our Great Eternal Head. Why would we
believe, why would we think, that it would be easy for us when it was
never, ever easy for Him? In turn, how could we possibly bear any
moving, lasting testimony of the Atonement if we have never known or
felt anything of such an experience? As missionaries we are proud to say
we are disciples of Christ—and we are. But mark my word. That means
you must be prepared to walk something of the path He walked, to feel
something of the pain He felt, to at least occasionally sometime during
your mission shed one of the tears of sorrow that He shed.
Now please don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying you have to look
for suffering, and I’m not saying that we experience anything anywhere
near what Christ experienced. That would be presumptuous and frankly,
sacrilegious. But I believe that missionaries and investigators to come
to the truth, to come to salvation, to come to repentance, to come to
know something of the price that has been paid, will have to pay a token
of that same price—it will only be a token, but I believe it has to be
paid. I don’t believe missionary work has ever been easy nor that
conversion is, nor that retention is, nor that continued faithfulness in
the Church is. I believe it is supposed to require something of our
soul. If Jesus could plead in the night, falling on His face, bleeding
from every pore and crying, “Abba, Father, [Papa]...[remove] this cup
from me” (Mark 14:36).
Well little wonder that salvation is not a whimsical or “easy” thing
for a missionary. This is the Living Son of the Living God saying,
“Isn’t there some other way?” So, presidents, if your missionaries
(anyone) wonder why this isn’t easy, they should remember they are not
the first ones to ask that. Someone a lot greater and a lot better
asked it a long time ago. He asked if there were not a less
excruciating way—and for him, there wasn’t. So, perhaps, for us in
token and symbolism, there won’t be an entirely easy way either." Can I
get an Amen!? It's so true. If we choose to follow and represent the
Savior, of course it's not going to be easy! But He is going to help us,
that's the great thing is that He is walking alongside us and carrying
us through our trials.
Tuesday
I got to check something off my bucket list! We did chalk art in the
park! We drew out the Plan of Salvation and some quotes and scriptures
that we love!! We can only pray that someone will see it and it will
bring them comfort or help the, to want to find answers to questions!
That afternoon we backed with Nancy for the last time!! I love that
lady! She is so sweet and we both have a love for chocolate and
peonies! We had a pretty in depth conversation about the Plan of
Salvation. We hear a lot of "oh, that makes sense!" So that's a good
sign!
Wednesday
I had the opportunity to sit down with President Marston for the last
time. It was the best interview I've ever had. I feel so much peace
about going home. I feel that I have worked hard, and the Lord has
accepted my efforts. I love President Marston and I am forever grateful
for his love and care!!
Friday
was the departing Temple trip. President and Sister Marston, the
Kenneys and the departing missionaries all went to the Temple! All I can
say is I felt so much love and peace. President had each of us promise
him that we will always be Temple worthy and hold a current recommend!
So many blessings!! Ahh!
We had a lesson with Ron and Patty Coney! It was the best lesson we
have ever had!! I shared a scripture from the Book of Mormon and got to
bear my testimony of the truthfulness of this book of scripture. It has
truly changed me. I find answers, peace and direction. My relationship
with my Savior has grown and I am just happier when I read it!
Saturday
was my last proselyting day!! It was a good day! The highlight was
tracting and meeting Betty Gotluck! She's golden! She accepted a copy of
the Book of Mormon, she's looking for a church and wants the Sisters to
come back! She was so excited and so grateful that we stopped by!
Sunday
was SOOOO GOOD!! The talks were amazing and the spirit was strong!
Nancy came to church!! We spent the day saying goodbye!! I got to see
the KRINKES!! I LOVE them so much!! It didn't really feel like my last
Sunday as a missionary. It hasn't really hit me yet that I'm getting on a
plane tomorrow and flying home.
I have absolutely loved my mission. I am so grateful that God
called me to serve Him and His children. I have laughed, cried, felt joy
and sorrow. I've had many ups and downs but I wouldn't trade my
experiences for the world. I know that my Savior lives and love me. I
know that He has carried me and led me.
Once a missionary, always a missionary.
Lots of love,
Sister Emily Gore
