Mission Call

Mission Call

Monday, November 21, 2016

531+ Days Later...

Welp, it's here. 
Not much to say about that.
But this week was truly amazing! My bestie Lily took us out to dinner again :) We got to have a new member lesson with Sandra and make Coxinha (a brazillian dish) with her and Sister Goncalves on Thursday :) We visited with my dear friend Sister Pratt who is doing much better in her new home with new friends :) I had my farewell dinner with the amazing Wood family :) And we taught a fantastic lesson to Kimberly! She's progressing REALLY well! Woot woot! 
On Wednesday, I had my last Missionary Leadership Council. It was seriously the best one yet. Because there's 28 missionaries going home with me, MLC was really directed at that lol. A lot about leadership and applying what we learned into our lives. I also had my exit interview that day due to the amount of missionaries leaving with me. It was really super great! President is amazing and I'm so lucky to have been in his stewardship these last 18 months. I truly love him and Sister Christiansen. They will forever be a part of my life. 
We also got to meet with Dartisha and we started teaching her son D'shawn! He wants to be baptized immediately, but Dartisha doesn't feel ready yet. She'll get there. That family is truly so amazing and such a miracle :) The little girl, D'nira, saw me leaving and I told them I'd be going home this week; she just looked at me and said, "Can we still be friends??" Yes, D'nira. For eternity!
We got to do lots of service at Bishops storehouse in preparation for Thanksgiving, as well has have another lesson with Teresa :) She's doing much much better! I have just LOVED getting to know these people and share such amazing spiritual experiences with them. They are all such an example to me. I hope you all know how much I truly truly love my mission and I'm forever grateful God decided that my mission would be a part of my life. I couldn't imagine my life without it.  
To end the week, Sunday I got to go back to Harpers Ferry and witness the baptism of Paisley Haddox!!!! I could've have asked for a better last Sunday. Coming back to my first area was really a shock to me remembering who I was there and who I am now. The Haddox family has been such great friends to me and I am privileged to know them and to have been able to be there for Paisley. I often think about the difference I made in Harpers Ferry and it has been difficult to think of any difference I made, but seeing that family on Sunday and many others there helped me see it. I was a brand new missionary, with little experience and not a lot of love, but God let me love that family and others around them. And I didn't really do anything, but I know the Spirit was able to work through me to bless the lives of others. And for that I will forever be grateful.
I know that I'll walk off the plane in a couple of days and I'll look like I haven't changed. I haven't gained a lot of weight; I still look like I am 16. I haven't grown an inch or two... But on the inside I'm a completely different person. My heart has grown. My eyes have been opened. My understanding has deepened. And my love for my Savior has grown stronger than ever. I hope and pray that you will all give me a chance to show you the change the Atonement can make in your life because of the change it's made in mine. I want to leave you all with my testimony of Jesus Christ. I know He lives and I know He's not only MY Savior, but He's yours as well. He came to earth to die for us so we could live again. Not only so we could live again, but so that we could grow and have everything He has. This plan isn't just for us to return to where we were and who we were, but to grow and become the person God knows we can become. Each of us have potential and when we follow Christ, He unlocks that potential. I know that because the Atonement is so very real and evident in our lives, that repentance truly IS the plan. I know God gives us mercy and allows 2nd and 3rd and a million different chances and it's all because of our Savior Jesus Christ. There is nothing more precious to know or to have in the entire world than the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Not only can it change your life, but it can change you if you choose to live it. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I've felt its power even before my mission and it has all the truth we need to live with God again. I know Joseph Smith was called of God to be a prophet. To guide us and to bring back the fullness of the gospel. Because of that, I know we have a living Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, on the earth today who talks with God and guides and prepares us for the future. I can't even describe in words the feelings that I have right now for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Alma 26 describes what I feel perfectly :) I want you all to know that I have changed through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I'm not perfect, far from it. But I know what my weaknesses are and how to help them become strengths. I love this gospel and this knowledge and I know that it's here for everyone. It's not always easy to live the gospel of Jesus Christ in the moment, but it's always the easiest option in the long run. I love it. And I pray that you all can have it. 
I hope you all have a fantastic Thanksgiving! I'll be coming home that day and can't wait to hear from all of you soon. My wonderful family has set up a "party" for me at the church (I can't remember that address... look on Facebook if you want it lol) on Friday, the 25th, from 7-9pm. I'd love to see you all there! I love you!!
Quote of the Week: The Lord trusts His true disciples. He sends prepared people to His prepared servants."
Scripture of the Week: 2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." 
Love, 

Sister Humphrey