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
