I received some of the funniest emails today from all of you! Thank you for making me laugh. The past year and half has been quite a journey. In the spring of 2008, to my surprise John called me to let me know that he was going to serve a mission. That Fall I prayed if a mission was what the Lord wanted for me as well. Sure enough, I received my answer. Over the next months, and all of 2009 we tried to prepare ourselves by reading the scriptures and praying together. Our lives slowly began to change for the better. Our friends kept asking, "are you sure you guys want to do this?" I am so grateful the Lord gave us both the courage to serve missions, and for the support of our families.
A mission has not been even close to what I thought. Matthew warned me that it wasn't easy but I don't think I believed him until I started experiencing it for myself. A mission is not an easy journey, but the rewards are endless. I feel a sense of overwhelming gratitude for the people I have met, the lessons I have learned, and the strong unity in my family, while I have been gone. Matthew and Mom joked that now that I am coming home, our communication will be less. It's most likely true. It has been a great blessing to receive emails weekly from family, to know that you have prayed in meal prayers, family prayers, and in your personal prayers in my behalf. What blessing to know, that I have a family who loves me and that I know I will be with for eternity! It's HUGE...huge..
I have watched an atheist turn to a Christian. I have heard a nine year old say, what a 90 year old doesn't understand. I was seen an addict turn his life to God... a teenager change from having little faith to being 100% converted to the gospel. And probably the most meaningful to me personally...I have watched a 16 year old, leave his life behind, to serve the Lord in a foreign land and become the man who the Lord knew he could be.
Has leaving my family, my Morgan family, my friends, my belongings, and Oregon behind to serve The Lord been worth it? Absolutely.
There is one message that I have shared for 18 months and that is....
We are all God's children, with purpose in life, He loves us, and by embracing the gospel of Jesus Christ, we can return to live with Heavenly Father in our families. I hope my letters from the last 18 months, have increased faith, and helped the heads that hang down, rise again.
I testify that Jesus Christ does live today! That he is the only way to lasting happiness in this life and the next. He does heal. I know that we will all be with our family members after this life. I know that the powers of the devil are real, but that Heavenly Father is much more powerful. I know that The Book of Mormon is the word of God, just as the Bible is. I know Joseph Smith translated it. We do have a prophet, who leads Christ's church today. We can all know truth, if we simply ask God in prayer. He will tell us by the feeling of the Holy Spirit. Love, Joy, and Peace.
Thank you for all of you who read my letters for 18 months. I love you all.
See you FRIDAY!
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Love, Sister Powell
pictures:
1. My brothers mission tie...it has been through 4 missions now...
2. The best district I have ever had! They were so fun!
3. Saying goodbye to Josiah and Nicole :)
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