The last few weeks have been hard. There were times when I truly wondered if my faith was where it should be. If I had the faith that is needed to teach people. If I knew the lessons well enough, if I had a testimony of the things I'm teaching and if I do what it is. How do I have that testimony? And it was really starting to get to me. But there have been a few things that stuck with me throughout the week.

1) Alma 32:21 - And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.

     Faith is not being perfect in all that we do. I'm far from perfect but I will do my best to put all my faith In God and His Son to help me in all that I do.

2) Conference Talks - They are so good. I've been reading one a day for 13 days now! But there is one called "Just keep going - with faith" by Elder Carl B. Cook. It was so good and taught me that we truly need to rely on the Holy Ghost more in our lives.

I know that times are hard and that I've doubted my testimony of this gospel, but I can testify that as I persevered through these hard times, I was able to find it again. Stronger than before. This is the way the truth and the light. Remember the experiences you’ve had. Write them down. 

Later in the week.... We had an amazing blessing happen!

We were getting ready to door to door contact. We were in the car, saying a prayer asking for Heavenly Father to guide us and help us find those that are ready. And literally while we were saying the prayer, this guy comes up and knocks on the window. 🤣 He wants to know more about the church. 😆 We haven't met with him yet to see if he is truly interested, but that was really cool! Definitely a blessing. After we finally got out of the car, we found another person interested! Heavenly Father truly does watch out and bless us. 

I recently was asked is it worth it to serve a mission? You’re giving up so much. Walking away from everything for two years. Is it really worth it?

 And to answer it, YES. There are so many other things we could be doing right now. We could be continuing our lives, getting ready to go to college. We could be figuring out our careers. 

But YES, it is so worth it.

 So why am I saying YES if we are sacrificing so much? Because this is the most important work. Gathering Israel. I have only been out for 4 or 5 weeks now and I'm not joking when I say this. You SEE people's life change. You literally WATCH them change into a better person. Miracles literally happen every day. 

I'm not saying this is easy though, if it was easy everyone would be out here. Guys, this is Literally the hardest thing I've done. Satan tries to work on you more here than ever. Pull you down, say you’re not good enough for this, you don’t know the Doctrine well enough. I've had hard days. Really hard days. I miss you guys, my family, the things I'm used to (especially the things at the store. Or even USA food.) The temple. You kind of get stripped from everything you use to have. Some days I'm asking myself do I know who I am?

 But this will build you so so much, you get time to study every day. Teach mostly every day, hopefully. Find out who you really are. Not having mom and dad with you is hard. Some of my testimony was leaning on them a little bit. But now, I'm working on building it without them. The mission builds you up. Strengthens you as you become a true disciple and find out who you truly are. 

 In closing, it's hard, it really is but that's why the entire school isn't out here. This gospel is true, but the mission helps shape you into who God and Jesus Christ want you to become. This I feel is truly preparatory to real life. Helps us build up:

1. Who we are with confidence 

2. Our testimony

Missions prep us to become who Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ need us to be. When we get home and finally have families of our own. We will be MORE ready to teach our children and not fall away from the gospel. If we serve in leadership positions, it will help us know that is truly where God needs us. And make the most of our services to him. I hope you guys find as much joy as I do in this work. It's hard though and just know that. It gets harder. 

My dad reminded me the other day, and it's stuck with me since. I never said it was easy, I only said it would be worth it. 

The mission will change you. Are you willing to let it change you? 

I know this is where he needs me right now. God knows all things. I'm so proud of all of you for choosing to serve, accepting a call. Or even just ministering to someone. It's a huge commitment that's not easy. Please be in a place where the Holy Ghost can ALWAYS be with you. Don't forget to enjoy/ have fun while you serve in any way that you are. It would be a long two years if I just solely focused on just the gospel. But please focus on the gospel, always be worthy of the Holy Ghost. 

I know this is where he needs us. In the exact time and place we have been called. This is his work. We are his hands and mouth pieces to the people we find and teach. I know that exact obedience brings blessing. I know that the struggles I am going through are happening for a reason. That in a way he is taking me down to build me up. This the ONE and ONLY TRUE CHURCH. Joseph Smith was a true prophet called of God to restore his gospel that HE established on earth while He was here. I know they live and care for each one of us personally. I am thankful for the time I’ve had to serve so far and am excited to keep serving. I know that he pours out blessings on us every day. Just like the rain, but sometimes we have our umbrellas up and can't see or feel His blessing. But they are ALWAYS there. If you have reached this point, I know that everything I've said is true. With all my heart. I love each and every one of you and miss you deeply. Serve with power and your love of the gospel. Love the people. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.