The Washington Tacoma Mission--Silverdale 6th and Bainbridge Island

My sixth/seventh, and final areas, were located in Silverdale and on Bainbridge Island from October to November 2014. I was transferred up to Silverdale with Sister Cassell in October...and then three weeks later, we were called to work in both Silverdale and on Bainbridge with Sister Liao. It was a CRAZY last 3 weeks of my mission, but these were 3 weeks that cemented the love of my Heavenly Father and that He was pleased with my mission.  

From my final report: 

I have learned a lot about attitude on my mission. Days can get tough, but only if you let them. We have to be a visual aid for what we are teaching. I have frequently asked myself, “Am I happy because I have the plan of happiness?” My last two transfers, my mission went on hyper-speed as I spent six weeks in Wollochet, three weeks in Silverdale 6^th, and then three weeks covering both Silverdale and Bainbridge Island. This time solidified an important lesson Heavenly Father had been trying to teach me about attitude: gratitude. I have been overwhelmed with the reality that there is so much to be thankful for, and there is hope smiling brightly before us. A woman battling cancer named Diane and a fourteen year old named Colleen represent that attitude of gratitude and that hope to me. As President Monson says, “the future is as bright as your faith.”

“Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.”-Alma 37:6

Above all, the greatest joy that I have experienced on my mission has come from the small and simple things, those moments when the Spirit has touched my heart in a way that I KNOW that Heavenly Father is aware of me and that His greatest desire is for my happiness. These moments are timeless: laughing to the point of tears at something funny one of my companions said. Driving down the winding roads of Yelm at night with Mt. Rainier lit up by the moon in the background. Feeling the sweet comfort of receiving a priesthood blessing that comes straight from a loving Father. Watching someone moved to tears on a doorstep as they feel God’s love for the first time. Following a prompting of the Spirit that leads you exactly where you need to be. These, and countless other moments, are the molecules that make up my mission, and that I will treasure eternally.

“You will be blessed with an increased testimony of the Restoration, the Book of Mormon, and the priesthood, and a love of Joseph Smith as a prophet” -my setting apart

I have no doubt that Heavenly Father has fulfilled all the promises that He has made to me concerning my mission, and that He will continue to fulfill His promises throughout my life. I know He lives and loves me. Because He loves me, and all of us, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to atone for our sins. I know that our Elder Brother Jesus Christ lives and loves us personally and perfectly. His Atonement is all encompassing, and is a constant source of strength and enabling power. I know that because our Father loves us, He restored the fullness of the plan by which we could make it home to Him. The fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ is restored. We have a prophet on the earth today to lead and guide Jesus Christ’s church. The Book of Mormon stands as another witness that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world. We are truly engaged in the work of most worth. This work is eternal, and we may not fully understand the impact of the small and simple acts that we do, but someday, we will understand how every act plays a part. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have had to serve and to declare repentance unto this people of the Washington Tacoma Mission and that I never have to cease laboring in this eternal work. I will forevermore stand as a witness of His Amazing Grace. All is truly well. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.