Dear Mom, Dad, Tyler, Brandon, Bryson, Alyssa, Ethan, and Ashlyn;
I have already started to cry and I haven't even typed anything yet!! That is just typical of the last few days, I suppose.
I couldn't be more grateful. For everything. I don't know how this email will go, but if it is horrible I guess you can take it out on me
on Wednesday. :)
Every moment on my mission has been so special. Every smile, every tear, every really hard day and every best day ever. Every member, every investigator, every potential and contact and bishop and companion has taught me so, so much. I am so grateful.
Last night and this morning I have come to some conclusions. Funny, because they are the same conclusions Dad came to on his mission. The only things that really matter are loving God and loving people. Sometimes, and especially here at the end of my mission, I have felt a lot of pressure. A lot of people telling me, "Make it count!" "Make it the best weeks of your mission!" "Treasure every second!" And then I get stressed. "Am I making this count? Am I happier than I have ever been? Am I the best missionary I have been? Are we teaching enough, are we talking to enough people, are we being obedient enough?" And then I lose it - I lose what is really important about missionary work. It takes away from the joy that makes the Lord's work what it is. His work is about people and Him. I won't forget it again. :)
I am excited to see you all. I hope you know that. :) It is going to be some gooooood times!! Everyone is so excited that I get to be home with my family for Christmas. And so am I. :)
I am also stressed!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have a lot to do today to make everything fall into place. Pray for me, please. :)
Our missionary purpose is this: "Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored Gospel through Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End." To be honest, isn't that the purpose of every member of the Church? Just insert the next covenant where it says "Baptism." It could be the Endowment, the Sealing, or simply going to church next week to take the Sacrament. My purpose won't ever change. Isn't that great?
Missionary work is definitely the hardest, deepest, most meaningful work in the world. It is great to help. It is hard when people don't accept the help they need. It is great to be people's angels. It is hard to not be perfect. It is great to learn that it's ok to not be perfect. I am learning so much, and have learned so much.
Mom, Dad, Ty, Brandon, Bryce, Alyssa, Ethan, and Ashlyn; I know that God is real. I know that He is our Father. I know that the greatest Gift that this world has ever received is His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. He is the one Thing that has never changed, even when everything else has. He is the only One that was with me walking into the MTC, getting on that plane, and landing in the Promised Land. He is the only One that was with me through Sister Ward, Hermana Campos, Hermana Jackson, Hermana Day, Hermana Brooks, Hermana Sokolowski, Hermana Fisi, Hermana Hansen, Hermana Marsh, and Hermana Hernandez. He is the only One who saw a stuttering, not-confident Spanish-learner receive the gift of tongues through many months and a lot of practice. He is the only One who knows all of my friends in Olympia, Windy Ridge, Valencia, Lake Nona, and Semoran. He is the only One who has seen Kara Allred learn, grow, change, repent, feel, love, and become more like Him over this sacred 18 months. He'll come home with me, and help me start a new chapter of my life. I wouldn't have it be anyone else. He knows. And that's the beautiful thing about it. For every single one of us, He gets it. He's lived it. He understands. Every rude rejection, every broken heart, every hard day, every opportunity missed has been chipping off the rough edges of my character. Every renewed hope, every answered prayer, every lesson learned, and every mistake forgiven has made my testimony a little more deep and a little more mine. I love my mission. I guess there isn't much more to say than that. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for giving me these 18 months to try and serve You.
I have so much to share with all of you when I get home. Please be patient with me as I adjust to a new life as a better person. I really do love Him, and you, so much.
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