The End.

Well, the time has come...

my mission is coming to an end.

It's not something that's horrible really,

just a big change.

Don't get me wrong,

I am going to miss New York a LOT!

I mean I even bought this shirt

just because I am going to miss it so much!

I don't know what I'd do without these two years.

I don't know what I would do without meeting

all of the incredible people that I met!

They have taught me lessons that will bless me

for the rest of my life!

This isn't my quote but I love it, 

"Your call is less about geography and more about the relationships."

-Elder Hamula

It's SO TRUE.

Think about the millions of lessons you have learned 

from those around you.

And if you haven't learned millions of them

then you better start getting to know more people!

I know God will always give us what we need 

to be happy in this life when we follow Him.

I know because I chose to give him these last two years

He has made me happier than I have ever been.

Ever. 

If you are one of the many that made my mission what it is,

THANK YOU!

While I may not be able to keep in touch with all of you in this life,

we'll definitely talk in the afterlife. 

So until then, God Speed!

May you see His hand in your life every day

and make those choices so you can come to know Him,

and His son, your Savior, 

more and more each day.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

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The Universal Valentine

Whether I like it or not my mission is coming to a close.

With just about three and a half weeks left

I've been thinking a lot back on my mission

and am coming to realize what truly has mattered to me.

The People.

From a green meal on my first Monday at the Owen's,

to attending the open house for the now Elder Steven Cordon,

to sharing meals with friends,

to training Elder Van Wagenen.

It has always been the people that have made it so special.

I know that my mission call was less about the geography

and more about the relationships.

It's the moments I spent one-on-one

with those who were in desperate need of Christ's grace.

It's the moments that I saw Christ's grace

work miracles in others lives.

It was the moments when I didn't know if I could continue on

and then His love and mercy were manifest through

an inspired person who knew Him as their savior. 

It's those moments that brought me to know

that Christ is truly our savior.

It was the moment when a man turned his life around

and found himself worthy to be sealed to his now wife.

It was the moment when a man bound by addiction

broke free and thanked his Savior for the power to do so.

When we realize how much we need Him

He shows us how much He loves us.

Whether you have a valentine or not

you know someone loves you.

You have the best valentine anyone could ask for.

Look for it in those you love.

Look for it in those who will reach out to you today.

and most importantly,

Show it to those who may have forgotten this perfect valentine:

that is given to all of us,

personally.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

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A Warm Shower or Freezing Rain?

January and raining, never thought it would happen in New York!

It wasn't quite as wonderful as I thought it would be.

The temperature just above freezing it was raining

and cold. 

We spent the morning hauling logs outside 

and my companion quickly found out his jacket wasn't waterproof. 

The warm shower was more welcoming than ever before.

Sitting on the couch I was sad to say that neither of us

were very excited to get out in the rain again and knock on doors.

However knowing that we were on the Lord's time

we put our jackets on and headed out. 

Trying to look through the darkness and rain

we couldn't find the address we were looking for. 

A little discouraged and wanting to just talk to someone

I pulled the car over and parked in front of the nearest house.

We knocked on the door and lo and behold,

the man answering the door takes a Book of Mormon

and agrees to have us return to talk about it.

You know how grateful we were?

We got back in the car and started cheering and fist pumping!

Then of course we took the reverent moment

to give a prayer of thanks to Him who led us there.

Are you in that freezing rain?

It gets pretty cold.

Or are you singing and taking your time

in the warm steamy shower?

If we spend life in our comfort zone,

and not putting ourselves out there to help others

and to challenge ourselves,

we could very well turn into raisins under the warm water.

When you step out into that freezing rain

That miracle will come.

And as President Uchtdorf says,

"It will be glorious."

Think of a way you stay inside the warm shower

and make a change today to get out in that freezing rain!

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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