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LETTER FROM MOM

Hi Izzy!! ONE MORE WEEK and then three days! I can't wait to hug you! But I need to tell you how proud I am of you. Izzy you have always had a deeply caring soul. You have always been 100% in on whatever you put your mind to. Whether that be school work, friends and social life, caring about others, Samoa, cheer, and now your mission and the Lord. You have blessed our lives immensely this past 18 months as you have chosen to leave your home and go be selfless among the people of Virginia. The Lord loves you so much. I know he appreciates so much your happy willing loving demeanor. I know he wants to give you a big hug and thank you for the positive energetic way you have given everything you are and have to your mission. To bring his children back to him. To show them the light of Christ and to celebrate everyone's individuality and gifts. You appreciate every little thing he has put on this Earth in a wondrous and beautiful way. The way he intended all of us to see it, y...
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LAST EMAIL

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"And it came to pass that I, [sister smith], began to be old; ... wherefore, I conclude this [service], declaring that I have [served] according to the best of my knowledge, by saying that the time passed away with us, and also our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream..."  (Jacob 7:26) I have no regrets. Not because I served a perfect mission, but rather because I have learned to turn to my Savior and repent for the times I haven't been so perfect. I am grateful for where I am today, for the person I have become. I cannot imaginie a life where I did not choose to serve the Lord. But "I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles have [been] wrought in this land, for which [I] will praise his name forever." (Alma 26:12) "I cannot say the smallest part which I feel." (Alma 26:16) However, I will say the most important lesson I have been taught, over t...
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12/9

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"If you want some quality time with Sister Smith, i suggest today is the day to do it."  --the sweet bishopric member over the pulpit this Sunday after he received word I'm going home soon..  One of my very good friends, James Calderon, was baptized this weekend. :) Never have I, in all my 18 months, met anyone that understands the doctrine better or is more converted to the true gospel of Jesus Christ than James. The spirit of God truly was poured over the hearts of all in attendance at his baptismal service. Angels were with us yesterday, and they rejoiced with us. No doubt. James spoke in Sacrament meeting immediately following his baptism. He looked at home on the stand. :') Love that guy.  "I say unto you, there never were [missionaries] that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began" (Alma 26:35)  Two sisters in our zone came to our area for exchanges and we did a light the world booth on campus. Wow, it was successful. I...
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HAPPY DECEMBER!

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Before coming on a mission.. you don't know how much you're gonna love it. You can only dream of what the experience would look and feel like. Then you arrive and your heart begins to grow. It expands for a climate and a people unlike ever before. You would find yourself taking a deep breath, taking in a moment contrasting anything you would have experienced prior. Moments, for example, of hearing your eternal siblings clap and shout for joy as they learn their families can be together forever. Or, watching their eyes fill with tears as they explain the peace they feel is what they have spent a lifetime looking for.  Everyday for 18 months your loving Father in Heaven lets you be a part of  these experiences. Sacred experiences. The most merciful, loving God allows you to be a part of His army in the latter part of the latter days. And it will ultimately change you. Change you forever.       I am overwhelmed with a thankful heart for the change that has ...
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11/25/19 THREE MORE WEEKS

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HAPPY MONDAY!!! Here are some FACTS to make it even brighter!!!  1. YOU have a purpose here on this planet  2. PEACE is available to you  3. Jesus Christ   4. Heavenly Father cares so much about the little things you care about  Our boy James passed it's baptismal interview. He went to a party afterwards and brought two six packs of water and chugged them. (We know this because our member friend, his fellowshipper, was there.) So proud of him, staying hydrated!!    Our miracle this week was definitely Kelly. We met her last week and met with her a few times this week. While on an exchange I showed her the sealing room in the temple to explain the blessings God wants for her. She told us a few days later that while she was saying a group prayer at a Christian group on campus she pictured "the gold and white room where God is." WOW she is awesome. On Sunday after church I asked her what her favorite part was, her response was "the s...
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11/18

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We're joyfully marching to our home! Our heavenly home. Congratulations, you're on your life's mission!   I have felt an out pouring of the spirit this week. Oh, the multitude of tender mercies!! The YSA had stake conference this weekend and it was held at the Washington D.C. Temple Visitors center!!! And we got super golden extra special permission to CROSS THE RIVER! (No one in the D.C. south mission crosses the river) Well, until yesterday! It was SO BEAUTIFUL. I love the temple with my entire soul. It's under construction right now, but even seeing it from the outside filled my heart with love. I cried.   I have a story. While walking around campus Wednesday Sister Stout commented on the drop of temperature by saying "This is my favorite season. When all the bugs die." I responded with a chuckle because SAME. Well, flash back to an exchange I went on last week with a sister in my zone. That exchange we made friends with several wonderful children ...
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11/11/19

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As I was contemplating what to write in my email today, reflecting on the last 7 days, my heart was touched as I was reminded, by the Spirit, how intricately the Savior, Jesus Christ, is involved in our lives. The single most important event, or series of events, that have occurred over the last 18 months have been the time(s) I knew LOVE was the reason 'why'. The why for my mission. The why for my family. The why for Earth life, for sorrow, for joy. Why?? Because love. Because of the perfect, pure, infinite love from Jesus Christ. Love is the biggest most powerful motivator. I consider my testimony of His atonement a great gift. My most important, precious gift I've ever possessed. Knowing He truly is the Redeemer of my broken, mortal soul. Could I ask for more? "..the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise." (Alma 37:45) I cannot imagine a life without the peace that comes from knowing J...
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