Friday, February 13, 2015

February 13, 2015 My Last Letter as a Missionary



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El Ultimo!

Wow! This is my last Blog of the mission!!!  It's so crazy to think that I'll be back in Utah in just a few days! It's starting to hit me more now as a reality. My ward had a farewell party for me and that made me realize even more that I'm getting the boot! Going home is kind of a reverse of going on your mission, you have butterflies, you imagine what it will be like, you are preparing spiritually for what lies ahead. In the mission there is funny lingo we have. When you come into the mission you are "born" in the area where you start, and when you go home you "die" in that area you end in.  Welp, I'm an old lady now on the mission field and I'll  be dying in a few days. I have a better understanding now of how the elderly feel I think. (: But I can say that the mission has been such a wonderful part of my life and it will continue to be something that I will always have with me throughout my life to guide me!

This week has been a wonderful week of service to others, strengthening friendships and saying our goodbyes. You know, what if everyday was like a goodbye? All of the wonderful things we say to each other at the end are so happy and make you feel good. Maybe people don't want to be mushy all the time and make you cry, but it's so great! Telling people you appreciate them and you are happy to know them should be said everyday, I want to work towards doing that more often. Appreciation is often overlooked but it is such a great thing!

I have a big testimony of service being a great friendship builder! I have gained so many strong, long lasting relationships that have started and grown from serving others and having others serve me! It is such a sincere show of love that it endears you to them quicker than any other way. All of us want sincere, loving friends, and what greater way to show that than serving one another? Its so great! And it makes you feel good to! The more good, solid friendships, the better! I have gained so many great friends from all ages and all races and I love it! I learn so much from all of them that makes my life so much fuller and happier. There is something you can learn from everyone!

I am grateful for the opportunity to have served a mission in Minnesota, even though it is pretty dang cold here, my spirit has been warmed from all of the wonderful souls I have had the privilege to meet to both learn from and teach.

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are such great guys! I'm really grateful that we're related! And that they are not only watching out for me, but everyone in the world. They really do love everyone no matter what, it's so cool!

There have been so many blessings of going on a mission that I am so grateful for, and if anyone is thinking about going on a mission, I would say a big YES to going. It is the biggest spiritual adventure you will go on! There is nothing that will so thoroughly build a sure foundation in the gospel in so quick of a time than a mission will. There are so many blessings and benefits that come from serving the Lord! In reality, giving up your time and energy is not really being given up, it's being given to put to the best use you can in a year and a half/ two year time span. It's the best investment you will ever make!  I'm so happy that the Lord trusted me enough to do this work because it is indeed a blessing!

I've been able to take just a little of the path that Christ and his disciples took. Developing the attributes of Christ takes effort but it is so much fun!

I want to bear my testimony that I indeed do know that the Church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints is the Church of Jesus Christ on the earth today. That the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and that we have a living Prophet who has the same priesthood that Christ had to bless and teach and guide the people. I'm so grateful for the plan of salvation so that I can be with my family for eternity, and I'm grateful for the commandments that keep me on the strait and narrow! I know that we are sons and daughters of God and He loves us!

And I love you all to! See you soon! Have a great week!  

Love Sister Kaylani Jo Ficklin


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