June 24, 2013 letter

Hi family (and friends)  It has been an interesting week here in Maple Ridge.

 

The broadcast yesterday was truly an amazing and an uplifting experience. Many tears were shed as I listened to the servants of the Lord talk about the most important work on earth. It was incredible to see how much the Lord is hastening the work. I am so thankful to be apart of that hastening and to be a missionary for the only true and living church. I love this gospel so much and I love the Savior with all my heart. I am thankful for all that He has done for me and all He continues to do for me. I  just love this work so much.

 

This week the mission office phoned to tell me of my release date. So scary to think about, but that time is coming. I will be coming home on August 21. Less than two months! Baha! I am sure as you can all imagine, it is a very bitter sweet moment for me. 

 

With my time speeding up till I go home, I have been pondering about my service and all that I have rendered and all that I want to accomplish before the time I go home. In my studies this morning I was reading in 1 Peter 1:6-9 

"Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."

 

It hit me hard. The past few weeks have been a trial of my faith. I haven't been able to do as much as I would like to do, I have to sleep when I don't want to, my body won't work when I want it to, and sometimes my mind wanders to distant places. It has been an experience, but I also know that the Lord has been with me every step of the way. He has been there when I have felt like no one else was. Waking up in the middle of the night with an unbearable headache is not fun. I can't exactly wake my companion to talk about the things on my mind. However, I have had many wonderful experiences while on my knees late at night. If anything, this experience has really taught me to rely on my Savior and all He does. That led me to read a scripture in Hebrews 10:36 "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise."

 

I love this gospel. I love the truth that I know. I love my Savior. I love the Lord's mission.

 

I am so thankful for each one of you. I love you all.

 

Sister Saal