well here we are....You never think you will reach this day, and then all of a sudden it just stabs you in the back coming out of no where.
I guess that got graphic quickly sorry..
This week, was probably the fastest of my whole mission....and yet it was the longest...because we were just running around alllllllll day every day! I AM SO TIRED!!
We got transfer calls this weekend, and wouldnt you know I am getting transfered. To Utah. I am a little bit nervous, but I know it will be good, and hopefully I can find some people there that need me. (because I WILL NEVER NOT BE A MISSIONARY!!)
I am excited to see you all. I will miss it here though, so I am going to need some serious adjusting when I get back.
The Lord has really been comforting me these past few days though, and I havent really been able to cry. I have this gut bad feeling but yet, I dont feel bad....it is a strange thing.
We went to the temple this week, and it was a good thing that I fasted because I just didnt even have any water to get rid of...so I couldnt really cry. I guess I just have to fast in order to not cry all the time. Who knew? haha
But anyways the temple was great, and it was Conference so I was able to see a lot of my friends which was nice. I dropped some stuff off the day before for sis. De Souza as well so I got to see her and Sis. Dixon before I leave. (perks of being in Zoetermeer) and ton wanted to bike with us to the temple....so through the cold and the rain we did.
Oh ya...we went to Efteling this week!! It was soooooo much fun! It was like I wasnt even a missionary, because I have never done something like that before on my mission...but of course I still felt like a missionary. Efteling is a huge amusement park fairytale themed. It was super cool, and a lot of fun!
also My companion got transfer calls as well, and she is leaving.....to GRONINGEN! Poor girl, it made me flashback to my greenie days and being ripped out of my greenie city to go to Groningen. and in the winter too...I feel for her. But I also know that she is going to love it there. She is sad to leave here though.
So yep....that means along with packing and writing letters...and visiting a bajillion people before go, I now have to write a whitewash packet for 2 wards....YAY. haha It is lovely...so now my last pday will be spent mostly doing that. haha
Well that is pretty much my week, I can tell you more details when i actually see you. But I guess it is time to get spiritual.
Honestly I am soooooo sad to be leaving this place. Yes it has been hard and Yes there are things that I will not miss, but those things that I will not miss have been the cause of SOOOOO many amazing memories made. you should know that before your mission people tell you it is going to be hard. and my response was: "well I can handle it! I want to go to a really hard mission, and learn a language and knock doors like good ole fashioned missionary work!!" then as soon as you get to the MTC you are jealous of all the missionaries going to the United States haha. and when you get into the land again you are envious, and when you get doors slammed in your face you get envious! (please dont take this as me saying that U.S missions are easy, because I know that there is no such thing as an easy mission....this is just my thought process in the beginning) But I can tell you that I would never trade this experience for any price! or any thing! Belgium and the Netherlands have become my home.
If there is anything I have learned it has been gratitude. Gratitude even through the toughest of times.....
I am soooo grateful for the hard times, the humbling times, and the great times! I am grateful for these stubborn dutch and Belgian people. I am grateful for the rain and the snow and the ice.
...and the way that I can be grateful even through the toughest of times is through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
I dont want to go toooo into depth of everything I have learned from my mission...(well lets face it, I cant because I dont have enough time and It would take me years to just explain. Also some things you have to learn through experience.) also I still have to save some material for my Homecoming talk;) haha
but I do want to share my testimony of this gospel!
Missions are the greatest things ever, and I thought I had a testimony before I came out on my mission, but the mission really tests that. I have learned though that this is the true church of Christ. He is at the head. I know that He lives, and loves us. He has comforted me and helped me everyday of my mission. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, and that it testifies of Christ. I have gained a stronger testimony of Him by reading it and know that you can too!
Dont ever give up. Dont ever walk away. He will never turn His back on you, no matter what you do. Dont give in to that being who is trying to make us miserable. Instead just let the Savior grab you in His arms. They are outstretched and waiting. He will always come after us. No one is worthless in God's eyes. God never makes anything that isnt beautiful and worth it! "You are special because (GOD) made you!!" Learn of your nobility. Learn of your divine nature. Dont be satisfied with ignorance! LEARN LEARN LEARN!
I love my Savior. and I add my testimony to all of the prophets and everyone!! haha that I know that He lives and that He atoned for our sins!
IK HOU VAN JULLIE!!
Wees Veilig!
Tot Donderdag!
VEEL LIEFS,
Zuster Stewart-Chester
