Final Mission Email

hola mom, dad, y familia, happy mothers´ day! I love you mom. and all
my sisters who are such great moms too.
wow. it seems unreal that I am writing my last email. I remember when
I was in leopardi when mom sent me carli downs´ last email to her
family, and I couldn't even imagine how she felt. today I had my last
interview with president callan. he started out by asking me to
reflect a bit on my mission and share my feelings about what I have
experienced. I sat there for a second and thought. As I thought, a
strong feeling of gratitude came over me, gratitude to Heavenly Father
for telling me that I needed to serve a mission. I tear up right now
thinking about how grateful I am for what I have experienced, felt,
and learned in my time here in Paraguay. I notice the change in me. One
of the most precious things I have learned is the power of the
Atonement of Jesus Christ. I was thinking the other day what has made
the change that I feel. I have felt the power of the atonement in my
life and have seen how it changes the lives of the people that I have
taught. That difference is the spririt. I understand that is so
simple. If we want to feel that our burdens are lifted, if we want to
feel the joy of repentance, if we want to feel peace when there is a
storm in our surroundings, all we have to do is do things that will
invite the spirit into our lives. because the spirit is what testifies
to us that God exists, that He knows us, that Christ really atoned for
us, and that we really can find comfort and peace in Him. Countless
times I have felt the calming sensation as I have testified of these
things telling me that it is true. Everything in the gospel,
everything that I have learned in my mission all goes back to the
Atonement. I don't know if I ever would have gained this depth in my
testimony without my mission. Heavenly Father knew what it would take
for me to learn what he wants me to learn. he knew why I needed to
serve in Paraguay. every area, every companion, every investigator,
has taught me something. I only hope that I was able to be an
instrument in the Lord´s hands. That is what I always pray for. That I
can be what he wants me to be so that I can be His hands. But I think
that I got way more out of this than I could have ever given, and I
know that as the years go by, my mission will mean more and more to
me. It is a sacred experience that will affect the rest of my life. I
feel so weird knowing that I will be back in the United States. I feel
at home here. this is what I am used to now. But I guess life goes on.
I am excited for hna little and her new companion. I love our
investigators so much. It breaks my heart that our investigator T
can't be bapized right now because her marido needs a divorce, and
divorces here are so long and costly. but she loves the church and has
such an excitement to know more. yesterday, right after my call to mom
and dad, we were walking in the street when a family contacted us.
ya., contaced us. she said, hey, we want to join your church. we are
new in the neighborhood and were visiting with the elders before but
had to move. We know a lot of mormons, and they are all so happy and
are always progressing in life. We want to be Mormon too.
We were so excited. What a miracle. This is the Lord´s work. He really
does prepared people to receive the gospel. were are teaching such a
humble man A. He wants so much to find the truth. He
feels so helpless and confused in this world. He shared with us his
concerns for one of his daughters who is having trouble. We shared
with him how the restored gospel will bless his family and will help
him know how to guide his family. He just said, oh please, I really
hope so. It is hard to leave these people in the middle of their
progress, but I will keep praying for them because I love them.
Sunday hna samaniego made the best lunch. she asked me what I wanted,
and it was all there. she is amazing. I took pictures. all my favorite
food of paraguay. Hna samaniego is kind of like our grandma. we say
goodnight every night to her, and she always comes knocking on our
door if we don't. they are a special family with such strong
testimonies of the gospel.
well, I think my email is really long. I will say chao, because I will
see you all very soon. I love you tons and tons!
love,
hermana plummer