Go forward and not backward

Love you more than…

…you love me and no call backs! It's funny that you say there are 3 days left because for me it's basically tommorow! I had to pack last night, I have my farewell dinner tomorrow then leave for the airport in the middle of the night.

What do I even write about? So, how's it going? Haha so strange ya? I have gone through all the phases of the move... Sadness, excitement, ignoring it, and now I just feel like it can't really sink in! Well I'll just tell you about some of my favorite things from these last few weeks. 

I just am so certain that the Lord's timing is perfect! I have learned so much in these last few weeks that have seriously changed my perspective. Every day in the mission counts! This last week I was more focused on the Atonement. I think that is the one thing I have learned so much about on the mission. The Atonement of Jesus Christ! Branching off from that I have been so blessed to come to more fully understand about prayer, repentance and the Sacrament. It's really cool how much you can grow up in a week. Ahhhh! This feels so strange! Like today when we got in the taxi with all my bags I felt like we were taking Sister Olsen's stuff to Senopati, not mine! Sheesh haha well hopefully it'll sink in soon. Or not-- cause then I won't cry too much!

But I am really grateful to have such great family and friends. You all gave me about the same advice for my last full week-- Just enjoy it! Work hard but take it in! Smile and laugh more than ever. Don't worry, just do what's right.

It has been such a great week. 

~Sister Olsen and I were able to meet with 2 member families at their homes in one week, that's a miracle! One of them was our bishop! OK that is like miracle of miracles! We neverrrrrrrr get to visit his family because of their schedule. But we also were able to have some good lessons. 

~SHEREN AND KRISTINE CAME TO CHURCH! Hooooorayyy! And they brought their cousin too! We taught them about Plan of Salvation and Word of Wisdom and they said that ever since their aunt (Sister Bella) got baptized this year, they have stopped drinking tea too! How cool is that?

~We had this really intense lesson planned with Sister Lely for Thursday and then planned a family home evening with President and Sister Donald. Well throughout the week it was looking like the FHE was going to have to get cancelled when out of the blue Sister Lely calls and says she and her husband AND her son could make it on Sunday night! So President got right to work (it felt like he was a glorified Ward Mission Leader haha) and planned this terrific evening last night with the stake president and his wife as our fellowshipping couple. The AP's came as well and the whole thing just worked out. One thing I've been learning more about lately is that when the Spirit is really there, things will just work out. Like our rough edges are made smooth, no matter what you say, they will hear what they need because of the Spirit. And what better way to invite the Spirit than invite that powerhouse of a group to a family home evening! And hopefully now the Elders can start to build a relationship with Lely's husband and son. 

~We had some great finding this week! I don't know why but we seemed to meet so many people this week that were just interested in listening! I think it is because of all of Samuel's prayers for us :) One of the days were on our way back to the church when we decided just to get off the ankot early and walk around a neighborhood. The first lady we saw asked if we would want to stop by her house and we shared the Book of Mormon with her! Keren ya?

~We gave a few referals to the other missionaries and even an investigator, but every time we do, we seem to be blessed with someone new to teach!

~The hardest part of the week was church yesterday. I have been in this ward for such a long time and these people are really like my family away from home! I feel like I am starting to understand how to love more fully after seeing the love from these members. They are super stars! And I know, truly, that the Lord loves each and every one of His children. 

Have I rambled enough yet?

I am so sorry that my letters are always a mess. I apologize if I say the wrong things. I wish I could write inspiring advice or miraculous stories but hopefully that what I write can just give you a little peek into what I've learned and felt throughout these 18 months. 

So to answer your question, it'll just be me and Sister Jibson traveling home! I think we go together to Tokyo then split up for the next 2 flights... YIKES! But the AP's and Sister Olsen and her new companion, Sister Toegono will get to come to our final testimony as well :) It would be fun if the whole district could come! Sister Reilly, Sis Akaiti, all the elders.

My thoughts right now:

*I AM NOT OLD ENOUGH TO BE AN RM! Can you imagine little old me? An RM! I feel like I still have so much to learn, so much to become! I guess we never stop learning. Onward, ever onward!

D&C 128:22-23

Brethren, shall we no it go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory!Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free.  Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King! And ye rivers, and brooks, and rills, flow down with gladness. Let the woods and all the trees of the field praise the Lord; and ye solid rocks weep for joy! And let the sun, moon, and the morning stars sing together, and let all the sons of God shout for joy! And let the eternal creations declare his name forever and ever!And again I say, how glorious is the voice we hear from heaven, proclaiming in our ears, glory, and salvation, and honor, and immortality, and eternal life; kingdoms, principalities, and powers!

*Going home isn't finishing your tugas (assignment!).

John 6:67-69  "Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God."

*Remember that song from the Narnia movie? The Call by Regina Spektor. Sis Jibson just made me think of it. "...Now we're back to the beginning, it's just a feeling and no one knows yet. But just because they can't feel it too doesn't mean that you have to forget. Let your memories grow stronger and stronger 'til they're before your eyes. You'll come back when they call you. No need to say goodbye."

SEE YA SOON!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU ALL! Please give everyone my love. I am so blessed to have you guys! Take luck!

<3 Sister Shef(in the mission)field