Farewell Montana!

  As my two year mission has been drawing to a close, I have been doing quite a bit of reflecting, pondering, and evaluating. I have absolutely loved my mission. I have learned and have grown so much. I feel that if I didn't serve a mission, I would spend the rest of my life trying to learn the things that I did in these two pivotal years. I wouldn't trade these two years for anything and I am going to miss my mission so much. However, I could not be more excited to go home. I miss my friends and family so much and am extremely anxious to be with them again!

   Although I am overwhelmed with excitement to go home, I am also a little nervous and scared. All I have had to worry about for the past two years has been solely on missionary work. The main things I've had to focus on have been the people that I teach and how to become a better missionary. And that's about it! Now that I go home, I have to make the "big" decisions of life: where to work, what school to attend, girls, marriage, education, etc. That is a lot of responsibility and a big change of lifestyle from the way I've been living the past couple years!
  I have had a scripture from the Book of Mormon on my mind a lot lately. That scripture is Ether 2:5. It reads: "And it came to pass that the Lord commanded them that they should go forth into the wilderness, yea, into that quarter where there never had man been. And it came to pass that the Lord did go before them, and did talk with them as he stood in a cloud, and gave directions whither they should travel."
  This scripture brings me so much comfort. I relate the "wilderness" to "life at home no longer being missionary." There are so many decisions to make and paths to take. Under the word "directions" in that verse, the footnote says "divine guidance." I know that as I go home, the Lord will go before me and will give me guidance as to what paths I should take. I know that He will direct my footsteps and will pave the way for me to be successful in all I do - as long as I continue to remain faithful to Him.

I'm so excited to go to the Mt. Timpanogos temple again!

  I, once again, bear my witness that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's Kingdom once again on earth - preparatory to the second coming of the Messiah. God lives. He hears and answers our prayers. He loves us so much, and so does His Son - who is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. We cannot comprehend Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice, but we can feel of the love and power that comes from it. I know that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of God. The Book of Mormon is true! I know it is! We have a living prophet on earth today and as we follow his counsel we will be happy!
  My mission has changed my life. Though my two year full-time service will end, my mission to serve God will never end.