Monday, August 1, 2016

August 1, 2016

Whirlwind of emotions, last week ended with a bang.  I got to witness Rui's baptism.  We baptized his father, Ryan last year around the same time and now things are coming back full circle with his son's baptism (his wife is the next step!).

It's been amazing to be out here these two years.  Going through the highs, the lows, the in-betweens of missionary work.  Met incredible people, made incredible friends.  Learned to love the Savior.  Felt closer to God.  Experienced a tiny fraction of what the original Apostles experienced in the form of really rude "born agains."  Worked through the hot days, the cold days (yes 50 degrees F. is FREEZING out here), the rainy days (when it rains, it pours).  Had crazy disappointment and inspiring success.

I think back to the start of these two years and can't believe it has already come to a close.  Feels weird.  Feels unreal.  Time truly does fly, and I've loved every moment of it.

The Gospel is true.  The plan gives us happiness.  When we follow the Savior, we have greater peace and happiness than we could ever imagine.  

See you soon.

rui's baptism!

allan came to visit one last time, he'll be a missionary soon!

at our Chinese group's goodbye party

With Elder Murray at a "dessert" visit at a member's home

last district meeting

with the district and the zone

jurupa zone is paradise

last English class



last p day!

the crew

Elder Foy

tired Elder Dyer

passing on the posterity gifts to Elder Zeng

tommy wasn't very happy

With Brother Powers, the man, the myth, the legend!

With the Thompsons! Awesome family in a different ward. We baptized Q, the Chinese guy on the right

another picture of zone training that I got a better copy of