..but my heart is still there

I don't feel as though I can just go on with my life without posting a little something about where I have been for the last 18 months of my life. My Mission. The greatest thing that has happened for me. It is absolutely impossible to describe in words what it means to me and what it has done for me. To put into words what the people mean to me in the California Riverside and Redlands Missions would be...significantly below what I feel in my heart. But know, know that I love them with all my heart. I love my mission.

But most importantly my love for the gospel grew and continues to grow. I wish that everyone could take a moment and sincerely open their hearts to HEAR and seek to UNDERSTAND the significance of the message of the RESTORATION of THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. The message that I had the opportunity to share as an authorized servant of Jesus Christ changed the world, and continues to changes lives heart by heart, and family by family. I know that Jesus Christ is our perfect exemplar, our friend and our personal Savior. I don't understand everything but I feel in my heart that it is true. It is the same feeling I have when I hear the humble story of the boy Joseph Smith and when I read The Book of Mormon, the proof of what said happened, really did happen.

I invite all my friends and brothers and sisters that if you have not picked up The Book of Mormon and read, PLEASE do it! If you have any question in this life it can be answered through the teachings of the Savior in The Book of Mormon. Time in this life is short, the WORK is HASTENING and we can't procrastinate any longer. After you have read, PRAY. Pray as Moroni teaches,"...with real intent, and a sincere heart, having FAITH in JESUS CHRIST..." (Moroni 10:3-5). I know you will come to feel in your heart and mind that these things are true! And if we have read and understood, (or even have read and have not yet understood) and are not doing everything we can to COME UNTO CHRIST we too must repent. I just can't even imagine what the next life will be without all these dear people whom and I loved, and talked to, and prayed and studied for...but I also feel deep in my heart that if we don't help each other ENDURE TO THE END then we will be held, in part, for not sharing these things. But I testify that "there is not greater joy in life than being anxiously engaged in the work of the Lord." -Elder M. Russell Ballard I know that is true because I experience that for 18 months of my life. I have seen glimpses of that feeling in my life since coming home, but I want to continue to strive to be anxiously engaged no matter where or what I am doing in my life.  

Yes, getting baptized is just that good and exciting. :)

Wow, I did not even plan on going off like that, but I guess that's what is truly in my heart. My heart is still in California. I am trying my best to move forward with a brightness of hope and good and even great things are happening. I have so many things in my life I need to do to repent, change and better, but I am grateful for the daily opportunity I have to try again. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ! I love missionary work! And I love God's children! (It has taken all the strength in me to not bawl while writing and posting these pictures. It tears out my heart that I am not there. I tell every missionary I see that I would trade them spots in an instance and they look at me like I'm crazy. I'm not. Being a missionary is just that good. :) )