It is hard to believe that this day has come!
The last 18 months have been the most wonderful adventure and learning experience of my life. I have treasured every day that I have had and am going to love these last few days I have. This last week has been bittersweet. I am realizing every day how much there is to learn. The learning never stops! It will keep going throughout my whole life. This week I said goodbye to some people that I have come to love very much. I have found this to be one of the hardest things on my mission. I work so hard to love these people and I truly do love them and then I have to say goodbye. Thankfully it is not a goodbye forever and I know (and am very grateful) that I can still keep in contact with them!
This week I got to learn how to siphon water from a ditch, thanks to the Jemmett family:)
I also got to do some farming and have seen some of the biggest onions in my life!!! You can't beat life out in rural Idaho!
This week I also had my final interview with my Mission President. This was one of my favorite experiences that I will treasure forever. We talked for a while about what my plans are going home and the experiences I have had on my mission. At the end he offered to give me a priesthood blessing and this was such a special experience. I was given a lot of counsel but one thing particularly stood out to me and meant a lot to me. To explain this I have to go back to when I was first set apart as a missionary 18 months ago. In my blessing I was given the promise that is found in Doctrine and Covenants 84:88 that says, "And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." That gave me a lot of comfort throughout my whole mission. In my blessing this week President Nygaard said the same exact thing and told me that that would continue as I start this new phase of life. At the end, President Nygaard told me, "Sister Beutler, I don't want you to go home." I sat there for a second not saying anything because I was thinking, "I don't want to go home," and then heard a little voice say "but I need you to." I know that God has a plan for me and although my mission is ending, it is just the beginning of another chapter of my life. It taught me once again how aware God is of me and that he loves me so much.
It is hard to sum up everything that I have learned and been through on my mission. It has been tough and exhausting but has been the most rewarding thing I have done in my life. I have seen miracles happen in my life and in the lives of those around me. I know that God is watching over us. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is his kingdom here on the earth. He gives us some tough experiences in life but they really are for our good. I look back at the hard times I have faced and I see that there was something to learn from it. My testimony has grown because of those times. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and Above all, I know that our Savior Jesus Christ lives! He suffered all for us and because of that we truly can have joy each day. I know this is true because I have seen him change people that others have said could never be possible. He has changed me. I am a different person than I was 18 months ago and that is all because of him. He has made all the difference in my mission and I know He will continue to guide me through the rest of life. He loves all of you and will guide you as you are faithful.
Remember that every single day you are a disciple of Jesus Christ. We are here on earth and can stand as examples in every thought, word, and deed. We truly can and will make a difference in the world as we do just that. I love this gospel and I love my Savior! I know that He truly will guide the next phase of my life and I am excited to continue to use the things I have learned. My mission has taught me how to be a missionary for the rest of my life. I look forward to that and know that this is not an end but just another beginning!
I love you all and am so grateful for all of the support that you have given me along the way!
I LOVE YOU!
Love,
Sister Beutler
