Liebe Grüße!!! 

I really just don't know what happened. "The time passed away... like as it were unto us a dream. (Jacob 7: 26)" When you first come on a mission, it feels like you just never will leave. I still never had that feeling until this week. I had my last interview with President Boyer. It was just crazy. He's one of my favorite people, and he's definitely called of God. 

I've had a lot of time to reflect on the last two years. It's just crazy is what I can say. I need to ask myself if that all really did happen. I've had awesome companions and investigators, and one of my favorite parts was getting to know the amazing members here. The church here needs to just grow. It hurts me to see such small congregations in such a populated area. I love the people here. I've met with Muslim missionaries, pastors from other denominations, Jehovah's witnesses (of course), anti Mormons, anti Christs, straight up atheists, and investigators that know there way around the Bible better than I know my way around soccer. My faith has been put to the test like none other, both on a spiritual and doctrinal level, as well as putting faith into the practice. It's been hard. Really rough and hard. Like, really. But I have a testimony of his statement: "dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." and "whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast... (Ether 12: 6, 4)"  This is my favorite scripture: "...the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1: 7)." 

In my last district meeting I was asked to talk about what I learned throughout my mission. First of all I want to say that I could list 100 things that I've learned, but I will only name three that kind of overarch them all. 

1. Elder Ballard said, "What matters most is what lasts longest..." 

So what lasts the longest? Our relationship with God, and our relationship to our family. 
Jesus Christ said, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. (Matthew 6: 19-22) Our goals and ambitions determine our actions. If our goals are eternal, then our actions will show it. God has the first priority in my life. I know he's there. Families are eternal. I'm thankful for my family and I love them more than anything. "For our conversation is in heaven... (Philippians 3: 20)"  

2. I love this quote from Joseph Smith, "If men do not comprehend the nature of God, they do not comprehend themselves." 

The first and greatest commandment is, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (Matthew 22: 37)" "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (John 17: 3)" I could talk about this topic for hours. I've had so many experiences hat have brought me closer to God, and that have helped me to learn His nature, how He is. "Ask yourselves; turn your thoughts into your hearts... What kind of being is God? Does any man or woman know? Have any of you seen Him, heard Him, or communed with Him? This is a question that may occupy your attention for a long time." It's hard for me to put my thoughts and feelings into words, but I think the word of the Prophet Joseph Smith explain it best: "These ideas are incomprehensible to some, but they are simple. It is the first principle of the gospel to know for a certainty the character of God, and to know that we may converse with Him as one man converses with another... When we understand the character of God, and know how to come to Him, he begins to unfold the heavens to us, and to tell us all about it. When we are ready to come to him, he is ready to come to us." I know that God is there. He is our father and we are His children. He loves us, and I love Him. This doctrine that we learn as sunbeams has carried me through the darkest parts of my mission, and has made me cry like a little girl. 

3. And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order. (Mosiah 4: 27)

God doesn't expect instant perfectionism (which is one of His characteristics). He expects that we do our best. We reach perfection only through His Son, Jesus Christ (Moroni 10: 32-33)

I've loved serving in Germany, and I'm going to miss it like crazy. It hasn't been easy, but definitely rewarding. I love the people here. I know that this church is the true church of Jesus Christ. It's been restored through Joseph Smith. The Book of Mormon is true. The Bible is true. We have prophets today that continue to receive revelation from God. God lives. Jesus Christ is His Son, and He really did perform the Atonement for us. I have experienced it, and I can't deny it. How could I receive answers and feelings from someone that's not there? "and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand. O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good..." 

Yes! This is real!

Vielen Dank für alles! Ich habe euch alle lieb! My homecoming talk will be on the 29th of April at the Church Building at Park Haven Lane, Riverton, Utah (~4500 West 11800 South) I don't know at what time. I think 11:00 am (it is at 1 pm). I'll get back on for those that want to come.

Auf Wiedersehen!!!