Hey there friends!
So I have now been home about 4 days. What a great 4 days it has been!
Saying goodbye to President and Sister Andersen and the other missionaries was
really sad and difficult. Thankfully I had an opportunity to share the Book of
Mormon with George who sat next to me on the plane. It was hard to think that
type of experience was about to change within a few hours. But it was SO good
to see my family. It felt weird being around them with my nametag still on. Wednesday
evening at 5pm I was released by my Stake President.
What a beautiful interview. He sat me across from him and asked me
questions about my mission. What about the people? What about your areas? Which
do you feel was your favorite area?
After allowing me time to tell him all about the Nashville Tennessee Mission
and how much it changed my life, he counseled me. He gave me two things to do and
one thing to not do. He said to pay my tithing. There are many blessings that
come from paying our tithing. Second he counseled me to keep the Sabbath Day
Holy. Then he counseled me to not view pornography. Avoid it like the plague.
He had me promise to do all these things. President Andersen had counseled me
to study my scriptures every day, to read until I felt the spirit. And they
both counseled me to keep a current temple recommend. All the bases were
covered between the two of them. And then of course, they both counseled me to
find my eternal companion. Date, court, get engaged and get married.
After the counsel was given, President Hanks had me stand and bear my
testimony to my family. What an impressive spirit that filled me and helped me
to see how much I had grown from my experience as a missionary. I know that
Christ lives. I know His Atonement is real. I know that Heavenly Father lives
and that He loves each of us personally. I know that the Plan of Salvation is
real. I know that families can be together forever. I have a testimony of the
Spirit world. I have blessed with an incredible family that has helped me to
feel and know the love of my Heavenly Father and my Savior. I know the Book of
Mormon is true. My darkest and lowest moments when every other doubt surfaced,
I could not deny the Book of Mormon. It comes from God and it will bring us
closer to God. I know that we have a living prophet today and that Joseph Smith
was the prophet of the Restoration. This is a true church! And it is Christ’s
church. How I love it!
When I sat down, President Hanks looked me in the eye. He thanked me
for my service, released me and asked me to take my tag off. Immediately, I
began crying… It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. But I did as I
was asked. I received a blessing from President Hanks and then went home to put
on my jeans.
Missionary work does not end when you get home! I have been in contact
with a friend that was baptized while I was on my mission and have been able to
get in touch with friends I have not seen in years. The beautiful thing is the
ease and the happiness that fills me. Life already has thrown me some
curveballs. I don’t have a job and my program in school has changed their
requirements. But I feel so at peace that everything will work out. “But seek
ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall
be added unto you.” 3 Nephi 13:33.
I have actively been trying to do that. I have woken up early every day
and continued my studies. Yesterday and today we had Stake and Regional
Conference. Both the sessions were entirely focused on Hastening the Work. This
is our life!!! I hope you know that being a missionary is one of the most
important things you will ever do. The MOST important thing we can do (after
our missions) is get married. President Hanks said the statistics of young
people going on missions was 7% for our converts, but our families have an 80%
for our children to serve missions. Live each moment and learn what you need
to- and REMEMBER, these experiences are NOT just for you!
I am excited to see what life has in store for me here. What missionary
opportunities are all around me? Everywhere we go is our mission field. Today,
I contacted the local missionaries! Never before do I remember have
missionaries assigned specifically to my ward in Utah. But here in the Young
Single Adult ward, they do have missionaries assigned. What an enormous
blessing!
“Behold, I will hasten my work in its time.” D&C 88:73. The Lord is not just
hastening His work- He is HASTENING HIS COMING. Let us all press forward, work
harder, pray more fervently and trust the Lord more deeply. He will lead you. I
know He will.
I am so grateful to you all for your dedicated and blessed service. I
love you and I know Heavenly Father loves you! I am praying for you all! You are
amazing Elders and Sisters of the Tennessee Nashville Mission!
Please send me your emails at aliciajohnson123@gmail.com. I SO
look forward to hearing about the miracles that are occurring in your areas.
Love you always,
(Sister) Alicia Johnson
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