The Last One

Hello everyone!! I hope you all are doing well!! I have loved the past few weeks here in Bothell. We have had so much fun and seen many miracles. 

I feel extremely blessed and humbled for the opportunity I've had to teach the Jordan family this last transfer. I truly know that Heavenly Father prepares His children to receive this gospel. Andrea has been surrounded by missionaries and members a lot of her life in Ecuador but was never given permission from her husband to join the church. She prayed for years to be found by missionaries as she has struggled through 3 tough years in a brand new country. Her prayers were answered a few weeks ago and we have had some fantastic spirit-filled lessons with her and her children! Their whole family's hearts have been softened by some humbling experiences they have had here in the US. Andrea immediately accepted the gospel and the invitation to be baptized. I'm so happy and grateful to be spending my last day as 'Hermana Christensen' watching Andrea and her 8 year old son, Ivan Andrés, enter the waters of baptism this coming Sunday. I knew I was sent back to this area for a reason and I wouldn't want to finish any other way. God is so good! 

I can't believe the time has come. I am filled with so many mixed emotions! In a few days I will return home to my family after serving 18 months as a full time missionary in the Washington Seattle mission. Oh how I have loved my mission!! When I was younger I used to laugh at the returned missionaries that said "the best decision of my life was to go on a mission" when I knew all the fun they missed out on at home. Well here I am years later saying that same thing to all of you. Truly the best decision of my life has been to serve a mission! I have met amazing people, had great experiences and lived in a beautiful place. Washington has become my home! The greatest takeaway from my mission is my testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ and His infinite Atonement. I know Christ lives, He directs His Church through a living prophet and is always ready to help us become better people through the gift of repentance. I know God has a perfect plan for each and every one of us. I am so grateful that the plan He had for me included serving a mission. He has helped me become something greater. I love this quote from President Ezra Taft Benson and feel that it describes what I experienced on my mission. 

"Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life."

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you that have supported me throughout my mission!! All your prayers, emails, letters, packages and texts supported me all 18 months. I love you guys so much. I land on Monday Nov. 15th and I can't wait to see you all again!! 

Sending love from rainy Seattle!!

Difícil siempre es bueno. 

Xoxoxoxo Hermana Christensen