Okay so this could be it! THE FINAL EMAIL. I am not sure if I will get time to email next week. I honestly can't believe this is it. My last email.
My mission has honestly been the best thing that I have ever done so far in my life. The things I have learned are so precious to me. Being allowed to grow, while forgetting about myself, and focusing on helping others has been such an amazing blessing to me.
I have so much that I could say about these past two years. If I could say a few things about it though, it's taught me lifelong lessons. Things that I used to just believe in, became solidified in my heart.
Before my Mission I didn't know if I was going to be handle it, cause my heart wasn't really in it. But I had an amazing trainer, who really wanted me to know for sure. My heart and knowledge of the truthfulness of the Church, and the knowledge of Christ being an actual risen and living being became so real and so solidified in me.
The Prophet Joseph Smith truly restored the Gospel to the Earth. He saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. They truly did call him to be a Prophet in these last days, as prophets have been called in times of old. By the power of God Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon to the convincing of men that Jesus is the Christ and that Joseph was Called of God.
The Book of Mormon has become such a treasure to me. There was one day in particular that changed my life with that book. I had been out about 2 months and had my testimony totally shattered that I was thinking of going home. But just before I left to go on my mission my older brother Sam gave me a Book of Mormon (that I still have) that had his testimony in it. And as I sat in my room crying, the book fell on my bed and opened to that page open. Which was weird because his testimony was in the back. But as I read it, the feeling I had was so indescribable but I knew that if i studied it diligently that this would never happen again, and it hasn't. The words in The Book of Mormon can change our lives. I know, and am so grateful for the Knowledge of families being together forever. That this life is not the end, that we can see and be with our families forever! How great is that!!
This mission has truly been an amazing gift. I heard a quote the other day. "The key to happiness is learning to be selfless." I know that this is so true. I believe that's why a mission is such a happy time in our life. Because all we do is serve others. Anyone that hasn't done this yet, please serve a mission. It is amazing!
Love you all!
-Elder Gish
SEE YOU SOON!!!!
