This has been a week of miracles and experiences that I will never forget. I wanted to let you know, I have decided after much prayer and council that instead of waiting until next transfer, I will be finishing my mission now with transfers being this week. I have been struggling with different health challenges throughout my mission and decided at this point it is what I need to do. That being said, I am both excited and very sad at the thought of the mission coming to an end. I will forever be grateful and indebted to Heavenly Father for allowing me to serve a mission.
On our way home from church this week we were driving and we were going through Bethesda. I recognized a road and realized it was the road that Miriam and her family lived on. Their family joined the church while I was serving there with sister Cleaver! I told Sister Bingham and she pulled over so I could give them a hug. I knocked on the door and saw little Sophia look through the window. She had a huge smile on her face and quickly ran off to get her Mom. They answered the door and Miriam gave me the biggest hug. We went inside for a little bit and visited. I hadn’t seen them since I left to go to Kent Island about 9 months ago. They told me that they were planning on going to the temple for their endowments and to be sealed as a family. I was pretty emotional hearing about how great their family is doing. I thought of my own family and how grateful I am to have an eternal family. And there as I stood in the doorway with their whole family I just was so thankful for the opportunity to see an amazing family get that same chance. I remember those first times meeting Miriam and the faith she had to learn more. Then seeing all of her children and how excited they were to go to church and learn with their family. And finally, to see everything come full circle just really made me so grateful and happy. Feeling this way and seeing a family receive the blessings of living the gospel makes the small sacrifice of serving a mission worth every second.
This week we had a general authority, Elder Bennett, who is a member of the seventy come to our mission and speak. He is very in tune with the spirit and he told us that he never knows exactly what he is going to say until he sits down and looks in every single persons’ eyes. It was neat because the first group of missionaries that came heard something completely different from our group that came second. On Saturday we had MLC at the mission home with him and The Johnson’s. There were about 18 missionaries there and we all talked about what we learned at the conference before and how we applied it when we went out to work the next day. It was amazing to go around the room and hear what every person had to say. He then taught us about what it means to be a follower and example of Jesus Christ. It was the most spiritual experience I have have been a part of and I didn’t want it to end. I had a chance to talk to him afterwards and there were words spoken that I needed to hear. He helped me understand the importance of the Lords timing and the love our Heavenly Father has for us. It was a really sacred moment that I will never forget.
On Sunday, Jean received the Priesthood!! It was great. He is such an example to me and even though he has been through a lot, he keeps doing the right things. He knows what is truly important. There is a guy that I have talked about before. His name is Emory. When I was in Sister Kunz, we found his mom while we were out contacting and knocking on doors. Emory’s Mom told us about him and gave us his information. We were able to teach him and pass him to the YSA ward and he got baptized. He just received the priesthood and is preparing for a mission now!! It was really special to hear him tell me that on my last Sunday there. I know that the Lord’s timing really is perfect.
Well I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to see you all! I know that there were many prayers sent to DC to help me throughout my mission and I am extremely grateful for each of you. Love you all!
Love, Sister Haertling
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