I Have Fought a Good Fight, I Have Finished My Course, I Have Kept the Faith

Maray na aga po sa indong gabos,

It is so hard leaving this beautiful country that I have called home.

This last week has been amazing. Sister Magdalena was baptized, and the ward put together a Boodle Fight to celebrate. This is something we do in the Philippines where we spread a bunch of food on a table and have a feast using our hands.

 

BEFORE

AFTER!

My last day in Buhi, we had an FHE with all of the recent converts in the ward, their fellowshippers, and families. I was so happy to see all the people I love and care for one last time before I left.

I am now in Naga about to be interviewed by my Mission President; I am not nervous or scared to come home. I am at peace. I trust God that He has a plan for my life and that I will continue to progress personally and help in the work of salvation for the rest of my life. 

I just want to share a few thoughts before I sign off: 

In D&C 18:10, we read that the worth of souls is great in the sight of God. In the following verses, we come to know that He is overjoyed if we help to bring even one soul to Him and "how great will be [our] joy if [we] should bring many souls unto Him."

I thoroughly believe that the amount of joy we will experience in the Celestial Kingdom will be influenced by how many people we love, serve, and help come closer to Christ. When we turn outwards, see others how Heavenly Father sees them, and lose ourselves in his service, we will become happier and will "find" our lives just like Christ promised us. If we don't have charity--we are nothing and we also can't return to the presence of a Heavenly Father. 

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen. Moroni 7:48

That is my simple prayer: that we can all work diligently to become like Jesus Christ, return to His presence, and help all we know to do the same. There is nothing more important than this. So "let us labor diligently ...for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of righteousness and rest our souls in the kingdom of God." (Moroni 9:6)

I will be speaking this Sunday, Dec 22nd, in my Traverse Mountain ward at 10:30 am. I hope to see you there. I am so excited to see you all again!  If you can't make that one, I'll be speaking in my Saratoga Springs ward on Jan 12th at 10:30. 

I thank God for my mission, for the people I met, and for the things He was able to accomplish through me, despite all my weaknesses. I glory in God, His goodness, His perfect plan, and great work. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

-Sister Gray