I cannot believe we are here. Okay, I can believe it but I cannot comprehend it. Guess that's part of the blessing that comes with faith...the heart gets it but the head just cannot get a hold. As much as I LOVE my mission, with all the tears of this week and joyful days, it feels right. It feels like time. I have felt such a whirlwind of emotions every day this week and never knew what to reply when asked by every member, "well, how you feeling, Sister Gourley?" Aaaaahhhhh. That's how I'm feeling, haha. We had an amazing week that began with the temple.
I. LOVE. THE. TEMPLE. Goodness, the temple was amazing. I loved it. We all met up at Rego bright and early to head over for our session. Before we left President addressed us for a moment and told us usually when we go to the temple we go to get something (help, answers, etc) but that this time we were going only to give something. He said this temple trip was all about us, this day was all about us, and we were going to offer up unto the Lord our labors of 18-24 months. President also invited us to ponder our "highlight experience" from the mission so that we could lock it in our hearts and turn back to that experience in future times of need. (I chose my humility lesson while washing dishes :) that has already been over these last six months such an experience for me to reflect on.)
And so we departed (with quite the load on our minds). I made it a special focus the entire time I was in the temple to center my thoughts on reflection and gratitude. How much is the temple nourishing to the spirit when we go simply to worship and acknowledge the hand of God in our lives. I felt incredible peace the whole time. Nothing earthshattering, but quiet, still, comfortable peace. How I love my mission.
Along our way to the temple, we encountered a few bumps in the road with some train delays (normal) but made it on time (I could go off on with an anology with that one but I'll spare you ;) ). Now let me tell you, a session with President and Sister Reynolds is about as awesome as you can get. I love them so much. We had a good time together. I was companions with Hna Ashford so we got to talk the whole way! We also got to talk with President a bit on the train which was super fun :) did I mention I love them? I really love them.
After the session we got to have a little mini devotional with a member of the temple presidency where he and President and Sister Reynolds addressed us. That was an amazing experience. We returned to Rego and ate dinner. Next came the interviews and guess who was up first... Augh. It was really good though. I felt very good. So crazy this time has come so fast.
Throughout the rest of the week following I felt a shift in my daily prayers of offering my labors to my companion rather than to the Lord. I thought it was interesting how that change happened and feel it was another part of preparing me for my departure. Yesterday and this morning I also came to understand through an awesome experience and some study, complete with plenty of pondering of course, the answer to a question I've had for quite some time but this is a rather long story... 3 John 1:13-14 :)
We also had a funny moment. Last Wednesday I was trying to figure out what I could pack away (...I didn't pack anything until Sunday night but basically finished then so it's all good haha) and flipping through notes all the morning which meant I didn't really exercise at all. Hna Rosario then said, "todo el mundo esta como, 'six months to sexy, six days to sexy' and hermana Gourley is like, 'what day is it?'" It is true. I thought it was Wednesday every day up to Saturday, then I thought it was Friday :) well friends, now it's Monday and things are getting real!
We had another funny moment during our comp study when we opened with singing Loor al Profeta. Yours truly is still singing como una rana #sickforyears entonces, my voice copped out mid-song. Hna Rosario kept going while I cleared my throat and at the end of the chorus went to join her; however I did not because we both busted up laughing! So she was singing solo and where there's the 4 half-steps down, seeing as she too is enfermita, she didn't hit a single one of the notes as her voice cracked on each one. We stopped, looked at each other, then just busted up laughing. We ended up starting the song over.
We had a couple dinner appointments with some of our favorite members this week including the Beteta and Avila families. I love them so much. We had this awesome soup with the Betetas and some fancy Peruvian something with rice (always) at the Avilas. I love these people. I will miss them. Yesterday everyone at church kept hugging me and saying how I needed to come back. Everyone but Bryan Avila. He walks over, gives me a fistbump (that's my thing with the kids) and says, "we will miss you! See you in the spirit world!" Haha! Did I say I love these people?? Anis told me I had to come back and see them. I told her I'd be back in October. She expects a visit :) she left me a letter before I left. I repeat, did I say I love these people?? Who knew your heart could be this big...
This Wednesday we had our last district meeting ever. Guess who got to give the workshop. My topic was "how to endure to the end of a mission". With my personal adaptation it was how to endure well, to the end. We all know how I am about semantics :) it was really cool. I think it helped me a lot along this journey of preparing to return. The workshop kind of served as my final testimony to my district. I was asked to bear my testimony yesterday in sacrament as well just before we sang Llamados a Servir (it's like they're trying to make me lose it!). It was a good week.
All in all, I'm feeling good :) I'm ready to get started on this next part of the journey, simply loving every step along the way. I have truly come to understand and gain a testimony through the gentle teaching of the Lord these last 18 months of the principle of being exactly where we are "supposed to be" in everything - the people we are with, the places we are, the things that we do and know. If we are truly seeking to follow the will of the Lord and His plan, I know of a surety we can walk confidently knowing everything is just as its "supposed to be". How grateful I am for that testimony. I know I am supposed to be here today with these people, I won't wish to be elsewhere. I know in a few short days I am supposed to be home with you beginning this next part. I think the greatest blessing of true missionary service is that confidence we as missionaries gain in the Lord. I feel that relationship with Him is the basis for a lifetime to come of devoted discipleship. Let us embark! And if we've already begun, keep on the path! Fight the good fight! "Press forward and live bravely" (Sister Staker)! Keep the faith! The reward is joy and peace and confidence and trust in this life, and eternal salvation, a "fullness of joy" in the kingdom of God yet to come. What a cause we are about!
I love you very much and will never be able to express in words the gratitude I feel for this 18 months; I hope I can express it through the life that follows. I am thankful for all of your many prayers and thoughts for me, my companions, and those we teach. They truly have made a difference.
I am excited to see you all but for now we head to the beach for one last hurrah as a zone #9baptizedthistransfer #workingforourblessings #afterallwecando #theLORDdoesHISwork I love you!! I will see you soon. Take care :) himno 89
Muchísimo amor,
Hermana Karra Gourley
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