Well everyone, this is it. Today marks my last proselyting day as a missionary.
There are so many emotions and so many thoughts all swirling around in my head at the moment, but I'm happy.
My mission has been the absolute most wonderful experience of my life and I will forever remember the wonderful times I've had here. I feel bad for anywhere else I might live in my life because California will always have my heart!
This week has been an emotional roller coaster. It has been a week of "lasts". Last District Meeting, last lessons with people I love, last Sunday in the wards I've spent so much time serving and loving. It has been crazy, but I've had a lot of time to reflect on the things I've learned on my mission and the habits I've developed.
Before my mission, I was lazy. You all know that! On my mission, I've learned the importance of hard work. Not working hard just for the sake of working hard; but true, real work that represents your devotion and love for an important cause.
I've also learned a lot about love. Not just love but charity. Charity is the pure love of Christ. It's the expression of the deep love you have for your Savior and for others. My mission has given me a sense of this type of love for all people. I have learned to see others as the Lord sees them. I'm still working on treating them the way the Lord would, but that's part of developing charity. My love for the Savior has increased tremendously and has grown so strong that I want to share it with everyone, all the time!
There are sooo many things that I have learned on my mission and believe me, you'll all hear about them soon! But I think the number one thing I can say about my mission is that I've experienced something very close to a fullness of joy. The joy that I've been experiencing comes from obedience to the Lord's commandments. I've learned the value of exact obedience and never want to let up. The commandments are worth keeping because they bring a fullness of joy and countless blessings. They also bring you closer to Heavenly Father. I've learned to obey joyfully. I obey because I want to; because I love to; because I cannot go one day without receiving the blessings that come from obedience.
Serving the Lord brings so much joy into my life and I will continue to serve to the best of my ability.
I love you all so much and I am grateful for the support and love I've received over the past 18 months! Thanks for your wonderful examples and testimonies.
Ofa Atu
Signing out,
Sister Julie Catherine Harris
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