Final Thoughts

Well, this is it. My last week in the mission field. I have been trying my best to push until the end and truly tried in Nova Odessa. I was transferred to Campinas to be the Assistant´s companion so that I did not stay in the other mission when they divide today. I made many great friends there and had many great memories that I will always cherish. This week I was able to literally save a baptism and helped resolve problems that a companionship was having in my district. I am just a big ol´ mix of emotions right now. I am so very sad to be leaving the mission behind because of the wonderful friends I have made and the wonderful experiences I have had. The mission literally changed my life and I am so immensely grateful for that. I don't know who I´d be or where I´d be if it was not for these extraordinary two years in the service of the Lord. I have truly come to know the gospel to be true for myself. I have been able to have so many spiritual experiences that I have come to the sure knowledge that God loves and Christ lives. It has stopped being personal belief and has become actual fact that Joseph Smith truly was a Prophet and really did see God and Jesus Christ. I testify that Book of Mormon is the word of God. I am grateful for what I have come to know. I am so glad that I have been able to help many others come to know the true church and gospel and through doing so I have been changed. When I think about my mission, tears of joy and gratitude come to my eyes. As I lost myself in the work, I came to find who I really was. I feel as Enos that ´´I soon go down to my grave, having been wrought upon by the power of God that I must preach and prophesy unto this people, and declare the word according to the truth which is in Christ. And I have declared it all my days, and have rejoice in it above that of the world.´´ I was wrought upon by the power of God and changed, and have done my best to preach unto the people of Brazil. When it appeared to many that I lost everything when I came on a mission, I truly gained everything. With so little, I have never felt I have had so much. I, as Lehi, can say ´´I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew it was desirable above all other fruit.´´ The gospel is true, and through it and the love of God, I have felt such immense joy as I can not describe. It is more desirable then anything the world can offer. I invite each and everyone to truly come and partake of the fruit so that you can feel as I do. Life does not become perfect, but the joy becomes lasting rather than temporary and the hardships serve to refine you rather than break you. I desire what Lehi desired, my family together forever. My honest hope and prayer is that when we meet again, are meeting might be as that of Alma and the sons of Mosiah for ´´Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the truth; for they were men... therefore they had the spirit.´´ I love each and everyone of you and anxiously await to see all of your lovely faces. I share these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. The end nearly, Elder Healy