Dear Family and Friends,
Well this is it. My final letter as
a Full Time Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints....
First of all, thank you for all of
your support over the years! I could not be where I am today without so many of
you amazing friends and family and the many letters, packages, and financial
support. You can never know the help that you have given me. I don't know how I
can ever thank you all adequately.
My Dad has asked that I add a few
things in to my letter as well as a reflection of my 2 years as a missionary.
So I hope this letter doesn't bore you all ;)
On Saturday I was able to go out to
lunch with my aunt and uncle, the same aunt and uncle who picked me up from the
airport when I started this journey. My aunt Melissa asked me how I had changed
because of my mission. The question took me by surprise so I don't think I
answered it as well as I could have. My answer was along the lines of "well I
understand the importance of the gospel more now". But my mission has
changed me a lot more than that. My mission means everything to me. It has
strengthened my Testimony, it has made me understand the importance of hard
work and setting goals, I understand the Atonement so much more than before, I
know now that I need to live every day as if the Savior is coming tomorrow. I
need to Share the Gift of the Gospel and our Savior with others. If I don't
share it, I could lose it from my life entirely.
It is amazing how God works in
amazing ways. On Sunday the Stake President's Counselor got up to speak in
Church and for 20 minutes he spoke to the congregation as if they were all
Returning Missionaries and what we all need to do to stay active in this great
work. And I know that even if he knew it or not, he was speaking to me. He
answered so many of my concerns and questions and really put my mind at ease
about going home.
Being in my old area I have been
able to say goodbye to many people I taught and a lot of Members that I have
grown close to. I also had an experience last night that I want to share. So
back in the beginning of my mission, in my first area in Idaho Falls with my
trainer, we met a lady named Maria. When we met her she was a disaster. She was
getting kicked out of her apartment, her kids did and went wherever they
wanted, and she was a mess. We tried to help her as much as we could, but the
most we really could do was get her in touch with the bishop where she was
moving to and give her a blessing before she left. The next day, she was gone
and I thought I’d never see her again. Often on my mission I’ve wondered what
happened to her, if she was alright, if she had gotten the help she needed. And
last night we had an appointment at some members’ house that I’m really
familiar with, The Hadley’s. Elder Rush told me that we were teaching a lady
that had progressed so much and that was going to go through the temple in a
week. So I was really excited to meet her, and as we walked in it turned out to
be none other than Maria!!!! I was floored! I immediately recognized her. And
to see how far she has come is incredible! Her kids are behaved; she is active
and faithful in the Church. And in a few weeks she is going to go through the
Temple for the first time! God definitely works in strange ways but he helped
me to have closure about Maria.
In other news, I have a baptism tomorrow!
Harmony is getting baptized and she has asked that I baptize her! I'm thrilled
for her! She is a great girl and she'll do amazingly! So I’m supposed to go
into the mission home tomorrow at 4 pm. But the baptism is at 4:30... So I’m
just going to be fashionably late to the mission home!
Everyone, I want you to know of my
testimony of what I’ve been doing for the past two years. I know with all my
heart that God lives, that Jesus Christ is his Son, and that He died for all of
us. I know that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God. That the Book of Mormon is a
true record, just like the Bible. If anyone has any questions about it, don't
go to the haters, go to the source, read the book, and ask God if it's true.
The feelings that God gives can't be faked. I know that through living how God
has asked us to live we can find happiness and peace. We can have an eternal
family! Through following our Savior and by making and keeping Covenants, or
Promises, with God, we can have every blessing, every power, and every joy that
God has. I know this, not because of someone else, not because of my parents or
bishop, I know because I have talked with my Father in Heaven, I’ve listened
for his Spirit in my life confirming to me what I’m doing is true, and I have
heard Him speak to me. I know it's true, and I can't deny it. And I can't leave
it. This is what I want my life to be, and come Hell or High Water, this is
what my life WILL be. I love you all, thank you for everything, if you have any
questions I’d love to be the one to answer them. That’s what I’ve been doing
for the past 2 years so hopefully I’m good at it by now.
I love you all, and I’ll see you
soon.
Love
Elder Caleb Rash
