There's No Place Like the Kansas Wichita Mission: The one where I say goodbye to Kansas

I can't believe it has been 18 months. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity I have had to be missionary and a servant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I have seen so many miracles these past 18 months. Because of that, I know that God is real and that he does love all of us so much and wants us to return to him.

This week was a rough one. Everyone in the district was sick with a really bad stomach flu. We all slowly went down. My district leader's companion went down first. Then sister Butikofer. Then my district leader. Then another elder. But I never got sick which was good! So we spent most of the week recovering from that. BUT we saw huge miracles but also some sad things.

We had an exchange and I stayed in Junction City with Sister Nordhoff. Sister Butikofer and I had some pretty high goals. But since we had a sick couple of days, we didn't think we would be close to reaching our goals. Well.....we found a family on exchanges that wants to hear the message of the restored Gospel!

But the sad thing is that our friend Briella won't be getting baptized. Her mom came up to us at church and said that it has been a conflict with her husband who isn't a member. It's been causing some problems. So they decided that now was not the time. Briella and her mother are both really sad. And we are sad for them. But with God's timing, everything will work out.

I've learned so many things on my mission. It would be a mile long list of things. But one of the most important things I have gained is a relationship with my Savior. The mission forces you to your knees sometimes. And doing that, I got to know and understand the enabling power of the atonement of Jesus Christ. He knows me and he will help me no matter what I go through in life. I know my challenges won't stop now that I am about to go home to Utah. My life is just beginning.

I know that a young 14 year old boy knelt in a grove of trees because he wanted to know how he could be saved. I know that he read in James 1:5 that directed him to kneel in prayer and ask his Heavenly Father what he needed to do. I know that he saw a pillar of light. I know that he saw those 2 personages. And those 2 people were God the Father and the Savior and Redeemer of the World, Jesus Christ. I know that because Joseph Smith had his question answered, the gospel of Jesus christ was restored to the earth. And because of that restoration of truth, I have been able to share that message with those in Kansas. But I know my missionary service doesn't end here. My mission taught me how to be a missionary throughout my life.

This is my testimony.

But my homecoming will be on March 19th at 10:30am MST! And everyone is invited! There will be food at my house after BOTH hours of church. I would love to see all of you! Here is the address to my church building: 1176 N 730 E

Pleasant Grove, UT 84062

United States