October 11, 2018

     He's HOME!!!

               


                                   And looks GREAT!!

October 8, 2018

Dear Sonke,

Oh my goodness I can’t believe this is my last time writing! These past 2 years have been the most rewarding time of my life. I don't even know how to explain the things that I have experienced here in South Africa. I love this place so much! I love the diversity in cultures and the people! I'm so grateful I have served a mission. 

I think the most important thing I have learned here on mission is found in Doctrine and Covenants 18:10-16 which pretty much says..... "and if it so be that you labor all you days in crying repentance unto these people and bring it save it be one soul unto me, how great will be your joy in the kingdom of my father." One day, about a year into my mission, I was having the hardest time understanding what my purpose as a missionary was. If people have there own agency and God has his own will then whatever I do it will not make a difference in anyone's life because God already has a plan for them. If I don't talk to these people here in South Africa then God will prepare another person to talk to them about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I finally found my answer in the bible dictionary where it talks about prayer. The purpose of prayer is to align our will with Gods and to secure for ourselves blessing which God is already willing to grant but its contingent on us asking. Prayer is a form of work to show God we need his blessing. It finally clicked in my head, the main reason I am on a mission is for myself! I’m not too sure if those scriptural references made sense to you, but it definitely allowed me to receive revelation for myself. Ever since that point I have tried my hardest to make sure I am the best person I can be. I love this restored gospel. I know it’s true. I'm so sad to leave this place, but at the same time I'm so excited to come home!!!

I think for the first time I've actually tried to make sure my grammar is correct so my mother doesn't have to correct it hahaha. 

Love you all and I will see you soon!

Elder Shaw