The Journey

Hi! I love you all so much! I am so grateful for being able to serve a mission!!

Thanks you all for your letters and support. I have a poem that my companion, Sister C and I wrote together.

The Journey

My journey began so long ago,
a trusty ship, my compass guide.
I used my map to chart the course
on the treacherous path I would be tried.

To reach the sweet shore of promise
this was my heart's desire
I firmly pushed off from the dock
my soul soon filled with fire

Into the open sea, I made my way
I faced into the Sun
It rose, the brightness filled my view
my journey just begun

and then fierce storms fell upon the sea
as dark days tend to do
but me, I laughed into the wind
for my goal and course I knew.

Calm seas and warm days soon came to my ship
bringing bliss and sweet repose.
The sun ahead, the moon behind
I could almost see the troves

My map warned of one more strait to pass
before my journey's end
but I would guide my dear ship through
I feared no turn nor bend.

The strait appeared, my ship entered in
much sooner than I knew
The narrow way was full of waves
and rocks and danger too

I took the helm of my wavering ship
and sought to fight the current
it was not only the ship but the soul within
that could perish in this torrent.

The escapes were narrow as I steered us through
my teeth and hands clenched tight
the way seemed sure, I would not falter
'til I met a greater foe that night

Dark swirling water lay straight ahead
it spun beneath the swells
A whirlpool of the greatest strength
could drag me down to hell

The fight was great, my sweat poured down
though soaked, I struggled, shaken
A single drop of blood rolled down my cheek
a single drop was taken.

There was no time to check my compass now
as the drop fell upon the floor.
I swerved my ship and we shot away
Fear drove us toward the southern shore

Closer it came and I saw the sand
but unseen rocks lay waiting
My map and its Maker unheeded now
my own path I was taking.

But with a jolt and a Crack! I fell upon my deck
the waves destroying my ship
and as I reached the shallows there
more blood began to drip.

Exhausted and weak, I fell into the sand
After pulling my vessel to shore
my head rested upon my knees
for an hour or two, maybe more

And now I stand upon the beach and face the open sea
This land is green, the sky is clear
but my heart is filled with sorrow
and my eyes are filled with tears

The south is not my goal, I say
Though fine to say the least
my heart still longs for another end
For the Sun rises in the East

But One can help me find my way back now
to reach that promised land
Will this momentary satisfaction
stay my reaching for His hand?

Or will I turn and fight my foe
and give my God my best?
For I know in Him that safety lies.
In Him I'll find my rest.



Things are going SO well here in the MTC. The english districts just left for Mesa, Calgary, Michigan, or South Africa. Tonight we'll get some new missionaries... a few headed to Uganda!! cooooool! I love my district, we are working hard and stepping it up for these last three weeks. I can't believe that's all the time I have left here but at the same time, I am so ready to get out into the field. There is a lot of work being done in Hong Kong. I can't wait to get into it!! I can't wait to help people understand how much this gospel can bless their lives. How much their Heavenly Father Loves them INDIVIDUALLY. I can't wait!! I only wish earlier in my life I had understood like I understand now how important it is. Its like I've lived my whole life floating on this water and not realizing how awesome it is that I'm above water and not below it. I don't know if that makes sense. but I have taken so much for granted. We should never take this for granted. God has a plan. Everything works out perfectly in the end. He has commandments to help us learn and grow and keep us safe? He asks so little of us in return. Think of how much heartache would be avoided if we could just all learn to exemplify Christ in our lives. If we had the courage to share what we know with others. If we could be humble and willing to learn. if we could ask questions and learn more. If we could help and serve others a little bit more. To those who know the truths that I know... share them. To those who don't know, please try to learn. I know that if you honestly and sincerely seek to know whether this is true or not, God will give you an answer. You will feel it in your heart and in your mind. That is an amazing promise, and I have been given that promise and asked and sought and so I know it is true.

I am so grateful for this Earth that was created for us. I am so grateful that we have guidance from a living prophet. I know that God will do nothing save he reveals it unto his servants the Prophets. (Amos 3:7) I know that the Bible and the Book of Mormon are God's word to us. I know this. I bear my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, my savior, Amen.