Hermana Mary DeWitt: There and Back Again: a Hobbit's Tale

Well, here we are - the last weekly email of my mission...how has the end come so quickly?? It feels like just yesterday I was getting off the bus in Laramie, Wyoming, but when I think about all the experiences and miracles that I've seen throughout my mission, I realize that it really has been about 18 months!!

First off - transfer news(!!): Hermana Tippets is TRAINING next transfer!! She's only been out for 1 transfer, but we have 4 new Hermanas coming into the mission, and basically all of the Hermanas who aren't finishing their missions (like me hehe) are training!! It's so wild, but it's definitely what the Lord wants to happen! Hermana Tippets is going to be a great trainer!

We still had a lot of cancelled lessons this week, which is always hard, but we did have a really good lesson with Daniel! We talked about baptism, and asked him how he felt about it - he told us that he wants to get baptized, but he also wants to make sure that he has a strong testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the living prophets before he makes such a big promise to God! He talked about how important church attendance is to him and how sad it makes him to see members of the Branch not go to church - he was like "I'm not even a baptized member, but I go to church more than they do!"

We sent him some study resources on Gospel Library in Gospel Topics so he can study about Joseph Smith, and he seemed really excited to study some General Conference talks too! I'm so excited to keep in touch with him and someday get the news that he's on-date to be baptized

Personal Study excerpt for the week:

(context: Christ administering the Sacrament and teaching the Nephites how to pray)

3 Nephi 18:16 - "And as I have prayed among you even so shall ye pray in my church, qmong my people who do repent and are baptized in my name. Behold, I am the light; I have set an example for you."

--example --> a representative form or pattern / a task performed or problem solved in order to develop skill or understanding

---what skill or understanding do I develop as I take the Sacrament weekly and pray daily?

--skill --> submitting to God's will

--understanding --> how I can improve

My mission has been an amazing experience and I've seen the Lord's hand countless times throughout these past 18 months. There were people that I met and taught that I know the Lord needed me to talk to - I'm really going to miss all of the people that I've met and served with! Luckily, Colorado/Wyoming aren't too far away, so I'll make sure and visit sometime

I'm also super grateful for all of my companions (@Hermanas Shumway, Passey, and Young, who are on this email list!!) Thank you for everything that the Lord taught me through you! Love you guys so much!! (Also, Hermana Passey and Hermana Young are training this next transfer too, and they're gonna be amazing!!!)

Thank you for all the wonderful love and support that you've all given me throughout this journey - I'm excited to see all of you again, and to keep learning and growing once I'm home! My Homecoming talk will be September 18th, if any of you want to come!!

Love you all and see you soon!!

- Hermana DeWitt