"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. ...but watch thou in all things, endure afflictions...For I am
now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord shall give me at that day and not to me only but unto all them also that love his appearing"
CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS IS MY LAST EMAIL HOME....I SURE CAN'T...
Well this last week of my mission has been crazy...but great. I prayed so hard this week that I would push through all my weaknesses and just give it my all. I prayed specifically to have Heavenly Father "throw it all at me" I told him I'm ready to take on any challenge and work so hard.Well come Thursday...I GOT SO SICK! It's like the worst flu/cold I've ever had. I came to two conclusions 1) Satan is working really hard 2) This is exactly what I prayed for and Heavenly Father is trying to teach me a life lesson before I depart. So I worked as hard as I could! I tried every method possible every trick in the book to alleviate my symptoms so I could at least not sound like a dying frog as I taught the gospel. Nothing has worked and I am still so sick! Saturday was the worst. Everything was going wrong...I didn't feel good...I spilled my boiling hot tea all over me in the car and burned
myself...the only good thing was that the sun was out to dry my shirt and lots of people were out walking around! I tried so hard to just stay positive and not think about myself. I was on the verge of just mentally, spiritually, physically, emotionally breaking down. I had reached my max...We were walking up a super steep hill and I just told myself JUST BREATHE (even though I can't breathe hahah) and I told Sister Amat to hold on and I just stopped on the hill...I took some deep breaths and I offered one of the most heartfelt and submissive prayers I've ever said. I told Heavenly Father that I literally couldn't do this....I couldn't breathe, I couldn't walk, I couldn't talk...WHY AM I ENDING MY MISSION LIKE THIS!!! But I told him that I knew there was a reason and I was going to be positive, but I really really really needed his help right now and I needed it now. After that I felt so much better, I had so much strength to continue. Later that day I got a blessing from our Ward Mission leader and he blessed me with so many things I needed to hear. It was a great experience! He blessed me that I would find the meaning in this sickness, that I would be able to get the rest I needed and also be so proud of what I've done on my mission. He said even the Savior rested during his ministry. He also blessed me that I would go home with pride, not unrighteous pride, but pride knowing that what I've done is worthy and good!!! IT WAS TRULY AN ANSWER TO PRAYERS!!! Ever since then I've just been pushing along and trying my best to ENDURE TO THE END!!!! One of the members in our ward studies reflexology and she offered to give me a foot massage and she promised that it would help me get better by Wednesday.
She taught me all sorts of things about how the foot is a map of the body and by the end I felt so much better!!!!! It didn't take all my sickness away, but all the tension and anxiousness was gone! Alice came to church again on Sunday and she loved it!!! She texted us this morning and wants to meet up tonight!! Woohooo!!!! Today at 2pm I have my Exit Interview with President Burt...things are getting so real now....Tomorrow I have to have all my things packed and we are attending the temple at 12pm and then we have a dinner and testimony meeting at President and Sister Burt's house that night. Then we go to a hotel for the night and then Wednesday morning....I FLY TO LAS VEGAS!!! I can't believe it's coming to an end! I have learned so much!! I wanted to just leave you with my testimony and some spiritual thoughts :) I love you all and I am so grateful for all the prayers and support for me! I am so blessed to have so many people cheering me on during my mission!
See you on Wednesday!!
Love,
Sister Peterson
MY TESTIMONY:
I know God is real and is aware of us. I know He has a perfect plan. I'm so grateful that I have felt of his love on my mission. I am in awe of God's great plan, that he provided a Savior, Jesus Christ, for us. I know Christ lives and that he lives in me whenever I exercise my faith, seek to do better, or testify of him. I have felt Christ supporting me through my hardest times on my mission. He gives me the motivation, strength, and courage to just go one step forward. I know I have developed a stronger relationship with him and my Heavenly Father through my personal prayers, scripture study,
and partaking of the sacrament. I feel the spirit testify to me of their love each time I simply do the basics. I know that blessings come, most of the time way later than I wanted, but I know that they come. I have had so many tender mercies on my mission that have deepened my love for my Heavenly Father and my Savior. I know they care for me and will do anything to help me. I know that it's only through Jesus Christ that I can truly be happy. My life has become so much better as I've followed His gospel. I know that we have prophets today that continue to help us live that same gospel. I know the scriptures are true and living. I have found so much comfort in the Book of Mormon. I love that book and I know it has brought me closer to Christ and better prepared me for life and to meet God. These are only a few of the things I've learned and come to know are true on my mission. My mission has been so special to me. It has pushed me and helped me accomplish things spiritually that I never thought were possible. The biggest blessing is that I have learned...finally ...to trust in the Lord. I need him and I know when I just trust in him it will all work out. I know I have been so blessed and my family and I will continue to be blessed for my service as a missionary. My mission has brought my family closer spiritually and I know God needed me to be on my mission so we could accomplish that. I am so grateful to have learned the gospel from my parents. I know the influence of the gospel in all our lives is so important. I've seen God's love and the Savior's gospel change people's lives. I have loved having a front row seat as I've seen the power of the Atonement in other's lives. My mission has changed everything and I am so grateful I was called to serve in the Canada Vancouver Mission. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Amen.
Sister Shelby Peterson