Week 75, 3/14/2022

 THE END. 

Finally made it to the Orlando temple!  With Pres. and Sis. Wood 💕

Welp... I guess this is it. I can't really believe it. Part of me feels like I've been a missionary my whole life. And part of me feels like I just said goodbye to my family a few days ago. 

This was a very special week, said a lot of goodbyes (most of them are just temporary though), went to a few meetings for the last time, got spoiled by some members, and the best part of the week....I finally got to go to the ORLANDO TEMPLE!! No better way or place to end my mission.

 

I wasn't able to go to the temple my whole mission due to Covid restrictions, so it was a very surreal experience to finally be able to go. As a missionary there's always something to stress out about, but immediately after walking into the temple all I felt was peace. I can truthfully say that I have never felt closer to God then when I'm in the temple. My favorite part of the temple is what we learn there.  We learn so much about the Plan of Salvation and about Jesus Christ's Atonement. I still have a lot to learn but I love what President Nelson said about the temple during last general conference...

"The temple lies at the center of strengthening our faith and spiritual fortitude because the Savior and His doctrine are the very heart of the temple. Everything taught in the temple, through instruction and through the Spirit, increases our understanding of Jesus Christ. His essential ordinances bind us to Him through sacred priesthood covenants. Then, as we keep our covenants, He endows us with His healing, strengthening power. And oh, how we will need His power in the days ahead."

If you haven't been to the temple recently, I would definitely recommend that you should go! 

Last district meeting

To be honorably released, had to prove to Pres. we have learned how to cook 😉

Besides the temple, some other highlights include: last lesson with the Busby family- ahhhh I'm going to miss them! Their baptism has been moved to April 9th and you bet I'll be watching it, even if it's over zoom that'll be fine. 

Visit to Urgent care😬 Sister Weibert is fine I promise

Our friends Liz and Gaia spoiled us so much by taking us out to St. Augustine for dinner on Saturday and buying us the fanciest meal I have ever had! I literally felt like I was on vacation. Even though I haven't been in Nocatee for very long I've grown to love the people here so much and I'm grateful for how kind they've been to us!

Liz and Gaia  ...💓👌

Couldn't have asked for a better last week in the FJM :)

I know that this is Jesus Christ's church restored on the earth today. I know that the restoration continues through a modern day prophet. I know that we may not get every answer to every question that we have and that's ok! God knows everything and as we put our faith and trust in him, we will be able to learn more through the Holy Ghost. I know that the Bible and the Book of Mormon are the words of God. I know that this is a gospel of joy, and we can have TRUE joy as we live it intentionally. In the mission call letter it says, "Greater blessings and more joy than you have yet experienced await you as you humbly and prayerfully serve the Lord" 

There were times when I didn't know if that promise would be fulfilled. Missions are HARD.  There were many times of discouragement and times when it seemed that I wouldn't be good enough. But there were also many moments of experiencing that fulness of joy! The end of my mission has especially been amazing. I know that Heavenly Father is keenly aware of all of his children and what they endure everyday, him and Jesus Christ are there to guide us and help us through this life to have TRUE joy!

One last time on the Florida sand  (as a missionary, that is 😁)

I could go on and on but I am just so grateful for my mission. I've met the most amazing people, grown more than I ever thought I would, strengthened my testimony and centered it on Jesus Christ. I truly don't know where I would be without my mission and I'll never forget about the experiences I've had in Florida and Georgia. 

Love you all so much...see you soooooon!

 Sister Bonny ❤