Saying Goodbye

Hola,

 I don´t have much time, so I´ll make this as brief as I can.

 I´m so lucky to have so much support from my family and friends. Almost every letter includes advice for when things get hard, and I´m grateful for that too. Here´s my advice for when things get hard in YOUR lives: rely on the Lord. You do this by asking Him for strength and wisdom to know how best to make it through and by trusting that He knows what He is doing. He is God, all-knowing and all-powerful, but also our loving Father in Heaven. He wants what is best for us.

We had mission field training on Friday. Longest day of my life. haha There´s a lot to remember about being a missionary, but pretty soon it will just become my life.

Thanks for the prayers, I can feel them. I felt at peace yesterday, which was our last day together as a CCM district. We´ve grown to love one another like a family, and many tears were shed as we sang goodbye hymns in Spanish. Elder Sumsion gave me a priesthood blessing of comfort, which was a sweet experience. 

But possibly the sweetest goodbye happened this morning. Hna Taufoou´s companion, Hna. Watkins (who is going to Arizona on her mission) left at 3 am this morning. Hna Broadhead and I spent the night in their casa so we could spend more time with Hna Watkins and also so we could be Hna Taufoou´s companions after Hna. Watkins left. We decided last night that we were all going to get up at 2:30 with Hna. Watkins and walk her to meet the bus, and so we did. But as we were walking to meet the bus, Hna. B suddenly looked back into the dark street and said, "Is that our district?"

We all looked back, and sure enough, there were Elders Edson, Davis, Wareham and Elowitt running toward us in shorts and T-shirts. None of them will leave until tomorrow and Wednesday. The only reason they got up so early was so they could be there for Hna. Watkins and tell her goodbye. This act of sacrifice and love really touched me. Most of the people in our district also wrote one another goodbye letters. My stack of letters is in my backpack. I will read them on the way to the airport. I have honestly had THE best district here, and I am so grateful to have met them all.

Hnas Broadhead and Watkins are already planning are district reunion when we get back in two years. I can´t wait to hear everyone´s stories about the people they met and how their lives changed while they´ve been on their missions. I know my life has changed. I am not the same person who entered the CCM. I have the same personality, but I think I´ve matured a lot spiritually, even in just six short weeks. I am quicker to change, to align my will with God´s, and I have a strong desire to be the best missionary I can be.

I love you all!
Hermana Henrie

saying goodbye to Graigry