Angela in Alaska: July 31, 2017

Yes, you read my subject line right........... this is the last full week of my mission. Hoy cats! Boy did that flow by!!! There is this poem my aunt angela sent me quite a while ago about missions, I can't remember if I have shared it already, but I'm gonna share it again cuz it's true!

A mission is a strange experience. It's a trial and a test.

A mission throws at you the worst, yet teaches you the best.

They told me this would be the best period of my life, but I guess they didn't explain it all too clear.

I came out looking for a bed of roses. I just wasn't expecting all of the thorns I've found out there.

Since I've been out, I've never been so happy. I've never been so depressed.

I've never felt so forsaken. I've never felt so blessed.

I've never been so confused. My mind has never been so clear.

I've never felt my Heavenly Father so distant. I've never felt Him so near.

I've never been so discouraged. I've never been so full of hope.

I feel like I can go on forever. I think I have come to the end of my rope.

I've never had it so easy. I've never had it so tough.

Things have never gone so smoothly. Things have never been so rough.

I've never travelled through more valleys. I've never ascended to so many peaks.

I've never met so many neat people. I've never met so many freaks.

I've never had so many ups. I've never had so many downs.

I've never worn so many smiles. I've never worn so many frowns.

I've never been so lonely. I've never had so many friends.

Man, I hope this is all over soon.

Gosh, I hope it never ends.

--Jack L Brinkerjoff__

This is the state of my mind right now. But boy oh boy, I have sure loved my mission! One of my super good friends, that many of you might know, recently returned from his mission from Guatemala. In one of his last emails he said something that I just love! He said that "the last week of the saviors mortal ministry is the week that has had the most effect on the salvation of human kind. It is when he did the most for us. He instituted the sacrament, suffered in gethsemane, suffered and died for us, and completed his atonement with his glorious resurrection! And that is how my mission in Guatemala (aka Alaska) is gonna end! The last week of my mission is gonna have an effect on others in the same way." (Thanks Jordan) so that's been my thought process. I want to make an impact on people this last week and share the gospel with as many people as possible!

1. Temple trip

Anyways since Wednesday we have had a lesson with Gavin, we had a fashion show as he tried on different baptismal suits to see what fit him. He's getting baptized on the 12 by his dad!!! We had a lesson with the ysa elders and Ripleigh, my favoritest human in the world!!! We had a lesson with Xander. He is such a great kid! He was finally confirmed in church yesterday so that's awesome!!!

2.exchanges with the best stl ever!!!

We went on exchanges, sis. Oliver came with me to eagle river where we baptized everyone... lol jk but it was a good ole time! Friday we had an amazing dinner with a part member family. He isn't a member but he is active. His daughters were visiting him for the summer. They are the coolest people ever!!! One of the girls is training to be an opera singer! How cool is that!?!? Anyways we had a super good discussion about the Book of Mormon and about missions. They have lots of questions! They came to church on Sunday and Cici, one of the girls, said that this week has been the most enlightening week she has had. I guess in gospel principles the spirit was super strong as they all shared experiences of how their prayers were answered. Sis. Dunlop and I got to do sharing time in primary so we missed it. That was a cool experience!