Final Week

Dearest Loved Ones,

I say this every time, but there are no words to express what I feel. I am overwhelmed by the miracles I've witnessed on my mission.

I'm SO GRATEFUL for my sweet companions, my dear mission president, the areas I was in, my online area, my assignment at the Visitors Center, study time, the cutest Hispanics EVER, and most importantly a clearer understanding of what it means to have faith in Jesus Christ, repent, be baptized, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and endure to the end. 

In the words of the prophets:

"And  commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God" (2 Nephi 9:23)

"Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.

"Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls" (Alma 37:33-34).

"And then shall they know their Redeemer, who is Jesus Christ, the Son of God; and then shall they be gathered in from the four quarters of the earth unto their own lands, from whence they have been dispersed; yea, as the Lord liveth so shall it be" (3 Nephi 5:26).

"And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end.

"Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day" (3 Nephi 27:19-20).

"And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.

"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life" (2 Nephi 31:19-20).

Is that not what we all want? 

I testify that this is the work of the Lord. I love Him and I know that He lives. This is Christ's church and it was restored by the prophet Joseph Smith. I am so grateful for the faith of that 14-year-old boy. President Nelson is the Lord's mouthpiece on the earth today. God lives. He is real and oh so aware of us. I know that He wants us to return to live with Him. I bear humble testimony of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

-Hermana Hayes 

Past & Future

Dear All,

I forgot to mention about a month ago that we got new Visitors' Center directors! We will miss the Ferrin's SO much but already ADORE Elder and Sister Chappell! 

Elder and Sister Chappell are just about the HAPPIEST PEOPLE you could ever find upon the face of the earth. They are from Utah and this is their first mission together and they are absolutely thrilled about doing their very best. 

In a meeting we were in together, Elder Chappell asked the question, "Which do you spend more time thinking about: the past or the future?" As I sat and thought about it, I realized that the majority of my thoughts are often about anything but the present. Haha! After anything I do, I tend to ask myself what I could have done better, or if there was anything that I could have changed to get a different result. Then I start to set goals, make plans, and think about everything I am going to do to be better in the future, but soon after find myself overwhelmed and discouraged because I made the same mistake for the 100th time. Learning from our past is important; dwelling on the past is destructive. Looking forward to the future with faith is encouraging; worrying about the future is exhausting. Elder Chappell shared that, on average, those who focus their thoughts neither on the past nor the future are the happiest!

I read a comforting scripture in the Book of Mormon this week that has to do with this similar idea: "For behold, I say unto you there be many things to come; and behold, there is one thing which is of more importance than they all—for behold, the time is not far distant that the Redeemer liveth and cometh among his people" (Alma 7:7).

It struck me at that moment that no matter what we may be worried about, thinking of, going through, or about to go through... the most important thing is that Jesus Christ came--and He will come again. 

As we give ourselves credit for what we do well and ask God for help to overcome our weaknesses in humble prayer, He will strengthen us. 

"Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed" (D&C 123:17).

Cheerfully do all you can, Brothers and Sisters!!! The Lord is pleased when you just have the faith to try.  

Love you!!! 

Hermana Hayes 

Please enjoy some pictures of our ward correlation, Marvin at church, a cute hermana in our ward that reminds me of my grandma and even has her same name (Teresa!), a tour at the Visitors' Center, and hot chocolate from Marvin. 

It's Getting Close...

Dearest Friends and Family,

That's right... It's getting close...

... to GENERAL CONFERENCE!

I am so excited. In just a few weeks, we will have the opportunity to listen to our dear prophet and others about what the Lord wants us each to know RIGHT NOW. I know that they receive revelation from God and relay that information to us.

A few weeks ago, the first presidency called President Johnson and told him that Sister Ranieri (one of the Sisters from the Washington DC Visitors Center) was being called to the ROME, ITALY Visitors' Center to train the new sisters and help as they prepare for the dedication of the new temple and Rome Visitors Center. She is originally from Italy and will most likely finish her mission there. What a DIVINE assignment!

We will miss her, but it's always so exciting to see this great work spread to every part of the world.

One of the highlights from this week was definitely visiting sweet Hermano Marco. He was baptized just a few months ago at the age of 79 and he is the CUTEST man ever. He is incredibly thankful for everything he has and never fails to give the credit to God for all of his blessings.

I honestly don't have words to express anything at this point, but really the only important thing I need to say is that God lives, He loves us, and He has shown us the way through prophets in every age for us to gain eternal happiness and know what we must do to return to live with Him! Hermano Marco is just one example of millions who have been transformed from a state of sin and sadness to happiness and light. :)

I love you all so much!!!!