Oh, my heart.
Someone just informed me that I have 8 days left in my mission. I honestly didn't know that. Things have been a whirl here, and there's so much that has to happen. I'm so, so very lucky to be a part of it.
A few of you have asked, I will probably get to email next Monday (the day before I fly out), but not 100% sure. I return home on the 19th and my homecoming is December 31st in Highland, Utah!
Quick update on this week before I start semi-explaining where my mind and heart are at currently...
SO MANY MIRACLES. Lots of last minute miracles. Which are always quite humbling. We roamed Gastown (my favourite part of downtown Vancouver) with Mo and a few members, delivering Christmas gifts to the many homeless people. We sang carols on the street. We had Mission Leadership Council with President Wong and the other mission leaders which was SO GOOD ALWAYS SO SO GOOD. He spent easily over an hour teaching us about how we ought to receive correction, and sharing with us how the senior Brethren correct the other General Authorities. It was mind blowing. The first thing they tell you when you get that calling is, "If you can't stand ready for correction, you're no use to the Kingdom." OH OKAY. He said that President Packer, when training new 70's, would offer them a choice. They could choose to receive slightly sugar-coated correction over a span of 30 minutes, or get it hard and fast in 5 minutes. All of them choose 5 minutes. Always. President Wong, since he already is a General Authority, totally treats us like he's training us to be that someday. It's incredible. I decided that in my closing interview I just want him to straight up tell me all my weaknesses and how to fix them. Honestly, I want that. Anyways, we spent hourssss holding our breath and waiting to get thrown down upon for something after all this training on properly receiving correction. But then... he never did. He just changed the subject. And let the Spirit tell each of us, individually, exactly what we need to repent of. PRESIDENT WONG IS THE SMARTEST PERSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He's so cute. I'm going to miss Asians soooooo much. The other day one of our investigators, Steven the Korean, texted us and said, "Curtis!!! Yesterday I was almost died.... I had gastrointestinal and I was almost died." Hahaha THEY'RE ALL SO CUTE!
Okay. Moving on. To things that actually really matter. I'm not going to attempt to explain my mission and what it means to me via email, because that's entirely useless. But I have a million thoughts and stories and feels that I'll be repeating liberally the next couple of months, so ask me everything please <3
I remember picking up Hermana Archibald almost exactly a year ago on her first day in the mission field. Now we're here together in Vancouver YSA for my last days in the mission field. I remember driving through Surrey with her and telling her that our missions are the most important things we've ever done. Back then.. I still didn't have a clue what this work actually means. Why we do it. Why God trusts us to do it.
I know that my Saviour lives. I know that by being here and opening my mouth, I am a teeny part of making the Plan of Salvation real for some of my Father's children here in BC. I love this work with my whole heart, and though I have to take off my nametag soon, I'll never step away from this.
I know that God "is not dead, nor doth He sleep". He will not force Himself into our lives. We see Him when we want to, and when we're willing to accept that maybe He's not exactly who we thought He was. I know that His Son, Jesus Christ, lives. I don't understand how, but I know that because of Him I get second chances.
I know that I've been very far from a perfect missionary. Or perfect anything, really. But I also know that because of the things I have seen, felt, read, learned, heard, and been on my knees for, I am more like my Saviour than I was when I first put my nametag on.
Oh, I'm so grateful!
My sweet friends and family, I'll see you all so soon!
With all my love,
Sister Curtis
