The Great White North treated us well this past week! We got to see so many incredible things! 4 moose, the Northern Lights twice, and miracles upon miracles!
Sadly there is not a ton of time this week.... I'm sure I sound like a broken record... but our next P-day is in just a few short days! So the majority of those stories will be told next week. I will however tell you about some of the thoughts I've had over the past few days.
With countless hours of driving time this past week, I've pondered about how my mission has changed me. I've been thinking a lot about how I've transformed over the last 18 months. Something that was really hard for me at the beginning of my mission was the idea of being a different person when I got back. Everyone that I knew that went on a mission came back a different person. Although it wasn't a bad different, I was so worried about being so different that the people that I love would think differently of me, possibly in a negative way. After wrestling with that for the first 3 months of my mission, I learned that I needed to accept that I would change and that change is a good thing! That meant that the cleansing power of the Atonement is working in my life! So as I let myself accept this change, I found that I was a lot happier. About 3 months ago, I was reflecting on that struggle I had experienced, and I compared it to how I felt now. To my surprise, I felt more like myself than I ever had before in my life. When I came to this realization, the thought popped into my head, "you're becoming more like the person you were before you came to this earth." Wow. What a truth that is. I feel as if I am coming to be the person I was in the pre-mortal existence. The one who fought for the Father's plan. The one who knew what struggles she would face but chose to come anyway. The one who couldn't wait to become like her Heavenly Father. That's what this life is all about, rediscovering that person and becoming even greater. I'm in awe of how the gospel truly changes us. What a privilege it is to look back and see how the Atonement of Christ changed me. The greatest part is that the change isn't even over! I can continue to discover myself as I continue to live the Doctrine of Christ. I think that's the most exciting part, there is still so much to come.
People, I know I say it every week, but I love what I do. I love that I can share this message of hope and love every single day. I'm learning that life is about moments, those small instances where we see something incredible happen. My mission has been made up of millions of them, and the finale just keeps getting better and better.
Until Tuesday, I hope each of you enjoy a blessed General Conference weekend! As I always say, "It's the Spiritual Super Bowl!" Also, the new Easter video is INCREDIBLE! It's exactly what the world needs. Be sure to check it out at https://www.mormon.org/!
I love you all!
Sister Bethany Christensen
#blessed