Hello everyone, this is my last email as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I have loved my mission so much! I have learned so much while I've been serving the Lord for these 18 months. I know that my Savior lives and He loves me! He died for me and for all of you! That has brought on a whole new meaning while I've been here doing the Lord's work. I have seen people totally reject this gospel and it's been the saddest thing ever! I have also seen the flip side where people wholeheartedly accept this Gospel and they love the Lord. I am truly converted to the Lord. There is a scripture In Alma 5:26 and it says ,"And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?" I can honestly say to you all that I have felt this song of redeeming love and I have experienced that change of heart. I want to be a missionary my whole life, but I don't need the tag on anymore. I have His name painted on my heart. Here is what Elder Andersen has to say about this,"If you’re not a full-time missionary with a missionary badge pinned on your coat, now is the time to paint one on your heart—painted, as Paul said, “not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God.”13 And returned missionaries, find your old missionary tag. Don’t wear it, but put it where you can see it. The Lord needs you now more than ever to be an instrument in His hands. All of us have a contribution to make to this miracle." I know that we all have a hand in this great work and I hope to continue to move this work forward and not hinder it. I have loved every minute of my mission, even the hard times (there have been plenty of those)! I have loved the hard times because it has helped me to grow stronger and that is when I was forced to my knees to ask for my Heavenly Father's help. We must be on our knees constantly if we want the help of our Father in Heaven to guide us to where He wants us to be. I am a little sad to not be a full time missionary, but I know that coming home is when I can apply all the things I have learned on my mission. This is the next phase of my life and I am excited to see what the Lord has in store for me, one of His servants.
I love you all!
Sister Stolp
