I can't even believe this is my last weekly, so instead I decided to send out 3! My stomach is in knots as I prepare to go home. I wish I could say that I gave my mission and the Lord everything I have, but that would be a lie. Every single day of my mission, I fell short in some way, shape, or form. No one is perfect and true disciples of Jesus Christ will always wish they could have done more. I have come to rely on the atonement of my Savior more than ever in my life. Each day I feel gratitude for the gift of daily repentance. It has carried me through my mission and will continue to carry me through my life. I know I wasn't the perfect missionary, but I do know that my sacrifice was acceptable to the Lord.
On Wednesday, I went on my last exchange in the history of ever! It was an honor to be with Sister Rollins! We had a blast reminiscing on our wonderful days we both spent serving in the Popo Agie ward! We talked to lots of people and we pretty much just laughed! Oh yeah, we also spent 3 hours polishing the baptismal font in the temple. Note to self, never touch anything in the temple, because it is a really hard to clean. Sister Rollins is a great example of making things fun, no matter what you are doing.
Thursday was great! We had district council and we had a really good discussion on making studies meaningful! I'm thankful for all the time I have had to study on my mission. We talked about studying with the needs of the people we are teaching in mind. I was reminded that evn though I know I was meant to be here and touch lives, my life has been touched and I have learned so much from the people I have been able to teach! Also, we had dinner at the McGoffin's with my old friend, Sister Zitting!
Then the rest of the week was an absolute blast. Sister Zitting and Sister Bertha spent the night at the Smith's and I got to be with them and with Meghan in the temple for her endowment! It was so wonderful to be in the temple with so many people that I adore!
Sunday was emotional. I couldn't stop crying at church. It hit me like a ton of bricks! It was my last Sunday as a missionary! Ahhhhh let's not talk about it. Let's just say this is not goodbye! The people of Colorado and Wyoming can't get rid of me that easily!
I love you all so much! Nothing is as sweet as my mission, but something tells me coming home is a close second! See you on Saturday!
Love,
Sister Gish
Part 2
My mission has been the best! I feel so much gratitude to my Heavenly Father for the lessons I've learned! I've learned so much from each one of the 6 individuals that I witnessed enter the waters of baptism! I learned so much from all 11 of my beautiful companions! I learned so much from all 5 of my areas! I can count alot of things, but countless are the memories I have made, countless are the amount of members who took such good care of me, countless are the times I've made mistakes, and countless are the times my Savior picked me right back up.
To the people I taught in my mission--John, Pat, Jody, Chris, Cassidy, and Kat- I thought I came out here to change people's lives, but you changed mine. Utterly and completely. I will forever be thankful for each and every one of you! I love you!
I was blessed with the best string of companions on my mission! Each and every single one of them has helped me come to know even better who Jesus Christ is.
-Sister Harkness taught me to have fun. She reminded me that God needed me to keep my sense of humor and not to forget that He wanted me to be myself, just the sister missionary version.
-Sister Warren set the tone of my mission. I couldn't have asked for a better trainer. Thank you for teaching me that exact obedience brings forth the blessings of heaven!
-Sister Green taught me patience. I was still a new missionary myself and I was scared out of my mind to train her. She taught me more than I could've taught her! She is submissive and always willing to try new things, especially if it is the Lord's will!
-Sister Latu taught me that it's not how you start, but how you finish! She showed me that the atonement of Jesus Christ is big enough! I am thankful that she came on a mission!
-Sister Stapelman is simply sunshine. She sprinkles kindness like it's confetti and everyone who meets her will feel their Savior's love. She taught me how to be a window to the Savior.
-Sister Bishop taught me to wear my heart on my sleeve. Be 100% you because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
-Sister Lee taught me how to get the job done. I have never met a more hard working woman in my life. She is like a big sister. She gives the best advice and she sincerely wants the best for the people she teaches.
-Sister Kehoe taught me to bloom where you are planted. She knew that she was visa waiting in Greeley for a reason, and she trusted in the Lord to show her what it was. She worked her butt off and was so diggity down for anything me and Sister Zitting wanted to do. Even to tract 641 doors in a day! I know she is killing it in New Zealand!
-Sister Zitting is one of the most beautiful people you will ever meet. Not just on the outside, but on the inside too! She taught me that the prettiest girls are kind, they are understanding, and they are compassionate!
-Sister Martin is a huge reason why I got into BYU! She encouraged me to follow my dreams. She is the most selfless person I have ever known. She is also wise beyond her years! I learned so much about the Gospel from this girl. She is a leader!
-Sister White taught me to be bold. She loves so deeply. She knows the gospel is true and that everyone needs it in their life. She proclaims the gospel with deep conviction. She is simply solid. She has been such a strength and support to me during my last transfer.
To all of the amazing members of Dubois, Lander, Laramie, Greeley, and Loveland--thank you for the meals, the housing, and the referrals! You were a huge reason of why my mission was successful! I will be visiting you tons! I especially want to say how much I love Laura, Jerri, and Clari in the Centennial ward! Seeing you three walk the covenant path has been one of the best parts of my mission!
My mission has meant the world to me! My heart is full!
It is written on my heart forever!
Part 3
So I had to steal this from cute Sister Weeter because I thought it was perfect!
Dear Sister Gish
This will be the fastest and slowest 18 months of your entire life. Enjoy every single second. It will go by in the blink of an eye. At times, you will wish you were home. At other times, you will never want to leave. It will truly be an adventure of a lifetime.
You will serve in 5 areas on your mission. Yes, 5. And you will grow to love each individual in those areas. You will serve among those in Dubois, Lander, Laramie, Greeley, and Loveland. Each of these places have their fun quirks, but don't worry, you will love them all! You will teach and meet hundreds of people within these areas. Some will be baptized, but others will just grow to love the Savior more. Don't get discouraged because the Lord is watching your efforts. He sees the good you are doing. He will bless you.
You will have 11 amazing companions and be in 2 trios. Each companion you will live with 24/7, but somehow you don't mind that at all. In fact, each of these dear sisters will become your best friends. You will have ups and downs with each, but because of your love for the Savior, it will all work out. You will learn to be there for your companions. They each will teach you someway to become more like the Savior through their example. Oh how you are going to love your companions!!
You will teach people of all walks of life. There will be some that you will help overcome addictions. Other will have troubles within their family. You will help others come back to the gospel after being away for so long. There will be times when those you have grown to love so dearly will hurt your little heart and no longer wish to meet with you. You will see the excitement in the eyes of some who never knew what they were missing out on. You will truly see the gospel of Jesus Christ change lives. Most importantly, it will change yours.
You are going to be a whole different person by the end of your mission. You will come to love the scriptures more than you could ever imagine. The Book of Mormon and the Bible will be your key to sanity in this crazy world. You will find joy in service. You will love serving among your fellow men. You will, in some way, find the sort of love Christ felt for His neighbor. Prayer will be the key to success. Without it, you will not have the Spirit to guide you to those individuals waiting to hear this message you are sharing. As you pray, you will be able to
overcome some of the hardest times in your life. Heavenly Father is listening and answering every single day.
Missionary work is far from easy. You will wake up every morning at 6:30, work hard all day, and feel so weak at night that you collapse into your bed without a second thought. The days truly do feel like weeks, but the weeks feel like days. As you work hard to bring souls to Christ, you will find your purpose in life. This is what you were born to do.
Your mission president and his wife will be your eternal friends. You will look up to them as examples of what true disciples of Jesus Christ are. They will be there to guide you and help you. They will share knowledge and inspiration to help you and those you are teaching through the challenges of life. You will forever be thankful for these two individuals. President and Sister McMurray are the very best!
More important than all of the fond memories, cool people, and neat places, you will come to know who Jesus Christ is. He is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. He truly was crucified for your sins and mistakes. You will feel the power of the Atonement in your own life. It will completely and utterly change you. You will no longer see Him as this mysterious figure but as a dear friend. He is there for you every step of the way. He experienced all the highs and lows. Turn to Him.
The Colorado Fort Collins Mission is your mission. You will forever have it engraven in your heart. The people of Wyoming and Colorado will now be family. It will almost break your heart to leave them, but the beautiful promises of eternity give you the knowledge that you are now linked to them forever. Enjoy this time your have to serve as a full-time missionary of the Lord.
The FOCO Mission truly is the best.
