This week was WONDERFUL...apart from the fact that i ate some bad beans and spent a full day throwing up in the house. But the rest of the week was incredible! I had my exit interview with President on Tuesday and he gave me some good tips of advice for when i get home :) We were able to put two baptismal dates this week! Sadly, we wont be having a baptism this week for some family problems within the family but they are set now for two baptisms in May. And whats even better.....my hija Hermana Martinez is coming here to my area to replace me! So that's super cool for her :) Anyways, I have a busy week ahead of me it seems. Cant believe its already come! But cant wait to see you all and to show Mom and Dad around a bit here!
I can hardly believe that this will be my last letter home. The mission has been the biggest blessing of my life. I feel a great pleasure to say that I could serve my Heavenly Father for 18 months in the only country that bears the name of his son, El Salvador, which means "The Savior". These last 18 months have changed the person that I am forever. I have met hundreds of people that are so dear to my heart. I have seen the way that the gospel can change hearts and brings us together. I will never forget the feeling that I had in my heart as I opened my mission call. I knew in that moment that this country was the exact place that the Lord had need of me. And I feel that even more now. The Lord has been by my side throughout these months. I have come to know with a surety that He lives and THIS IS HIS WORK. I want to leave my testimony with each of you. I know that we have a loving Father in Heaven that has an eternal plan for each of us. His son Jesus Christ fulfilled that plan as He came to the earth and suffered for our sins, suffered our pains, sicknesses and afflictions. He loosed the bands of death and through His mercy, we can all be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of His gospel. I know that Joseph Smith is the prophet of the restoration of the gospel and that President Thomas S. Monson is a prophet called of God to lead and guide us in these last days. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. It is the keystone of our religion and of my own testimony. The Holy Ghost testified of its truthfulness to me and I know without a doubt that it contains the fullness of the everlasting gospel. I know without a doubt in my mind that the priesthood authority has been restored and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church upon the face of the earth today. Through baptism unto repentance and faithfulness to the end, I know my Savior will have a place prepared for each of us on the right hand of God. This life is not the end. We will live again and according to our righteousness, we can receive the blessing of living eternally with our families in the presence of God. I am so grateful for this knowledge. I am eternally indebted to my Savior for making it possible. And will forever be grateful for these last 18 months of my life. The truly have been the hardest, sweetest moments of my life. I thank each of you for the way that you influenced me in coming here, for your prayers and most of all for the support that you have given me throughout this year and a half. Thank you especially to my Mom and Dad. You have been my greatest supporters and I will never be able to repay you for that. Thank you Mara and Shelby for writing me every week and for helping me to stay motivated. Thank you Seth for your example... if it wasn't for you I wouldn't be here. I love each of you. And I guess I will see you soon!
With all my love,
Hermana Stoor
