Well I have procrastinated as much as I
can. I figured if I never wrote it, then this day would never come. Then I
quickly realized as the hours have passed, this is happening whether I want it
to or not. I would be terribly stupid to
pass this opportunity to share some of my most dear feelings of my mission and
thank you all for your love and support. Before I get to that, I wanna give a
quick brief rundown of my week so that I don’t look back and wonder what
the heck I did the last week :)
Tuesday I had my last exchange with
Sister Tanner, man was that something else! A while back President Bingham gave
me permission to go back to Gurnee to teach Karla. So, we took a road trip on
Tuesday to go see her! As we were driving around up there, so many sweet memories
came to mind… Sister Jones, Sister Grant and Sister C…. the countless hours we
spent together, teaching, contacting and praying. The wonderful people I got to teach, Karla,
Gail, The Cunninghams, Nick, Mr. Sheffield and the Woods. The wonderful members…
man my heart was so full! I had one of my best friends right next to me in the
car and all these memories. It was a very sweet feeling.
We did go and see Karla and she is doing
so well! She looks so healthy and so good.
She is going to school and doing all the things that seemed so
impossible. I shared with her some of my deepest feelings about her and the
church, some treasured memories and a few tears. All and all it went really
well. There is a new senior couple up in Gurnee and I asked her to meet with
them and she said she would be happy to! And guess what she kept her word they
have already meet up twice my heart is full! We also ran to Gail’s home for 10
minutes. I love that woman! Just
like old times, she had me laughing and oh the embrace in a Gail hug! So
grateful for her!
Wednesday and Thursday we were running
around with our heads cut off teaching and service and contacting and
everything between.
Friday, I went up to the temple with all
the senior couples and those going home with me. There are so many of the
senior couples that I have gained such a admiration for, so many that have
allowed me to be one with them and their family. Many tears were shed in the
temple with The Crofts, The Ericksons and the Binghams. I truly love them. I’m
so grateful! I love the temple. When I walked out of the celestial room,
there was the sealing room and my mind reflected on the wonderful day that Sue
was able to be sealed to her husband and the joy and the tears! That was one heck of a day!
I had road up with the Senior Sisters to
the temple while Sister Caucut was with the STLs. Afterword I found myself wrapped up in
helping President Bingham move and clean out some apartments. He said it
was going to be a long night and I was up for the challenge!! It was super fun
on the ride down I was able to spend a good 3 hours in traffic with Sister
Bingham. Somewhere along the way we found ourselves in Valpo cleaning out the
house that had been my home for so long. Once again memories came flying by. As
I carried out the chair I thought of how Sister Sufia use to sit on it all
bundled up with all the blankets we could find on some of the coldest nights
with a bowl of cereal in hand cheering me on while I ran. I saw the white
boards with the same notes that I wrote on not too long ago. I thought about
Sister Tanner and all of her many questions and how I used to use those white
boards to help illustrate the answers. I thought of Sue, The Oaks family, Ash, Beth,
Dumezes, Courtney, and Thomas family. Oh how much I love all of those people
and how much I grew from their examples. I remember having to rely upon the Savior
and being able to feel of His love. President wasn’t kidding when he said
it was going to be a long night but I’m so grateful for the chance I had to
help and reflect upon all the great memories I have had throughout my
mission.
Saturday and Sunday were mostly filled
with watching conference and preparing to leave. I love watching conference
while being a missionary. There’s such a sweet spirit that comes with it. It
was a good way to end my week.
Even though I didn’t get to spend that
much time in North Shore I am forever grateful for the people that I met there
as well as in all of my areas. I have been so blessed to have had the
opportunity to serve so many different people.
It’s hard for me to put into words how I
feel right now and how to adequately express how much my mission means to me. I
have learned so much and am forever grateful for this amazing opportunity I
have had to serve the Lord for the past 18 Months. I can’t imagine going
through this mission without all of the love and support I have received from
all of you. Thank you so much for all the words of encouragement, the prayers,
and love it means more than you know. I am so very blessed to have such a great
support group. I have been able to feel of your presence as I’ve served and I
hope you are all able to feel and receive the blessings of me serving my
mission. I was truly never alone. I will forever be indebted to all of you for
your examples, testimonies, and faith. Thank you again, I’m so happy I was able
to share this wonderful adventure with all of you. I know I could never say it
enough but thank you. I love you all.
The very thought of not being a missionary
anymore makes me so sad. I wore my name
tag to bed last night. But I know that this is the right step for me. Before I
end I just want to share my testimony with you. Before I came out I thought I
had a strong testimony. I was built upon a sure foundation but coming home now
I not only have a sure foundation, a stronger testimony, but also I have
reached the level of conversion. I don’t know everything but I have a strong
conviction to keep studying and increasing my faith for the rest of my
life.
I’m indebted to the Lord for my mission
and my experience. I know that He lives and I know without a doubt that the gospel
brings joy. I’m incredibly grateful for the knowledge of the love my Father in
Heaven has for me and all of his children. I know that the Book of Mormon has
incredible power because of the many testimonies of Christ. I know that
the Lord places us where we need to be and I know I needed to be here in Chicago
for these past 18 ½ months. How grateful I am. I guess it all boils down
to one thing in the words of Nazaret “it’s true, it’s true, it’s true!
The gospel is true.
Well this is it the end of one chapter
and the beginning of the next!
I’m so excited to see y’all tomorrow!
For one last time….I love ya all
Thanks for everything
Keep smilin
Sister Kendrick
