This is the last email we'll get from Sarah before she departs for Milan. If you are sending her any mail, please make sure it arrives at the MTC by next Monday. Sarah flies out early Tuesday morning for Milan, actually arriving there the next day - her birthday!
As soon as we receive her mission address in Milan, we'll forward it on. In the meantime, send all mail to the mission home.
There's really not much to report from this front, besides all of us getting anxious to head out. It's weird to think that it's been almost two months. We're all planning on what type of food we want to eat at the airports and such. I'd love 5 Guys but I don't think that will happen. ha ha ha
Last night Elder Neal L. Andersen came. Apparently having 3 apostles is a pretty big deal. It's been awesome, though. He had some really interesting thoughts on the Atonement. He talked about the merits, mercy, and grace that saves us. The merits of the Atonement is the fact that we will overcome death and be resurrected, no matter our works. Because Christ rose from the grave and broke the bonds of death, He did so for all men. The mercy refers to our sins and the opportunity to be purified in order to reenter the presence of our father in heaven. He talked about how our sins our lifted from us as we apply the atoning power and that the Lord will remember them no more. He related the relief in knowing that we have been forgiven for those things that we wish we had not done. I want to add my testimony of the power of repentance and how it leads us to be born again in Christ, to becoming pure and clean so that we can have eternal happiness and joy instead of sorrow and regret. My favorite part was when he talked about the grace of the Atonement. This is the strengthening and enabling power that helps us become someone we are incapable of being ourselves, of reaching higher planes that are out of our reach. The Atonement can not only lift our sins, but lift our lives. We can become more righteous and good than we ever thought possible if we will allow it to work in our lives.
Everything in the gospel centers on Christ because it is His gospel. Elder Andersen said that at the last day, the missionary badges we now wear will be badges of honor because we were special witnesses of Christ. That is our purpose. Our service as missionaries is perhaps the most important thing we will ever do, both for those we serve and ourselves. It honestly becomes a part of you and just as Jesus Christ is written right next to your name, you come closer to him than ever before. Elder Andersen also said we were just like the apostles (which left me incredulous) because we are dedicating all of our talents, time, and ability to the Lord. I am grateful for the opportunity to wear this tag not because it means I am any better than someone else or somehow "elite" but because I can focus completely on Christ, bearing testimony of Him, and bringing others unto Him. He truly is the only way that salvation comes. It reminds me of 2 Nephi 25:26 "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ...that our children may know where to look for a remission of their sins." (not exact translation) We have a loving Heavenly Father whose sole purpose is us. To bring us happiness and eternal joy which is obtained by living according to the doctrine of Christ so we may return to live with Him.
I know now more than I've ever known before that our Savior lives. I know it with my entire heart and soul. He lived, He died, and most important He rose again so that through Him we may live again in every way imaginable. His way is the only way that we can ever have the peace and happiness our Heavenly Father yearns for us to have. He waits with open arms to receive us if we will but come to Him.
~Sorella Jacobson
