Love, Elder Souza

Howdy! This will be my last email. I thought I would kinda wrap everything up. It’s been a pretty crazy last 2 years. Definitely didn’t see any of what happened coming. It’s been trying in so many ways and not just for me but the whole world. As I look back I got to be a missionary during a pretty unique time. I have served during a global pandemic, during the 200th anniversary of the first vision. A temple was announced in Pittsburgh. Technology became one of the main sources to find and teach. So much has happened and I feel like I have grown more, learned more, and experienced more than I ever could have imagined. I know a lot has gone on back home too. It’s just been a crazy 2 years but I think it was the most perfect time to be a missionary. A perfect time to learn more about my savior Jesus Christ and to share his love and light with a world that seems so dark. However I know and have seen that there is just as much light in this world as there ever has been. It might be hard to find sometimes, but it’s there, and it’s real, and it changes lives. Its changed mine. The Lord sees you, we just have to run towards his light and we will have all the hope, peace, faith, love, and joy we need in this world to be what he wants us to be. I’ve met some of the most amazing people. People who have found there is joy in living the gospel of Jesus Christ. I don’t even know how to express my gratitude for the opportunity I’ve had to meet and build the relationships with the people I’ve met here. Missionaries and the people here. It hasn’t been easy. It’s actually been very difficult. But I’m grateful for that because it’s allowed me to grow and change. Hard things help us do that, and although I feel inadequate and sometimes don’t have much confidence, I trust in the Lord, and know that I can do whatever he needs me to do. I have many flaws and weaknesses. There are a lot of things I don’t do well. But Christ has helped me and and has turned many of those weaknesses into strengths. Despite all the trials and challenges, it has also been fun. Once I allowed myself to enjoy it and let myself have fun, it became fun. I’ve loved my mission. I’ve made memories and made friends I will have for the rest of my life. I’ve had some of the sweetest moments of my whole life. I know from experience and from the Holy Ghost that God can make much more of our lives than we ever could on our own. I know that the Lord called Joseph Smith to be the prophet of this dispensation. I am so grateful for what he has done. His obedience to God has blessed countless lives. He is a good man and the Lord gave him the power to translate the Book of Mormon. I love the Book of Mormon. If we live the principles it teaches we can grow closer to God than by any other book. It contains the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know it to be true, and you can to if you pray about it and live it. I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Gods kingdom on earth today. I know God is our loving Heavenly Father and that his only begotten son, Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. He is the good shepherd and will lead us along. He invites us to be of good cheer and to live with a grateful heart and we will be blessed. I’d invite myself and you all to never hold anything back from the Lord. Give it all to him. It can be hard to do that, but in order to learn how to trust the Lord, we have to give him things that we love and care about. I promise he will bless you for that sacrifice. I have a very strong testimony of that. I have given up things that I love to him because I want to love him more and he has never forgotten me and has always blessed me for it. I know that our service to God and his children will bless everyone we love. I don’t know when those blessings will come, they happen in the Lord’s time, but I know they come. I hope that when I go home I can continue to grow in faith and learn to love God more every day. I will miss it but I know this is only a stepping stone to the next part of the journey. It is a sweet thing to love and serve others. That to me has brought the most joy I think. When I can be an instrument in the Lord’s hands to help one of his children. I guess I’ll end with one of my favorite scriptures,

“Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel” (Alma 26:16).

I could say a lot more but that would be too much, when I’m home you can ask me about it sometime. I am so grateful for you all and your examples. I love you and thank you for your support! Have a great week! I’ll see you next week😉 Read the Book of Mormon. Have fun, and for the last time, Love, Elder Souza