May 14, 2012

Hello Everyone!    I have both a lot and very little to report on this week, funny how that happens huh? On Thursday of this week we had our Zone Conference. I had the impression that I would be giving a talk that day, and sure enough, I was asked to give a talk on a Christ-like attribute at the very beginning. I spoke on diligence and used part of a letter my Dad sent to me over a year ago about how a missionary determines their own happiness based on whether or not they are giving their best. I think it went really well. I felt unprepared, but that is what we do as missionaries, we preach the gospel with no advance notice!    After a very long zone conference in which I believe we all felt the need to repent and do better on several things, I was surprised with another opportunity to speak. Apparently this is the last zone conference we are going to have before I go home. As it is the last opportunity, I was asked to give my farewell testimony. Talk about a weird experience! I still remember when Cam gave hers. It feels like that was yesterday, and now here I am giving mine! It was truly an out of body experience for me. I didn't know what to think. I told my fellow missionaries that I love them, that I am proud to have them as my peers and that they are the best missionaries in the entire world. I talked about how I have discovered the family that I didn't know I was missing while serving my mission, and that I would be grateful for the rest of my life for the experiences that I have had here. I talked about how I had found wonderful friends during this last year-and-a-half, and that I was a better person for the examples and friendship of others. I talked about what an honor it was to wear my name tag every day and represent the Savior in His work. The whole time I was thinking, "This isn't real! I still have a TON of time left! This can't be happening to me!" How quickly the time goes. I can't believe it, but my mission is coming to a close, and I'm just not ready for that to happen yet. The other missionaries now look at me as the 'dying missionary.' I used to be the young missionary! Oh well, life goes on, and there is a new generation of missionaries to take my place. This work will not be stopped! Until they forcibly shove me on the plane though, I will be working my hardest to represent my Savior the best way I know how!    As for the rest of the week, I honestly have very little to report. I was very ill this week. Yesterday I had a fever of 103 and had to break the Sabbath for the first time in over a year to go to the pharmacy and pick up the three prescriptions the mission doctor prescribed. (I'm not going to lie, I am going to miss having a doctor that I can call at any time and get great advice and drugs for free!). Despite the severity of my illness, I refused to miss church, so I took a shower, put on a face mask, and went anyway. I know I'm stubborn, but you all still love me right? I am feeling a bit better today, I still have a fever, but the drugs I have are really good, and they are doing their job. Check out the greatest street sign on earth!

   Last night I took it easy and had a really great conversation with my Mom and Dad. It was pretty funny, because instead of talking like it would be forever until we got to talk again like the other times, we just talked about how soon we would be talking again! It was funny, but really nice. I didn't even get emotional. It was just a nice chat with my parents, almost like we had talked yesterday and would talk again tomorrow! I sure do love them, I have the best and most supportive parents in the entire world. The evening was spent in the home of the Thomassons, the senior missionary couple here in Naples. We had a wonderful BBQ and everyone pitched in and helped. Two of the Elders did have a moment when they were a little unhappy about Floridian BBQs (meaning going outside in a downpour to turn the meat) but they were good sports about it!

   Well everyone, I love you. I am looking forward to working hard this last week of the transfer. Next week I will know where and with whom I will finish my mission. I honestly have no idea what is going to happen, but I know the Lord's hand will be in it, and that I will love every second that I have left. Being a missionary is the greatest thing in the world. I am so lucky to be a missionary at this time and in this great place. I hope each of you takes a moment this week to notice something that you are grateful for, and take an extra moment or two to appreciate it. I love you all so much, and I am so grateful for the gift I have of having each of you in my life. I love you all,     Hermana Levanger