Forever Changed

It has been nearly five months since I left my second home, forever changed. In that place I was known as Sister Walker and I spent my time teaching the people of Las Vegas about God and Jesus Christ. Each day I stood with other missionaries, carrying the name of Christ, doing what He would do. This experience is one of the pieces of my life that has made me who I am.

While in Vegas I was blessed to be able to serve with and be led by amazing people. President and Sister Ahlander are incredible. They are compassionate, loving, diligent, strong, faithful, covenant-keeping, and courageous people. They are examples of what it means to be Christ-like. My life has been forever changed by the time I spent with them.

I began my mission in the Las Vegas stake. I served with some amazing missionaries. These missionaries taught and helped me and are now some of my best friends. Together we taught wonderful people and worked with amazing members. We watched and rejoiced as the people around us grew and changed and experienced the love of God. I learned to do what God wanted me to do and to freely share His love with others.

 My second area in Las Vegas was in Lakes. The members there embraced us as part of their lives and their families. We taught with them, spent time with them, laughed with them, and loved them. We worked with some incredible people. We didn't just teach them, they taught us too. I learned to love others and to reach out. I learned to serve in a way that helps others the way that they need to be helped. The wonderful people there will always be a part of me.

For my last seven months I was able to return to the Las Vegas Stake. I saw exactly what the gospel of Jesus Christ could do for me and for others. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to get to know these wonderful people. They have all become a part of me. I made friends that will be there forever. 

But most of all during this time I gained hope. I learned to trust that God would keep His promises. These seven months weren't easy and neither were the ones before them, but through it all I learned that God is there and that He loves us. No matter how hard the road, we are not alone. There is someone walking with us who is aware of our struggles and understands our pain. He helps us all along the way, if we will let Him.

Some say that you give up a lot when you serve a mission, and in some ways that is true, but you gain so much too. I have been forever changed by my service as a missionary. I have come to feel of my Heavenly Father's love in a more perfect way. I have come to know my Savior, Jesus Christ better. I have seen the hand of God in my life and in the lives of those around me. I have learned from other people and had opportunities to see the world through their eyes. I have served with wonderful missionaries that have had a profound influence on my life and who I now consider some of my closest friends. And I found hope. This time will always be a big part of me. It has helped me to become who I am and who I want to be. 

I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father. I know that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. I know that through His atoning sacrifice we can find forgiveness, healing, hope, strength, and peace. He is my rock and my Eternal Friend. I know that this is the gospel of Jesus Christ. It will lead us to happiness now and in the life to come. In His great love for us God gave us the plan of salvation. He provided prophets, scriptures, priesthood authority, ordinances, commandments, and revelation to help guide us and prepare us for eternal life with Him in His kingdom. These things that I have come to know are also a big part of who I am. Because of what I know I choose to do things differently. I choose to do my best to follow Christ. My time spent in His service, carrying His name, has left me forever changed.