So I wanted to write something since this is the last day of my mission.  I don't think I've relayed my feelings about the past two years very well.  I am so extremely grateful for the opportunity I have had to serve for two years here in Oregon.  I can't describe the feelings of gratitude I have for the experiences I was given here to improve myself spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically.  

Deciding to come on a mission was hard for me and even after I had made the decision I quickly realized I was not prepared.  I realized how distant I was from God.  I realized how self centered I was and I could quickly see that my focus back home was on the wrong things.  It honestly feels like a miracle that I made it on a mission.  

As I went into the MTC I was able to learn more about the gospel than I had in the many years before and I'm so grateful I took it seriously.  Getting into the mission field here in Oregon was a hard change for me. All the rules we had and the lifestyle change was super difficult.  One of the first things I learned though was that the mission president (President Russell at the time) was truly inspired in making transfers.  Elder Falatea helped me so much and I was able to get through a hard first stage of adjusting.  Throughout my time serving after that I was blessed continually with seeing people get baptized, having wonderful companions that helped me to become better, learning from my studies, and making great friends.  

There are two experiences that really stand out from the recent months of my mission that have really impacted me.  The first was an opportunity I took to sincerely pray about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith after finishing reading the Book of Mormon.  I really wanted to have an assurance that those things are right and I did all that I knew to do to gain an answer.  I felt like I hadn't gotten any answer to my prayers after a week or two.  But then we had General Conference and I was able to feel an answer more clearly than anything I had felt before.  I learned again that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a disciple of Jesus Christ.  I also learned a lot about the power of prayer and the importance of having faith in always receiving answers and guidance.  

The second experience was a difficult time during my mission where I felt I had failed in what I was supposed to do in the area I had been serving.  I was transferred and I was frustrated I didn't do as well as I felt I should have.  I felt like I could've done more and helped our investigators more.  The months following that I was reminded of a couple things.  First, it isn't about me or what I want or expect to happen.  I am here to do my best where I am assigned.  Second, through the atonement I can move forward from any failures or shortcomings.  That was something I had not been focusing on as much as I should have before.

I am beyond grateful for the people I have met while I've been here on my mission.  I have made great friends that I have served with and I have made great friends through teaching.  I definitely feel I have been blessed by others more than I could have possibly blessed those around me.  I'm so glad I was given this opportunity and there were those who were willing to help me become better.

Just wanted to write something short on how blessed I have been these past two years.  I am so grateful and I know that the gospel is what brings joy!

Stay Solid
Sawyer

 

This week was actually really good. We started off the week with a really good Pday at the U of O fields playing football and soccer.  It was actually sunny for once and it made me realize that once I get home I'm going to get so burnt because of how white I have gotten here.  lol  

Tuesday we had zone conference and there were some good segments on helping our investigators progress.  We also got smartphones which is pretty convenient.  

Thursday we spent A LOT of time tracting and finding some new people to teach and it was pretty successful.  Hopefully we will be able to continue meeting with the people we have found.  We have been teaching Holly and her kids still, even though they are temporarily in Eugene, and they are still doing really well. We are waiting for them to find a permanent place so they can be baptized because they are so ready.  We are also teaching a part member family from Kenya and they seem super solid.  
 Sunday we had some good church meetings and then that night we went to a music program at the church which was really good.  

That's some of this weeks highlights.  I've thought a lot about my mission as it's been coming to an end soon and I'm so grateful for the opportunities I've been given here in Oregon.  It might be difficult to tell from my short emails but I've seen huge blessings, I've seen other people change their lives, I've seen answers to prayers and experienced them, I've learned from my mistakes and I'm grateful I've been able to better myself.  I will send one more email next week and then I'll see you all soon!  Much love!
Stay Solid
Sawyer 

 

This week seemed long.  Time is really dragging.  But it was kind of fun because I was with Elder Hale for the whole weekend on some long exchanges.  He's a homie and it was fun to hang with him.  We got to go up to the far parts of our area for the first time since I've been here and it was beautiful.  We set up some lessons with people which was good!  Our investigators are doing well and we have a lot of lessons scheduled.  I don't think we'll have a baptism before I leave though which is alright.  I'm sure they will get baptized soon after.  

Most of the days are just super long and grey so I seriously hope when I get home it's nice and sunny and warm.  Other than that we are just keeping on and doing constant finding and teaching.  Oh and I also can't wait for the time change because we will have more daylight to do work!  Anyway this week we have interviews so we'll see if I make it through my last one before my departing interview.  

 

February 26, 2018

This week went by pretty quickly. Things here in Springfield 1st Ward are going pretty steady and we have a good group that we are teaching.  It's kind of fun because our ward is pretty excited because they haven't seen any new faces at church in a long time, so all these people we're bringing are getting great fellowship.  

Holly and her two sons are doing great!  They have a really good chance of getting baptized this month and if not on the date they have set, I'm sure it will be soon after.  We also have Cindy who's been coming to church and some others that are doing well.  It's cool to see these people become better and learning every day.  

Luckily we've had the car from Friday to Monday so we haven't had to walk all week because it's been snowing for the last little while.  It has gotten pretty dang cold and at one point, it snowed, hailed and rained all in less than 3 minutes.  hahahaha

Elder Johnson and I are making our way though and he's doing a good job for having to stick with me through my last transfer.  We've gotten a lot of work done though and we're keeping busy.  The Oak Ridge Elders have also been up and stayed with us and they always make things fun!  Hopefully this week we will be blessed with seeing the sun but we won't count on it.  Hope everyone is doing well!  And I'll see everyone in a month!
Stay Solid
Sawyer