18 Months.

Well Family and Friends....18 months. I really can't believe I have been gone that long and that my time here is up. It really seems like last week I was being "kicked to the curb" in the MTC. And now here I am trying to find the motivation to pack my bags (I hate packing...with a passion.) :)

As I look back on my mission I am only grateful. Grateful for the hard times and the good times. Grateful for the amazing experiences I had and for the life long friendships I have made. And especially grateful for everything I have learned while being out here. Its been one of the hardest things I have done but also one of the greatest things. 

When I was in the MTC, Sister Sherri Dew came and spoke to all of us and gave an AMAZING talk that I have never forgotten. She talked about 4 things that she thought every missionary should learn while being out on their missions. The 1st was to figure out who you are and why you are here. The 2nd was to really, deeply understand who the Savior is and what he did for you personally. The 3rd was to figure out how I receive revelation and the 4th was to better understand Gods power, or the Priesthood. From that day on I was determined to make sure I learned/figured out all of those things while I was out here. So that talk quickly became my "mission goals". Luckily I can say that I have figured those 4 things out. On my mission I have figured out who I am and who I want to be in the future. I know my relationship with my Heavenly Father and that I am loved and admired. I came out here to the Belgium/Netherlands mission and worked really dang hard and saw so many miracles. During the hard times when I felt alone and was feeling extra home-sick and really was wanted some Cafe Rio ;), is when I came to know who Jesus Christ is and what he did for me. And that we NEVER need to feel alone because we never are. And one really cool part of being a missionary is you get the opportunity to be Gods hands. I couldn't even count how many times I have said something to an investigator or member, or whoever it may be, and heard my own words and knew that it hadn't come from me. I learned how to really communicate with him and he communicates with me. We are literally just the lords mouthpiece in this amazing work and we all get the privilege to take part in it. I have seen the Gospel change lives and I know Gods power is real. The Priesthood is a real thing and its the way God work with us today. I know Joseph Smith was a true prophet and translated the Book of Mormon so we could have it today. There isn't one bone of doubt in my body. Ive loved every single second of these past 18 months  and I know there is nothing better I could have been doing instead of this work. I love you all and I can't wait to see you in just a few short days!!! :) Thank you one last time for all of the support and love! You are all amazing!! See you on the flip side!! 

Love, Zuster Brophy