Week #76, Mission Accomplished!

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:6-7

See you all soon!

Love Always,
Sister Weyandt

Week #75,Time is a'tickin

I feel like here is not much to report this week. And I would not hold your breath for a novel next week, seeing as it will be my last full day in NYC. So, here goes potentially my last email to you all on my mission. 

On Sunday the MSA branch surprised me through a going away party after church! They all gathered in the gym and sang "God be with you till we meet again" to me. I folded my arms, bowed my head, and let the quiet tears of gratitude run down my cheeks. I occasionally looked up into the eyes of my fellow branch members. They were all smiling at me. I saw my friends. I saw gratitude in some of their eyes. Compassion for my tears in others. Some brought me to laughter. Others made me cry harder. I mouthed "I love you" to my dear friend Ros. Each one has touched me so much. They have been such wonderful examples of the Saviors love to me. I will greatly miss them! 

On Monday we did another chalk drawing APF, this time in Washington Square park(which I found out this week was an old cemetery...and still has the remains buried underground)! My district was in charge of chalk drawing up the whole park in efforts to lead people to the center where they could learn more about General Conference. It was so amazing to see how many people were eager to learn more! 

I had my exit interview with President Morgan yesterday! He is one smart guy! I sure do like him!  He gave me council on work, dating, and life! 

Today we got to go to the temple with him and Sister Morgan! All of us departing missionaries were able to attend together. It was a special moment to be in the Celestial room, sitting next to my former companion, Sister Bolton. She was a wreck. I shared with her 2 Timothy 4:6-7 "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." I told her what a great job she did! She looked at me with tears in her eyes and expressed what an impact I had made on her and the mission. She really touched me as she said "I love you." I held onto her as I tried to comfort her. She is such a sweetheart. 

My journey is almost complete. It seems unreal. But I KNOW I am going home. My brain knows it is true, but seems like it still has a hard time registering the fact. I have begun to feel the spirit work within me again more like it use to before the mission...a feeling I was terrified had left me permanently. God has shown me how much he has blessed me on my mission by beginning to unveil things to me. Like at the beginning of my mission I use to be exhausted and constantly fall asleep in my studies. I overcame that and the Lord blessed me with strength and energy to sustain me in the work. This past week I have found myself tired again in a way I haven't felt in well over a year! It is an interesting thing to see how God has worked within my life the past 18 months. He has taught me things I never anticipated learning. I am so grateful I have learned the lessons I have, despite them not being traditional in many cases. God has tailored my experience to me. He has taught me in my language and understanding. It has been precious and priceless :) How grateful I am to him!

Hurrah for Israel!

Love Always,

Sister Weyandt

PS. To those of you who are interested in receiving a copy of my mission experience, please let me know, and I will email a copy of it to you. I must warn you though, it is long! 

PHOTOS

#1- The Morgan's with all of us departing missionaries at the Manhattan temple today!

#2- Me and Sister Boseman yesterday at the temple!

#3- Me with Dwight, one of our super awesome investigators!

#4- Chalk drawing joys with the zone!

#5- Me and Ned, the 2nd counselor in our branch presidency! Super cool guy!