I never thought this day would come. This is insane. I'm feeling all of the mixed emotions possible.
Let's start off with summarizing this crazy week.
On Wednesday we went to the temple as a zone, went shopping, and at lunch together, which was all a blast. I love the peace that I felt inside the temple.
On Thursday, we took a Soyuz bus down to Ica (the motherland) and met President and Sister Richey there. They spoke at this FSY Conference that was going on for the youth of Cañete, Pisco, Chincha, Ica, Nazca, and Ayacucho. My companion and I were invited to sing for them (total of 575 people) and it went really well. I got to reunite with some of my favorite youth and friends from Ica and Ayacucho, including 3 of my converts and my pensionista's cute daughter. We then traveled back to Lima that same day in President's car. I felt like we were on tour....it was the best day ever.
But WAIT, it gets better.
On Saturday, after helping the sisters move apartments, we went to the temple with Luisana! It was her first time as a new member and it was the best experience ever. Just on Sunday afternoon, we were visiting her family and I could just feel her spirit and worth as she shared about her experiences to her nonmember husband. She is amazing. I didn't think I could ever love someone so much and be able to feel so much of the love God has for her.
Yesterday was my last church meeting in Perú because next week they have Congress elections and things could get pretty crazy, so we won't be able to leave the house. But my last Sunday was good, I bore my last testimony and Hermana Cook and I sang a duet to "Lead, Kindly Light". Later, we went to the Bishop's house and had a little goodbye party for me with a few of my favorite people. I LOVE THESE PEOPLE. I LOVE PERÚ.
So that was a quick summary of my week. Now onto the crazy part....that this is my last official email.
I have learned and grown so much on my mission and I am so grateful that God gave me the opportunity to be a member of His church and to serve Him fully in these last 18 months. I have kept a list of one thing that I learned each week here on the mission and I'd like to share a couple of them with you right now.
I've learned...
♥︎ there's no growth in the comfort zone and no comfort in the growth zone.
♥︎ I have the power to control my attitude.
♥︎ how to speak up for myself.
♥︎ to be flexible, patient, more humble.
♥︎ to follow spiritual promptings without hesitation.
♥︎ how to truly listen.
♥︎ how to laugh and enjoy every moment.
♥︎ how to testify from my heart.
♥︎ how to serve and love more deeply.
♥︎ obedience brings happiness.
♥︎ the joy of service.
♥︎ how to make decisions and take control of situations.
♥︎ the importance of following God's will.
♥︎ no effort is ever wasted.
♥︎ how to fully confide in my Savior, His atonement, and His grace.
There are so many more things that I've learned and there isn't enough time to write!
My testimony is that this is the true church. God loves us and hears our prayers. Jesus is the Christ and He atoned for each one of us so that we can repent and one day return to live with Him, our Father in Heaven, and our families.
Amo el evangelio con todo mi corazón y sé que pueda bendecir a todas las familias.
He encantado ser misionera. Estaré testificando del amor de Dios por toda mi vida.
Les amo mucho. Gracias por todo su apoyo.
I love you all. Thank you for your support.
With much, much, love,
Hermana Lowe
Alma 29:9-10
9 I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do
anot bglory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.
10 And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember
awhat the Lord has done
for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me.
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| Saying goodbye to the Familia Palacios |
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| Hermana Lowe, Jordi, Jossue, Vladimir, Ariana, and Angelica |
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| Lima Temple trip with Zone (Hermana Cook and Lowe) |
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| Lima Temple trip with Zone (Hermanas Lowe, Cook, Romero, Cole) |
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| Lima Temple trip with Zone (Hermanas Cole and Lowe) |
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| Lima Temple trip with Zone (Hermanas Lowe and Romero) |
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| Lima Temple trip with Zone (Hermana Cook and Lowe, companions) |
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| Hna Lowe and Cole |
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| Hna Lowe and Romero |
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| Hnas Lowe and Cook |
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| Pinkies up!!! |
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| Hermana Cole |
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| Overlooking the Condominios de Inclan from Coop. Umamarca |
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| Hermanas Lowe and Cook, on our way to Ica in a Soyuz bus! |
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| FSY conference |
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| Hermana Lowe at FSY Conference |
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| WILD LLAMAS |
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| Hermana Cook running after llamas |
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| Hermana Lowe and Pilar from Ayacucho (crying because we were so happy to see each other) |
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| Pres and Hermana Richey with the session directors at FSY Conference |
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| Hermana Cook and Lowe at FSY Conference |
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| Finding more friends from Ica! |
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| Mariana! |
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| Yazmin! |
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| President and Hermana Richey with youth at FSY Conference in Ica |
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| Camila! |
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| Hermanas Cook and Lowe on the road back to Lima (photo taken somewhere in Chincha) |
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| Matching HLJ (Choose the right) rings |
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| Luisana and her two girls |
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| Hermana Cook, Luisana and her two girls, Hermana Lowe AT THE TEMPLE |
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| Getting ice cream after the temple trip |
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| La Familia Pajuelo Mosilot |
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| Claudia <3 |
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| Yahaira! |
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| The bishop's wife and the Relief Society President with her famous FUDGE cake!! |
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| At Bishop's house for going away party (Hna Cook, Hna Lowe, Elena, Obispo, Flor, Maria) |
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| La Familia Saavedra (Claudia, Liliana, Luis, y Lorena |
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| Angelica Mendoza |
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| Whole Entire Mission Meeting to see Elder HOLLAND |
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| Las muertitas |
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| Mi grupo!! |
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| Meeting Elder Holland 💛 |
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| Temple trip for the dead people :) |
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