There is a story about an unbeliever who was a famous journalist who was about to die.  He published an article that said something like the following: "Death comes to all men, but somehow I believed that I would be the exception.  Now what?"  To this man and to all people, I testify that we go on to something better.

That doesn't mean that it's easy.  There's a lot you feel like you are leaving behind, and the unknown is always a challenge.  But it is always, always, always worth it.

My mission has been the hardest thing I've ever done.  Every day has brought a new and higher hurdle.  I never expected what would come, and I will never be the same.  I am not the same person that I was when I left, because that person wasn't me.  I now know what the gospel can be.  I know what happiness is.  I understand the gospel and the plan of salvation.  I have experienced the Atonement of Christ and felt to "sing the song of redeeming love."  I have come to know the Lord and come to realize that He knows me.

I do not want to leave my mission, but I know that now is my time to go on to something better.  I can't imagine it right now, but I know that it's there.

I know that this is the Lord's work.  I know that He is at the head.  I know that the Church has been restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith and that we have a prophet today.  I know that God has a plan for us and that if we obey Him we will receive all that He hath.  But I know most of all that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that He lives.  I know that and I testify of it in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Hermana Kirkland

Something I have learned on my mission is that God gives us exactly what we want.  If we want happiness and love and success and families and miracles, He will give us just that.  We have to work for it, and pray for it, and when we do our tiny little part, He does the whole shebang.  If we want other things... well, He lets us have that too.  Whatever we want and are willing to work for.

I gave a talk yesterday on miracles.  Maybe I'll include it in my homecoming talk, so nothing more here.

We taught at zone conference on Friday on helping people get to church, and it was just that.  Do everything you can and God WILL make up the difference.

Expect a longer email next week...

Love you!

Hermana Kirkland

I'm thankful for the 18 months that I get to preach the gospel.

I'm thankful for my companion, who is the best missionary I know and my best friend.

I'm thankful that we had two investigators in church on Sunday, even if one of them was wearing a shirt that said, "Hustle to the Kick."

I'm thankful for the eleven new investigators we got this week.

I'm thankful for my mission president.

I'm thankful that we got invited to Thanksgiving Dinner by a member that used to not be very open to working with us but has changed his mind.

I'm thankful for all of the things that I have learned on the mission, and all the ways that I've changed.

I'm thankful for the Book of Mormon. 

I'm thankful for my family and that we can be together forever.

I'm thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ, that it was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith, and that we have a prophet today.

Love you, be safe,

Hermana Kirkland

We had a mission activity in the ward this weekend.  We worked really hard to get this activity and then worked really hard to get people there and it turned out pretty well.  We did a treasure hunt with the steps of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Atonement, Faith, Repentance, Holy Ghost, Endure to the End) with a prize (Eternal Life, of course, also a movie and nachos).  Someone had chosen out a 2-hour-long not-church movie so we had some gentle words with him and got it changed to Meet the Mormons.  I was surprised at how not-trunky I was during the Utah part (and how at-home I felt during the Costa Rica bit).  Anyway, the real miracle was when we invited a random guy in the plaza to come to the activity and he came.  He was a little out of place, but then he and a member figured out that they were friends 20 years ago.  And then he came to church on Sunday!  He lives alone so the elders will teach him, but there are prepared people out there.

We went to the beach for a sister activity today.  It was my last time as a missionary.  But it all turned out well considering we expected to be doing it next week, so that is a little private miracle I suppose.

I love you a lot!

Hermana Kirkland