Onward and Upward

Hello everyone!
Yes, it's Saturday. It's my final P-day for packing and everything, so
I am sending out one last letter. Aaaaahhhhh this is insane guys!
First off, here is my new address:

Andrew Reay
8732 W. Willowbrook Drive
Peoria, AZ 85382

Highlights of the week:
- It snowed yesterday! Less than an inch, but enough that it stuck and
covered stuff and made getting into the car a pain. Most of it's gone
now though.
- We had a super fun P-day! We got special permission to go to the
Memphis Grizzlies game!! We went with the other Spanish elders, the
Ds, and the P's oldest son, D. It was a blast. And we
won, 101 to 99! Woo!
- Most of the people we've seen this week are the ones we've taught a
lot, like the P family and the Rs and such. It's weird when
I'm visiting people and knowing this is the last time I'll see them.
Ahh.
- We had a worldwide missionary broadcast on Wednesday. It was super
cool! A few of the apostles instructed on some of the basic skills of
missionary work, and it was really good. Elder Bednar gave some really
good instruction on the Spirit in our teaching. Essentially, it was
that we can't force people to feel the Spirit when we teach. Our job
is to bring it into the lessons, and the investigator has the choice
of letting it into their hearts. Sadly, it made me think of a lot of
things I could improve on in my teaching. They should have done this
two years ago :P
That's really about all. This is so weird, guys. I'm not really
freaking out much, but as you read this I am putting away all my stuff
in suitcases for the last time. I can't believe it's actually going to
end.

Let me just say this: I am grateful for every second I have had to
serve the Lord as one of His representatives. I know without a shadow
of a doubt that his gospel is true. I know that because I have seen
how it changes lives. The Atonement is such a real thing. Jesus Christ
suffered in Gethsemane and died on the cross for US. I'd have to say
my favorite scripture I have found on my mission is one in the Book of
Mormon. A prophet named Alma explains what Jesus did and why so
simply:

"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and
temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled
which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his
people.
And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death
which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities,
that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that
he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according
to their infirmities."

He went through all that. He felt literally every pain, sadness,
sickness, depression, fear, EVERYTHING bad that would happen to us.
And He did it so that He could know how to "succor" us, which means to
give aid to or help. There may be times (and I have gone through
plenty) where you feel like you are so alone, and that "no one knows
how I feel. No one understands." Well, He does. He knows exactly how
you feel, because He felt it. He didn't just feel pain, he felt YOUR
pain. And He felt it, so long ago, so that when you  are feeling it
now He can help you. Reach out. Make the changes in your life you need
to make to move towards Him. And you will find the peace that only He
can give. I guarantee it. You will still have problems. But you won't
be alone in overcoming them, and it is the best feeling.

I know that this is the Church of Jesus Christ. He has one church, and
it is this one. It was restored, as it had been when Jesus Himself had
been here, through the prophet and servant of the Lord, Joseph Smith.
A lot of people do not agree with this. I invite those who do not to
study it out and ask God yourselves. Do so with the intent of knowing,
not for finding fault or with no intent of joining the church anyways.
God will tell you the truth, but only if you truly desire it. So learn
more. Be honest with yourself and with God. And you will come to know,
like I and millions of others have, that this is the way to go.

Well, I hope you enjoyed reading about these past two years as much as
I have enjoyed living them! Thank you all for your support and love. I
love y'all, and I will see you soon!
-Elder Reay