Well folks, this is the end of the
road for Sister Lynch. It actually has been for a while, I think I'm just
finally ready to admit it now! Haha
I have been home for a total of
three weeks now! How crazy is that?!? I still can't believe it.
If you haven't been able to tell,
I love being a missionary! I am so grateful for my mission, everything I
learned from it about the gospel and myself. I have gained so many wonderful
friends, my testimony has grown and I am just happier all around. I am so
grateful for this experience God has given me that will shape and define the
rest of my life.
Because of my love for the
mission, I was sad to go. Not because of disappointment, regret, feeling like
it was unfair or not my time. It was perfectly clear to me that it was my time
to go, God has things planned for me and He has spent the last 18 months
preparing me to face the rest of my life. My sadness came from not wanting to
leave such special friends, family almost, that I had grown so close to. And it
came from having to leave the place that had changed me, that helped me grow
into something I finally feel I could be proud of. It left me wondering if I
would still be able to keep growing, or if I could possibly continue to be that
happy. But because our God is our loving Father in Heaven, I knew the answers
to those questions. My purpose would be a little different and I would never
have experiences again quite like on my mission, but I am still His beloved
daughter and He will continue to guide me and shape me if I allow Him.
Not going to lie, it has been
tough. This world paused for me when I left, but for everyone else it kept
moving full speed ahead. Everything is so different and it has been hard to
know where I fit. Some places I feel I don't. But it has been so good for me.
Like I said, God will only be the director of our life if we allow Him. Sure He
is ever present and knows what is going on and is capable of affecting our
life, but He can only help us grow and make miracles happen with our consent. I
have seen that the more diligent I am in the small and simple things, like
prayer and scripture study, the better He is able to show me who He intends for
me to be and what His will is for me. I'm just happier all around. But that
happiness can only exist if we are patient, just keep smiling and recognize
that it needs to be a growing PROCESS. That's a lesson I keep having to
relearn, but He is teaching me!
I would like to leave you with the
words of Ammon, a great missionary, at the end of his service. "Yea, I
know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast
of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things;
yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we
will praise his name forever" (Alma 26:12)
These words have kept me going and
kept me humble. I have seen some incredible things and have been allowed to be
a part of many miracles in the land of The Ohio. I know that this was only
because of the grace and power of God that He would put so much trust in such a
humble servant. I intend to see many more mighty miracles as I live the lessons
I learned on my mission, strive to be the person God has helped me to become
and do all I can to make Him the director of my life.
I love you all so much! Thank you
for your love support and prayers. I felt you with me always.
With love, for the last time,
Sister Ashley Lynch
