I am Grateful

This is probably the hardest letter home I will ever have to write, just know this has been an amazing week and I have so much to say about how personally our Father in Heaven knows us and loves us and prepares us for what is to come.

As I said when I talked to you on Christmas, Sister Miller pulled me aside at the Christmas Eve lockdown and said she and President both think it would be best for me to come home and get my health back in order. After lots of prayers, I talked to President again and we decided I will be coming back at transfers.

It is definitely the hardest decision I have ever had to make, but I know that I am not alone in it.

For now, I have come for what was needed of me and with whatever I have facing me next, my faith has increased all the more to help me get through it.

Our district went to the Temple this week and I recieved so many answers and comfort while I was there, and again and again throughout the entire week.

I can not tell you how grateful I am to have been here, to be able to know my Heavenly Father the way that I do.

To have been able to serve His children and get to know them in ways I never thought possible. But, I am now needed somewhere else.

Elder & Sister Russell M. Nelson came to our mission and spent New Years Eve with us.

Sister Nelson taught us to Trust in the Lord & not in the manner man, and to cease when God says cease.

This hit me differently than I am sure it did anyone else in that room that night.

Elder Nelson asked if there were any questions at all that he could answer for us, one by one missionaries stood up and asked about doctrinal things, President asked about what they discuss in the Temple, all sorts of things, it was such a great experience and the Spirit was so strong...then right before he closed he said "Now, I know there is another question being asked, not vocally, but I wish to answer it for you." He then had us flip to D&C 138:55 which reads, "I observed that they were also among the noble and great ones who were chosen in the beginning to be rulers of the Church of God." then told us, "This is what I see out of you missionaries, you ARE the noble and great ones."

The AP's called that morning & asked if I would be willing to give the closing prayer...ps I have had NO voice this week...haha I've been super sick, but of course I said I would, and as I ended the prayer, I just had the greatest peaceful feeling come over me.

I am grateful for the Spirit.

I am grateful for this Gospel.

I am grateful for my Savior and for the chosen leaders of His Church.

God knows where we need to be.

Of this I testify.

So, I will be coming either January 11 or 12.

And yes dad, Sis Pousima is coming as soon as she gets home and yes, she did find her bear which is named Sandy :)

Love you all.

Sister Givens