The Last Lecture

I heard a story once about a professor who was dying, he knew his time was short and he decided to give one last lecture. His students flocked in, and many came from miles away to hear his last lecture. He gave a lecture on life that has now been turned into a book. His words inspired hundreds, and his legacy will live on forever.

As I have pondered what I would say in my last email, I have continually thought of sharing my simple testimony, for that is all I can truly take with me when I go. Sure my bags are packed with souvenirs and mementos, but in reality the only thing of real worth that I am taking with me when I board that plane tomorrow is my testimony of my Savior.

I know He lives, I have come to know Him as I have served Him. I know that He is there for each and everyone of us. He gave His life for us, He died for us, but He also LIVED for us. He is my Savior, my older brother, and my best friend. I know that His gospel has been restored to the earth in this day and age that Joseph Smith was truly a Prophet of God.

On Saturday I had the amazing opportunity to go do Baptisms for the dead with my recent convert, Molly. What an amazing experience to see someone who the Lord was able to help by using me as an instrument be able to come into the temple and feel of the Spirit there. We went to Deseret Book afterwards and I found this picture:

As I looked at it my eyes filled with tears as I pictured myself in that woman's place, being comforted by the Savior. He is there for me, I have felt His love and His infinite grace as I have been a missionary, as I have struggled with depression and anxiety, and as I have come to be like Him. I am trying to be like Jesus, and I will continue to try to be like Him for the rest of my life. I love this gospel!

All my love and I will see you tomorrow!

Sister Megan Monson

Sister Monson will be home Tuesday January 9th at 1:00pm

She speaks in her home ward, Glenmoor 5th ward, at 11:00am

4881 West Cindy Lane

South Jordan Utah

Such happy Sister Missionaries!

after temple dinner

another facial mask

who are these two cute animals?

Panda and Tiger

 Temple Trip Saturday January 6th

Temple trip with Molly

Departing Missionary Temple trip

saying goodbye

all the Sister Missionaries who went out together

Sister Belliston

Sister Webb

Sister Monson

Visiting special friends 

Temple Day

4 DAYS!!!!!!

It's really here!

Today was "Departing Missionary temple trip" and Cafe Rio Day

These pictures were posted on Instagram @washingtontacomamission 

Carry me not up Hence

As Moses was leading the people out of Egypt and through the wilderness, He had to rely upon the Lord for ALL of his decisions, how could he possibly do it without the Lord? While he was speaking with Him face to face in Exodus 33, the Lord and Moses establish a relationship of total trust.

13 Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.

14 And [the Lord] said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

15 And [Moses] said unto [the Lord,] If thy presence go not with me,carry us not up hence.

While I was studying this past week that last verse stuck out to me and continued to stick with me as I went throughout the week. I realized that the Lord is delivering me up back to Utah, out of my wilderness of Washington. I will be going back to the place I love, to my own land, just like the Israelites were going to their own land. I continued to dwell on this thought. Going home is scary, who knows what it will be like. Most of the time I have this very ideal image of it in my head, just how perfect as I think it is when I feel homesick. But at the same time I know it won't be perfect, I'm not going to go home and not face challenges. And it's a little scary.

I have learned very, very much on my mission the power of having the companionship of the Spirit. I cannot live without it.

I have found on my mission that the best place to turn when I am scared is to my Heavenly Father. So I turned to Him and He guided my pen.

Carry Me not up Hence

Many roads cross,

And thwart my path.

There could be millions,

If I did the math

But if thou go not with me,

Carry me not up hence.

Many great choices abound

This way or that way,

All things can be found.

I'll do as you say.

But if thou go not with me,

Carry me not up hence.

Battles confront me,

My courage to try.

"Just let me be,"

I say with a sigh.

But if thou go not with me,

Carry me not up hence.

I'm alone in this waste,

My trials to face.

I beg thee to come in great haste.

Help me to find my place,

But if thou go not with me,

Carry me not up hence.

The Lord MUST guide me or I will not go. I return home in 7 days; I will see my wonderful family, my friends, my dog, and my home in just 7 days. And I will not lie, I am so excited, nervous, scared, and happy all at the same time. But I know the Lord will go with me. Just as He said to Moses, "My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest."

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1)

There is no fear in Christ, only light, life and hope. I will see you all in 7 days! I might write something next Monday, but who knows!

All my love,

Sister Megan Monson

(Sister Monson will arrive Tuesday January 9th at 1:07pm at the Salt Lake International Airport, Delta Airlines. I think I'm counting now... but that might make the anticipation even harder to bare.) 

Super cute sister missionaries

selfie

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Sister Monson smile

Reindeer facial masks

Christmas phone call screen shots from Sister Monson