28 Junio 2016 ... Para siempre Dios este con vos.

     Well. I've heard of so many missionaries that have sent out their last email or blog post and are just overcome with emotion; with sadness, fright, anxiety, or excitement. And it's kinda weird, because I don't really feel like that. It doesn't feel like I'm going home this week. It just kinda feels like another transfer coming up. Actually, not even another transfer coming up, it feels like I'm staying in Miami Beach but with a bunch of packed suitcases, haha. I've been working my absolute hardest, going so hard. I've been testifying and inviting all that I can, going by love and going by the Spirit.

     It hasn't fully hit me yet. And I hope that it doesn't come very soon, because I will be heartbroken when it does. Actually, it will probably hit me tomorrow as we drive up to the mission home. But I will never, ever, for as long as I live regret serving a mission. I have savored this 18 months, used them to the best of my ability, and given them to the Lord. Just before I was set apart to serve as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I was getting ready, brushing my teeth or something in the bathroom. And I asked my younger sister to get out her iPod and speaker, so that I could hear a song one more time. That song was "I Lived" by One Republic. I chose it because I wanted to be able to sing those lyrics about my mission when I finished, namely these lines: "I did it all, I owned every second that this world can give... with every broken bone, I swear I lived."

      Ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters, mis queridos hermanos y hermanas, I still have some time left before I return home on Thursday, but I will be able to honestly say about my mission: I did it ALL, I owned every second that this world can give, ... I LIVED.

     I will forever be so incredibly grateful that my beloved Father in Heaven gave me this opportunity to serve and to grow. And now 2 Timothy 4:6-8 has a new meaning for me. I gave it my all up until the very end. I served with all of my heart, might, mind, and strength. I finished strong.

      

     2 Timoteo 4:7

 He peleado la buena batalla, he acabado la carrera, he guardado la fe.

     

  I'm going to quote my dear friend that recently returned from her mission in Virginia (because she is far more eloquent than I and said it so well): "I have felt the Lord's redeeming love in own life and seen it change the lives of others. I understand more than ever the power of Christ's Atonement. It is the most important doctrine we can ever learn about. It's scope is infinite, it's effects eternally felt. Through it we can overcome any challenges we may experience in this life, whether they be emotional, physical, mental, or spiritual, whether our pain comes as a result of sin, the poor choices of others, or the natural challenges of life. The Atonement overcomes all.I have experienced some of the sweetest friendships of my life during this time that I know will last into the eternities. I am so thankful for the people I have met who have taught, served, and loved me. From companions to investigators, members to my dear mission president and his wife, I have been richly blessed. "

  

      I know that my Redeemer lives. I gave 18 months of my life to serve as a missionary. And now I will continue as a disciple of Christ for all of my life. I add my testimony to that of Moroni, and all of the other great prophets and apostles and missionaries that have testified of the divine truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that we have the fullness of the truth in the Lord's church today, that perfect church has been restored and it is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. And if you say that I'm incorrect, "judge ye".   <<<That's one of my favorite new lines of scripture. 

I know that these things are true. Nothing can ever change that. Nothing could ever make me deny it. I love my Savior and I will follow Him.

Éter 12:37

...tú has sido fiel; por tanto, tus vestidos estarán limpios. Y porque has visto tu debilidad, serás fortalecido, aun hasta sentarte en el lugar que he preparado en las mansiones de mi Padre.  

I love you all so very much. I will see you soon.

Shall We Not Go On in So Great a Cause?

Les quiero a todos. La iglesia es verdadera. Gracias por todo que han hecho por mí. Les veré pronto.

        

     Misión cumplida 

~

Hermana Samantha Curnow

Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission

17 Diciembre 2014 - 30 Junio 2016

20 Junio 2016

Not really much to say. Everybody is making, "Oh, Sister Curnow is dying soon" jokes. And I'm not upset about that at all, it just comes with the territory. What's bizarre is that deep inside, I just don't' really feel like I'm going home. I'm just a missionary. It's kinda weird, but I'm ok with it. Still working hard, banging on all cylinders (<<< Dad, I know that you are so proud that I know what that means, haha).

    Things are going well. We had zone conference, and I always just LOVE those! Zone conferences really are the best. Sister Neeley and I got a little bit sick, so that was inconvenient. We're both in the WORK LIKE CRAZY mode and so being sick was a bit of a hindrance to that. I was like, "Really?! Last 2 weeks of my mission, and I get another cold?!"

It's alright.

     Other than that, things are going good. We had a fun Father's Day activity, our ward is just so cute! <3 I love them all.

      I love the gospel. I love missionary work; it has changed me. I love the Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission, there is no place I'd rather be. Yo se que esta iglesia es la verdadera iglesia de Jesucristo. Lo se, y no lo puedo negar. Sere siempre agradecida por esta oportunidad que tengo para server a los demas y ayudarles a sentir el amor de Cristo y a venir a el.

      I love you all. Thank you for changing my life. <3

Talk to you next week!

~Hermana Curnow

13 Junio 2016

I'm doing really badly with this blogging thing, haha! Especially considering that I have about two weeks left on my mission. Man, time flies! I never thought that this month would come so quickly. The great and terrible day approaches. It's exciting and scary at the same time; but mostly scary. I love my mission so much. I just don't want good things to end.

    We had two baptisms this weekend, and one the Saturday before! :) Jose got baptized and recieved el Sacerdocio Aaronico, and then he baptized  Yosmar (esposa) and Jose (his son) the next week! I was so happy for them, they're such a special family! The Spirit's peaceful presence was there at the baptisms and confirmations without a doubt. I was also delighted to recieve the news and pictures of the marriage & baptism of the Haitian family that I worked with for 3 months in Boca Raton!!!! The Lord is so good. :)

          The sister training leaders had a sleepover and fire exchange with us. Sister Anderson and Sister Hebdon are a hoot, so that was fun! Sister Neeley and I have been doing lots of OYMing, knocking, walking, trolley-sighting, LARC hunting, former searching, unplanned wildlife spotting, etc. Living the good life. :) The work is hard at times, and Florida can be super humid and hot, but this is the best thing that I have ever experienced in my life- and I owe it all to my Savior. I'm so grateful for this incredible opportunity. I'm so excited for these upcoming weeks, and also zone conference tomorrow - YAY!! :D

Love you all!! Talk to you soon!

~Hermana Curnow

         

P.S. Hermana Laub- I used those special bubbles that you gave me at the MTC. They were used at the baptism to entertain the two-year old. ;) Gracias y te quiero!