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!

23 Mayo 2016

       Honestly, I don't feel much different now than when I first got to Florida. I know that I've changed a lot as a person, I've learned a lot more about the gospel, I've spirituall developed, I speak Spanish much better now, etc.

       But I don't FEEL much different. I'm basically just a lot more tired in the mornings (you can feel the 18 months starting to take a toll on you, haha). I'm a little disturbed by that because I can see the finish line, it's coming quick, but I want to sprint as fast as I ever have been able to in order to accomplish all that I can.

       Other than that, we're just seeing some great progress in our area. We have a lot of people progressing towards baptism, and some miracle referrals are popping up (plus a woman that was walking her dog in the church parking lot. We invited her to church, and sure enough, she showed up on Sunday)!

       The Lord is so incredibly merciful and generous, far more than we will ever deserve. I know that He lives and loves us, and that this is His true gospel. I know it with every fiber of my soul. I've found out for myself, and I encourage you to do the same. Los quiero a todos!

        ~Hermana Curnow

9 Mayo 2016

Things are going pretty good right now! :) We have 100% adjusted to this awesome area and ward. I really do enjoy every single day of working here. :)

   Got to Skype my family yesterday! It's always way weird. Don't get me wrong- I love it a ton! But its difficult trying to talk with them and bear your testimony and tell them about your amazing experiences and hear about all of the stuff that your siblings are doing when you only have one hour. There's a balance with a time restriction, lol! But it was great being able to talk with them yesterday. :)

   We found some cool people this last week. Not tons of them, but some cool people nonetheless! Unfortunately nobody made it to church. :/ We're gonna be chatting about that.

    Not much to talk about, really. Hermana Neeley and I are working hard and I'm working harder on fortifying my understanding of testimony and repentance. I'm close to finishing the Book of Mormon again. We study, we eat, we testify and invite and we love the people and we walk and walk and walk get tan and walk and teach a lesson and drink some water then walk and plan and sleep.

   I know that this gospel is true, there is no doubt in my heart or mind. I've received so many manifestations and confirmations of a spiritual nature, I could never nor would I ever deny the truth of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias es la verdadera iglesia del Senor, establecida de nuevo por la mano de Cristo. Jesucristo es nuestro salvador y redentor, y lo amo.

    Love y'all!

Have an amazing week! :)

    ~Hermana Curnow

Vamos a la playa ;)

  So, I don't think that I mentioned this before (and again, I am the WORST at updating this blog! I'll probably do a mega-post when I get home, basically a novel to explain everything that happened in each area ;P ) but there was an emergency transfer. And now we serve right along the beach! :) It's pretty spiffy! And there are SO many people to talk to here, and about 98% of the people are Spanish! <3 It's like heaven on earth!

  We're working with some really awesome folks right now, most of them are from Venezuela but we really do have a lot of great diversity around here. The "list of countries" that I have met people from keeps growing! Hint: its really long and I think that the only massive countries that I am missing at this point are Russia and Australia. But hey, who knows? I may have actually met some people from those places without realizing it. It wouldn't surprise me!

   We also found some places that sell Brazilian food (YES!!! I'm so happy!) and I blew some personal money on t-shirts and other touristy stuff for myself and my family. 

    Something scriptural that I want to share before I log off is Alma 58:11. It's a really beautiful scripture, and it makes me think about how the Lord really is always ready to comfort us. He is the only one that knows EXACTLY what we are going through and how to help us. He speaks peace to our souls and strengthens us to overcome our challenges. With faith and hope in the Messiah and his plan, we never need to fear. No matter what the affliction, we can and should always be cheerful.

        Con amor, 

      ~Hermana Curnow

For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, insert your name here.

 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

Porque, ¿puede una mujer olvidar a su niño de pecho al grado de no compadecerse del hijo de sus entrañas? ¡Pues aun cuando ella se olvidare, yo nunca me olvidaré de ti, su nombre!

Pues he aquí, te tengo grabada en las palmas de mis manos; tus muros están siempre delante de mí.

Transfers!

I'll fill y'all in later, but for now I just want you to know that after 13 weeks in Boca Raton, I'm going to be transferring out. And I'm going to South Miami! I'm excited for Spanish-land :) love you all! More updates later! :)