Dear Family,
Well, it's almost here, 2 years in the flat lands of Nebraska are almost over...I have sure grown a TON from this adventure. I am for sure not the same person that I was when I first came out. One thing that I have learned/really came to understand is that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is really for anyone and everything. I think we can all understand that yes, He died for ME, He knows what I'm going through but being able to tell these people I met, to the toothless people in Council Bluffs to the Air Force people in Bellevue to the Children of the Corn in Seward, that Christ's arm is ALWAYS stretched out towards us and that He knows what we are going through and how we feel and that He is there for us. My favorite scripture kind of has to do with this.
3 Nephi 10
4-O ye people of these great cities which have fallen, who are descendants of Jacob, yea, who are of the house of Israel, how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you.
5-And again, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, yea O ye people of the house of Israel, who have fallen, yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, ye that dwell in Jerusalem, as ye have fallen, yea how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not.
6-O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart.
Christ is the Hen, He wants to protect and help each and every one of us. He wants us under His wing, under His gospel and he is always there for us. Past, Present and Future.
Another favorite scripture is Alma 38:5 and what I like about this one is that you can switch out Shiblon and put your name in it!
5-And now my son, Shiblon (Brendan) I would that ye should remember, that as much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials and your troubles and your afflictions and ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
It has been a very emotional past couple three days (yes, couple three will now forever be in my vocab) I did a pretty good job bottling it all in but saying goodbye to the Dolezal's sure made the bottle explode. I lost it....not as bad as saying goodbye to Little Monkey, but it was sure close. Then to top it off, I had to say bye to Brandy after that. I didn't cry, men don't cry but I sure had something in my eye the whole time. ;) We were able to have one last party with Brandy and her family and we also burned a get up of mine. So, I'm not sure how long Elders have been doing this, or if' their still doing it but we burned a tie representing 6 months out, a white shirt for being a year out, suit pants for 18 months and a suit for 2 years!
So I guess to sum it up, I will surely miss the mission and the people that I have met, good thing we have Facebook and Skype! The mission has sure been a roller coaster but it has been fun and I have grown a lot. I guess I can sum it up with a scripture.
2 Timothy 4
6-For I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand.
7-I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
17-Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known.
I love the people here in Nebraska and I'm happy for the chance I have had to be here and I can't wait to return home in 2 days!! I love you all and I will sure miss the people in Nebraska!!!
Love you all!!
Elder Searle
Elder Searle and Mark
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