Bundy Reunion Testimony Meeting

 hey guys!

its sister Hare, if you don't remember me, I'm the one who cried the whole time I bore my testimony last year. and I may or may not be crying the entire time I write this. hopefully my mama can keep it together enough to read it to you. 

I'm doing pretty well out here in Ohio. i'm in a little village called Greenfield! there's honestly nowhere I'd rather be! except maybe on the mountain with you guys but that's okay cause I'll be back next year! I'm learning and growing a lot out here. I've had a lot of crazy experiences, fun ones, hard ones, scary ones. but I've learned from all of them. 

I've thought a lot about what I want to share with you all today and honestly my brain is mush and I can't remember most of the days I've spent here. but I decided I'll just keep it short and sweet.

I know that we have a very loving Father in Heaven. He has a perfect plan for each of us. I know that I'm in this specific place at this specific time for a reason. that I was predestined to be here to help specific people. I know that every hard thing I've had to go through has been for my benefit. But luckily I have a loving older brother who came here and bore all my burdens. and He did it alone! so that i wouldn't have to be alone. purely because He loves me. and same goes for all of you! He loves each and every one of you so much that He allows you to go through hard things in order to learn and grow! but He also made it so you wouldn't have to do it alone. whatever you're going through and wherever you are in life, it's all part of your perfect plan! and if you pay attention you'll notice that God's in the details. 

my sweet mama always taught me to look for the good. there's a quote I love by President Russell M Nelson! it says "the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives." 

I know as we look for and focus on the good things in every situation then we can have more joy! find God's hand in every situation! Jesus Christ is joy! and I know that there is lasting joy in His gospel! there's joy in sharing his gospel! I've felt it in the little time I've been here! 

I learned that you don't have to wear a tag to be a missionary. you can share the gospel from home. and you should. in fact, its actually more affective than regular missionary efforts. scattered Israel hangs around gathered Israel. and in case you didn't know, as a baptized member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, you ARE gathered Israel. 

since I'm a missionary I have to leave you with an invitation. everyone think of the joy the gospel has brought you. and now think of someone who doesn't have the gospel in their life, or maybe even someone who could use a little bit more gospel. I know you all thought of someone. (if you didn't then you can pray about it, Heavenly Father will bring someone to mind) now once you have your person, I wanna invite you to show your love for them, share a scripture or a general conference talk with them, invite them to church or a church activity! in any way shape or form that you can think of, help them feel the joy that comes from Jesus Christ and His gospel. I know as you do this you will feel more joy as well. I can promise you that. 

I'm so grateful for the joy that I've been able to feel from being a set apart missionary for Jesus Christ and His true church. I'm grateful that I have amazing parents who raised me in this gospel and I'm grateful to have so many wonderful examples in my life that have led me to where I am now. I'm grateful to have a family reunion that hurts so much to miss! im so grateful for each and every one of you. I'm grateful for my Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. I'm grateful to get to share His love with the people of Ohio each and every day. I love you all and say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen