Elder Kade Haviland

Well, this is it! I'm at the end of my mission. That's crazy! By this time Wednesday I'll be home. It doesn't feel like it has been two years, although I can't tell you if that means it feels like it has been longer or shorter than that. It seems like my mission has been shorter that two years, but it also feels like I have been doing it for all my life. It's weird.

Elder Bridenstine and I were surprised this weekend when we got transfer calls, to learn that Elder Bridenstine will be leaving Richmond as well! And not only does that mean that Richmond will be getting two new missionaries (we call that white washing), but one of those missionaries will be in training. In fact, 2 of the 4 areas in our district will be white washing this transfer, and 3 of the areas will be training. This district is really getting moved around! Other crazy news about transfers, Elder Brownlee, the missionary I trained, is going to the the zone leader in this zone. Man, they grow up so fast.

I want to thank you all for the support you have given me throughout my mission, whether it was from prayers, emails, letters, or lessons taught. I have been thankful to receive them all! The mission has been a great time for me to learn and to grow closer to our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. I've come to know that God has a plan for each one of us as I have had the opportunity to help Him put that plan into action. I know that Christ took the penalty for all of our sins and felt the misery of all of our shortcomings because I have felt the peace and love He has for me and seen others feel it as I and they have repented and aligned their lives with God's will. I've come to know that I can trust the Holy Ghost to never lead me astray, because I have seen Him guide me to do what's right and testify of Christ and God to those I've taught and to myself. These truths I've come to know thanks to the Restoration of the fullness of the gospel through Joseph Smith. I'm thankful for the Book of Mormon; it is the word of God. I'm thankful for the Prophet; the teachings God sends us through him have helped me a lot. These two years have been fantastic, and I wouldn't trade them for anything.

I really do love you all, and I look forward to seeing you when I get home. Au revoir! Faaitoito!

Elder Haviland

Pic

My district and how many months they've been out. It felt weird to be holding up a 24.