Dearest family and friends...

Dearest family and friends,

Good morning, everyone! I hope your week has been full of sunshine - both inside your soul and out! :) Ours sure was. (Maaaaaybe a little more inside though... *she said as she stared out the window at the pouring hail* :) ) 

 

But no really - what a wonderful week!!

This past week we met SEVEN of the most wonderful people I have ever met, and experienced a miracle when we were able to set up meetings with each one of them to talk more about our beliefs! The Lord's hand was so present in it all. We met all seven of these amazing people in different ways - one person we met simply by talking with people on the streets about what we believe. Another we were able to meet from some of the members in our branch. We also met one woman simply helping her clear dishes at the restaurant we ate lunch at that day. Another, because of our work with family history... The ways in which we met those people were all very different, but even despite the difference in the "how", there was no difference in the "why". I know with all my heart that each person I have had the privilege of meeting here was placed on my path for a reason. Every person I have met, each miracle I have experienced - they repeatedly testify to me of the reality and the goodness of God, and His perfect plan. Just when I think my heart can't possibly be any fuller - He allows me to witness another heart-filling moment.

I was able to have another one of those heart filling moments just a few days ago, as I watched my sweet friend Simon enter the waters of baptism surrounded by friends and family who love him - and again yesterday as he was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. More tears were shed than I would like to admit - but hey, when your heart overflows all that joy has to come out somehow, right? :) I love Simon so much, and am so lucky to have met him. It was a beautiful, perfect weekend, and I could not be more grateful to the Lord for letting me witness it all.

In the scriptures, at the end of the mission of any great missionary, there is such a powerful testimony written with their "last words". Those powerful testimonies have been something I have taken a special notice of this past week of study, and as I sit here in this little library in Bydgoszcz, Poland for the last time... it is difficult for me, wondering how I can possibly sum up all I have experienced, all I have learned, all I have been given during my short time here... Is it even possible? I have prayed and prayed to be given the inspiration and words to convey my "last words" to you all just as the missionaries of old - and I trust that the Lord will give me them in due time. :) But, the time for "last words" I guess hasn't come yet. As the Lord has told me recently, "This is really just the beginning." :)

But - in this last email to you all, I just want you all to know... I am so grateful to my God for giving me this opportunity to serve by His side these past 18 months. How He trusted such an imperfect 19 year old girl like me to come among His precious children here and share with them such a perfect gospel - a gospel of peace, hope, and everlasting joy - I do not know. How He has been able to show me such mercy and tenderness by giving me such miracles and answers to prayer, I don't know. His hand in every moment, the patience He has had with my constant pleadings, and the forgiveness He has so readily offered me of my innumerable mistakes. The trust He has put in me as I have put my trust in Him, and the many opportunities He has given me to see the testimonies of others strengthened and hearts changed - including my own... I just can't help but ask Him, "Lord, how is it done?" 

He lives. He loves us. And I have never been more sure of anything in my life. With every moment, whether it be the difficult ones or the ones full of joy, the Lord has given me a little glimpse into eternity. There is a peace, a joy, and an everlasting love that comes from this gospel that I took so for granted before my mission... I was so blind. He was always there, and He is always will be - no matter where we are on our path back to Him. 

Jesus Christ is our Saviour. He lived, He healed, He suffered, He performed miracles, He atoned, and He was crucified - for us. For you, for me, and for all of us. I have felt the enabling, strengthening, and cleansing power of His atonement more these past 18 months than I have in my entire life, as I have relied on Him with all I have. The Book of Mormon is the true word of God. Joseph Smith was a prophet of our God, and restored that same gospel Christ taught on the earth in it's fullness. Life continues beyond the veil... I know it. I could go on forever about the testimony I have received of the truths of the gospel.

Nothing will ever be able to take away the testimony I have gained of my Saviour and His perfect gospel, and as my time here comes to a close - my final prayer is this:

"But I have prayed for thee, that they faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen they brethren." -Luke 22:32

I love you all, and cannot thank you enough for your love, support, and endless prayers for me and the wonderful people of Poland. I am so grateful to God for all He has given me, and all He has done for you all as I have been away. He lives, and He loves you. Jestem tego pewna. <3

How good is our God?

Kocham was bardziej niż umiem opisać. Do zobaczenia wkrótce <3

Z wielką miłością,

Siostra Kamp

The zoo felt like a little bit of home - goats and horses!! <3

Failed selfie with the bear!

An upside down house?!

Skyping with the Elder's in Warsaw for a training!  I'm so grateful for these goofs.

The hardest goodbye in the world.  Saying "see you later" to my best friend. <3

Family home evening with some members of the branch! :)

English class - 27 levels of Jenga.

The most perfect day <3

Elder Barlow being his crazy self.

The best district selfie proooooobably ever taken.

Our sweet friend!