There is No Such Thing as the End

   

      It is so hard to express the way I feel at this moment. A couple of days ago we received news that a Sister in our mission was in the hospital because of an infection from a root canal. She had never been my companion but we had met and become good friends. The next day we had a specialized sister training and she was supposed to be discharged from the hospital and possibly make it to part of the meeting. However at lunch time we received the news that this dear Sister was no longer with us and she had pass on.

     ...I didn't believe it as first, I thought someone was playing a joke. Slowly yet surely the reality struck. My dear friend, Sister Samantha Lierley has moved on. The next couple of hours were a blur, between tears, hugs, singing and testimonies; the spirit was so strong, comforting and supporting me in this hour of need. God does not do random. In those few hours spent among the other Sisters, I could feel my Saviors arms around me as I struggled to comprehend what really had just happened. I also learn some very important things that I knew, but now I really know.

     "Our Heavenly Father...knows that we learn and grow and become stronger as we face and survive the trails through which we must pass." - President Monson

      The news we received yesterday has to be one of the biggest trial I have faced out here on my mission. My eyes have been opened to the reality of life, and also the to enabling power of Christ atonement. Because of Him, there is no such thing as the end. Our loved ones may have passed on, but this is not the last time that we will see them. Christ broke the bands of death and we will one again be reunited with those that we love and miss. Also we are never alone. Christ has promised us, "I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee" and I know that He stands by His promises.

     Christ not only suffered for our sins, but He also suffered for our infirmities. Or our pains, our sorrows, our hurt, what ever it is that we have felt, are feeling, or will eventually feel. He has been through it before. He can hold us in His arms and comfort us in these times of need. I know this is true because I have felt it. Yesterday when I needed Him, He was there. Through the actions of so many different Sisters I was comforted and strengthened.

     "And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." - Alma 7:12

      Christ lives! I know that He lives and that He is there for each and everyone of us. I felt His loving embrace yesterday multiple times. Our times is so short here on this earth. So remember "Be a little kinder, hold your loved ones a little closer, tell them you love them more often, do not take for granted the time you have, remember contention is useless, commit to do all you can today to follow Jesus Christ" because we never know how much time we really have.

    -With Love,
             Sister Boatright