Time.
Isn't it an interesting thing...ah time. Today I have studied hope. Why is it so important to hope. I think is a motivator. Under the most dire of circumstances we must not give up hope. Why? Because it is a absolute motivator that creates optimism and enthusiasm and leads to faith. As we use our agency we are able to move forward in faith.

What is there to hope for?
Enteral Life, Salvation, Happiness, and the ability to become like God. Who am I? Someone who can become a queen and priestess, that is a reason to hope.
Why is there a reason to hope?
Because God love his children and wants us to be happy and because Christ died for us we have the atonement and that is the ultimate hope.

So hope not only requires optimism and enthusiasm is also requires patient perseverance. This brought me to time. Oh how is changes things... though it may seem hard to "wait" wait cheerfully, with purpose, and while moving forward. We all daily need to be progressing not standing still.. We must move forward with "a perfect brightness of hope." We will progress and in time lasting change will come.

I am grateful for time as it has healed my wounds, though a waiting period by seem difficult usually it is worth it. Today I realize often time can give us a chance to respond more lovingly rather than lashing out in the moment. It can provide empathy and patience. May I be comfortable in waiting, moving forward? Yes. Though I am not sure of God's total plan for me, I will move forward and be patient in receiving answers. May I also give others my time, to listen, to empathize, and to be patient with all around me.

Grateful for time, so let me have hope during the passing time, to move forward and love others to

Patience through it all...hope, faith, and peace.

love them sooo much because the best use of my time is to love, to be less self centered and more giving.

I look strong but feel weak

Carry on.

So maceio..never made it...totally breaks my heart to write that.

I experienced something on my mission that really was remarkable and life changing. I learned to love more fully, to listen without judgement, and understand what matters in life.
It is so simple. All that matters is we love, love, love, and love. We love Christ and represent him. We love human beings, unconditionally because like us, at least me, no one is perfect.
Todos pessos fazem erros. All people make errors. Every person has their own set of trails and struggles. Life is hard and I am pretty sure it keeps getting harder. But we keep moving on because what else can we do, lie down and die? Nah. Life is hard but it is also wonderful. It is full of love, happiness, and peace.

Each of us are on a spiritual journey trying to figure out where and who we need to be.

I think most importantly I have learned to be everyone's biggest fans. I am on the sidelines cheering for every person I pass because I know that every person is going through or has gone through something hard. I think that is Christ too. He is cheering for each of us, for me.

I love the Taylor Swift Song "I was enchanted to meet you." Because I feel that way. Every person I have met has touched me. Each person has something amazing to give. Every one has a strong of faith and struggles, happiness and pain, fear and pure joy.

Right now I am so afraid of life. I am scared to be broken. I am scared to be a disappointment.

All throughout my mission that song "Who am I ?'" from Les Miserables ran through my mind...
Who am I? Who am I?
Who do I want to be and who am I trying to become.
I want to be someone who is kind, thoughtful, and selfless. Those are not things that come easy to me.

I am often fearful and faithless. I have a heart full of desire. It is just hard to make it into action.

Coming home from my mission has been confusing and hard. I look at other sister missionaries and cry because I miss it. It is so hard to think I am even here now, my life practically is all a dream.

It is hard because it is so easy to see my mission slipping away. I am back in the world almost again back to my same ways and I DO NOT want that.

I want my life to be centered on Christ, the only stable thing in my life.

I often think...Could I have just done it? Could I have worked harder? Pushed more? Is God mad? Where is my direction?

Do I think God has stopped loving me? No.

I am stilling trying to figure it out, but I feel like I have distanced myself because of fear of rejection from God. Does the God I know reject? No.

It is hard because I know all the answers but I am still trying to figure out how to put those answers in to action.

This is what I do know: Don't set your own limitations because of fear or lack of faith.

Where do I go from here??
Nao Sei. Mais even though I look strong I am weak. Carry on for now. It gets better I think :)
my new favorite insta: Jesussavesbro

sad to see this go...I miss being there.

xoxo

So they say it is hard but worth it...

Okay so these last few days have been so stressful finishing packing was crazy just because there is so much u need or at least feel like you do.

Ahh!!! Yes I had a mental break down 2 actually! I am lucky at a least have my amazing family to help:)

But it all worked out.. As it always does it was interesting because I have heard that people are usually tempted a lot before their mission but that wasn't really the case for me when times got hard or I felt like why am I doing this? I felt constant encouragement. I have really felt though this whole process of getting ready God says bek u can do this. You are strong. You are meant to be on a mission. And this has meant so much because it can seem crazy to serve sometimes.

Anyways to girls like me who said I are. To wait 4 1/2 months to leave???? What!??? I was not excited about it but honestly it flew by! So fast so enjoy your time, prepare, and spend time with family and friends!

My setting apart was such a surreal experience! I mean am I really sister Elton right now?? It is just so insane. Yes, I balled my eyes out. Just because I can't tell you how much I will miss my family. But I know for a fact this is the right thing. It is such an amazing opportunity to serve and dedicate the next year and a half to God. It will be hard and a journey but I know God is with me to provide constant encouragement!:) I am so grateful for that!

I enter the MTC tomorrow. Sooo my life is about to drastically change! I feel ready but lets see how this next week treats me haha 6:30 am arising just might kill me !

The next blog post and all the posts here on out will be posted by my sweet mom.


Photo: amazing fam I will miss the crap out of:)

So
Xoxo and tchau:)