Thursday, April 4, 2019

The Last Goodbye

Hey friends and family. Crazy to say...
But this is the last one. 
I never thought I would make it here. Two years is a long time. But I am glad I can say I did it. So much has happened to me as well the people I have met and seen. It's truly been an honor being a apart of this work. 
I loved every minute. Even the hard ones. I have had days wondering if the day would ever end, hitting my all time lows, but I can not deny that every minute I had has been a postitive experience. I have now come to know the plan of God in my life so much more. We are here to make mistakes, but most importantly, we are here to improve and learn from those mistakes. 
I will never forget the support of the members in Duisburg, who taught me that love truly is the center of Christ's message. I never felt so dependent on others and especially God. I will never forget Dudi, Derek Corley, and of course Dankwa, Pouyan and Naeem. 
I will never forget Saarbrücken, where I had my lowest lows and my highest highs. That was by far my hardest area but the friendships I have made their will forever effect me and more especially the people I taught there. I am proud to say I gave it my all there in the grind. 8 hours of finding a day truly would humble the strongest soul, especially not seeing the most success. But the greatest success I ever saw there was my own conversion. I know now for a fact that God will answer our prayers and does not leave us alone. I will never forget Ameer, Stalin, and so many others. 
Cologne taught me to be happy with who I am. I learned that I cannot compare myself to anyone else but myself. I saw the most success there in my entire mission. I learned to work effectively and on the principles of never giving up. Knowing that God has a plan for all those. God works in mysterious ways. I will never forget Cassandra, Gero, and of course Saskia haha. 
Wiesbaden was my easiest area where I served with my two greatest friends and perhaps the best. Elder Harman and Elder Frost taught me confidence in myself. I learned to have so much fun in the work. That was the most fun I have ever had by far. Those Americans truly showed me the kind of member I want to be but the most effective family that had the most profound effect on me was the German family; The Tiebings. The testimony of Brother Tiebing living the way he lived because of his two lost children. He truly believes he can see them again and I have not seen a more righteous fellow than him. I love that man. And the power of the spirit in lessons. I will never forget Linh, Mike Lacey, and the rapper Club in the backyard.
And Krefeld was the perfect way to end. I will never forget these people we have met. The bishop is the best I have ever met. The members are missionary minded. The importance of mourning with those that mourn. I have been with a man with Parkinsons whose wife divorced him because she couldn't handle it anymore, I have met a woman and felt inspired to tell her I knew someone important to her died. She lost both parents and I was able to bear testimony that she can see her family again. How amazing. I was able to comfort and act as the savior would as a woman was thrown out from her house with her baby in bitter cold rain. I will never forget Richard, Parlo, and the Indian family we have, Jihana and her husband.
It's been an amazing 2 years. All of these experiences have been especially prepared for me from God, to help me become what I need to be. I look forward to continuing the work at home. God's work never stops and I am proud to move it forward. Never forget. 
Best two years 
Elder Monroe
1.Welcome to Krefeld
2. All Children of God
3.Our picture is on the church
4. Kreuzer family has showed me so much hospitality. I love them. 
5. The squad in Duisburg