I'm back!

Well, what can I even say to sum up my mission. I thought about writing a "what I wish I would have known" but I realized that's not the best idea because my mission was specifically built for me by God. He knew what knowledge I had and exactly what trials to give me to shape me into a morally better person. I don't have much to say about the last week of the mission. I worked hard. I had my last baptism, fixed up one last couple and the person the sisters' baptized with us was someone Gardner and I first contacted. I visited the Mikamona's for a last supper. I got to see the "Benin Boyz" all together since the first day in Benin. Well, we did start with 16 and we were 11 by the end. We had a cool testimony meeting together and the advice President Goury gave us with his encouragement and testimony was amazing. He was really called of God to be our mission president.

This whole week I was feeling many, many mixed emotions. The only world I can remember is Benin. I know coming home will be a much bigger culture shock. For example, we had a short stop in Niger on the way to France. A guy got on with apple headphones, but it was stupid because for some reason he had snipped the cords off. So he only had the buds in his ears. I thought it was super weird, but wow, I was too quick to judge. I get to France and this trend of buds only is a thing. I soon figure out this is the new iPhone thing and I bet in a few days I'll have those weird things in my ears too...dang it. I thought that was funny. In the France airport we all had the hardest time using the automatic soap and water dispensers. 

I have learned SO many things on my mission. I am so glad it was so hard. I think the biggest lesson I learned is that God, our Heavenly Father, plays an incredibly active role in our lives. His hand is everywhere. He is a perfect being and His only job is to help us get immortality and eternal life. He is always doing many things to help people become ready for the gospel. He often uses angels, angels are beings that help accomplish the work of God. There are unseen angels. However, humble servants can be God's angels if they listen to Him and do what He says. If God has the choice between spirit angel or person on the earth angel, He will send the person every time. I was helped by angels on my mission. I am so glad God helped me be an angel for others. He loves us, He sees us, He knows us, He is always there. I have seen it, I can't deny it.

Last Baptism

Good bye to the Elders Quorum President in Fidjrosse

Saying goodbye to people in Fidjrosse - including recent converts

Goodbye Mikamonas

Goodbye Gardner

The Goury's saying goodbye at the airport

On the plane home with Dorsey

The top part of the picture is the "Benin Boyz" first day in Africa in 2016 (with Nubert the office elder at the time). The bottom part is our last day in the same spot 2018. (with AP's McKrola and Martial)

Back in Iowa (hugging my mom)

With my family in the airport. My brothers grew taller!

CARPET!