This has been a crazy week. It definitely has not gone the way that I expected it would. This last Saturday I boarded a plane headed for Japan, and from there, it came back to the United States.
I want to let you all know that I am fine, I just needed to come home for a little while. I love you all, and I am incredibly grateful for your support. All of the prayers, fasting, letters, and even reading my blog. I know that I have been blessed with all of you in my life. I hope to return in a few months, but in the mean time I am just getting back to life in the real world.
This Gospel really is incredible, and I am extremely grateful to the Lord for the opportunity that I had to share it with others. I know with all of my heart that it is true. I know that through the young boy Joseph Smith, the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored upon the earth. Because of the faith of President Joseph Smith, we have all been given the opportunity to receive the fullness of the gospel. I know that we are guided each day by the spirit of God. Through the Holy Ghost we are guided, warned, comforted, and so much more. I am eternally grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost. I am grateful for the help that I have received, and for the direction from this third member of the Godhead.
Over the last two and a half months, my testimony of missionary work has grown tremendously. I know that missionaries are called of God, and they are individually assigned to serve where they are needed, where God has prepared them to be. I know that the Lord places people in the lives of the missionary to help form them, and make them the best missionary that they can be. I am grateful for all of the people that i had the opportunity to meet on my mission. I am grateful for all of their examples, and all of their stories. I have grown so much from each of them.
I have a firm testimony of the devine authority of our prophets and church leaders. I know that they have been called of God, and not a day goes by that they do not converse with God. I know that through the words of the prophets we can be guided with all of the struggles in our lives. I know that the Lord guides His church through the prophets. I know that the commandments of God are not just rules given to us in order to make us miserable, they are not to hold us down. But really they are to make us free. I know that we can all be freed from sin, and from temptation if we are just willing to heed the counsel of God.
I know that the Atonement of Christ is real, and probably the most important part of this Gospel. I am so grateful for Christ's willingness to follow His fathers will, and atone for each of our sins. I am grateful for the opportunity that I have to take advantage of the atonement. I know that as I do so I am growing closer to our Lord and Savior. I am grateful that the Lord has given me this gift, so that I too may return to the celestial kingdom. I know that I can not do it on my own so I needed this gift. I know that if I am "perfectly repentant" that I will be able to live with my family for all eternity in the highest kingdom.
I am grateful for all of the lessons that I have learned in the past two months, and I hope that I can continue to learn. I know that I have made the right decision and I am grateful for each of you for supporting me. Mahal ko kayo!!
Andrew Leonard
