Ironically, lunch fell through on my bday haha, so we made cuz cuz and ate cake! It was actually quite refreshing. |
A member family here bought this ridiculously good cake for my bday... Man it was perfect, members are the best. |
After over 700 days of the MTC in Provo, UT,
Houston, TX, and the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil..... After 20 companions,
and 11 areas not counting the MTC... After walking approximately 5,300 miles
being made up of approximately 14,283,759 steps... The mission of Elder Redge
Michael Ballard is finally coming to it's end. So many memories... So many
miracles... It truly is a humbling experience to think of how much the Lord has
allowed me to experience over these last two years. This last week was
sincerely the best week I've had I feel. I'll explain more to you all in
person, but sunday we were blessed with the opportunity to baptize the family
of Solange, and her 3 children. This alone makes yesterday unforgettable, but
besides that, Felipe once again blessed the sacrament, Ramon passed the
sacrament, Maycon passed the sacrament, I was able to bear my last testimony at
a Brazilian pulpit... It was an incredible experience. It was truly humbling to
give that last testimony... The Spirit testified so strongly, at least to me,
that my time is finally ending. I can't even believe how blessed I am to have
the testimony that the Lord has given me... Truly truly blessed. I have a lot
to do today with suitcases and all the annoying junk, but I just wanted to end
my last missionary email home with my testimony that I've gained out here.
I, Elder Ballard, know that this is the true
church on this earth. I know that God is our Heavenly Father, and that he loves
us more than we can realize. He is in control of everything that goes on in our
lives, and we simply need to follow His counsels if we want to be happy. I know
that His Son, Jesus Christ, is our Savior and Redeemer. He truly died and
suffered for everything that we have passed through, and all that we still
might pass through. It is only by Him that we may be saved, and it's only
through His true church that we can serve and follow Him in the correct way. He
is perfect, and He wants us to be perfect. I know that the Priesthood is a true
power, and that no other power can hinder it, nor God's progress. He and His
Priesthood are capable of causing miracles that we can't even imagine are
possible. I know that the missionary work of His church is truly inspired.
Every missionary's location, time that he or she came to this earth, and time
that served a mission, is all part of God's great plan. I know that families
can be forever, I have a certainty of this ever since the day that the Spirit
testified of this when Brigham became an eternal part of our family. I know the
Joseph Smith is a prophet, and that the Book of Mormon are true, because there
is no way that the Spirit could lie about such important things, and there is
no way that a 14 year old farm boy could come up with something a incredible
and life changing as this gospel. I don't know if I'll ever be able to express
my gratitude for this opportunity I've had these last two years to serve
especially the people of Minas Gerais and Brazil. As I'm realizing that I'm
finally going to go home, it truly is a sad feeling to know that I'll have to
leave such an amazing people, but I know that the Lord will always continue to
bless them and all of His children. I love this work, I love this Gospel, and I
love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For the last time written in an email, I
thank each and every one of you that has helped me in whatever way. Prayers,
letters, emails, or even thoughts. This work is amazing, and I am so grateful to
have been a part of it these last 2 years of my life. God be with all of you
until we meet again, this week. I love you all from the deepest
part of my heart. Hurrah for Israel!!!!!! Hurrah!! Hurrah! Hurrah!!
-Elder Ballard
This is the family that bought me the cake, they're so awesome. Definitely one of the families I'm gunna keep in contact with. |
My district here made a cake and I made brownies to celebrate my bday-eve. This district was awesome. The two other americans studied at BYU-I :D |
This is the incredible Rodrigues family. (Lissandra, Roberto, Jacksom, and Solange. And me, who is destroyed haha) |
This is why my joy is full. I love these people so so so much. |