Bueno,
it is a little weird being this close to the end. I don't think it will truly hit me until I get
on that plane on Thursday, but it started to hit a little when I had to start
saying goodbye to people.
These last few days have
been good ones. I had to go to Nargana
to be with Elder M because Elder M, who is a counselor in the
district presidency, came to our branch to do district business. I was there from Friday to today, and it was a
great experience! I got to see two
baptisms my last week in the mission, which was great, because they were two
teenage girls we found and taught when I was there last time on divisions. Elder M is an awesome Elder, and we
really tried to work hard. I wanted to
go out with a bang! haha!
Today, before I came
back to my island, Elder M and I got to go fishing in the ocean with a
member named J. We left at five in
the morning in a big canoe with a motor, and went out a couple miles from the
island to fish. Here, they don't use
poles, they just use the line and they tie a piece of rebar on the end and hook
a couple hooks up, and use sardines as bait. You just toss it in, hold it in your hand, and
wait for the fish to bite! It was really
good fishing, we caught about forty! They were all between six to ten inches
long, but we did get a BIIIG red fish on a thicker line we threw out! It was an awesome experience to be able to
fish in the Caribbean Sea, a once-in-a-lifetime experience!!!
Well, as time comes to a
close, I have done a lot of reflecting on the last two years. They have been the best two years of my life. They have also been the hardest two years of
my life. I would have never been able to
push through all the challenges and difficulties if I didn't KNOW that this
church was true. I KNOW for a surety
that Joseph Smith restored it in its fullness again to the earth.
Perhaps the greatest
blessing of my mission is the relationship that I have gained with my Savior. He is so much more real in my life now than He
ever was before. I know that he lives
and loves me, and that He died for each one of us. That is the testimony that
has helped me push through the hard times, and find happiness in the last two
years. I feel good about how I have
served. I can always do better and
improve, but I know that I accomplished in small measure the plan for God's
children here in Panama. I love these
people more than I ever thought I could, and it will be the hardest thing to
leave them, maybe even harder than leaving home…but I am excited to start a new
adventure and the next phase of my life!!! I am scared outta my mind without having work
or anything ready, but I know that the Lord will bless me for my service. I am confident that He will lead and guide me
in the next steps of life.
I am so excited to
see you all in three days! I can't wait
to sit back and relax with the family for a few days, and play lots of games! I also have a lot of movies that I need to
catch up on!!! I love you all so much! I can't thank you enough for the love and
support you all have shown me over the last two years. It means more than you
will ever know. I'll see you in
three days!
Love,
Elder Austin Michael
Kipp
P.S. I
get to go see Ciudad Bolivar tomorrow!!!!!
P.S.S. I will try to make to the Panama Canal on
Wednesday!!!