Final moment

Monday, March 9th.

My last official P-day. We played soccer all day, I got hit in the

face with a soccer ball, and we had a miracle happen with one less

active youth. Sam, the LA, committed to coming church on sunday. We

went and did visits. Pretty good day.

Tuesday, March 10th.

Sister Davies and I went to pick up the antelope 2nd sisters in the

morning, then headed for gridley! On our way there we stopped in Yuba

city for breakfast( along with the lincoln missionaries haha) at IHOP.

It was great! And very yummy:) then got the church for the meeting.

The entire mission...all 200 of us got in a picture. It was fun

getting everything to go for that haha! try getting a bunch of 20 year

olds who haven't seen each other in ages not to talk and stand still

in a picture with the California sun shining right into your eye...and

not wanting to take the picture. Lol we were all excited to know we

could stop being outside and go back into the AC.

We had a mission conference with Elder Neilson, of the 70, to address

us on the START of an iPad mission. Yes, you read correctly..the

START. We are starting ( along with another 87 missions worldwide) the

use of iPads in missionary work. Up until now we have been a part of

"pilot mission" or in other words..."a test mission" so the church's

missionary department could see how it affects the work of the lord.

Now they want to make it officially a go! It's the beginning now, new

learning and growing. The church has put a lot of time into this.

Heavenly Father trusts us enough to use iPads while some missions

aren't even allowed to think of using them. We are so blessed here in

this mission.

We were also instructed by the MTC president too on how to use these

devices properly for now in the mission field and later for when we go

home( crazy to think that will be me soon).

We talked a lot about staying on our missionary purpose,

pornography(it's still a temptation for missionaries too...that

adversary man! ), and always using agency for good. We also talked

about marriage too...of course! I guess that's a given for

missionaries to be reminded of.

It was pretty intense. But it was so good! I learned a lot.

After the meeting, we got to say hello to everybody! It was like a

reunion. My MTC zone took a picture, and I got a few other pictures

with some friends. I got to see sister pickup again! And I met an

elder from my home state, who goes to the same building as me. We

finally met lol so that was cool!

Then we left for home.

Dinner was with the crews, then a lesson with Mariah and it went well!

Then home.

Wednesday, March 11th.

We did a lot of finding. We had a great visit with the pinkstons!

Their daughter was able to have a really big kidney stone taken out!

So that's pretty cool. She felt so much better as well as her family.

Dinner was with the gibsons, and it was great!

Thursday, March 12th. Car fast day!

We walked to each appointment today if we weren't able to get a ride

haha! President said we couldn't use the cars so we didn't.

We had a zone meeting and it went great! All of us get along so well!

They made everyone a zone CD and everything.They had me give the

closing prayer and I had a hard time saying it knowing it was my last

meeting with them. Right after, we all headed down stairs for lunch.

The zone leaders sent out a text in the morning that there was going

to be a lunch provided so I just assumed it was a normal lunch that

one of their members provided. But what it actually was surprised me a

lot!

We go down stairs, and they open the door to the gym and I see a sign

that says "R.I.P. Sister Matchett. We will miss you!" And balloons,

tables and chairs set up, etc. It was a going away lunch for me.

Everything clicked for me and the next thing you know I bust out

crying. So many emotions. It was perfect. And we took pictures too.

Sister Davis and her daughter Keira put all together while we had our

meeting. The people here are amazing.

After lunch, we had a lesson with robin. The headed over for Brianna's

lesson. Sister bakow picked us up, and we had such a good visit.

Brianna set a goal date to be baptized soon. Then we had dinner. After

dinner we had a lesson with Mariah, and we all learned something from

it.

It was a great day! So many miracles. And we didn't use the car once.

Friday, March 13th.

It was the departing missionaries temple trip. Sister Davies was able

to go since we went together. Plans changed that we had previously

made so she went through with us! It was crazy how the morning went

haha!

It was cool to see my friends again, and to go feel peace in the

temple. It was a very spiritual experience.

After the temple, everyone went out to eat. President Marston decided

to take out all of the missionaries so it was a surprise to everyone

including his wife haha it was fun though! We have the best mission

president ever! He's so good!

We headed back to antelope after all of those fun things happened and

went back to the apartment to grab a few things then went out.

Dinner was with bishop and his family. They are the best people ever!

Such a good bishop!

We then finished weekly planning then made a few more stops before we

concluded our day.

Sister Davies is such a great companion! She's so good. So many

miracles happened as well as tender mercies. We truly are so blessed!

Saturday, March 14th.

We did service for Sister Jeffers, and we deep cleaned everything. We

had lunch, then left for home to clean up a little bit. Dinner was

with the Bruce family, and it was so great! Most of their family are

all converts so it was fun getting to know about their stories. We

then headed to the church to attend the "Come unto Christ" youth

performance for the stake and it was great! We saw everybody lol it

was fun. After that, all the missionaries in the zone decided to go

get pie because it was "pie day"....3/14/15.....get it?! I didn't at

first but then I thought about it and I busted up laughing. So we all

went to perkos, a diner, and ordered pie. Sister Davies and I split

one piece. A member walked in and saw us then decided to pay for it!

That was really nice! We all were surprised as well as joyful! Free

pie is the greatest thing ever. Then we all left for home.

Sunday, March 15th. Last Sunday as a missionary.

Church was great! I got to see my friends again and everyone pointed

out that I was leaving and they all made marriage jokes too so that

was fun.

Dinner was with the bourgeous family, and it was great! My final

dinner with the members before I finished. I just love them so so

much! Then I made more visits with friends! And we went to the come

unto christ youth performance again so it was great!

Then packing and transfer calls.

Monday, March 16th.

Taking care of travel stuff and saying goodbye to friends and families

in the Ward. Dinner is with the mission president and wife at their

home, departing testimony meeting, then back to antelope for me to

sleep. On Tuesday, I'll leave for Texas with my friends who are going

home too.

Well...the final moment has arrived. This is it! My life as a

missionary has been the greatest! I have seen miracles happen

everyday. I've seen friendships grow with those I've taught, the

members, and myself. I've seen how the Lord uses imperfect people to

accomplish his work.

I've seen how God really does love us. He really does! My life for the

past 18 months has been a movie. I have felt every emotion that

exists. And I now can say I understand just a token of what the Savior

felt like when he dedicated his whole life to do his Fathers will. He

gave everything, and he was obedient as he fulfilled his purpose. I

have felt a small token of that dedication, and know without a doubt

that Jesus is the Christ. He lives and loves us. He only wants the

best for us, and is so willing to help us get there. I know that The

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true. I know God loves

us. He listens to our prayers, and will answer them when we are ready

to listen and act on the answers we recieve.

I wouldn't change a single moment of my mission- my time to serve the

Lord. It has been the best decision I made and I will always be

grateful that I served my Heavenly Father. I love the California

Roseville Mission. It will always hold a dear place in my heart. I am

grateful for the time I have had to serve along side with my brothers

and sisters who became converted to the Lords gospel. It's been a

wonderful journey. I love this gospel and the people in North

California. I bare you my testimony in the sacred name of Jesus

Christ, Amen.

I will see y'all soon. I love you!

Sister Matchett

Full time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.