‘Til We Meet

Posted on April 13, 2015

Dear friends and family,

It has been a long time since I have seen y’all and over the course of a year and half a lot can change. I have pondered what it is I could say this day to y’all. I still don’t really know, so we will see where the spirit takes me. (:

I have learned so much on my mission. I have had ups and down. I was born into the Alabama Birmingham Mission in Hoover, Alabama. It is there that I learned how to be a missionary. I met amazing people, people I will never forget. I spent 6 months of my mission there. When the time came for me to leave, I felt it coming. I was sad to leave, but at the same time, I was excited to try something new. I was a little more experienced, so why not?

After Hoover I had been banished to the wonderful town of Booneville, Mississippi. I never thought I would go to Mississippi because our mission only covered a small sliver of it. And there I was in the boondocks. But it here where I fell in love with country, where I got the full affect of ‘the south.’ I loved it. The area, the culture, and the people. Oh the people, forever locked in my heart. I had spent 4 1/2 months here in Booneville and I did NOT want to leave. How could I leave? Everything was so good, but again, I felt it coming…I only denied it. In Booneville is where I hit my 9 month mark. I was a missionary now.

I was so sad to be leaving Booneville because I just KNEW I was going back to Alabama and that would be it. But little did I know…. I was transferred to West Point, Mississippi!! I was still in Mississippi! I was so excited. West Point is where I became a Disciple of Jesus Christ. It is where I felt the spiritual change. It was hard work in West Point and it really tested me. But I soon came to realize that West Point didn’t necessarily need me, I needed West Point. Here I only spent 3 months, but it was a good 3 months. When transfers came again, I knew there was NO WAY that I would stay in Mississippi now. I had already been here for 7 1/2 months. But the Lord works in mysterious ways doesn’t He. (:

Where did I go next? I think we all know, BACK TO MISSISSIPPI!!! I was in Tupelo! The birth place of Elvis Presley and boy was it fun!! I LOVED Tupelo. It is here where I found the person I knew I was supposed to find. Why are people in the south so wonderful? You just get heart broken whenever you leave. By this time, I really didn’t want to go back to Alabama. I have spent a total of 10 months of my mission in Mississippi, I couldn’t leave. Mississippi is my place! It is MY ‘waters of Mormon’ It is where I came to know my Savior.

Transfers again and guess where I’m going?? NOT BACK TO MISSISSIPPI!!! I am now in Huntsville/Madison Alabama. And boy, has it kept me on my toes. It is has been a challenge because how wealthy people are here, but that doesn’t meant there isn’t anyone here who isn’t prepared. The Capshaw ward is a great place. I can’t get over the people in the South. Really. I’m very grateful that this is where I am ending my mission. (:

I want to end with my testimony.

I testify that there is a God. He is our loving Heavenly Father. He knows us perfectly, he loves us unconditionally and he wants what is best for us. He gave us his only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. I know he died and suffered for us, but I also know that he rose again on the third day so that we may live again with him and our Father. He did it because he loves us. I know that we can pray to receive forgiveness of our sins, but we must show we have forgiven ourselves. I am so grateful for the Atonement and for the knowledge of repentance. I know that Repentance is real. We can repent EVERYDAY of our sins and wrong doings. Christ is there, he will bear our burdens with us. He will be with us EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. HE is waiting for us to turn towards him and ASK for his help. He is the way, the truth, and the light. I testify that the Book of Mormon is true. That it is, along with the Bible, the Word of God. I know that as we read and study from the pages of the scriptures we can and will find answers to our prayers. I know that if you read the Book of Mormon and ask God, with a sincere heart and with real intent, meaning you are truly intending to act on the answer you receive, if the Book of Mormon is true, He will tell you by the power of the Holy Ghost. I testify that prayer works. I have seen God answer my prayers time and time again. God does hear us, and he does answer, in his own time and in his own way. God even knows the prayers that are not said out loud or in our heads. He hears and knows the prayers in our hearts. He knows what we desire and he wants to give us what we want. I testify that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the one and only true church on the earth. It contains the FULL truth, all the missing pieces. I know that Jesus Christ, himself is the head of this church and that he leads the church through a modern day prophet, just like Moses. That prophet today is Thomas S. Monson. We can listen to him and receive guidance from his counsel if we choose to obey it. I know this gospel is true. I love it, I live it, I share it.

I love y’all so much. I can’t wait to see y’all’s shining smiling faces! (:

Have the best week, see y’all soon.

For the last time,

SISTER Jesselyn Drummond