hello okay que triste....Presidente and Hermana Whitehead are leaving us. Yesterday we had a little going away party for them and honestly it was very sad. The first of many goodbyes that I will be having and I'm not a big fan. The Whiteheads are examples muy grandes para mi and I will miss them so much.
I would like to share something that President shared with us yesterday in our junta. He started off by inviting an elder to come sit up front. President sat down and started polishing the elders shoes. For about 5 minutes we all watched as President carefully shined and polished this elders shoes, and when he finished, he stood up and showed us his hands covered in black polish. He taught us how service leaves a mark. Sometimes, like polishing someones elses shoes, service literally leaves marks. In this moment I looked down at my feet. haha they have plenty of marks from the service I have given for the past 17 months. From walking miles every single day, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with the people here in Mexico City. Then President talked about the Savior. The marks that the Savior had on His hands when they nailed Him to the cross. The mark of His service to every single one of us, when He bled and died so that we might live again. Service leaves a mark. In a month I will be coming home with the most hideous feet you've ever seen, tan lines that I think will take another year and a half to get rid of, and a new found love for tacos al pastor, and most importantly another mark of service that can't be seen. The 18 months of service that I have been able to give have left the most impressionable mark of all, the experience that I am living now in the mission I know will bless my life forever. I am so genuinely grateful for the example of our Savior Jesus Christ, a perfect example of service & love. I have learned to love HIm in a way I never thought possible. I am so incredibly grateful.
Sorry for the short letter, we've got the gospel to preach. miss you all and love you even more.
xoxox hermana erickson
las hermanitas de mi zona y presidente y hermana whitehead