The End

Hiya!

Well, this is it! The end.

I've got a story to share.

So we needed to get to Bristol so we could get to the temple the next day. As I packed everything for the journey, I got the impression to take the SIM card, but I ignored it. I figured that things would be fine, as we were only picking up the Elders in Cardiff and then going to Bristol like I had done several times. We can use the Sat Nav on the car.

I did not realize, however, that Harry Styles pulled up to Cardiff for a show and shut down most of the roads near the city center. We could not figure out how to get to the Elders' flat. We drove all around aimlessly, trying to find a way through, but just couldn't. To make matters worse, the only free Wi-Fi is in the town center, so we can't find any Wi-Fi to orient ourselves or tell the other missionaries our location.

We decided that we had no other option than to park illegally in a reserved spot and try to stop someone on the street to borrow their phone and make a call to the other Elders. We managed to do that, and with no other option, we had the missionary who needed to come with us walk alone for a half-hour from the flat to our location (terrible, I know, but what was I supposed to do? We were an hour and a half late). ANYWAY, we got sorted with that and made the rest of our journey up to Bristol safely.

Then we got to Bristol, did some bits, and were directed to the flat for the office Elders in Bristol to spend the night. They sent the address to us on Wi-Fi, and we got on our way. Well, gosh dang, again. They gave us the address for THE CHURCH. So we pulled up to the church and tried to vault the gate to access church Wi-Fi, once again to no avail. We had the street name given to us but the church's postcode. After more aimless navigation, we stumbled upon the street we needed and rolled up to the flat for the night. Such a pain. But we made it. The Elders mentioned that they also had the prompting that morning to reach out and remind us to get a SIM card for the journey, but they didn't. Wish we both listened to the promptings.

My experience at the temple was wonderful. I feel the Spirit every time I go to the temple and always walk away with a unique and peaceful experience with God. I know that Jesus Christ walks the halls of His temples.

On the way back, we stopped at Nando's one last time to get some food and then continued the long journey home for the day.

On exchanges in Llanelli later that week, I had a wonderful experience in the streets. We were chatting with a guy who definitely was not having the best day. As we were chatting, he looked over the top of us at another guy and said:

"Hey, are you insulting me? Is that what you're doin'? Wanna go?"

And then he just punched the guy straight in the face. The guy fell down, and he went in for another punch as well. Then he took the guy and pinned him to the wall by the neck. We were out of there by that point. Oh, I love this place!

Sunday truly was a great experience. My entire time in Llanelli, I have been waiting and working to get a new friend to church. In the Lord's tender mercy, it happened. Wendy came. She stayed the entire time and absolutely loved it. She is normal. She is kind. She participated in everything as well. I am so happy to have been able to introduce her to the True Church of Jesus Christ. She said that this is the church she has been searching for 16 years, and I have no doubt that she will begin to prepare for baptism. One last final hurrah for me to always cherish.

As well, John from Evesham and two people I was teaching attended church in Llanelli to say goodbye! What a wonderful surprise. They are going to all be baptized this year. The parents are getting married next month, and their son is gonna be baptized this December. I gave him my tag because one day he is gonna serve a mission too. I am so grateful to have been a part of these precious souls' lives. I have many friends on this island, and I will be back.

For this P-day, I went up to the most peaceful and isolated castle I have ever been to with our Welsh Pastor from Argentina and his mate. We had some great discussions and enjoyed the breathtaking view in absolute peace. Then I went to Swansea and got some more Welsh souvenirs for the fam.

This week is gonna fly by. I got an exchange Tuesday to Wednesday, and then Thursday I'm gonna pack and teach my final lesson an hour and a half away in Tenby. Then I go to Bristol Friday and fly home early Saturday morning.

I'm gonna pull up in my Red Suit. No one can stop me.

My mission has changed me. Actually, Jesus Christ has changed me. I know that Jesus lives and that He forgives, inspires, and encourages me in everything. I have spent a long time reading the scriptures, and I think I can actually give you my official favorite scripture. Here it is:

3 Nephi 18:12

"And I give unto you a commandment that ye shall do these things. And if ye shall always do these things, blessed are ye, for ye are built upon my rock."

This scripture is given after Jesus Christ institutes the sacrament. I can testify that when I go to church on Sunday and I see that white cloth on the altar, it symbolizes Jesus' burial clothes, and Jesus Christ is lying dead on the surface beneath it. When that prayer is offered as Jesus Himself would, that cloth is lifted to reveal His battered and broken flesh as bread, and His agonizing and innocent blood He shed for me. When I take the sacrament with this in mind and make a renewed commitment to live the life Jesus wants me to, EVERY SINGLE WEEK I notice a change. Regardless of what happens, on Sunday, Jesus will be there again, on the altar for me. I feel so strongly that this truly is the rock, the sure foundation that I should build my life on. I have found no greater improvement than this. I know Jesus Christ through this ordinance. And this scripture of the Book of Mormon is so significant because it truly says that this itself is the rock to build my life on.

I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to serve alongside Jesus Christ in this most rewarding and difficult work. I cannot deny the reality of His existence and the power His restored gospel has brought to me.

And so, this is the start of a momentous beginning upward and onward through the rest of my life. Things will be hard. I will make mistakes. Things will happen. Plans will change. But Jesus Christ is going to be waiting for me at that sacrament altar every single Sunday to renew and fill my soul with light. And that is why my mission has changed me. That is what I cannot leave.

I love you all!

See you next week.

-Elder Berry