Brethren, Adieu

Wow, its official, my last P-day, which means, my last email!

I have definitely learned a lot since September of 2015 and it's weird to look back and see how far I have come in my conversion to the Lord. It feels like it was just yesterday that I was getting out of the car, giving my family a hug, and walking away thinking "Well, here I go..", and now it's 2017 and I am getting ready to hug my family once again. I would say more than anything, I have learned that God knows each of us by name and has a perfect plan for all of His children. There have been so many experience where there is no way that all the events that led to meeting a special person and sharing the gospel with them was just a coincidence, or that the people that have built me up, and encouraged me to be better and come closer to Christ (whether they knew it or not) was an accident. God knows exactly what he is doing! He places specific people in our paths for a very specific purpose.

I also know that part of his plan is for us to go through trials. Trials does not mean that God has forgotten us, in fact the scriptures say "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth." The mission has been the hardest thing I have ever done; there were days when I got yelled at, mocked/laughed at, or when no one would talk to us, or tell us we aren't Christians and are going to hell, or when people that knew the church was true chose to deny the gifts of the gospel, and these experiences made me feel soooo small!! It has been physically, mentally, and emotionally draining/challenging, but because of all that, I have learned how to cope with trials in life, and how to rely on the Savior for His help, comfort, and guidance. I also learned that being upset, sad, or mad is choice, and that I can choose happiness! Even though there were incredibly hard days, shoot, hard weeks and sometimes months, all the good and positive experiences that I have had completely outweigh all of the those bad times. Looking back on the past 2 years, I can honestly say that this has been the happiest I have ever been, and I know, without a doubt, that it is because of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and always seeking to help those in need. I've learned that Service is the key to happiness, "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."

I never knew how hard it would be to leave the mission and go back to my family and friends, I have looked forward to embracing those that I love most in the airport, but I now understand that the people that I have met here have become family and friends! The culture of Florida and Alabama, and the people that I have met hold a special piece of my heart.  I know that I was sent to this mission for a very specific reason, and that there were so many people that were not only prepared for me to teach, but also for me to learn from (people in the ward, people I served around, companions, and people that I taught),  I love them all so much! 

I have been excited and nervous about going home, and trying to figure out how to fit the new Skip into the old world, but all those fears and concerns were washed away as I sat and listened to the inspired messages given at General Conference; I swear that all the talks were specifically for me! This church truly is lead by Jesus Christ and I am so thankful that God loves us enough to keep speaking to us today, and that we do have a living prophet and apostles on the earth today. 

More than anything, I have learned the importance of families. I've seen many families out here who are torn apart, and have so many hardships in them, and it made me so sad, and yet thankful for my family. I have also seen amazing families who are so close together and are filled with light and happiness, and that gave me great hope for my future! Being away from my family for 2 years has been so incredibly hard, but it helped me realize that I have such a wonderful family, that I took for granted at some points, but they have never stopped loving me. I've learned that this gospel really is for families. This gospel not only helps families find joy and peace and love here on earth, but it allows us to have something much greater, because of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, we can be joined together with our families for all time and eternity, and in my eyes that is worth more than all the money in the world!

Well, I've waited my whole life to give the Lord two years of service, and I have done my best to give the Lord all my time, talents, and energy, and now its over, and is time to turn in the physical name badge for one that will be written on my heart forever. It's is so weird to think that it is over and that I will be heading home this week, but I am so excited for the next chapter in my life, and more opportunities to grow and come closer to the Lord.  I am so thankful for the last two years that I have spent here in the south, and I wouldn't trade it for anything!

I love y'all so much, and am so thankful for all that you do and say, and all that you say you do!

I will see y'all soon!(:

Elder Schipaanboord

P.S.

If y'all want to hear my testimony of the restored gospel, and the Savior Jesus Christ, make sure to be at my homecoming on October the 15th (1187 East Draper Parkway @ 1:00)

"I'll tell you all about it when I see you again"