The Last One!!!

Good morning best people ever!!! :)

The day has come! I'm flying home tomorrow super early in the morning arriving at 12:34pm in San Jose, CA. It's crazy to me that I'll be released and go from Elder Campbell to Jeff tomorrow. I have been Elder Campbell for so long... In Laramie, Wyoming in March or April of 2014, I started became a missionary in almost all of my dreams! It will be an adjustment for sure.

While I wish I could have improved some things (maybe I'm unique, but I have never been able to look back on anything and feel like nothing could have been better), I am definitely satisfied with the time I have spent as a full-time missionary.

The best perk as an assistant is the opportunity I have had to spend time with President and Sister Brown. This week, I spent the majority of Tuesday and Wednesday with them pondering about transfers and making suggestions (some well-received and some not). It was definitely a blessing to work with them so closely. One of the things I have REALLY noticed about President Brown is that 100% of the time he opens the car door for his wife to go in and out of the car. And 100% of the time he helps her in and out of her chair. When I went to the Temple on Thursday with them, he and his wife knelt a handful of times together. Every time as they bent to kneel, his hand was on her back. It is amazing to see after 39 years of marriage their relationship is still awesome! While she is clearly capable of opening her own door and getting in and our of her chair on her own, he continues to serve and love his wife. It is amazing how much I have learned about being a good priesthood leader and father and husband by observing him!

This week I got to go on splits twice to visit some people! It was sweet. On Friday morning, President told us who was going to take my spot (Elder Pratt) and we brought him to join us that afternoon. When we got back, I was able to go out with Elder Casebolt (our vehicle coordinator) to visit Melissa & Logan Garcia (who I got to teach when I was in the Bison Ridge ward). That was awesome to run around with Logan and see them. They're the best! I'll miss them for sure. I also dropped off a bike I picked up about 18 months ago with a family. It was great to see the Ramirez family again. They are about the same as when I left! Gabe Ramirez came with me to church once or twice in the Bison Ridge ward. He told me Friday, "I've been thinking about going to church. I'll come with you this weekend!" I gave him the time and the address, but he didn't show (again). Lol. He probably followed through with his commitments 5-10% of the time. Haha. Even with that, I definitely love them a lot! It was a great blessing to see them again and introduce them to the missionaries that cover their area.

On Saturday Brother Griffin in the ward accompanied me to visit some more people (while my companions worked on putting the transfer schedule together). Brother Mortensen from the Bison Ridge Ward recommended visiting Theodore & Sister Watson. They were split off from the ward when the Windsor stake was formed at the end of last summer. I hadn't seen Theodore for a while. It was really great to see how much he has grown and that he is still committed to live the Gospel! He is a good dude. It is definitely one of my favorite things to see the fruits of people who have applied the Gospel in their lives after I have left! It makes everything so much more worth it.

Also, we found a new family to teach this week (and one of their daughters is named Campbell... Lol). And I got to visit the Bates last night! They are awesome. I am pretty sad that I won't be here as a full-time missionary for Sister Bates' baptism. :/ I was really hoping to be here for that! It was wonderful to get to know them and serve them and teach her. I can still see their faces as I left tonight. They feel like family.

But I digress… I have been referencing my adventures of this week instead of writing 'my last email as a full-time missionary.' It really does just feel like another email... That I'll send another one next week for my next adventures as a full-time missionary, but it's not! It's my last one with the mantle of a full-time missionary.

I loved this time so much as a missionary. Honestly, I feel like I'm leaving my home. I have lived here in Loveland/Longmont/Windsor for nearly two years now. I feel like I'm going to be leaving part of my heart here. There are so many people who I have come to love. People that I have taught. People that have been baptized. People that came back to church. Families and individuals at church. Even people I just met once. I have learned how to love as I have been a missionary. :/ And I honestly don't want to leave all that much. This is what I love to do.

But!! It's time to go! And I'll embrace it. When I was on splits I sat next to Elder Casebolt and Brother Griffin in the car while they backed up (I didn't freak out too much that I didn't have to back them up). :) I have faith. I have some dreams and plans and goals for the next phase of life!! I have been great as a missionary transferring to a new area with new goals and new people. I have learned to love the next people and bloom where I'm planted. Time to do it again! :)

Thank you again for all your support. I love you too! I am hopeful that some of the things I have written during the past two years have helped you in your own journey back to our Heavenly Father's presence. :) If nothing else, I know that I have learned A TON of things about both the Gospel and life. Every time I have testified of this message (Through a modern prophet, God has restored knowledge about the plan of salvation, which is centered on Christ’s Atonement and fulfilled by living the first principles and ordinances of the gospel), I have felt the Spirit confirm it is true. I know it; I live it; and I love it.

To close, I will paraphrase/quote two of my favorite relevant verses in the Book of Mormon (Jacob 7:26): "And it came to pass that I, Elder Campbell, began to be old in my years as a full-time missionary; and I conclude this, my record of my weeks as a full time missionary, declaring that I have written according to the best of my knowledge, by saying that the time passed away with us and also our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream."

And (Omni 1:25-26, my trainer Elder Nash's favorite scripture):

"25 And it came to pass that I began to be old and close my record, exhorting all men to come unto God, the Holy One of Israel, and believe in prophesying, and in revelations, and in the ministering of angels, and in the gift of speaking with tongues, and in the gift of interpreting languages, and in all things which are good; for there is nothing which is good save it comes from the Lord: and that which is evil cometh from the devil.

26 And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved."

In the name of Jesus Christ, AMEN!

Love,

Elder Campbell :)

(P.S. My new email is jcam750@gmail.com)

Sent from my iPad

- me at the Denver Temple on Thursday

- Gabe & Vince Ramirez with me

- Theodore, me, and Sister Watson

- Darren and me!

- the Bates...

- and me journaling (all my socks made it the 2 years, but most have seen better days...)

There are STILL miracles out here! (Windsor wk#18)

Hi everyone! Hope you are doing well after this first full week in 2016!

I don't know what people are supposed to be feeling like going in to their last week as a missionary. I feel stressed. Lol. Essentially, I have no idea how I will be able to fit everything into these last 7ish days. Right now I really wish I was going home on Thursday or Friday of next week so that I would have an extra day or two to get organized and do random errand things... But enough of that. Turns out there are still miracles to be seen and had when you have less than 2 weeks left! :)

This week was one of my best weeks as a missionary! It was awesome. There were a myriad of awesome experiences! Last Monday night I was pretty stressed wondering, "how in the world are we going to have 4 effective exchanges in a row?" I barely had any plans set at the time, but prayed for that to happen. I guess because I was only thinking of myself, I prayed for 3 effective exchanges in Windsor instead of 4. That was answered! Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday's exchanges were great! Friday was just OK. I was reminded on Sunday that God truly did hear and answer my prayer. It is so AWESOME to have yet another experience telling me God hears and answers my prayers. I bet it happens all the time, I just forget what I prayed about! How can God clearly answer my prayers when I forget what I even asked Him!? Haha.

On Tuesday, the man Elder Klain came to be my companion for the day. It was sweet! We showed up for a lesson, but the member who was coming wasn't there yet! When he showed up, it turned out that the person we were to teach wasn't there either! Lol. I had no back up plan. As we were driving away, a car pulled up next to us- it was who we had the appt with! Richard is awesome. We taught the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and invited him to be baptized. He said yes and is set for Jan 23rd! We are pumped! The member (Brother Jensen) shared some experiences in his life that have humbled him and turned him to the Savior. It was a great lesson. We even took a sweet picture after! Next we had a great dinner with the Layman's. We visited Chantelle and Hot Rod last. Elder Klain was super grateful. They were baptized about 1.5 yrs ago. Chantelle, like Elder Klain, is from Canada. They had a great time talking about how awesome Canada is. It was sweet.

On Wednesday, I was with Elder Farnes in Windsor! Pretty epic. We made it to Windsor just in time for an appointment with Sister Merrell. We planned to share Moroni 6 to talk about baptism and the importance of church. Ronnette joined in for only about 1 minute at the beginning. We were a little sad since we wanted to invite her to be baptized! The lesson went well with Sister Merrell. After 20 minutes with about 10 minutes until our next appt, Ronnette came back in. Elder Farnes decided to reread the first part of the chapter. We talked about baptism. Her whole countenance changed as she said how she really wants to be baptized to experience God's grace and forgiveness more in her life. So we set her to be baptized on Feb 6th! It was awesome! (Sadly something again came up on Sunday and she hasn't made it to church yet. Soon!). After we read scriptures with Richard. He said a beautiful prayer at the end of the lesson. Elder Farnes said he almost started to cry. It is one of the best feelings ever to teach people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ when they actually want to grow and change! Richard is the best! After dinner we visited Sister Bates. We finally powerfully emphasized the importance of reading a chapter in the Book of Mormon every day and she committed to doing that! We promised her that as she prayed beforehand, she could come to know that this is true! She is so close to being baptized. She did come to church on Sunday with her family. It was sweet. We have heard from her fellowshipper that she is keeping the commitment! We are excited for her!

Thursday I went off to Laramie for exchanges with Elder Palmer. We kicked on two doors and taught a sweet lesson to this lady. She seemed a little crazy, so we aren't sure if she is really interested. But that was sweet. We had dinner with a guy named Todd who somehow remembered my name, where I am from, what college I went to, and what degree I have even though I didn't serve in his YSA Ward! That was cool. Good man! Lastly, we had a spirit-filled lesson with a girl named Sunnie (I think that's how you spell it). She was raised in the church in Utah, but now says she is agnostic or atheist. I love testifying to people exactly how to gain faith as it says in Alma 32. Plant the seed of 'Heavenly Father loves me' or 'Jesus Christ is my Savior'. Ponder about it. Go to church asking 'is this true?' Talk to friends about it. Dwell on it. I know for me that I don't frequently receive answers to prayer as I am saying them, but in random every day life. We promised her that there really is a God and that she CAN know that she loves her. I took a selfie with her after! :)

Friday exchange was cool. I was in Windsor with Elder Shawcroft. Best thing was visiting the Brinkerhoff's. The Sister Brinkerhoff's dad was paralyzed by being hit by a drunk driver in November and just passed away from complications a month ago in December though he was in his low 40s. She was asked to speak on 'God's Will versus Our Will' at church. She was pretty stressed to say the least. We read scriptures with her and did our best to give her confidence that she could do it! Her talk on Sunday was super intense. I was proud of her! I couldn't have talked on that subject if I were in her position. She humbles me a lot.

Saturday was weird... We drove to Lusk, WY and back because their car got hit and they needed a new car. We stopped in a random town of 62 people to take a picture of ourselves. :) it was a nice drive there and back. We took some highways instead of the freeway. Wyoming was actually pretty! There were nice trees and little hills through the middle of nowhere.

Lastly on Sunday I had the opportunity to speak at church about seeing God's hand in our lives (I spoke after Sister Brinkerhoff). It went pretty well. I tried to explain the difference between large and small plates and to encourage everyone to keep small plates. I used the scripture Jacob 1:1-4 which says:

"Nephi gave me, Jacob, a commandment concerning the small plates, upon which these things are engraven.

2 And he gave me, Jacob, a commandment that I should write upon these plates a few of the things which I considered to be most precious; that I should not touch, save it were lightly, concerning the history of this people which are called the people of Nephi.

3 For he said that the history of his people should be engraven upon his other plates, and that I should preserve these plates and hand them down unto my seed, from generation to generation.

4 And if there were preaching which was sacred, or revelation which was great, or prophesying, that I should engraven the heads of them upon these plates, and touch upon them as much as it were possible, for Christ’s sake, and for the sake of our people."

For me, the small plates are our testimony building experiences and miracles. For example, I wrote on my small plates that Heavenly Father answered my prayer of having 3 effective exchanges this week as I previously related to you. The large plates, on the other hand, are what history and events. I have unfortunately written a LOT more of that since I have been a missionary. That could be, "I went on exchanges with Elder Farnes. We taught Ronnette and Richard and Sister Bates. They were great lessons." They could be a lot better if I wrote, "I felt the Spirit powerfully as Elder Farnes shared Joseph Smith's First Vision. It reminded me again that it really did happen! It was so quiet when Elder Farnes spoke with the Spirit. It almost sounded like no one dared take a breath!" Does that make sense? I hope so. I know that it can be very simple to write down a little bit about each day where we saw God's hand in our life (as President Eyring invites us to do). It will help us not need a famine in our lives to remember all blessings are from Him. It will help us endure all the trials of our lives. It will help us remember Jesus Christ as we covenanted to do.

I love being a missionary and will find time to write once more next Monday. (Like I barely finished and found time today)

Elder Campbell

FYI, I am scheduled to be on Delta Airlines flight 2645 from Salt Lake City to San Jose, CA ETA 12:34pm on Jan 19th. I am speaking at least twice when I get home. On Jan 24th in Davis, CA (615 Elmwood Drive) at 1pm in the Elmwood YSA. And on Jan 31st in Saratoga, CA (19100 Allendale Ave) at 1pm in the Monte Vista YSA.

- Me, Richard, and Elder Klain

- Richard (different one in Laramie) and me!

- me with Sunnie, Elder Palmer, and another member

- Elder Palmer, me, and President Chris Brown

- me and Elder Snelders in Hartville, Wyoming!

- in Lusk, Wyoming with Sister Wesley, Sister Thomas, and Elder Snelders (and 2 other people)

- epically frosted trees on our way to church on Sunday

- me and Ruth! She (and others) came to hear me speak at church. It was sweet to see her!

- the sunset today! Colorado Sunsets are pretty epic!

2016?!? (Windsor wk#17)

Happy New Year!! The days and weeks continue to fly by whether I want them to or not!

This week... I went on exchanges in Casper, Wyoming for two days! I celebrated New Years Day at our monthly Mission Leadership Council Meeting. And I went to Longmont on exchanges for a day right after.

I had two really meaningful teaching experiences this week. The first was in Casper. Elder Pratt and I taught a girl named Cherri who is preparing to be baptized. It was AWESOME! I love having the opportunity to share my own personal experiences with people to help them know that the confusion and stress they are experiencing is normal. Her friend Tara was baptized just after Thanksgiving. Tara is very converted right now and Cherri has been nervous because she doesn't understand like Tara. I feel like Cherri feels a lot more comfortable and less overwhelmed. At least I hope so!!

Secondly, on Saturday in Windsor, we taught an older man named Richard. His daughter is dating the oldest son of a family (the Jensen's) from church. He was recently given less than six months to live so he decided to move to Windsor and live with his daughter. Richard was so excited when Sister Jensen invited him to meet with us. At the beginning of our lesson he told us, "I have been looking forward to talking with you all day!" It was one of the best discussions I've ever had. It is very refreshing to sit down with someone who is open and interested in hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His first questions... "Do you believe in Jesus Christ?" "YES!" "Do you believe that He is the Son of God and Savior of mankind?" "YES!" "Do you believe good people like Confucius or Ghandi can go to Heaven?" "YES! We believe God loves everyone and has made a way for all people to enter into the Kingdom of God through the ordinances." The Spirit was powerful as we testified of the Plan of Salvation. He cried as I had said the opening prayer. He gave an awesome closing prayer. He made it to church yesterday, we are seeing him at the Jensen's tonight, and we have a return appointment for tomorrow! I pray that his health will be preserved so we have the opportunity to teach him the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ!

I would say the most important thing I have learned since I have been a missionary is to recognize the Spirit when someone is speaking. There are a handful of missionaries I have served with out here that likewise have truly learned how to do that. I wish I could demonstrate the difference to you in this email. It makes me think of what Nephi says in 2 Nephi 33:1 "And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men." Nephi is frustrated because he wants us to experience the Holy Ghost carrying his message to our hearts as he speaks. Similarly, I wish I could speak to you right now by the power of the Holy Ghost so you could feel the difference. I know there is a tremendous difference between talking & telling and teaching & testifying.

Here is an example of one specific time this week where the message should have been more powerful than it was. I was on exchanges with Elder Pratt in Casper, Wyoming. While there, we went to a funeral for a woman I have never met at a local Christian Church. It was weird... I couldn't feel any power or Spirit behind what the words of the man who led the service. As he spoke, I couldn't feel his heart. He spoke elegantly, but they were just words. I couldn't really place it... Perhaps it was because 95% of the words he said were pre written. Perhaps he didn't actually know the woman or her family. Perhaps he is going through some other challenges in his life and he left his heart at home. It was just weird! That night I talked with Elder Pratt about it, and he had the same experience. Having a companion who likewise recognizes the difference helps A LOT! The difference is very subtle and takes time to learn to recognize. It took the first six to nine months of 2015 to notice the difference consistently.

I am grateful for the message of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love promising people that they CAN find out for themselves this is true. I will miss testifying everyday of the changing power of this Gospel and feeling the Spirit speak through me.

Have the best New Year ever!!!

Love,
Elder Campbell

P.S. I am working on planning out departing and homecoming talks at church. Feel free to come if you would like. I am speaking at church in Windsor at 1pm this Sunday (500 Hillspire Dr). Back home... I have no idea when I am speaking yet. Hopefully it will be at the end of this month or beginning of next month once in Davis, CA and once near Santa Clara, CA. We shall see!