Dear Family,
I really don't know where to start. I really don't know if there is a start to tell. In Alma 26:12, 16 Ammon exclaims that he is weak, but His God gives him strength, and then says at the end that he cannot say even the smallest part of what he feels. I feel like Ammon today. After 18 months of serving in France, I am overwhelmed with facing the reality of it all ending. I can't express to you the things I am feeling for these people, or for the things I have learned here, but I would like to end with my testimony.
I know God lives. I know He is our Heavenly Father and we are His children. I know that He loves us. I have felt His love for every single person I have met here. It's a love that is so special and so different than anything you can imagine, it's really a beautiful thing. Since being here I have learned how important and necessary it is to rely on our Father in Heaven. He is the only One that is there when no one else is. He is the only one that can console the down trodden and the broken hearted. I have seen so many people in desperate situations. People that have nothing compared to the worlds standards, but they have a faith and they recognize and understand their value and worth as children of God. I know God loves every one of us. He is our Father. And He wants nothing but our happiness.
I know Jesus is the Christ. He is the only begotten of the Father that could atone and suffer for our sins, pains, sorrows, disappointments, everything. And I know that we can be made whole through Him, but we must act. We must seek. He has already paid the price, we need to go out and better ourselves through His atonement. I know change is real when the atonement is applied. I have seen people change and become better, and I have seen people who aren't yet willing to change, to sacrifice. But I know, with every piece of my heart, that if you change, you will find real happiness, real peace, real joy. And all the bad will be erased. Christ knows you. He knows each one of us personally, and He is there to take away our weakness and all the injustice that come at us. I have personally felt the power of the Atonement in my life. It is real and it is there. I know it.
I know that this is the restored church of Jesus Christ. I know it. I know Joseph Smith was called as a prophet and that because of His faith and sacrifice, we have the same church that Jesus Christ established when He was on the earth. I know this is His church. There is no other church that has the fullness of the Gospel. I know we are led by a prophet today. I know the prophets and apostles we have today are inspired men of God. I know it. And I know that if we follow them and heed their counsel, we will be blessed.
I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know it is the word of God. I know that in it are the words of eternal life, and that it contains the truthfulness of the gospel. I have read that book over and over and I know it is true. I have asked if it is true to the most reliable source, my Heavenly Father, and by the Holy Spirit I know it is true. There is nothing that could persuade me otherwise. It is true.
The people here are special. They are known for being "hard" but they are kind and gentle. They have hearts full of love. I will never forget them. They will forever be engraven on my heart.
I can't stop the tears from coming, I am so sad to leave this phase of my life. It is so much harder than expected, but I also know that I have work to do at home. Just know without any doubt that I know this is God's church, Christ is the Savior of the World. I know He lives, and because He lives, we will live again. He changes us. "Et maintenant, voici, je vous le dis, mes frères, si vous avez un changement de coeur, et si vous avez ressenti le désir de chanter le cantique de l'amour rédempteur, je vous le demande: pouvez vous le ressentir maintenant?" Alma 5:26 I love you all. I love my Savior, and I love my Heavenly Father. I know the gospel is true.
Love, Soeur Roberts
