This is my one post before I set out on what may be one of the greatest adventures in my life. Let me introduce myself: My name is Sarah Applegate, I like music, reading everything in sight, and I love to laugh. And I'm a Mormon. Actually, to be specific, I am a LDS Sister Missionary. I have been called to serve my Lord in the San Juan Puerto Rico Mission for eighteen months. And I leave in exactly a week from today. And I am so excited! Before I go, I want to express my beliefs and my testimony. From here on out, I think my mother will be kindly posting my letters. With discretion, of course.
First off, I KNOW that there is a God. And not only that, but that we, everyone who has ever roamed this earth, and ever will, are His Children. He knows each of us individually, our sorrows, our joys, our weaknesses and our strengths. He cares about what happens to each of us, and the choices that we make. And that is part two. Our choices are so crucial to this life. They are why we are here on this earth. Heavenly Father made it a part of this life to have free agency. The ability to make a choice, to know right from wrong. And as we strive to do our best, we can become as He is. An exalted being. But there is a bit of a catch. We are human. We are imperfect. We fail. I know I do. I am selfish and sullen, and rude and unkind sometimes. And God cannot live in the presence of wickedness. So as far as we are wicked, we cannot return again unto His Kingdom. So He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to live as an example as to what we should strive to be, then He sacrificed Himself so that He could redeem us from our fallen states. So that we may conquer death, both of the spirit and the body. And Jesus Christ, is our older brother. He loves us with the same all-encompassing compassion that we are loved by our Heavenly Father. So He reaches out to help esteem us. Because everyone of us is worth saving. We are of the utmost importance to them. Now, I know a lot of you share that belief with us, as Christians. But I also believe that God speaks to us on the earth now, as well. I believe in a Prophet who is currently living, I believe in a true authority to perform ordinances being returned to the earth. No, not believe. I know. I know these things to be true. I do not think that a God who loves us so dearly would abandon us, just because we came to this earth later than everyone else. And these things? These are what I am going to Puerto Rico to share. I was called, by a Prophet of God, to go to this country to serve and love this people and culture. And I am nervous, believe me. I speak barely any Spanish, and I have never actually left the continental United States before. But I know, without a doubt, that the Lord knows what is in store for me there. He knows my strengths better than I, and He will not abandon me as I do His work. So, my dear friends, and those who are still getting to know me. Ave atque vale. Hail and farewell. Feel free to write me or email me. I will keep my addresses posted on the side link.
