1 A summary of Kay and Karen's mission

From Karen's final e-mail report on her and Kay's mission to Peru, sent out last Saturday, July 17. After detailing their return home to Utah and their homecoming report a week ago Sunday, she concludes the e-mail with some of the blessings that resulted from their mission.

We have had an amazing experience, one that is ingrained in our hearts forever. In retrospect some of the blessings we have experienced are:

1. We were able to speak the language. Kay did really great and I could speak and understand enough to accomplish those things that we needed to do the Lord's work.
2. We found that we had the strength and energy to accomplish all that we needed to do and to maintain a very demanding schedule.
3. We witnessed the Lord's hand in all things. Almost daily we witnessed small miracles from Him.
4. We found our ability to love as the Savior did grew tremendously. We loved our missionaries unconditionally. We watched as they in turn loved the humble and lowly in spirit without reservation.
5. We marveled as we watched the missionaries work tirelessly to help this wondrous work go forth. Their dedication, their love for the gospel and the Savior are limitless.
6. We served to give back to our Father in Heaven for all that He has given us, but we find we have been blessed beyond measure and strengthened to face future challenges whatever they may be, because we know He is ever with us.
7. We have a feeling of peace knowing that our labors were accepted.
8. We have made eternal friends in the Peruvians and missionaries.
9. For awhile we had a respite from the political and economical turmoil that is plaguing the world, especially the USA. Our life, though very demanding, was simpler.
10. We are closer as husband and wife. We were asked to give and we gave together. Our love was sealed. Our understanding of the importance of our families and how the Savior's Atonement affects each one of us is more clear.
11. We see God's hand in all things. We have a sure knowledge that He knows us personally and loves us.
12. We were taught by General Authorities of God.
13. We loved a very humble people, some of the poorest people in the world, and witnessed their lives and families change as they grew in the gospel and were filled with hope and joy.
14. We became more aware of our own shortcomings and how we can strengthen them through the Atonement. 
15. We are not the same two people we were when we left. We have loved and we have been loved in return. Our lives have been changed forever and we will never be the same.

Who knows, maybe we will get to serve some year in the Trujillo Temple. 

We love you and humbly thank you for your prayers in our behalf.