HOME.

 i'm home

...from my full time service to the Lord. it absolutely changed my life... and i already miss it so much! i learned how to rely on Christ. i learned how to love people and give everything for them. i learned how to use the Atonement of Jesus Christ. i learned the importance of always putting the Lord and His gospel first no matter what! i learned the importance of missionary work, and most importantly, i learned the importance of my lifelong commitment as a disciple of Jesus Christ. i know He lives! 

week 66

for all those that don't know...

i'm home.

soooo as many of you are aware, i have been struggling a LOT with my tailbone problems as of the last 2 months. i haven't mentioned a lot in previous emails but it has been pretty bad since about June (and for those who don't know i have had problems with it since i was 13...) it has gotten a lot worse and i have been battling the pain since then. it's a different pain... a lot worse than before my mission :( and it was scary, because we aren't exactly sure what is wrong. i am so grateful for the Lord though, because since then, He has REALLY helped me to do His will... and to really work hard. there are things He needed me to do in His service! there is a lot of other things that happened in between August and now (contact with my Mission President + parents, Canadian walk in clinics (that were pointless) and lots of prayer) but basically after deciding i was going to pray to receive the strength and health to keep going, the Lord had another plan. this past Monday night i received the strongest impression and answer to prayers that i really needed. it is truly amazing how perfectly our Father in Heaven knows us. i knew in that moment, that i had finished the work the Savior wanted me to do, and that it was time to go home and take care of my tailbone. Tuesday was just a real confirmation of that answer to prayers, since i was in horrible pain allllll day!!! my Mission President and i had a conference call with my parents, and it only took us all a matter of 30 seconds before we realized we were all on the same page and i needed to go home. i felt really at peace about it at this point.

i had my interview with President on Thursday morning (which was absolutely amazing)... jumped on an airplane to Minneapolis, had a 3 hour lay over (i was alone and it was so weird! haha) then flew to SLC and landed at 7:30. it was an amazing reunion with my family.... words don't even describe! it was emotional and spiritual and i am so glad it was captured on video. 

i wish i could describe in this email what my mission meant to me. it absolutely changed my life! and basically... as said in Alma 26:16... "i cannot say the smallest part which i feel" i know this Gospel is true, and i know it was restored by the Prophet Joseph Smith. i know Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. i KNOW that He LIVES! i know it. and i love Him. i thought it would feel so different and sad to "take the badge off" but it hasn't, because it's truly engraved upon my heart. the mission really changed my life. i know my purpose in life, and it will always be the same! to invite others to come unto Christ. the church is TRUE! and i will always be, a disciple of Christ.

Hermana Keena Horton

week 65

hola a todos! 

we had a good week and we are continuing to see miracles in our area of Christie East :) transfer calls were last night and Hermana Sandorf and i will be staying together here! which i am happy about because there is SO MUCH potential here in downtown Toronto for Spanish work. also because our ward needs a lot of strengthening... there is just so much to do and i am pumped to be staying! 

MARTINE GOT BAPTIZED!!!! it was a beautiful service. he was sooooo happy! the Gospel of Jesus Christ really has changed him. i have loved seeing that these past few weeks. he took the big leap last week and completely quit smoking marijuana... which was SO hard for him. but he did it! i know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is real, and that we all have the opportunity to repent and change every day of our lives. in one of the lessons this week, i love how he asked "so what can i focus on next after baptism and confirmation?" YES! the Gospel is all about progression! on to receiving the Priesthood and going to the Temple :) i am so proud of him. every single day he tells us he is so happy to be making this change in his life.

we also got the wonderful opportunity of going to the Temple on Saturday. that meant we were up at 3 am and at the temple at 5, but of COURSE it was worth it!!! i felt such peace there. i love the Temple with all my heart and i invite all of you to do all you can to always live worthy of going to the House of the Lord. what a blessing it is.

for those who do want a health update -- i am very much still dealing with tailbone pain, and continue to pray on making decisions and relying on the Lord for peace, comfort and guidance. i will do all i can to serve with all my heart, might, mind, and strength, but i am also very aware of these physical needs, and especially the fact that i will not be able to resolve them here in Canada. the prayers on my behalf are very appreciated so thank youuuuu! 

i know that Christ is and will always be at my side. i know He loves us each personally and perfectly. that Hedoes know how it feels, because He suffered it first. this is a scripture that has really affected me throughout my whole mission, one of my all time favorites:

2 Corinthians 12: 9-10

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will i rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore i take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses forChrist's sake: for when i am weak, then am i strong.

i love each one of you so much! thank you for your love and support. i thank my Father in Heaven each day for this amazing opportunity i have to serve Him because i truly love it, and i KNOW it is His amazing work!

xoxo, hermana horton