CHANGE IS ON THE HORIZON

 Hey everybody, I am so sorry it has been so long since my last email, so let me catch you up.

Munich: Last transfer I served in the office as the "office secretary." Honestly it was a lot of fun and I got to do a lot of cool things. I helped make the transfer board, I got to assist and go to multiple zone conferences,  I got to see a ton of different missionaries and I got to bake a few cakes for the mission office and members in the area. I had some amazing companions that I love so much, Elder Sinclair was the Supply Elder, Elder Kriesch was the Visa Elder, Elder Hill was the Car/Tech Elder, and Elder Woods was the Finance Elder. These guys were amazing and were there for me whenever I needed any help for my anxiety.

The Baptism: THE BAUERS GOT BAPTISED! It was the most amazing day ever. When I went to Austria for a zone conference the Bauers baptism was the next day and they asked me to come and be a part of it. I was even lucky enough to baptize the mom, Denise. I got two days to hang out with them and the Schmidl family and I felt so loved. I knew I would love the people but I didn't know it was possible to love them so much.  This was my favorite day of my mission, not just because it was beautiful but because of how everything happened. The Bauer’s are the family that committed to baptism a day or two before I left for Munich and decided to postpone their baptism until I returned to Wels, as I was only supposed to be in Munich for 2 weeks. Eventually my anxiety problems got worse and it took longer to get my sleeping and eating patterns under control, so I ended up staying the entire six week transfer in Germany. Because of this the Bauers decided to set a date and I was not aware of this yet. Near the end of the transfer President Naatjes told me that I was getting transfered to Switzerland to help lift my spirits but also to help me prepare earlier and not give me any extra anxiety. I realized that I would have to go back to Austria to pick up everything that I left. (considering I only thought I was going to  be in the mission home for a couple of weeks) I contacted Elder Holland and when I told him, he started freaking out because the baptism was set for the day afterward! I talked to President Naatjes and he was more than happy to let me stay and extra day so I could be there. I know that God is in the details, why else would it work out so perfectly. For example Moses Bauer(the dad) was not very interested in the gospel, although he listened in on our discussions. Elder Holland decided to contact the missionaries that spoke Swahili (his native tongue). It turns out that he wasn’t understanding everything we were teaching him, in addition the Elders that responded are currently serving in his home town and have been able to tell him about the church there.  He now is interested in being baptized. Coincidence? I think not. 

Landquart: I got transferred to Landquart Switzerland. It was so beautiful there and it is also the area that covers Liechtenstein. So I have officially now served in all 4 countries in the mission. Mission accomplished! I got to serve with Elder Meyer who is a big lovable German. He is super funny and was super great to talk to. I met a family named the Embly’s, and they are so amazing and really, really musically talented. They have their own youtube channel called the Embly Sisters and you should all go check it out because it is amazing, they released a new video this past weekend for Easter and we were able to help film it!

The Big News: So as many if you know I have been struggling with a lot of anxiety on my mission and it has gotten really bad. I started praying and fasting trying to figure out what to do and after a lot of tears, I decided it was time to come home.  It wasn't planned but I came home on my 6th month mark (March 30th) which is so cool! For about a week I prayed and fasted. I even knew my answer on the first day, that the best decision was to come home, but I was frustrated because I didn't want that to be the answer. I told myself I would pray & fast again tomorrow and I got the same answer again. Well after a few more days of this I turned to the scriptures and I opened up to the story about Joseph Smith, Martin Harris, and the lost pages of the Book of Mormon. I knew that God had given me an answer just like he had given Joseph Smith the answer.  However Joseph Smith kept going back to the Lord because it wasn’t the answer he wanted. After reading this I knew what I had to do. It was really hard to say goodbye because a mission is what I have always dreamed of and I have heard so many amazing things, and to think that mine is being cut short was really hard. But I know that God has a plan for me, I know there is a reason I am home, and I know that he still loves me no matter what. I loved my mission, I learned so much, and most importantly I know it will all work out in the Lords timing. I am so proud that I made it six months and I will never forget the time that I served.

I have a testimony that this is the true church and that it has been restored on the earth so that we can live with our Heavenly Father again. I know that Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ in the Sacred Grove and that He truly was the first prophet of the latter days. I know that President Nelson is the prophet today and that he is inspired and led by our Heavenly Father. I know that my Heavenly Father loves me and loves everyone one of you. I know that he has a plan for each of us, and we might not always see the full picture, but I know that it will all work out in the end. There is a scripture that I turned to a lot on my mission in the Old Testament, it is Exodus 4:10-13:

10 And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

11 And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?

12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

13 And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.

I love this scripture because God literally created us, He is our maker! He knows our limits and He will never push us past them and He will always be by our side. And I love Moses's response, saying that he will go where the Lord sends him. I will go wherever the Lord sends me and I will give my all until I have no more to give, I know I gave my all on my mission and that me being home is the right thing. I love this church with all my heart and I will continue to be a missionary and an example everyday of my life until the day that I can run into my Heavenly Fathers arms and tell him that I did it and tell him how much I love him.

I love you all sooo much and I can't wait to see a lot of you again!!

-love Elder Galli