Hermana Kent Takes on Florida: Dear Orlando...

Wow. What a ride it has been. These last 18 months have been so sacred. I cannot even put into the words the smallest part of which I feel.

Thank you for Windy Ridge, Buena Ventura and Semoran. Thank you for my companions Hermana Brown, Hermana Guerrero, Hermana Mull, Hermana Christensen, Hermana Klein, Hermana Banks, Hermana Robbins, and Hermana Stowell. (Hermanaland is a blessed place. ) I am grateful that I got to serve literally in Orlando Florida my entire mission.

I have been blessed so much to serve around so many incredible missionaries. I am grateful for the things I learned from them, the experiences we shared, the growth that we had together as we served side by side in the Lord’s vineyard. Thank you for the family I found here among the members and other missionaries.

Above all, thank you for helping me come closer to my Savior Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father. I am grateful for the changes you helped bring about in my life. I am not the person I left as in October of 2016. I know now what it means to be a Disciple of Jesus Christ. It means that I will love Him, follow Him, and serve Him, with ALL my heart, might, mind, and strength. It means to repent daily and always strive to improve and become just a little better. It means to look beyond myself and my need and seek out the one. It means to do as Christ would do. Discipleship means to love unconditionally, to forgive continually, to see everyone as our brothers and sisters. It means to always have His name engraved upon my heart and not be afraid to let others know who He is and what He means to me. I have learned so much about the Atonement and what it means to apply it continually. I am weak; So incredibly weak, but with my Savior at my side, I was able to do all things. I overcome opposition, weakness, broken hearts, sin, shortcomings, struggles, challenges, temptation and all things I didn’t think were possible. I have a long way still to go, but I know now that I can use the gift and blessing of the Atonement to get me where I need to go.

I promise you Orlando that I will never forget the things I learned here. I promise to continue improving and becoming someone more. I promise to continue to serve just as I did here. To put aside all worldly things for the furthering of God’s work and establishment of Zion.

I know Jesus Christ is my Savior. I know that I am a daughter of a LOVING Heavenly Father. I know will all my heart that the Book of Mormon is true. I have searched it, pondered it, prayed about it, and dedicated myself to it. I know that The Book of Mormon changes lives for the better because it has changed me more than I could possibly explain. I truly did come closer to my Savior by reading it and I really did receive a witness from the Holy Ghost that it was true. I know I can be forgiven and have hope that I will one day return to the arms of my Savior and my Father above and be clean and pure. I know President Nelson is a true prophet called of God. I know that he receives revelation on how to direct the work of the Lord. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet and that he really did see God the Father and the Son Jesus Christ. Some of my most sacred teaching moments came as I spoke the words of the first vision. I know that angels are among us. It was a blessing beyond words to serve side by side with my personal angels and the angels of those I was teaching. I know this is the Christ’s true church. I will continue to defend it, support it, and do all I can to build it up. I know families can be together forever. It was my greatest pleasure to take that message to as many people as I could here. I know the Gospel truly does bless families.

Thank you for everything Orlando. Thank you for being my sacred place. Thank you for the blessings, the memories, and thank you for helping me reach this point. I will always remember and cherish my time here. Hasta pronto Orlando. Te Amo mucho.

Con mucho amor,

♥️ Hermana Kent