Final Testimony on Mission

Well This is probably going to be my last email back to all of ya'll.. super weird to say that. But  I figured for my last I would just bear my testimony :)

I am so grateful I was able to come and serve a mission here in Hawaii, there is no doubt in my mind that this was the place I was supposed to come and serve for two years. The people I've been able to meet and the miracles I've been able to see don't add up to me. The only conclusion I can come to is that God helped me, and led me to people that he had prepared to hear of his perfect message of his gospel. Even though I'm a very imperfect man, I am so grateful for eternal progression. When I have a hard day or when things get tough, I could just look back and then realize how far I've come and it makes trials so much easier to conquer. I've developed such a love for my savior Jesus Christ and for everything that he has done for me personally, and to have a knowledge that maybe it only took a couple seconds but the Savior has felt everything I've gone through.  As I rely on him and keep his commandments, he will provide a way for me to get out of any situation. He'll be a literal light in the darkness and guide me back to him.

I am so grateful for the people of Hawaii, I have never met anyone else so loving and so caring besides them "Maybe my mom" :) The people here, even if they really don't have anything at all, they will still give to the missionaries, and I know that God blesses them for doing that. I'm grateful for all my companions, mission leaders, & my mission president and his wife for putting up with me all the time, lol and helping me to reach my potential. I just can’t really put into words everything I've been blessed with and learned over the past two years. I know this church is the true church and I'm so grateful for the prophet Joseph Smith. There is no way that a man would endure so many trials afflictions and persecution and not just walk away, unless he knew that it was true. I also know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that really the fullness of the everlasting gospel is in this book. I know that anyone who will read, pray and really want to know if it's true will receive their answer. Because I know that I did. Thank you for everyone who has helped me on my mission I really do love and appreciate all of you! 

Elder Collings

Temple time

Note from mom, we are down to about two weeks before Elder Collings comes home! He will visit us in Uganda first, then go to Utah after Christmas. This mom is EXCITED!!


Dear Family,

I'm really excited to spend time with you :) I cant wait for all the stuff you have planned! 

I've noticed towards the end of my mission I've felt a lot more tired! but my biggest goal was to not get trunky at all, just work until the last day :) And the Lord has really helped me to be able to do that. Also I've been really blessed! This transfer somehow it worked out that I get to go on three temple trips and we had general conference! So I haven't really even been thinking about the end of my mission since we've been so busy! And I've loved the time I've been able to be in the temple. 

I loved general conference. My favorite talk was by Elder Holland for sure. I loved his story he shared about the priest. I hit home to me pretty well! my mission has shown me so much that we are never to judge anyone. All we can do is love and help others on the path back to Heavenly Father.

I was able to go and clean the temple today! haha it was super funny.. A guy took us on a tour through the attic of the temple and showed us lots of things! Even took us to the Angel Moroni!! it was just funny because we were in our white jumpsuits to clean the temple!! 

This coming week is pretty crazy, I'm giving talks in our wards we cover here, and I need to prepare for and a talk at zone conference this week!

Love you!

Elder Collings