"You Ran To The End" -Sister Lindsey

Good morning everybody,

Well, I'm going to have to start off this email in the most cliché way possible; I cannot believe, at all, that I am writing my last ever mission e-mail. The time truly has gone by so quickly.

But in the spirit of all of my previous emails that I have written, I guess I must start off with this week's highlights. Brace yourselves... there are a lot of them:

First of all, like always, I have to talk about baptism. Suellyn was baptized yesterday and is the newest member of the Church and its Relief Society here in the city. Her brother and sister, Ítalo and Magdalena, were baptized last week, and the Spirit ended up showing her that what we had been sharing was true. She rarely stayed in the room while we taught, but she heard everything. We invited her to say a prayer. She did it, and she got an answer. As the Lord had done His part, she went ahead and did hers. We taught her during the week and she was baptized after our "Group Conference."

Speaking of the "Group Conference," I cannot express in words just how much I loved this weekend and how grateful I am for it having worked out. President Lindsey and President Leal (his counselor in the mission presidency) arrived 2 hours before the Arraiál activity began on Saturday and started right off doing temple recommendation interviews. I was so filled with emotion as the people that have become so special to me in this area walked into the room nervous and afterward left with big smiles on their faces, President Lindsey leading walking them out with his hand on their shoulder. Just about all of those folks I have found, taught, and baptized, and to think that soon they will be entering into the house of the Lord is something that even now brings a tear to my eye.

The Arraial activity was amazing. Like just about everything here, it started an hour late, but once it got going, it was a hit. A member here who is a school district superintendent was able to arrange for the dance groups of two schools in the area to perform in a cultural presentation of dance, poetry, and song. Between the members, performers, the family of the performers, and other visitors, there were probably around 200 people that came and participated. We were stunned at the turnout, as were the visiting leaders. They certainly loved it, clapping their hands and even singing along with the music at some points. The members were incredible in the organization, preparation, and realization of the activity: donating ingredients for the snacks, closing and decorating the road, amongst other things. I really do think it brought them together. President and Sister Lindsey told me they very much enjoyed themselves and were more than impressed with the turnout, organization, and presentation of everything.

The "conference" the following day was even better. Our record for sacrament meeting attendance before yesterday was 85, but yesterday 133 people ended up participating in the event. The small chapel was completely full, and we ended up having to set up plastic chairs on the sidewalk and road in front of the Church for everyone to participate. The Spirit was so incredibly strong during that meeting between the talks, hymns, and prayers. Many tears were shed by myself and just about all present. In addition to being a special "Group Conference," it was also my farewell. It was incredibly bittersweet. I love these people. I want them to have a branch so they can participate in their newfound faith to their fullest. They are so close to that. 

We had some priesthood ordinations to do, and President asked that I do all of them. Ítalo, who was baptized last week, and Carlos Henrique, who was baptized two weeks ago, both received the Aaronic Priesthood and are now teachers in the young men's organization. Do you all remember Auryo? Auryo, who was my trainee's second baptism? Auryo that had been blessing the sacrament every week? He turned 18 years old last week, was interviewed yesterday, and received the Melchizedek Priesthood under the hands of myself, President Lindsey, President Leal, and Raimundo Nonato (who will likely soon be called as the Branch President). What joy I had in doing that! I didn't even know he had turned 18 until the virtual seminary teacher asked me about it last week as we ate dinner at her house.

While during these past two years I have gone through my lowest of lows, the highs that I have experienced have well exceeded those lows and have transcended any other past accomplishments in my life. This is a high that only the Gospel of Jesus Christ can offer. It is a high that our Heavenly Father offers to all of His children, which means you, me, and everyone else on this Earth. It is the feeling, but not just that, it is the knowledge that our Father loves us, gave His Son for us, restored His Gospel, communicates with us through His prophets and through personal revelation, and has provided a path so that all may be saved and exalted together with those we love most.

We sang an intermediate hymn, "Ye Elders of Israel," during the conference. The lyrics of the last verse are much different in the Portuguese version:

"And at the end of our great mission,
Rest we shall have in fair Zion.
In our families peace will reign
For already victorious Zion will be."

As we sang this, Presidente Lindsey, President Leal, and their wives looked over to me and pointed at me. I wept. They're right. I know this chapter of my life is over, but it is just that: ONE CHAPTER. I have fought the good fight to the best of my ability and now welcome whatever new calling the Lord extends my way. I am His humble servant and submit my will to His. These past two years I have extended the same invitation to tens of thousands. I do so now to all and will continue to do so through the eternities. 

The best is yet to come...

Yours,

Élder Chad Kevin Lindsay, Jr.

Utah Orem Mission 2021-2022

Missão Brasil Teresina 2022-2023

Instagram: cjlindsay2021

Personal Email: mrcjlindsay@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100013425466274&mibextid=ZbWKwL

One more thing: I will be sharing about my experiences from my mission Sunday, July 16th, at 11:30 am, at the Cowley, WY Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I would just love for you all to be there! You are all being officially invited right now!

Also, I fly into the Yellowstone Regional Airport on the 15th around 5:00 pm. You are also invited to be there if you want!

Love you all so much!

Élder Lindsay