I was preaching and giving studies and meeting hundreds of other brothers from all around the world. I learned customs and cultures and so much more about people and Jehovah.
I met new friends, made new memories.
I was getting thrown off horses!
This was my life the past six months...
I was four wheeling and motorcycling and getting crammed into and small van with 18 other people for an hour at a time.
This was my life the past six months...
"Four months left!", felt like an eternity and yet it feels like I said that last week. It went by too fast but I feel like I've lived here my whole life.
In these six months I did so much more than I thought I could ever do at the age of fourteen. I met so many people from around the world than I thought possible. I have so many more friends than I've ever had before and so many new experiences to remember for the rest of my life.
I've learned so much on our trip here...
From how to be better out in service, to how to cook a simple Dominican meal.
This trip taught me alot more than I could have imagined.
I know now that moving to a completly different country, let alone a new congregation, is scary. But everything will be okay. You will make so many new friends and you will have just as much fun as you did back home, maybe more.
I know now that it's okay to be nervous to go out to an entirely new type of territory. But everything will be fine. Because later on, you will be more succesfull out in service than before. Now I know it's okay to be sweaty! It's pretty normal!
I knew saying goodbye to this place, wasn't going to be easy. But I didn't know it was going to be so hard.
It's like saying goodbye to all our brothers in the congregation, was like saying goodbye to a second family.
I've only known these brothers for a very short amount of time, but it feels like I've known them just as long as the brothers back home.
I will miss them dearly, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for everything they've done for me and for my family.
Whoever is reading this, no matter how young or old you are... no matter if you have a family, or if you are single. If you are thinking of doing what my family and I have done, I beg of you, do it!
Yes, you will absolutely have bad days. Things like these always have their ups and downs, but I am promising you, you will not regret it.
It will probably be one of the best decisions of your life.
Whether you choose to serve somewhere for a month, six months or a whole year, please do it.
I assure you, you will not regret it!
I definitely do not regret it.
Even though I'm sad that we are leaving our new family here in Samana, I'm definitely very excited to go back home and see my friends and family again, and be able to tell them in person about all the amazing things we did here in DR.
Now, with our trip coming to a bittersweet end, I have to say goodbye to Samana, and all the amazing brothers and sisters here.
Even if I don't see them again for a long time, they will always be part of my life, everyday no matter what.
But, we will be back one day, I can promise you that.
So, I'm not going to say goodbye.
Only, 'see you soon'...