Thank you, thank you, thank you

This is it.

My last email home, as a missionary.

My last email home, as Sister Teo. 

Thank you.

Thank you for staying strong with me on this journey. 

Thank you for always praying for me, praying so hard, that from countries away I can FEEL of that extra power, heaven-sent. 

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MOM, DAD, 

Thank you for encouraging me to come on this mission. Thank you for being pushy but not over-pushy. Thank you for the obstacles we overcame together to get me on this mission. Thank you for your trust in the Lord. 18 months and 10 days later, I still remember Daddy's last words as he hugged me for the last time at the airport: "Alright, we'll leave you in God's hands now." You literally sent me off to a foreign country where I didn't speak the language. You sent me off into the world. You trusted God enough with your 19 year-old daughter. Thank you for helping me to enjoy this journey. Thank you for allowing me to grow. Thank you for never giving up on me during those "terrible teens." Thank you for loving me unconditionally. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. 

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GLADYS, KRYSTAL,

I love you both SO much. There have been times on this mission where I have felt a little upset that I couldn't be with the two of you while you are going through some of the most crucial stages of your lives. (Is my English correct?!?! Ugh. #itsmorefuninthePHILIPPINES!!!) I have prayed so much. SO much. For the both of you. That you would always be safe. That you would always make the right choices. That you would never walk astray. That you would be there for each other. You are two of the brightest, more beautiful girls on planet earth. I am so proud to be your older sister. And I cannot wait to see you this week. WE GOIN' ON A LOT OF SISTER DATES OKAY?!?!?!?!?! 

DAVID, PATSY,

I echo my Dad's words to you in his email. Thank you. Thank you for writing me every week, without fail. Thank you for being my second parents. Thank you for your love and support and encouragement that has been ever-present ever since the first time I announced to you all that I would be submitting my mission papers. Thank you for your advice, Patsy, that has stayed with me over these two years. I remember you telling me once that if I had fun on this mission, that the time would fly on by. I've remembered that as I've tried to overcome any temptation to be miserable. Thank you for loving me like one of your children. Thank you. 

MY GIRLFRIENDS, 

(Annabelle deserves special mention!!!) Thank you too for supporting me on this journey. I know that before this Valerina was super weirded out that I wouldn't be on social media for 18 months, and we were all sad that it would be two years again before we would see each other...but look! Look at where the time has gone. Thank you for loving me through high school and beyond. You girls played a crucial, crucial role in those important years leading up to this mission. I love you all so much. Val. Anna. Helena. Jo. So much love. 

KAYLA AND LAURA,

the Lockwood women,

Thank you, Sis, for being the angel that God sent to me to become my first companion on the mission. I cannot imagine having started out my mission with anyone else. Our innocence and our love for the Lord helped us work miracles. Thank you. You have become one of my best friends. A best friend that I found in the Philippines. Thank you for loving me from day 1. Maybe we can just forget our awkward first meeting at the Cannon Center (ha!!!) and just remember me getting out of the Palawan airport and asking you, "Do you know who I am?!?!?" I love you so much, Sis. 

And to Laura- I got your beautiful card a few weeks ago. Thank you for always keeping me in your prayers. I cannot wait to meet you one day. I know that only an angel mother like you could have raised an angel daughter like Kayla. I can't wait to see you in person!

ETHER TAM,

I am at a loss for words. Nothing can describe how grateful I am, to the very depths of my soul, for you, and for all you are, and your support for this mission, and for your emails each week. For every word of encouragement. For every prayer offered. For lifting me and lifting me and lifting me, these last two years that we've been apart. I am grateful for my parents, for your parents, for my sisters, and my girlfriends, but...Ether. Thank you. Thank you for having been there for me during the lowest of lows of the mission, and the highest of highs. Every Sunday (your Sunday, my Monday) for the past 18 months, I know that you have been sitting across a computer screen, anxiously waiting for my emails to come in. Thank you. Thank you for trusting the Lord with me. I know that it was hard sending me off. I know that we had no clue in the world what the next two years would do to me. But you always believed. You always believed in me. In what God would be able to do with me. And you never gave up. Thank you. Thank you so much. You are truly my best friend. 

This is it. 

I'll see you in Shanghai, or wherever we'll see each other when we see each other. 

This morning, I got on my knees to start personal study with a prayer, and immediately it hit me: 

Every morning for the past 18 months I have knelt in prayer at 8 a.m. in the morning to open personal study with a prayer. Personal study time has been sacred time to me on this mission. I have kneeling bruises on my knees to prove it. My prayers. Have developed SO much. Over these past 18 months. I have prayed for literally everything imaginable. 18 months. A year and half. 

Wow. 

LOGISTICS: I'll see President Dyer that same Wednesday night, RIGHT? To get released? RIGHT? We'll go there altogether right after the airport. Right? Okay. Good. 

I'm a little scared about entering China. I have nightmares they will find out I was a missionary and then capture me and never let me return home. Just kidding. 

God is with me.

And if He is with me...who can be against me? 

I'll see you all very soon.

And for this last time,

This, my last email,

is sent,

With love,

Sister Teo