December 9th, 2018: The End

Well, this is the end. My last email before I end my full-time missionary service. I don't have a lot to say, but I would like to share my testimony of the experiences I have had and the change that I have seen in myself and others. None of this could have come to pass without my Savior. He is everything to me and I love Him. I have had many high points and many low points on my mission, but He has carried me through all of it. I have seen how His Atonement has changed me, has allowed me to repent, has picked up the pieces of my broken heart, and has helped me endure to the end of my mission with joy. I have seen how His Atonement has helped the Khmer people find happiness in their sad, poor, lonely lives. He has changed them. He will continue to change them. He is establishing His kingdom here in this land. He has prepared this since the foundation of the world. Our Heavenly Father knew that the saints in this land would become strong enough to have the gospel preached to them and to have a temple. He has been preparing their hearts to receive the good message for decades. These people have been through so much heartache and sorrow, but God never leaves His people alone. His arm is outstretched still. I know that my Father in Heaven has been mindful of me and the people I have come in contact with every single day. He numbereth every one of His children, and wants all of them to return to live with Him again. Our Savior pleads for us to follow Him because He knows He is the only way we can receive eternal salvation and joy in heaven with our Father, and our families. The best scripture that truly represents how I feel about all of this is Alma 26: 35-37:

35 Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.

36 Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo. Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people, who are a branch of the tree of Israel, and has been lost from its body in a strange land; yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land.

37 Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen.

I have loved this scripture so much my entire mission. Whenever I felt saddened or inadequate about my missionary work, I have come back to this scripture to remind me of my purpose and reason for serving a mission.
I know that the restoration of the gospel took place through direction from our Savior given to Joseph Smith. I know he was called as a prophet of God, and that he translated the Book of Mormon. I know the Book of Mormon is a holy record of God's people in the Americas, and that His prophets wrote it for our day. I know that Russell M. Nelson is God's prophet on the earth today, and that He receives revelation directly from God to direct Christ's church on the earth. I know these things to be true because I have prayed, studied, pondered, and experienced each part of my testimony in many different ways. My testimony is mine, and mine alone. I cannot give it to anyone else, but I can share it to help strengthen others. Each one of us can gain a testimony of these things through honest searching as well. I have seen this happen with so many people, and I can truly say that they were converted.
I am so grateful that God gave me the opportunity to serve my mission in Cambodia. I am so grateful that He esteemed me worthy to be an instrument in His hands, no matter how useless of an instrument I may feel that I am. He has found a way and will continue to find a way to use me to build His kingdom in small and simple ways. My full-time missionary service is over, but I will continue to be a missionary all my life. I love this gospel, and I want the whole world to know about it, and receive the same joy I have received. I love my Heavenly Father, I love my Savior Jesus Christ. I know that all those who will come unto Him will receive eternal salvation. I do and say all these things in the Name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sister Bashford


From Mom:
 Mai Mai:
I can’t believe this is the last email I’m sending you. The day is upon us. I’m sure you have crazy mixed emotions. I LOVE that you have mixed emotions, that means you have LOVED your mission. I could not be more proud of you. I am so ready to get my baby girl back. I can’t wait to hear all your stories and see your pictures!

We have your travel itinerary, so we will watch and track if any of your flights are delayed.

I forgot to ask you...did you like the t-shirt I sent for Kanika. I know it will drown her. She can wear it as a pajama top. :)

What size garments did I send you? Do they fit? I want to have a few new sets for you when you get home. I think I bought you XS in the new style of garments. We will go clothes shopping when we get home from CA.

I’ll stop now so you can spend time on your final group email. I cannot wait to hug you and just hold your hand. Love, love, love you!!!


Mom:

sorry my email cut short. It has been so hard saying goodbye to everyone. i went this morning to say goodbye to my amazing investigator who is getting baptized in a few weeks and we both just cried and it was horrible but a good feeling. i spoke in sacrament meeting yesterday and it went super well, and all the branch members were really sad to see me go. i am so excited to tell youall about them mom. these people are seriously the best and i have loved them so much and i have so many stories to tell and its going to be so great. AHHHHHHH MOM I AM SO EXCITED TO GO TO THE TEMPLE i have been personal studying about it every morning the last week because i want tobe fully prepared to go back. it is by far the thing  am trunkiest for besides the family. AHHH MOM I love youso much and i cant wait to see you in 4 DAYS!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHH