Serving in the Caribbean

If you remember this post or you follow me on social media, you know that I've been living in the Caribbean for the past 6 months serving an LDS mission. My time was unfortunately cut short due to a head injury.

Every Friday night on the island of Sint Maarten the missionaries would have a "fun night" finding activity at the church. In July I got hit really hard in the head with a soccer ball (I know, lame story) and ever since then I've had constant headaches. 

I sincerely love the people living in the Caribbean. They taught me so much about humility, hard work, the importance of family, and love. They are SUCH a loving and friendly people. I spent the majority of my mission on the island of Sint Maarten. At the beginning of this month I, along with all of the other the missionaries were evacuated from the island as Hurricane Irma got bigger & more dangerous. Seeing pictures of those sacred streets, the streets where I walked & taught, now demolished, tore my heart apart. My lush green island was in ruins. The people I loved lost everything. I lost important belongings and my companion lost everything. I have yet to hear from close friends but so many people are safe and that is what's important. 

I had been trying to work and push through with painful headaches for two months and I believe I was able to keep going because I felt the spirit constantly. The joy and love I felt from serving dulled the physical pain. After Hurricane Irma I was emotionally wounded and just wanted to be back in Sint Maarten helping those people. 

I was transfered to an amazing area in Barbados. I was still feeling sad but I was so optimistic and full of faith for the future. Unfortunately because  my headaches were not going away, my Mission President decided it was time to get medical help in America since they didn't have the same medical resources on those islands. 

I am so grateful for this experience I've been given. Every part, good and hard, has made me spiritually stronger, self aware, compassionate and charitable. I will treasure my mission experience forever. I thank Heavenly Father for helping me grow and stretch myself. I know Jesus Christ has been with me every step of the way and will continue to be by my side. He makes up the difference. 

Thank you for being apart of my journey. I can't wait to continue being bigger and better than ever before.

​xoxo, Lexie