Busy Week . . . Lots of Lessons!

Well let's see this week was super long. Luckily the days were fast, but looking back Monday feels like it was so long ago.

 Monday we had two dinners...what do you do when a less active and active person (celebrating a birthday) want to feed you....well you end up with two dinners because I don't have a heart to say "No".... Yes that's still a downside I have. And with the one dinner, we were eating pizza...it doesn't even taste good. So the rest of the evening...I didn't feel very well. And dinner number two was a late dinner( I hate eating after 7 pm) but it worked out for the best I guess.

Tuesday....what a day! We did service, had lunch with a member. Had some appointments fall through, typically missionary thing. Visited with an active struggling member, which made her day. Then visited with a less active, Ben. (He even came to church Sunday although he was sick. ) Which was nice, got him introduced to a lot of the people here, he has only came a couple times since he was 14, he's in his late 30's now. Our lesson was super awesome! He knows Heavenly Father has been preparing him to come back, he wants a calling, he wants to have a purpose which the gospel of Jesus Christ gives us. It's neat to see things clicking with him, when we are there. I think we ALL know what it's like to seek to have a purpose in life, to belong someone. It's neat how the true, restored gospel of Jesus Christ gives us just that. So I look forward to out next visit with Ben. He's about half way through the Book Of Mormon (Alma32-3 Nephi 11) he's making so much progress in these short 3 weeks we've know him.

Tuesday night we had two dinners....(birthday dinner for a less active and another active dinner with a family we dearly love) again.. So needless to say by Tuesday night I never wanted to see let alone eat again...(we had eaten 8 meals in 48 hours) and many people think we should eat like Elders do, just saying I'm a sister and I don't have a big apatite but I made the most of it. ;) At the birthday dinner, we got this bubble stuff, it was way harder than it looks, it took me a while to blow some perfect bubbles.

Wednesday we drove to Cheyenne, Wy for Zone Meeting and call pulled the Sidney sisters! So fun!! I love those sisters so much! They are such a joy to be around, they have such a light and desire to serve Heavenly Father so I love them to death! We got permission to celebrate at Olive Garden, me getting into college, and also Sister Wades' birthday!! (22) Over all it was a great day! Lots of traveling. And finally only 1 dinner. Then a lesson with a less active family. It was so fun!

Thursday was pretty uneventful.

Friday, area calls with our stl's and then later Friday night we found out a less active moved, quite her job but still lives in Alliance....we stopped by her place and someone who was smoking outside the apartment complex told us she had moved about a month ago, well we then went to Safeway where she had worked, (we really only shop there in hopes of finding here) well I couldn't just ask if she worked here, so I bought some brownies, and was like " Hey I haven't seen so and so here in a while, is she still working here" the worker "No, she quit, and moved, I love her, glad she's still living in Alliance." Haha we will find you. And on a side note I got yummy brownies out of it...talk about miracles.

Saturday, we were able to get an other lesson while having our free lunch (provided by another church) which was nice. The guy who helps out there was talking about Heavenly Father and how we are his children. My thoughts went straight to the video "Earthly Father, Heavenly Father" Mormon message. Which helped us have a great conversation. His church believes Jesus and God are the same person....we didn't dig into that but one day.....right now we aren't sure if He is into our message or us...Of course He liks Jesus, he wears shirts with Him on it, but when I told him I'm almost done with my mission He gave me his number, and told me He wants to stay in touch....he also says other things that make you wonder...oh well.

President Brown told me I'm not to learn Spanish (my comp is a Hermana) I am only to speak my assigned language. Which is rough at times (well really only this time), but then again I can understand what's going on, but not speak it . . . Saturday she taught a Spanish family. Which she was happy about but then I got lost in parts and I couldn't just jump in to rescue . . . so its a good thing the Spirit was there. I know He guided that lesson, and helped both of us, me to understand, and her to speak Spanish.

Sunday church was good, while trying to contact a referral we went down a street and saw two guys wrestling, well I tried not to think much about it, but as we got closer I saw the one man had an ax and some ladies were trying to break it up and get the ax away from them!! holy Flip, craziest thing I've seen since Kentucky. It was kind of scary, luckily the referral wasn't them, but we will probably try those people in a couple weeks, (let everything cool down) from the looks of everything one guys face was bloody but they ladies walked away with one guy...(of course we watched from afar-what if we needed to call 911)

The best moment happened last night...drum roll everyone!!!

We FINALLY taught a total of 20 lesson! I know the mission doesn't count this as a key indicator anymore but I still count it for my myself. It was one of the most joyful moment of my week.

I was reading in my studies this past week an article from the "New Era" and it was about being perfect, it was about a young lady who did many different things and wanted to excel in all of them but had so much piled up on her plate, it made me think to my life before the mission, I wanted to do so many things and be perfect in them all, but you learn quickly you can't do everything, especially all at the same time. I learned really quick in the beginning of my mission, I couldn't serve Heavenly Father perfectly and be focused on things back home, I needed to be perfect in the things I had control over. I can be perfect in trying...even though I may not be perfect in anything else, God doesn't ask us to teach 20 lessons a week, or to have a baptism every month. Yes, those would be nice, but Heavenly Father knows what we are able to do and he is there to help us. He loves us and knows us. Our Savior, died for us, and rose on the third day. I love this new Easter video. The phrase "If we let him" He can help us each to overcome the things we face in this life. We face many different things daily, but we don't have to do it alone. We can be perfect in trying. They can help us. I'd like to invite each of you to find ways you can follow him, and ways you can each share this video with those around you. I hope you each know I love you, but most importantly God loves you. https://www.mormon.org/easter/hallelujah

Service Pays in Blessings

Where did week 1 even go...I don't like how fast time is going.

Monday I applied for school. Which was crazy! Still having a hard time thinking about the fact I go home in now 6 weeks. Pday last week wasn't very interesting...we did laundry. So I decided to take a picture...normal missionaries Pday.

Tuesday while most missionaries got transferred I stayed in my area. Which I have had to adjust to thats for sure. So last week I wrote about how someone got mad at us and yelled at us, well this week I sucked up my pride and we went and did service for them...today they are taking us for pizza to celebrate a birthday....sounds like death. oh well. We also met with some members to talk with them about them helping out with missionary work and getting them to come to lessons.

Wednesday I got probably the best news I could have ever gotten. I got accepted to one of the schools I've applied for! Which honestly my faith in getting into any school was very slim. But I got in!!! The Hancocks' treated us to dinner because I got into school. And I got free muffins from a bakery here.

Thursday we had district meeting which was fun.We met a less active family we've been trying for weeks! Which was way nice.

Friday we did some service. Way fun! I love the thrift store. Its so fun!
We also painted at a members house. Which was a blast. I love painting. Its very relaxing.
Saturday such a busy day. We had free lunch, and met a less active from Cheyenne who served a misison nd everything who has left the church. I'm grateful for my testimony and the knowledge I have of the gospel, and the opportunity to apply it to my life moment by moment. It was a crazy experience.

Sunday, Fasting was a great experience to be able to humble myself and seek to find answers to myself. I am grateful for our Father in Heaven, for His great knowledge in knowing what we always need and what is best for each of us.

As of now, I don't know any set plans for after the mission or for what or who I'll see tomorrow but I know through prayer our Father in Heaven can help.

We Don't Have to Climb Alone

Yes so today is my last week one pday. Happy leap year!

As you know last Monday we did make overs with Sister Bair. (Refer to previous weeks email). Last Monday I got permission to start applying to school. (Today I finished, thanks to Lauren Hardy).

On Tuesday we did service, I was able to find a bunch on Nebraska shirts in various sizes for different missionaries, mostly some sister missionaries. Since we are the first sisters to be in Nebraska in along time. Sister Hancock gave us some essential oils today to help us sleep, me and my comp have both been struggling. I fall asleep fast, but don't stay asleep very long. However my comp has a hard time falling asleep but is out once she's asleep.

Wednesday was a rough day. We got yelled at by some people and were told that because of us the people here in Alliance have a now different view of the church. (Not a good one). I wish that was all of it, sadly it wasn't.....Wednesday seemed to last forever! At the end of our day Sister Hancock sent us a text, which helped me gain a smile, among many tears from this day....her text said "You ladies have a good night. I just want you to know you are loved and that you are doing an amazing job, love ya!"

Our relief society president even told us "You have done more in your short time here then any missionary has in our 5 years here." Sometimes I wish I could see that myself. I know things have gotten better, especially since my first week. I work best with fast pace work, and right now that's not happening. Which puts me sometimes into a damper.

Thursday we had our district meeting and it was so good. Our district leader quoted Elder Gene R Cook in his teaching by the spirit, which he heard while with Elder Campbell who got the cd from me. I love that talk so much. So hearing him talk about it brighten my day.

Friday, well we finally had a Friday that we finished weekly planning on the same day we started it. Which was way nice.

Saturday we had a less with a less active, which was so good. Brother Fretwell is amazing. It was our first lesson, and although I knew since it was just us and him it needed to be quick, I also knew the spirit was there. We were able to get a return appointment and we were also able to invite him to read Alma 7 to read. (Sunday he came to church, and Sunday night sent us a text saying thank you, and that he was in Alma 18. )

Sunday my comp spoke in church, I got out of it because I've already spoken not to long ago. Sister Banks also spoke in church, I can't remember what she said or anything but I remember the spirit telling me that I can rely on Heavenly Father. Which was very comforting to have that reminder. I don't have to carry all of this alone. I know I'm known by Him. He is there. And just like the photo of the little boy climbing up the rocks to Christ, His hand is out reached to each of us. I don't have to climb alone, he can help lift me, and pull me out...If I only but let him. (John14:18)

Week 1 of my last transfer
Don't have much time...
important news
-I'm staying
-So is my companion
-We have a new investigator (Little, he's 9)
-District meeting are amazing
-Goodbye Sis Helsing -we love popcorn, and Nebraska
-I get to start "My plan" this transfer. It is an online course preparing me for life after the mission.
- saw Carhenge (sounds like Stonehenge . . . and looks like it too . . .) AGAIN!

Look Outward

I've been thinking a lot about everything that's gone on this transfer and how I ever got to this point in my mission. I remember thinking at times I wouldn't even make it a day let alone six months, a year and so forth. And to now be where I am (8 weeks left), sometimes I can only think of my fears of what's to come. Living in the moment is a blessing. Thinking about the future is a nightmare....my mission President told me in interviews to focus on what I can control and everything else would fall into place and to start making plans for when I'm home. -ugh....

Monday I lost my debit card....talk about living a nightmare...but yet all I could think was to pray. I knew Heavenly Father would help, for only he knew where it was. Tuesday, I found it, right before bed. It was in my bag, between a bunch of pass along cards...don't ask how it got there. I searched my bag 3-4 times, until I found it.

This week they announced the open house for the Fort Collins temple in August!!! Whatever it take, I'm going to come back for it (rode trip with Sister Helsing and some others) And what better way to celebrate my birth month!

Tuesday our phone stopped working, basically the mission office reassigned our number to someone else and we had a phone that had no service. And since we are roaming here in Nebraska we had to meet the AP's in Sidney on Saturday and get our phone. Which was a blessing. Talk about a crazy day. My companion isn't used to not seeing other missionaries daily. Saturday, we met the AP's, had lunch with the Sidney sisters, and our district leader let us into their church building to do area calls. So we saw 8 missionaries total. 4 companionships. It was nice to see my companion happy. I also got a package from the Henries and look, it's a blow up Elephant 🐘

Sunday we had branch council, we didn't have a lot of things to report on, our branch council members keep good tabs on us through out the week which is nice. At the very end of the meeting I felt I should check the phone, one of the less actives we just met Wednesday night, sent us a text telling us her son and daughter would be at church. I then invited everyone still in the room to welcome them back. It was a very tender moment seeing them walk in the church building.

District meeting was so good this week!! Funny part was Sister Helsing popping my back. The spirit was so strong! It's not been an easy 5 weeks, but if it was easy it wouldn't be worth it...but I have felt and seen myself grow so much! Being an hour drive to the closet next set of missionaries and not being able to talk to family or friends has truly left me with only Heavenly Father to turn to. Yes, I have a companion, but there are some things that you just can't talk to others about. I've seen so many answers to prayers. I've seen myself look more outward to help others than ever before (last two weeks ...I could have been better but overall). I've seen little catch phrases get stuck in my head to help me keep going. Here are some below

"Its not where you live but how..." - Forgotten Carols

"Feel so hopeless I want to scream...one who understands" -Nashville tribute band

"Hold on thy way" -Nashville tribute band

"Christ is aware of his girls!" -Sister Bair

Sometimes life just feels so crazy, other times everything seems to be so right. This transfer I've felt I have to be the "strong one" many of you know I'm not very strong, others have seen me cry more this transfer than ever before....but let me tell you even with everything going on in the mission field I've never felt Heavenly Fathers love for me so strong. I know He is there. I know He knows us. He loves us! I realized this week that I don't have to be "the strong one" Christ is that for each of us. It's okay to cry, it's okay to feel weak, but in those moments we need to turn to Christ.

This week I saw the need for me to look outward. I saw my need to look to my fellow man and love and serve them. Which sometimes I struggle with. Let me say it's good to be wanted, but it feels better to be needed. I don't know why I'm here in Alliance, Nebraska but I know I have a purpose in being here. Even if I wasn't at Brooke's baptism Saturday (which I wanted so badly to be at) I know God has a purpose in where he has placed me. It's been really neat even if I've spent just 5 weeks planting seeds, or nourishing them. It's the Lords work and either way it's moving forward.

Today (Monday) Sister Bair, one of the most amazing people I know here did our make up. It was nice to not have to do it myself.

Keep Pushing Forward!

This week was....well things are getting better, I think.

We had a Relief Society activity this week. During this activity we got our nails done. Sister Bair did mine! She's amazing! But they had quotes out on each table, and one of my favorite people had a quote they used, Lucille Ball, which reads " love yourself first and everything else falls in line. You really have to yourself to get anything done in this world"

We had zone meeting this week, and interviews with our mission president. That was good. It really got me thinking about a lot of things. President helped me see that I have so many things I have control over, and that I truly can keep pushing forward, even when things are tough. There has been moments when I don't want to keep going, but I know why I'm here, and it's because I love the Lord. It's interesting because I've dealt with stress by keeping busy - like my whole life- well this area...we currently still don't have a lot to keep as busy as I'd like. Which has also made me think when I go home I'll be stressed (more than likely lets be honest) and probably won't be to busy at first, So I'm finding other ways to deal with how I feel and etc.

Thank Goodness, we had exchanges this week. I stayed in Alliance, but I was with Sister Helsing, my sister, so it was good. I love her so much! She has helped me more than anyone will ever know! She sang to me, listened to me and hugged me so much- she gives the best hugs!! She is one of the many people I'm grateful Heavenly Father gave me her here in Nebraska! She's serving in Sidney...and I got to be with her on her last exchange! Crazy!

On exchanges we got a new investigator!! Like, our first one all transfer! Her name is Amber. She is super sweet. We taught her the restoration and she told us she believes it's true! Holy Flip! We will met with her on Wednesday.

On exchanges it was good to be able to tell someone my goals for now to the end of my mission, to even some goals for after. It was good to be able to talk about everything so I am accountable to someone else, aside from Heavenly Father. It was nice to talk about fears I have of going home -which is forever from now, let's face it. But still. But it was fun talking about how we'd do companionship study after the mission....let's face it it'd be fun but probably won't happen. Part of me hopes it does happen. She goes home 7 weeks before me.

Friday we got lost on the way to dinner....that was an adventure. Thank goodness for some nice neighbors who could point us in the right direction...but it made me think of how we have guides along the way in life, and how important is it to follow them to a T. If not it will take a bit till we get it right. And how important it is to have a guide you trust. That what I relearned Friday night. Although we were late, we made it safely, and followed our guides directions.

Valentine's Day was not very eventful. And it shouldn't be. Especially as a missionary. We should tell those we love, we love them any day, time, etc. However my dear sister, Sis. Abby Henrie sent me Vday Aloe socks, sweethearts(convo hearts-my favorite) and m&m's. My companion Hermana Areno gave me a package of convo hearts. And Saturday I got some letters and such in the mail. Thank you. I hope -even if I hate Valentines Day- that each of you were able to feel loved by those around you, Heavenly Father or etc. I know Heavenly Father loves each of us, he knows us and wants us to be happy. A dear sister (Sister Helsing) shared this scripture and it has gotten me through this week

"Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in Heaven and in Earth; Believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in Heaven and in Earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all things which the Lord can comprehend." - Mosiah 4:9

I know that he knows us, he created us. He knows how we feel. Yesterday at church Sister Hancock made the comment " No one understands OUR suffering like the Savior." I know this to be true. We each may be able to relate to one another. But our Savior has felt what each of us feels when we go through it ourselves. Only he knows. I'm grateful to know I'm never alone with what I'm going through. My testimony has grown so much these last 4 weeks and how grateful I am for that. I wouldn't take back my trials. I know I must keep the faith, and keep going.

So everyone keep the faith, things will work out.

Challenges of Change

This week has been an adventure. Right now I'm trying to keep my head above water.

 For the last few weeks a quote from Frozen has been at the top of my mind. Olfa "True love is putting someone else before yourself" and "your worth melting for" -mostly the first one.

The last couple weeks I've seen so many answers to prayers and the spirit truly at work. I'm so grateful for this. This week has been eventful, needless to say. I'm no longer training and I have a new companion. Yes, three weeks into the transfer. Talk about adjusting.

I feel that's what 2016 has in store for me...lots and lots of adjusting. Well, we will keep this short...lets just say to kill stress, our Branch president's daughter gave us some of her older stuffed animals, and we killed them. Below is the eagle. Piggie died as well, the bears and panda lived.

 Sister Bair took us to see Carthage Jail. I got a new companion this week, Her name is Hermana Areno. She's from Las Vegas. Who knows how long we will be together. But I'm 11 months older. Right now I just want to end my mission strong. I don't care about training, or having a new companion, etc. I just want to take care of the one thing I can control!

A Low Week With A Love for Missionary Work!

Well I'd just like to say the last week has been a roller coaster, filled with many different emotions. At some point in my mission, a good friend wrote me an email and told me mission are just that way...but this has taken a whole new extreme. I know what you may be thinking, but let the no longer teenager me say..."you just don't understand."

Worst moment - A family took us for dinner Monday....for pizza...I was not well for days. Worst its ever been!!

Funniest, weirdest moment this week...brought me to tears even though it probably shouldn't have....oh well. We were eating dinner with a family and the oldest son (he has special needs.) He's 17 or 18. Anyways so we are at a buffet so we all go up to get our food, and he asks the question " which one of you has brown hair?" Well obliviously not me...so we say "sister Henrie does!" He smiles. We are then going up for seconds ( it's a buffet, don't judge) and he's watching us but no biggie. While sitting there we are talking to Cat, she's like 15. Pretty funny, she reminds me of Kim. :) So the mom has to make a phone call, during this time the oldest son says to Sister Henrie "Can I tell you something?" She's silent. He then says "you are the miracle I've been dreaming of!" He then blows her a kiss!!! I lost it. I was laughing so hard. Yes, to the point of tears. I wish each of you could have been there it was too funny!

This week I got a phone call, asking what airport I'll be flying into. And so forth....I wish I could say this was my lowest moment. Sadly it wasn't. I know some people are happy and look forward to going home, but I've said it before and I'll say it again...I'd extend for 18 more months if I could. A mission has been the best thing ever for me! I couldnt even tell you how much of a blessing its been for me. Every day has been a new adventure.

If you look at numbers...which don't account for many efforts invested...they are so low...like even accounting active people we taught 12 total lessons. Its a good thing I'm not number happy person.

Yesterday, I gave a talk in sacrament. It was probably one of the worse talks I've even given. It was on "my purpose in God's plan"

Alliance is the best thing that has happened to me. I know that sounds crazy! But I love the town and the people here.

My companion is amazing, I know Heavenly Father put us here for a reason! I love this sister with every fiber of my being. I truly just want her to be happy.

I'm so grateful for all that has been going on. Trials are tough. But they allow us to grow. That I am thankful for.