August 18, 2014

Hey! 

We had transfers about a week and a half ago. I am still in Shenandoah with Sister Simmons, which is good. Honestly I would have been fine with either. I would love to be able to go and experience more areas but I am also super glad that I get to stay here and be able to see people progress, especially Sara. She set her baptism date as September 13. So if everything works out, I will be able to see it before the next transfers. And I do think that I will be going after than transfer. And she is progressing so fast it's incredible. The other day we were having a lesson with her and she completely explained in her own words and with an experience a principle that we had taught her the previous lesson without even knowing it. She seems super excited too. She was telling everyone about her baptism and inviting everyone that she sees. It's amazing! 

It sounds like the open house was amazing. There were some members from our ward that went and they showed me a ton of pictures at dinner of the temple. It looks totally different! I honestly can't even believe that it is the same temple and I am so excited to see it again! 

This week was interesting with school starting up again. It's been an odd week. Everyone is taking the last vacations or going shopping for the last things they forgot. And shopping here, you pretty much have to go to Council Bluffs or Omaha. Or they already started school. And everyone is just trying to readjust with their schedule. So it was hard for people to keep their appointment and for us to see people. But even with all that we were able to meet some new less-active members and had a lot of people come to church again.

Also I got my "trunkie" papers this week and I think mom and Dad got a copy of them too. So i don't know if they have told you but my release date is December 10.  I will just be coming home and not having anyone come out to get me. It is definitely bitter sweet. I am excited to come home and start school again. But it also is so sad and I will miss having all the opportunities that I have every day as a missionary. It has changed my life and it will be really hard to leave.

Thanks for all you do. Love you!