One Year Ago Today...

            Last May 30th, I flew into the Salt Lake Airport after completing my one year and a half mission in Novosibirsk Mission.   I cannot believe that it has been a year!  It feels like I was just on my mission walking the streets of Siberia talking to the people that I love about my Savior and His gospel, but at the same it also feels like a lifetime ago, almost like a dream. 

            When I was on my mission, Elder Holland came to the MTC and spoke to us about his mission (pretty sure he does that like every couple of months because it is so well know and so life changing.)  I remember that he said, "my mission meant everything to me", he went on to say that everything good that has happened to him since and all that is good in his life is because of his mission.  Looking back on my life and the blessings that I have, I have found that I too can say this about my life.

~Family

            Heavenly Father took care of my family while I was gone and I feel like we have grown closer together and our relationships have strengthened.   Two great men, Matt and Ian, were added to my family to take care of my sisters when I was too far away to do so.  They are all so happy and I am thankful for them .   And my brother Jake-he turned into a man himself! I was hoping to be a good example for him but he has been the example for me.

~Testimony

            Before my mission I had a strong testimony, as I was being set apart my stake president promised that I would come home with, "a flaming fire of a testimony".  I am so thankful for the refining fire of the mission that has helped me develop closer relationships with my Savior and my Heavenly Father.

~Major

            My mission president, President Gibbons, told me to pay attention to revelation received about my future. I am so grateful that I was able to find out the path that the Lord had for me.  I decided to change my course of studies to Family History and I am happy about it and looking forward to where it can take me.

~Jacob :)

            Never would have met this good looking kid if it hadn't been for the mission!  He is so great and I am so blessed to have him in my life to be my best friend. 

~Mission Friends

            All of the great sisters and elders, senior couples, and my mission presidents and their wives!  All of these people have shaped me into who I am and continue to be important in my life.  It is so great to be able to have them still in my life! 

            There is so much more that I could say but this is long enough :) I am so thankful for my Heavenly Father and His vision of my life,  leading me and putting people and situations in my life that will help grow into who I need to be.  I, like Elder Holland can say that, "my mission meant everything to me".