Dear Family,
I am not really sure what to say
today. I don't really know how to put into words the thoughts that have been
running through my head all week. I only have two email days left--one more
after this one. I don't really know how I can express to you all the gratitude
I have for this mission and for all of you for all you have done for me. I
don't really know how I can talk about my mission to you or this last week.
This last week has been a whirlwind
of emotions. I have thought a lot about the fact that I only have about a week
left until I return home. I only have that. I don't have a lot of time to say
good bye or to prepare or to do anything really. And it's Thanksgiving so that
makes it even weirder. There are so many people that I wish I could stay and be
with, so many faces that come to mind when I think of my mission. I think of
the K’s from my first area--they took us to lunch today so they are on my mind
a lot. I think of the B’s, who were also in my first area. They were so incredibly
loving and embracing. I think of the O’s in Cedarwood and their way of making
us feel so at home. I think of T from Hanford, and the O’s from Hanford. I
think of the way they all made me feel so loved and so wanted. I think of the
way they have all helped me through my mission, how they have shaped my
mission. I think of the way they are still helping me push through to the very
end. I think of the motivation they give me to finish and to finish strong and
to keep faithful to the end. And then I think of Kings Canyon. These last five
months have been some of my favorite months of my mission. These people have
become family to me. They have become who I need them to be. I think especially
of the O family and everything they have helped me with. They made my farewell
invitations and printed them for me. They embraced me as family from the very
first moment that I met them. They love me and care for me and take care of me.
All these people are everywhere. These people are here in the world. I have learned
that there are good people everywhere and I am so grateful for that. I know I
wouldn't be who I am without them.
My mission has been an incredible
experience. I have been out for eighteen months, officially. Isn't it weird?? I
have been out for eighteen months already. This week marked that. Saturday. We
celebrated a lot of things this week. The first of that was P's birthday on
Monday. He's part of the O clan. We did this really cool family home evening
lesson with them about our gifts. We each drew a name and had to write their
talents and gifts down and then we gave them back. At the end of the lesson we
all drew names and have to do an act of service for them. I drew C's name, who
I absolutely adore...but I am not sure what to do for him. Maybe we can do this
activity when I come home? We saw H and C who I also love. They are great.
(Alma 37:18)
The F’s took us to dinner this week.
They are taking us again the day after Thanksgiving because they actually like
me. I love them too! They are super funny. They are another family that has
just embraced me. I really love them. They are seriously the best. We saw the U’s
too and that was fun. She is slowly making a little progression. It's hard. She
doesn't want to make the commitment but we know it would help her so much. The
weird thing is she does everything we ask her to do. She reads when we ask her
to read and prays when we ask her to pray--not for us yet, but I hope I'll get
her to do it before I leave. (Luke 22:32)
We did a lot of service for the O’s
again. It was fun. Sister H took us to Panda for dinner. It was good. I like
Panda. We saw Brother H a few times this week too. That was good. I have
pictures with him as Elvis! (Alma 41:14)
The M’s fed us this week and we
haven' had dinner with them in a while. Sister M reminds me of Mom. Isn't that
weird?? I can't believe how much she reminds me of Mom. But she's awesome. We
made a memory game that we played with H and C and Brother M. That was good. We
got to see the Rfamily for a few minutes. They wanted to see me before I go
home. (Alma 42:15)
We had a busy Friday. We finished my
invitations. And we taught P. P thanked me for teaching him. For helping him.
It was very touching. We taught M and then the U’s. That was really good.
Sister H came to the U’s. We think she'll be a good fellowship for F. We ate
dinner at Subway with the R. That was fun. It brought back so many memories. We
taught I who is super sweet. He has so many questions and so many worries. He's
eight. We stopped by the L family. That was fun. (Alma 42:45)
We got my invitations sent out on
Saturday. We saw the F after forever and then Sister O helped us put my
invitations together. The H’ fed us and we played our memory game with them! It
was cool. (Alma 45:20-21)
Sunday was a weird day. I was having
an awful morning. I don't really know why. We had MCM with no priesthood holder
so that was weird. Brother H and Brother B were both out of town. Church itself
was good. I loved it. Then we took pictures with Brother H. We ate with the D’s.
Then we taught the P’s and then saw J. She's a sweetheart. She has a cute
little three year old and I don't know how to spell her name. (Alma 48:11-13)
M and K K took us to lunch today! It
was really good. We went to Hanford for a little bit for the Turkey Bowl. Then
it took us forever to email because the stake center was locked and our
building wouldn't let us in. That's why it is so late. It's been a long day.
I'm sorry this is so short. We don't
have a lot of time left and I want to get to everyone who emailed me. I love my
mission. Anyone reading this who is thinking about going on a mission, do it.
Just go. It's worth everything. It's worth it. It has changed my life. I have
learned so much on my mission.
I love you all!
Always <3,
Sister Abigail Reese
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