The Journey Home Part 2

Hi everyone!

It's much easier to write weekly emails when you only have one day to write because now I feel like I can do it at any point so it never happens =)

When I left off, I had just gotten home. That Sunday I gave my "welcome home" talk in church which was a special treat because I had my grandparents and great grandpa with me. I had planned to talk about my mission and what I had learned, but what I felt prompted to do instead was the message of the Restoration. It was a powerful moment for me because even though it wasn't the same, I could still feel the truthfulness of that message. I was particularly grateful because my great grandpa isn't a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and he was able to hear my testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith. My prayer and hope is that one day he'll accept what the Spirit tells him, but that talk was another stepping stone for him.

After church we went as a family to a national park that is famous for its alligators. We had a great time walking together and spotting alligators! When we were tired we went home, all the way singing songs together and enjoying one another's company. We had a great afternoon together and then finished the evening with amazing BBQ that my dad smoked himself. Utah has many beautiful and awesome things, but its BBQ is not up to par =)

That Monday my great grandpa, grandparents, mom, and I went to Galveston island to sight see the older homes there, in particular the Bishop's Palace. The thought I had while there was how resilient this little island has been. It had its dark times, such as the Great Storm (a hurricane that killed many thousands of people and nearly destroyed the entire island) but today it's a thriving city with a rich history. How resilient am I against the adversary's attacks? In Helaman 5:12 we learn that he will fight, it's not a possibility but rather a surety, so we need to fortify ourselves. We need to build upon the rock, the great cornerstone, even Christ.

The rest of the trip was really good and my family went home Tuesday; I had really missed them so I'm glad that I had that time with them. It wasn't how I imagined coming home but it surpassed my expectations and it was amazing. The following couple of weeks have been spent readjusting to "normal" life.

I have applied to volunteer at a hospital downtown, been called and set apart as a temple worker, prepared to enter school, and other needy things. I have played board games with my siblings, gone outside and played catch, and met up with some old friends. 

The first time driving by myself was nerve racking; I think I spent a couple of minutes praying before I left the driveway asking for help and calm nerves. I then laughed at myself as I realized that only RMs would understand this feeling as most people drive by themselves everyday.

I cried for a good 10 minutes one day, letting myself feel homesickness for my mission.

I received a father's blessing from my dad for the first time in a year and a half a week after I was released.

I'm working out every day for nearly an hour, some days more, trying to loose the weight I gained (who likes feeling fat in their jeans?).

Goodwill became my BFF as I needed new clothes (see point above haha).

I've been able to keep up my personal study albeit it's shorter now (I'm spending about 15 minutes each day rather than an hour) and my prayers every morning and night.

I have watched about 10 movies and still have more to see.

I went and saw Moana and cried my heart out at nearly every crucial point.

Dr. Strange was the first movie I watched with my family and I nearly passed out in the first 5 minutes from how intense it was.

I have laughed until my sides hurt with my family while we sat around a fire to roast s'mores.

I'm applying for the nursing school at BYU Provo and trying to "sell" myself to people now. "Why should we have you with us?" "Because.....I'm awesome?" =D

I have gone to institute.

There is so much good in my life! Returning is hard, I'm not going to lie, but I take the hard moments as they come and then I remember how much good there is. The Lord has truly blessed me in my life and I'm grateful for the opportunity I had to serve. I'm excited to see how He'll lead me in my life and I'm excited to see what life has in store. All of us have the potential to be like Him, that's why we are here so trust that He'll help you. He'll weep with you, comfort you when you need it, and help you stand up again. What He asks of us in our baptismal covenant He already does with us.

I love you all. You helped make a difference in my mission and I hope that you stay with me for the rest of the ride. Know that I'm always here for you whenever you need someone.

Be good and remember who you are!

Love,

Rachel

The Journey Home Part 1

Hi! I'm alive!! :)

Since I've been home, I've had the feeling/prompting to keep up the weekly emails. I didn't send one out last week because I had family in town and we went on some adventures. My hope in writing these emails is to show my missionary friends what RM (or returned missionary for those who don't know) life is like, to keep a "journal" of my life going, and to share spiritual experiences with my friends and family.

So, to play catch up, my parents came to Utah to pick me up from my mission on Feb. 5th. They met up with me at my ward, the Ellison Park ward, which was so amazing. I was able to introduce them to my family there, the members I have come to love, and they were able to see what a Spanish ward is like. My mom speaks pretty good Spanish but my dad doesn't speak it at all, so it was fun translating for them and for the members we saw. Church went really well and I was super happy; what's better than having your parents with you after a year and a half without them? To make it even better, I had some of my close friends with me, so I was slightly overwhelmed by the feeling of love and joy I felt.

After church we went to a member's home for a lunch/dessert thing; other missionaries who were going home with me came over too, so it was a mini party. My parents got to see one of my favorite parts of Hispanic culture, the food! We had a great time chatting and eating before we needed to head back to Hna. Felix's and my apartment to finish packing up. Just to say, Hna. Felix was so patient with us the entire day and I love her for it. I finished packing so that we could head up to the mission office where Hna. Felix would meet up with her temporary companion and all the departing missionaries did some final touches to be ready to leave. 

We left for the mission home, President and Sis. Jaggi's home, where we had dinner with them, other departing missionaries, and the mission presidency. After dinner, we had a testimony meeting where all of us who were leaving bore our testimonies; the Spirit was extremely powerful. Each of us testified of the love of our Savior and the reality of His Atonement. Our missions changed us, and it was possible because of the grace afford by Christ and His sacrifice. It was a very tender moment for each of us, and for those who were with us, and it ended with a humble prayer. I wouldn't have wanted to end my mission in any other way. 

We all said our goodbyes, then my parents and I left to stay with the Mowers, members of the mission presidency whom I consider close friends. Monday was spent visiting people who I had met and served (or served with) and introducing my parents. I was very proud to show off my parents to all my friends :) Tuesday morning we did an early session in the temple because I had really wanted my parents to see my, now, favorite temple. I had missed going to the temple with them; in the temple, you feel such a closeness with heaven and it is made even better when you have family there. When I had gone with my mission, I had felt some of that love for I love my mission, but it was nice to feel it again with my mom and dad. 

After seeing one or two more people, we started for Lehi, UT to see an old family friend. We stayed there for a while before heading down to Provo to have dinner with a RM who had served in our home ward. We had a great time with her then went to see my trainer, Hna. Lewis. We chatted for a bit before she needed to leave, which was really nice (I have missed her), then we checked into our hotel for the night. We were right next to a Dairy Queen so we ended the night with some soft served ice cream.

Wednesday morning I had an interview with the school of nursing because I'll be trying to go there in the fall and needed some information. We visited the different buildings on campus, to get a feel for the layout and to see where my classes are going to be. We spoke with different departments and learned more about what BYU is going to be like. It wasn't my first choice of college, I actually resented BYU and didn't want to go originally, but I felt the Spirit tell me that that's where I need to go. As we were on campus, I felt that same feeling again; I'm going to BYU for the Lord because I know that He loves me and wants the best for me.

That's all I'm going to share this week, the more "factual" things, sorry about that. A lot has happened since that Sunday, so I'll write about it in parts. I love you all and I'm so grateful for all that you've done. I hope you continue to enjoy these letters. :) 

Have a great week and remember who you are! 

Love,

Rachel