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
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