Homesick...

Yes, I'm well aware of the fact that I'm home. And I love being here. I love spending time with my family. I love being able to run to the store by myself (no, I don't freak out to be alone any more). I'm getting used to "normal" music. I've been dancing. I've started my job. And I'm not quite as weird as I was when I got here either. Overall, I'm adjusting quite well to life after the mission.

But today at work, I really got homesick for the mission. While working at Deseret Book (yeah, it's a pretty good job for easing back into life... wearing "missionary" clothes, listening to church music all day) today, the missionaries were all in the store for their p-day. I saw Sister Missionaries. I saw Spanish-speaking Elders. And I talked to all of them. And it made me miss the mission SO bad! Just 2 weeks ago I was still on the mission. It was my p-day. Has it really only been 2 weeks? The past 2 weeks have been so full of... stuff... that they have absolutely flown by, and yet it seems like an eternity since I was a missionary. Man... this sure is a weird time-warp that I'm in.

As for my life, I have gone dancing. That was a little weird. I saw several friends I knew before the mission... a lot more than I thought I'd see. One of them who had been my co-teacher in Gospel Doctrine the semester before I left totally attacked me with a hug when he saw me, and then jumped back apologizing when he found out I'd only been home for a week. It was pretty amusing.I started work at the Distribution Center inside Deseret Book. I'm going to LOVE it! It's a lot of fun. I've been to the homecoming and farewell of two people in my ward. I've got a calling already, as the FHE coordinator in my YSA branch. I went to FHE tonight. There were a lot of people there I knew. It was fun.

So yeah, I'm just keeping on keeping on. And loving life. Things are going well. And I really do think that the more time that passes the more used to things I'll get.

One Week Down

Well, here I am, and true to my word, I'm not going to stop giving updates on my life after the mission. Exactly one week ago, I was saying goodbye to President and Sister Miller in the Albuquerque Airport. Just one week? It feels like an eternity ago! But yeah, it's just been one week. And so much has happened.

My homecoming was on Sunday. It was so great to see my friends again, at least those who have been able to come. I also hugged my first guy friend... that was AwKwArD! But I survived, and each hug got a little less awkward. I've talked to others on the phone. And you know, it's just like I never left. Weird.

I'm starting to be able to be left alone. In fact, I was alone for most of the day yesterday cleaning and organizing my room and unpacking. Slowly but surely I'm getting it all done. I was also listening to "worldly" music. Now, for most of you it's no big deal to listen to country music or soft rock music, or whatever else my sister has on her i pod (because I have no music on mine yet) but for me it was. The first few times I tried to listen to music I had to turn it off. I just couldn't do it! But I'm getting there. Poco a poco.

Tonight I'm planning on paying a long-overdue visit to Rexburg... and COUNTRY DANCING! WooHoo! I'm excited! My dancing shoes are ready!

Top 10 Things Learned as a Missionary

1. Heavenly Father never leaves us alone. He is always there to guide us in His work. As we listen to the promptings of the Spirit, His hand will guide us in what we need to do.
D&C 108:8
2. Through the Atonement, we can overcome anything. Our Savior has already suffered for everything. I went through a real rough time and I felt the power of the Atonement working in my life. Only with the help of Jesus Christ was I able to come out of a seemingly endless pit of despair.
Alma 7:11-13
3. I know who I am. I’m not the same person I was 18 months ago—thank goodness! I have definitely made changes for the better. Several months ago, back when I felt like I was a horrible missionary, I made a list of who I wanted to become. I had none of the qualities on the list at the time, but now I have all of them and more. In the past 18 months I have found myself. I have become the person I always wanted to be deep down, but on the outside didn’t have the confidence or courage to get there.
Moroni 10:30-33
4. Heavenly Father has something for us to learn through each and every trial. He will push us to our limits and make us stretch, but He will strengthen us and give us what we need to keep on growing. He will never give us more than what we are able to handle. And the experience that we gain through these trials will help us help others.
D&C 121:7-10
5. Satan is real. I have never felt him working so hard in my life as I have in the past 18 months. He almost made me give up and go home, but Heavenly Father helped me realize that I am stronger than that. He pushed many people away from the light of the Gospel. He brought on contention that drove the Spirit away. He will do anything he can to thwart the progress of our brothers and sisters in the Gospel.
D&C 10:20-33
6. The power of the Priesthood is real. I have witnessed countless blessings—for myself, companions, or investigators—where something was said that only Heavenly Father would have known. He is aware of us individually, and will bring us the help and comfort we need in whatever situation we are in.
Helaman 12:1
7. Never judge a book by its cover. I know that sounds really cliché, but it is so true. I admit, there have been some instances where I learned some things about other missionaries and immediately passed judgment, but when I really got to know those missionaries they have been amazing. I regretted those incorrect judgments that brought with them sometimes negative feelings. All of the missionaries I judged really are some of the best missionaries I know. It has also happened in various situations I’ve been in or people I’ve been with. I compare something to another experience and immediately have a negative judgment, but those have usually turned out to be incorrect as well.
Alma 41:14
8. There is a scripture in the Book of Mormon to answer any question or concern that anyone may have. It answers and clears up doubts. Things become clearer in peoples’ minds, and they receive comfort from the Book of Mormon. I have also learned that it really does clarify things in the Bible and make them easier to understand. If someone—myself and my companions included—has needed peace or comfort or clarity, I have referred them to the Book of Mormon.
Mormon 7:8-9; 5:12-13; 8:12
9. As we keep a positive attitude things go so much better. A mission isn’t easy, but I found that the hard times when I had a negative attitude were so much harder than the hard times when I had a positive attitude.
Proverbs 3:5-6
10. Heavenly Father can see the big scheme of things. He knows what will happen and when. He knows where we need to be to best help His work. Things don’t happen by chance. He has a perfect plan. My testimony of this became even stronger my last week in the field when a sweet sister was attacked by a pit-bull. President Miller called me one evening and told me I was going to be emergency transferred to her area the next morning to spend my last 6 days. Her companion had been highly traumatized, and he felt that I was the only person who could help her overcome that. As he was telling me this, I felt instant peace. Yes, I was in shock, but I was calm. I knew it was all a part of Heavenly Father’s divine plan. The other missionaries looked at me and said if it were them they weren’t sure they could have done it. But in the past 18 months, I have learned a great deal about trusting in the Lord, and I have been greatly blessed to do so.
Philippians 4:7

Goodbye, Hermana Good

My dear Family and Friends,

I'm sure that you have all been anxiously waiting for the final blog post of Hermana Kira Good. I'm sorry it's a little delayed... but it was a CRAZY last week in the mission field, and with some unforeseen circumstances and a holiday on Monday, I didn't get the chance to e-mail one last time. So yes, I am home now. I'll give you the updates for the past week and a half of my life.

Monday: It was my last p-day. It really hit me as I was standing in line at the post office with a box filled with some last things that I didn't want to have to haul home, including my English scriptures and Preach My Gospel. We went and played volleyball... but I was so NOT in my game. I did horribly. I just couldn't focus. I was too down in the dumps with the fact that it was my last week as a missionary and I'd have to say goodbye to people all week long. Before we left the chapel, I said goodbye to most of my missionary friends. That evening, we went and said goodbye to a few members. And then, as if I wasn't feeling down enough, we got home that night and checked our mail and there were my trunky papers. My poor companions... they had to put up with me and it wasn't exactly a pretty sight.

Tuesday: We were on exchanges with Sister O'Brien. We had another amazing appointment with Lucy, then went to lunch with the Belnaps. They are so funny! I love them! We also went knocking that afternoon. Sister Newbold and I were talking about crazy experiences we've had knocking on our missions as we were walking up to a door... and I had one that totally takes the cake! I went to open this gate to get up to the door, and the gate came off in my hands! I was mortified! And to make it worse... the guy who lives there heard me and came to the door. "Me quebro la puerta!" (You broke my gate!) he said. I felt so bad. But I was so in shock that I just kept going with my OYM, holding the gate. Sister O'Brien and Sister Newbold were dying, because they had seen that the hinges were already broken anyway. And before we left, the guy did tell me that it was already broken and that he'd fix it later. Yeah... it was bad. But really kind of funny. That night, we were at the church for our coordination meeting when the phone rang. It was President Miller... for me. He asked me to go to where I could be alone, so my companions and I went into one of the rooms. He proceeded to tell me that Sister Jarman, who was Sister Cabello's companion serving up in Anthony had been attacked by a Pitt Bull, and that it was really a serious bite. He also told me that Sister Cabello was really super traumatized by the whole thing. He told me that they wanted to emergency transfer me to Anthony to spend my last week. I'm sure I lost all color from my face. I was in shock. But I felt instant peace. I knew it was supposed to happen. All the other missionaries were right outside the door, wondering what was going on. When I got off the phone with President, I walked out and collapsed against the door and told them "I'm being ET-d to Anthony. I leave in the morning." Elder Evans, who was in my MTC district looked like he was going to cry. It was hard to say goodbye to them. I went around and told the members who were there goodbye, and visited a couple families, and went home and hurried to pack all of my stuff. I packed everything in about 2 1/2 hours. And then I wrote letters to a few people to say some more goodbyes, and tried to sleep. But my brain was running about a million miles an hour. I didn't get an ounce of sleep.

Wednesday: Yeah, I didn't sleep at all Tuesday night. I got out of bed about 6:00 after tossing and turning all night long and went downstairs to write in my journal about everything I"d been feeling. We got ready to go, and went and said a few last goodbyes. I also had the Elders give me a blessing. Then we headed up to Anthony. I sat and talked to Sister Cabello while my companions talked to Sister Jarman. After they left, I took Sister Jarman to the doctor to have her bite looked at one more time before we took her to Las Cruces to stay with her aunt and uncle for the rest of the week until transfers. That night we had dinner with the Elders, and I was able to get to know them. I'd met then like once before, but didn't really get to know them, so that was nice. We also went to mutual at the church so I could meet the branch president and went to visit a recent convert sister. Then we went home so I could go to bed. I was so tired that I didn't feel it was safe for me to be driving.

Thursday: We did weekly planning. It was weird for a couple of reasons. #1: Sister Cabello had to do it all, because I didn't know anything about the area. I felt bad that I couldn't really help, but I was more of a help just writing down the plans that she made. And reason #2: I wasn't even going to be on the mission for the week we were planning for. Yeah, that was weird. And we went out and did a few visits.

Friday: The apartment inspectors called us in the morning and said that they would like to do apartment inspections that afternoon. We went to district meeting. My district in Horizon had a "funeral" all planned out for me, but it was neat to be able to get to know some other Elders I'd never been able to meet because we'd been in different areas. After the meeting, we all went to a a torta place for lunch. It was super yummy! I love a good torta! After lunch we went home and cleaned the apartment for inspections. We passed with flying colors! Then we went out and spent the rest of the day visiting people. I was able to find my way to a few places, and wasn't so disoriented, but I have to admit, I didn't really try to find my way around because I a) had my GPS, and b) knew that I would be there for less than a week.

Saturday: The day started out with a call for Sister Cabello from President Miller asking her to be a trainer. That made me SO happy! She will be a great trainer. I had such a desire to knock doors that afternoon. I told Sister Cabello that we HAD to knock doors. It was my last opportunity. We didn't have much success, but I truly put my whole heart into it. We were also able to visit some investigators. That night we got transfer calls. Just as I suspected, they closed Anthony to the sisters, and put two amazing Elders in. I'm excited because they'll be able to do a lot of great things there.

Sunday: I went to church up in Anthony. President and Sister Miller had told me that I could go back to Horizon for church, but I thought it would be better for Sister Cabello to be able to go say goodbye to the people she has grown to love. I can very easily go back and visit. It was weird going to just 3 hours of church after I've been going to two wards for the past 5 months. After church we went to dinner and made a few visits, then we went up to Las Cruces to get Sister Jarman. She was a little ball of energy when we got to her. We went and did a few visits so she could say goodbye. Sister Jarman was so sweet. The last visit we made was to one of their investigators. She told me that I could give the spiritual thought, as it would be my last time to teach a lesson as a missionary. I felt the Spirit so strong as I bore my testimony. I felt so much love for this brother, even though this was the first time that I'd met him. It was an incredible experience. When we got home, we started packing Sister Jarman and Sister Cabello's things to get ready for the transfer on Monday.

Monday: We finished packing and switched vehicles with the Elders. We couldn't fit 3 of us and our luggage in our little Mazda3, so they took that and we took their Colorado. That made me happy, to be able to drive a truck one last time on the mission. We made one last stop at the doctor so he could look at Sister Jarman's leg, and hit up Dairy Queen for lunch and headed off to Albuquerque. It was a good drive. We made a couple bathroom breaks, and still got to Albuquerque way early, so we decided to go take pictures of the Temple at night. The Albuquerque temple is such a beautiful one! After that, we headed to the mission home, and sat out front until we could go in (because it would have been REALLY bad to go in during the testimony meeting for the new missionaries). We got to meet Sister Cabello's trainee, Sister Gomez. They are going to be such a great companionship! Sister Jarman and I were in one room, and they were in the other. Sister Jarman and I stayed up really late talking... much later than we should have. She told me her part of what happened with the dog, and how Sister Cabello reacted to it. That was quite the story to hear. She told me that she was absolutely amazed at the difference she saw in Sister Cabello whens he got back on Sunday. And it's true... she was completely different than she was when I got to her on Wednesday.

Tuesday: We got to the mission office bright and early. And I had to say goodbye to my missionary friends. That was actually easier than I thought it would be. I was letting myself be trunky and get excited to come home. The 7 of us departing missionaries were able to go to the temple with President and Sister Miller. Then we went back to the mission home and ate a very yummy lunch! Our afternoon was filled with preparation for life after the mission--a presentation by President Cox on how to hunt for a job and go through an interview. We also signed a tablecloth that President and Sister Miller have to remember us by. We had our departing interviews with President Miller. Then we sat around and played Pictionary. That was kind of weird... I hadn't played a game of that sort for a VERY long time. It didn't feel like it's something I should have been doing as a missionary. But I guess that since we were doing it with President and Sister Miller, it was okay. We had dinner and a testimony meeting. The Spirit was so strong. I didn't want it to end. We all have our very different stories and experiences and have grown so much. After that the Elders left, and the three of us sisters sat around talking and laughing. We had a great time. We are all so close, even though we haven't really served around each other.

Wednesday: I woke up feeling very excited because I knew that I'd be with my family in just a few hours. President Miller made us waffles for breakfast, then we headed to the airport. We got checked in. We were all so excited. The 7 of us were sitting together at the back of the plane. I spent most of the flight writing in my journal about what I was feeling. It was a very emotional time. As we started descending into Salt Lake, we looked out the windows and were filled with excitement of being so close to home! Sister Lamb and I said goodbye to Sister Cope when we got off the plane, and then took off across the airport to find our flights. When we got to Sister Lamb's terminal, we said goodbye, and I was alone for the first time in a year and a half. Yeah, that made me freak out a little bit. When I got to my terminal, I went to sat down, and there was my stake president! That was quite the unique opportunity! We had a great visit while we were waiting for our chance to board. When we started to descend into IF, I really started to get excited. I couldn't wait. As soon as we could take off our seat belts, I was up pulling my coat out of the overhead bin and wishing the people in front of me would move faster. I practically ran from the plane to the escalators. It was so great to see my family again. As soon as I got through the doors, I ran into my mom's arms and we just held each other. It was so good to be here again with them. I hadn't realized how much I missed them until I was back with them. I moved to each member of my family, my parents and siblings and grandparents, who were at the airport and gave each one a big hug. Oh how good it felt to be home. We left the airport and headed home. We passed Reed's Dairy, who had a "Welcome Home Sister Good" on their sign, and my family had a "Welcome Home Hermana Good" sign on the garage. I walked in and was greeted by Bear. He was VERY excited to see me. I got lots of doggy kisses. Then I moved into the house to see the remodel that my family has been working on. The carpet layer was here working on the carpeting still, as were the electricians. I was totally shocked. It was completely different than I had been expecting. But it looks great. My family had saved all of my Christmas for me, so we sat down and I opened my Christmas gifts... for the past 2 Christmases. Then we ate dinner. I had been craving my mom's fajitas, so that's what she fixed for me. But I have to admit... it was so not the spice that I'm used to. After dinner, we went off to the church so I could be released. I visited with President Stuart, and then reported to the High Council. Then I had to take off my name tag. Oh that was so hard. I had been dreading that part of coming home, and it's true. It's not so great. For the past 18 months, my name tag has been a part of me. And suddenly I no longer had my Savior's name pinned over my heart. I'm still looking down at my shirt expecting to have my name tag sitting there... and it's not. I really think that's one of the hardest parts of being home. I stayed up late talking with my family that night, getting to know each other again after 18 months. We were up until after 1:00 am... WAY past pumpkin time, but oh so worth it.

Thursday: Even after being up late, I woke up bright and early when Kesha's alarm went off. I went on some errands with mom, and helped out with the remodel. While we were in Walmart, mom left me alone while she went to get a cart... I didn't quite know what to do with myself. This whole not having a companion business is a little harder than I thought it would be. There was lots of work to do, trying to get things ready to go for the weekend. I was also able to start reconnecting with some of my friends. It was great to be able to talk to them again.

Friday: It was another day like Thursday. More errands. More work. More reconnecting with friends. A little more comfortable to be left alone, but so not able to bring myself to listen to music yet. I stayed up even later talking to mom. That was great! One of my cousins came up from Provo. It was the first time I'd seen him since before his mission, so it's been about 3 years or so.

Saturday: I woke up and made breakfast for everyone. Then mom and I headed off on some more errands to get stuff for my homecoming and Lance's Eagle Court of Honor. Then we came home and I put the finishing touches on my talk, helped with preparations for tomorrow, and was able to visit with the family who has come into town to hear me speak. After dinner, we headed to the Church for the Court of Honor. And we came home and played a game, and are currently watching a movie, Toy Story 3. My family is trying to get me used to my life after the mission.

Okay... so you're probably all super board after reading the novel of my life after 2 weeks of not writing anything. But don't worry. This is the last play by play of the week. After all... I'm home now. Sure, I'll keep giving updates, but they won't be like what they've been the past 18 months. I hope y'all have a great week!

Harmana Good, signing off.

Horizon City, Texas, Transfer 12, Week 5

Dear Family and Friends,

Another week, and almost another transfer--not to mention another chapter in my life-- has flown by. I have started saying goodbye to the people I have come to love so much. We have lunch and dinner appointments every day all week because so many people want to be able to have one last meal with me before I leave. You know, I never thought this week--the last week of the mission--would get here. But here I am, in my last full week as a missionary. One week from today I leave El Paso. The time is absolutely FLYING by. I can't believe it at all. But I'm surviving. I'm not being as emotional as I thought I'd be... maybe because I know that soon I'll have a cell phone and a computer for e-mail and facebook back in my hands and I'll be able to get back in touch with all of these people I love? But there have been times that my poor companions are walking on eggshells, afraid that I'm going to absolutely break down.

Monday: We finished our tile pictures that we started last week with Sister Bittner. I really like the way they turned out. And guess what I learned how to make that night, Mom! I'll give you a hint: It's something you've been nagging me to learn how to make for the past 18 months. And I learned with 2 weeks to spare, and have a phone number I can call if I need help making them--though it's SO much easier to just buy them at the store. Do you have a guess yet? Yup! Flour Tortillas! That is one tedious project. But I know how to do it. And while I was mixing them, the splinter that's been in my finger for the past month was finally worked out enough that I could pull it out.

Tuesday: We had lots of appointments cancel on us. The other sisters slept over at our apartment that night because we were leaving oober early Wednesday morning for Albuquerque for a special training. Sister Knight cut my hair that night. Mom, I know you probably wanted to see it long, but it was yucky. It was to the point that I couldn't take it any more! Even for just 2 more weeks. So you can cancel the appointment for my haircut. I'll be fine for a couple months.

Wednesday: We got an early start to the day. We had to be to the mission home at 11:00 for the sister training, so we left our apartment at 5:50. That made for a very long day, but it was so worth it. On the way up, I finished El Libro do Mormon! Woohoo! I wanted to have it done before I get home, and I do! And I'll have the D&C in Spanish finished too before I get there (I've only got like 60 more pages, and like 100 more to finish the Book of Mormon in English one more time) It was great to be able to see all of the other sisters before I leave and say goodbye. I had to give my departing testimony. I really enjoyed the training this week. The Spirit was so strong. It was nice to be able to be with all of the other sisters and meet several who I've never had the opportunity to meet. I learned so much that I want to apply in my last week. I was an emotional wreck on the way home. I stared out the window in disbelief. It really hit me that I'm at the end of the mission. I was in tears off and on the whole way back to El Paso. Of course, it didn't help that I hadn't hardly slept in almost a week--probably because of nerves. But I survived. I wasn't driving, and my GPS was navigating.

Thursday: I didn't sleep again that night, but zonked out during my studies. When I woke up, my companions told me that they didn't dare wake me up because they knew that I needed it (let's just say that I'd been a zombie). But they got a kick out of me laying there with the Book of Mormon in one hand and my scripture marker in the other. But I sure felt better when I woke up! We had a great lesson with Lucy, who also fed us lunch. Then we did our weekly planning. We celebrated El Dia de los Reyes (Day of the Kings) with our dinner appointment. It's the day when the 3 wise men arrived to see the baby Jesus.

Friday: We had district meeting. Sister Knight and Elder Jordan, our District Leader, fulfilled 15 months in their missions that day (sorry, that's REALLY bad English but I can't think of how to say that correctly in English) so we had a quincenera party for them that day. I started saying some goodbyes that night.

Saturday: We did exchanges this week with the Sisters in Socorro. Sister O'Brien came with Sister Newbold and I and Sister Batchkoff went with Sister Knight. We had a great time with Sister O'Brien. She is such a great missionary! While she was with us, we were able to teach several good lessons, and set two baptismal dates. We are planning to do another exchange this week. It was a good day. Until I had to say goodbye to Brother Gonzales who was our Ward Mission Leader and his family. They were some of my favorite people here. But I was so proud of myself: I didn't cry! Yeah!

Sunday: It was a beautiful day of church. And I said some more goodbyes that night.

I’m sending another package of kind of heavy stuff today--you can just put it in my room, and I'll take care of it when I get there. It's mostly letters, Christmas stuff, and my English scriptures and PMG. I don't think I’ll be overweight. I don't have that much stuff left here, and I’ll put all of my heavy stuff in my little suitcase for carry-on. I have been praying that I'll be able to get a job, so that would certainly be a blessing. I know that the Lord will take care of me for this time I have spent in His service. I'm not worried... but this news certainly does bring me peace of mind. But yes, I will go talk to him next Thursday. I'm going to FREEZE when I get home! I froze when we were up in Albuquerque this week! And it wasn't even that cold! None of the Albuquerque sisters were wearing coats, and they said it was great outside! But we El Paso sisters were another story. But 28 degrees? That's just gross! I'll definitely be wearing lots of layers home. But I guess that will help with the weight in my suitcase.

Well, I know this is short, but not much happened this week. I'll write again next week... one last e-mail as a missionary. So stay tuned next week for details of my last full week as a missionary.

Love you all!

Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO EMILY DIMARTINI AND POULETTE MICHEL!!! I hope you have a great week!

Love, hermana Good

Horizon City, Texas, Transfer 12, Week 4

Well, time seems to pass even quicker every week. I mean, didn't y'all just get an e-mail from me like yesterday? But whatever. I have been reflecting this week on the fact that I am here at the end of the mission. I truly feel like a different person than I was 18 months ago. I have grown in ways that I never could have imagined. I am excited to see what these last few weeks bring for me. It's starting to hit me that this really is the end. Next week is my last full p-day, because the week after that I'll have to head up to Albuquerque on the next Monday. I'll probably get my trunky papers in the mail this week. But on to happier missionary thoughts!

Monday: We went to Sister Bittner's and made tile pictures. We've got to go finish them up this afternoon. That was a fun little crafty project that we did, but it took so long that we were absolutely rushing everywhere else we had to go by the time we finished e-mailing.

Tuesday: We had some really great lessons! And our Ward Mission Leader in the Spanish Ward took all of us out to dinner for our coordination meeting. That was just a big ol' party. But the Mexican food... Yum Yum! I'm sure gonna miss that when I get home.

Wednesday: We had some more great lessons. I know I had more to write... but I totally forgot my notebook with my list of weekly activities on the couch at home. I even had it with my stuff and just forgot to grab it. Oh well. We'll blame the Alzheimer's and old age.

Thursday: It was rainy and windy and cold and just plain yucky outside! That makes for a miserable day any time.

Friday: We had district meeting. It was freezing cold outside, and what a wonderful genius I am, I forgot to take my coat. I was wearing a sweater, but it didn't quite cut it for me. But I made it through the end of 2010 without using it. We also did our weekly planning that evening.

Saturday: HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I was woken up by fireworks exploding above our house... though it sounded like they were right there in our bedroom... at midnight. I wished myself a happy new year and rolled over and went right back to sleep. It was once again cold. I wore a sweater and dug my tights out and wore my coat. I stayed nice and warm. I'm so glad that it looks like it's going to be warmer today because I don't know if I could handle it. (Yes, I'm very well aware of the temperatures up in Idaho right now. I'm praying to have at least one pair of jeans that fit me so that I don't absolutely freeze, because I won't be able to handle my skirts in those temperatures!) We also had some great visits. It was my 18 month mark. I went downstairs before Sister Newbold that morning, but realized that it was pretty dang cold outside and ran back upstairs to get my coat. When I got there, I found that she had "heart attacked" my bed. It was so sweet of her to think of me and do that for me! Of course it was just another bitter-sweet moment realizing that with 18 months gone, I DEFINITELY don't have much time left. But I have such amazing companions!

Sunday: It was a rough day. It was my last fast and testimony meeting as a missionary. I knew that I had to get up and bear my testimony in both wards. I have grown to love the people here so much. I know that I still have a couple more Sundays, but I don't know if I'll have another chance to thank them for all their help and express my love for them. I was crying during the sacrament and while I waited for my turn to share my testimony, and after I sat down, but I was able to share my testimony with a clear voice, with my head held high. And I looked the wards in the eye with a smile on my face. But after church it really hit me. The Elders asked me to play the piano for a baptism they had, and while we were watching a movie waiting for the people to get changed, I bawled. I only have two more Sundays as a missionary. Two. TWO! Wow. I really can't believe how fast the time has gone.

So yeah. That's my week in a nutshell. I hope y'all are doing great and keeping warm! I am excited for some special training this week! There are so many sisters in the mission I haven't ever met! And it will be nice to be able to say goodbye to those who I do know.

Have a fabulous week, and a great start to 2011!

Love you all!

Love, Hermana Good