Coming home!!!

This is the itinerary for the flight home:)

Release letter from the Mission President

Sacrament Meeting Program

Here is the countdown notebook that I tore a page off every day

Decoration preparation!

Waiting at the airport--Noelle was there too, but she was taking all the pictures:)

Yay!!!!  The missionary has arrived!!!

We went to Mimi's for dinner--we went to Mimi's in Provo before taking Leslea to the MTC, so I thought it would be cool to go after picking her up from the airport:)

A couple weeks after Leslea got home, we went back for a 3 day visit to Salt Lake where we were able to to go all 3 temples in her mission, tour around her areas, and meet some people from her mission.  It was a great experience to be able to actually see the places and people we had heard about only in letters and pictures.  I was so glad to see Leslea again, but I will always be so thankful for her choice to serve the Lord.  I can truly see all the wonderful changes in her and the growth in her testimony.  I love her so much and am so grateful she is my daughter:)

Well, See Ya Later!

Hello Everyone!

Before I get all serious, let me explain the subject of my email.  Sister Castro, Sister Kushalieva, and I always say this when something awkward or funny happens.  I thought it was fitting to use it as the subject of my last email, because I know that I will see all of the people I have met here again someday. 

What do you say in your last email home on your mission? Here it goes...

I have loved my experiences here on my mission.  I want everyone to know that I know that this gospel is true.  I know with all of my heart that Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, love me and all of us.  All they want is our happiness.  That is why we have the commandments, that is why we have the Book of Mormon, that is why we have a prophet on the earth today, that is why we have families, that is why Heavenly Father answers our prayers, and that is why He sent His son to the earth to sacrifice His life for us.  I know that Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and that he translated the Book of Mormon.  I know that the Book of Mormon is true.  I just finished it again this morning, and the spirit bore witness to me that it is true.  I feel the spirit every time I read it.  I know that if we live the gospel of Jesus Christ, we will be happy.  We will have true joy, not just the momentary happiness that the world gives us.  Nothing is more powerful than our Heavenly Father's love for us.  

This past weekend, we were able to witness the Baptisms/Confirmations of Jayden and Jakelle :) they are such special spirits of our Father in Heaven, and I know He is so happy that they chose to be baptized.  I am so humbled to have been able to be part of Heavenly Father's work at this time.  I am excited to go home and experience all of the other marvelous things that He has in store for me.  I know that He has a plan for me and each of you! 

This scripture explains how I feel:

Enos 1:26

"And I saw that I must soon (go home), having been wrought upon by the power of God that I must preach and prophesy unto this people, and declare the word according to the truth which is in Christ.  And I have declared it in (the past 18 months), and have rejoiced in it above that of the world."

I am so glad that the spirit prompted me to serve a mission.  I really have loved testifying of my Savior and His love for each of us.  I know that my testimony has been strengthened, and even if I didn't help anyone else on my mission, I know that my own heart has changed. 

Love,

Sister Wight 

***I CANNOT BELIEVE this is the LAST blog post!!!  In about 48 hours we will be picking Leslea up at the airport--it's surreal.  It's like being a kid on Christmas Eve when you're so excited you can't sleep.  Like that, but 100 times more:)  I am so grateful for the opportunity to share in Leslea's mission--and to share it with all of you.  I will always be thankful for the choice she made to serve the Lord.  It has truly blessed my life.  Now, I only have to wait a little bit longer to squeeze my little "Pumpkin Head"!!!***

Brownies and Bread

Hello everyone!

There's nothing I love more than service!  This past week was super fun and we were able to make brownies, bread, and cookies for a bunch of the people we teach.  I loved it!  We made brownies for our stake president because it was his birthday, so we went over to his house to surprise him but he wasn't home.  His wife told us to try his office at the church, but he wasn't there either, so we called him.  When he answered, he was meeting with a family that we have been trying to start teaching since I came to this area.  He said that he had just told the father of the family, who is not a member of the church, that he would have a spiritual experience that night, and then we called.  He also said that usually his phone is on silent, but this time it wasn't and he could've sworn he turned it off.  So the next day we met with this man and his family, and now we are teaching him!  Miracles come from loving and serving others. 

I was also able to attend the Sealing of a family I taught while I was in Herriman.  It was such a beautiful sealing, and I felt the spirit.  I know that the temple is where we are able to feel the spirit of the Lord the strongest.  I am so grateful to have temples on the earth today.  We are attending the Jordan River Temple today, and on Friday all of the departing missionaries get to go to the Salt Lake Temple, so I am really excited for this week :) besides it being my last week and everything, which is also exciting!  I'm going to work my hardest, so pray for us that we can have the strength and energy that we need:)  

Love,

Sister Wight 

Our (Little) Brothers and Sisters

Hello All!

This past week was wonderful, we had lots of new experiences and business as usual!  I hope I can get across what I've felt this past week!  We received iPads and our Zone had a training meeting, where our Zone Leaders had a man come speak to us who used to be a Mission President.  He told us a lot of stories and inspirational things, but what I loved most was when he talked about how everyone in our area is our little brother or sister spiritually.  Its our responsibility and privilege to look after them and teach them about the gospel.  I really loved that, especially since I've been teaching a lot of kids and teenagers lately.  I can feel a little portion of how much Heavenly Father loves them and wants them to be happy.  I want them to be happy too, and I know its through the gospel!  

Yesterday at church in Sunday School, our teacher gave us this quote on Charity:

"The best and most clear indicator that we are progressing spiritually and coming unto Christ is the way we treat other people."  Elder Marvin J. Ashton said: "Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don't judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet.  Charity is accepting someone's differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn't handle something the way we might have hoped.  Charity is refusing to take advantage of another's weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us.  Charity is expecting the best of each other."

I loved this quote!  I want to develop that kind of Charity.  I know that my mission and my life has helped me to learn how to love and empathize with others more, and I know the Lord will continue to help me learn about and acquire this wonderful attribute.  It reminds me of a scripture:

Moroni 7:47 

But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.  

I hope you all have a wonderful week!  

Sister Wight 

"This Is Pumpkin Head"

I'm loving being with Sister Castro again, it is so fun and we are working so hard.  It is really neat to be able to see how much we've both grown and to serve together in "the field" :)  

This past week was amazing.  We are super busy and loving it!  We found three new investigators and are still teaching Peter, Stephanie, and Jayden & Jakelle.  I have never had this many people in my teaching pool!  

We have been so blessed, and I know that the Lord is helping me to achieve my goals before it's time for me to go.  I am so happy that Heavenly Father is helping me to help His children here in Riverton.  Last night we were driving to someone's house when I received a prompting to go somewhere else.  We ended up seeing a girl who was going to meet with us, but a few days ago she texted us and told us that her boyfriend broke up with her and that she wanted to make sure she was meeting with us for her and not for him, so she wanted to wait a while until she knew what she was doing.  We went over last night and took her some treats to help her feel better, and she let us in and talked with us.  She likes reading the Book of Mormon and knows that Jesus Christ is there for her.  We talked with her and she wants to meet with us now.

I want to bear my testimony that God hears and answers prayers.  If we have goals and things we want to accomplish, He will help us to reach our potential if we work hard and rely on Him.  Don't forget to pray!

It sounds like you're having fun there except for the weather.  I'm glad that our ward is trying to "unite" with the Unitarian church-that's awesome.  It's hard to find opportunities like that here since almost every church is an LDS one, but it's still possible :) that's kind of like what we were trying to accomplish with "Take It or Leave It". 
I can't wait to see Juke and visit him, I really want to see his place and everything! Sorry about his toe :( at least its not bothering him too bad! He probably really likes his new shoe ;) I'm also glad you finally got to go to church again, it would drive me crazy if I missed church two times in a row! I really love "I Heard Him Come", and I think I want to sing that when I come home :) I got the info about Sacrament Meeting on the 29th-it sounds like a great program, I'm excited! I'm really happy about the topic I've been given, I love it! I would love to have an open house, that would be fun :) I didn't know our mission had transition missionaries, that's awesome! Thanks for getting Michelle all my stuff, that takes a lot of stress off of me :)  Sorry this is such a random email by the way-but I am excited to come home, it's just hard because I'm learning so much here and I love the people here.  I can't wait to see you, its so close!  I can't wait to spend time together :) Thank you for always being there for me and being so wonderful.  I love you all!

SW 

**Sister Castro was Leslea's MTC companion and she loved her!  Our ward partners up with the Unitarian church which is right next to ours sometimes for service opportunities.  Last week it was to host the homeless for a week.  It was really cool.  We missed church for 3 weeks because it was cancelled for bad weather.  Juke broke his toe--again--so he has a little boot thing.  We got an email from the mission a few days ago from the "transition missionaries"--they are a senior couple that help with the switch from mission to "civilian" life:)  Thank you Michelle for helping with the BYUI registration!!**

This is Christian, he is the grandson of some people in our ward.  His mom is a little less active so we taught him at his grandparents house with his mom there - he just got baptized this pastSaturday :) he's so cute! Every time we come he opens the door and says "Welcome to my grandma and grandpa's house!"   

Some random pictures of us:)

I got to see my old companion Sister Lewis at MLC this week!

It actually snowed again after our early spring...this is us knocking on a door :) 

"Mariposa"

Hello Everyone!

This past week was wonderful!  I am in a trio with Sister Kushalieva and my MTC companion, Sister Castro :) I am so happy, and it has been so fun!  We have been working really hard and trying our best to find everyone we can that is ready for the gospel.  On Saturday we visited our favorite house, "Abish's Place".  It is a sober house for women in the community, and we teach a few of the women there.  They are there transitioning from prison to normal life, and they are amazing.  Anyway, when we went by, we met a woman named Ember who isn't a member of the church but she believes in Christ and wants to learn more.  She came to church yesterday and we were able to sit with her :) We also walked her back to her house and had a lesson with her and the other ladies at Abish's Place.  We talked about how Christ can help us through any trial and how He strengthens and uplifts us.  He can help us become how Heavenly Father sees us.  Sister Castro made a paper origami butterfly and explained that sometimes we just feel like a plain piece of paper, but we can become a beautiful butterfly if we rely on Christ and take our challenges one step at a time.  I have such a strong testimony of that!  I know that we can become better through anything that happens, because it all happens for a reason.  This past week I saw that over and over again.  We just happened to talk to so many people that were struggling with something, and we were able to help them and bear testimony that Heavenly Father is mindful of us and that He loves us.  

"The struggle to break out of the cocoon develops the butterfly so it can fly.  Without that adversity, the butterfly would never have the strength to achieve its destiny.  It would never develop the strength to become something extraordinary."  - President Uchtdorf

Enjoy some pictures of our adventures as a trio :) 

This is our friend Fabio :)

We found a golf cart...

Valentine's Day

Hello!  I had a great Valentine's Day, sorry this is going to be kind of short.  We're really busy, so here's the down low for the past week :)

We are now in a trio, we're all Sister Training Leaders, and our new companion's name is Sister Cluff.  She's from Alaska and she's awesome.  I love her :) right now she's actually with another sister though.  So our companion for the week is Sister Castro!  It was so amazing, because when we left the MTC we promised that we would serve together at the end of our missions.  I am doing well, still getting over my cold but doing great!  I'm really glad I stayed in this area for my last transfer.  

 I'm glad to hear that Juke is doing well :) I miss him and I can't wait to see him.  I love talking about him to the people we meet here.  They always ask questions about him and ask me how he's doing.  I am so glad he's my brother, he's taught me so much and I am so excited to spend time with all of you when I get home.  Especially in the summer :) 

 I don't know what I should do with my bike, but we'll figure it out.  I'll be sending some more stuff home soon, too.  

I really want to write you a letter about this and explain more, but we're so busy taking care of the sisters so I'll summarize for now and send you a letter soon.  Sorry, I can't send pictures today because we're in a different place than where we usually email.  

This is kind of all over the place so I apologize.  I am doing well and loving it!  I've never been so tired in my life but it's a great feeling. 

I love you!

Sister Wight