Forward...Onward...Upward

What an amazing week this has been. Christy Cato's baptism was wonderful! I have never seen someone so excited to be baptized! She was running around giddy! It was so fun to watch! During the program, peace entered into the room, and into the hearts of all those in attendance as Papa Cato and Bro. Mendosa spoke of the power of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost and how it would bless Christy's life forever. Then as her husband Harrison said the baptismal prayer, tears swelled in his eyes, and it reminded me of my dad. Harry has a tender heart just like my daddy. So then I began to cry. Then I'm pretty sure that EVERYONE in the room was crying because everyone in the room could feel the Love of the Lord and the power of his presence. As Bishop Cato gave his niece her confirmation blessing, he blessed her that she would be a mother in the house of Israel, and that her family would be united eternally through the covenants and ordinances of the gospel.

It was such an amazing blessing to be a part of that miracle. To play a part in that special day for the Cato family. It is amazing to me to KNOW how our loving Heavenly Father truly values each individual soul. I know that being a part of this baptism was a gift from the Lord. I know that I have needed Christy and the Cato's this last month of my mission, and I know that they have needed me. We are bound in heart and spirit, in genuine love and care. I feel more a part of this family more than ever.... just in time to go home to my mom and dad at the end of this week. It's kind of a strange thing... going home. As one friend explained it to me, "The great and dreadful day." I'm so excited to go home to Utah, and yet, change takes time. So if I'm crazy for a bit when I get back to Utah, know that I'm just feeling a little homesick.

Wherever you go, go with all of your heart. Go forward with faith and hope. Reflecting back on my mission, I know that the Lord has taught me so much. During those times at the 20 yard line when I didn't think I'd make it, or even at the 60, or 80 yard line... Paul, speaking to his son Timothy says, "Notwithstanding [my trials] the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion." I know that he has strengthened me to move forward during the hard times, and other times he has sent his angels to carry me when I felt as though I couldn't take one more step forward. Now I'm in the end-zone and I am grateful for everything I have been through. I know it has been through all of those hard times that I have come to better know the Lord. I know now more than ever the reality of his mission. The reality of his existence. I know that his gospel has been restored to the earth to day for such great and marvelous purposes... many of those miracles are still to come forth. It has been such a sacred opportunity to serve in Independence, Missouri: the Land of Zion. The Land of the New Jerusalem, where the Lord will come at the beginning of his Millennial reign... and even if it doesn't make sense to our mortal eyes, with an eye of faith I can feel the power in this land. I can't begin to fathom the beauty of this kingdom, but I know the majesty of God's Love. I can feel it in every corner of my heart... I know he lives.

As I move forward in faith, as I take this next step, it is not a step into the dark. I know that God has a divine purpose and plan for every single one of us and I look forward with hope and know that there is a bright future awaiting me. It is the prayer in my heart that I could share with you the light of the Lord. That you could feel that fire within your hearts. That you might be inspired this day, this hour, to stand as a disciple of Jesus Christ. To seal his name upon your heart and be moved to go and do something that makes a difference for someone else. Cultivate change. Rely on the Lord. Dream Big. Visualize success. Be a Hero. Pray fervently. Wish hard and Love Always,---

I love you. I love you. I love you.
Sister Jessica Rose Wathen

FAMILY AND BEST FRIEND TRUNKY!!!

It was another great, miraculous week in the life of the Missouri Independence Mission.

Sister and Elder Rowe are a senior couple who serve at the Visitor Center with us. This last week there was a flood in their home and it did a lot of damage to their home and to a lot of their belongings. I was talking to Sister Rowe and I asked, "Where was the most damage? To your home or to your things?" She said, "Most of what is inside can be laundered but the biggest loss was my baby grand piano." ...Ouch. But then she proceeded to explain to me that it's just STUFF. She said that it's during times like this that you really come to realize what's truly important. It's not your most prized piano. It's not your 30 pairs of shoes. It's not even your home. That you come to realize that if you have your loved ones and you have the gospel... then, that's enough. No more truer words were ever spoken. She is an inspiration to me. I think my mission has taught me about STUFF... or maybe about how unimportant STUFF is. Haha. Downstairs in the Visitor Center we have a model of a cabin the saints would have lived in in 1831-1833. It's small, and they would have had up to 10 families living in ONE CABIN. And I'm thinking to myself, "YEAH RIGHT! Maybe for a weekend." But in the cause of zion, they HAD to make it work. And they couldn't be so selfish. I remember going to Vegas with probably 12 girls for Megan's Bachelorette party and we were CRAZY trying to fit everyone into one hotel room... And for those of you who were there, you probably remember that we were all really CRANKY because certain girls ALWAYS got the bed. And certain girls ALWAYS had the floor. And then... some of the girls didn't care. That was great. I remember that I didn't sleep much on that trip, but spent most of my nights up late talking on the phone in the Casino... Anyway... that's not the point... In ZION, they were of one heart and one mind. I'm sure it wasn't always EASY sharing a home with so many people. But they had the perspective of gratitude in their hearts. That it wasn't about, "ME and MY HOUSE and MY BED and MY SPACE." But rather this small cabin home was seen as a palace--- and they were EXCITED to invite everyone they could to come and live with them there.

I feel like it's such a great blessing on a mission to go into homes that feel like home. Feeling like you are surrounded by family even if your family is clear across the WORLD in Salt Lake City, Utah. (haha!) I can't even begin to list all of the homes and all of the people who I have become close to on my mission, but I'm starting to realize that as excited as I am to go home, it's going to be hard to leave them all here... President VanKomen emphasized in our Presidents interviews this week that Missionary work is about teaching PEOPLE, not lessons. He is an amazing inspired man and I love him very much!!!

I also love doggies... RANDOM! But SO TRUE! Friday morning training meetings are hard for me because we have to wake up an hour earlier than normal and we don't get to exercise and we get to get trained on rules, and doing referral calls, and obedience... and still being happy missionaries.... some of my favorite things to talk about. Blah blah blah. So Friday morning, we show up and I'm more tired than normal, and we get there and Elder Nelson says, "You all need to work on being on time." BLAH BLAH BLAH... and I start doodling in my notebook... Then he says, "We're not having training this morning, we're going to have breakfast at my house!" All the sisters are like, "YAAAYY!!!!" And I'm still being a jerk-face because I'm tired... but I'm excited even if I don't show it. Then we get to the Nelsons house and there is a DOGGIE TIED UP TO THEIR FRONT PORCH and I yelled, "DOGGIE!" (Sometimes I swear I still act like a 10-year-old. haha!) And the Sisters are all like, "Why is he here?" I said, "Because Heavenly Father Loves me!! IT'S SO TRUE. That dog made my whole day better! Sister Stanton rescued him from the street and brought him to E. Nelsons house. We called the owner and returned him. The owners car broke down in the Community of Christ Auditorium parking lot, so I EVEN GOT TO TAKE HIM FOR A WALK!!!! OH MY GOSH!!! HAPPIEST MOMENT OF THE DAY! ....Thanks for letting me share that! I was really excited! I can't wait to see my puppy Sophie! I'm so glad she isn't dead yet! Haha. I'm totally doggie trunky, and temple trunky, and... FAMILY AND BEST FRIEND TRUNKY!!! I miss you all so much! But I told Sister VanKomen in interviews this week that I was only going to allow myself to be trunky for 1 hour a day! So after emailing is over, I'm not thinking about ANY OF YOU THE REST OF THE DAY!!!

Haha. It's going to be a great week! We are going to teach 20 lessons and have a baptism at the end of the week and see LOTS OF MIRACLES!!!!! ---Happy day!!!---- Miracles! Miracles!!! This is the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that he lives and provides tender mercies in our lives everyday. With an eye of faith, things that seem impossible to overcome become possible to endure. Endure to the End. 100-yards. I'm going to give my best. My very best. All the way to the end. Even if it hurts. I'm grateful the Lord has helped me to get this far. The Lord is amazing! In his strength I can do all things!!!

I LOVE YOU ALL! Continue in love and faith!!!
Dream Big. Wish Hard. Love Always-
Jessica Rose

Laughter and Miracles

What a fun weeks it's been. I haven't laughed this much in a long long time. So for the 4th of July fireworks on the 3rd, Sister Adamson and I decided to dress up like Lamanites!!! WOOP WOOP! It was so fun because EVERYONE WE LOVE WAS THERE... okay... not EVERYONE, but there were so many friends and we had so much fun! This week we made a Cake for the APS- Elder Clayton and Elder Thomas because they beat us in golf a couple of weeks ago, and we hung a Miley Cyrus banner in the mission office for them that says, "Rock-Sensation." I don't think President was very fond of the sign, but he probably thought it was pretty funny!!! President is going to miss me and all of my racket!!! Haha! It's true... We were playing over at Melody and Connie Obergs house. Melody is doing some modeling, and so she was practicing runway in the living room when we showed up... so of course I WANT TO PLAY TOO!!! Then Connie says, "I asked Father God for more kids, and he sent me Mormon Missionaries!" Haha. I'm ridiculous. Sister Adamson and I have so much fun!!! Yesterday for P-Day we went to Barnes and Noble with Katie and Kimbre. We had so much fun in the kids section reading Dr. Seuss as quickly as we could... HILARIOUS!!!!

I LOVE TO LAUGH! In the midst of the miracles of the mission, the Lord also allows us to have joy! I think of moments with Sister Bradley making Valentines Day videos or making our "Love wall"---times when we could not contain ourselves from laughing! Or Sister Smith and her lamp!!! My gosh... I still cant think about that moment without laughing!

I think of Alma 27 where Alma and Ammon (BFFS) had such great joy "even that he was full; yea, he was swallowed up in joy of his God, even to the exhausting of his strength; and he fell again to the earth." Haha... Remember that times in life when you laugh so hard that you actually hurt yourself??? THOSE ARE THE BEST!!! Two Summers ago at the County Fair on the Zipper... Haha. I really thought I might die! Thank you for those memories!!! I love letters from home with memories that still make me laugh!!! I can't wait to make more memories like that when I get home!!!

Miracles Miracles! Candy Phillips from Great Bend got baptized this week! Sister Bradley and I always knew she'd come around!!! And not so miraculous... President Beck (of the mission presidency) passed away after a long reoccurring battle with cancer. He was an amazing example of devotion to the Lord. He will definitely be missed among all of the missionaries here.

Christy is doing great. Still set for the baptism on the 17th. We went to Liberty Jail with Sadi Cochran this week! I got to give the tour! Probably my last Liberty Jail tour of my mission. The spirit was POWERFUL, we didn't want to leave. But she's doing great as well! I saw Vicki and Richard Andree from 4th ward. They've talked to the Stake President about getting sealed, but it probably will happen in August AFTER I go home. Vicki says that I HAVE TO BE THERE... so hopefully I can make it work.... Anyway...
Another great week in the mission. Only a couple more weeks to go. Happily Ever After... and much laughter awaits!
I love you all! Dream Big. Wish Hard. LAUGH HARDER!!!!
Jessica Rose

Eyes filled with tears

Just some P-DAY fun!!!

This was a great week! We changed Christy Cato's baptismal date to July 17th, which is A-OKAY by me, because it will be the last week of my mission! That will be really neat! Her husband Harry Cato is a long time member and is SOOO excited for his wife! Their daughter Emily will be turning 8 in August and will be baptized less than a month after her mom. Brother Cato is so excited to go to the temple with his wife. What a great blessing this has been for their family. I can SEE the peace that has come into their household since we've been meeting with them. Bishop Cato (Christy's uncle) is very very pleased! it's always good to make your bishop happy!!! haha!!!

So I'm to the last month of my mission and Heavenly Father is blessing us with so much success! We committed Sadee Cochran to pray about the church and she received an answer that it is true!!! Sadee is the 15 year old daughter of Mic Cochran, who was a miracle himself! He had been inactive for years and years, and came into the VC probably 3 months ago and has been active ever since. Sadee was raised mostly by her mom, because she had full-custody after their divorce. her mom belongs to the Church of Christ temple lot... which is a break off church from Nauvoo. (Complicated!) But they don't believe in temples the way that Joseph Smith had restored them... so we taught Sadee about temples and she searched out some differences between the churches... and now she wants to be baptized!!! miracles miracles! It's kind of tricky with her mom, so we don't have a date set yet... but I know that the Lord is preparing her to do great things in her life! Even in her youth she is already a great missionary and a great example of faith and perseverance.

This week Elder Sanders from the Independence 3rd Ward returned home! The music director had asked us to sing a special musical number. After we were finished, and we were walking away from the pulpit, Bishop Cato gently grabs my arm and pulls me back to the center, "uh oh." I said... it's not uncommon for Bishop to pull stunts in sacrament meeting. So as he begins to speak, he puts his arm around me and tells me that he had spoken with my mom on the phone this last week. he expressed the love that she had for me, and how proud she was of me. and i started to cry... i love my mom so much! he said, "She is a wonderful person... Now, Sister Wathen goes home in about a month, and her mom is excited, but I'd like for her to bear her testimony for us now." and Bishop pulls me in close and says, "Just speak from your heart and remember that I love you." I love bishop Cato!!! as I bore my testimony the spirit within my heart was so strong and as I looked into the congregation there were very few eyes that weren't filled with tears from the love in that room. so... thanks mom... your love changed more hearts than mine this week...

This week with all of its highs also had some sad times. I received news that Carmen Phillips, one of the recent converts who was baptized when Sister Bradley and I were in Great Bend, Kansas, passed away due to health complications... ~sigh~ Please keep her family in your prayers. Sister Adamson and I were driving in the car this week and the spirit brought to my mind a girl that Sister Moody and I had found while I was serving in Independence 4th ward. The Mengle family. The daughters name was Gloria and she was going through treatments when we were meeting with her. we called 4th ward sisters and told them that they needed to go visit her, and they were in shock! They had found a video the Mengles let them borrow and were going to go visit them this week!!! MIRACLES!!! Gloria's family is more prepared than ever to receive the gospel and the 4th ward Sisters are teaching them now. Gloria is battling Leukemia now... so the Mengles need prayers too. With all of the highs and lows. I know that gods hand is in everything.

This week I was doing calls in the referral center and I called someone in Price Utah who was referred by his friend and he said that he had been waiting for me to call!!! Miracles!!! So, as I was setting up the info in the computer to send the missionaries his way, I was making small talk and found out that he was really good friends with my zone leader, Elder Vogel!!! SOOooo cool!!!

All in all it was a great week. Sister Jenn Day and her cute girls came to visit me at the VC too. I love them and miss them. It's funny because i think that everyone on my mission gets sick of hearing me talk about people from home. And everyone at home will probably get sick of hearing me talk about people from my mission. I love them all very very much! I love all of you very very much!!! Continue in love and faith!
dream big. wish hard. love always-
look up my new favorite song that Connie Oberg introduced me to... it's called love by Chris Tomlin.... "when our hope is hard to find and our faith is in decline. we need a cause to stand behind. love... there is love. there is forgiveness. there is love in times of need. when life is cold there is a promise. YOU WILL NEVER GO WITHOUT...There is love...

love love love.
jessica rose

The Spirit was INCREDIBLE

This was a miracle week. The Oliveras Family was baptized on Saturday. John, Heather, John Jr., and Cora... The WHOLE family. This was such a rare and special occasion to see an entire family be baptized, and the spirit was so strong. The two sister missionaries who taught the family four years ago flew in town from Mesa, AZ, and SLC, UT to be a part of their special day. Sister Ashton and Sister Judd were beautiful women of faith and I thought to myself, I still want to have that glow that they have, even years after returning home from their missions. They are amazing. And what a great miracle for them. They both said that they KNEW that this family would get baptized one day, they just didn't think it would take 5 years! Yet, even if they didn't see the fruits of their labors from this family during their time on the mission field, in the Lord's own timing, those seeds that they planted came to full fruit. We can never underestimate the impact that we can have on someones life. Sister Adamson and I feel like it is a great privilege to know this family they are so prepared. We're talking future bishop and future relief society president. And their kids are both so gentle and sweet. I love them all so much. They asked Sister Adamson and myself to sing a special musical number. We sang a song called "The Olive Tree" and Connie Oberg (my first convert from my mission) played the piano. Near the end of the song we could hardly get the words out... We were overwhelmed by the love in the room and the love that we have for this family. Bishop closed the meeting with welcoming them into the ward, then we concluded by all singing "The Spirit of God" <<< Bishop Cato's favorite hymn. During the third verse of the song, Bishop Cato came up to us and said, "This is a day you will never forget." He's right. Even if I don't remember the words that were said, I will ALWAYS remember the spirit that was there. The feeling in the room was full of energy and power as everyone stood and sang. "Glory to God in the highest be given. From now and forever, Amen and Amen." BOOM!!!! The spirit was INCREDIBLE! Indescribable. You'd probably have to be there to fully understand....

This week marks a big week for me as well... This week, 5 years ago, I was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. A day that would forever change my life. Reflecting back to 2005 I know that as much as that day changed me, that I'm a very different person NOW than I was back then. I look back on my mission and I know that these last 18 months have changed me tremendously. I've raised above who I used to be. These last couple of weeks I've been reflecting on who I was, who I am, and who I want to become, and I am determined to remain on this path of progression, even after I return home... I read a scripture this week in the epistles of Paul to his son Timothy. The verse said, "Endure HARDNESS and be a good soldier in Jesus Christ." And I woke up and I said, I'm so TIRED of my mission feeling HARD! Then I realized that it hasn't been hard lately.. The Lord has blessed me so so much. And I dedicated myself that from this point on that I was going to let the Lord take my yoke and help me! I was going to stop focusing on everything being so hard, and focus on being a SOLDIER! I know that the Lord has helped me do great things, hard things, and with his help I know that there is NO MOUNTAIN I can't conquer. I was born with FIRE IN MY BONES. With a passion and energy to change the world! I know that I have been called to be a part of something bigger than me, and I am so grateful to be a part of this great work!This week was my last Zone Conference. Sister VanKomen appropriately played the video from "Defeating the Giants" again. About being a 100-yard missionary. What a powerful impact that video has had on me my entire mission. That determination to finish. I'm at that 90 yard line and I am pushing towards the finish. and I know that there is no turning back. I know these upcoming weeks may still have their challenges but with the Lord's help, I will do it! THIS IS THE START OF A NEW DAY!

Elder Clayton on P-DAY
Elder Clayton gave a powerful training about hope. He talked about how he finds hope in his challenges by realizing how much the Lord has changed him. As I reflected upon that I realized that even though I have not enjoyed some of my trials from my mission... I would have liked to have been spared some of those. I know that in all of my trials, I have come to know God... I am not the same naive girl that I used to be . Before my mission I had a pretty little perfect princess life. Really... I'm pretty sure my life was perfect. That is why I struggled for so long out here. I thought if I could JUST go back to the way that things used to be, that it would fix everything. It has taken me a long time to figure out why I was struggling so much. I just wanted my perfect life back. But it took walking away from my life to see how jaded my life really was. Just when I thought my life couldn't be any more perfect, he took my life and broke it. And when I couldn't go home and fix everything... HE FIXED ME. My perfect life will never be what is used to be because I am different now. This reality and change in my heart has been a long time coming, but I am grateful that it's finally here. Forward. Onward. Upward.

The Lord has created each of us with a divine potential. But it is up to us to seek after his will and become as that he has designed us to become. Don't be influenced by the WORLD. Don't let the world tell you that you're not good enough. Don't be distracted by things that are of fleeting value. Don't be a part of Hollywood. He didn't say, "Be ye therefore perfect to look at." <<< I'm pretty sure that is NOT what he meant. He wants us to become like HIM. Go out today and do something nice for someone else. Do something that makes a difference. I love you all with all of my heart and pray that you will seek after things that will cultivate and create change in the world around you.

Create your own world. Make a Change.
Dream Big. Wish Hard. Love Always.
Sister Jessica Rose Wathen

Heavenly Father's Most Obedient

This last week was a PARTY week! Last Monday was Preparation Day and the 5- PDAY sisters went to lunch with Elder Cisternas and Elder Davis to a fancy Italian Restaurant called Veronas. We pretended like it was Sister Bradley's birthday and she was really embarrassed. It was fun! I miss Sister Bradley. I tried to get the mission president to extend her call in Independence... but he transferred her home to Utah. Sad day for me.
Good thing her companions Sister Maddox and Sister Byam are still here to help me cope with missing my bestie Bradley! Haha! Tuesday we had a PJ party with all of the Sisters. It was fun! Mostly because we got to play dress up and a lot of the Sisters played with makeup crayons and drew fun things on their faces! (I'm so grateful that I bought those!) We had fun interpretive dance parties and Sister Stevens and Sister Sasaki were the stars of the show!!! Then Wednesday we had Sister Bradley and Sister Blacks farewell breakfast party! Scratch that! It was NOT A PARTY! It was depressing!!! Haha! Thursdays were transfers which is ALWAYS a party! Sister Adamson and I will be staying in 3rd ward together for the next 6 weeks! Hooray! I've been so blessed throughout my mission to have so many great companions. Speaking of great companions, Sister Megan Maxfield is ENGAGED!!!! Hooray! THEN SKIP FRIDAY AND SATURDAY FOR THE PARTY WEEK... because lets face it, I'm a missionary. I only party at weekends AT HOME... NOT on my mission! JK JK! Then Sunday was Sister Adamson's birthday! PARTY AT CHURCH, PARTY AFTER CHURCH, PARTY AT THE VC, PARTY AFTER NIGHTLY PLANNING! PARTY PARTY PARTY!....Then repentance, because I ate WAY too much cake!!! Haha! The big 23!!! Woop Woop!!!! It was a really fun week! Now it's P-day! The happiest day of the week except for Sundays!!!! Haha! Just FYI- P-days will be on MONDAY from now on!!! So, you will all get another email in 5 days! Yay!!!

Speaking of parties... there is a party happening in our HOUSE that we want to GET RID OF!!! The Missouri Bugs have decided to make our home their home! Little do they know that they are NOT INVITED! It is DISGUSTING! Last year it was lice, THIS YEAR its fruit flies and cockroaches! I ALMOST DIED THIS WEEK! THERE WAS A HUGE COCKROACH THE SIZE OF MY THUMB ON MY LEG IN THE SHOWER! I SCRAM AND JUMPED OUT THE SHOWER GRABBED A TOWEL AND THEN SCRAM SOME MORE! ~sigh.~ I hate bugs. Sister Stanton thought it was cool so I let her take care of it! Haha! Then the fruitflies, as much as they are unwelcome, they might be some of Heavenly Father's most obedient creatures, when he said, "Multiply and Replenish the Earth" THEY GOT IT! BLAH! I hate bugs! I'm going to buy some INTENSE BUG SPRAY today at Walmart and KILL THEIR PARTY!!!!! I'm such a party crasher. Sorry bugs!!!

Okay. Okay. Okay. NOW onto the REAL STUFF! This is a MIRACLE MONTH! Rodrigo was baptized on Saturday! Hooray! The spirit was so strong. I know that he is a changed man! The spirit of the Lord was with him, and I know that nothing will ever be the same. His mother was there, who is already a member, as well as his 15 year old daughter Esmeralda. She was so proud of her dad! It was such an amazing day! This Saturday the Oliveras family is getting baptized, then the FOLLOWING week, Christy is getting baptized! MIRACLES MIRACLES!!!!

Miracles are not contrary to nature, only contrary to what we know about nature. Heavenly Father knows that all things happen for a reason! I am grateful for a loving God who knows each and every single one of us so personally. To know that I am engaged in his work. I'm grateful for the Lord Jesus Christ for always being there for me. I know that the greatest miracles in my life have been involving his atonement. To feel him lift burdens from me, to feel his love and influence in my life. He has changed and continues to change me every day. I am His miracle....

Dream Big. Wish Hard. Love Always.
Jessica Rose

Gratitude, Blessings and Miracles

MIRACLES! MIRACLES!!! The Oliveras Family, are members of the Restoration Branch (Which is a break off of the Community of Christ (RLDS)) are getting baptized in TWO WEEKS. They were taught by missionaries a few years ago, but said that they were "comfortable" where they were at, but in the last year they started to see some doctrinal things that were missing from their church. So, they went to mormon.org. Reviewed and discussed what they had previously been taught by missionaries, prayed to ask God if this was the right decision and called the Bishop. We just started meeting with them, now they're getting baptized!!!

It really has been a week of miracles. It seems like people are coming out of the woodworks! It's about time! Sometimes as a missionary you just have to be PATIENT! <<
I'm super scared. It's transfer week. I feel like I'm leaving 3rd ward for my last transfer, and I really don't want to. But I could be wrong. I could just be psyching myself out! Transfer week is always a really weird week. My Bestie Bradley is going home on Friday... speaking of weird! I'm going to miss her so much! But we'll be friends again when I get home, so I'm not too worried about it. My goodness, I LOVE being from Utah!

This week I had a really great study in the Book of Mormon from Alma 29. Alma is talking about his calling as a missionary so of course it applies to me. Alma says that he knows that the Lord has commanded him to come, "that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God." He calls us to a "holy calling, to preach the word unto [his] people." that we may be able to bring, "some soul to repentance." I believe that in the world before we came here that the faithful were given certain assignments and tasks, and that we will be accountable for those things which we promised Heavenly Father we would do. I am SOO grateful for this calling. As hard as it has been, I know that I am doing what the Lord needs me to be doing. I know that I am involved in his work and he blesses me in small ways everyday. And SOMETIMES, he blesses me in BIG ways!!! I'm so soooo grateful for the gospel, for as Alma says, When I see the gospel changing other peoples lives, "then do I remember what the Lord has done for me." He has done SO much for me. He is everything to me. He has given me ALL OF YOU!!!

I love you all and miss you soo much! Continue in love and faith.
Dream Big. Wish Hard. Love Always.
Jessica Rose