Monday, December 8, 2014

18

[Camilla returns this week.  She will speak in our current ward at 11:00 on Sunday, December 14. (1700 East at about 9600 South in Sandy).  She will also speak in our former ward at 2:00 on that same day (about 89 East 11000 South in Sandy).



I really didn't think this day would come. 
It came way too fast, if you ask me. 

But it was a great week, and these next few days will be great, too. 


The baptism was wonderful. I feel so privileged to have been here for the grandmother's baptism, to have taught this girl back then, and then to come back and help the grandmother come back to church, and see the granddaughter baptized. It has been such a wonderful, moving experience and I really couldn't ask for anything better. 

The temple was amazing. The sacred grove was incredible. I didn't want to leave. The spirit was so strong, and I felt so at peace there. The sacred grove was different than I had ever seen it. Usually, you see it or have been to it when it is lush, and green, and warm. But, in my opinion, I saw a far more beautiful side to it.  All the trees were bare, and the leaves coated the ground. A light powder of snow covered the leaves, and the only way you could see the pathway was because of the footprints left from the people before. When we got there, it began to rain heavily, and it was mixed with a light snow. I sat on a bench and just listened to the rain fall. The bare trees towered above me, and I felt so, so at peace. And I knew that this was a place that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ had truly appeared. 



I seriously wish I had more time on my mission, but I know that coming home at this time is the Lord's plan for me. 
And I feel like I have learned a lot and changed a lot on my mission. 


I've learned the importance of charity, and recognizing everyone as a Child of God. Life is so much happier when you strive to love everyone. Even if you don't particularly LIKE someone, you can still treat them with respect and try to treat them in a way as Christ would. 

I've learned that Christ is the perfect example of who we should be and what we should do. 

I've learned that there is no greater thing that makes one happy than serving others.

I've learned that pure joy is found from repentance, and forgiveness from God, and forgiving others. 

I've learned that Heavenly Father knows you perfectly. He is so aware of not only your needs, but the needs of everyone around you, as well. His plan for his children not only will be the best plan for you, but for those around you, too. It's a perfect plan, even if you don't fully understand that plan.

I've learned that Jesus Christ's gospel was lost once on earth, but through a prophet of God, it is back again. I've learned how lucky and important it is that we have a prophet! And I've learned that this IS the true gospel, and it is the best gift on earth. 

I've learned that the Gospel of Jesus Christ really does bring a difference into lives. It brings peace. It rids of chaos. It brings order. It brings direction. It brings guidance. It brings joy. It brings understanding. It brings knowledge. It brings happiness. It brings others closer together, and closer to God. 

I've learned that the Book of Mormon IS another testament of Jesus Christ. I have seen it transform broken, hopeless souls into beautiful, confident lives. Only a true book from God could do that. 

I have learned to overcome the trials and setbacks set before me. And I have seen "weak things become strong." 

I know this gospel is true. 
And I wouldn't trade the experiences I've had on my mission for ANYTHING. I would do it again in a heartbeat. 
I don't regret a thing I've done on my mission. I've learned. I've grown. I've loved. I've served. 
I will miss this a lot. 
And the next step in my life will take a huge step of trust from God. 

Hurrah for Israel 


Sister Stimpson  

Monday, December 1, 2014

A sick day, a holiday, a service day, a Sabbath day



Remember how last week’s letter was totally lame? 
This week was quite the week. 

Monday and Tuesday were your regular ol' missionary days. Teaching the word. Working hard. Visiting people. Walking the streets of Owego and loving life. 

And then.......Tuesday night came. 
And we got food poisoning. 
"Why.....do I feel so sick?" I asked. 
"Ugh, I don't know, but I do, too," said Sister H. 
Our planning sessions kept getting interrupted by one of us going to the bathroom, or one or both of us clutching our stomachs saying, "I don't feel good AT ALL." 
I changed into my pajamas after planning, and looked at my stomach in a mirror. 
"Holy COW! Sister H, am I usually this fat?" 
"WOAH. Girl you're BLOATED." 
"I LOOK THREE MONTHS PREGNANT!" 
We both crawled into bed and fell asleep pretty quickly. 

Wednesday. 
6:29 a.m. 
The alarm goes off. 
I sit up, and immediately my stomach flip flops inside of me. 
"UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGH." I say. 
"UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGH." says Sister H. 
We both take a turn using the bathroom, then I crawl back in bed. 
"Okay, I'm setting the alarm for 9. If we're not feeling better by then, we'll cancel our morning appointments."

9:00 a.m. 

Call #1: "Hey. It's the sisters. So.....we have food poisoning......"
Call #2: "Hey, it's the sisters. So......we have food poisoning......" 
Call #3: "Hey, it's the sisters. So......we have food poisoning......" 

Sister H continued to sleep. 
"Okay," I thought, "I'll set the alarm for 11. If we don't feel better by then, then we'll cancel our afternoon appointments."

11:00 a.m. 

Call #4: "Hey, it's the sisters. So.......we have food poisoning....."

Call #5: "Hi, Sister Writhlin. It's Sister H and Sister Stimpson." 
"How are you?" 
"Uuuuuuugh. We feel SO sick! Our stomachs hurt SO bad, it hurts to move, and I'm so bloated I look three months pregnant!" 
I then had to wait for her to stop laughing before I could continue. 

We literally did NOT leave the apartment ALL. DAY. And we didn't really leave our beds, either. We were SO blasted sick.

Thursday Morning

6:29 a.m. 

"How're you feeling?" asked Sister H. 
"Eh. You?" I replied. 
"Eh." 

9:00 a.m. 
We wake up, roll out of bed, and manage to get ready on time to go to our teaching appointments with members, and our back-to-back thanksgiving dinners. 

This time, we were sick from eating too much, and not from food poisoning. 

By Friday, we felt completely fine. A family in the ward needed help moving that day, so we showed up to help. 
The Elders were there, along with about 6 other men.  And I dubbed this day.....
feminist Friday. 

"Oh, don't take this box. It's too heavy." 
"Oh, this box was heavy. Here, give this one to the Elders." 
"Here! That's too heavy! 
It seemed that EVERY box was too heavy for us. It got to the point when we finally threw our hands up, and began yelling ridiculous comments at nobody in particular. 

"Well FINE! We'll just go sit in the corner and knit and eat bon bons. But, oh wait! What if our little fingers are too dainty to knit? We better not, WE MIGHT BREAK SOMETHING!" 

"ALL WE'RE GOOD FOR IN SOCIETY IS OUR BIRTHING HIPS!" 

"DON'T ASK US TO HELP! WE JUST DECIDED TO COME SO THAT WE COULD WATCH ALL YOU GUYS MOVE WHILE WE SIT AND KNIT OURSELVES A SWEATER!" 

We may have gone a little crazy....
or a lot crazy. 

At one point, we were having a little pity party downstairs and sat on one of their couches because nobody would let us do anything. Then Sister H and I looked around. 
"Hey.....everyone's downstairs," I said, "that means nobody’s upstairs...."
"There's that black bench upstairs!" 
"Let's go move it before anyone catches us!" 
We run upstairs, and Sister H and I quickly clear off the bench, and begin to move it. We were halfway out the front door, when the owner of the house saw us. Her eyes got big and she yelled, "NO! NO, SISTERS PUT THAT DOWN! ELDERS! ELDERS, COME QUICK, WE NEED YOU!" 
I slammed my end of the bench down, threw my hands in the air, and marched away, going on and on once again about knitting and birthing hips. Sister H refused to put her side down, so she and one of the Elders moved it down together as the owner of the house proceeded to lecture me and my companion on moving something that was "far too heavy." 

We marched back upstairs where I saw a big box full of yarn. I picked it up and was halfway down the stairs, when one of the members tried to take it from me. I maneuvered in such a way where he couldn't grab it as he said, "Oh--isn't that heavy?" 
"IT'S NOT HEAVY." 
And I kept moving, and as he stepped out of my way, he slipped and fell in the snow. 
"You pushed him in the snow." said Sister H. 
"Oh no. SORRY!" I said. 

Then, when everything was about cleared out, there were some long 2x4 boards that were being loaded up. I grabbed two and began to walk towards the moving van, when a ward member stopped me and said, "Just take one board." 
"Why?" 
He grabbed one of the two from me and said, "Just one board." 
"WHY. WHY, BROTHER C? WHY?" 
"He can't hear you-" said Sister H. 
"WELL, WHY DO YOU THINK I'M YELLING?!" 
He walked away, two boards in hand. I began to carry just one, then I stopped and said, "I refuse to be a part of this." Grabbed two, and walked to the van. 
Then he chuckled and said, "So, you decided on two, then?"
I handed them to the men loading the van and said, "Yes, I did. It's cause I'm very prideful, very prideful indeed." 

Then came Sunday. 
Sunday evening, we began to organize things for the baptism on Friday. We created a Facebook page and began to invite people. After doing so, we did the only logical thing to do: 
Facebook stalk President Wirthlin. 
I'm sitting at my computer, when I hear Sister H say, "Crap!  No, I don't want to tag them---SHOOT! NO! HOW DO I UNTAG PEOPLE?" 
I leaned over to see her screen. 
"What'dya do?" 
"I accidentally tagged Sister Wirthlin as my mother!" 
Through uncontrollable laughter, I explained that I wasn't sure, but I thought that only her mom or President could untag her.
"Aaaah crap." 
We then proceeded to send him a text explaining the situation. 
Basically, it was a great way to end the week. 

Well guys. I'm off.  . . . . . TO THE TEMPLE TOMORROW! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Hurrah for Israel!


Sister Stimpson

Monday, November 24, 2014

Success, hull! (yet another old family joke)

So, no one we're working with really wants to meet with us this week cause of Thanksgiving. 
Our solution?
Make appointments with members!
This proved to be harder than it sounds. 

First phone call: 
Me: "How are you doing?" 
Member: "Oh....I could be better." 
Me: "Well you could be worse, too!" *I pull the phone away from me and turn to Sister H and ask, "Why did I say that? WHY did I say that?!" 

Second phone call: 
Member: "Hello?" 
Sister H: "Hi, it's the Stimpsons!" 
*please insert uncontrollable laughter here*
Member: "......what?" 
Sister H: "Um.....It's...........the Sisters.........." 

Third Phone call:
Sister H: "We're going to be in your area on Thanksevening---" 
*uncontrollable laughter*
It was a struggle, guys. 
It was a struggle. 

I don't quite know what to say about this week. It was incredible!

First of all, Sister H and I took Sister C's bed and put the mattress under Sister H's mattress, and the box spring under my mattress, so our beds are super tall. It's like the best thing ever! I feel like Princess and the Pea!

Our new convert family is doing amazing :) We were able to set their cousin with a baptismal date. Just in the short amount of time they've been baptized I've seen all of them grow so much!

The granddaughter of one of my previous converts is also doing really well. She's getting baptized in a few weeks and is telling everyone about it!

Guys, sometimes I wish I had a video camera following me around all the time, so that on weeks when the work has been amazing, you all can see how wonderful it is cause so much happened and I have such limited time to write about it!

Sister H and I laugh at a lot of stupid things. I keep trying to type out the situations, but they're just not appreciated as much if you're not there. 

Life’s good. I'm craving some serious guacamole. 

Gaa! This email is lame. 

Love you all!

Hurrah for Israel!


Sister Stimpson

Monday, November 17, 2014

Here we go!

So I got a letter from Sister L this week! Now, Sister L got transferred to the ward just 30 minutes south of Saratoga. One of our investigators, got baptized about 3 weeks ago. 

Sister L said she and her companion were walking down the street, when a car pulls up beside them and rolls down the window. Who should be inside, but our former investigator!
"Uhhisisterlit'sme! iknowyoumightnotrecognizeme......ijustgotnewglasses!" 

Sister L walked up and said hello, and thought to herself, "Oh, like I'd ever not recognize you." 

"So.....I'm a Mormon, now!" he declared proudly (and quickly, I'm assuming. I'd just figure I'd type it out so that it's readable.), "I got the Aaronic Priesthood last Sunday! My mom came. She came to my baptism, too. I think she secretly wants to be a Mormon." 

I seriously hope someday I can see him again. That guy is so great. 

We have had such a good week. 

First of all, Sister H, Sister C and I visited our investigator family every day this week, whether for a lesson, or just to check up to see how they're doing. No surprise there, but the week leading up to their baptism was stressful for all of them.
However, through the various trials they were facing, they all turned to the Lord in prayer or in scripture reading. 

Their baptism came, and it was seriously the best and most spiritual baptism I've experienced so far. The room was PACKED. So much so that we ran out of chairs and had to go get some from the Primary room. 
The mom bore her testimony, talking about how she knew the Book of Mormon was the work of God, and how the church had become her family, especially since her family had all abandoned her.
It was SO cool seeing each of them get baptized! Afterwards, we were talking to all of them. 
"How do you feel?" I asked the oldest son, who started out by being the most hesitant to join, and then became the most solid one. 
"Fine. Well. I'm a lot happier now." 

The next oldest son could NOT stop smiling from ear to ear. 

The daughter was mostly embarrassed that she had to be dunked twice. 
"That just means you're extra special!" said the mom. 

It was such a spiritual experience, and I really feel SO blessed to be able to be here back in Owego for it!

Our week ended, however, with a sad bit of news. After nearly 2 months of being sick, Sister C had to go home for medical release. She should be back soon, but let me tell you, I don't like this whole "sending sick companions home" thing. 
I have no doubt that she'll be back in a few weeks, however. And this way, she can come back in full force. 
Speaking of coming back, SISTER N IS COMING BACK TO THE MISSION FIELD SOON! I am SO excited and will get to see her before I come home. 

Man. The Lord is so good to us. 

I love you all! 

Hurrah for Israel!


Sista' Stimpson

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

November

So, Tuesday morning, Sister H, Sister C and I walked into district meeting. We waved to the man mowing the lawn, who I actually remember from last year. We walk inside to see the assistants, Elder G and Elder E standing there along with the zone leaders, Elder B and Elder S. I served with both Elder G and E in Elmira, so when I saw them I smiled and said, "My friends!!! Wait, why are you guys here?"
Turns out the assistants were spending the day with the zone leaders. 
 District meeting started, and for part of it, we broke up into groups. Sister H and I were in a group with Elder G. We flip open to the scriptures we're supposed to be reading, all while I'm telling Elder G something, he stands up mid-sentence and walks out with Elder E and Elder S. 
Sister H and I looked at each other, shrugged, then turned back to what we were supposed to be doing. However, the two of us seem to get really giggly around each other, so we weren't getting much done. 
Then, Elder G walked back in with the two other elders. 
 "The lawn mower outside caught on fire." 
"WHAT?" everyone in the room says. 
"Nothing. We'll talk about it after the meeting." 
 Elder G sat back down in our group. 
"OH. Elder G you smell AWFUL." I said, covering my nose. 
"What?"
"You smell like a campfire!" 
"Aw MAN!" he said, after smelling his suitcoat. "Now I'm gonna smell the rest of the day." 
"Hey, at least it was for an honorable cause." 
"No, it really wasn't." 
"You saved a man's lawn mower! I'd say that's honorable! And it could be worse. You could smell like pot." 
"I'm not sure if that's any worse.' 
"You could smell like hoarder?" 
"Oh man, we helped a hoarder move yesterday and I smelt SO bad." 
The three of the elders that helped literally smelled the whole room up. 
I found it downright hilarious. 
 We saw the zone leaders on Sunday, too for.............OUR INVESTIGATOR FAMILY'S BAPTISMAL INTERVIEWS!
So, normally the ward waits until after the interviews to announce about the baptism, BUT the interviews weren't until after church on Sunday, and the baptism is on Saturday.
On Sunday, Bishop came up to us and said, "Have they had their interviews yet?"
"Noooooope. It's tonight." 
"Should we announce it anyway?" 
"Yuuuuuuuuup." 
So then come the interviews and I find that I'm a nervous WRECK. They have no reason not to be baptized, but I was still nervous. 
The two youngest were interviewed first.  The first one came out, and Elder S gave a thumbs up, meaning he had passed. 
I breathed a sigh of relief and whispered to Sister C and Sister H, "OKAY. We have at least ONE baptism guys! ONE BAPTISM!" 
The next one came out soon after, and Elder B also gave a thumbs up, saying he had passed. 
"TWO baptisms! Okay, we are doing GREAT!" Sister H whispered back. 
One by one they each came out, and they each had passed. By the end, EVERYONE was smiling and SO excited! We are now prepping everything for the baptism! WISH. US. LUCK. 
 It has been an absolute blast serving in Owego as a trio. Sister H and I are waaaaaaaaaaay too much alike. We have too much fun together, so it's a good thing Sister C is there to keep us in line. 
 Anyway, I love you all! Wish I had more time to write, but alas, I must go. 
 Hurrah for Israel!
 Sister Stimpson

Monday, November 3, 2014

owegonnahavefun


First of all, my nail has now completely fallen off. And it's disgusting. Now I have this wrinkly, stub of a finger nail that's so gross that it's fascinating to look at. 

Anyway. 

It is such a privilege being back in Owego! Miracles happen everywhere and every day in the mission field, but I swear Owego is just the gold mine for miracles. 

I might also be partially biased because by the end of my mission I will have spent about 9-10 months here. 
Yay for coming back to the area you started your mission in!!

Let's just take a second and talk about how amazing our investigator family is. Yesterday at church, it was testimony meeting. The mom stood up and bore her testimony about how she knows this is the church of God, and how much this gospel has changed her life, and how the ward has basically become her family. She talked about how she went from having nothing, to having a family and hope. 
My companions and I all smiled at each other, and I turned to the district leader, who is serving in our ward and also would be in charge of doing the family’s baptismal interviews - and said, "So....does that count as her baptismal interview?" 
"No." 
"Dang it." 

Their baptism is still on schedule!

Now, once upon a time, we were working with a less active woman. Sister R and I tried and TRIED to get her to come to church, but she just WOULDN'T! Sisters have been meeting with her since, and we met with her this Saturday. 
She said yes to our invitation to church. 
"Okay, that means you'll have to wake up on time," we said. 
"I will!" 
"Okay. We'll call you in the morning." 
Sure enough, we called her, she answered and then.......SHE CAME TO CHURCH!
Miracles do happen, folks. Over a year in the making, and she finally came to church! 
Happy day. All is well.

Halloween was a lot of fun. We and the Elders in the ward spent it at the Bishop’s house. We had gotten permission from President to watch the Saratov Approach. 
So let's talk about how we got permission for that. 
President Wirthlin and the assistants came to our apartment to drop off a dresser for us so that I can actually unpack my suitcases and have somewhere to put everything since being emergency transferred. 
Yay for trios!
After President left, Sister C and Sister H and I were standing there and saying, "I swear there was something we wanted to ask President...oh! We need to ask him for permission to watch that movie!" 
"AH! HE'S LEAVING!" I yell, and I run full speed towards the door....and....
BAM. Completely biff it on our yoga mat. COMPLETELY. I fell, and slid towards the door. Still laying on the ground, I throw the door open and yell, "PRESIDEEEEEEEEEENT!" 
I stand up, and President runs back, with fear and panic in his eyes. 
I smile sheepishly, realizing that I probably sounded WAAAY more dramatic than I needed to be. I was just trying to be heard!
"Hey, buddy....so.....we were wondering if for Halloween we could---." 
His face completely relaxed, and if the man could roll his eyes, I'm pretty sure he would've as he said, "Yes." 
"What?" 
"The Elders already called about it. I approved it." 
And he walked away. 
"Okay....um.....THANKS!" 
My bum, arm, and back were sore for days after that fall. 
Worth it.

Our ward also had a Halloween party. I saw a less active member there that Sister R and I had worked with a year ago, but that the Elders are now working with. 

"You've been here forever!" he said when he saw me. 
"No I left and I came back--" I tried to explain, but before I fully could, he walked away and said to the Elders, "That sister's been here forever!" 
"Yeah she got transferred back--."
but before they could fully explain things, he walked away to his car and left the party.
The elders and I looked at each other, and shrugged. 

.....it's weird that things are coming to a close. 
I don't like it. 
I like being a missionary. 

Hurrah for Israel!


Sister Stimpson 

Monday, October 27, 2014

hi -- it's another week

Hi, my name is Sister Stimpson, and my nail is about to fall off. 
Yes, it's that time. 
It's all attached on one little side, and when my nail moves at all, it sends a shooting pain that makes me yelp. 
So I've attached a ginormous bandaid over my finger. 
Stupid Saratoga Door.

My name is Sister Stimpson and I also have a pineapple allergy. 
I know. 
About a month or so ago in Elmira, I was eating fresh pineapple at a dinner appointment when my mouth began to itch terribly. I thought, "Oh, no. I think I have a pineapple allergy. WHERE DID THIS COME FROM?"
So I stopped eating the slice of pineapple. 
Fast forward to our Tuesday dinner appointment. 
The lady brings out a nice, pineapple cake. She gives me a slice, and the aforementioned dinner appointment flashes into my head. 
Elder Bednar once said that the Holy Ghost works by bringing things to your remembrance......
and I foolishly thought, "Maybe it's a one-time thing....? One bite won’t hurt....."
So I eat a bite. 
"Okay that wasn't a one-time thing. MAN my mouth itches........how on earth does one spontaneously develop a pineapple allergy?........Oh, no, now my mouth, throat AND nose itch...........why am I acting as if this is a bad thing? I don't even like pineapple!...........oh no. I hope I can still have dole pineapple whip from Disneyland. That IS one kind of pineapple I like..........yeah I shouldn't eat this...........okay one more bite just to make sure I'm not making this up...........nope. This is real. Man my TONGUE is STINGING!"
I looked at my companion and opened my mouth. 
"....are your cheeks USUALLY that swollen?" she asked. 
"Ah crap." 
Don't worry guys. No deaths happened. I just went home and took some allergy meds and it all turned out okay. 
Stupid pineapple.

Anyway, this week we also visited the sweet, sweet lady with the donkeys. 
Yes, she still has her donkeys. 
I pet them again, but they were behind the fence this time. Just where I like them to be. Not pressing me up against a trailer. 
We also had back-to-back lessons that day from 10:15-2:30. Which means.....no lunch. As we drove to this lady’s house, I said a little prayer that she would feed us something to carry us over, because a lot of times in the past she's made random goodies and fed them to us. (Although they always seemed to have gluten in them, which Sister S conveniently couldn't eat.)
When we got there, she said, "Oh, you're just in time. I just made us some nice, chicken vegetable soup."
"AH! YOU SAVED US!" I said. 
That was like a serious little tender mercy of the Lord.

The family we’re teaching is also doing AMAZING! I have wanted to teach a family my whole mission, and now I finally get the chance to! They are on date for baptism in November, and yes we have had a few panicky moments because that's so close, but they are so prepared and are doing SO well!!!  We just hope we can fit everything in before then!

Stake conference was this weekend! It was a sweet little reunion for me, seeing as I didn't really get to say goodbye to anyone before I left Elmira :) The speakers were a future missionary who goes out with us all the time, a recent convert in Elmira who I didn't really work with, but who I talked to quite a few times, and a recently reactivated member in Owego who just got called to the high council. All were so powerful, and so personal to me especially since I knew each of them!

Transfer calls were this Saturday.
My last transfer calls. 
We were all surprised with the outcome: Sister R is going home (which we knew), Sister C and I are staying the same....and being joined by a third sister, Sister H. She is currently in Ithaca and has been out about 4 months. 
Sister C is still pretty sick, and it's been good for her working in a trio. 
But I can't help but say I was a little........okay, a lot, sad. Elmira is reopening for sisters, but I'm not the one reopening it. I was secretly hoping I'd be able to train again, but I guess the Lord has other plans for me. 
I feel like I should feel a lot more weirded out that I'm finishing my mission where I started (I mean.....HOW OFTEN DOES THIS HAPPEN?!) but I'm not surprised at all by it. I do love it here in little Owego :)

Well familia. I must be off. I love you all so much!

Hurrah for Israel

Sister Stimpson