True Joy!

So for 10 days I  spent all of my time in a place and with people that changed my life. The vacation of a life time was great not because of relaxation (who has time for that?!) but because of the many people I was able to reconnect with. When I was knocking on their doors again my heart hoped they'd be inside. Seeing their progress and hearing how they were doing was just amazing. Being with them again brought such pure happiness and joy! Several of the families I have been praying for over the course of the past 5 years or so were doing incredibly well. The lay and rodriguez families were at church! The lay family had been sealed together with all of their children! The Hippos and Troutmans were still plugging along. Seeing Linda Bosh helped me feel that connection to Heaven again. In Meadville my heart was breaking because things are not going well out there. So many have stopped attending church. With three wards combining there were only 30 people at church in a small branch. I rejoiced in the strength of those were active and solid. my heart broke for those who chose not to participate in all of the blessings that God had provided for them. In the Lancaster area I rejoiced that a new stake was formed and that a new church had been built. The wards are expanding and there is a great growth in the church there! Being in the Washington DC temple reminded me of what is the most important. I yearned for every person that I love to make it to the temple! Seeing Gettysburg reminded me of the sacrifices made my so many people for my to have the freedoms that I now enjoy! Visiting with the Amish reminded me that I need to go back to the basics in life and focus on what is really important. Family, hard work, and God! Those people have it down. Working with Sister Ferguson reminded me the value of having a companion and friend. It reminded me that two heads are so often better than one. Watching the YSA in Pittsburg helped me see that there are many people who are consistently living the gospel without such incredible support! Most of all returning to my mission taught me that I need to keep relationships alive and functioning. it reminded me that I need to pray extremely specifically and remember all those struggling and their needs. It reminded me that God wants us all to be happy and that he will answer our righteous prayers! Being in Pennsylvania gave me a little taste of what a Heavenly Reunion will be like! So much joy! Seeing my family was also a highlight. Just being with them and learning about their lives and what is important to them! It makes me want to go back as soon as I can! I believe one day I will try to live in Pennsylvania and be a strength to those people in any way I can. To me Pennsylvania is sacred and holy ground! Those people are so important to me and I love them in a way that I can't even begin to describe!

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