PSYCH!

Well, Hello, hello, hello.

First off, I can't believe that Jared started bawling when he heard 'all I ask of you'-- obviously he was remembering how much he loved it when I would sing that song at home. Wow. Who would have thought? ahahah

This week has been a whirlwind. It's been good. 

As we speak, Elder Watson is talking with President Weston to try and figure out when I am going home. I guess on Friday, the secretary was all set to buy our plane tickets, but when she entered it into the system, it would let us. So, they called the mission department and they said they had a policy change. The old policy was that you could go home 30 days before or after your 18 month mark- no questions asked, just needed President's approval. Now, what the policy is, is that you go home on the assigned transfer date. Which is January 4. But, for those who are starting school on the 7th, that's kind of crazy. I was really mad and upset about it for about 2 days, thinking that one of the worst things you could do to a missionary was dangle "going home before Christmas" in front of them, give it to them, and then take it away. There are also black out dates of when we can't fly home apparently Dec 19-25 are the dates this year. So even if they did release me before Christmas, I couldn't fly home. But, whatever happens, happens, and it's not worth worrying about. It was frustrating though because we didn't want to be thinking about going home or what we would have to do after in the first place, so once we had gotten it all figured out, we were done thinking about it. But then, it's like it was just thrown in our faces again. But, like I said, I'm done worrying about it. Especially knowing that Laura could maybe change back her wedding date, then I'm all good. I'm bummed that I won't be home for Christmas, but oooh well. January will still be a great time to come home. I'll let you know if I find out anything though. 

Highlights from this week:

We went to Zone Conference in Sioux City! This meant we got like a 2 hour road trip with some of the sisters! It was the funnest day ever! Zone Conference was great, then we went to South Dakota, just because we were close, then we all went to eat at a Chinese Restaurant, and then drove home. At the ZC, President Weston made some changes. Now, from 10-1030, rather than ending comp study at 10 and going out, we have an extra half hour of Book of Mormon study together with our companions. That will be cool. So, after we got back from Sioux City, all of the Sisters had 1/2 an hour and we couldn't make it out to our areas, so we all went in the apartment and had family scripture study together. It was really cool. 

The Watsons took Sister Arnold and I out for dinner again. haha. 3rd week in a row. It's crazy, but so fun. That's where we have our Trail Center Leader meetings though, so we get a lot done. And I get to eat delicious food :) We went to Cheesecake Factory this week haha. I love it. And I love spending time with the Watsons. 

This weeks Trail Center Moment:

I took a member family on tour. A Mom, Dad, their daughter, and her husband. They were really great and just traveling back from Ohio.  It turns out that the Mom was a convert. Apparently, her mom was a member but she was married to a non-member who allowed them to go to church, but didn't allow them to be baptized until they were 18. She grew up on a ranch and I guess that on their 16th birthday their Dad would give them their own horse. However, when she was 16, she asked if she could forgo the horse and be baptized. Her Dad let her. First of all, I think her faith and her testimony at 16 was incredible. Secondly, I realized that so many of the people who come into the Trail Center have Pioneer stories of their own. Why else do you think they are drawn here? They want to come and hear about people who were just like them, who sacrificed what they had to, in order to receive the blessings of the gospel. It was incredible. I am grateful for that realization. I am grateful to be serving here, surrounded by so many wonderful pioneer stories, both from those who have passed before us and the current pioneers. 

Pictures:

1-Me--obviously. I took my comp out to dinner at this delicious Mexican place. I loooved it. 

2- SOUTH DAKOTA!!! Never in my life did I think I would be so excited about going to South Dakota

3-All of the Sisters in my zone in SD

4-Ahhh, there are billions of acres of soy fields all over NE, IA, and SD

5-Out to dinner after ZC with the Sisters-group 1

6- group 2

So much fun! 

I can't believe that everyone is starting school! That is so crazy!!! This summer just flew by. I love the start of the school year. It is so fun. I hope everyone does smashingly well. It looks like Island Park was a lot of fun! Minus all the leaches! AHHHH! That is disgusting!!! I'm glad that everyone made it back safe and sound. 

Mom-there is 37 some thing out of my account from today, because my comps card didn't work. But she gave me cash, so I will try and put it in. Also, can I get more face pills, I'm out. Is the quilt almost done? I can't wait to see it! 

So, is Sarah back in America yet?! I can't wait to hear from her. I bet she is such an awesome RM!!! Super cool. 

Well, not much to report on. We haven't seen a lot of our area this week because of Trail Center and then meetings that I have to go to. But it's been really good. I'm excited to go work super hard this week. Transfers are coming up next week, so my P-day will be on Wednesday. I can't wait to hear back from all of you!!! 

I love you and I love being a missionary!

Love,

Sister Proctor

Heavenly Father Answers Laura Proctor's Prayers

 Hello Family!!!

There isn't a whole lot to report on this week. After Sunday last week, my companion and I were super sick all week long. We didn't even go out until Thursday, so that was awful. But, from Thursday on, it was great! 

On Thursday: we went on exchanges. I was with Sister Kirby and we got to go volunteer at a health clinic. We filled prescriptions. This Doctor and a bunch of pharmacists get together and let anyone in the community come in and they do a check up thing on them then give them pills that have been donated. There are no narcotics, so it's not shifty that way. But it was super fun to work there. 

Friday: We were at the TC all day and then Elder & Sister Watson took us out to dinner and then we planned for training.

Saturday: we had training and it was so good. It was all on the God's Plan for Happiness video. Of course, this meant a lot more crying, but it was so good. And we have already seen so many miracles because of it!!!

Sunday: We had another fireside, this time in Lincoln. Lincoln is about 1- 1/2 hrs away. So someone had to drive the Transfer van. Get this, I was the first Sister in the mission to drive the van. It was so much fun!!!! We had a blast and it was such a good night! 

Monday: Today we had a Watson Wagon and we went to the Strategic Air and Space Museum. Basically, when we all come to Nebraska, it's going to be Isaac and Jack's favorite place. There were a ton of planes and we even went in one of the simulators. It was so much fun!!!! They even had the "sweet swirling onion rings" like on RocketMan. Crazy. It was so much fun. Then one of the Senior Couples took us all out to lunch. We actually just got back. Man I am so spoiled!!! I love all of the missionaries here! 

Anyway, it was a great week. I'm glad I'm no longer sick and will be able to go out tonight! Woohoo!!! Although, Heavenly Father is really smart, and since I was sick I was able to figure out my life in 4 months. With the few responses I have gotten already, and the fact that Laura could get married and Tyler's sister will be there, I will be coming home December 19th. Now, this is what I am going to say on the matter: Don't do anything cool like the chocolates or gingerbread houses until after the 19th. hahaa. Please... I guess if you have to, then do them before, but I just cannot believe that I will actually be coming home before Christmas! It's crazy!!! I just have to finish my application to LDSBC, (which will cost 35 by the way-- I hope this counts as an emergency). Anyway, it is just SO perfect. I know Heavenly Father had His hand in this one. I am so grateful. I'll call the secretary right away and let her know. PS Someone should tell Sarah about this cuz she could go with me, and it would be free for her too!

This week in Pictures:

1- these were some slippers at the museum today, that if I were really rich I would get them for Jack.

2-Me in the Transfer Van!

3-All of the Sisters at the museum

4-Sweet sweet SR-37. That's right. I know the name.

5-A bunch of the planes they have in the hanger

6- Me and Sister Arnold in the cockpit of one of them

7-Getting into the simulator

8-I'm an astronaut!

Oh my gosh, Happy Birthday to Jared and Casey! I hope your birthdays were/are GREAT! I love you both so much! 

Well, I am excited for this week so we can go tear it up in Fairview. It's gonna be awesome! 

Ok, I've gotta get an email off to President and we've gotta go do 8 hours of p-day in about 1 1/2 hours SOOO. I will talk to you all next week! I love you all!

Love,

Sister Proctor

God's Plan for Happiness

Hi family,

This week has been great, just like all the other weeks. A big shout out to Katie! Happy 2nd Birthday!!! It seems like just yesterday I was missing her 1st birthday :) I'm sure you'll all have a lot of fun. I took a moment of silence on August 4th, as I knew it was the Highland Fling. Sounds like you had a lot of fun. Also, I'm super excited for you to go to Island Park. I bet that's going to be a blast. 

This week:

Tuesday: Service and then working at the Trail Center. We got more computers, so obviously, it was my duty to set them all up. It took forever and I swear I'm learning more about computers on my mission than I did working for OIT. haha. It's great though, and Heavenly Father really helps me to know what to do. 

Wednesday: We had a tri-ward youth activity where we had a panel of missionaries and the youth could ask the missionaries any question. It was a lot of fun. I think they really liked it. I think I would have thought missionaries were pretty cool if I were them--if I do say so myself :) 

Thursday: I got to see "Come Home to Kanesville" again! It was even better the 3rd time around hahaha. It's so much fun, and such a great missionary tool. We had one of our investigators come, and he really enjoyed it. 

Friday: We had Zone Leader Council, which is always so good. Then Sister Arnold and I went around to a bunch of malls because we are going to be performing at them during the holidays. Sometimes I wonder what everyone else's missions are like hahaha. We have so many crazy opportunities here, it's awesome. Then afterwards, Elder and Sister Watson took us to Longhorn for dinner. I got a steak. It was even kind of pink in the middle. You would be proud. hahaha. It was delicious. And I ate shrimp that was one of the best things I've ever had in my life. Big fan. 

Saturday: We worked on chat and then I helped Sister Belka because she was feeling pretty sick. So I just went and babysat her pretty much. This was probably a bad idea, and probably the reason why I am sick! SURPRISE! I hate being sick. It's been a while though, so that's been nice. 

Sunday: We went to church, and then my companion started feeling sick so we came back to our apartment so that she could rest. It was there that I started feeling sick too. It's the pits. We just slept all day long. 

Monday: Sick day. But, we were still able to come to the Trail Center and get some stuff done. The Seniors were having their Senior Dinner and we got a new video called "God's Plan for Happiness." They have a whole exhibit for it up at Temple Square, it's really good. Anyway, Sister Arnold and I had a video conference with Church headquarters to figure out how they wanted us to use it, so Elder Watson wanted me to present it at the Senior Dinner. It was really special. The movie is so real and brings such a wonderful Spirit. After the 11 minutes, the film was over, and I got up and just started bawling. I said that I couldn't teach any more than the film had already taught. But I could testify that I knew it was all true. And the reason why I knew it was all true was because I had seen it in my own family. I'm glad that Jared had such an incredible experience this week with recognizing the blessings of the gospel our family has received. It is such an incredible thing. I am so grateful for each one of you. I am grateful that we have lived the gospel together and that we will continue to live the gospel together. That is Heavenly Father's plan for each one of us. And the only way to true happiness. I'm grateful we are on the right track. I love you all. I commit you all to go up to Temple Square and watch it. It will be a great FHE. 

Pictures:

1- The missionary panel at the Youth activity. Sorry it's so blurry

2- Sweet bumper sticker Sis. Arnold and I saw at the mall. 

Ok- so I have been trying to figure out my life after the mission this week as well. I am pretty sure that I am going to transfer to Utah State so that I can major in Music Education. I can actually get a scholarship there just for transferring! Which is sweet. The question for all of you, especially those of you who have served missions, is: is it better to jump into school immediately or to take some time? Because I have pretty much two options: I could come home Dec. 19th and then start school on January 7th. OR I could come home January 4th, and then work for a while and then transfer up either in the summer or in August. I like the idea of working and having money, but I also like the idea of not just hanging out at home for 8 months.... I don't know what to do. I need to get it figured out, and the sooner the better. 

Anyway, I am feeling kind of dizzy, so I will probably go lay down. Know that I love you all and that I am having the time of my life out here. There is nothing better than serving the Lord. I am grateful for all of you. Have fun at Island Park and I can't wait to see all of the pictures!!!!

Love,

Sister Proctor