Thursday, August 15, 2013

Dear Bloggers

Dear Bloggers,

After a 7 month sabbatical I am finally back. The problem was that I sold my computer (I returned from my mission with an iPad, for FREEEEE), and with only an iPad, I didn't like typing things on a touch screen. I promised myself that I would get a keyboard for it, but never got around to it. When I finally did and it arrived in the mail, I realized that all I got was a keyboard CASE and no keyboard. Lame.

Anyway, since school is about to start and my iPad will be my main tool for taking notes, I figured now was the time.

So, here I am! Back into the blogging world. I feel like people are doing it less and less with Facebook and Instagram, but I still really like having a blog for my own sake. It's a fun place to store memories and funny things that happen.

So let the blogging begin!

Sincerely,
Martha

Monday, February 11, 2013

Dear Real Life

Dear Real Life,

I can't believe I'm with you again. It seems like the last 18 months were some sort of dream. It's good to be with you again. Even though my heart longs for my friends in Nebraska, I love being here with my family and old friends. Some highlights from our reunion:

My best friend got married:
My sister Laura waited for me to get home from my mission to get married. She will never know how much this meant to me and I will never be able to pay her back. What a beautiful thing to come home to. And of course, this meant these lovely ladies were there too. How I love my friends. 

 I
I got to take a few pics for my Sister on her wedding day. What a great day





Then I have just been spending time with my wonderful nieces and nephews. Man, I have missed them. 

Baby Abby, I met her for the first time when I got home! 

Spy Training with Landon and Matthew

This is in Elder Watson's office at Ethan Allen. I would always sit on his chair at the Trail Center. I love Elder Watson, he is one of my best friends. 

Played with this girl. Love her. 

My favorite girls playing Barbie games on the iPad. I like to look at all my girl nieces playing together. It reminds me of Sarah, Allison, Courtney, Laura, Kaitlin, and Kayley. So cute. 

Hannah and I had a sewing day. 

Reuniting with some of my sisters from the Trail Center. 

Real life, you've been pretty great. I'm excited for what more you have to offer. 

Sincerely,

Sister Proctor
Martha Proctor


Wednesday, January 2, 2013

You've Been Punked!!!



Dear Family,

You've been punked! Of course, I will write more. Although, I won't be able to write much. We have to go take the new missionaries out, and then I have to pack. But I want to share with you the email that I just wrote to Elder Watson:

Dear Elder Watson,

My last Trail Center moment letter. What a sad thing--good, but sad. Heavenly Father was so good to me last night. It was my last shift and I of course was working on the book with Sister Watson for most of the shift. At about 7:30 I came out and I was so tired and not in any mood to take a tour, but I figured no one would come in to the Trail Center, so I was just kicking back. Then, at 8 a HUGE group of crazy black people came in.  They had decided that with a new year they wanted to try something new as a family. So I showed them "God's Plan for Happiness" and it was really good. The tour was CRAZY. So scattered with so many crazy things, but it was nice. A few of them went ahead, but I had 4 that stuck with me and asked a lot of questions. They loved it there and they loved learning about not only the Pioneers but also about what they believed. It was so special. At the end of the tour, they were all so excited to get copies of the Book of Mormon. Sister Arnold had a stack of them and handed them out to those who wanted them. Then, I passed out referral cards and 4 of them filled them out and were so excited to have missionaries come to their house. Then, Sister Arnold got the guitar and I sang "No Greater Man" for them in the lobby. It was one of the strangest, but also best experiences. I had no idea what was going on most of the time, but I just went with the flow, and it worked out so well. Heavenly Father was so good to give me this incredible opportunity. It was such a fun moment as a missionary at the Trail Center to give stacks of the Book of Mormon out, to have 4 referral cards turned in, and then of course to incorporate music. When they left, I just started bawling at how good Heavenly Father had been to me. I am so grateful for the time I have been able to serve at the Trail Center. I will forever hold it in my heart. I will miss it every day of my life, but also live every day a changed person because of it.

This week has been a good week-- full of stress, tears and laughter. I am excited to come home and tell you everything face to face.

Know that I am so grateful that I chose to serve a mission. This experience has taught me more about my Savior and brought me closer to Him and Heavenly Father. I am leaving Nebraska as a different person, who is more converted to the gospel. The two greatest things that I have learned from my mission are this: 1- The Gospel Blesses Families. 2- Heavenly Father knows us, loves us and is always right.

I am one sad girl to be leaving, but I cannot wait to see you all again. Thank you for being there for me every step of the way. Thank you for your prayers, as they were definitely felt. It's weird, but I feel like our family has gotten closer as Jared and I have been away serving missions. That's the great thing about serving the Lord, He always makes up the difference.

OK, I have to stop writing, because I'm crying like a baby and I want to still have some make-up on when we go meet the new sisters and take them out.

So, know that I love you, and I am so excited to see you at the airport. I'll be the one wearing the giant corn on the cob hat.

Love,
Sister Proctor