My Friend Jenna

Once upon a time, in a land far far away (Utah), there lived a girl named Jenna. She was the nicest, most kindest person in the land and everyone wanted to be her friend; even the meanies (my trainer - hehehe!).

Seriously, there's something about her that draws people in and I was no exception.

We met while serving in the same mission. I had only been on my mission 6 weeks and I was having a rough time. My trainer, for reasons beyond my comprehension, didn't want to train me and just flat out told me so. I also felt like she didn't like me all that much, but to her credit, she never came out and said that.

Anyway, by some means or other, the Mission President got wind of this and decided to transfer me to a different area and different companion.

HALLELUJAH!!

When I found out Jenna was my new companion, instantly my stress and fear melted away. The very next day I was packed and on my way to meet her.

There are no words that would convey to you how much I love this woman. She gave me friendship when my little heart needed it the most; she loved me for who I was; she laughed at my funny haha's and let me just.be.me.

We spoke on the phone tonight after being out of touch the past 10 years. She's married, awesome husband, several kids. It was such a joy to hear her voice and feel her love again.

They say there are humans on this earth masquerading as angels.

Jenna, thank you for being mine when I needed one the most.

Mission Reunion a la Facebook

I have a Facebook profile and a few days ago, out of the blue, I got a friend invite from one of the sisters on my mission. We were never companions, but we knew each other and were friends. With that one invite, I have begun finding many of my old companions and friends from the mission.


President Christensen!! The BEST Mission President EVER!! You can tell from the picture that he was fun loving. :) The picture was taken July 24, 1997 at the This Is The Place Monument during the sesquicentennial celebrations while waiting for the wagon trains to arrive.


Sister Tipton and I at the Salt Lake Temple two days before we went home. Each missionary, the Tuesday before we went home, would go to the Temple. It just happened to only be the two of us going home that month. (Don't laugh to loudly about the hair!! I thought it was a good idea at the time.)

This was taken the P-day before I went home. We hung out at the bowling alley on State Street. We loved that place. They owners gave us a huge discount. One of the cool things about being in Salt Lake were all the places that members owned and would give us huge discounts or free stuff. One of my areas had a cool little restaurant that would feed us whatever we wanted for $1 and a Subway that gave us free subs. We would go to Subway Saturday evening, get a sandwich, chips and drink, drink the drink and save the sandwich and chips for lunch on Sunday.

I'm not sure what possessed me to wear my hair in a pony tail that day!! It's not the best look for me! President Christensen wanted to have a mission photo, but with 180 missionaries, there was no way to get us all in one picture. So we broke it up into 6 group photos. Sister Yamanita (left) was my companion at the time and we were serving in Magna. Sister Hall (right) and I would become companions the next month and be together for 6 months; until the day I went home.

I have no idea what was going through the mind of the guy on the front row!!

Sister Connor (left) was my second companion. If not for her, I probably would have seriously considered going home!! My trainer and I never really meshed. I didn't dislike her and I don't believe she disliked me, but she made it very clear that she did not want to train me. It was definitely a strained relationshipt!! Sister Latu (right) was my sixth companion. We got on great. I'm glad I stuck around just so I could be companions with her!

It's been so awesome to reconnect with old friends and to see how well they are doing. It reminds me of the scripture, Alma 17:2.

2 Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.