Week One. Over and out. It has been a CRAZY week!! Welcome to Temple Sqaure!!!
First of all, a few MAJOR shout outs are in order:
1) Happy anniversary Mom & Dad!! I hope Nicole gets you a really nice gift on behalf of me, Brett and Nicole. :) I hope you get to have a really delicious dinner and celebrate!!
1.5) Nicole, please follow up on #1. :)
2) Happy Birthday to you Lisa Elizondo!! Gorgeous friend!!! (A little somethin' somethin' will be coming your way!! It's in the works...) I hope you have an incredible birthday!! :) (And I loved your letter too! I was cracking up when I was reading it. I just totally imagined you talking to me. Hahaha!! I love our friendship so much!!)
So...this week at Temple Square has been really amazing. I can't even begin to tell you how many people I have met from the Bay Area. (I had the special treat of seeing Doug and Kathy Pulley this week!! Yay! And Spencer Nance, Sheena Arnold and Calle's Mom!!) But there are lots of people here from all over the world that come to visit Temple Square. Lots of summer tourists driving through on their way to Yellowstone, cross country trips, the works. My companion from Argentina is amazing. She has been here for 17 months--so she's almost finished. And she said, that she hasn't met this many people from the Bay Area in such a short period of time. I really think that every person I've met has not been a coincidence. I am learning so much about the world! Go figure. In Salt Lake City.
And, since I've been here, I am learning so much about how to be the best missionary. It isn't to just tell people things or facts about buildings, but really, the best thing to do, is to create a space where people can feel safe to explore for themselves. Silence is golden (Mandy! Maria Hess! :) Love it) As a missionary, I am happiest when I can create an environment where people can LET their hearts be moved in a positive way. So basically my thought of the week is that SILENCE has really helped me listen to what I am feeling. I've heard a lot when I don't say words.
Thank you all so much for all of the love, support and thoughts. I feel so fortunate to meet all of the people I have met since I've been here.
And some other shout outs (If you sent me a letter, I will be writing you all back in a longer note by letter *hopefully* today)
~Lashelle!!--Thank you for your letter!! I love you cousin!! I am sorry that I haven't gotten back to you sooner (it has been a really crazy month!). You really gave me a boost! Thank you. I hope you are doing well!
~Kjestine!!-- I got your darling card and letter!! Thank you so much!! I will take your advice about the pigeons. :) I'm glad to hear that you are back in the lovely Denmark!!
~Calle og Inez!-- I saw Calle's Mom at Temple Sqaure!! I started talking to her in Danglish!! :) I think I freaked her out at first. "Uhhh...excuse me, where are you from? What's your last name? Are you Swedish?" Haha! But it was so so refreshing to see her! I love her so much! We had a really sweet conversation...full of hygge. Loved it.
~Paige- you are such a doll!! Thanks for the picture!! Sassy thing!! I'm so glad you got to go to the country concert! I was cracking up when I read that. I can just imagine you and Andie with your matching belts and bandanas. Perfect. :) Your letter seriously gave me an emotional and spiritual boost. Thank you friend! I love you!
~Aunt Debbie-- WOW! Kyle sounds like he is having some really incredible experiences! I love the pictures. Thank you. And the stories behind them are even better. I think about him all the time!
~Aunt Lisa---I am so proud of Mr. Craigski! He is so amazing! I am so glad we got to spend so much time together at his eternal mission district.
Love you all!!
~Amy~
