Well, this is super weird. This is the last email I'll send to you all as a missionary.. super bittersweet.
Monday-Tuesday-- This week was pretty great! We had exchanges with the Brimhall sisters, Sisters Newhouse and Shaw and they are just a bunch of dolls. I love them. We were able to teach a few lessons and find some new investigators! :) A family in the ward took a tree to Corina and her boys and also to Mike and Sondra. Also, another family provided gifts for them too! It was super touching to see the ward family embrace these new members and people who are investigating! :)
Wednesday-- We went over to the Haner's and did some service by helping them around their small little farm, it was super fun! They are such a fun family. Sister Holmstead and I taught them some new games and they looooved them. :) That night we went caroling with the Knepp family to the Burton's and they enjoyed it!
Thursday-- We got to go caroling with President and Sister Wilson and the other missionaries that are nearby to a couple of assisted living homes for seniors! It was magical! I loved it! The spirit was super strong when we sang Silent night. All of the old people joined in and it was super amazing to see that everyone was united in singing about our Savior being born. A memory I will never forget.
All of the sisters we go on exchanges with! :) (at caroling to the old folk)
That night we had dinner with the McMullins and then taught Corina and her boys a lesson and read out of the Book of Mormon. They are doing well! We also went over and helped Mike and Sondra wrap presents for little Nixynn and it was super fun to see them and the Taylor's! :) They are so sweet. Brooke gave us a really cute gift! She's the best!!!
Christmas Eve Jammies!!!
Rollin' with my Snowmie! :)
Thanks for the PJ's family! we love them!
Our Nativity and Christmas Tree!
Friday-- We woke up and opened our presents and made waffles... but they failed miserably hahaha (thank you, everyone, for sending such love our way!) Then we went to the Bey's for the best breakfast burritos I've ever had in my life!! :) It was delicious and super fun to see them and visit with them. They are the best.
We then drove up to the Rudd's for Christmas and to talk to our families! It was soooo good to see the family. Gosh, I love them! I can't believe I'll be seeing everyone in a couple of days. After we skyped I helped Sister Rudd cook some stuff for dinner and it was super fun to get to visit with her. She's one incredible woman. Christmas was magical! We had a white Christmas! :)
Saturday-- We had a good day! Nothing too crazy and had my last correlation meeting at the Bey's! I'm sure going to miss this ward.
Sunday-- Ashley and Chris came to church!!! We gave them a church tour right before it started. They are SO CUTE. The cutest little family and it seemed like they enjoyed it. Salem came too! and so did Arianna! Blessings are flowing! :) I was asked to speak and it went well overall! It was like giving a farewell talk in my home ward again haha. It was a good opportunity to reflect on the things I've learned and experiences I've had. I'm so grateful for this ward. They are amazing and I feel like they are my second family away from home.
We had dinner at the Huff's and then had a lesson with Salem there too! It was about the Priesthood and it went really well. I love that family! :)
I said goodbye to Sister Burdick, my favorite Panamanian woman. I am going to miss her!
Well, it has been the greatest 18 months of my life! I have truly appreciated and cherished the words of encouragement and support you all have given me. Thank you for all of the prayers and the love you have sent my way! I'm going to continue to need them in this crazy transition back to reality hahaha!
I've been so blessed and feel so grateful for everything I've experienced, for the people I've met and for the time I've had to serve my Savior, Jesus Christ. As His representative, I've felt His love for those I meet, and I feel honored and privileged to have spent the last 18 months in His service. I know that God loves us and that He knows all. I know that His timing is perfect and that as we obey His commandments and pray and search for Him in our lives, He will give us answers and assurance through the trials we go through. I am so grateful for a Savior and Redeemer who has suffered all things that we go through in life, so we can be relieved and redeemed from the pains and burdens we all carry. I know that He has always chosen prophets to speak to us and that Joseph Smith was truly a prophet of God called to restore His church and complete gospel to the earth. I am grateful for a living prophet on the earth today and I know that Thomas S. Monson is God's chosen prophet. He speaks the words that God would have us hear. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I love it and know it has brought me closer to my Savior as I've read it. I know families can be together forever and that we can return to live with God after this life, if we have faith in Jesus Christ, repent continually and receive the ordinances of salvation. I love, love, LOVE what I've learned and experienced on my mission. I am super sad it is ending, but know that when a door closes, another one opens. It is bittersweet, but I'm looking forward to what God and life have in store for me and the growth I'll continue to experience as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I love you all!
Love always,
Sister Loar
xoxo
Saying bye to the Dibble's and the Livingston's!
Did you tell them they were the Lord's chips??
( Our ghetto chip bag, because we tore the other one haha)
Citrus in Cali is huge!
Saying bye to the Huff's and Sister Smith!
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