Last Weeks Email at Her ONE YEAR Mark

Can you believe that? I really honestly can't! Mom...do remember when I called you from the church parking lot, crying, telling you that Bishop Baczuk text me and said my call was assigned! We had no clue where I was going but we cried! I remember mom and I spending almost every minute together of that 3 or 4 months before I left shopping and preparing for me to leave (Oh how loved that! ) I remember Dad always telling me about his mission stories and NO REGRETS...Dad it really has helped every step of the way! Remember that time I had two black eyes and swollen cheeks? How I yelled at everyone in the dentists office! Remember when I made grandma watch over my call! Later when I opened it...it felt so right! Who knew Michigan would mean soooo much to me!! I remember late night talks with Mom and Dad as they helped prepare for the temple! I remember going through for the first time and knowing with absolute assurance that this church is true and that I was making the right decision to go on a mission!  I remember the morning I woke up with hives because I was so nervous for my farewell talk and every time dad tried to talk to me I would just cry...remember Kenz when we couldn't even part ways to sleep the night before I left? I remember a year ago today I had no clue what this would bring! As I boxed up all my clothes (and they better still be there), not knowing that this REALLY would bring the best year of my life! I remember getting set apart and crying....crying a lot...haha! and Justin saying "don't worry you will be back!" I remember saying goodbye to Amber, Hannah, and Justin! It was the worst but I felt so strong! I remember driving to the MTC and really it was kind of awkward...I remember pulling up to the curb and hugging each on of you goodbye! It was the hardest thing I have ever done. Really it was! But as I walked away I have never felt so confident and sure in my life as I did in that moment! I remember being really homesick in the MTC and realizing this was it...and I had 18 months left...haha! I remember the sweet SWEET spirit in the MTC and how amazing it was! and then at last getting on the bus and going to the airport! I remember Sister Carter and I felt so weird that we were leaving the MTC! I remember waving goodbye to the mountains, calling you at the airport and crying, and finally landing in Michigan to meet President and Sister Hess. I remember the First lesson we had I didn't say a word until the end when I bore testimony in front of a complete stranger and it felt SO RIGHT! Who knew that leaving your family for 18 months and walking around talking to strangers would feel so right? Who knew what this year would bring? Of course my Father in Heaven and he knew that this was something that I needed and would fall in love with it every second of everyday! A year ago this week I made the best decision of my life to take a GIANT leap of faith and leave everything behind. I remember that the last year of my life is something that I will NEVER forget!

Well....now that I have had my trip down memory lane! But really though...it seems like just yesterday that all happened!! But anyways this week was just as crazy as the last!

Tuesday we met with Meg! She is soo amazing We taught he the Gospel of Jesus Christ and focused it on baptism! We asked her if she could promise God anything what would she promise him! And she said pretty much exactly what we promise at baptism! When we committed her to baptism she said "wow that is a big commitment!" I secretly love hearing that because it shows that the person understands what baptism is! So she is so smart and wonderful and she is praying about baptism this week! Meg....she is so beautiful! Just think of a beautiful Brazilian girl and that is her!

Then we met with Valerie! She is sooo amazing! She is a very deep thinker and thinks everything through and through!  She really wants her family to accept this also! She said that her biggest fear is standing before God and standing alone....I wanted to cry! I realized how lucky I am to have a family that is sealed together! We reassured her that Heavenly Father desires the same thing for her and will help her as she shows that example!

Wednesday we had two dinners. Yep. It happened.  Since we were running two areas for a while we realized that one family signed up for dinner that night and also someone else had too. So we all looked at each other and said...we can do this. With determination in our hearts we set out for the first dinner...haha! Well at the end of the first meal we looked at each other as we are finishing out second helping and we then remembered "oh shoot we forgot that we have one more dinner after this and we are late!" So we quickly shared our message and literally ran to our car as the elders watched from the side walk with wonder. Let me tell you though...those were some good dinners! :)

Friday we had a lesson with Thien! It was the GREATEST! We asked Thien when there was snow will you still ride your bike? and he said yes, I want to ride my bike in the snow because it is romantic...Thien is so funny! He also showed us how to beat someone up if they are attacking us, pictures from Vietnam, and how he took all these pictures of people running a race on MSU during Halloween. He thought it was so funny to see people running this race in costumes!

Then we also taught Kyle and we asked him how he thought he would get an answer to know if God is there and he said "Well I will have a change of mind and then I will want to take action." SO SMART! Kyle is the best!!!

Well my family...this week was so great so many miracles and adventures! I love my mission! I love this gospel! It just makes sense you know? Everything really just makes sense! Time and time again I have my testimony reaffirmed and strengthened! I wish that you could just feel even an ounce of the happiness that I feel as I am here in Michigan! I love this place and I never ever want to leave! If I didn't love all of you so much...I probably wouldn't.

Much Michigan Love,

Sister Oswald

p.s. We had a goodbye party for Sister Hyde and we built a blanket fort....