OH boy. Last one.

OH MY GOODNESS. Where do I even begin..
This does not feel real at all. I can still remember my very first email home thinking "Will I ever make it?" And here I am. 18 months later. 78 emails later. About 547 days later. Did I really just do that!?! I did.. And it feels so good. It's amazing the things we can accomplish with the Lords help.

As I think back on my mission, my feelings are DEEPLY touched. There are not words adequate to describe my appreciation for my mission. Its a sacred experience that will be between me and the Lord for the rest of my life. The things I have learned here are worth everything to me.
I wouldn't trade my mission for anything. I will apply this knowledge I've gained to EVERY aspect of my life. I will cherish this experience forever. I don't think writing my thoughts will ever be enough... It just won't do justice for how I truly feel.. but I will attempt to give you a glimpse!!

I can remember before my mission just craving a burning testimony of Jesus Christ. I had gospel knowledge but I lacked a firm, rock solid, gospel testimony. I could answer the simple gospel questions but I could not bear my own testimony with confidence. Heavenly Father knew I needed a mission. He knew it ALL along. New York didn't need me, I needed New York. I needed every single experience HERE. I needed specific challenges, investigators, strong members, amazing leaders, and companions. He knew EXACTLY who, what, when, where, and how to get my gospel knowledge from my head to my heart. I know we say over and over again as missionaries, "it's not about me." But I feel that my mission really was about me. (Not in the moment it wasn't, but in a broader perspective..) It was for me to find My Jesus. My mission was perfectly tailored for ME.

For the last 18 months I had ONE purpose. My purpose was to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. I had a SUCCESSFUL mission. I feel that I achieved my purpose. I did everything in my power to fulfill that purpose.
How grateful I am that I lost myself in this calling. That I submitted my will to His. I gave it my all!!! I wasn't perfect, I made mistakes, but I made SO much progress. And that's what God expected of me. I think of when Elder Dale G Renlund said:  "God cares a lot more about who we are and who we are becoming than about who we once were. He cares that we keep on trying." I will forever keep on trying!
I feel so good and at peace with my service.
I had no idea the person that I would be and that God wanted me to become. God knew and knows my potential.
I hold this scripture dear to my heart as it came to life for me.
Matthew 16:25
"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."
I can hardly call my mission a sacrifice because I gained so much from it!!
I found true JOY on my mission. Joy that comes only in and through Jesus Christ. I found (as Nephi says in 2 Nephi 33:6,) "My Jesus."  I found Him through losing myself in His work. I cannot pick one specific time or area on my mission that I found Him, but rather IT WAS my mission as a whole that helped me discover Him. He manifested Himself to me through so many personal experiences. I know I will be sharing those experiences with my loved ones throughout my life.
Sharing them with my future children, with friends and family. They have strengthened me.

In my first area, Darien CT, I was a brand new missionary. Brand new with no idea what I was doing. It was there that I truly learned that I wasn't alone and that I didn't have to do this on my own. I REALLY learned that I had The Holy Ghost with me! I learned that I was not the teacher, but the spirit was. I learned that little small and simple Sister Dunford was able to be an instrument in the Lords hands.
I was able to help others because He was helping me. I learned to have charity even when it was not easy to have charity. In this area I went into so many homes and saw so many gospel centered families!! I learned that I wanted nothing more than a family being raised in the gospel. I wanted an eternal marriage! The members in this area made a lasting impression on my life. My companions became some of my best friends. We laughed together, cried together, worked, and so much more. I fell in love with this area. I grew SO much there.


I was transferred to South Manhattan after 4 months of serving in Connecticut. This was a dream come true for me! I've loved New York City my whole life so this was a treat. Although I was excited, I felt very inadequate to teach the people there! But I knew that Heavenly Father had helped me so far and that He wouldnt let me fail. As long as I did my part, Heavenly Father did His. It was in Manhattan that I found a deep love for the scriptures. I learned to truly feast on them. The scriptures were little letters from my Father in Heaven tucked inside of a book just waiting for me to read them. I was able to apply them and make them come to life. I learned that there are so many interesting different humans, but that God loves ALL of them.
Every single one. I also learned how to be IN the world, but not OF it. NYC is a loud place, and I learned that I had to pay close attention to the spirit. I learned patience. I swallowed my pride so many times. I trained a new missionary for the first time and learned SO much. Again I became best friends with my companions. I truly grew so so much there. After serving in South Manhattan for 6 months I was transferred uptown to Harlem!



In Harlem I learned to see others as God sees them. I was able to see a tiny tiny glimpse of how God looks at my brothers and sisters. I learned to teach with boldness. I learned how to lead and to be responsible. As a solo sister training leader and a trainer I learned that I can do hard things. I made even more friendships there. I had so much love for my investigators. I saw so many miracles there. I learned that Gods children really are SO so diverse. I learned to not be judgmental but to use righteous judgement!  I saw both good and bad examples. I learned that I want to work hard and provide a good life for my children. I learned that I don't like being forced to eat scary looking food. I learned so much. I loved Harlem! Oh!! And I can't forget, I mastered how to trap mice. #mousehunter

4 months later I was back in Connecticut!! Serving in the Stamford ward. Training for the third time! I learned patience. I learned diligence. I learned humility. I still felt weak at times, even after being out for 15 months! But I realized that there is no such thing as a perfect missionary. I will only make progress and be perfected. I remember thinking "I'm still not a perfect missionary and I'm still out of my comfort zone.. I thought I'd have it down by now!!" Those thoughts only motivated me more. The closer I came to Christ, the more weaknesses I saw in myself. Ether 12:27!! I learned that the worthiest missionaries were the ones who were repenting DAILY. I worked hard. I saw so much growth since the last time I had served there. I learned what kind of a member missionary I want to be. After serving there for
3 months I was then transferred for the last 3 weeks of my mission.



The last 3 weeks of my mission were so special to me. I had a special assignment to focus solely on the Christmas initiative. I was a traveling sister training leader. (Or in President Smith's words, a sister assistant.) I was able to give my all at Christmas time as a missionary. I ended my mission with a bang. I was able to come so close to President Smith's family. I learned that I had a purpose in their lives and they had a purpose in mine! I must continue to be a good example for those sweet sweet girls. We really had a strong connection and I'm so grateful for that family! I learned to endure to the end!! I learned that I still have so much to learn! That even though I finished my mission, I have more progress to be made in the future! So much more progress!! My mission is just a solid foundation for my life! I don't know what I would do without this experience!
Without it I would be a completely different person. I'm grateful that I can start fresh on January 1st 2016 as a strong disciple of Christ with a strong foundation. I feel ready and excited for this new chapter.

I'd like to close with my testimony of Jesus Christ.
As one of His set apart representatives, (for not very much longer...) I testify that I know that the Savior lives, that He is a glorified, resurrected personage of PERFECT love. I witness that He gave His life for me so that I will live again. I witness that He felt and overcame all of my pains, He suffered all of my trials and challenges and weaknesses, so that He can help me overcome them for myself. I don't completely comprehend how it works.. but I know that it does work.
It's obvious when I look at who I used to be, and who I am now. It strengthens me every day. He is my hope. He is my mediator. He is my Redeemer! I know that He lives. I know He has helped me have joy and happiness as I have lived worthy of his help. His gospel is real.
2 Corinthians 3:3 says: "
Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart."
The gospel of Jesus Christ is in the fleshy tables of my heart. His doctrine is stuck with me. I will forever be His disciple! Forever striving to be like Him. I leave my testimony with you in His name, Jesus Christ, amen!

Awh man I get tears in my eyes when I think about having to take off my missionary name tag. It's been too good. I love being Sister Dunford.
I love you allllll so much. I will see you TWO DAYS. What. My heart skipped a beat right there. Woah!

Love,
SISTER DUNFORD
XOXOXOXOX

ASaviorIsBorn

It was such a good week. Honestly it's not even worth it to try and squeeze in all the details. It just wouldn't do it justice. The words can't explain these rich experiences. (But plz, keep readin.) I'm still so grateful for this special assignment.

We were SO busy. All over the mission. Spending time with President and his family. Attended my old ward from Manhattan on Sunday. That was so good. My favorite thing has been Christmas caroling in so many different parts of New York and Connecticut. We were in New Paltz, Danbury CT, Manhattan, the Bronx, Yonkers, Harlem, Stamford CT, Middletown, Scarsdale, Ossining, EVERYWHERE. In each place I've testified and felt so good. That is a happy feeling. :) I don't know how to explain how awesome this opportunity has been. Just please know that I feel my Saviors love immensely!!! And I can feel so much love for the people here. I know this work is real. Also I'm exhausted.
(mom, when I get home I'm going to sleep for 24 hours nonstop.) but until then... WORKIN. Working hard. Haha.

We had our mission devotional on Friday with ALL the missionaries.
What a treat!!! The choir was beautiful, the food was good, the spirit was oh so present! I loved being surrounded by so many others that are testifying of Christ just like me. Missionaries have a special spirit.
They just do. It was sad to say goodbye to so many of them! So many that I won't see until they are home from their missions. I'm grateful for the friendships I've made.

Christmas is in 2 days!! My heart is full.
I am soooo grateful.. that I have had this opportunity to share my testimony of Jesus Christ at this time. I have to be honest and tell you that I was sad at first to be missing ANOTHER Christmas with my family. Sad because I thought it was lame that I go home 1 week after.
I felt like I should have been able to be home for such quality family time. What a selfish thought. (That darn natural man.) But after feeling so much joy here at this time, I regret EVER having that thought. This is exactly where I am supposed to be. Inviting everyone to come and partake of this Heavenly Gift. What a blessing to be giving my Savior everything I've got. Especially at THIS time.
I have talked to SO many people these last two weeks. I've born my witness of my Savior to many souls. I don't know how many humans hearts I've touched or helped or changed.. But I know that MY heart has been changed as I've focused on my Savior. As I've let go of the materialistic Christmas. As I've tried to sacrifice my own selfish desires. As I've served. As I've testified. As I've sung hymns of The Savior in front of so many successful people. As Ive swallowed my pride so many times. As I've invited so many to come follow Him with me! My heart has been changed and I feel TRUE JOY. This is the Joy that cannot be purchased. Cannot be found anywhere else. Only through the Savior. Only through the REAL and first Christmas gift. THIS will be a Christmas that will probably top alllllllll other Christmases in my life.
He is the reason I celebrate. He is Christmas! He is the most precious gift!! My Father in Heaven sent Him for me. He sent me a gift of love, life, peace and hope. He sent this Gift for each and every one of us.
What a reason to rejoice, to glory! To praise Him.

I hope as you exchange gifts on Christmas this year, that you will remember, appreciate, and receive the greatest gift of all gifts.. the gift of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Because of Him we may have eternal life. YESSSS.

MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS.
I will talk to you on Christmas via SKYPE. For the last time. ;) Love abbbb

Traveling Everywhere!

Oh my gosh....
What an amazing week. Just read.

Also sorry if this doesn't make sense or words aren't spelled correctly... Those P day jitters are real.

I have been so shocked at how blessed my companion and I are. I can't even believe it sometimes. We are traveling the whole mission. We are everywhere. It is so neat. I've never gone all over the mission and I didn't think I ever would. But this last week we were able to go everywhere. This assignment is a huge blessing. President trusts us SO much. We have a car. and we also have metro cards.. (usually you get one or the other.) We have an iPhone to use. (Craziness.) We don't have a district leader or zone leaders.. (President is our zone
leader..) haha! We don't have a specific ward to go to. So I get to go back to my old wards on Sunday! We were given extra money this month so we could really focus on this Christmas initiative and buy whatever we need for it! President bought us some speakers for our iPads so that when we are sharing the video in the loud streets of NY, people will be able to hear it. These are just a few things..
There are so many good things happening. I feel way... Beyond... Blessed.
I keep asking myself if this is real life. AND I don't tell you this to brag or boast or ANYTHING like that. I tell you so you can just get a LITTLE taste of this life right now.. Heavenly Father is being so good to me. If you could only hear my prayers every night.. "Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You.."

AH. So blessed.
I remember my mom always used to say to me "Where much is given, much is expected." And so I've kept that in my head this whole time. We are working so hard. I come home every night just EXHAUSTED. And I love that feeling. I couldn't have asked for a better last few weeks.

Here are a few things that kept us BUSY.

We planned and had a Skype interview with every single STL in the mission. So we could get an idea of what's going on in each zone. We did some brainstorming and tried to figure out with them what we could do to use this Christmas Initiative to its fullest potential. Those were way successful!!!

We went finding in Connecticut and tracted into this hilarious hard hearted woman. We shared the video with her and at the end the invitation is to "Discover Why" .. So We asked her how she can discover more about why Christ came. She of course brought up the bible and then we brought up the Book of Mormon. She said she had a copy and had read a little bit of it! When we asked her what she thought she said she didn't buy one bit of it! She said "there is no way Christ could have visited America because there were no airplanes back then." Ohhhhhh MY. HAHA. You should have seen the look on my face? I was like uhhhh He was the Son of God. He didn't need an airplane. OH DEAR. I was just dying. She could believe the bible but she was just so hard hearted to the restored truth. Oh boy.... Satan is a brat.

We got to go caroling all over the city. Went to Harlem, Inwood, south Manhattan. Passed out so many cards. So many candy canes. Hot chocolate. All the good things. I love being able to be with the different missionaries in the mission. It's been such a good experience. I love the people here.

We got to skype into Sister Alexander's moms baptism! That was awesome. Such a tender little moment. What a blessing to have this technology!!!

On Sunday we went to a Spanish ward and then to the Scarsdale ward with President Smith. After sacrament meeting he brought us to his house and we sat down in front of the computer and talked and talked and set up a Facebook page and watched the 12 days of Christmas videos from the church website. It was just real great. Then they fed us dinner and we hung out with his kids. I love the smiths.

Sunday night we drove to Poughkeepsie for a Christmas choir concert thing. We set up a little booth there with cards and a poster and pamphlets. That was great!! Talked to some funny people. I've never been that far up in the mission. It feels like a whole different mission up there!

We ate at president smiths house like 3 days in a row! They are so nice to feed us and make sure we are not starving.

We also went to a meeting yesterday for the missionaries that are going home. It was SO GOOD. President and Sister Smith had so much awesome advice. Gave me a lot of comfort about this whole going home thing :) we all read the talk given by Elder Hales from the last general conference. It is called "Meeting the Challenges of Today's World." It is an amazing talk for this time of my life. I loved when Elder Hales said this:
"Just remember, you are a pilot, and you are in charge. I testify that as you come to yourself, your Heavenly Father will come to you. By the comforting hand of His Holy Spirit, He will help you along."
He's awesome. And so right.

THEN last night I got to go with one of my favorite members in the Manhattan 1st ward to dinner!!! Emily Robinson :) we went to Eataly Cafe. SO YUMMY. And so fun. She and her husband used to take us out to eat all the time so it was so good to be with her again and catch up!
Then we headed to the temple to do some caroling. It was greeeeeaaaat.
The Christmas spirit in NYC is too good. I love this city and I love this time of year.

WOAH. Sorry I have just been writing and writing and I have left out so many details. We are just so busy.

I'm so grateful for my Savior. I know He is real and I know He is here. He is the reason that I am happy. He is the reason I get to be here. He is the reason for the season!! :) I am so thankful for Him. Can't even explain my love for Him.
I hope we can all remember Him at this busy busy wonderful time of year.
MERRRRRY CHRISTMAS.

I'm so happy.
Love Abbey

Transfers WHAT!

Ho-ho-ho. Hi! 

So first of all I have some surprising news!!

I'm being transferred!! Yes. For my last 3 weeks!!! I did not see that one coming. But I am SO excited. So you're probably wondering where I'm being transferred to.. And that's a tricky question to answer. Because I will be traveling around the whole mission.. spending most of my time in Manhattan and at President Smiths house. Whaaaa!? Right?? Yeah. I was very surprised. President has asked me to be like a sister assistant for the last 3 weeks of my mission. I didn't even know that was a thing.. Well it's not.. A sister!? 

But WHAT AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY.  I will be focusing on the Christmas initiative. I won't be serving in a ward. I won't even have an areabook! I will be straight up FINDING and training the missionaries in the mission on how to better use this initiative. President also has asked me if I will teach his daughter's the missionary lessons. I'm so excited about that. He said he is going to have me over every Sunday for dinner. 

Haha I'm like is this real life...? What. I will definitely need some extra guidance from my Heavenly Father these last three weeks!! I will NEED the spirit so that I can fulfill this special assignment from President Smith. Eeee ! It will be so good for me.

Oh and my companion is going to be Sister Alexander! We both go home together. Good stuff. 

It was a busy week preparing to move and say goodbye to a few people!! 

Here are some highlights!!

Sister Johnson will be training a new missionary so we went to the "train the trainers" meeting in Scarsdale on Friday. So I got to be on a split with Sister Vassau in her area in Scarsdale. That was so good to be with her. We talk talk talked!!! We are weirdly similar. We will be friends after the mission we'd decided. Love her. 

When we went back to pick up Sister Johnson, President asked if he could talk to me. That's when he told me about my transfer news. My face was probs way astonished hahah. 

He told me to go home and ponder and pray about it and then to call him the next day and share my feelings with him. So I did! The next day I was on another split in a Spanish area. So I called President and we had a long conversation. I just have to say.. I love him. I'm so grateful for his example. I definitely feel peace about this new transfer. This is EXACTLY what I need to end my mission with. Going out with a bang. I am going to give it everything I have. Sharing this glad message with EVERYONE I SEE. Christmas is such a special time to share the gospel. I feel SO beyond blessed. 

So Sunday was another long Sunday. The last 8 months of my mission I've been going to about  6 hours of church and when you include meetings like ward council and PEC it ends up being 11 hours at the chapel for us. CRAZINESS. I don't even know if that's healthy. (I feel for the sweet sweet bishops that give all of their time.) Hahah. But Sunday was good. LOTS of goodbyes. And then we had dinner with one of my favorite families the Scott's! Since I am being transferred they gave me a special plate and then went around the table saying something they love about me. It was all 6 of us missionaries and their fam. I felt SO LOVED. People are so so nice. Goodness I feel so blessed. 

We also went to watch the Christmas devotional at a members house. That was AMAZING. Seriously. Elder Bednar's talk had my jaw on the floor. I loved it. The way he speaks just gets me so pumped. The members let us be all comfy on their couch and they gave us treats and it was just too good. I was a happy sister. And then after that I just wanted to go PREACH like a missionary. I have this crazy motivation at this point in my mission. I'm just super energized and ready for more miracles. 

We've been passing out cards to everyone we see. Every time we go to a store or anything we give cards to the workers and everyone there. Haha it's hilarious. We are crazies.

We've been tracting lots and sharing the video tons. Praying for someone who is ready. Please pray for the people here in my mission!! There are over 8 million people here. (Or somethin like that..) TOO MANY of them don't have the restored truth. I know this is God's work and somehow one day everyone will get to hear this message. I'm grateful I can be just a tiny part of His plan. 

I've been doing this brand new program that the church came out with for departing missionaries called "My Plan." We are the first group going home that gets to do it. Omg it's amazing. I've been doing so much reflecting and planning and pondering and praying and my heart is beyond full. I have a pretty good vision of what I want my life to be. But with that being said, I know that God has a vision for my life. And I know that I need to submit my will for His. All will work out. He knows my potential. I LOVED this quote from one of the sections in "My Plan." 

Ezra Taft Benson said:

"Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life."

I know that when we choose to put Him first, blessings will come in abundance. 

I'm so excited for my last 3 weeks of being a missionary and testifying of my Savior at this wonderful time of year. I DON'T WANT TO BE ANYWHERE ELSE. 

I am HAPPY. 

I love you all. I hope you're having a Very Merry December!! 

Love Abbs! 

December NO way

Another day of preparation. P days we love them so much. 

So thanksgiving happened. That feels like it was a year ago. But it was just a week ago. Time is just the strangest thing right now I can't even tell you. But anyways Thanksgiving!! 

It was great! Food baby's are real. That was the theme of the day. Foooood baby. So much food. I certainly felt sick. But that's not a new feeling as a missionary haha. 

We started the day out at the gym. Ran a few miles. Then studied. Then went to a church to make and serve a Thanksgiving dinner. That was nice! Then we came home and ate an apple for lunch because we knew what was coming for us.... And boy, were we smart to only eat an apple for lunch. When we got to the McCarthys they had so many appetizers out and then it just went down hill from there. But they told us we weren't allowed to leave if we weren't bursting at the seams. So we all were bursting at the seams. 

It was GREAT. Life is good. Food is yummy. Pie is one of my faves. Yes. 

We also did some more leaf raking. If I had a nickel for every single leaf I've raked in Connecticut I would be a VERY WEALTHY SISTER. So many leaves. But they are about all gone from the trees now so we should be gooooooody. :)

My companion and I got to speak in the YSA ward on Sunday. We spoke on missionary work. It went well. Got some good chuckles out of those YSAs. I'll tell you what, being a sister missionary in a YSA ward is just so interesting. SO interesting. Haha!! Oh boy. 

We met a new woman named Betty. She is obsessed with cats. We walked in and I'm like oh HI. It was so intense I think there were 400 cat eyes just staring at me. And I'm allergic to cats so I wanted to scream and run. But obviously that wasn't an option. I just endured the lesson and probably looked like I was crying the whole time. Haha #weepingsista

We also tracted into a psycho woman who was speaking in tongues to us... Ran away from her real fast. Ha. Ha. Ha. Ohhhhh goodness there are some real crazies in this world you guys. 

We have been using the new Christmas video a TON. #ASaviorisborn.  I already have it memorized!! I love it. I think we've passed out 100 cards and it's only been what like 3 days? I'm so happy to be here as a missionary at this time!!! The church is doing amazing things with technology these days. I feel so blessed to have an iPad to be able to share these magical messages! Such a good tool. 

I was reading in 3rd Nephi, the part where Christ shows himself to the people of Nephi. (My favorite part...) It just really touched me this time when I read about the little children. Here are the verses that I just found so tender. Chapter 17.

11. And it came to pass that he commanded that their little children should be brought.

12. So they brought their little children and set them down upon the ground round about him, and Jesus stood in the midst; and the multitude gave way till they had all been brought unto him.

(Then Jesus knelt down and prayed with all of them.. Can you even imagine...I would be in AWE.)

21. And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.

22. And when he had done this he wept again;

23. And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones.

Oh I don't even know WHY those really touched me this week. I can just see it so clearly in my minds eye. What a special part in the Book of Mormon. And ... I just I want my own child. (Don't worry and don't freak. I can wait.. And I will of course!!) ha!! But I love children. And these verses were a good reminder for me to look to the little ones and become as they are. So special. 

Anyways. Idk what else to say about that. I like kids.

I love this work I really do. Can I wear a name tag for the rest of my life pleeeeeaaaase?

I LOVE YA.

Love Abbey Marie 

FALL HAS FALLEN

Hey cool cats.

Well the leaves are on the ground! The trees are bald. Kind of sad but also kind of good because we have been able to do TONS of service. Raking for days. We raked 5 yards this last week. We bagged 473 bags of leaves!!! Intense. My arms are sore. 

Today is P day. We are pretty happy about it. We are going to the mall in Scarsdale. To window shop till we drop. 

Also I love this holiday vibe in the air. Kinda makes me giddy. And I hate the word giddy. 

But anyways I'm still kickin here in Connecticut! 

We were able to attend zone conference on Friday and that was dandy. President Smith is super motivational. Usually when he's done talking I feel like I want to get up and run a marathon. He has got so much energy. He teaches really great life lessons too. I think every training I've had from him has been a training for not only missionary life but for real life!! I feel blessed to have such awesome examples in my life. 

We got to watch the new video that the church made for Christmas this year! #asaviorisborn  Gettin me all pumped for the Christmas season. I'm way happy that I get to be a missionary for Christmas one more time!! It'll be a special one. 

One of my favorite yards to Rake was a woman in the Darien ward. I got to help rake her yard last year and I got to do it again this year!! She makes it such a good time. Fed us delicious chili. We rake rake raked and put the leaves in paper bags. And then she started her little campfire in the backyard for dessert! We roasted marshmallows and made s'mores. HAPPY FUN GOOD TIME. We all loved it. It was my companion and I. And our roommates. And then four other elders in our zone. Maybe we had too much fun. Idk. It was great. Service wins.

Oh yeah! And we also had Stevens baptism last Wednesday! 

It was lovely. President Smith came. The YSA ward was very supportive. Loved it. Baptisms are always uplifting! Reminds me of the covenant I made for myself 12 years ago. 

Steven is so solid and happy. 

We are working with a few member referrals too!! We got 2 new ones from 2 investigators!! So cool. Progress is definitely being made here. 

The work is good!! I kind of don't know what to say about it or how to explain it... But we are doin it. And I love it. 

So yes life is still good here!! 

I love my companion. I have another life long friend! 

I'm happy. I'm grateful for so many things in my life!! I have a thankful heart. 

We are so blessed to have the restored gospel!! 

Sorry I'm kinda short today. Just have the P day jitters and I can't really write very clearly haha!

#pdayjittersarereal 

I love you!!

Love abb :)

Exceedingly Thankful

Thankful Thankful Thankful. 

I'm "exceedingly" thankful. (Yes, Book of Mormon term.) haha

It's Thanksgiving tomorrow. HUH? Time freaks me out. Goodness sakes. It's really weird to think one year ago I was in Manhattan eating at Bishop Nixon's apartment. Has it really been a year? What. Where did time go. It's all a blur. 

This year we will be serving a thanksgiving meal to people that don't have one. And then a member invited us over for dinner in New Canaan. It seems like it's going to be a good day. 

Selfless holidays are great. Weird but great. ;)

Sooo.. Today I get to go to the Broadway play WICKED. I love Wicked. It's my fave. 8 other sister missionaries and I. Haha we are way happy! It's a secret dream of mine to be in Wicked. I would LOVE that. Singing, dancing, dressing up.. Sounds like heaven. I am a big dreamer. I have SO many dreams. But dreams come true. So idk watch out. 

Also all the fun floats are going up for the Macy's thanksgiving day parade! What a dream that I am living in. I am blessed to be here. What is this life.

I'm currently on a split with the one and only Sister Spencer. We are the happiest cats. We are in Scarsdale. And then I will be going to the city on the train with two other sisters. It's a jam packed P day. I can't think of one P day that hasn't been jam packed though. So much to do. So little time. We make it work somehow though. 

                       

It really was a good week. We were able to look a bunch of people up and learn some more about the people in our areabook. Our areabook is so full of names its like going to explode. So we are sorting through all of those. It's quite fun. Actually not really. But missionary work really isn't supposed to be "fun." Sure it's fun along the way.. but the purpose of a mission is not fun. You know what I'm sayinnnnn. 

We got a new baptismal date! A cutie 12 year old! He is from a part member family. They have lived here for 6 months and we magically knocked on their door. They were so pleased to talk to us and find out where the church was located and all the good details. Little tender mercies all the time. 

We also delivered 5 whole thanksgiving dinners to 5 families. Giant turkeys and all. It was SO funny as Sister Johnson and I were carrying all the food to the doors. It was heavy heavy. And I fell down the stairs at one apartment with a bag of potatoes in hand. HAHAH. Dying of laughter. And more bruises. I have been a bruised queen on my mission. 

But really. wow to see tears in some people's eyes as we dropped off all the food .. It was so tender. I never realized how blessed I've been my whole life. These sweet families were so grateful and so humble. I honestly hope I can be more like them. 

President Smiths daughter's birthday was on Sunday and President invited us over to give her a birthday hug. It was my companion and I, the AP's, and the Smiths. It was a great night and I actually was very touched by the spirit. Let's see if I can explain why..

The AP's shared a quick powerful message about the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And good golly it was just super real. I kept thinking about this wonderful Smith family and their amazing example to me. I also was thinking about how it is BECAUSE of the Restoration that the Smiths are the family they are. This darling family has been sealed together forever and THAT is a blessing that wouldn't have come if it weren't for Joseph Smith! He brought back so many blessings to ALL of us that I think I/we take for granted. My heart is so FULL of thanks for the Restoration. The blessings could go on and on... 

The priesthood, The Book of Mormon, The temple, My knowledge of my purpose here on earth, Prophets, MY FOREVER FAMILY, My future forever family, My mission, Health, Leaders, Friends. SO many blessings. Wow. We are such blessed souls. Fo realz 

My thankful list right now: 

*FAMILY. (Mom and Dad, you have NO idea how thankful I am for you) I'm getting emotional just thinking about it. (Sisters, I love you too.) 

*My MISSION. Oh how lost I would be without this rich rich experience in my life. I'm BEYOND thankful for this time I've had to be stretched and pulled. The knowledge I've gained here is worth more than the world. 

*The Holy Ghost. Wow. Where would I even be without it. It has brought so much comfort and peace and I surely wouldn't have made it through my mission without it. 

*My Savior Jesus Christ. K really. I would be nothing without Him. We all would be nothing without Him. He saved us. Ohhhhh boy, He really saved us. And I'm especially thankful for His understanding. There are so many moments where I just feel peace in knowing that He knows exactly how I feel. I love him. I've really learned how to come closer to Him on my mission. 

*My very loving Father in Heaven. I cannot comprehend Him most of the time.. But I do know with all surety that He LOVES ME. I feel it everyday! I could never. ever. deny His existence. 

Woah I just feel like my heart could burst!! Sorry to be all "thankful" on ya. 

I hope you all can make a thankful list at this wonderful thanksgiving time. We have so much to Thank our Heavenly Father for. 

Remember Alma 34:

"That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you."

There is always much to thank God for. No matter what place we are in!! There will always be someone with more than us and there will always be someone with much much less than us. So let us be thankful for where we are!! 

I LOVE YOU!!!!

Love Abbs 

HAAPPPPY ABBBEY

Okay my people it's time for another one of these! 

First of all can I just tell you. I'm so happy. I LOVE LIFE. 

I usually sound extreme and dramatic when I say this but... I. LOVE. MY. MISSION. 

There are moments in every single week where I literally just breath in and out.. and think to myself "I LOVE THIS PLACE." It's an overwhelming love.

I am unable to describe how I feel. Heavenly Father is so aware of me. It's like the theme of my mission. Heavenly Father is so aware of all of His children. He's manifested that to me maaaany times. 

All I know is that I am coming back to live here one day. It is my life goal. Ah my heart could just burst. I feel like I belong here. Abbey looooves east coast. oh boy. And today we are in Manhattan to go to the temple. I love this place and these people. 

There was a scripture that I passed by this week and I just felt so close to it. I love reading the Book of Mormon as a missionary because I connect to it in a special way. You know?

It's in Alma 28. Pretend you're reading about ME on my mission and my journeyings in the land of New York. ;)

Verse 8 says this:

"And this is the account of Ammon and his brethren, their journeyings in the land of Nephi, their sufferings in the land, their sorrows, and their afflictions, and their incomprehensible joy..."

I absolutely love when it says incomprehensible joy right after listing their challenges. Because that is how I feel exactly. I can't even say more. I feel joy. 

Anyways.

The work here is great. We have a baptism TONIGHT. We are excited. Hopefully we will get some pictures to send home next week. Steven is so ready. And so excited!! What a special day for him. 

We went to the meeting that we got invited to on Thursday. With two of the members from the missionary department. It was a training on planning. Like a 6 hour training. Loooooong. And lots of information. It was really good for our mission. Im excited to apply what I've learned for my last 7 weeks. 

Monday night we did a look up of a less active and miracle moment when she let us in. Haha it was just another one of your weird daily experiences as a missionary. I'll explain.

She had like this giant room with books everywhere like a big library and every single book was a book about religion. She was so interesting. Her husband was Jewish. They had the funkiest stories to tell us. They talked and talked and talked. They gave us tea and we awkwardly didn't drink any of it. They had like 4 dogs that were licking my shoes my hands and just chillin on my lap. I was dying. We were right by the ocean looking out the window at these cute little sail boats. It was just such an interesting

40 minutes. It was one of those moments as a missionary where you laugh to yourself and think what the crap am I doing. Like these experiences are so abnormal. It's the weirdest best thing I've ever done in my life. Just thought I'd throw that in my email. Because I have those feelings quite often. 

Oh yeah we've been raking a TON of leaves. SERVICE. Sister Dunford is queen leaf raker. Just sayin. 

Also we go to this old folks care center place. Called Waveny Care Center. I LOVE it. We just get to talk with old people. People that have like dementia. It is probably one of my favorite service activities I've done on my mission. The old people there are SO funny. I need to write down some of my favorite old people quotes. They keep me laughing. 

Anyways. I've gotta run! 

We're off to PINKBERRY and then to the temple. 

I am so happy! I love this thing that I'm doing. 

LOVE abba