For spring break, Sterling let us go and visit my mission in Omaha Nebraska. I have been home for almost 2 years, and it was SO MUCH FUN to finally be back. Leaving a mission to come back home... it's like you leave a little piece of your heart there that you can't get back. It was great to get back and visit my old areas, be in the visitor center (the Mormon Trail Center) I served in, go to the Winter Quarters temple, and SEE ALL OF MY FRIENDS IN NEBRASKA!!!
Our first stop was to Pheonix however... because we had a 5 hour layover at the Pheonix airport. We have some AWESOME family though who lives just right outside of Pheonix, and they picked us up and showed us a GREAT time! We love Ian, Sheryl, and their 3 darling kiddos! We just wished we lived closer to them...cuz we seriously can't get enough of'em!
They picked us up, and got us some food, and took me to MY NEW FAVORITE SHOPPING PLACE... "Last Chance". It's like TJ Maxx on steroids! They have the greatest stuff, for AMAZING deals! As you can tell... we liked it! ;) We After shopping we went and saw their new house for a bit, and got some chipolte, (one of our favorite places to eat) and headed back to the airport. Thanks so much for making our layover SO MUCH FUN!
This is the pioneer cabin inside the Mormon Trail Center (one or two families lived in this sized cabin)
This room was one of my favorites to be in on my mission. It's called the "Memorial Room" and it overlooks the Mormon Pioneer Cemetery, and teh Winterquarters temple. It is such a sacred experience to stand in this room, and see the sacrifice of these people on the hillside of the cemetery, for the blessings of eternity, at the edge of the hill... stands the Temple. The quote on the wall states "O death where is thy sting. O grave, where is thy victory."
Pulling the Handcarts over the "Rocky Mountains". I'm glad Ster is strong... I would've made it to the Salt Lake valley with him helpin' me pull! hah!
The journey of the pioneers from Nauvoo to Salt Lake. Winter Quarters was the middle mark between these two temples!
This picture was taken on my mission, and 2 years later... took the same picture. Ster was the first one who JUMPED UP on this Omaha pole, and said "I want to take a picture like your Missionary picture!" good idea! They turned out kinda funny! :) (difference: no name-tag, pink pants, and a husband!)
The Mormon Pioneer Cemetery at Winter Quarters is such a sacred, and wonderful place. It shows so much sacrifice and love that these great pioneers displayed.
These are the names of those who sacrificed their lives, and died at winter quarters.
We registered with the rental car company to get a small, inexpensive economy car, but when we got there, they said they had an overstock of mustangs, and asked us if we'd like that instead. They even gave us a better deal on it. IMMEDIATELY Sterling was like "YES, we'll take it!" :) Happy husband!
Pepperjax (GREAT philly stake and cheese sandwiches)
The McBrides (Ralston, My last ward, and my last baptisms before coming home)
The Karre Family! (This is my miracle family in Nebraska. I know they are one of the major reasons I was so blessed to serve in Nebraska.) We had dinner with them, and then had Family Home Evening where we taught how to "build a fortress to keep our family safe". They are preparing to be sealed in the temple! :)
The Phillip family is from Micronesia, and is one VERY SPECIAL family. They all live in a small apartment, and have very little means. They are however so kind, and always love to serve. They feed missionaries all the time, and I was blessed to see 4 members of this family baptized, as I taught them as a missionary! I love them!
Harold Crew! I love this man! He was the first baptism I saw in my last area! He is so active in the church, and is such a sweet man. He still smokes like a chimney (haha!) but is such a great man!!!
The Minino's were amazing! I taught them in my first area on my mission. Dee Dee was a less active woman for YEARS, and we taught her husband Mark. The beautiful miracle was that These two got sealed in the temple the week before we arrived back for our visit in Nebraska! They GLOW with the love of the gospel.
The Hulon's... They were best friends with my first Mission President and his family! My mission President, his wife, and their family helped to convert them, and bring them into the church. They are sealed, and are SUCH AN ASSET to the gospel!!! You'd think they've been members for THEIR WHOLE LIVES!!!
Rachel, Pierre, and their kiddos! I love this family so much, and they have taught me some of the most special lessons in life! They're beautiful!Henry Doorley Zoo! This is one of the country's best zoo's... IT'S HUGE!!! If you ever get the chance to visit Omaha, GO TO THE ZOO!
The Desert Dome
The cave of bats and night life
The Jungle/Rainforest
The Gorilla House
We ate at Buffalo Wild Wings. It became one of my favorite resturants in Nebraska. I WISH WE HAD ONE IN ST. GEORGE!!! (Sterling at the BLAZIN' wings... and was on FIRE!!! I just smelled it, and my eyes started watering, and nose started running)
We did a session in the Winter Quarters temple the night before we came home. I love this temple, and the story of what was sacrificed for it!
The 3 Kunz/Coons! :) this is my mission President, President Milan Kunz. He is such a great man, and it was so great for Sterling and I to get to stay with him and Sister Kunz! I love them!
On our way home, we landed in Vegas, got our car from Jordan and Stacey's house (they were "car sitting" for us while we were away... that way we didn't have to pay for parking at the airport) and got to see them and their cute kids! They are growing up so fast! We love this family!
It was such a fun trip, and I am so blessed to have served a mission in Omaha Nebraska. I was excited to bring Sterling back, and show him a HUGE part of my life, that made me.. ME! He was so patient in ever visit we sat in, in every place we went, and ever person we talked to! I love him, and am grateful we were able to go back after almost 2 years of being home! Now... WE'RE SAVING UP FOR TORONTO CANADA NEXT YEAR!!!
