One Month Home

Hey there friends!!

What a great week it was! I can't believe it has really only been a week. Nor do I believe that I have only been home for almost a month now. Time moves really quickly and things continue to change every single day.

Last Sunday I was able to give my Homecoming talk in church. I don't think I have ever felt so nervous for a talk before... I had all sorts of anxiety that week leading up to it. I think it was mostly due to the fact that the name tag was gone and this was closure that it really was gone. Thankfully, once I stood up and started talking, it became all too easy to talk too much. The nerves went away and I was able to share my testimony and experiences from the past year and a half. Question: how in the world do you share 1 1/2 years of experience in 20 minutes...? Answer: you don't. You have to stop yourself early and breeze through a lot of the details. The most important part is your testimony anyways. I am grateful I learned that from my mission! Still, it was a neat experience to be able to just talk about my experiences, my testimony and the conversion of many whom I dearly love. It was also cool to see who showed up. Being Mother's Day, I think there were a lot of no-shows. It was still better than anticipated while I was joking about it back in the field (immediate family and the one friend who wrote me monthly haha!). Sister Sarah Hill came and so did Elder and Sister Rodak!! That was so wonderful :) I sure love all of them! 

Within a few hours following my talk, my sister, two friends and I all drove off towards Disneyland. How do you recap Disneyland??? It was amazing as always! It is so carefree and cool to just relax and enjoy the magic. I probably had too much fun really :)

Friday, I participated in a Chalk Art Festival that happens annually here in Bountiful. I did a drawing of Winnie the Pooh :) That was fun!

Last night, we drove my sister to the airport. She arrived today in Orlando Florida to work in Disney World for 7 months. I think this has been one of the greatest challenges of being home so far. I have felt a little bit unstable for the past few weeks- just can't quite seem to figure out my life and planning has been getting me nowhere. The one person I feel truly comfortable around is my sister. We spent almost a full three years together before I left for my mission. I was so looking forward to at least spending the summer with her before school but things were cut short. I have been anticipating this day with dread. And it is hard. It is like losing that amazing companion that was your best friend. The good news is that I get to text her and call her whenever I want. 

I think it is good for me though. As soon as she was gone I started seeking out others to be around- and seeking for ways to step out of my comfort zone again. I have no idea what I am doing yet, but I feel so grateful that I have support and I have the knowledge of the things that matter most. 

Today, we had a meeting with the high council where return missionaries give a report of their mission. This really is the final closure. I was way nervous again, but I felt the spirit strongly as I bore my testimony. My full-time missionary service is over- but the new adventures and opportunities are just about to begin!

I am just so grateful for the gospel. What a strength and a light it is in my life! Everyday I feel so much more complete as I am able to read my scriptures and pray. It is so amazing to me to have those habits developed! Before my mission, praying was a great challenge. I still find myself praying everywhere now. I love it :)

So what else is new? This week I am moving more permanently up to Logan. I have plans to continue searching for a job, talking to a counselor about school and spending a lot of time in the singles ward. Now is the time to really start looking for missionary opportunities as I meet new people. I am going to commit to actively pray for missionary opportunities. Here we go, kids!!

What an enormous blessing it was to serve in the Tennessee Nashville Mission! You are all incredible missionaries... I truly believe that the Lord calls the most elect to serve in that mission. Seriously, as I continue to meet people I am just amazed at how incredible the missionaries are- so obedient, diligent, talented, all-around amazing! I just love you all! 

I pray that you all have a wonderful, successful week :) Continue to keep me posted on your work! I LOVE reading your emails! I will be sure to let you know what missionary opportunities present themselves to me this week. 

Love always, 

Alicia Johnson