Troy Family Tales: overtime

Hey yall!

Tomorrow is transfers so we're headed up to Omaha tonight! I'll be sticking around for another week (overtime) to attend a sealing (special ceremony in the temple where married couples can make promises between them and God) of a friend I taught at the beginning of my mission. I feel blessed to get to go back to council bluffs for a third time to catch those few people I must've missed ;)

This week was mega busy (as always). Thursday we had exchanges in Lincoln which was pretty fun! We spent the morning In the capital building which was actually really cool!

Here in grand island there's a large Hispanic population so we got to celebrate cinco de mayo! We stopped by a local restaurant and got some fruit cups which were super good.

As I wrap up my time here in the Omaha Nebraska mission I'm full to the brim with gratitude. Very grateful for the growth I have experienced while serving as a representative of Jesus Christ. If you or a child of yours is considering serving a mission tell them I said they should! A mission wasn't exactly something I had planned on until about this time 2 years ago and man am I thankful I decided to go.

The Lord has richly blessed me and I pray His hand was evident in each of your lives as well. After countless personal experiences and witnessing others', I know for a fact that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. One of the many chapters that have touched my heart deeply is Alma 10. Here's a few of my favorite verses:

Amulek was surrounded by the gospel yet chose not to follow.

(5-6)

"Nevertheless, after all this, I never have known much of the ways of the Lord, and his mysteries and marvelous power. I said I never had known much of these things; but behold, I mistake, for I have seen much of his mysteries and his marvelous power; yea, even in the preservation of the lives of this people.

Nevertheless, I did harden my heart, for I was called many times and I would not hear; therefore I knew concerning these things, yet I would not know; therefore I went on rebelling against God, in the wickedness of my heart, even until the fourth day of this seventh month, which is in the tenth year of the reign of the judges."

Yet when he chose to follow the Savior he and his family were richly blessed.

(11)

"For behold, he hath blessed mine house, he hath blessed me, and my women, and my children, and my father and my kinsfolk; yea, even all my kindred hath he blessed, and the blessing of the Lord hath rested upon us according to the words which he spake."

God has so many blessings just waiting for us if we'll just reach out and grab them! "The Lord loves effort." There are 2 things in this life that we CAN control: our attitude, and our effort. If we have an attitude of love, joy, and gratitude we will find peace in this life and in the life to come. Sending all of my love. As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, "What was once a tiny seed of belief for me has grown into the tree of life, so if your faith is a little tested in this or any season, I invite you to lean on mine." Jesus is the Christ. Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of God. The Church of Jesus Christ has been restored in these latter-days.

Thank you all for supporting me since day 1. God bless!!!

Jesus loves you,

Sister Katie Troy

Missionary, Nebraska Omaha Mission