She's Coming Home!

For my daughter's whole life she has surprised me with the way she has handled trials, and this was no exception! She was coming home, not by her choice, but because of a crazy pandemic that was sweeping every part of the world, and with a vengeance, killing so many in it's path. She didn't understand why, we didn't understand why, but that didn't stop Alisa from exercising faith in her Heavenly Father! She amazed me! Here are some pictures of before she came home AND the crazy pictures her dad and I took as we picked her up from the VERY SECURE airport, following all the guidelines set forth by the CDC and the Church! It was quite comical! She was told she needed to quarantine for 14 days just in case she brought the virus home with her. We still wanted to hug her, so we improvised: gloves, hoodies, lysol, etc. WE WERE PREPARED!:)

Sister Alisa Smith was honorably released from serving her full time mission on Saturday March 28, 2020. She followed the spirit as she helped others find the gospel before her mission, followed the spirit as she made the decision to serve, and followed the spirit and gave everything to the Lord as she willingly accepted the call to serve, served the people of Omaha Nebraska for 5 weeks, and accepted the Lord's decision to send her home early, definitely before she was ready! One day she will know the "why", and I know Heavenly Father is so proud of her willingness to do all He asks. She now continues to follow the spirit as she moves on to discover what Heavenly Father would have her do next! Well done Sister Smith! Your example is profound! WE LOVE YOU!💓💕🥰

Only 3 days Notice...

President Ence called me on March 19, 2020 and told me that the missionary department of the Church had asked him to call all missionary moms of missionaries who had health problems and let them know that they were evaluating each individual situation and that Alisa might be coming home. He also said that if she did have to come home she could return to the mission after the virus went away. I was ok with that...maybe. Honestly, my heart skipped a beat, both because of excitement and unbelief. Then I began to feel so sad and worried about my sweet missionary! After surviving the weekend and first of the week with no further calls from the Mission President, I felt like Alisa would be staying. But that wasn't meant to be. 

On March 24, 2020 Sister Smith called to tell us that because the Corona Virus, and with her health issues (headaches which require Botox shots every 3 months), she was told she would be coming home. All missionaries with health issues, worldwide, were being sent home with no invitation to return. When I questioned the "no invitation to return part" because of what President Ence had said, Alisa replied that He, the Mission President, had just told her she wouldn't be able to go back to the mission. I then called President Ence and he let me know that just in the past 4 days the Church had to make a decision and that is the decision they had made for all missionaries going home because of health issues. We were so very disappointed and sad! Sister Smith was so sad as she called and skyped the next day to tell us! We received her flight plans and she had 3 days to say her goodbyes and prepare to come home. Our hearts were breaking with hers as we knew what a powerful witness she had received and the powerful desire to serve that she had!

Conquer Corona

We can conquer anything with the hands of the Lord! Christ is the Cure! 

Hello! How is everyone doing? What are some of your favorite things to do with your family during this time of quarantine? Some updates on the Omaha Nebraska mission is that we are not to contact anyone in person. Everything is over technology. Me and my Companion are either in the church or in our apartment. We have all of our lessons over video chat! I'm so sorry but I don't have lots of time but know that the missionary work is still going on here in Nebraska and it's an amazing time to be a missionary! Here are some pics from the week:) I love you all!!!! Keep staying safe and healthy!! I pray for all of you! Remember that God is in charge:) 

XOXO

 

Updates from Sister Smith!

Wow! What. A. Week. I pray for all the families and friends out there who have been effective by the Virus. And I pray for all of YOU because one way or another, it has effected all of us. It's for sure a crazy time to be a missionary but what better time than to bring people peace during this time of worry. A few updates is that I can still be a missionary and do the work. We can't go door to door tracking, but we can work with members, part member families and people we already know etc. Its different not inviting people to church but it's a great opportunity to get the members involved by having investigators in there homes on sundays. So be a missionary this week:) Invite someone to watch General Conference, or to do Come, follow me with you on sunday! I know that as you share your Testimony to someone this week and invite them to those things that you will receive blessings and you will plant a seed for that person in their life.

We aren't stuck in our apartment....yet;) We are crossing our fingers that won't happen! I still love doing the Lords work and we are trying to focus on technology more and invite others to come closer to Christ through social media!

This week I had exchanges, so I got to go with another sister to her area. I got to go with Sister. Dastrup who is from Kaysville Ut. to Council Bluffs Iowa. I got to serve in Iowa for a day! It was awesome! This week was crazy and long! But I just want to testify that God has a plan! We are all players of this game plan! This quarter of the game happened to have the world shift a little bit with this Virus going around but we have an amazing coach. The best coach in the world. Our modern day Prophet President Nelson. I know he is leading and guiding us in the right direction! He is the closest thing to God, we need to trust in him and follow him. I love you all so much! Stay Safe! This is an amazing time to come closer to our Heavenly Father. Keep staying Strong, one step forward. We all got this!!!!!!!!!!!! XOXO 

Pics: Selfies, Exchanges with Sister Dastrup, District Service. 

Mission Update again!

2 Updates in the same day...

Dear parents and leaders of the Nebraska Omaha Missionaries,
 
I am sure that you have read the press release today announcing that missionaries serving in the US may be released after serving for 21 months if their normal release date is on or before September 1,2020.
The following statement from the Missionary Department to Mission Presidents should  clarify the reasons for these possible releases and I hope it will help all to understand the conditions as they currently exist. 
 
" The press release that went out this morning indicates that some missionaries “MAY” be released up to 90 days early in the US.  Presidents, that decision will be made by the missionary department, not by parents or missionaries as the time comes to make that decision.  We MAY need to do so in order to accommodate the evacuation of thousands of missionaries from other parts of the world as this corona virus is responded to medically and politically by various countries."
 
If  parents insist that their son or daughter return home right now, they can do so but it will be a release under their “ own insistence” and this means that the release would not be an honorable release. This type of release requires coordination with the home Stake President, the Area Presidency, the Mission President, the parents, the missionary and the Missionary Department. As a mission president, I strongly recommend against any missionary returning home because of their “own insistence” but will certainly cooperate with any missionary wanting to do so.
 
These times are challenging because of the unknown, however, I don’t feel that we need to fear the unknown, just because it is unknown. There are many great things that we can learn from these current challenges and blessings to look forward as we face the future with Faith and courage.
 
You as parents and our missionaries are in our daily prayers,
 
 

James N. Ence
President, Nebraska Omaha Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Cell:  402-980-4365
jimence@churchofjesuschrist.org

Mission Update

Dear parents, leaders, and families of missionaries,
 
I have a few updates for you from the Nebraska Omaha Mission. One is that each missionary has received funding for the purchase of extra food and items that may be stored for future use, should the need arise. Second is that we have not been given any indication the the missionaries will need to stay inside their apartments. They are out doing missionary work but have been instructed to not be knocking on doors of people through out neighborhoods. They have been encouraged to look up referrals, less active members of the church, part member families, prospective elders, new move ins, people who have been taught before and others who have expressed interest in learning more about the Church. They have also been encouraged to become more adept at using their phones to reach out to people and teaching them thru electronics. Third, we continue to stress following the protective hygiene that have been published as guidelines to help prevent the COVID-19 virus from spreading. Forth, most of the missionaries seem to be dealing well with these changes. Today, like all of you, was the first Sunday without any formal meetings at the Church. I will get a report soon from each missionary about their experience with meeting in homes with members and investigators for Sacrament meeting. Fifth, so far we have a few missionaries with cold like symptoms but no associated fever or other concerning symptoms. All missionaries have been instructed that they need to contact our mission health advisors, Elder and Sister Fawson, if they develop any cold or flu symptoms. To my knowledge, all of the missionaries have been following these instructions.
When and if anything changes, I will continue to send weekly emails or more often if needed. Please know that we are very concerned that each missionary be protected and cared for. I have been sending almost daily emails to them and keeping them informed and encouraged. The method of proselyting is changing but we have been encouraging these types of changes for months now, moving away from door to door tracking to working more closely with members and their friends and participating more with electronic meetings. Thanks for all of your prayers and support. We love your sons and daughters and are so blessed to be associating with them as full time missionaries.
 
 
James N. Ence
President, Nebraska Omaha Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Cell:  402-980-4365
jimence@churchofjesuschrist.org

Corona Virus Update

Dear Parents and Leaders,

Just an update for you regarding our missionaries and the missionary work here in the Nebraska Omaha Mission. I am sure that all of you are aware of the announcement from the Church leadership that for an undetermined length of time all public gatherings in the Church have been suspended. This includes Stake conferences, leadership conferences, other large gatherings, sacrament meetings, ward, stake and branch activities. We have been instructed that the Brethren want missionary work to continue during this same time period. We have been instructed to hold our zone conferences and other meetings with the missionaries and to continue to conduct convert baptismal services. The convert baptism services are to have only small numbers of attendees and that the confirmation of the convert should take place at this same gathering.

Through our mission Facebook page, mission emails and other electronic messaging we continue to remind the missionaries about the preventive measures that they should follow to protect themselves from the COVID-19 virus. These guidelines are those produced by the Church, by the Nebraska Heath Department and the CDC. Missionaries are also instructed what to do and who to contact if they develop any symptoms of the flu. These times can be nerve racking, especially for families of our missionaries, but I want everyone to know that we are following all known preventive measures to protect our missionaries. We plan to send out weekly updates regarding what we are doing here in the mission to follow any and all guidelines that are in current practice and to keep families and missionaries updated on any change that may occur. Please keep us all in your prayers and know that you are in our prayers.
Sincerely,
 
James N. Ence
President, Nebraska Omaha Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Cell:  402-980-4365
jimence@churchofjesuschrist.org