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

Corona Virus Update from the Mission President

And so it begins...SO CRAZY!

Dear Parents and Leaders,
 
We are sending this email to reassure you that all is well here in the Nebraska Omaha Mission.  We are carefully following the guidelines from the Nebraska Health Department and the Church missionary department concerning the Corona virus. Previous to this concern our missionaries were taught and educated on how to keep themselves well by our Mission Health Staff.  All of this training has prepared them for this time of extra caution.  The following guidelines were sent to all missionaries last week. 
 
We recently had a mission health council where we were advised by local physicians with the most up to date information for our area. We feel confident that we are doing what we need to do at this time.
 
 
Listed below are instructions from both the Nebraska Health Department and the Church missionary Department:

NEBRASKA HEALTH DEPARTMENT UPDATE:

Updates on Nebraska’s First Case of Corona virus COVID-19:
Nebraska announced its first travel-related case of corona virus COVID-19 in a person from Douglas County who recently returned from the England. The woman is seriously ill but stable in Nebraska Medicine/University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Bio-containment Unit. Public health officials continue to identify additional people who came into close contact with this person.

It’s important to remember that we haven’t identified COVID-19 spreading in Nebraska communities at this time.

State and local public health officials are requesting that basketball players, coaches and team staff who participated in the Special Olympics event at the Fremont Family YMCA on February 29, 2020 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to self-report.

Public health officials are also asking anyone who was at VFW Post 2503 at 8904 Military Road in Omaha the evening of Wednesday, March 4 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. to self-report.

Practicing good health habits can help prevent the spread of corona virus disease and other respiratory infections:

Stay home if you are sick.
Avoid close contact with those who are sick.
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.  If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.


CHURCH MISSIONARY DEPARTMENT:

Due to ongoing concerns with COVID-19 (corona virus) throughout the world, please review and follow these standard preventive health practices:

Frequently clean hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand cleaner.
Cover nose and mouth with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing. Immediately dispose of the tissue.
Avoid close contact with anyone who has cold-like or flu-like symptoms, including avoiding shaking hands or other customary greetings.
Thoroughly cook meat and eggs.
Avoid unprotected contact with wild animals or farm animals.
If you feel sick, counsel with the person in your mission responsible for helping missionaries with health issues.

You will notice that the preventive measures published by the Nebraska Health Department and the Church are very similar. Please follow these precautions but do not panic or worry beyond need.


There is not a need to panic or to have fear about the Corona virus but it is important to follow the guidelines above to help prevent exposure to the Corona virus. In addition to the above guidelines consider stopping the practice of shaking hands with everyone and do the elbow touch when greeting people in public, including Church meetings.
 
 
 
 
The best way to help your missionary at this time is to pray for the work to go forward and to keep encouraging them to work hard.   We love our missionaries and are proud of all the hard work that they do.  This great work will continue to go forward and we are grateful for your support and love.
 
 
Best Wishes,
 
 
J

Jesus Christ has perfect Pitch 🎶

Hello Friends and Family! It's been an awesome week! 

One really cool thing is that one of my Investigators named Leah is on date for Baptism!!!!! Wahoo!!!!!! She is on date for the end of March!! She is 40. An awesome thing that happened on Wednesday when we were teaching a lesson with her was we invited her to come to a Baptism on Saturday to see what it's like and she said "Oh should I just come ready then? Sense the tub will already have water, can't I just get baptized then?" It made me and my Companion laugh a little! Leah is awesome! We wish she could have gotten Baptized on Saturday but she isn't ready quite yet! Ha Me and my Companion have been teaching her ever since I got here. 

She will probably be my first Baptism unless a crazy miracle happens! I'm pumped!!! I've already seen the gospel of Jesus Christ bless her life and that's why I LOVE this work!!! Also, we have this other girl who is 19 named Angela who is also on date for Baptism in April :) She just had a baby and so we are taking it slower and she has a fear of water, so once we can get past that,  she will be getting baptized in April! I would love if you kept those 2 amazing women in your prayers:) 

This last week I had my first Zone Council! We went over the talk "Songs Sung and Unsung" by Jeffrey R. Holland in the April 2017 General Conference talk. It is AWESOME! If you have time, I would invite all of you to read it:) It talks about how we all are part of God's choir. And sometimes we may sing out of tune. But the Lord has perfect Pitch and we can always turn to him for help with the notes / Chords. It also talks about which I love is that not all the voices in Gods Choir are the same. There are Altos, Sopranos, Basses etc. We are all different for a reason. There is room for everyone in the Choir who wishes to be there. "Come as you are,” a loving Father says to each of us, but He adds, “Don’t plan to stay as you are.” We smile and remember that God is determined to make of us more than we thought we could be." 

It was a great meeting and I got to meet all the people in my zone:) 

Miracle Alert: So last Sunday I was sitting in Sunday School and there was this older lady who started crying and was sharing with the class that someone hurt her feelings and that she didn't want to come to church anymore. We were all shocked and sad. She is going blind and without getting into detail, she just said that someone was mean to her at church and more than 5 times she said "It makes me not want to come to church anymore." There were people in that room telling her "We cant control what other people say or do, only we can control ourselves." Others were saying " Please keep coming to church." Me and My Companion Sister Thomas were going to talk to her after church but other things came up. We forgot about it and then we moved on with our week. On Tuesday we were going to visit this Elder named James who we haven't met before but on our list it says he's a member but hasn't been to church in a while so we went to go visit him. It's about 7pm and we knock on the door hoping to see a guy named James and it's that cute older lady who was crying in church on sunday. Me and Sister Thomas were soo confused but we just went along with it. We acted like we were meaning to see her when she asked us why we were here. Haha it was incredible. No such things as coincidences! God is mindful of all of us and will put people in our lives for a reason. So we asked her if there was a James who lived there and she said "No, just me." So we shared a message with her and prayed with her and it made her whole night! We talked about her experience on Sunday and she just really appreciated us coming over! What are the odds that, that was HER house and we didn't even know. She is still coming to church and all is well. It was a miracle:) I know God led us to that house to talk with her and pray with her! 

On Thursday we had service at the Food Pantry! I sorted through 1,000 nectarines throwing out the bad ones and keeping the good. Me and my District smelled like them the rest of the day! I love helping out at the Food Pantry. We well families that come in get food and I love getting to know the people there. 

A few more interesting things about my area: 

1. I don't think they believe in having just one animal. Every house I've been to has at least 2 cats or 2 dogs. I've been in a house with 4 cats and 2 dogs. It was a madhouse but so awesome!:) 

2. The wind is so crazy here that it blows garbage cans, basketballs, and pretty much everything into the roads or down the streets. One day we were driving on the road and it was like obstacle course trying to drive through all the garbage cans,couch cushions, buckets, and toys on the road because the wind blew them. It was scary. I was feeling bad though because people were losing there stuff! Ha 

3. The people here are actually really amazing and they just want to do good in the world. Everyone I meet loves God. They might not know much more than that but the fact that they know God loves them and that they love him is an amazing foundation. 

Well we're trying our best to gather Israel and continuing to find the lost sheep! I love His Work. Also, my Companion lost her voice for 3 days this week so I did lots of talking! Ha I'm thankful she has her voice back;) 

Well everyone, thanks for reading through this email. I want all of you to know that no matter what, Gods Love for you is always there. Never forget that! He loves you so much that he restored this Gospel, created this Earth, and sent his Son to die for you! It's all for us. So we can learn, grow, and eventually return to live with him again. XOXO Have an amazing week!!!

I love you all. 

Here are some pics: My District at the Food Pantry, me hanging outside the window getting gas, and me and my Companion getting Dr.Pepper with creamer at the gas station! 

SKYPE PICS!

Watch me Whip, Watch me Nae Nae!

Hello Everyone !!!!!! !!!!!!! !!!!!!! I've been in Nebraska for 2 weeks!!!! To start off, here are some facts / things I've observed about Nebraska but mostly my area:) 

1. There are squirrels everywhere! Running on the grass, roads, and in the trees. 

2. There are pennies / coins all over the road. I dont think they care about change because we find money from the 1900s on the side walks!

3. It is super windy!!!!! 

4. You can walk 10 ft and pick up like 20 things of garbage! There is garbage everywhere! 

5. Every road has a different church. There are SO many different religions and beliefs here!

So last week I went to a Valentines day Dance that was put on by the Ward. We brought an investigator named Leah who is 45 to the dance and me and her were just dancing and dancing! It was SO fun! The song "Watch me Whip, watch me Nae Nae came on" and I was soo excited! I was in the middle of the circle on the dance floor with members surrounding me! I just met them that day too. Ha so I definitely was being bold! The dance was awesome! So a few days later, we went to a members home and the mom said to me "Ya I don't think we will ever see a sister dance like that again, you really whipped and nae naed!" It was the best compliment ever! Ha it was so funny! It made me happy! I will always love to dance and if I ever get the opportunity, I will take it;) 

I don't have much time and I apologize but so far the mission life is going great! I wouldn't want to be anywhere else! We have two people soft set on date for Baptism! I'm hoping and praying it will work out:) I know Heavenly Father is aware of all his children and that he puts people on our paths for a reason! Speaking of paths, no matter how far we may have fallen from the right path, there is always a way back home! Through Jesus Christ we can be saved! 2 Nephi 25:23 

One thing that I learned in my studies this week is this: The Road is Knowledge, the Vehicle is the Atonement, and the Road Map is the Holy Ghost! Ponder about that:) Super cool! 

xoxo 

I love you all!! Have an amazing week!!!

First Week Done!

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!! Hello everyone!!!!!!! I made it to Omaha Nebraska! I don't have lots of time so this one will be short:( so sorry! It was me and 5 other elders traveling to Nebraska! It was crazy being the only sister, but I guess I needed to keep the Elders in line!;) My first area is the Winter Quarters Nebraska area! Its huge! We have lots of people to contact, which I couldn't be more happy about! I left my MTC district which was sad but now I'm meeting lots more amazing people as well. My trainers name is Sister Thomas, she is from Cedar City! She is great! She is very patient with me! I don't know how she puts up with me sometimes hehe! 

Here are some pictures sense I am out of time! Next week my email will explain more and will be longer!:) I love you all! The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is TRUE!!!!!!!! Missionary Work is great!!! I love my Savior with my whole heart! Trust in Him! We are all Heavenly Fathers Children! He wants all of us to return back to live with him! Love Everyone!!! Charity Never Faileth!!! XOXOX

 PICS: My MTC District, airport with the elders, my new Companion, and Valentine's Party!

First Companion, Sister Thomas and Sister Smith

Safe Arrival

What a delight it was for us to greet your missionary Sister Smith, at the airport this evening. Sister Smith was excited to have finally arrived in the mission field. The MTC is a wonderful place, but there is nothing like being your field of labor.

Preparation Day for the missionaries in the Nebraska Omaha Mission is typically on Mondays, which is when missionaries take care of personal needs, including communicating with hers family.  So you should expect to hear from Sister  Smith next  Monday.

We just wanted to assure you that Sister  Smith has arrived safely to the Nebraska Omaha Mission,  Tomorrow, Tuesday, Sister  Smith  will receive some additional training here at the mission office, then will be off to her new area on Wednesday.

We are grateful to have Sister  Smith  here with us in this mission.  We look forward to growing close as we are yoked together in the service of the Lord.  You should have received an email from Sister Smith  already and if not, it will be arriving soon.  Also, a photo of Sister  Smith with Sister Ence and me will come shortly.

Sincerely,


James N. Ence
Nebraska Omaha Mission President

President and Sister Ence and Sister Smith!