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!

You're Too Loud to be from Utah!

Hello Everyone!!!!!! I love you all so much! And guess what? I love being a missionary! It is the best! It's not the easiest thing but its most worth it! Last Friday I got to leave the MTC and go to Primary Childrens to get shots in my head for my headaches! My mom got to be my Companion! She loved it;) I'm thankful for her and everything she does for me! It was hard to say goodbye again to her but its all good! She teaches me so much and I love her! The next day me and my district got to go to the Provo temple! It was Beautiful and an amazing experience!! Temples are truly amazing and Houses of the Lord on the Earth! 

One funny thing that happend on Monday was I was in the Cafeteria eating lunch with my district and someone made me laugh pretty hard and so I was laughing loudly and I snorted ( ya surprising I know ;) ) and these other elders and sisters on the other table heard me and started laughing. One of the sisters was from Hawaii and she asked me "Sister where are you from?" And I said "Utah" and she said "Girl, you are too loud to be from Utah, I love it"!!! Haha and then we both just laughed soo hard!!! I told her Thank you! 

The MTC is still good! I'm gonna miss it! It's crazy I will be in Nebraska on Monday!!! I can't wait though!!! I'm gonna miss my sisters! We have all became great friends! You can see in some of my pictures below:) I've been super sick the past couple of days and had to go to the doctors but I am getting better! Everyone was praying for me and I felt those prayers:) Funny story actually, me and my Companion had to go off MTC campus to go get my medicine at a health clinic and I was super sick and still in my Pjs..soo I forgot to put my name tag on haha oops. So we walk to get the medicine and then we walk into the Gate to come back to the MTC and the security Gaurd lady almost didn't let me back in because I didn't have my name tag on. Ha I told her I've been sick and I forgot to put it on and thankfully she let me in:) 

On Tuesday we had a Devotional by Sister Eubank, 1st counselor in the Relief Society Presidency and it was amazing!!! I learned more how to serve with my heart, ( love everyone) serve with my might ( power, give it all I got ), serve with my mind ( Train my mind to look past the imperfections of people) and then lastly to serve with all my strength ( Take a leap of Faith and rely on the Lords Strength)! After the devotional though me and my district got stuck in the elevator and the elevator fell like 2 inches! Ha it was scary, not gonna lie! But we are alive and all is well! All the sisters just got jello legs cause we were freaking out haha!  

Lastly, I just barely went to the Provo temple for Pday one last time before I leave Utah! It was awesome!!! You can look at the pics and see my cute district! It was a beautiful day! I LOVE THE GOSPEL!!! I love wearing Jesus Christs name on my chest!! It is THROUGH Jesus Christ that we can return back to live with our Father in Heaven! This is the living true church because the living Savior is at its head. XOXO next time I email, I will be in Omaha!!! Have a great week everyone! The Lord is on your side!!!!!!

One week and One day in the MTC

Wow! Wow! Wow! I have been in the MTC for a week now! Its crazy, time goes so slow but so fast at the same time! This week has been full of learning, Devotionals and teaching. Me and my Companion got to teach this Non Member girl named Lexi! We taught her two lessons! It was hard at first but we are getting the hang of things and learning how to teach better! Me and my Companion laugh a lot, especially when it's time for bed so we are working on that;) I kind of like to laugh! Missionary work is the best kind of work! I love being a missionary! The Book of Mormon is True! I know it is another testament of Jesus Christ, and I know it has answers for our questions! Our purpose as missionary's is to Invite OTHERS to come unto Christ and I love doing that every day! Heavenly Father has blessed me with really good health! It's a miracle! My headaches have been so much better! He is blessing me and I'm so thankful! I get botox shots at the hospital tomorrow for my head and its gonna be really interesting leaving the MTC into the world and being a missionary! I'm excited! I'm getting a priesthood blessing today that my shots will go good! I'm thankful for the Priesthood and that power! Its awesome! 

One super cool thing that happened to me this week was I was chosen by my mtc teacher to act as a "non member" in front of 24 people including my district and I had return missionary's who work at the MTC to act as missionary's to teach me a lesson about the Restoration! We were doing a Demo to show the missionary's how to teach people! BUT, it was like an interrogation room! Me and the "Missionarys" were in one room and all we could see were mirrors on our side but through the other room the 24 missionary's could see us through the window! It was crazy! They could also here us but we couldn't here them! So I acted as a non member and it was actually the most spiritual experience ever! I really felt like that non member and I felt that I was being taught about Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ! They love us and are mindful of us! I was acting like I wanted a purpose in life and it seems that the members of the Church of Jesus Christ have a purpose in life. My favorite part was the end of the lesson, the missionary cited the "First Vision" and I just lost it! I started to cry! I felt the spirit so strongly! I was like "Sister Smith hold it together, you are acting as a non member!" But the spirit hit me so strong and I learned lots as sister Smith and that Non member, if that makes sense! We finally are done and we walk into the other room and the room was dead silent and filled with the spirit. Everyone told me that I made them feel the spirit and that I was a great actor! It was an awesome experience that I wish my district could have experienced! I know that my teacher was promted to ask me to do that and it was awesome!!!!!    

Also, me and my Companion are District Sister Training Leaders! That is our calling from the Branch President! We make sure all the sisters are doing good and we teach lessons on Sundays! It's fun! I love the MTC! One thing that I've learned is that we all need to reach outward not inward. We need to focus on the people around us and not on ourselves. Christ always looked outward and served everyone around him! We need to be like Christ! When life is hard, look outward! The Lord WILL bless your life!! I love you all so much!! Have an amazing week!! God knows you by name and he wants you to reach out to him! He loves ALL his children!! I will talk to you all next week!! 11 more days until I'm in Omaha!!!!! 

Sister Smith and Sister Phelon (MTC Companion)

MTC District