Happy Halloween (late post)

Well looks like my email didn't send and it deleted itself.... I am really really sad about that. It was my first time getting to sit down and write a real email to you wonderful people in a while. It's crazy that even these top notch technologies can't get a sad sister missionaries email back. Welp, I guess I couldn't call it a mission with out this happening at least once. 

I will try to remember all that a wrote....

It was Elder Palakiko's first time jumping into a pile of leaves.... I guess the excitement was too much because he over shot and missed the pile.

This week has been a crazy one, full of ups and downs, but I am learning a lot. I am learning to trust my savior. All in all I am happy and I see so many miracles EVERYDAY here. Oh I am so blessed.

We had interviews with president this past week. That was wonderful. I have to take a moment to express my gratitude for righteous priesthood leaders. Sadly, I have seen leaders throughout my mission and my little time of life who does not lead righteously. It is discouraging and frustrating but at the same time it is definitely teaching me to love, support and trust my leaders as well as my Father in Heaven. I am grateful for the wonderful righteous humble leaders I have had, President Morgan and his wife are defiantly one of them. I love them.

Remember those days you would go to bed every night just dreaming about the day you would be on a mission? And now you are waking up and you are already 6 months out or your parents are picking you up or you are already home!! It's crazy how fast the time flies. It wasn't supposed to go this fast. I love Clark. He was a wonderful missionary and I know he'll be a rockin RM. :) GIVE HIM A HUGE HUG AND A KISS FROM SISTER CHECKETTS. Gracias. Welcome home Syd. Thank you for being a wonderful missionary and cousin. I love you!! Ben, keep it up. I love reading your letters grandma sends. Justin! I am so proud of you! Yay for missions! 

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT: Genesis 29:20. "And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her." Of course right after I read this during personal study my mind went off into la la land day dreaming about the day when my sweetheart and I get married. Just as soon as I was about to say I do in my dreams the spirit whispered to me.... "And Sister Checketts served 18 months for Heavenly Father and his children; and they seemed to her but a few days, for the love she had for Him and His children." 

I must tell you about Hilal.... She is like my mother with her beautiful skin decorated with soft smile wrinkles and of course the topper her dark hair lined with silver. Hilals husband moved to the states with their oldest daughter to find a job and left Hilal and their youngest daughter back in their home land, Turkey. While here Kurt (Hilals husband), after a long investigation of the church, was baptized. He once told me "I have done a lot of things for my family but being baptized and baptizing my daughter has been and will be the most valuable thing I could ever do for them." Well his baptism wasn't all butterflies and rainbows for Hilal. She came to join them here in Connecticut after four long years and she was devastated by his choice to join this church. She vowed to divorce him. To her he was blatantly going against everything they knew to be right and true especially coming from an rich Islamic background. Two years later and still married, Hilal is opening up and her heart is softening. She doesn't speak a lick of English and who better to teach her than sister missionaries!? :) She sees through our smiles, love, determination, and laughs that we are something good, and every good thing comes from God. Last night we were over at her house and she invited us for dinner!! Turkish food here I come! This is a huge step for her. I want to be here to see this family sealed for time and all eternity. I love this family.

Hmmmm....I think that's it. I love Danbury, it is hard work and partially because there isn't much work but we are working!!! Hehehe did that make sense? I love you. Thank you for your prayers, keep them coming. XO

Love, Sister OPC