August 16th Email

Dear Family,

Well, the time has come for me to write my last email home on my mission. I can't believe it! It's been a very roller-coastery week. I've had a few moments--well, a lot--- of "oh my gosh, I'm leaving!" those usually result in tears. I had my last trail center training, and they had the traditional "departing testimonies" with me and sister Larsen. It was neat to be that missionary, sharing what has changed my life over the course of 18 months. It was also really sad. My old companion, Sister Mortensen and another sister, Sister Evans, were here visiting, so I got to see them and seek some advice! They are awesome! It's been a week full of lasts, which is soooo surreal, but it's called for many powerful moments.

I took my last tour in the trail center, which happened to be the perfect way to end my experience as a visitor center sister. It was a missionary tour. Elder Pauni and Elder Robinson brought in their investigator. She was AMAZING. The spirit was so strong. We spent a good chunk of the time resolving some concerns she had. I really felt like a missionary. I actually prayed that for my last shift I would be able to really help someone, that someone who really needed me would come in. She did. We really connected, and she even wanted a picture with me. I gave her my address so she could tell me how she's doing. It was amazing.... I am so grateful for that experience.

I had my last district meeting... which was also really powerful. I learned a lot of things I really needed.

I had dinner with Melissa last night! She was so great! She taught US the lesson. She never ceases to amaze me. we exchanged how we've impacted each other's lives, and it was neat.

Todd and Helen are coming to CALIFORNIA in october, and I'm totally going to have lunch with them! SO EXCITED! Tonight we're going to help them garden, and having a lesson...

So much emotion is going on right now, more than I can really express, but I do want to take a few to share what my life has been able to be for the last 18 months. I have learned what it means to love... and what you do because you love someone. I've learned that if you are obedient, you shall not fear! I KNOW THAT. There is no reason to fear when you have done what the Lord has asked. I've learned that people come into our lives for VERY specific reasons I've learned that the Atonement is truly real. That we really can be with our Heavenly Father again someday, because of the Savior. I know that NOTHING is coincidental. I've learned that prayer works, and that it's not to be taken lightly. I've been able to learn from each experience, whether good or bad. I'm so grateful that I got to learn what I have, and that I was able to do it here in Nebraska. I've felt like the luckiest girl in the world for my whole mission, because I got to be a missionary. Something I was SO afraid of has been the biggest miracle, and I've truly changed. it's changed EVERYTHING for me. I don't know why I got to be so blessed, but I'm glad I have been here. From the second I got off the plane, I knew I didn't want to ever leave Nebraska, and now the time has come... But it's okay. I know that there are more blessings in store, and I'm still a missionary. I know that I have lots of things to do. What they are, I haven't entirely figured out, but I know that I can strive to do what the Lord asks, and I will be just fine! I LOVE my mission. It's everything to me. I will never EVER forget what it's done for me. (here come the tears) I've seen a lot of lives change, and it's because I was lucky enough to be there to see it. I know that each of us has a place in the gospel plan, and that we each have specific people we NEED to meet and bless. I know that... I love all of you, and I will see you in a few days.... Don't mind the bags under my eyes, or the farmer's tan... Hopefully they will go away with time. haha =)

Sister Bonelli.

August 9th Email

Helen and Todd were baptized last night! WOO! Helen's records were nowhere to be found, so we got to see 2 baptisms! It was wonderful. They were both so excited. They had their interview on Saturday, and our district leader told us a little about it. He said that Todd told him that after the first few visits with us, he couldn't sleep because he was just so overwhelmed. He would just go over in his mind everything he was learning, and it all just made sense to him. At the baptism, they both bore their testimonies, and Todd said that his whole life he had faith, but there was always a hole. He had finall filled it!

Melissa is still doing super well. She had been really sick for weeks, and I had been able to see her, but she's doing so much better now, and finally was able to get to church. She bore her testimony and just amazed me again! She said that she is fine. She doesn't have to worry anymore. I've been so lucky to hear how the gospel truly has profoundly affected the people I've met on my mission. I've really seen so many miracles.

Our investigator Holly finally came to church. Her adorable little girls Halle and Mckaela came with her! We've been teaching them "I Am a Child of God," and they have been so excited about it, and for the closing hymn, we sang that! They were ecstatic and sang at the top of their lungs! It was special =)

My friend Erika from the WQ ward came to see me at the Trail Center. She is leaving for her mission TOMORROW! WOO! I am so excited for her. She joined the church a few years ago, and is so awesome. Can't wait to hear how she is doing.

I got to go to Zone Leader council on Friday! WOO! That's where the all the zone leaders, the assistants, president, and the trail center trainers meet together and discuss the mission and some of the needs, and set goals and receive training. It was AWESOME. We had a panel with a few people from Omaha, and Our Ward Mission Leader and Bishop were on the panel. I learned a lot. Sister Kunz gave a training on hope, which I loved. She talked about hope being an expectation. She called it Righteous Expectation. One thing I thought was neat was this quote, "Because Christ successfully completed his mission, we have every reason to hope." That is so true. I've been able to grasp a little bit of that lately. Especially with the short time frame that I have. Although I am nervous to embark on the rest of my life, I'm not scared. I have learned that I can do anything through the atonement that is nessecary for me to do. It's nerve wracking... but It's going to be just fine. Anyway, we got to go to the temple after which was nice... by the time I go home I'll have been lucky enough to go 3 times this transfer!

On saturday, I may have had a little cry fest just before meeting with our ward mission leader. He's super awesome, so sister myers said, "well, if there is anyone who wouldn't judge you it would be him, so it's ok!" I agreed and we went in. He saw that I was sad, and asked what happened, and I cried more, and told him. He then told me to sit down and said, "Sister Bonelli... Sister Meryhew sat right there and cried in my living room. Sister Mortensen sat right there and cried in my living room about going home. AND LOOK AT THEM NOW!" He then proceeded to pull up pictures of them with their boyfriends. I'm not even worried about boys. haha. silly brother jensen.

hmmm.. I think those are the main points of the week. It has been a good one. I'm working hard to just make sure I'm doing everything Heavenly Father wants me to right now... It's a struggle, of course... but it's great! I love you all....

Sister bonelli

August 1st Email

Well, it's officially like the depths of Hades here. lol. The Trail Center windows are literally sweating! weird, huh?! It's kind of funny. the other day we were out contacting people on the streets, and I am sure the spirit had to be making things work, because I was sweating like a pig, and am sure that what I had to say was not appealing on its own! haha.

Todd is amazing! He was in Gospel principles class yesterday and kept answering all the questions. He's just so good! Also, He's been smoke free for 2 weeks! WOO! He gets baptized next monday. His wife Helen is so cute, too. She made a little sign for he day care letting them know she wouldn't be available that day, and made sure to tell them it was because todd was getting baptized. She actually may be getting baptized, too. They can't find her records anywhere, so she may do it too. Todd keeps telling her she should just do it. He refers to it as "Taking the plunge!".... He's so silly. "Helen, we might as well save some time and have you take the plunge with me!" I just love those two.

I had another adventure as TC trainer. We got together friday night to plan training for saturday. It's so cool to see what happens in those meetings. This particular meeting, we didn't even have a topic in mind yet, and we had to start from scratch. But literally within a few minutes we knew exactly what to talk about. We had a tour in mind all about Sacrifice. We were going to select 4 sisters to touch base on sacrifice at each of the spots in gallery. We knew exactly which sisters. It's interesting to see how that happens. I know that it's directed by the spirit, and it's not like I feel this incredible force telling me, "sister so-and-so needs to talk about the Log cabin." It just makes sense, whether I know anything about them or not. That's the cool thing about callings. What you need to do just makes sense. I love it.

President Kunz's daughter just got back from her mission, and came to training on Saturday. She was awesome, and I learned a lot from her! It was a little daunting to think about being a return missionary. It's almost more pressure than being a full-time missionary. Don't judge me if I am not as fantastic as you hope I'll be! haha.

Well, it's now august, and I'm about to turn 23. ew. I've decided that I'm staying 23 forever. also, I've decided to stay in Nebraska forever. Or maybe I'll just come back when i have a family. We'll see. I love this place so much. Humidity and snow and all.

I love you all. write me soon!

Sister Bonelli

August 1st Picture

Mission wide photo. Taken just before meeting Elder Christofferson!

Pictures of the Cemetary, including the entrance, the monument and some pretty flowers with the Temple in the background!

July 26th Pictures Part 1

With Sister Meyer's at the Tabernacle after the play!

Elder's and Elder Watson! They needed extra Mormon Batallion members to come home to Kanesville!

With Sister Stranger and Sister Kusnerik before Stranger left!

July 26th Email

Dear Family!

It's been a pretty eventful week! I had the opportunity to participate in a Hymn Festival, called "remembering the hymns of the restoration." It's been planned for months, and they asked Sister Myers and I to perform "Angels" at it, so the fact that we ended up being companions was pretty awesome! =) Anyway, this fireside was at the Kanesville Tabernacle, and it was a joint church fireside. Members of the Community of Christ, Remnant LDS, and Restoration LDS were a part of the program. It was actually really neat. They had a program with music from each of our different hymn books, so that we could all sing along to eachother's hymns. It was neat. Anyway, Sister Myers and I jazzed up the song, and made some cool changes, so soon you will get to see a video. It was cool to sing at the Tabernacle. That was such an important place for the Saints. It's where Brigham Young was sustained, and lots of things happened. I feel so lucky to have been here.

Todd Kmiecik is doing fantastic! He's been smoke free for over 7 days now! WOO! We taught him the plan of salvation the other day, and he said to us that it was "the perfect plan!" He also talked about how he's felt about life since going to church. He said "it's not so much just simply going to church that's helped, but we have more faith now than we did before!" So awesome. I don't know why I get so lucky with these prepared people.

It's been a rough week for the sisters. We had a zone temple trip on Friday, and just an hour before, one of the new sisters found out that someone significant in her life was killed in an accident. Another sister went home on medical release, and almost all of the sisters are struggling with something, and they are all just really weighed down. The TC trainers had a meeting that evening to plan our training for the next morning. Both Sister Larsen and Sister Minert are dealing with things too, and I just really felt the weight of the trail center during that meeting. I knew that we needed to plan a really meaningful training. We worked together and decided to have a pioneer tribute, being that pioneer day was coming up, and we are pioneer nerds =)... Anyway, we selected, very carefully, sisters to share favorite pioneer stories and their testimonies. We wanted the Sister who lost her friend to go first, if she was willing, and she was. She went first and completely set the mood for the whole training. She shared a quote by Heber J Grant when he dedicated the WQ monument. It says, "This has been called the tragedy of winter quarters, but there was no tragedy here, for tragedy spells defeat and disaster. This was the victory of winter quarters. for here were faith and hope and charity raised to their loftiest pinnacles, all greed and selfishness were brought low." I'd never thought about it so deeply as I had then, because of who was saying it. The rest of the meeting was so powerful and I loved it. I think it was just what we ALL needed.

Anyway, it's been a really good week. I'm thankful, because I may have possibly had a "last-transfer" breakdown, finally. I was holding on for dear life so I wouldn't have one... but I had one... now it's over, and I can just focus. lol.

I love you all

Sister Bonelli

July 19th Email

Okay, so logistical things first.... I now have a profile on Mormon.org! WOO! Check me out! It's under "lianna"... We're not allowed to give out missionary info, just that we're serving missions... so that's why it's my first name. Anyway, look it up, and then make one! =)

It's been a miraculous week! We started teaching this man, Todd. He's a referral from his neighbors, the Mccashs. They called us a few weeks ago and told us that they had these neighbors that would like to learn more about the church. We dropped by and set up an appt with them. Their names are Helen and Todd Kmiecik. They are amazing. Helen is actually already a member, but a lost sheep. She Stopped going when she was really young, and doesn't remember her baptism, but her mom is active and said she's been baptized. Anyway, they have this amazing desire to do something different in their lives, so they are coming back to church. Todd says he's been feeling so much better about life. He's seen changes that have come because of his faith. He said it's not just because he's going to church, but because he has more faith now. He really feels the spirit. It's amazing. He's been reading and going to church, even before actually meeting with us, and has committed himself to do all of these things! We all hit it off right away. I feel like I've known them for forever, and it's like I'm watching my long time friend turn his life around. It's so neat how that happens. Anyway, We invited him to be baptized, and he will be baptized on the 30th! The other day we taught him about the Word of Wisdom, cause we were pretty sure he smoked, and he said that he and Helen recently decided to quit drinking coffee. He said that he was reading one of the pamphlets a few days before, and after reading it he knew that he needed to give up smoking. It wasn't the W.o.W pamphlet, it was a different one, but he recognized the need to change his habits. He wrote down on the pamphlet, "monday and 6:00"... meaning, that on monday at 6 he was going to quit smoking. AMAZING. I promised that I would quit eating unnessecary sugar, while he was quitting, so that he would know that I was giving something up to. Haha. He probably doesn't really need me to do that... but I really need to be better about that, so I'm having him hold me accountable! haha. I'm only eating desserts at dinner appts. It's helpful, every time I want to eat a piece of candy, I just remember that Todd is not smoking a cigarette. It's nice =) Anyway, it's been so neat to see the blessings that he is experiencing right now. And for Helen, too... she is so excited to see the changes in her life as well. They are amazing =)

Right now there's an annual pageant going on at the Kanesville Tabernacle in Council Bluffs, IA. They put on a pioneer play called "come home to kanesville." This year, President approved a "missionary session," that we were all allowed to attend. It was a lot of fun! Kind of weird, being at a play... but really cool. I hadn't been to the Tabernacle since the beginning of my mission, so there were lots of flashbacks going on, and it made me a little queezy. haha. I enjoyed it though, and since I'm obsessed with the pioneers, it was the best! =)

President has a conference call with all of the departing missionaries in their last transfer... so mine was up... We all got on the line, and had a little meeting. He gave us a pep-talk and some advice for staying focused. It was a neat meeting, not overwhelming at all... However, it did make everything a little more real, and it resulted in me getting off the phone at the end, and having a little cry-fest. Don't worry, it didn't last long! I've promised myself that I will NOT go into a fullfledged breakdown over going home. It's just not nessecary. haha.

well, I love you all a lot! Keep writing me!

July 12th Email

Last week was crazy! I had to say goodbye to Sister Stanger, Hale, and Itri. I was uberly depressed. I miss stanger so MUCH. Also a lot of my favorite other missionaries went home, too. It's really weird being the "oldest" now. I don't like it! They had a departing testimony meeting and I was working the TC that night, so I got to run down and say bye to them. I gave stanger the BIGGEST HUG EVER. When I was chatting with her, someone tapped on my shoulder, and I looked behind me and it was my friend Kelsey, who I worked with a lot in Winter Quarters. I had been thinking about her a lot, and I was SO happy to see her. She's an amazing person.

My adventures as a Trail Center Trainer are a bit stressful. Thankfully I'm the newbie, so it's probably not as stressful for me as it is for Sister Larsen. We planned an orientation for all the new sisters, which is a new program, so that took a big chunk of time AND energy. It was fun to do though. We also had my first Trail Center Training on Saturday, which was really fun. We trained on using the Doctrine of Christ in the trail center on tour. The spirit was really strong. Heavenly Father really helped me to not be nervous and just train. I was really thankful for that. It's interesting. Past TC trainers have said before that when they became TC trainer, they suddenly had this deep love for all the sisters. I always kind of assumed that was a lie. haha. I loved them anyway, before, but really, it's true. I feel such love for them, and I have this desire to help them in anyway that I can. I wonder if that's how Zone Leaders feel, too.

I've had some awesome tours. Just yesterday, I took a returning missionary with his family on tour. They were still in town before heading home, so they came back to do a tour. I was really nervous for the tour. I didn't really know Elder Haslam that well, and they were kind of quiet, so when they were in the theater I prayed really hard that I would love them, and that we would all be comfortable and feel the spirit really strong. When we were in the Memorial Room, I was bearing my testimony about some things, and before we went on, Elder Haslam interjected and said that he wanted to say something. He said something along the lines of, "Missions are really really hard, emotionally, physically, spiritually, mentally. One of the biggest motivators for me was knowing about the pioneers...." He said a few things on that, and then said,"I'm so grateful that I got to be here, with all the blood sweat and tears, where they did the same." That's not a word for word quote, but that's basically most of it. It was so powerful. I feel the exact same way. It really hit me hard. It's neat to me to know that Those pioneer angels surround me each time I'm at the Trail Center.

We're teaching this awesome family. Jeremy and Jessica. We GQd them and they told us to come on back, and set up an appt. We went back for the appt and they had cookies and Lemonade all set up for us! cool huh?! Anyway, I ate the cookie, even though i was allergic. Jessica was worried that they looked weird, and I didn't wanna seem snobbish so I just ate it so I wouldn't hurt her feelings. It was good, no matter the consequence! haha. Anyway, they're awesome. They are already super religious, and Jeremy is hesitant about the Book of Mormon, but I know he will get his answer if he really seeks it out =)... Also... they have awesome taste in music... just throwing that out there =)

My calling as TC trainer doesn't allow time for me to be trunky, even if I wanted to be trunky... so don't worry! haha. I love you all.... keep writing me =)

Sister B

July 6th Email

WELL.... it's officially my last transfer as a missionary. It hasn't quite hit me a hundred percent yet... I'm possibly in denial. YIKES. Also, Transfer calls this morning were a little shocking an overwhelming. Sister Myers and I are staying together, which is no surprise, BUT I have been called as the new Trail Center Trainer! AHHH! That basically means that I give trainings every saturday morning to the sisters and senior couples at the trail center. There are 3 of us that do that. Sister Larsen, my MTC comp, and Sister Minert are the other 2. We also handle things like the TC schedule and plan out exchanges, and we get to go to the Zone Leader Council and receive really cool trainings from President Kunz. SO... this is pretty awesome. Daunting... but awesome. I'm actually a bit stressed about it... I don't like more responsibility than nessecary. haha.

Aside from that, The week went pretty well! 4th of July was nice. We had a nice dinner at the Hall's house.They made awesome kabobs for us! They had our investigator Heidi over after, and we had an amazng lesson with her. That family has such a powerful spirit about them. Of course, just like last year, everyone and their mom lit fireworks all week, ALL DAY, ALL NIGHT. So it was a bit exhausting. I secretly enjoyed walking past people's driveways and having fireworks almost blow my hair off.

I took some neat tours. On Sunday, a guy came in, who was really into Mormon history. He said right off the bat that he grew up with missionaries coming over to their house, and so he was somewhat familiar with us. He was SUPER nice and so I was excited to be all missionary-like with him. After I pulled him out of the pioneer film, we started on tour and got talking about Christ, and he actually turned out to be athieist. I was not expecting that. He was the nicest atheist I'd ever met. Anyway, We went around the gallery, and he was super open and asked lots of great questions. At the end, we went down to look at our amazing statues of Christ, and I bore my testimony to him. I said something along the lines of "I know that you don't believe in God, but I know he's there, and that he loves you. I know that missionaries have stopped by your mom's house because God was leading them there. I've been one of those missionaries. I know you don' t believe, but I would like to invite you to learn more about why we do." He wrote down his name and info, and missionaries are being sent there. I don't know why he decided to let them come. My guess is he's not completely satisfied with his life right now... but He's on his way to finding something great.

Other cool experience. So there's this guy Clay. He's a photographer. He went to Florence Days with us and took all of these cool pictures of us solely because of curiosity. He's sort of become our little trail center friend. He comes in often to meet with Elder Watson and chat with him about the gospel, and he finally agreed to be taught. Sister Myers is the one who originally took him on tour, so we've been assigned to teach him for some reason, instead of whoever is in his area. We taught him yesterday at the trail center. The spirit was SO strong. We talked about the Plan of Salvation. I felt like we weren't really teaching, more just talking with a friend about something he needs. It was neat. I hope he felt the difference as strongly as I did.

I've had grand experiences. I've loved it. I'm grateful to have the gospel in my life, and that I get to share it.

June 28th Email

Hola Familia!

It's been a pretty good week! Saturday We got to go into Council Bluffs, IA and search for people from their ward list in the areas where the flood hasn't hit yet. They were all lost sheep that no one knew anything about. It was neat to go and do that. We were responsible for finding out if they had any place to evacuate to, if they needed help moving things out of their houses, and some other things to keep everyone safe. I've learned a lot about how much wards actually do to take care of the people in the areas. It's neat to see it behind the scenes.

We have had some CRAZY storm action happening here. Sunday night we were getting ready to head home, and out of nowhere the sky turned completely black! Usually at that time, it's still light. It doesn't get dark until like 10. Anyway, then sheets of rain started pouring down, and it was impossible to see. We had to get off of the interstate in Ralston and then we drove to President's house, so we could plan for the next day. Then OUT OF NOWHERE the sky turned like a yellow color. It was sooooo weird. Then we finally were able to drive home, and the thunder and lightning was insane. The lightening was lighting up the whole sky. It was like watching computer animated lightning. It was so cool. Nebraska is super intense.

I've had some awesome Trail Center moments. Last week I took a Catholic Priest and Deacon on tour. Father Mike and Deacon Jim. They were awesome! They asked all sorts of neat questions, and I got to know a lot about them, too. It was all very respectful. They were in town from Missouri working on Habitat for Humanity. I also have been able to really focus on helping people feel the spirit while they're here. I've had some really great moments with people. Yesterday 2 men came in. One had been a member for 40 years, and the other, his brother, had been a member for about 11 months. We got to talk a lot about how the gospel has moved us and I learned how the 11 monther ended up being baptized. Ther other man's son, who is a missionary at the Referral Center in Provo, contacted him, and taught him throught Mormon.org, and then 3 weeks later, he quit smoking and drinking coffee and stuff, and got baptized. It was so awesome! They were really neat, and then they referred their sister. I'm excited to call her and invite her to be taught by the missionaries.

We're teaching a woman named Jen Chambers. She is amazing. She's still trying to decide what to do, but her daughters are really involved in Achievement days and Young Women, and she is very involved in Relief society. Her older daughter, Madi, is working on her personal progress! AWESOME! I'm excited to see them grow.

I nearly hyperventilated the other day. I looked at our schedule and realized we only have about a week left in the transfer, and then after that I will only have 6 weeks. SO CRAZY. I'm not a fan of the lack of time... I know I'll be happy and excited to come home, and I am excited... but it's weird to think about. I've loved my mission so much.

I love you all. Keep me posted. You might want to start compiling movies and things so that I won't be totally out of the loop when I get home! haha. I love you

Sister Bonelli

June 20th Email

Hey Fam!

So this week was pretty awesome. I've officially strengthened my testimony of Member missionary work! IT'S SO IMPORTANT! Our ward's super awesome plan has been so amazing! Just having members with us all the time has helped us to have more people to teach. I know that that is a result of us working together, and Heavenly Father recognizing that and helping us do what he's asked! It's been really great. People don't realize that the missionaries can only do so much. We are responsible for teaching, and having the spirit with us, and working extra hard... but our prime responsibility is to help members with THEIR missionary work. We're only so effective without that mind-set.

Some funny experiences to jot down:

*my pinky finger was almost detatched from my hand after being slammed by a 2 year old carrying a pink baton.

*I learned how to properly use a round-about this week. about time.

*Mimi sent me Twilight Candy.... I was beside myself.

We teach this cute little hispanic family. Their Daughter, Salma, is an 11 year old Recent convert, and the rest of the family is investigators. It's kind of a complicated situation, because the parents are not married, so that's why they're not baptized yet. Anyway, Maria, the mom is the sweetest ever. She is way better at english than she thinks she is, and is always learning different little things from us. She has a 2 year old named Esai (pink baton boy)... He calls us Mormonas (mor-mone-ahs). Yesterday we were over there, and Maria always gives us some kind of fruit to take home with us, and Esai has been picking up on this and handed each of us a banana to take home! It was way cute. Also, after he wacked me with the baton, he ran out of the room, and 2 minutes later, he came back with 3 blankets, and put them on me to make me feel better, and to apologize.... He was totally forgiven!

We're teaching a man named Lloyd now. He is a really old veteran from the Korean War. He's awesome! He read his assignment we gave him, and called us and told us he really related to the First Vision. He said he had had some experiences before with people that had passed away. He said that when we went over there next time, he wanted us to explain why he'd had those experiences. WHOA.

This past week has been really fantastic. I love being a missionary. For a few weeks, I started to realize how tired I am, and it was starting to get to me, but I'm good now. I think the end of my mission will be the best part =)

Sister Bonelli

June 13th Email

Hey family!

Not too much to report this week! I got to see Chad! I was so excited. I had been hearing all about him from other sisters, and it was starting to annoy me! He came into the TC and I got to chat with him for a few minutes. I felt bad, because I was having an off day, and I think he may have felt awkward... but I was really happy to see him!

The Trail Center is SO busy. I've been taking a lot of big 40 person tours lately. Big groups come in a lot during the summer months. I got to take a big youth tour the other day. They were from Utah. It was a 90 person tour, but we split them in half. They were all kids who just graduated from high school in the same stake. It was awesome! I got to relate a lot of things to their situation and the spirit was really strong.

It turns out the Elder they had me take on tour is probably going to go home... Sad. I tried really hard to help.

Our ward is starting up a new plan to get the members more involved in the work! We start tomorrow. It's such an awesome plan. I'm excited. Our Ward Mission Leader spoke in Sacrament yesterday, and he gave the most amazing talk! He began the talk by just talking all about the most recent converts in the ward and telling their stories. as he told each one, you could tell how much he cared about them and how much he loved being a part of the missionary work in the ward. It was awesome. Anyway, the ward seems to be responding well and we're excited =)

Not much else is happening. I can see fantastic things in the future for Millard! So excited.

Love you all

Sister Bonelli!

June 6th Email

Hey Family!

It's been a crazy week! We are now attempting to teach a man from Afghanistan. His name is Zmarai! He's awesome. He is very difficult to understand... well, actually, I can understand him, but it's hard to teach simply enough for him to understand me. I've taught a lot of people from other countries, but this is by far the toughest language barrier! haha. It's fun though. He's reading the BOM in Persian.

We were starting to teach this awesome guy named Travis. He was great. The first time we taught him the Spirit was SUPER strong. Nothing in particular happened, it was just strong that time. Anyway, last week, he gave us a printout of a website with a bunch of Anti material. It was super sad. As a missionary, you eventually learn that arguing those sorts of things is really pointless. I wish people would just pray before they start jumping to conclusions. He had so much potential, and he really needed this... Something I love about the gospel is that you don't have to take anyone's word for it. A lot of people are raised in the church, and still eventually have to figure it out for themselves, to know if it's right... people always seem to miss that part of the discussion when we teach. We make a pretty bold claim... that Joseph Smith is a prophet, and that it's the only true church... How could we expect anyone to believe that without asking God? And how can you deny it without consulting him first?

We've been teaching a less-active girl for a while. She's always been really sour towards us. She recently had a still-born, and has had a lot of issues with God. She believes him, knows he's there. Knows he loves her. But she is really mad at him. She would always let us in but whenever we tried to teach a Gospel topic she had a tendency to shut down and become argumentative. Last week we were visiting her and she actually ended up in tears. It was so sad. She told us lots of things about her life that were so devistating. She's been through a lot, and aside from her religious issues, has done pretty well in her life. We realized that to get through to her, we need to just be there for now. She needs to know that there is someone out there who isn't out to get something from her, and that she's not just a number. So... we are seeing her tonight, and trying our best.

We have an investigator that we've had for a while. Her name is Heidi. She's been around for a while, and she's been praying and studying and hasn't quite gotten her answer. We thik we may have figured out why... So we're working with her to see how we can get beneath the surface of the iceberg.

The Trail Center is a crazy house! Everyone and their mom is on vacation, so it's been pretty busy. I decided I like it that way. My tours are a lot more effective when I'm acting on impulse! haha. Yesterday I took LOTS of tours, and each one seemed to be really spiritual. I think with the lack of time to relax, there's no option but to be receptive to the spirit and make sure everyone's tour counts. Kind of cool. Yesterday, I ended up taking one with 3 summer sales reps... It was a fantastic tour, but It suddenly made coming home more real, and I realized that in 3 months I'm going to have to talk to boys again. EEEEK.

Well, i love you all! that's about all to report this week. Next week I'm sure there will be more exciting things =)

Love you!

Sister Bonelli

May 31st Pictures Part 2

Nebraska/Iowa border

With Zone at the Nebraska/Iowa Pedestrian Bridge

Temple on a summer night

The Omaha zone after meeting Elder Christofferson

May 31st Pictures Part 1

Sister Missionary Pamper Time!!

Melissa's Baptism Day!

Sister Meyers

May 31st Email

Hello fam!

First of all, I love my companion! She's fantastic! She works so hard, and is so funny. We also like to have spontaneous interpretive dance parties when we need a break from Weekly planning sessions. It's the best!

second of all, Melissa was baptized! YAY! She is so amazing. Right after her interview, we met her at her apartment, and she said that as she was walking up the stairs, she felt this overwhelming feeling that her future was going to be just fine, because the Lord was taking care of her! Her baptism was awesome. She bore her testimony at the end, and talked about how blessed she is, and she just blew everyone away. She just gets the gospel. There was a man who brought one of his co-workers to the baptism, who is not a member, and Melissa went into another room talking to her, while everyone else had refreshments! She is already being a little missionary! It was so special. So thankful for that.

I've had a lot of really neat experiences this past week that I probably shouldn't really share, but the spirit has really taken over, and really helped me see the blessings of being a missionary. I love it.

Sister Bonelli

May 25th Email

This past week has been one incredible week. On Saturday, I met an Apostle! I shook hands with Elder D. Todd Christofferson! It was amazing. The entire mission traveled to Omaha for a mission fireside, and we each, one by one, got to meet him. I sat in the front row, so I was really close while he spoke to us! We made eye contact several times, which was cool. In fact, at the end, he looked me straight in the eye and said "God, Bless you. Never forget we were together today".... that was amazing. You know someone is a man of God when you meet him once, and listen to him speak, and it seems like you're friends. He is an incredible man, and I am still in awe over it. It was funny. There were a few times during hymns and stuff where he would look at me and smile. I felt so special =)

I got to give a training in District meeting, which was fun! I actually like to do things like that now, believe it or not. I love helping missionaries feel the spirit, and a greater desire to work hard. I taught on the Role of the Holy Ghost in Conversion. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father has helped me to be someone I never thought I could become.

Transfers are tomorrow, and I found out that I'm getting Sister Myers! She's been known to "Kill" a lot of missionaries. So she will probably be my last companion! That's a weird thought. She's a very hard working missionary. I'm so excited to have her. I really want to make this the best 2 transfers of my mission. REALLY badly. So many times people get overwhelmed and its hard to focus those last days of the mission... I don't want that to happen! I'm excited to be having this opportunity to serve with all I have. I haven't been a perfect missionary. I haven't always been as good as I could be, but I do know that I want to be, and that I am going to take this opportunity to be the best I can!

I love you all!

Sister Bonelli

May 17th Pictures

Florence Days and Trail Center Flowers

May 17th Email

Hey family!

This past week was really great! I got to go to specialized training, which was really awesome. President has been doing this new thing where he only invites specific missionaries for particular trainings, and so he splits up companionships... so I went all the way to Lincoln without my companion. CRAZY. Also...I was on the mission van... All alone with a bunch of Elders... THAT was really weird. President authorized it though... so I guess it was fine. weird. Anyway, the training was just what I needed. so I was grateful for that =)

Melissa is doing SO WELL. Last week we taught her and she really opened up to us about her whole life. She's really been through a lot, and has done so well in her life with raising her kids and being a wonderful person. She's still so determined to be baptized. She went out of town the other day, and she keeps telling people she's excited for vacation, but not as excited as she is about her baptism! So awesome. I love her. She will be baptized on the 28th.

We had Florence Days again on Saturday! It was SO MUCH FUN! I loved it, even more than last year. Before it started we gathered in one of our theaters at the TC and sang songs, and I sang that pioneer song, that sister myers wrote, for everyone. It was interesting doing that in pioneer clothes ;).... We had this awesome journalist follow us around all day. He works for a news paper, but he just felt like doing a project on the history of Omaha, so he hung out with us all day and took pictures. He was neat. He was really young so it was like he was one of us. The parade was awesome! This year, the sisters got to sit in the handcarts... which I was HAPPY to do... haha. We had a blast. I will attach some pics.

Sunday was neat. Melissa had already left town, and we were trying to get our investigator Heidi to come to church. When I first got to the area, I dropped a lot of people who weren't really progressing, and heidi was the one person that I didn't let go of... even though she hadn't been really progressing. I just really felt like we needed to keep teaching her. Anyway, she surprised us and showed up for sacrament meeting! We were so happy! AND... Melissa's son Cody also showed up, which we weren't expecting... We were really excited!

This Saturday an apostle is coming!!!!!! I'm so excited. We still don't know who it is... what the heck? Either way I'm excited. Speculations say it is Elder Cristofferson... that would be cool. Right now I'm just preparing myself for that and just trying to make sure the week goes smoothly! Also we are going to the temple this friday... which is also really great =)

I think Daily about my mission and what it has meant to me. I remember being terrified, and thinking I would never want to serve a mission... but this has been such an incredible journey. Even the hard times. I wish I could explain how I've changed on the inside. hopefully it shows...

I love you all!

Sister B