Good afternoon my brothers and sisters!                         2/27/17

First things first. Joseph got baptized!! How amazing it was! His father Jaime and his mom and cousin came. Joseph just couldn't stop smiling the whole day and into next day he was smiling even bigger for his confirmation of the Holy Ghost. What a guy. I'm so proud of him. 

Speaking and singing at the baptism and on Sunday for church all went smoothly too! I'm so glad the mission has taught me how to write a talk in a short amount of time and to present it well enough for people to understand, but I guess that's mostly the spirit. 

As expected it was a roller coaster of a week, and now that it's over my comps and I are all like, "now what?" We just had that awesome whirl wind experience last week that left us crying and smiling so now what is left for this week? Well brothers and sisters this is basically how I know I am going to feel coming back home from my mission, so I'm glad I'm somewhat prepared. BUT I know, I know there are things waiting for me. It's literally right around the corner and I can't turn back. Trust me I tried a couple of times, and I realized that ain't no fun. So I'm gonna face that corner and turn it with confidence, heck I might even peek around the corner! But ok this analogy is making less and less sense. The point is that I am looking forward to coming home because in all honesty I feel like I'm starting my mission over. I got my flight plans a couple weeks ago and it felt like my call letter to my mission. This Ward that I am in now is like a family to me and it's going to break my heart to leave them but I know I have family and friends back home excited to see me and for me to share with them the things that I learned. This is a never ending cycle, which I'm grateful for because it's a never ending cycle of happiness. 

Most people we come across ask, why are you here on your missions? What is the point? And my answer is simple really. I know God lives and loves us. I've seen it. It's so clear the evidence of Him today it excites me! We have a prophet today who God has called to lead us in these troubled times. What the prophets say I know comes from God because as I have listened and followed their words I have seen marvelous changes happen in my life, and the lives of others. God is preparing each and everyone of us for the time when we meet Him and He asks what we have done to grow, learn, serve, and so much more. I hope to make Him proud everyday. The path to do so is clear. 

Also! Just so that I don't surprise anyone, I just want y'all to know that I've changed a lot on my mission. But I'm still me, of course. Probably the biggest change I'd have to say is that I dyed my hair. Lol jk. But no I really did dye my hair. BUT back to the change. I'd like to say that My mission has made me more confident, more faithful, more obedient, more loving, more humble, and more patient. But of course on my return I still want to improve and change more, because this is not the end of my mission :). Change is so exciting. This excitement wouldn't be possible without the atonement of Christ. Oh my goodness He loves us so much. I have felt this love, and it's beyond words of how complete and perfect it is. I have been studying the atonement for the last few months of my mission, sometimes I forget but then I realize that I studied it on accident, and I have learned and felt so much. I know Christ lives today. It's so amazing how much peace I feel knowing this is true. 

I'm sorry I know I could ramble on and on in my testimony, but I'm sure those who are reading are used to it :)

Well, I think this is the longest email I have ever written, or that I will ever write. I look forward to seeing you all next week! Wow.... next week. 

My homecoming talk will be at 9800 Foothills Canyon Blvd. Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 on March  19 at 1pm. Please come! I'd love to see your beautiful face :) 

Have a good week. 

See ya soon. 

Sister Plumb

                                          Pictures from Joseph's baptism