So I've been home from my mission six months now. It was six months ago yesterday that I returned home from the MTC. It's hard to believe that I've now been home twice as long as I was in the MTC. The 9th will always be a special date to me. I was born on the 9th, I received my mission call exactly a year ago on the ninth, I almost got my endowment out on the 9th (10th), and I returned home from my mission on May 9th. That's a lot of nines. But it's a good number. I still feel blessed by the experience I had. It is hard sometimes when I don't have the usual stories to tell of a returned missionary. But I know it's okay and that I had the mission experience meant just for me.
Week 11's emails were never posted. That's when the decision was made that I would be honorable released. I'm posting them now to bring a sense of completeness with emails from every week in the MTC. Most of the emails were just a back and forth between me and my family to work things out but I'd like to post them anyway. They show the struggle I went through but also the appreciation I had for my mission already. They also show how quick the decision was for me to be released. I started the morning thinking I'd possible be reassigned and by 6 that night the decision was made for my family to pick me at 10 the next day.
May 8th, 2012 9 AM
I'd like to post pictures reflecting on my whole mission experience.
Week 11's emails were never posted. That's when the decision was made that I would be honorable released. I'm posting them now to bring a sense of completeness with emails from every week in the MTC. Most of the emails were just a back and forth between me and my family to work things out but I'd like to post them anyway. They show the struggle I went through but also the appreciation I had for my mission already. They also show how quick the decision was for me to be released. I started the morning thinking I'd possible be reassigned and by 6 that night the decision was made for my family to pick me at 10 the next day.
May 8th, 2012 9 AM
Today I have an appointment with the doctor and they probably will prescribe a anti-depressant. Yesterday was a so-so day. My companions had a sit down with me and Sister Brunelle was like we're going to talk about this and something will be done. I shared with them some feeling I had over last week. I did have suicidal thoughts but that was just because I didn't want to feel this way anymore, and I knew if I had those thoughts then people would take me seriously. We didn't go to class at all yesterday. After talking things over for awhile we decided to talk to President Seamons. Originally we wanted him to come to the MTC and we'd have a meeting like thing and get to the bottom of this. I didn't want to bother him at work so we just called his house and asked Sister Seamons to have him call us when he got back. We said a prayer after all this so I could know what to do next. I felt the spirit during this prayer, a feeling of comfort. We went back to the dorm room I said a prayer and took a nap. My companions and Sisters have been such a strength to me throughout all this. I know we are all supposed to be here together. I can't imagine what my experience would of been like as a solo sister. Anyway President Seamons didn't call us when we thought he'd return from work. Look Kruu Stevens called the President from his cell phone at the beginning of evening class 6 ish. The Look Kruus knew something was up since we hadn't been to afternoon class. Well My companions and I studied outside just waiting to hear from the President. We hadn't yet and it was getting close to 8. Look Kruu came out and talked to us and we decided to just call him at his home. While talking to him (he's a psyciatrist, (can't spell)) he said it sounded like I was clinically depressed and he suggested going to the health clinic to get prescribed a anti-depressant. I feel the supplements you sent me at first were helping but Sunday was fast sunday so I didn't take them and that could've thrown it off. Also now we're into crunch time. Something needs to be done. I don't like thinking that I'm depressed and need a pill to help me feel happy. But I have faith in the Lord. Something needs to be done to flip this situation around. I might be able to call you later today (I hope) to talk this over. A question I'm always being asked though is if there's a history of depression in my family because there are two kinds and one comes from family history. Today has been a little better but I think that's because yesterday I practically had a day off. It was easier to get up. I don't know how I've gotten up in the past. Every morning I had this weight in my heart. It was only because of me being a missionary that I would get up. I can't describe all my feelings in an email so I really hope I can talk to you later today. Tell you how it's going. On a lighter note, yesterday I was able to meet in person our new mission president, President Moon (? on spelling). He seems like a great man and I'm looking forward to learning and growing with him as our president.
Oh how I love you.
Sister Strobell
Sorry for the jumbled thoughts. I had to get this off quick.
11:30 AM
I will be able to call you later today. The phone call on Mother's day doesn't happen in the MTC. :( I have a meeting at 3 with a counselor where we will discuss the options. Right now it doesn't look like I'll be going to Cambodia on the 15th. There's starting out state side then going to Cambodia, serving state-side English speaking, going home to work things out. It's because the medicine and counseling in Cambodia aren't the best and this is something that needs to be monitored at first. We're off to the temple now. I love you so much. One thing I was wondering about with all these options and decisions to be made if it would be okay if you and Dad came down here personally. It's not to far away. I haven't been able to talk to the district presidency to know if that is okay.
Sister Emily Strobell
6 PM
Jem Riab Lia MTC
I still had a little bit of email time left for today. I forgot that my companion, Sister Tsuchida is singing in the new missionary orientation tomorrow at 3. So I would still like to do that. I don't know how that will work out. I'm mostly at peace with the decision that has been made. I feel happy now but since I'm feeling that happiness I also feel like maybe I should stay here. But I don't think the feeling would last and I would end up back where I was. I love you and have ultimate faith in the Lord.
Sister Strobell
I'd like to post pictures reflecting on my whole mission experience.
This is me opening my mission call. It goes something like "Yay!" "Wait ... What?!?!" "I'm going to Cambodia!"
And here's the video. My mom will love that I posted this but it's everyone's natural reaction. I love it! Especially when Brad waks the camera at the end.
Some members of my Sunday School class at the get together thing after my farewell (02/26)
Me and my BFF Madi
Me and my Grandma at the Provo temple before I was dropped off at the MTC.
Me and my family pre MTC dropoff
This is what the board in the classroom looked the first day. There's hardly any script and we were already freaking out.
First companionship picture taken of me, Sister Brunelle, and Sister Tsuchida.
Missionary tag
First temple walk with Sister Tsuchida. Sister Brunelle was being trained as a coordinating sister so she couldn't be there. Sister Tsuchida is one of the kindest, sweetest, cutest, and friendliest (I could go on and on and on) people you will ever meet. Nothing can get her down and she is out to make the world a better place, even if that means just one smile at a time. She also had the voice of an angel (as did Sister's vom and Solorio. They all had a set of pipes) and could play the piano so it sounded heavenly. Funnily enough, her and Sister Brunelle are companions again opening a new area for sisters in Cambodia. If anyone can do it, it's them. :)
All the awesome Cambodia sisters!
Companionship temple pic
One of my favorite companionship pictures.
Sisters on temple walk
Good luck poster my district made for me before I accompanied an Elder on the piano at a fireside.
The morning before we sang in General Conference. (Don't mind the bare feet) :)
Companionship that morning
This is an Elder going Chinese-speaking and he was hilarious. For a good week he thought "chop suey" was hello in Cambodia. He learned the right way eventually but his name became Chop Suey. :)
A cute birthday card I had everyone in my district sign for my mom. She loved it!
This definitely shows the shift in seasons. It's spring!
Posing with Elder Haem, an Elder from Cambodia going to serve in Korea.
Another one of my favorite companionship pics.
Cambodian district on P day. Note Elder Hicken flashing gang signs. I sure hope he stopped doing that before he got to Long Beach ...
Last temple walk posing with a sweet sister from Japan (her and Sister Tsuchida were instant friends) who was going to Australia English-speaking.
The fabulous Cambodian sisters!
Me and Sister Solorio
We had a companionship exchange once in the MTC and this was the new companionship. We were so happy to have Sister Solorio. We learned a lot from her in that one day. This is us reunited at the Temple although we saw each other every day. :)
Me and Sister vom Lehn. What a sweet sister! I continue to receive her emails and updates and am astounded by her light and faith.
Me and Sister Brunelle. We had some rough patches but I wouldn't trade our companionship for the world. We learned so much from each other and will forever be friends. I also receive her emails weekly and she is constantly pushing forward and breaking new ground. She's a force for good in Cambodia.
When we weren't in the classroom, we were supposed to write up on the board where we went. This is what my companionship did one day. The whole companionship contributed to the artwork. Sister Tsuchida drew the people, Sister Brunelle the trees, and I contributed the blades of grass by the tree.
The Elders bombed our door! Of course they had sisters do it for them but they made a poster for every sister. It was Cinco de Mayo so they also gave us chips, salsa, and sombreros to celebrate with. :)
Close up of my sign. Note the elephant and a few other things. I love it! I'm going to frame it so I can hang it up and display it.
May 9th 2012. This is the last picture I ever took with my district. It's bittersweet to look at now but it reminds me of all the good times we had. Oh and the turkeys name is Tom and he was Elder Scott's. Now he's mine since I took him home with me. Everyone in the district wrote a sweet note and signed him. He's a reminder of the love of my district.
I feel so blessed for the mission experience I was able to have and the people I served. Not everyday is easy but I'm amazed at the change I have seen in myself and my feelings in the past six months. I'm in a much better place now than I was and I feel confident and hopeful about my future. I know I had this experience for a reason and that all went as it was supposed to. This opportunity has helped me learn more about myself and strengthened my love and faith in my Heavenly Father. He is always aware of us and gives us trials and struggles to grow and become better people as we trust in him.
EMS
