YOMO! You're Only a Missionary Once!

Hey everyone!!! 

So I'm just going to explain my title right now...this morning I was talking about potentially chopping off all my hair and getting more of a bob(still considering it) and my companions told me YOLO and I responded no its YOMO-you're only a missionary once. I felt pretty proud to have thought of that all by myself...haha Besides it is really true! This week I get my travel plans and I am already more than a month into my mission. It is going my so fast and I am realizing that I really need to make the most of this time and not waste a second. 

Anyways, this last week was my hardest week yet! I had two lessons at the beginning of this week with my investigator Daniel and they went so bad...it was super discouraging. I began to feel like there was this spiritual block. I felt like I couldn't feel the spirit and really had no idea what the Lord wanted me to do. It was a very scary place to be especially since I rely so much on the Lord!! Thankfully, I didn't have gym because my companion was not feeling well. So I took that time to really figure out how I could break down that wall. I prayed very humbly and asked to know what to do. I asked for forgiveness as well because I felt that I had kind of built that wall by relying too much on myself. The peace I received was amazing! Almost immediately I felt my spiritual block fall down. I felt the Lord guiding me again. I felt like I could go back to work with direction. I guess because I felt the wall come down, I thought my lessons the next day were going to go better. The next day was my hardest day at the MTC yet. I taught a lesson in the morning and it did not go well and I felt like I was fumbling through the whole thing...my poor investigator. I became really frustrated because I was trying so hard and nothing was working. Later that evening I did a role play with my teacher and I was trying to teach prayer/holy ghost. It was so bad and I was so frustrated that my teacher stopped me half way through. I was pretty demoralized by that point...it was as if I couldn't get anything right. Then we had class and Brother Mohrman was teaching us about revelation through church attendance. I have to say this first Brother Mohrman is super hard on the Elders and I. It is all for the best but sometimes it is a little much. That night it was too much for me to handle. At one point, I felt like he was questioning my testimony on church attendance. The combination of him being hard on us and being more than frustrated led to a break down. After he left I began to cry because I didn't know what the Lord was trying to teach me and I didn't know what to do. The Elders could tell I was frustrated and gave me a lot of really valuable advice and helped lift my spirits. Before we left for our residence they gave me a blessing that was much needed. After everything that day I realized some very important things. I realized that I had been relying so much on the Lord that I had forgotten that he had called me for a reason. He expects me to still do things to the best of my knowledge. He trusts me to plan the right lessons without Him necessarily telling me everything I need to do. I need to follow the spirit and rely on Him but I also need to remember myself. He called Allison before he called Sister Adams. I am still me and I need to teach with my own personality which I hadn't been doing. I was kind of teaching like a robot. The Lord called me because he needs me personally in the Netherlands. I needed to remember and learn that!! The next day I taught a decent lesson that I felt good about. I felt the spirit more and felt more confident. To those of you that read my blog or my emails, remember who you are. A title doesn't change who you are. It may change how you act in certain situations but you are still you!! Be confident in who you are and the gifts that the Lord has given you!! I also realized this week that I don't need to limit myself. I need to do all I can and not belittle myself. The Lord believes in me so I can do all that is asked of me!!! 

I'm move off of the super serious side and tell you about the fun things that happened this week!! So I broke my permanent retainer again...skilled I know. Anyways, it meant that I had to go get it fixed. So I went on Thursday to the orthodontist to get it fixed...IT WAS SO WEIRD!! I went into the real world. We drove by BYU and all over Provo...it was so weird to be outside of the MTC. When we got the Ortho, the radio was playing. My companion and I had a serious struggle...we knew all the songs and of course they had to play all my favorites. It was a moral dilemma of if we should listen and how we should feel about listening to it. It was pretty funny...the Hygenists were laughing at us for freaking out. Oh and the Orthodontist gave us free

 slushies at the end of the appointment...life doesn't get much better than free food!! I also taught a lesson on the Restoration and told the whole Joseph Smith story in Dutch!!! It was a big deal!! Plus I had no notes or vocabulary helps!!! Elder Parkinson left this week and I was sad to see him go because he is super funny and easy to be around. We got a new Elder. He's name is Elder Snider and he is going to Denmark. Oh big news that I almost forgot about, I got called as Sister Training Leader for these last two weeks at the MTC!!! It is kind of cool. I mean it isn't that big of a deal but I do get to welcome in the 6 newbies to the zone this week!! MY ZONE IS DOUBLING!!! I am kind of excited...if you can't tell. We are getting two new sisters and I can't wait to meet them! We are getting 3 Swedish Elders, 1 Norwegian Sister, 1 Norwegian Elder, and 1 Surinam Sister!! Can't wait to meet all of them and have more friends!!! So this week is going to be kind of crazy...Sister King and I are teaching together as companions and neither of us have had companions so that will be interesting. Then we have 5 investigators and we have 10 lessons to teach this week and then classes and normal stuff on top of that!! I am praying that I survive. I am grateful for the chance to speak Dutch a ton though. I really feel like I will be so much better at Dutch by the end of the week!! Pray for me...its going to be an adventure!

I love being a missionary!! I am learning so much and becoming a better person everyday!! I can't wait to get to the Netherlands and hit the ground running!! I can't wait to get my travel plans at the end of the week!! My time at the MTC is shortly coming to an end but I am going to make the most of every minute!! Have a great week!!!

Oh, and  I just found out that a girl who was in my Y group and in my Psychology class from Summer semester is going to my mission and I am crazy excited!!!!

Ik hou van u!

Zuster Adams 

Pro-Toilet Cleaners!

Allison's invitation to perform

Solo Sisters

Allison's Zone  before the Danes left.

Wow, another week gone and it feels like only yesterday I was writing my previous letter. When I get to P-day I never know where to begin because I feel like a whole year has gone by in the space of one week. 

This week has been hard, amazing, and just what I needed. At the end of last week I was feeling on top of the world and I knew that it was only a matter of time until I was humbled to some extent. 

Monday was good until class that night. We were practicing how to get to know an investigator in Dutch and also how to ask the right questions to get a feel for their needs. I really struggled with this. I am good at getting to know people and how to carry on a conversation but throw Dutch in there and things get hard. It is hard finding my personality in Dutch. I began to get frustrated. After feeling frustrated, I had to go meet my new investigator Hans. I made a fool of myself at the door and was a little discouraged. I went back to my classroom and my teacher asked me how I was. I responded that I was fine and then he asked how I really was. I began to see all my insecurities and it was a scary moment. I told him that I was struggling and that I was scared of offending someone because of my language barrier...and other various concerns. He told me that I need to trust in God. He told me that I needed to let go of my insecurities as a missionary and let the Lord fill in the rest. Those were exactly the words I needed to hear. Every day is not going to be easy. I am not going to feel on top of the world every day but as long as I rely on the Lord then I will be blessed. I read a talk given by President Eyring entitled "Trust in God." It was exactly what I needed to hear and I would encourage any of you, if you are struggling, read that talk! It will give you the strength you need!! 

On Tuesday I practiced "Contacting" or in essence knocking on doors and sharing the message of the gospel. It was a little awkward but not too bad. We also had a cinnamon roll party because Sis. Schwab's mom had sent her some!!! 

Thursday was great!!! I am a pro-toilet cleaner!! We have to do service every week and it is usually some cleaning assignment. Last week I mentioned that I finished cleaning the toilets super fast...well this week we did it again!!! In fact, we begged to have them let us to toilets because we have a system down and we like finishing early because then we get to shower. I didn't expect to be a gifted toilet cleaner but what can I say...the Lord works in mysterious ways...Mom don't get any ideas. I auditioned to sing "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go" for any of the MTC events and I got a YES!!! I sang yesterday at the Departure Devotional and will be singing at the New Missionary Orientation on Wednesday!!! It went really well and my voice held out which was a blessing because it has been having issues(the g's in Dutch are really starting to hurt my throat... it's normal but it's getting better). Later Thursday night, the Elders and I were practicing teaching an investigator in English. It was a really hard investigator and in the end we didn't really get through to him. It was just a practice but I still wanted to talk to the Elders about how we could improve. I began to ask Elder Heinricks questions about how he thought the discussion went and voiced some of my concerns with our teaching. Elder Heinricks and I probably talked to much and Elder Canotti didn't talk at all really. I felt like much of the discussion had been in circles and I wanted to talk about how we could get better. Elder Heinricks quickly became defensive of his teaching. I could feel that our conversation was turning contentious so I asked Elder Heinricks if he was defensive. He responded that he wasn't defensive and sat down and stopped talking to me. There was not a good feeling in the room and I wanted to smooth the situation over. After a few minutes of pondering what I could say I asked both Elders how I could be a better "Companion" to them? They are all I have in the way of a real companion so I asked how I could better help them. Elder Conatti, feeling the tension in the air, responded "you could fill up my water bottle every now and again." I laughed pretty hard and thank goodness for Elder Conatti!! The tension in the room had subsided but I still waited for Elder Heinricks answer. He looked at me and said "I hate it when you ask me question but they help..." I then asked if I should keep asking questions and he remarked that I should. It was a really amazing moment for all three of us. I think we all realized a little bit more that we are here to help each other and not bring each other down. I think Elder Heinricks was able to see that I wasn't mad at him and in fact just wanted to help him. Things have been a lot better since then!! My question turned a contentious situation into a spiritual situation. I really feel like the Lord gave me the right words to say. 

Friday we played games in class to practice our Dutch and that was a very nice change!! I also contacted to find my new investigator Daniel. I'm feeling good about him and looking forward to our first discussion tomorrow. Oh!!!! We got Cafe Rio for lunch!!! Our custodian smuggled us in some...it was amazing to say the least! I taught my teacher(acting as an investigator) how to pray in Dutch. It was a really amazing experience! First, I was able to explain it really well and simply. Second, I helped my teacher see how he could have taught one of his investigators better on his mission...it was really cool!! I definitely felt the spirit as I was teaching.

I met with my investigator Hans on Saturday and it went so well. I was worried that he was only meeting with me because his girlfriend is Mormon but he showed real interest and I taught him how to pray and he committed to trying to pray!! Every time I teach, I amaze myself by how much Dutch I actually know! It is really cool!! 

Sunday was good as usual! My zone was shrunk to only one district because there is only five of us now. Elder Heinricks is the new zone leader and Elder Conatti is the district leader. The Danish Elders and Sister left this morning...it was so sad. It was like saying goodbye to my family all over again. Because there were only 8 of us, we became really close so it was really a hard goodbye. I am going to miss Sister Wright a lot!! I am now in a trio-companionship because Sister King is all alone so hopefully it will work out well!! 

I have a lot to work on this week! I am going to try and be a lot better about my studies and focus a lot more on my investigators. It is kind of hitting me that I only have three weeks left! It is time for me to focus and work super hard so I can be ready to leave at the end of the month!! I can't believe how fast the time is going! I am so excited to get out there in the field but I am also really nervous! I just can't wait to teach the Dutch people. I love them so much already!! This work is true! The Lord is in this work and is so mindful of us. Every day that I am here, I realize more and more how much the Lord truly loves each and everyone of us!! 

Ik houd van u! 

Zuster Adams

Solo Sisters with their flags of the countries they are going to.

Allison with  Netherlands flag

Cinnamon rolls!

Pointing to where they are going!

Allison with her companion

Cafe Rio'--smuggled into the MTC

Allison looking a bit guilty

Special sign made for her by Elder Fisher and Elder Salinas

Zulder Heinconadams

Allison in front of the Provo Temple

Allison, Elder Conatti and Elder Heinricks...all going to the Netherlands

Allison said , "It's so hard to get a good picture with these two!"

Her classroom where they learn Dutch

Allison's testimony in Dutch

Elder Conatti fell asleep during personal study

I think he just woke up.....

Elder Heinricks looking as if he need a nap

Allison and her sister companions at the Provo Temple

Hey everyone!! I can't believe I have been a missionary for only 12 days...it feels like I have been doing this my whole life. I honestly feel like I have only just started to truly find out who I am! I have learned so much in the last week and I don't even know where to begin! I will refrain from giving you a description of my daily activities because they are the same every day so not incredibly exciting. 

The title of the post is Zulder Heinconadams because it is a combination of Zuster and Elder and then a combination of the Elder's last name and mine as well. Our teachers have decided to call us that for their own convenience...I think it is pretty funny! The name come about because our teachers were kind of shocked at how fast we are learning the language. They have come in multiple times this week and have had something planned to teach us and we are already good at it! The Lord is truly blessing us to learn Dutch quickly. In fact, our teachers can no longer talk Dutch in front of us and have a private conversation because we understand everything they are saying for the most part. The amazing part about us learning Dutch so well is that we help each other learn it. I don't have a companion so the Elders have kind of filled in that role for me. We do our companionship study together and have had some really amazing discussions. I am amazed every day how prepared and excellent my Elders are. I truly believe that we are learning things faster because we are united and we are there to help each other. I consider my Elders family. In fact, Elder Heinricks is like Harrison and Elder Conatti is like Jacob!! Elder Heinricks and I banter constantly and it is really fun. Elder Conatti is probably the sweetest person I have ever met. I love hearing him call me Zuster...he says it like I truly am his sister and it is just great!! This week the Elders had a lesson with Jen and came back super depressed because their lesson, in their eyes had been a complete failure. I had probably a 30 minute pep talk with them and it was really good. I helped them see what things they could improve on and help them feel confident again. I wasn't sure if Elder Heinricks had really listened because his head was down the whole time but that night before we left he came and told me that I was teaching him things he really needed to learn. It was a great moment to know that what I was doing was truly helping the Elders. I have gotten to know my companion Sister Schwab a lot more and we have SO MUCH in common!! I feel really close to hear and we made a goal last week to say we love each other in our respective languages and it has been really fun!! We say prayers in our respective languages as well!! 

I have so many incredible experiences to share with you all and I don't even know where to begin. I am going to explain probably the most incredible experience I've had at the MTC thus far. So in my last post I mentioned that I was teaching an investigator named Jen. Well this week we found out that we would no longer be teaching him. The Elders and I were very sad and wanted to meet the person who had acted as Jen(our investigators aren't real)! It was kind of interesting though, all weekend we thought we were still teaching Jen so we tried to prepare another lesson for him. The Elders and I struggled to come up with what we wanted to teach. Every other time we had prepared our lessons we had felt guided by the spirit to know what to teach. This time though it was as if we were hitting a wall. I did not feel the spirit guiding me anymore. Then on Wednesday we found out that we would no longer be teaching Jen. Elder Conatti and I realized that because Jen was no longer our investigator we were no longer being prompted by the spirit. It was an incredible realization. I know that Jen was just an actor...but I have realized that the Lord wants me prepared for the mission field so he is giving me opportunities to learn how to the feel the spirit and be guided by it even if the actual lessons or investigators are not real. Okay so back to the fact that we wanted to meet "Jen." Wednesday night, we were sitting in our classroom waiting for our teacher and "Jen" walks up and turns out he is our new teacher!!!! Elder Heinricks' face was priceless...it was so great!! Our wish had come true and we spent the rest of the night learning from "Jen" or as we now know him Broeder Mohrman. Wednesday night was one of the most amazing nights of my life. Broeder Mohrman told us we could ask him any question we wanted and so we did. We wanted to know if we had done a good job in our lessons and if our Dutch was good. Broeder Mohrman helped us realize that no matter what actually happened in our lessons as long as we put our best effort forward then we were a success. It felt good to hear that we had been successful in our lessons. Broeder Mohrman told me that my first lesson was my best lesson...the lesson I had forgotten all of my notes. In my first lesson, I fumbled my way through my limited Dutch and somehow "Jen" told me an incredibly personal story. Broeder Mohrman has used the character of Jen before with other missionaries and he has never shared the story he shared with me on the first lesson before. I was shocked to find that out. He said that even though my Dutch wasn't the best I did a really good job. I realized that because I didn't have my notes I had relied on the Lord. When you rely on the Lord, he will fill in the gaps and help you be a success. It was amazing!!! Broeder Mohrman was also shocked when the Elders and I didn't teach strictly by Preach my Gospel. He said that most missionaries come in and use Preach my Gospel word for word and usually have scripts on their first lesson. We didn't because we knew we need to teach to the investigators needs rather than strictly from a book. Broeder Mohrman said we are learning faster and much more than the average missionary. It was an incredible compliment and I can't help but thank my Heavenly Father for preparing me. Broeder Mohrman said my Dutch was surprisingly good for not being here for very long...although, apparently I sound like an Australian speaking Dutch. How does that work? I'm an american, who calls Germany home and I speak Dutch with an Australian accent...weird!! Teaching Jen was one of the hardest things I have ever done because first I didn't know the language and because he was a strong atheist, but it taught me so much!!!! I feel humbled and yet confident that I can do this work that the Lord has called me to!

Yesterday, at Mission Conference, we sang the EFY medley with new lyrics to "Sisters in Zion"...IT WAS INCREDIBLE!!! I cried through the whole song. Here are the lyrics to the new version 

"The Sisters of Zion are called to God's labor. We willingly serve him in Spirit and might. We go to the nations with truth everlasting. We teach of the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ. 

We thank thee, o God for a prophet to guide us. We trust in his words and our purpose is clear. The angels of heaven are walking beside us. 

We got forth enlisted with Helaman's army in numbers much greater than ever before. With power and Spirit we'll faithfully witness. The heavens are spoken and truth is restored." 

It was so amazing!!!! 

I also wrote my whole testimony in Dutch this week and only didn't know 9 words!! I was pretty excited!! This gospel is true! I am supposed to be on a mission and the Lord has prepared me for this work my entire life. After this week, there will only be five people in my zone because the Danish Elders and Sister are leaving...we are really sad but they are off to do amazing things!! I love the MTC! I love the Temple! It is a great day to be a missionary!!! Never forget how much you are loved by our Heavenly Father!! Hope you are all having a great week!! 

Ik hou van u!

Zuster Adams

Pictures!!!!

This is Allison's current companion

Soaking up the sun!  Vitamin D time

These are the solo sisters, which means they are not going to the same mission.

Provo Temple

This is her zone.  It's kind of a hodge podge group.  Only three are going to the Netherlands, the others are going to other places.

Going to the Netherlands!  These Elders are the others in her zone learning Dutch and going to the Netherlands

Look how high she got!  She's ready for the bike!

Zuster Adams!  It's official!

Allison and her MTC companion, which is going to Romania

Solo sisters

Solo sisters--all different languages on their tags...cool!

First Prep Day in the MTC Feb 24th, 2014

Wow!!!! I can't believe I have already made it to my first P-day!!!! I am loving the MTC so much! As the sisters and I always say "It is a great day to be a missionary."

So I'll give you all a kind of a summary of the last 4 days. I arrived on Wednesday and went to a bunch of Orientation meetings that were good. Then I was able to email home and let my parents know I was alive...that was important. Then I had Dutch lessons for something around 4 straight hours. I also had personal and companionship study somewhere in there too. Basically the first day was CRAZY!! I felt super overwhelmed a scared to some extent. The next 3 days had basically the same schedule that I will have for the rest of the time at the MTC. I wake up, get ready, eat breakfast, go to class, more class, lunch, more class...and so forth. It is really fun though and my Teachers are great!

I am a Solo sister which means I have a companion but we are going to different places and are learning different languages. Honestly, I never see my companion especially since we aren't in the same zone either. Although, my companion Sister Schwab is super nice and we get along great!! We don't really have time to disagree...haha. Even though I am the only sister going to the Netherlands there are two Elders going too. Their names are Elder Canotti from Brazil, and Elder Heinricks from Canada. They are so cute (as in little brother cute)!!! I love them as my brothers and we have a lot of fun since we are the only three learning Dutch minus a Sister who is going to the West Indies. I love my Zone!!! There are 8 of us in total. There are 5 Elders and 3 Sisters. 4 of us are solos...it is kinda funny. Sister Wright and Sister King are in my zone and they are so awesome! I love them and Sister Wright and I have the same first and middle name so I can't help but love her. My Dutch is coming along and it has only been 4 days!!!! I can understand almost everything that is said which is a huge blessing! I am working on the speaking part but it is coming along. I mean we study Dutch for 8 hours, if not more, a day so I have to be learning something. I have taught two discussions in Dutch already. I had to teach on my 2nd full day here. My first lesson was somewhat of a train wreck but that's okay. I did somehow get a very personal story out of my investigator and it ended up helping me in the second lesson. It is amazing how the Lord gives you the words to say even if you don't know the language. I have had some problems...because whenever I don't know a word in Dutch German comes out and I have to stop myself. In my second lesson, I had my investigator commit to church this Sunday!!!!! I was crazy excited!!! I couldn't stop smiling all day especially because I had spoken in Dutch and still gotten a commitment!! I'm not entirely sure if he went to a Mormon church...but I'm hoping. I will see when I meet with him tomorrow. I am praying really hard that he will have felt something at church. My investigator is an atheist and that is proving really hard. I am having a hard time showing him that the energy he feels around him is God or the Spirit. Hopefully, I can break through this week.

On to all the amazing spiritual things I have learned in the past 4 days. I will be honest, when I got to the MTC the first 24 hours were rough. It was actually really scary because I began to have a lot of doubts about if I was ready or even if the church really was true. I have always been one to be believe and not doubt so it was really scary to be having doubts in the moment when I should be most strong. I began to pray earnestly for strength and peace. It is amazing how the Lord does answer our prayers!! I realized that Satan was working on me really hard. He didn't want me to feel the amazing spirit here on campus. Once I sought out the Lord, I was blessed with a renewed vision of my purpose and that this work is true!!! I am on the Lord's errand and I am entitled to his help as long as I ask for it. I talked with Sister Wright and turns out she had felt the exact same way but she was able to assure me that things were going to get better. My Branch President told me to just make it till Sunday and I would be fine. I made it to Sunday and I was feeling so happy and alive in the work of the Lord. My prayers were answered and I was blessed with peace!

Coming to the MTC has also made me realize all the things I have to work on. Sometimes I kinda feel like I don't know what things personally I need to work on but coming here has made me realize a lot of the things I still have a long ways to go on!! Although, the amazing thing is that I have a long time to work on my imperfections and the Lord is on my side!! I also realized as I was teaching this week that my true purpose is to bring those around me closer to Christ. I think sometimes we focus so much on baptism that we forget that our main purpose is to bring others close to their Savior. I realized that while I am on my mission, I am going to have investigators that will choose not to be baptized and that will be really disappointing. But if I, in the end, have brought them closer to Christ, then I have done my job. I am a success if I have brought them closer to the Savior. I, of course, will strive for baptism but will try to remember that bringing them closer to their Savior is the ultimate goal. I have been learning so many incredible things in relation to the Gospel and I wish I could share all of them but those are some of the cool things I have learned already.

I am loving the MTC so much and I know after all my doubts that this is where I am supposed to be!! This gospel is true and I am so blessed to have it in my life! I can't wait to get out into the field and proclaim the truthfulness of the gospel to the Dutch people. I am so grateful that I have an opportunity to focus on my Dutch for the next 5.5 weeks because I am going to need it!!! We went on a Temple walk yesterday and it was so great to get out of the MTC and see the real world again!!! Anyways, can't wait to write to you all next week!! Always remember that in the strength of the Lord you can do all things!!

Ik hou van u!!

Zuster Adams

MTC 1st day

 

Family,

Well I have survived my first day at the MTC!!! I am seriously overwhelmed with information but I am feel more and more confident with each minute. I had my first lesson in Dutch...it was rough but it will come. My German knowledge is kinda getting in the way but I am trying to follow Sister Heilner's advice and just forget my German. So guess what??? I kinda don't have a companion...I am known as a Solo Sister. I have a companion but she is only with me in our residence hall, at meals, and at certain activities. She is going on her mission to Romania so we are learning different languages, we are in different zones and branches. She is really nice and I think we are going to get along great!! I was kinda nervous for the adjust to having a companion so I am kinda happy that I get the chance to have a stepping stone first. As long as I am with two other Elders then I am okay. It is really weird!!! I am so TIRED!!! I am going to sleep good tonight!!! I love you so much!! I hope things are going well since I talked to you!! The sister in my zone's name is Allison Marie...CRAZY!!!!!!! She is awesome and I can't help but love her with that name!! I am beginning to love the MTC!! I am in the right place and this work is amazing!!! Can't wait to learn more!!

Love,

Zuster Adams

Well here is my (Allison's Mom) first attempt to Post something....I'm hoping it'll get easier as the 18 months goes by. Allison left Frankfurt Airport on Feb. 17, 2014. She was excited, anxious and so were we. There were tears, but tears of happiness. She'll have one day with her family in Utah. Some last minute stops at some stores and then report around noon on the 19th of Feb. She's going to do great! Much better than me at this posting thing....I will try though.

 Here is a beautiful double FULL rainbow that was above our house the day before Allison left.

This is on our way to the airport....

 Waiting to say goodbye at the airport.

 A sweet goodbye...These two possibly won't see each other for 3 1/2 years.  Harrison later said through some tears..."I'm just so proud of her".

There she goes!

One of her last looks back....I love that girl!