February 16, 2026

From Abby -  "Did you like it when I recited Shakespeare to you?"

Heyyy Hiiii,

Here I am again typing away with my thumbs 

Im currently blessing Sister Atwood because she fished out a charger that fits my keyboard (love her) so I'll be TYPING soon.

I feel good about this week 

The day of my return date is encroaching at lightning speed and im constantly fearing for my life while equally rejoicing in alll that is to come 

My phone just notified me that 16 months ago today I entered the mission feild. Crazy.

I wonder if we felt similar in the premortal life before we would speed here to earth, have placed on us a veil of forgetfulness, and gain a mortal and fallen body to be tested.
This is probably EXACTLY how it felt. 
Especially thinking about progression and development. 

I think a big reason why missionaries get trunky is because they feel they have progressed as much as they can in this specific setting... Although I disagree with NO progression (Because we're always learning) I do think it's a factor. There simply comes a time where moving on from something (Our premortal life, or our mission) will actually EXPLODE our potential to progress and enable us to live a higher and holier law, a law of wise stewardship, and agency. 

Anyways 

Last Pday we induldged once again in Nickel City.. I'll admit I was thinking of Sister Lord as I walked by the claw machine ;) 

Our Trio crammed into the photo booth for pictures and oh what joy. 
Something else absolutely insane was when Elder Hess hopped on Step Mania

Silly us in our naivety assumed that no elder could TRULY break it down but OH how we were wrong. 

Elder Hess BROKE IT DOWN.

With each arrow he hit with perfect  precision and I guarantee you my mouth was open for a significant amount of time.. Life is full of unexpected wonderful adventures fr 

Here's sister Rhinehart and I.. Best game. 

We had a lesson this week with this inactive member and her old man situationship??

She invited us over and when we walked in he (His name is Wes) says "Can I have your autograph?" (referencing the fact that I spoke in stake conference which he watched over zoom)

Then we SPED ran The Plan of Salvation since he was leaving the NEXT day 

lowkey so sketch because they're about to go to dinner and he says she looks good in Jeans and its just SO awk... You just never know where you're going to be and who you're going to be with as a missionary. Cray times 

P-day morning Sister Atwood and I got a text from our mission president asking us to give a training the NEXT day at zone conference (Cry) about communication and effective problem solving within companionships. FAV topic. 

If my husband doesn't -

So P-day night we LOCKED ourselves into the study with our whiteboards and doubled down on it. 

Yes we called William Bretey (Our HCOM) for his insights.

He pointed out to us a specific part of Alma 18 and 19 where Ammon basically gives us the formula for success in all our relationships. 

Alma 18:15, Alma 18:17, and Alma 19:7
"What desirest thou of me?" 
"whatsoever thou desirest which is right, that will I do"
"What the queen desired of him was HIS only desire"
What a theme.

When you think about the people you love, do you know and understand their desires? Are you trying to?
If not you should ask them, and see how you can help them achieve that thing.. 

Zone conference was everything, my LAST ZONE conference. Hello?? 
An elder shared this quote I loved 
"I believe in christianity as I believe in the sun rising..Not only do I see it, but I see everything else by it."
-C.S Lewis 
Sister Brown also shared this 
"Kindness is the essence of a celestial life"
ALSO president talked about how EACH church that were offshoots due to their dislike for the catholic church each stated that there was a need for the restoration. Heres a quote from Roger Williams, founder of the first baptist church (iykyk)

"There is no regularily constituted church of christ on earth, nor any person qualified to administer any church ordinances; nor can there be until new apostles are sent by the head of the church for who's coming I am seeking." 
News flash.. That's the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 

Like 3 months ago Sister Hethcote facetimed me and asked me to do a musical number with her and Sister Dodge and HERE WE ARE. Somehow we made it Sister Hethcote and I's last transfer.

We got to perform Gethsemane for both zone conferences (Yes we crashed the north zones) and genuinely Sister Hethcote and Sister Dodge are two of my FAV people and are so kind to let me join their jam sessions.. I'm very much an honorary mem :) 

On the north zones day we were warming up and President Brown walks in to see how we're doing and Sister Hethcote goes "Prez, did you know we recorded a song?" WILD. Yes we ended up showing him "Sealed to you" and president being the legend he is LOVED It and joked about us playing at Galentines..
more on them later :))

Look at us 

What a picture 

Saw our recent convert Leah at a valentines relief society party and when I said "Leah have I talked to you about patriarchal blessings?" Her response was "No, but you should." GIRL- 

We had a lesson at her house later that week where her Abuelita taught us how to SEW beaded bracelets??! It took a long time but lowkey worth it. 

It was sweet, her grandma speaks exclusively spanish but whenever she explained instructions I SWEAR the gift of tongues is real because tell me why I could understand.. Getting taught how to sew a beaded bracelet by an Abuelita? HIGHLY recommend. 

She's getting her blessing on sunday :) 
 

 GALENTINES 
We're probably the most spoiled mission in the whole wide world. alll the sister missionaries in the UOM got to go to President and Sister Browns house for a galentines celebration 
We walked in to Olive Garden, cute heart macaroons on each plate, and sooo many Sisters all together 

Sister Dodge, Sister Hethcote and I ran to the basement as soon as we could to jam out 

as Sisters filtered in we played multiple hymns and lil jaunts and it was SO sweet to sing along to songs and hymns that I love. 

Once most people were gathered in and sitting, Sister Hethcote goes "Guys, What about that one song.. I think it goes something like this?" UKE IN HAND starts thumping the Cahone with her heel and playing wedding bells on the ukelele with a lil grin on her face!? Sister Dodge of course starts strumming her guitar with the right chords and suddenly we're off performing sealed to you  XD People joined in on clapping, laughing and singing along and OH it's so fun.

Grateful for mischevious friends like Sister Hethcote.

Look at this group. So good. 

President and Sister Brown spoke to us for a while, telling us all about their story, and also giving us advice for alll good things to come.. President said "Can I talk about Boys now ?" 

He and Sister Brown shared allll their advice and we were DYING laughing. I love our mission leaders with my whole soul.

Some other things we talked about at the galentines with Cindy Sweat (Anthony Sweats Wife!!!)

-Where women excersize the most priesthood power is in the temple, away from the world, not really seen. Is this not akin to Heavenly Mother?
-Lehi and his family (in the book of mormon) go back to Jerusalem twice. The first time for scripture (The brass plates) and the second time? For WIVES. Shocker they needed women to truly progress 

-Eve's act in the garden of Eden was one of the BRAVEST.. Here's a quote by president Nelson

 

"Mother Eve—with her far-reaching vision of our Heavenly Father’s plan—who initiated what we call ‘‘the Fall.” Her wise and courageous choice and Adam’s supporting decision moved God’s plan of happiness forward. They made it possible for each of us to come to earth, receive a body, and prove that we would choose to stand up for Jesus Christ now, just as we did premortally."

I also did my own study about Christ revealing himself to women 

Mary the mother of Jesus 

-Luke 1:26-38

Woman at the well 

-John 4:25-29

Mary Magdalene at the tomb 

-John 20:15-17

SO GOOD 

That night we had jungle exchanges.. Sister Tipasa and I got to teach these lil boys who LOVED dinosaurs and I got to tell them about the Albertasaurus.. Grand times

Look at these two. Im obsessed with them 

Valentines Day 
SOOO sweet. A year ago today, Sister Atwood and I were together and munching chocolate strawberries (because the Zupas ones are too expensive 

This Valentines day was FILLED with so many sweet things 

-Sister Atwood and I had lunch with one of our recent converts from ONE year ago Alex and her boyfriend. It was so sweet to be with them and give them a lil chastizement about church attendance 

-We had to pick up facemasks for our Sisters who were a bit sick, and when we were there we HAD to buy roses. One for our sweet old lady friend Louise, and one for each of our Sisters.

When we dropped it off to Louise she CRIED (Henry used to bring her one rose every valentines) She was standing there in her curlers and housecoat holding the rose in her hands, looking at it, twirling it in her hands etc. Life is full of sweet nuiances. 
-I made lil heart Valentines for each of my Sisters which was SO fun 

-Got to drop them off to Sister Hutchinson and Tipasa (LOVE THEM)

-Spent dinner and an early miracle hour with Sister Hethcote and Secrist and AH God really said "Let me bless you with the BEST Sisters for your last transfer"
We went to DQ and got some MASSIVE icecream and then munched it on their living room floor :) 
When we went into miracle hour I set a timer of silence for myself because if I yap i CANNOT focus... There's just so many things to yap about all the time I don't know how to stay silent fr.

Sister Hethcote being how she is wanted to thwart my attempt at silence, so what does she do? "Romeo, Romeo, Wherfore art thou Romeo?" and proceeds to RECITE a good portion of Juliet's sililoquey XD It didn't break my silence but after she asked if It was all I ever wanted for Valentines day and I said YES of COURSE. 

If Sister Hethcote recited Shakespeare to me every year I would be content 

What a solid valentines.

Got bashed but on the upside I learned a lot about catholisism.. newsflash they don't worship marry? 

The 5 pad has been going HARD. Every night is sooooo fun. 

Sister Moleni went to the ER??? Wild. 

She's okay now. 

GOD IS SO GOOD. 
I'M SENDING THIS WITH TYPOS 

Please forgive the late email.. I promise I'll do better 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/XUXT8gMVvExvkJbJ9

-Sister Smith 

Questionable quotes this week solely from Sister Rhinehart 

February 9th 2026

"Communication is your emotional dowry"

-Sister Rhinehart 

February 10th 2026 

"Okay the yin to my yang!!!"

-Sister Rhinehart On her writing wholesome miraculous Ladybug fan fic and me liking miraculous Ladybug 

"Adrian is lowkey elder Cease I think"

-Sister Rhinehart 

February 11th 

"You just coffed into the sky like the worlds most depressed smoker"

-Sister Rhinehart