Returning to Houston

Have you ever been yelled at for what you believe? Have you ever been told you were crazy or going to Hell? Have you ever been so tired that you feel like you can't walk another step? Have you ever sweated till you were soaked? Have you ever been separated from your loved ones? Have you ever been afraid to talk to strangers about what you know is true? Have you ever had confidence or strength that was not your own? Have you ever seen people as children of God and loved them as such? Have you ever watched people change their lives for the better? Have you ever felt the indescribable joy of watching others come to know their Savior? I have. It was a time of many tears, a time of growing, a time of laughter, a time when I learned about myself, and a time when I came to have a personal relationship with my Savior and an unshakable testimony of his gospel. It was.... my  mission.

 I returned home from serving my 18 month LDS mission in Houston Texas a little over two years ago. Since then, not a day has gone by that I haven't thought about the people that I came to love. I have yearned to return to walk the streets that I did as a missionary, hug the people that meant so much to me, and experience Houston as a non-missionary. The areas that I served in will always be sacred ground to me. I'm thankful everyday for my mission and the things that I learned. I proved to myself that I can do hard things, especially with the Lord by my side.

 I have desired to return to my mission and take my husband and family since coming home. My dream came true when my parents gave me a trip to Houston for my college graduation gift! This special gift will be one that will be treasured forever! It was such a special experience to visit my mission with my Husband, Mom, Dad and little brother Dixon.

And so the adventure begins!

Here we are at the airport excited for our trip to Houston. One stewardess asked where we were going on vacation. We told her Houston. She said, "Why are you going to the armpit of Texas?" Haha. It is not an armpit to me. I love Houston!

Going through security

On the plane

Are we there yet....

 We made it!!
Am I really in Houston?! I was standing outside the next morning just soaking it all in. I couldn't believe it, it was real- humidity and all!

 Texas Houston South Mission Office

It was so wonderful to see people that I came to love so much! There are many experiences that are so close to my heart with each family and individual. It was a pleasure for me to teach them about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and watch them change their lives. I'm amazed at their bravery and desire to know truth. There are some that I taught that have moved out of the area. However, I'm so thankful for the ones that I did get to see and introduce them to my husband and family.

 

 

Top: Glaser Family, Noo Gram

Middle: Veronica Mendez

 Bottom: Judy & Kylee Cook, Beach Family, Derek Burger

 

We also got to see many of the members that I knew on my mission. So many amazing people! I feel like each person knew on my mission blessed my life and changed me for the better. I'm thankful for their examples and perseverance in living the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Left to Right: Kathy Hoskinson, Wendy Watts, Curtis Family, Bulseco Family, Kilgore Family, Mike Chamberlain Family, Norman Family, Pierce Family, Susan Moore, Hosea Family, Ferrin Family, Chamberlain Family, Butler Family, Nancy Crass, & Amanda Shipman.

 (Sorry the pics are so small. That is the only way I could get them to fit)

I returned to show my family where I lived on my mission in Alief, Galveston and South Shore. We didn't have time to see where I lived in Maplewood. Here is a picture of where I lived in Galveston and Alief.

We ate AMAZING FOOD!! We all gained 10 lbs. No Joke!

Whataburger

Bluebell Ice Cream

Seafood

Tookies

 

Texas BBQ

Pizza & Salad Bar

We always had fun in the car when driving place to place.

 We went to the Kemah Boardwalk and rode this roller coaster.

We survived!!

We loved feeding the seagulls on the ferry and at the beach in Galveston. The birds were brave and sometimes would come and grab the bread right out of your hand.

On the ferry

The boys caught some crabs

Mom & Dad at the beach

 

We went to the Museum of Natural Science and the butterfly house. It was pretty awesome!

 We also got a special tour of NASA!  After the tour, Bryce gave me a big hug and said, "Thank you for serving in Houston, Danielle." It has always been a dream of his to go to NASA.

The New Flight Directors

Bryce was in heaven!

Driving the space shuttle

Inside the mock international space station

 I loved going to the Houston Temple.

Words cannot describe how much this trip means to me. I feel a sense of closure now that I have returned to the mission and left again. It was so good to see people and return to my areas. I got to see things that I haven't seen before. It was wonderful to spend time with my husband and family and share with them the place that is so close to my heart. We often said how we had never had a vacation like this one. It was special and everything that I could have hoped for. I'm so thankful to my loving Heavenly Father that called me to serve. I was stubborn and didn't want to go. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done! However, I'm so eternally thankful that I did. Attached is a story about a man who is given a task by the Lord. It is beautiful and I still cry when I read it. This is how I feel about my mission. He has molded and shaped me into the person that I am today. I know there is still more to do, however, as I look back I'm thankful for how far I have come!

http://owen.sj.ca.us/rkowen/LDS/stories/pushrock.html