Weekly E-Mail - August 8th - Last One!

Hey Everyone,

Okay sooo that was a complete accident on Thursday when I sent that
email. haha so embarrassed that that happened hahaha. Story of my
life.

Well it's my last P-Day & last time emailing! So I just wanted to thank
you all for the love & support & prayers you've all given me over the
past 18 months. I've said this countless times, but deciding to serve
a mission was the best decision I've ever made. I've learned so many
lessons & have been able to feel love of my Heavenly Father for me &
for the people I've taught. I know that God is our Loving Heavenly
Father & He loves us more than we can even comprehend. I know we can
always turn to Heavenly Father in prayer & He is always there for us.
I know that the mission has changed me because I've learned how to use
the Atonement more fully in my life & have had the incredible
opportunity of watching others change through Jesus Christ & His
Atonement. I know that Jesus Christ atoned for each one of us & that
He lives today.  I wish I could explain everything I've learned on my
mission, but I think that's why Heavenly Father set it up this
way-that we all get called to different places with people that we
don't know, so we can each have our own individual experiences. I've
been blessed with the best companions & amazing wards & have made the
greatest friendships here with the people of Sacramento. I know that
Joseph Smith was a prophet of God called to restore God's church back
on the Earth today. I know the priesthood has been restored & we can
be sealed with our families forever! I know The Book of Mormon is the
word of God & any concern can be answered by feasting upon the words
of The Book of Mormon. I've loved being an instrument in the Lords
hands in bringing people closer to Jesus Christ & I know I've been
brought closer to Him by doing so.

This past week we had the opportunity to teach a 17 year old boy,
Ethan. He's so prepared & at the end of the lesson he asked us what
the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meant to us. I bore my
testimony of how much I love this gospel. Of course I started to tear
up thinking about the experiences I've had over the course of my
mission & how I know that it's the gospel that brings true happiness!
Before my mission I thought of the gospel as a little section of my
life, but I feel like I more fully understand that the gospel is my
life-in every aspect. I've loved being able to serve my Heavenly
Father & bear testimony of His Son, Jesus Christ, every single day.
I've learned that true happiness is when we are in the service of
others. One of my favorite quotes comes from True to the Faith that
says, "The Savior invites you to give of yourself in the service of
others. Your opportunities to do so are limitless. Each day, look for
ways to gladden hearts, to say kind words, to perform labors for
others that they cannot do for themselves, to share the gospel. Be
receptive to the whispering of the Spirit, prompting you to serve.
You will find that the true key to happiness is to labor for the
happiness of others."

All I can say is how grateful I am to have had this privilege of
serving a mission! Thank you so much to every one of you who have
helped me along the way. I'm very blessed for the best family &
friends in the world! Can't wait to see you all!!!❤️❤️❤️

I love you all. CTR!!!

For the last time,
Sister Sobotka

Weekly Email - August 1st - Not Trunky

Hi Family & Friends,

Well I've officially been on a mission for 18 months. What in the world!!

Last Tuesday all the departing missionaries got to go to the temple.
Usually the departing missionaries go to a session the day before they
return home, but the Sacramento Temple is going to be closed for the
first two weeks in August so our group got to go this week. It was
definitely one of the most spiritual experiences of my mission. I sat
in the celestial room & just thought of the lessons I've learned over
the last 18 months & the experiences I've had. It was just a great day
& I am just so full of gratitude for my mission. I sat in the
celestial room with my MTC companion, Sister Marks & we just teared up
thinking back to 18 months ago when we entered the MTC together. I'm
just grateful for the friendships I've made here in Sacramento & how
it will always have a special place in my heart. After the temple we
went to the spaghetti factory with President & Sister Jardine. Ah I'm
just gonna miss this mission family so much.

After lunch & I had my departing interview with President Jardine. I
just love that man. Before the interview I thought, "I don't think
I'll cry during this" & the first thing President Jardine asked me
was, "how are you feeling right now?" & wow I just started crying &
told him how grateful I was for my mission. Then he gave me the whole
marriage spiel & talked about her future. Ah what?!

The rest of the week was really good. Okay so the Folsom stereo type
is that there is "no work" because everyone is rich & set in their
ways. I've spent quite sometime in Folsom & have heard this a billion
times haha but yeah i just ignore it usually haha. But last night we
got the biggest miracle call. We had a lady from another Ward call us
& tell us her best friend is ready to take the lessons! She said she
has taken the lessons before from the Elders, but that the elders
weren't very considerate so she's been waiting for months to be able
to be taught by sisters!! Sister Adam & I were so excited we started
to tear up. She gave us her number & she was so excited!!! She asked
if we could come for dinner this week. Her name is Sarah & we will be
going over this week!

I've just learned that when you're doing your best the Lord takes care
of the rest. Last year we had zone conference from Elder Hamula of the
70 & he said multiple times, "pray like everything depends on God, &
work as if everything depends on you" & I've seen that to be very
true! If we pray & truly rely on our Heavenly Father, but then go out
there & work Heavenly Father will bless us for our efforts, but we
always gotta put in that work.

Thank you for all the loving emails this week!!! I'm so excited to see
all of you❤️❤️❤️
Keep choosing the right & take the time to study your scriptures!

Love always,
Sister Sobotka

Pics:
1. Throw back to Sis Marks & I in the MTC 😂
2. Sis Marks & I's last temple trip:(
3. The Folsom Zone
4. The cute sisters I go home with
5. Our departing group!