"I am a part of all that I have met."

I often think of an object lesson that was taught in one of my creative writing classes in high school. My teacher pulled out a huge jar of marbles- of all different sizes, colors, and patterns. She talked about how the jar itself represents us- the marbles inside different parts of us. It was the end of the year, and our time with her as our teacher, and she went on to explain that she hoped she had shared even just a small part of herself with us throughout our time together- a marble from her jar that we could add into our own. Suddenly, she was pouring the large jar of marbles out everywhere- all over the floor, where they started rolling throughout the entire classroom. I, and I believe most all of my classmates, were shocked. She then invited us to take a marble.

Almost exactly one year and one month ago Justin and I moved into our new home in Columbus, Nebraska- June 2012. At that time I felt extremely unsure of how I was going to survive in a place so very different from where I had ever lived before. Nebraska seemed like such a blah place to live and I fully expected a hard, boring, lonely, yucky year ahead of me. That seems a bit extreme, but I truly wasn't looking forward to living in Columbus. I was nervous to be a part of such a small branch, I was afraid I would make/have no friends, and I was worried it would be a very long year.

I don't think I have ever been more wrong in my life.

A little over a year later, I find myself missing Columbus, Nebraska in a way I never thought possible. I miss our friends, our branch, our home, and just about everything about the way of life that we truly came to love and appreciate in the little city of Columbus. Justin and I talk daily about how much we miss... how, although we don't not like it here, we kinda really wish we were still there... 


"I am a part of all that I have met." 
-Alfred Tennyson


We miss our cute little home, the neighborhood we were a part of, the trees and wildlife we grew to admire, and so, so much more... but what we really, truly miss the very most are the amazing people from our branch that we grew to love like our own family. What wonderful, strong, and faithful people there are living and loving the gospel each and every day of their lives in Columbus, Nebraska. I can think of very few other times in my life when my testimony has been strengthened as much, and in such a way, as it was during what I honestly believed would be such a blah year.

I am grateful beyond words for the many treasured marbles I added to my jar while living in Nebraska. From the very beginning of our time there I was suddenly surrounded by so many people who just seemed to be dumping their jars of marbles at my feet for the taking. The Columbus, Nebraska branch is full of people who let their lives revolve around love, service, and Christlike kindness towards everyone they come in contact with. I have never felt more loved and needed. I have never felt more safe and secure so far away from "home." I am a better person because of the many examples that taught me a new way to look at the gospel, and therefore, my life.

Sadly, I didn't realize all these great things about Nebraska all at once. But, it didn't take long to really start liking Nebraska, and throughout the months that all too soon made up a year I came to love, love, love Columbus, Nebraska and all the many parts that as a whole have significantly changed my life for the better.