Finding my frog among the falls!

Wow! It's been a long time since I wrote a blog post. I started this blog as a missionary in hopes that I could reach a few hearts in sharing my testimony of Jesus Christ. I quickly found that the heart that was changing was mine. The opportunity to study a gospel topic and share my feelings through the words of my blog helped me to sort through my thoughts, increase and knowledge and most importantly strengthen my relationship with my Father in Heaven.

So here I am again. 9 months have passed since I took off my badge and picked up my normal life again. My sweet sister started blogging (www.mandnking.blogspot.com) and I realized just how much I missed the chance to express my feelings here. A lot has happened in the months since I've been home. A lot of things that I should have been sharing here, most noticeably... I became a McCandless!! I'm going to give you a brief catch up of our love story, and then I hope to find many more opportunities to share my story, testimony and heart here.

I met Elder McCandless, June 2014 after being transferred back to my original area of Great Falls Montana! I had been out on my mission a year at this time and had just been called as a Sister Training Leader over the Great Falls and Great Falls East Zones. I remember calling a meeting with Elder McCandless and his companion almost immediately in an effort to unify with them in their efforts to help the missionaries in their zone.



Elder McCandless was famous for his positive attitude and permanent smile. He quickly became a friend of mine as I watched how he treated those around him and the respect and love that he showed to me and my companion. He was hard working and dedicated to his Savior. His testimony didn't need to be spoken (although he chose to share it often) you could feel it as you stood in his presence. He treated Sister Greenfield and I as if we were valuable assets to his zone. He listened to and sought after our opinions, and then treated our ideas like they were gold. 


I remember once asking my companion, "Do you know who would make an AMAZING husband?  Elder McCandless!!" I never even considered the idea that he would end up being MY husband! But he was humble and treated women like they were on a pedestal. I knew whoever ended up with him would be treated like a queen.

Missionaries don't usually spend a lot of time with other missionaries, especially Sisters and Elders together but as the 4th of July drew nearer I was given the opportunity to spend time with Elder McCandless and get to know him even better. The missionaries were going to walk in the Great Falls parade and a group of us were put in charge of creating a float of the Salt Lake Temple. We spent about a week in that garage, building and painting and having a blast. The parade was a huge success and I knew that I had an amazing friend.

As the Zone Leader it was his responsibility to drive the Sister Training Leaders to far away areas for exchanges. So we got everything arranged and Elder McCandless and Beck drove us the two hours to Shelby Montana. About an hour and a half into the drive, just outside the small town of Conrad, the truck sputtered, then chocked and then rolled to a stop. We were out of gas! Poor Elder McCandless was mortified as he realized he'd forgotten to fill up before we headed out. In other places this oversight might not be that big of an issue but in Montana the towns are few and far between. I couldn't stop laughing! The simple trip to Shelby had just become an adventure. Luckily we were not far from where the Conrad Elders served so we gave them a call. "Um... Elders, we ran out of gas." Elder McCandless said with a sigh. "Oh!" The Conrad Elders said, "Where are you?" I will never forget Elder McCandless' response as it sent me into another fit of giggles. "I don't know!! Out by some field, staring at some ponies!" We were eventually rescued and I will forever have that fond memory.

We only had one transfer together in Great Falls, just 6 weeks of Montana summer and Elder McCandless was moved to Corvallis. It wasn't long before I was mid-transferred to Billings and the mission went on. By that fall I was in my last area and my time as a full-time missionary was winding up. I was in Wyoming this time and I loved it! The people in Powell are amazing, the work was going forward and I loved my companion! As my last transfer came around I heard a rumor... Elder McCandless was being transferred to Wyoming as well. He was going to be the District Leader in Cowley. I was excited at the chance to serve around my friend again and hear him teach the gospel. 

The last transfer of my mission was a lot of work which brought about the opportunity to see many blessings. It was a wonderful end to an amazing year and a half. I enjoyed every chance I had to see my friend Elder McCandless and was grateful for the things that I learned from him. He taught me in District and Zone meetings but he also taught me a lot through his personal efforts to be a disciple of Christ. 

My last Preparation Day was spent in the Cody WY stake center playing games with the whole zone. I talked to Elder McCandless there and realized that this couldn't be the last time I talked to my friend. He was a good person and I knew that I wanted to stay in contact with him. I decided then I would email him when I got home. He still had 4 months left but I could continue to support him. We took a picture, and said see ya later.

I never could have known then just how important he would be to me! Brandon is every good thing that I knew then, and so much more. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to meet Elder McCandless! Who knew my fairy tale would start in Great Falls Montana!