Last day in Meridian....

October 19, 2015

Hey Family,

So today I get to email because I won't have much time tomorrow to. As you have heard I am getting transferred. I am so sad to be leaving Meridian and all of the people here. I have grown to love them and it has been hard saying good-byes, but I told them that I plan on coming back to visit. I know that the Lord needs me down in Ocean Springs and I am pretty excited to go there with Sister Burgess. I have heard great things about it. I prayed to Heavenly Father to ask if I could stay one more transfer in Meridian, but after I got a feeling that I was leaving and I felt at peace with it.

Sunday it really hit me hard that I was leaving at church. Sitting there during sacrament meeting, I was just looking around and seeing all of the people that I love so much. Then Bishop announced that I was leaving so I was able to bare my testimony. Of course I cried and was shaking. I told them how much each of them has impacted my life so much and how they had been my parents. Many people were crying after my testimony, most of them were the young women. I have gotten so close to the young women and am going to miss them all.

Sunday night we got to have dinner at the Bryant's house and they fed us ribs. It was so good!!!! We got to talk with them for a little and it was just nice to be around people that care about you. Then after we went over to the Blalock’s and did some pottery. I got to spin and make a bowl, which turned out pretty good and got to make a Mississippi State. I am really excited about them (Stacey has mom's number to talk about sending it home, because I don't trust it with me getting moved around a bunch).

Saturday was a great day, besides getting the call of transfers. I got to see Payton baptized and that made me extremely grateful that I was able to see it before I left. She has come a long way and I am so thankful that I was able to start teaching her and seeing her be baptized. She is such a strong girl and I will miss her so much.

We went and saw Jottie and Savannah this week and was able to talk about Jottie getting baptized. She isn't married but is leaving with a guy, so that is the only thing in the way. So hopefully that will get done soon. She asked me for my email so that she can send me pictures when she gets baptized. That made me so excited to hear. Also her daughter Savannah and I have gotten really close and she was really sad that I am leaving. She told me that she would love to have me as an older sister. That just made me feel so loved and know that I am making an impact on people’s lives.

I love the people here and am truly going to miss them. This is always the hardest part about missionary work.

Love and miss y'all

Sister McKenna O'Connor

(McKenna said that Sister Burgess has been in Ocean Springs for one transfer and that she is excited to serve with her. The two of them were in the MTC together and came out at the same time.)

Sister O'Connor and Bishop Blalock of the Meridian Ward