Sister Bethany Alise Whitnah: Brazil: Sister Whitnah is on her way!

The time has come and Brazil here she comes! Bethany has had her visa for nearly 2 weeks but was delayed in going as the Mission President didn't want her traveling by herself.

She had the opportunity to serve in the Idaho Pocatello Mission for 1 transfer( 6 weeks). She was lucky in that she only had to serve 1 transfer in Idaho. This morning when she called she said that some missionaries are still waiting for their visas and have been in Idaho longer than she had been. The mission president of the Pocatello mission is a man from our area. President Brinkerhoff. He and his wife have been serving in Idaho for a year. That was a tender mercy as he remembered the Whitnah name. Even though we were never close friends, he remembered the name and the fact that she was from Oregon, like they were made it nice.

Bethany had many chances to teach and serve and work with other missionaries while she was there. She was fortunate to serve in the Ward that good friends, Tracy and Bart Bangerter live in. That was SO nice. Kind of a "home" away from home for her that transfer out. Bethany was 20 on the 1st and the Bangerters invited Bethany and her 2 companions over for cupcakes. It was so nice of them.

The 4th of July, the missionaries really couldn't teach much, they were actually told not to as families would be celebrating and they didn't want the missionaries intruding on family celebrations. Bethany was able to get together with some of her Sister missionaries and see a parade in Pocatello as well as watch fireworks that night. Here are a couple photos of some of the Sister Missionaries she served with while in Idaho

These are the first 2 Sister missionaries she served with. They were together for only a week and half. Sisters Morales and Sister McLain with Sister Whitnah. Bethany was later transferred to the Highland Stake. In this Stake she and her companion covered 6 Wards! A lot of area to cover for 2 Sister missionaries. She was assigned to serve with Sister Halbison. Today, as we talked on the phone, Bethany shared how much she loved Sister Halbison and how much she would miss her and how much she enjoyed serving with her.

Sister Halbison is the youngest of 11 children. She is a year older than Bethany and is from Gilbert, Arizona. They got a long SO well! Bethany plans to write her while she is in Brazil.

This morning Bethany tried to phone us using her calling card that she had bought. Apparently the card was not activated by the store when she bought it. A woman noticed and came over to try and assist her, when she realized that the card would not work, she pulled her cell phone out for Bethany to use. She allowed her to talk to us as long as she needed. More than an hour. This was truly a tender mercy where an Angel was sent to aide a Sister Missionary :) I don't know if this woman will ever realize how much it meant to us, but it meant a great deal to be able to hear our daughter's voice. I will always be thankful.

And now, Brazil, here come a quiet storm, she might be quiet, she might seem small, but she will do great things and she will learn great things. I am so happy she has chose to serve. There have been quotes and thoughts I have found over the last several months, I want to share a few of those now.

it doesn't matter WHERE you serve but rather WHO you serve. Jesus Christ.
Missionaries work hand in hand with the Savior. Their name tag has two names on it. There name and Jesus Christ. So whether you serve in Boise Idaho, Berlin Germany, Cape Town South Africa or Brazil, all that is important is that you give your all to Him that you serve.

if you have desires to serve, you are called to the work and with that calling you will become bold. Or as Robbie learned, Boldness is "sweet love" to serve with sweet love towards those you teach and those you serve with. Heavenly Father will prepare people to teach as you desire to serve Him as a missionary.

Now Bethany, go to Brazil, give them ALL of you and remember this quote, it reminds me of some of the things President Wight said the night you were set apart as a missionary.