Where in the World will Sister Talbot Serve?

After much study and prayer, Hollee Talbot decided she was going to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!  She waited longer than she wanted to get her papers in, and waited even longer for her call to come.  Because she was studying American Sign Language in college, almost everyone thought she would serve in the United States and would be teaching the gospel in ASL.  She also put her availability date as January 11th, wanting to go as soon as possible.  But there was a different plan for Hollee! She received her call in the mail on a very snowy January 12, 2017!  

Hollee was called to serve a mission, and assigned to labor in the Australia Perth Mission!  

She was to report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on May 3, 2017.

Lots of family and friends came to hear Hollee open her mission call.
Grandma and Grandpa Nordhoff were there, and were so excited for Hollee to serve, as we all were!

Hollee went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple for her own endowment on January 28, 2017, and was privileged to serve as an ordinance worker there for 2 months.  Hollee has a deep love of the temple. We were able to go to endowment sessions with family and friends, and had the chance to go to a couple of sealing sessions with family before Hollee left for her mission.

Hollee's ordinance worker badge with the Oquirrh Mountain Temple

The day Hollee opened her call, we left for a girls trip to Disneyland.  It was so fun to be together, laugh, and talk about AUSTRALIA!

 It really was magical!

Other things on the pre-mission bucket list included going to Lion King, wake boarding (thank goodness for Sand Hollow and the warm 62 degree water), the zoo, Living Planet Aquarium, Red Mango, and playing games with family and friends.  

Hollee spoke in the Glenmoor 5th ward on April 30, 2017.  She gave a wonderful talk. In one part, she said:  

"As we “Catch the Wave” of missionary service, we can stand as witnesses everywhere.  Either pinned to our clothes, or painted on our hearts, the Light of Christ can show through us.  “Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world.  Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do.  Behold ye see that I have prayed unto the Father, and ye all have witnessed.” (3 Nephi 18:24)   In this scripture, it is Christ teaching the people of Nephi, and telling them that as we follow His example we will shine.  Russell M Nelson goes on to encourage us to “Be ready to give an answer to those who ask why you live as you do.  Be ready to give a reason for the hope and joy that they see in you.” I think that if we trust in Heavenly Father, He will help us explain why we are living the way that we are.  I know that as we strive to live righteously, we will attract attention and be able to simply explain what we believe.  How encouraging is that?!"

 Hollee had so many friends and family come to see her on the day of her farewell. It was so nice to have so many come to offer love and support.  

This is the relationship that is taking Hollee into the mission field.  She has always tried her best to stay
focused on the gospel of Jesus Christ.  

Sister Hollee Talbot is ready to serve!