Once upon a time, I was a missionary.

Okay, not really.

I was just a poser.

But it was still so much fun.

Three years ago, for about a year, we had sister missionaries serving our ward. Many lovely girls were transferred in and out during that year, but three were special. They became more than just missionaries; they became my friends. Their names are Luisa Faumuina, Fernanda Gonzalez, and Laura Peralta, and they were from Hawaii, Chile, and Tennessee, respectively.

I got to go out with them often and pretend to be a missionary, sometimes several times a week, and I loved every second of it: Standing outside in sub-freezing temperatures on various porches, praying someone would let us in; rejoicing when someone actually did let us in; watching these sisters teach and testify with such strength and conviction; seeing lives change.

All too soon, these three were transferred out of our ward, and one by one, they completed their missions and returned home with honor. And not long after, the sisters serving our ward were replaced with Elders, and so it is to this day. I no longer get to go.

But these three girls made a lasting impression on my heart. And today.....today...... I got to hang out with two of them. Fernanda is still in Chile, but Louisa and Laura are right here in Utah, preparing to attend UVU. Today is Laura's birthday, and she chose to celebrate by attending the Provo City Temple with Luisa and me. Just look at me trying to adjust to calling them by their first names! Ha!

I can't tell you how wonderful it was to see these two again, after so long. We hugged and hugged and even cried a little.

It was a lovely temple session; goodness this temple is beautiful! It looks like a castle. I'm so glad these two are both back in Utah because now we can get together whenever we want. And I don't even have to get them home by 9:30.

I missed you, Sister Gonzalez. Wait, no, I can do this: Fernanda. I wish you could have been with us.

Once upon a time, I was a missionary.

Okay, not really.

I was just a poser.

But maybe someday? Maybe someday I will be one for real.