Well, this is it. I am officially a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! It still seems like I have to wait forever until I leave, but in reality I am leaving my house in one hour for the last time. How crazy!! I am so excited to see what life holds for me in the next 18 months. :D Who would have guessed that I would be doing this! I always thought I would get married or going to school. I can't wait to see how much I will learn and change. One thing I am looking forward to the most is the changes and experiences I will have!
However, I know what I will miss things. Haha. Obviously! The thing I will miss the most is my family. It sounds crazy but I have never gone more than one day without talking to a member of my family! The longest I've lived away (away meaning more than 3 hours) from my home was two weeks! I love each and everyone of my family members so much!!! The next thing I will miss is volleyball!! I will play as often as I can but it won't be near as much as I play now. :)
I just thought it would be appropriate for me to end my last personal entry with my testimony. I know that Jesus Christ lives! I know that He loves me with more love than anyone can comprehend. He loves everyone!! I know that His full gospel is here today because the prophet Joseph Smith restored the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. With help from God, Prophet Joseph translated the Book of Mormon. This amazing book is true!! It testifies of Heavenly Father and His Son along with the Bible! I love this Church. I have never been more sure of what I know! I can't wait to find more conviction for my knowledge! I know that President Thomas S. Monson is the living prophet of God today! I love you all!!! In the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, Amen!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Happy Ending and Wonderful Beginning
Today I was able to spend time with my mom and youngest sister, Bob. Well, most of the time was just with my mom. Bob is training with an All-Area team that she made. They will be playing in an international volleyball tournament next week!!! Right now she has two-a-day practices that last 3-5 hours each session. So my mom and I dropped Bob off at training and headed out to get the final items from my missionary shopping list! I can finally say that my shopping is complete. :) While I was out and about, I started to think about the coming week. I realized that this part of my life is coming to an end. Last night was my last time playing pick-up volleyball games in my gym. Today was the last time I drove to Provo and back. (Next time I go to Provo, I won't make the trip home again.) I won't be shopping for mission stuff in America anymore. This is the last Wednesday before I'm an official missionary. The list goes on and on. And when you think of only the things that I won't do anymore, it gets depressing!!
That is when I started listing all the things that I get to begin. I will be serving others EVERY day!!! I will be able to search and study the Word of God more thoroughly. Which means I will understand my Heavenly Father's will better! I will be starting fresh. I've always wanted to go some place where no one knew me. I could be who I wanted and start on a fresh page. Now I can do that!! I will be able to live life outside of America!!!!! This time of my life will teach and show me how blessed I am here in the Land of the Free. I will experience life with a whole new perspective!! And I can not wait!!!!
The things that I am beginning is by far better than the things that I am ending (for 18 months). I am so excited to learn and change!!! I want to work my hardest and help in the best way I can! And when I return, I want to Return With Honor! Then I will be able to pick up what I left behind and go on with my life's mission!!
Life is great!!!
That is when I started listing all the things that I get to begin. I will be serving others EVERY day!!! I will be able to search and study the Word of God more thoroughly. Which means I will understand my Heavenly Father's will better! I will be starting fresh. I've always wanted to go some place where no one knew me. I could be who I wanted and start on a fresh page. Now I can do that!! I will be able to live life outside of America!!!!! This time of my life will teach and show me how blessed I am here in the Land of the Free. I will experience life with a whole new perspective!! And I can not wait!!!!
The things that I am beginning is by far better than the things that I am ending (for 18 months). I am so excited to learn and change!!! I want to work my hardest and help in the best way I can! And when I return, I want to Return With Honor! Then I will be able to pick up what I left behind and go on with my life's mission!!
Life is great!!!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Saying "See you later" :)
Today has been a wonderful day to finish off a great weekend!! I really hadn't thought much about this day until it got here. Last week I wrote my talk (the first time I've written a talk before the morning of) so that I wouldn't have to worry about it while I was out of town.
On Friday morning I left home for a family reunion. :) It was a great time and I really enjoyed the little get away! There was lots of time to catch up with family that I haven't seen in a while and get closer with new family. There was good food, family stories, fresh mountain air, and good old-time country cowboy songs the first night. But my favorite day was Saturday!! We went on what my family said was a 5-mile hike. I personally think it was a mile or two longer than that. However, it was beautiful and fun!! I got to interact more with my amazing cousin from Arizona, K. She is such a cute girl! My one and only boy cousin (not counting the 2nd cousins etc.) and I talked quite a bit. I just loved that!! He is such a cool guy. He is a big part of my family and I love it! After the hike we were able to spend some time in the pool and that was really nice. K stuck with my sisters and I and we had a fun time!
All the family time was great, but my favorite part of the weekend was today!! It was so wonderful seeing all the family and friends that came out to show their support for me! There were so many people that showed up that it was a HUGE surprise!!! I really didn't think that very many people would be there! While I was sitting on the stand I kept watching and watching as more and more chairs got pulled out and filled up!! I feel so blessed and loved!
You see, I was only a little nervous while I was waiting to get up there. I was very certain that the nerves would go away once I started to go over my talk. But then... I just felt nervous the whole time!! I kept fidgeting with my ring and my feet were going crazy. Hahaha. I was sure that at any second I would feel comfortable and relax but no. Not even after I sat down did I stop feeling nervous. When my amazing dad went up to give the closing prayer I finally felt calm!! I just love him!
When all was said and done at the church, so many of my family and friends came over to enjoy some food and talk! It was wonderful! :)
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!
On Friday morning I left home for a family reunion. :) It was a great time and I really enjoyed the little get away! There was lots of time to catch up with family that I haven't seen in a while and get closer with new family. There was good food, family stories, fresh mountain air, and good old-time country cowboy songs the first night. But my favorite day was Saturday!! We went on what my family said was a 5-mile hike. I personally think it was a mile or two longer than that. However, it was beautiful and fun!! I got to interact more with my amazing cousin from Arizona, K. She is such a cute girl! My one and only boy cousin (not counting the 2nd cousins etc.) and I talked quite a bit. I just loved that!! He is such a cool guy. He is a big part of my family and I love it! After the hike we were able to spend some time in the pool and that was really nice. K stuck with my sisters and I and we had a fun time!
All the family time was great, but my favorite part of the weekend was today!! It was so wonderful seeing all the family and friends that came out to show their support for me! There were so many people that showed up that it was a HUGE surprise!!! I really didn't think that very many people would be there! While I was sitting on the stand I kept watching and watching as more and more chairs got pulled out and filled up!! I feel so blessed and loved!
You see, I was only a little nervous while I was waiting to get up there. I was very certain that the nerves would go away once I started to go over my talk. But then... I just felt nervous the whole time!! I kept fidgeting with my ring and my feet were going crazy. Hahaha. I was sure that at any second I would feel comfortable and relax but no. Not even after I sat down did I stop feeling nervous. When my amazing dad went up to give the closing prayer I finally felt calm!! I just love him!
When all was said and done at the church, so many of my family and friends came over to enjoy some food and talk! It was wonderful! :)
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Family Times and Memories
I just love going on family vacations. There are always good times and food! The bad thing about them is that they have to end some time. I'm back from my grandparents house and it is just starting to sink in that I only have three weeks until I am gone.
While on vacation I took pictures of practically everything!! I have hundreds of pictures that tell of the fun times we had. I wish I could put them all on here but I'll put only a handful. :)
We spent a few days of the trip pouring a cement driveway for my grandparents. All the kids helped out and worked hard. We were the only crew my dad had. If I can say so, we did a pretty good job!!
We went camping and sight-seeing for part of the trip. I love the views that we saw and I just love nature!!!
What is a vacation without some time at the pool?! We went to the town pool every chance we could! It was a small little thing but we had fun!
While we were at the pool one day, we saw this beautiful sideways rainbow! :)
My grandparents always have this feeder hanging outside their window. My sister, Nut, was patient and diligent and got this amazing picture! Later on in the trip Bob and Munchkin tried catch a hummingbird. It didn't really work but Munchkin did touch one. :)
My grandparents are temple workers so I was able to go to the temple with them. I spent the whole day there!! It was so amazing and beautiful!! It made my dream of visiting every temple even more vivid! This temple was so small in comparison to the temples close to my home! But I loved it all the same!
We are on our way home in this picture! I love my family!!
While on vacation I took pictures of practically everything!! I have hundreds of pictures that tell of the fun times we had. I wish I could put them all on here but I'll put only a handful. :)
We spent a few days of the trip pouring a cement driveway for my grandparents. All the kids helped out and worked hard. We were the only crew my dad had. If I can say so, we did a pretty good job!!
We went camping and sight-seeing for part of the trip. I love the views that we saw and I just love nature!!!
What is a vacation without some time at the pool?! We went to the town pool every chance we could! It was a small little thing but we had fun!
While we were at the pool one day, we saw this beautiful sideways rainbow! :)
My grandparents always have this feeder hanging outside their window. My sister, Nut, was patient and diligent and got this amazing picture! Later on in the trip Bob and Munchkin tried catch a hummingbird. It didn't really work but Munchkin did touch one. :)
My grandparents are temple workers so I was able to go to the temple with them. I spent the whole day there!! It was so amazing and beautiful!! It made my dream of visiting every temple even more vivid! This temple was so small in comparison to the temples close to my home! But I loved it all the same!
We are on our way home in this picture! I love my family!!
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