watermelon in winter

So before I put up my usual thought of the day for the countdown, I just wanted to write a little bit about lately. I'min between wards right now, as I spoke in my home ward this morning  and I'm going to my singles ward to speak there this afternoon. I've seen a lot of people dear to me recently, because last night I had a party so I could see lots of people.  Last night was tons of fun.  Definitely a good way to end pre-mission life!  Let's just say I'm going out with a bang....hahahaha.  Anyway, I've been thinking. There are so many of you (both who read this and don't) who have touched my life.  I am the person I am because of each and every one of you. I'm so blessed to have such good examples in my life and such wonderful family. I say family, because my friends are my family.  I have extended family...everywhere.  I have such a big family, and it is wonderful!  You are all wonderful people, and while I look forward to serving in Brazil...

One time, I was on the train to Georgia to visit the Hunsakers, and I had an extra copy of the Book of Mormon. The train was ridiculously crowded, so in Philly, a guy came and sat next to me, and he wanted to talk.  At first, I just wanted to be left alone, but as we talked, I started talking about the gospel, and he kept asking me questions about how he could change his life, and about where he could go to church when he starts his life over in Atlanta.    To make a long conversation short, I offered him my Book of Mormon, and he took it, and we kept talking about it for a while longer. It was one of the coolest experiences I've ever had as far as missionary work goes, because he was a complete stranger.  I don't even remember his name.  Hah, he asked for my number...I didn't give it to him...but it was still cool to be able to share something so important to me with another person who may or may not have been looking for it.  Just helped me realize furt...

I know, I know, it's technically the 27th now.  But I'm still awake from the 26th, so in my mind, it's still 5 days. High school.  I had the opportunity to go to a Catholic girls high school, where I was the only member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  As I got older, I became known as "the Mormon."  And I loved this title!  I had the opportunity at least once every single day to talk about the gospel, or about why I am who I am, or about the things I do and don't do.  It was where my missionary opportunities began, and where I really gained the desire to share the gospel with everyone I know.

So here's the story.  Up until yesterday, I was at the point where I really didn't know where I'd be going next week.  Back when I got my mission call (over 4 months ago!), I also got an itinerary that was sending me straight to Brazil. I was to fly out of Logan Airport at 2pm on March 2, and arrive in Sao Paulo at 8am on March 3.  The tickets were bought, my call letter said I'd attend the MTC in Sao Paulo.  So that was the plan.  I filled out the visa application and all that, and then it was just a waiting game. I waited. And waited. And still waited some more. And I'm still waiting. My visa is still in process, and has been for a few months, and I honestly don't know when I'll get it.  Brazil is cool and all, but the consulate is a little disorganized from what I've heard.  Plus they get hundreds of these applications from the Church each month.  So for the past few weeks, I've been watching the mail waiting for my visa.  Last w...

James Yeah, you read that right.  James went on a mission.  He was the first in our entire family to serve a mission, and what an example it was to me!  Lots of people poo-poo the Provo mission, but James worked hard.  I got to see him as a missionary a couple of times, because I went to school in Provo, and there is no doubt that he worked hard.  He changed people's lives.  I saw firsthand how effort and a willingness to serve can really change a person, and that person can then change so many others!

Down to one week now.  In all honesty, I literally don't know where I will be a week from now.  Could be Utah, could be on the way to Sao Paulo. Guess I'll find out in 3 days. Today's focus: Preach My Gospel. I remember when this book came out, and I remember the discussions before it, because that was how I was taught.  And my mother and father and brothers.  I didn't pay much attention to it at first, but then a few years ago, I acquired my own copy and began studying it.  As I studied and learned, I gained a greater desire to serve a mission and share the gospel with others.  There's not much else to say.  I've studied this book cover to cover, and it is a partial influence on my decision to go on a mission.

Missionaries.  It may seem obvious that they would have influenced my decision to go on a mission.  But missionaries have been a big part of my life since I was like 5.  The Elders taught  my mom at first, and then we had some Sisters who came and taught her.  I was baptized 6ish years after her, so we had a lot of missionaries in our home in that time.  When I started going to church when I was 5, I wouldn't go to primary without one of the missionaries coming with me.  As I got older, I understood more who the missionaries are and what they do. Even now, we still have the missionaries over a lot, and even back at school I knew a bunch of missionaries through James. I have looked up to these people for years.  Many years.  Anyone willing to give up 2 years or 18 months of their life has always been interesting to me.  Interesting in a good way.  So I guess my point is...missionaries have influenced me to be a missionary, just by ...

So the countdown has begun.  I leave for my mission in 9 days.  Single digits.  Wow.  So I want to do something along the road to departure.  Over the next week or so, I want to write about 9 things that led me to serve a mission. EFY 2007.  That year at EFY was insanity.  Carolee was my roommate, and we did so many stupid things.  Our poor counselor, Megan.  Anyway, it was my last year as a participant.  Despite being crazy about 90% of the time, there were serious and spiritual moments.  I don't remember when exactly, but there was a moment where my future changed.  I wanted so badly to serve a mission.  It was something I'd wanted to do when I was younger, but then in high school I got sidetracked and it was no longer a priority.  That day, it became a priority. I was not going to rule out relationships or anything in college, but I had such a strong desire to serve a mission that day.  I decided then and th...

Sometimes you don't realize how much you love people until they're gone . Sometimes you don't realize how much you appreciate someone until you don't see them anymore . Sometimes you don't realize how much you care about someone until you can't talk to them anymore . Sometimes you don't realize how close you are to someone until they get busy and aren't around as much . Sometimes you don't realize how much you still care about someone until they re-enter your life . Sometimes you don't realize how much you like your job until it's over . Sometimes you don't realize how near the end/beginning is until you count the days . Sometimes you don't realize how much you like someone until they break your heart . Sometimes you don't realize how cautious you're being until someone slips right through your fingers . Sometimes you don't realize how carefree you're being until you get hurt . Sometimes y...

Really?  Who invented this holiday?  If you can't tell someone you love and/or appreciate them every other day of the year, what is going to make February 14 so special?  I'm just glad it's over.  I'm sick of seeing mushy (stupid) cards, flowers, and ridiculously packaged chocolates come through my line at work. I'm sick of everyone being like "what are YOU doing for Valentine's day?" as if it's actually an important day.  Nothing, thank you very much. Oh and thanks for the reminder that I'm single.  No problem, usually.  But it's pretty annoying when everyone is all la-dee-da about this stupid day and "oh, you're single? I'm sorry...."  Whoop-dee-freakin-doo.  I'm glad I'm single.  For the moment.  Hello, I wouldn't be going to Brazil otherwise! So that's half a rant.  The other half I don't want to get into right now.  Or probably ever, on this blog.  But hey, on the bright side...remember that as...

So while being a thief, why not employ procrastination to be productive?  Like updating my blog.  I don't know how productive this actually is...but hey.  In procrastinating my paper, I've gotten a lot done!  For instance, today I updated my journal on a bunch of things I've overlooked the past couple of days.  And I started cleaning my room/packing for the mission.  And I labelled a couple hundred pictures.  And I caught up with friends.  And I worked.  And I volunteered at the Temple.  And I went on a date.  And...yeah.  See?  Not completely a waste of time!  All those are good things!  But I'm at the point where I KNOW I need to do this paper, but I just can't seem to focus.  I can focus on anything else, but this task for some reason seems way too daunting.  But I need to finish it like a month ago, but in reality, tomorrow is basically the last day I can really finish it without a huge panic before...

bulldozers & hairdos utah lake & shopping carts ketchup & blackberries ducks & josh groban atlantic sunrises & the emperor's new groove gilmore girls & everything in my life! murses & sacrament meeting notebooks cars & temple couples batman & spanish boots & letters bmw's & snowball fights efy 03 & north dakota institute & exploding laughter crepes & mexican restaurants hello kitty & kaka's furs chips in bed & drive-in movies hannaford & no secrets sailing & newcastle beach pranks & volvos golf & photography country dancing & modesty legos & guitar players in salt lake city natural woman & efy roomies What do all these things have in common?  I have tons of memories.  They are triggered by random things, and sometimes by combinations that don't seem to match up.  Each of these pairs reminds me of someone.  I have so many more, that this post would be fo...

Inspired by James's last post found  here . You only get a once in a lifetime chance...once in a lifetime. You only make a once in a lifetime friend...once in a lifetime.  You've heard it all before, I'm sure.  What are some things YOU have only done once in a lifetime?  Like James, I've got a bunch of those...because my parents are awesome, and taught me from the day I was born that my backyard is not the center of the world.  We traveled.  We drove everywhere we went, so we saw more that way.  That sense of adventure has not left me.  Perhaps that is why it does not scare me to be half a world away from my family in Brazil.  Perhaps that is why I've been to Alaska, every province in Canada, Death Valley California, 30-something states, 9 different countries, etc. Perhaps that is why I do what may seem like crazy things sometimes. I believe in carpe diem.  Seize that day!  You never know when you'll get to do something...

Distance is...physical, emotional, spiritual. Right now, many of the most important people in my life are physically far away from me.  And yet...there are some whom I've never felt closer to than I do now.  I am so blessed to have email, a phone, the internet...anything to help me stay in contact with people.  So while I may be almost 3000 miles from people I love, they really aren't that far away!  And distance is good...to keep a relationship, you really have to talk, more than just hang out...so you get to know people better that way.  One of the people I am closest to right now is in Idaho, and we didn't even start talking that much until we were this far apart.  Interesting, isn't it? So being in Brazil, for all those of you who may worry, will not tear our friendship apart.  You write me a letter or email, you get one back.  Guaranteed.  :)  And if you don't get a letter back, you can safely assume it got lost in the mail! D...

...just wanted to write and be one of those awesome bloggers who has like 2382738273 followers, just because all those people like following your adventures?  Those people usually are anonymous, at least partially so.  That would be so cool, I think.  To be a nameless blog out in the www, and have people interested in your life! On another note, today at work I had to keep reminding myself how blessed I am to even have a job.  Sure, I am only there for another twoish weeks, but I am blessed to get the hours i do.  I had to remind myself of this when I dealt with silly people, when I got my schedule for next week and was cut 10 hours, and when I worked with a lot of random people today. But it is all good! As for class...things are working out well, though not quite ideally.  But it's okay, I have a plan, and it will all work the way it is supposed to.  Even if I am taking finals my last week home, I can do it...that's what I built that week in for!...

Who knew you could go on a date with someone then split up once there, and really only be together for the ride there and back?  Well, and then Taco Bell.  Anyway, you'd think it would be a lame date, but it was actually pretty awesome.  Who knew folding laundry for 4 hours could be so enjoyable and time would fly by?  Well, now I know!  And I know that service is a good kind of date, too!  Today was a pretty awesome day, but because of unexpected delays, now I have a ton of schoolwork to do tonight, but I'm taking a test tomorrow, so then I'll have a little less to worry about the rest of the week, though still far too much.  But it's okay, service brings blessings, so maybe this time I'll be blessed in finishing everything I need to!  So I'm going to go help God help me, and get off of here and write an essay that I'm about half done writing. :)