New mormon.org

I created a profile on the new mormon.org :) It's cool how the internet is now being used to share the gospel. I'm really looking forward to serving a mission and getting out and being an active part of missionary work!

Opinions Please?

So, I have been asked to give a brief mini lesson for Mission Prep class on The Gospel Blesses Families. I'm supposed to share a personal experience or a story. I can't think of anything besides sealing us together for eternity. I mean, some people HATE their families, why would they want to be with them forever? So, besides being sealed to your family forever, what blessings does the gospel bring to your family?

Emotions

Wow it's been a roller coaster of emotions during the past 24 hours! Jesse and I had some discussion and have both felt as if the other has been irritated with the other. Well, basically-that's not really true. So we talked that out and started talking about charity and how we both need to become better and do more for other people. Then we dropped by our friend Matt's house to pick something up and he told me that a girl in my branch was venting to him and I guess I offended her and possibly not only her but a few others. I'm not really sure. Basically, I feel like I've been a terrible friend and so when I got back in the car I reduced to tears because I feel like I have been failing in many areas. So after I stopped crying Jesse took me home and I went to bed. It's the start of a new day, and time for me to start being the person I should... so to a new me! Here it goes! :)

It's All In YOUR Control

We have all had our good days, and we have all had our bad days. I think that if we all look back at those days we will notice that on our bad days we have a particularly frustrated or negative attitude. An "anything that can go wrong will go wrong" attitude. Well, bad things happen in life and I've learned that if you train yourself to control your emotions and not let what happens control your emotions that you have more good days than bad. If any of you have read The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, you will have an idea of this theory. After working many years on trying to develop a more positive attitude (and STILL working) I have found more and more success with this theory. Also, one day I was reading in The Book of Mormon in Alma and came across this verse in chapter 41, verse 15:

"For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored..."

Even in the scriptures it is telling us that when we are sending out positive, happy, excited vibes, that's what we get in return. Have you ever had a bad day and someone who is super happy come up and starts talking to you or just smiles at you and it makes your day just a little better? Or have you ever had a fabulous day and then someone who is upset, negative, sad etc. comes up and suddenly your mood isn't as great? Remember that your attitude not only affects you, but those around you! You have the choice to make your day good or bad!

Ok, random rant, I know :) Update on my mission papers: I need to finish insurance information, get my physical, upload a picture and my driver's license, meet with my Branch President to help me prepare more, continue to attend Mission Prep, then another meeting with Branch President, one with the Stake President and my papers should be submitted in...42 days-ish!! :D

The process has BEGUN!

I started working on my mission papers yesterday! I can turn them in in 46 days.:) Maybe a couple days before that. It all depends on when my departure date is. I'm debating between working throughout January and leaving in February, or coming home at Christmas and leaving around my birthday. I would want to find temporary work while I was home though. Anyway, those are my two options. I really just wanna go and get outta here. Earlier I was leaning toward working through January, now I wanna leave in January. We'll see what happens. I have two dentist appointments in the next 2 weeks, then I need to make a doctor's appointment. After that....it's just getting the paper work done! :D

FREEEEE!!!

I HAVE OFFICIALLY PAID OF MY STUDENT LOANS! I had $4000 of loans at the beginning of the year and I have now paid it off!!!!!! Whoooopeeeeeeee! Now to budget and save for my mission :)

Recent Events

Well, I spent a week in Utah/Idaho and was really excited to see family and friends that I haven't seen in a really long time. Bear Lake was beautiful, and the inn we stayed at was AMAZING. I then took Miranda up to BYU-Idaho with me and Tonya and Rocio helped to give her a tour of campus :) I got to see some old friends...and find out that Pama, probably the girl who knows me best even though we don't talk much anymore, is ENGAGED. How exciting, but soo weird. Sometimes I still feel like we are in young womens! She can't be engaged yet! I've had so many friends become engaged/married recently that sometimes I'm sort of jealous. BUT! I remind myself of all the stresses that come with weddings and the wonderful fact that I am going to fulfill my lifelong goal and dream--to serve a full-time mission! :D Which I'm extremely excited for! I'm hoping to be able to start my papers soon. My branch President is meeting with someone today to help him get things set up for me!! I'll keep you all posted on my mission papers :)

Miranda came and spent this past week with me. We got in on Saturday evening in a car with no A/C. It was HOT but we made it :) She got to meet some of my friends and we spent a lot of time with Jesse and his two little siblings Jake and Tessa. We attempted hiking--Tessa, Jake, and I were regretting the decision, so we turned around went home. So Jesse, Keenan, Max, and Miranda finished the hike. We also went Cliff Jumping. No worries, Miranda and I did not jump off. We didn't go to where we had planned on going. We went with Jesse's cousin Bo and I swear that bad directions run in their family, but we still ended up at a lake :) The cliffs weren't the best, but a few jumped and had fun, and the rest of us just swam until a storm came in and we had to make the hike back to the car. It was quite the adventure and we were just as wet by the time we got to the car as when we got out of the lake!

The next day we went swimming at the public pool when another storm came in (it's monsoon season) and we were forced out. We played in the pool's sand volleyball court with some little kids who thought they were all that. I was sooo ready to smack the little boy. Apparently he was 12--he looked like he was 6 or 7 and his brother looked like he was older, but apparently that was not the case. That night we went on a group date--sort of. Jesse and I, Max and Corri, Wilson and Miranda, and then Jesse's brother Jake and another kid Matt came without dates. Basically Wilson, Jake and Matt surrounded my sister asking all kinds of questions and giving her undivided attention. It was pathetic. At the end of the night they were all asking her if she had a phone/facebook.... everyone wants her to come back. I think they like her more than me :/

It's weird having 2 weeks off and now having to jump back into routine. I saw Wesley Friday afternoon for the first time and he gave me a hug and let me hold him for like 3 minutes. He told me all about his vacation to Oregon. I have missed this kid..I just haven't missed the responsibility, pressure, and stress my job brings. Oh well! :D

Life is wonderful and my internet is back up. I haven't missed it too much, just the ability to stay in touch with my friends and family.