Thursday, January 28, 2010

.Shout Out.


This is a shout out to my very best friend in the entire universe (aside from mi familia).
Let's just recount our past together...
FROM...
playdates together when we were 3,
to walking to and from her house, to my house, to the Millet's house, to the Richter's house,
to eating ramen noodles with frozen peas,
to playing in the "Lizard Valley" together (aka the haunted gully),
to sharing the blessed month of Janu
ary as our birthday month,
to sneaking out in the middle of the night to
walk to each other's houses,
to sucking honeysuckles in the
McMurray's yard,
to jumping on the trampoline for hours on end,


to wearing the most atrocious, humongous glasses in the entire world at the same time (That's right, blue/purple for her, gold for me. You could feel them on your cheeks without smiling--this pic is almost an exact re-enactment, haha),
to being in the same 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, and
6th grade classes together,
to Jr. High and High School together,
to going through our BEST looking Jr. High days together (I refer to this point in our lives as "The Black Hole"),

to ridiculous bus rides together in Jr. High...all the sporting events as officer and cheer leader,
to going on a cruise through the Caribbean together (plenty of stories that can be shared later...remember the "curfew knocking system" with your parents? Ha...),
to flying up to Logan in the little airplane for a day (who knew we'd be living there together 12 years later?),
to going to a number of High School dances together in the same group,
to joking about "Music to the M
axx!!"
to going to Star Valley Wyoming together...I loved that,
to "early rising sleep overs" together, because we want to "sei
ze the day!",
to deciding what we felt was uplifting together (which made making good decision MUCH easier when I knew my best friend would do the same. She is the ultimate "do good-er," and tends to have a contagious effect on others. Especially me),
to graduating High School together,
to giving each other a shoulder to cry on in really, really, really difficult times,
to knowing each other better than anyo
ne else,
to deciding on Nursing at the same time, without the other knowing (ridiculous),
to being together in Logan for a year (I miss it DAILY),
to having a delicious veggie burger together for lunch (along with plenty of other delectable dishes she prepared),

to being polar opposites in height since day 1 (height among other things, yet we've been SO good for each other through all these years. I love us.),
to spending spring break togeth
er (Toquerville!),


to responding in brutally honest ways,
to deciding on a MISSION at the same time,
without the other knowing,
to turning in our mission papers at the same time,
without the other knowing,
and to receiving our mission calls the exact same day (but me delaying a couple days)....
And everything in between.
The best part?
We have been best friends through it all, thick and thin, easy and hard, fun and crappy, distressing and peaceful. She's always been there, and always will be there.
I've talked to her more this week than I have in a long time, as we have been preparing to open our mission calls. She is one of the most hardworking, faithful, prayerful, optimistic, genuine, spiritual women I have ever known.
Becs? I am more grateful for you than you'll ever know.
And I cannot wait for your mission in....
Richmond, Virginia...Spanish speaking.
And now, to continue our list, we are going to be leaving about the same time, serving a mission "together," and writing each other throughout the most life-altering 18 months of our entire lives. I can't wait!
Let the wild roller coaster begin...
I love you, Bec.
See you tomorrow when I open MY call! AH!



Wednesday, January 20, 2010

.this is it.

I've officially started Mission Preparation.
I'll be honest, I wasn't really looking forward to it. I've heard some horrendous stories about Mission Prep. I figured I'd be wrapped up in a class with a bunch of 18 year old boys, going through some "scenarios" and learning the basics of the gospel that I already knew.
Well folks? I've got news.
That IS Mission Preparation.
And I must say, I loved it! There was something about being surrounded by 30 other people who are preparing for the same life-altering thing I am.
I would imagine that people in "Alcoholics Anonymous" feel similar to what I was feeling today: "Someone actually understands how I feel!" and "She's worried about the same things I am..." and "At least he's struggling memorizing that scripture too" (okay, that may not be going though an Alcoholics Anonymous participator's mind...).
I tell you what. This is a missionary's preparatory support system dream come true. Hallelujah! My heart is full of gratitude tonight for a Father in Heaven who hears my heartfelt prayers, and takes the time to answer them. Mission Prep is on of those answers!
Here it is, folks--my 21st Birthday! I've been told that it is my "Golden Birthday," meaning I'm turning 21 on the 21st of January. Crazy! I have a good feeling that I'm actually going to feel different this birthday. 21 is a big milestone! I'd like to say that I'm "wise beyond my years" at 21. but that would be lying. I feel like a pretty average 21 year-old, but I'm okay with it. Because in all honesty? I like where this 21 year-old is headed.
Can't beat that.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

.Fresh Start.

Yeah...monkey arms with those gloves on.
I was embarrassed.

Christmas morning after a sleepover in sleeping bags.
We were stoked.

One of my new favorite things.
Sleepovers with Shelber.

January. A time of new beginnings, determination, and fixed resolutions. Perfect thought processes for this time of my life, I dare say. High anxiety sums up my current emotions. The start of a new semester of nursing, preparing for a mission,
and actually receivin
g that mission call.
Wowzer.
I didn't think the day would ever come! Since making this decision three months ago, I've been trying to do my best at remaining patient. I trust that Heavenly Father will allow things to happen in His time frame, not mine. Patience is crucial. And, as I've been told again and again, patience is going to be crucial for the next 18 months of my life, so I might as well get used to the feeling now, right? I've noticed that patience pays off in small degrees--for example, Dad just got off the phone with the Bishop...they're going in by Wednesday at the latest.
HOORAYYYYYYYYY!!!!
And yes. I did just sq
ueal with excitement.
Sitting in front of my
computer. Alone.
While this definitely is an adventure I'll never, ever forget, it's going to be a challenge (I'm sure more than I realize...). I'm going to be missing
a couple new nieces and nephews, I'm certain. But at least I'll get to see my twins before I leave! I must say I've thoroughly enjoyed helping my sister get ready for those two rascals. Ultrasounds, baby showers. hanging up clothes, decorating...these boys are definitely
coming to earth in style
.

And there's no one I know that could possibly be a better twin boy mom then my sister, Emily. Love you, Emmer.
Christmas break is finally coming to a close. Wher
e did time fly? It's been almost a month, and I'm still struggling at the thought of returning to St. Geezy. I guess this falls into the patience category. Sometimes I just need to do things that I don't care to do, just because I need to do them. Sounds simplified. But believe it or not, that is the very thing I've struggled with most over the years. I'm sure most of you knew that anyway...I'm pretty good at weaseling out of things I don't care to do. That's BAD. I need to be more devoted to difficult things!
This semester will certainly be a challenge.
I guarantee it.
But with challenge
comes growth,
and with growth comes progre
ssion,
and with progression comes preparation.
And I need all the preparation I can get with this mission thing, don't ya think? :) I'm excited for the challenges that lie ahead. I'm taking a breath of fresh, clean air and a long stride into the future. This semester will b
e cake. Positive thinking.
Lots of positive thinking.

Thanks to my wonderful friends and family who made this Christmas break so wonderful. I loved spending time with everyone...bananagrams, "Meet the Robinsons," sledding 'til you can't walk anymore, mint h
ot chocolate, sleep overs with Shelber, game nights, all the ham you could possibly stand, sleeping by the Christmas Tree...that's what Christmas is all about.
I love my family!
Thanks for making my "last" Christmas so memorable.
Let the "lasts" begin, Lizard!
Oh, how you love those. Ha.