.8 days.

Farewell down, 8 days to go.

It seems a little surreal...my grandparents just stopped by for a minute to say the official "goodbye," and I'm left with this out of body experience. It's almost as if "missionary Jessica" is watching "real time Jessica" go through all the motions, just awaiting "real time Jessica" to catch up to her in the MTC. I'm living two separate lives right now. The one I'm physically in, and the one my mind can't run away from.
Ah. 8 days.
Though I'm thoroughly enjoying my time in St. George this week. LAST WEEK! Janelle and I got right down to studying yesterday when I got back...but then figured we earned a break. She kicked butt and took some names in a few tournaments of ping pong. She blew me out of the water.
So yes, I'm finding time to slow down, and enjoy life now.
Lately, there have been little moments when all I want to do is capture every smile, movement, joke, story, emotion, conversation and keep it in my heart for the rest of my life (especially the next 18 months). Sometimes "real-time Jessica" wants to be anxious about leaving to a strange place for a long time, and in turn gets pretty worked up about spending time with people. In the moment she is with people, she doesn't take time to really enjoy the company she's in! However, I'm allowing "missionary Jessica" all the freedom she wants in taking over.
Result? Quality time spent with those I love.
Thanks to all the friends and family for the support on Sunday! I loved seeing so many familiar faces in one room.
LOVED it.

.st geezy.

I LOVE ST. GEORGE.

Why, you ask? I'll list a few reasons:
1) Sunshine. Always.
2) Red rock sunsets.

3) Nursing school.

4) Delightful friends.

5) Mom is here.

6) Pool-time in October.

7) Random trips to Vegas.

8)Gambling in Vegas. Biggest waste of $1.

9) Roommates.

10) Long runs through the desert.
11) Surprise trips from my best friend.

12) Zions.

13) Family visits.

14) Taking care of the raddest 101 yr old ever.

15) Spontaneous trips to Logan.

16) Studying outside in February. Weather......

17) In my mind, St. George=mission prep.

18) Elementary school carnivals.

19) Bonfires with creepy men in masks.

20) California road trips.

21) Celebration of my 21st birthday on the 21st. Golden.

22) Old friends in random places.

23) Stark white temple.

24) St. George made me me.

Yes...love my life.
16 days and counting.

.AA.

Alcoholics Anonymous.
Yup, clinical experience of the day.
This sounds silly, but as I sat there listening to all these absolutely unreal stories about drug addictions, moving into the woods with some stranger because you're so high, bouncing in and out of jail 6-7 times, giving birth in the back of a truck on the coast of Oregon...the list goes on and on....I realized something profound.
God loves these people just as much as He loves me.
Yeah, yeah...I know this isn't so profound to some of you. But as my roommates often remind me, I'm one of the more naive people of this world (of which I'm grateful--thank you, Bountiful). I am no better for having the gospel in my life, all that means is I've been given additional responsibility to GO SHARE IT.
The good news?
I'm gone 3 weeks from tomorrow.
At times I find myself in a twisted, messy, unhealthy relationship with life that I forget one simple truth--God has placed me in the situation I'm currently in because He believed I would do something about it. Sure, it's a piece of cake to share it when that's all I will be doing for 18 months. That will be my life! But at home there are so many distractions. Something else I often forget is that it does not have to be a formal, sit down, let-me-teach-you-the-gospel discussion. Silly!
I have just one request:
Find a simple way to share the gospel with someone today.
Emphasis on SIMPLE.
'Cause frankly, the gospel is simple.
"By small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about His great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls." -Alma 37:6-7
Hear that? VERY SMALL MEANS.
Emphasize what you can do, not what you don't have time to.
There will never be enough time, if you let it be that way. My point is don't overlook simple ways to serve because you are in search of a grandiose experience. You'll be waiting a looooooong time if that's the case.
Just get out there and do something.