it's official

As of 6pm tonight, I will officially be set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am so excited that the day has come so I can get started! I don't think the experiences I've had in the last two months could have gone any better or smoother. I have felt the Lord's hand in my life as I've prepared temporally and spiritually for the mission, put my affairs in order, and said my goodbyes to those that I care about. I feel so incredibly blessed. I know the mission will challenge me in ways I never thought possible (which I will really come to know and understand by going through it), but I also know that it will bless me in ways I never imagined. I can't wait.

In figuring out what I wanted to say on my last pre-mission post (wow, that sounds so 19-year-old-BYU-freshman-on-facebook. Yuck. Oh well.), I decided I'd leave with what I wrote to my mission president on the back of my personal information sheet:

My testimony about the Ohio Cleveland Mission is pretty simple: I know it's where I'm supposed to be. The story is long and the circumstances somewhat complicated, but ultimately, I have learned that when God speaks, I must obey and when God calls, He also qualifies and blesses. There is no other place I would rather be and no other work I would rather be doing than teaching individuals and families in the Ohio Cleveland Mission for the next 18 months.

I know there is a God. I know He lives and has a body of flesh and bones just as tangible as our own. I know Jesus Christ is His son. I testify that Jesus Christ atoned for the sins of the world and was resurrected, thus enabling us to overcome temporal and spiritual death through His sacrifice. I know God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

I know God loves His children and made a way for us to return to Him by repentance, baptism, laying on of hands by proper priesthood authority to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, keeping His commandments, and exercising faith in His son Jesus Christ.

The fullness of the Gospel truly was restored to the boy prophet Joseph Smith. I know God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him and ushered in this dispensation. I know that the Book of Mormon contains the word of God, is the keystone of our religion, and brings joy, happiness, and knowledge essential for exaltation. I know it is a true book.

I testify that the windows of heaven are not closed, but are open as in days past and that a prophet is on the earth today. I know that the Plan of Salvation is God's handiwork and enables us to live together eternally as families as we make and keep sacred covenants and activate the Atonement in our lives.

I am so grateful for this privilege to serve and learn in the Ohio Cleveland Mission. I can't wait!

D&C 39:13-15

confessions

1. I am not dedicated to my blog.
2. I hate no, loathe being the center of attention.
3. I slept in til 8:30 this morning.

Blake's Birthday Bash

Blake turned 1 on September 1. Pretty much I have the coolest family ever. From eating cake to tube-hooping, it was a blast!

McCall=pretty pictures

The fam went on a Labor Day weekend trip to McCall....

I love to see the temple

I went there yesterday.

babysitting (sigh of exhaustion)

Monica and Nate went to Portland for a few days and asked me to babysit Blake and Ethan. Boy, did we have fun! It made me realize just how much I love my nephews and what an amazing Mom Monica is. Though I was exhausted afterward, we had a blast!

A little tower building

Some Messy meatball subs

Standing practice-Blake's close to walking!

a day of fishing

Since there was mutiny aboard USS Cannariato/Almond, Dad, Lex and I decided to go on a day hike to Lost and Hidden Lakes southwest of Cascade Reservoir instead of a 3-day backpacking excursion. Dad took his float tube while Alexis and I fished from the shore. Apparently, the float tube made a difference; Dad caught 20+ fish while I caught 2 and Lexi caught, well, lily pads. Some good fishing, naps, and laughs were had. Thanks Dad!

return to idaholand

Moving back to Boise from Provo was, to say the least, an interesting experience. I haven't lived at home for longer than a Christmas break since the summer of 2003. Wow, I sound really old. I was torn between wanting be done and not wanting to leave; I couldn't decide which felt stronger. I think the knowledge that I'd be back to visit made it better.

I never thought I'd say it, but I do miss Provo. Well, the people in Provo. Over the last 5 years I've been able to form lasting friendships that have brought joy and timeless memories. It was hard to say good bye, but I knew it was time to go.

So, I packed. And packed. And packed. In the end, I think I made my dad proud; his packing skills must be hereditary. Here's what Lola looked like for the drive home

And I could still see in my rear view mirror.

ears lowered

mission shoes...mission dresses...mission haircut.