With Less Than A Month

This last month of waiting to report to the MTC has been dragging out forever! 

Everyone said the waiting period is so hard mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

  For the most part, they were right.

Mentally: 

I feel like my brain is tired.  Iv tried learning Russian.  It is no piece of cake! and I don't even want to think about teaching the gospel in it! It scares me! I know that through the Lord I can do it but its still intimidating. I was reading a girls blog (she is in the MTC right  now going to Moscow as well(she took 1 beginners russian class before reporting)) and she said that she started teaching the lessons in Russian the 3rd day in the MTC.  The fetching THIRD DAY! granted she already knew a little bit so maybe she was in a higher level class? I have no idea, but still! I just want to know what is going to happen in the MTC.

Physically:  

I am tired all the time.  I go to bed early, but then also have a hard time waking up and I always feel like i need a nap. Im trying to prepare better by going to bed at 10pm and waking up at 6:30am--its a lot harder than I thought it'd be. I'm breaking out like crazy. I just got rid of a cold last week.  It's back.  I didn't work out hardly at all up at school and I started again today and puked my guts out. 

Spiritually:

I feel like I was a lot stronger spiritually while I was up at school--probably because I was more productive and involved more in religious things like praying in class, devotionals, Mission prep class, Book of Mormon calls, required book of mormon study and required preach my gospel study, preparing class devotionals and bearing my testimony regularly in class etc. I am still doing some of these things but I feel like I am always lacking.  Iv gone to the temple a few times which is always amazing.  Im really going to miss not being able to go while Im in Russia.

Emotionally: 

I'm actually more emotionally stable now than ever before probably.  I'm a rock! haha just kidding. Ask anyone and theyd tell you I was emotionally...messy. I'm sure the MTC and the field will soften me up REAL good.   

I feel like all of these little things individually are really nothing at all, but together I really do feel like they are trials.  I thought to myself this morning...

I wonder where these trials are coming from.  Is Satan trying to discourage me? or is Heavenly Father just testing my faith and endurance?  i have come to the conclusion that it really doesn't matter who they came from as long as I endure them and press forward.  If they are from Satan, then I will have showed him that I cannot be stopped! and if they are from Heavenly Father I will have showed Him my faith to carry on.

Dont get me wrong! I am sooooo excited to leave for the mission to learn how to serve his children on the other side of the world and push the work along. I know it is going to be extremely hard, and I am a little scared, but I know this is a good thing--a wonderful thing--and I am excited to do it.
 

My cousin Ken got married this past weekend in the Logan Temple! I was so lucky to be able to go in and witness the sealing ceremony.  It was so beautiful and so was Airi.  Gorgeous Bride! I am so happy for them and excited for them to start their eternal adventure together <3

It was time for the bride to throw the bouquet and the best man was like: "All the single ladies please come forward!!"  me and megan hesitantly stand up.  Megan gives a big sigh and says,"Single as a Pringle."  It was hilarious. Probably had to be there.  Of course neither of us catch the flowers but

Bryson caught the garter...lucky dog.

Also ...I chopped my hair off! 7 inches gone..

Sister love!

Pinetop

Pinetop=a piece of heaven in the middle of Arizona

Gorgeous pines,

 rainy weather,

cute little small town feel, 

streets lined with antique shops.

Oh. and mosquitos attacked us like CRAZY. Not okay.

We had a lot of fun sitting in the cabin playing Speed and Spoons.  Those games NEVER get old! 

Rode horses, and hiked around lakes 

On a little hike: the mosquitoes loved our sweet warm valley blood!

playin' tether ball with daddy-o

the cat-tail: caleb's pride and joy! He even brought it home

caleb was so scared of falling off! I think he asked "what if i fall off?" like 10 times!

I took this cool picture at one of the lakes we hiked around.  I'd say it applies well to missionary work. :)

 

"I Hope They Call Me On A Mission" : Start Your Guesses!

Last night I pushed the button.  

The final submit button on my mission papers in my stake president interview!

And this morning I got a call from the Missionary Medical department because they had a question or something which is irrelevant but! the point is that i submitted them last night! and they were already reviewing it at 8am! Im flippin' out over here!

I am so thankful for the opportunity that I have to serve a mission and I can't wait to see where the Lord needs me to be.

Start your guesses!

BBQs, Backflips & Bucketlists

Today was my last day of work!!! ahhhhh!!!!!! time is flying by so. fast. I leave in 2 days.  CRAZY.   

So I got home from work, after missing conference 

which i am pretty bummed about but i'll watch it later online or something, my family was having a BBQ with some family friends we knew in Tucson.

  Their Australian cousin Brenden, who i dont even really know threw me in the pool with all my work clothes on! --by the way, so awesome that its so hot here we are swimming in April.  

I absolutely love the weather here.

  

At some point in the evening Kayle, Trevor, Bryson, and I found ourselves on t he trampoline doing tricks.and me and Kayle were trying to get up the courage to do a backflip.

  I have seriously been wanting to be able to do one my whole life

 and what do you know..I DID IT!!!! all by myself!!!!! and you cant stop me now! im on a roll!

No one has been able to help me do it all the way until today, so thanks Brenden for the continuous spotting and patience.  So I can check that off the bucketlist! 

Soon, everybody was on the trampoline learning backflips and practicing them. 

 It was a really fun time.

We had some really delicious food too!

  Dad made cheeseburgers, chicken, ribs; mom made potato salad and m&m cookies, 

and Jackie made her famous Chinese chicken salad. Yummo. 

I even made myself sick from too many cookies! 

Since mom and I have been doing these fitness challenges we have really been getting in better shape are feeling great! but we have a couple days a week when we can cheat.

  today was one of those days, and from doing no sugar all week, and splurging today with like...5 cookies...and bouncing around on the trampoline all night...I had a very upset tummy. not smart.

Im so glad that I got to spend the evening with close friends and family.  We've had so many super fun times together Im bummed Im not going to be seeing them for a while. 

  

CTR 7

okay so i never do this. 2 blogs in one day...awkward. haha but I started this one last week. 

Since I have been home, I have been a substitute Primary teacher, but Iv practically been substituting the same class the whole time. CTR 7.  Oh my goodness I love them! The only thing is...I feel bad for them.  Their teachers moved and new ones havent been called.  But they are supposed to be preparing for baptism and having all of these great lessons, sometimes I just felt like I couldnt help them with everything they needed to learn.  I tried my best though.  These kids are at such a wonderful age! They say the funniest things!

After Sam steals a piece of chalk from Kendra she says, "Im gonna beat you up til your dust Sam!!"  Ruby chimes in: "Kendra that's impossible.  You cant beat someone til they are dust."  Kendra defends herself saying, "Well, maybe I cant. but my DAD can--Did you know that my dad jumped off a building that was 'one hundred-ninety-two-five' feet tall and I grabbed a mattress from the dump and slid it right under him.  I was so mad! I sad.  'DAD! you cant jump off a building that is one hundred-ninety-two-five feet tall! Youre the dad! Youre kind of an important part of the family!!!!!! (With her hands above her head)' " 

Everyday Kendra tells me, "My mom said I was born hyper!!!"

She sure can talk!

Today we talked about Easter in sharing time and the teacher was explaining that when Christ was crucified  great destruction came in the land. "There were earthquakes, and lightning and--" sam interrupts with: "and acid rain!?!?"  (chirp chirp) anyways! hahaha it was hilarious.

Also today, one of the little girls burst into tears.  I must have missed what happened because it seemed so all of a sudden to me. I sat down with her and asked her what happened.  "My feelings got hurt." I asked her how and she said, "someone said I wasn't a good friend." I told her to never let what people say bother you. Don't listen to them.  She thanked me and quickly stopped crying. It was such a precious moment :)

On the first day of class we talked about the Book of Mormon and how it is the keystone of our religion.  Kendra drew me this picture after I drew it on the board.  This was the only time she has called me Emily...or...Emlea. haha for some reason  now she calls me emma.  Its kinda cute :)

Then today after sacrament meeting she gave me this post-it.  She said that she drew a mermaid for me while I was giving my talk. I'm gonna miss these kids!

Happy Easter!

 We went to the Easter Pageant! Just as a expected, AMAZING.
Seriously, if you ever get the opportunity to see it. DO!
We spent a little while before wandering around the visitors center and I noticed the massive amount of
sister missionaries.  I couldn't turn the corner without seeing at least like 4..
It was way awesome! I even ran into the same sisters I met at the beginning of the week.
Such a great experience.

Camilla and I

 Angels

 Christ blesses the Sacrament

 Christ washes the disciples feet

The Last Supper

The Atonement in the Garden of Gethsemane

The Resurrection

This morning I had the pleasure of giving a talk.  My first grown up one. So Scary.  I also had my bishop's interview for my mission.  HORAY! It was such a spiritual experience to sit with Bishop Huso and talk about a mission and to get things ready to be sent to the Stake president.  I cant believe this is actually happening.  And I promise I will keep saying that as time continues to pass. haha :)  Sadly, it was my last Sunday in my ward today because I leave next tuesday! Which is so exciting, but I have really come to love the people in my ward. It has been such a different experience being in a family ward with nobody my age, socializing with adults, and teaching primary.  I am going to miss them!

After church we partook of some Easter traditions...Dying Eggs!

 Look alive everybody!

'I'm. focusing. so. hard. must. be. perfect.'

And...caught. Oops 

Micky Mouse :) love

I am so thankful for Easter and that Jesus Christ was willing to sacrifice himself so that we can use the atonement to repent and live with him and our Father in Heaven again forever.  

If you get a chance, read this article! I used it as a reference in my talk and I absolutely LOVE it.

Sneak Peaks

I decided I really love days off.
This morning I went to the temple and did baptisms and tried to write my talk for Easter Sunday.
Yes, I'm speaking on Easter.
Honestly I feel like someone older and wiser should be speaking about the atonement and resurrection  specifically on Easter, but the Lord must be trying to tell me that I need to understand more on the subject, hence, a talk.  You always learn more from the meetings when you are speaking, teaching, or sharing, so I really am grateful for the opportunity.

Every year the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints puts on an Easter pageant at the Mesa Temple ground.  It's kind of a huge deal--makes the front page in the paper, etc. It's an amazing opportunity for missionary work.  In fact, it brings in enough new members to make a whole ward. (200-300 people). It is seen by about 150,000 people total. I had the opportunity to go a few years ago and it was incredible!  I really hope we'll be able to go this year 'cause it is so powerful!  While at the temple this morning I was able to walk through the empty "stadium" and holy guacamole its humungus! and so peaceful...

This is what it looks like from the stage. I got this photo from online 'cause I wasn't able to get on stage.  huge right? 10,000 folding chairs, plus grass seating.

So here is a little sneak peak at what it looks like, all peaceful and empty. Ive never been this close!  so awesome!

I swear, I better be able to go this year.

While I was wandering through the pageant grounds I ran into two sister missionaries and talked with them for a while about themselves and myself and missionary work in the area and in general.  One was from Hondurus, and the other was from California and had only been out 2 days.  

I am really grateful that we stumbled upon each other today because I really needed it. I didn't know I needed it until afterwards, but I needed to hear about missionary work and have questions answered from sisters.  Because I hadn't yet. 

They were so beyond excited about me turning in my papers soon.  they started jumping up and down and pounced me with hugs. 'Whoa Nellie! I don't even know yall!' but I loved it  They made me promise to tell them where I get called, so I'll have to write them:) 

That experience gave me a brief sneak peak into my future as a missionary. I dont even really know them, but I am grateful for these two bright, lovely sisters.

I love love love the Mesa Temple.  the grounds are huge and gorgeous! AND it's warm.  

Later, mommy and I went out to Paradise Bakery for lunch! Day 3 with no sugar and we are still going strong! I love her and I am going to miss her when I go back to school. :)

Smoked Turkey Panini. Heavenly!

Tis the Season...for Shorts!

Hey all! It's time for shorts! Honest;y, I have never been one to wear shorts everyday in the summer, or I guess spring here, but lately, that's all I wear!  The only problem is that I don't have very many. 

So this morning I decided to take a pair of jeans that are slightly too short for me and turn them into cut-offs. But of course that wasn't enough, so I soaked the ends in bleach.  and vwa lah! I saw it on pinterest, and they said mix 2 parts water and 1 part bleach, and thats crap. at least for the jeans I used. haha It didnt do hardly anything.  So I just dumped the solution and used pure bleach instead. That did the trick.

Monday I registered for classes...holy heck!!! the most stressful 5 minutes of my life!!! 

Im taking Art101(art history pretty much), Drawing 1, Mission Prep, American Foundations, and Im still waiting to snatch up a Science Foundations and a Book of Mormon part2. 

Yesterday I went to the Doctor to get my physical for my mission. I am afraid of needles. I don;t know WHY i ever wanted to be a nurse. I was crazy...I had my blood drawn and a TB shot.  I cried. I realize i'm a baby about it.  I dont know WHAT im gonna do when I have to give birth...  

I submit my mission papers in 3 weeks and I just cannot wait to find out where the Lords needs me to be :)

Also...30 more days til school! Im beyond excited to back up to BYUidaho :)