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!

Endowed

Last weekend I had the most wonderful opportunity to meet my family in West Jordan, Utah. 

 Why? 

To go through the Temple and receive my endowments!

We got to the temple and sat down in the little office where they check you in and I realized I forgot part of my recommend at my grandma's house! 

 They said it had never happened before and everyone was really stressing out and running around trying to find someone that could run back to the house but no luck.  So they let me continue with my initiatory.  It was amazing! The happiest moment ever.  The words are so sweet ad beautiful.  

So the endowment session started and no one told me I couldn't be there...so I went but was flippin' out because I didn't know what was going on with the recommend issue.

  Finally my dad told me that I was fine as long as I brought it back later.

  Phew! That would have been nice to know before starting everything so it wasn't constantly worrying me.  But Oh well.     

I was very nervous and stressed just because it was something new and unknown and I'm even a little nervous to go back because I'm still not totally familiar with what goes on.

But even though I was nervous, once it really started I felt so much peace and I really realized the importance of it all.

  It was so wonderful to be there with so many of my family members. 

 Many people traveled far to share that special day with my and my family and I am so thankful for them.  You are the best and I love you!

Me and Mommy.  Promise we didnt plan on matching.

Me and Daddy

Airi, Ken, Dad, Mom, Me, Grandma DuRee, Grandpa DuRee, Brenda and Dwight

Brother and Sister Jensen

Mom, me, Grandma DuRee, Brenda (Sister Danielson)

DuRee Grandparents:) They came all the way from California

Downing Grandparents:) Grandma has pink hair... hahaha

I am so happy and thankful that I got to go to the temple.  It is a very special and sacred place.  The spirit is so strong there and  I'm excited to go back:)

Happiest Day of my life so far!

Loads of Fun

This semester is going to be way more fun than Fall was. It is already! I love it up here. I'm definitely more social than I was last semester.

  I'm so happy:)  Even though I'm swamped with homework all the time.  I seriously feel like I am always 2 steps behind. nah...more like 5 steps behind.

I love my roommates!

(Krysti and Meagan are missing from this picture but they are great too!!)

 

Tenesia, Ashley, and Hannah

Some of my adventures lately:

•  Saw 'The Host' and went bowling on a date--it was so good! a little slow, but great. and I creamed our group!
• Mission Call openings! I love to go to these and watch them online! Even if these brothers and sisters are strangers, I feel so much love and excitement for them. Congratulations to Susan(South Carolina Columbia), Kyle (Mexico), Ellis (Argentina Resistencia), and Meredith (Pennsylvania Pittsburgh).   You will all be super amazing missionaries!  Some more are coming this week too! 
• Grocery store games: You can get 1 treat and whoever is closest to $1 after tax wins and loser buys. little creative.
• Chiropractor Appointments...yay... slowly healing.
• Sister Julie B Beck came and spoke to us last Tuesday.
• A service date; we made and took dinner to a handicapped student in the same apartment building and ate with him.  A very humbling experience.
• Bonfire/Game night.  We went to the bonfire, but it was super lame so we came home and played Wacky Six instead. 
• The Temple.  I LOVE going to the Rexburg Temple. Because there are so many students there, there is a lot of time sitting and waiting, but I'd rather call it pondering, praying, and doing personal study. 

 

• A random guy kept doorbell ditching goodies at out door. like multiple times and on different days. 18 boxes of candy, and like 3 things of oreos and chips ahoy, and a huge bag of salt water taffy.  The note said: "enjoy the sweets. from that one guy."  What college kid can a. afford to do this for strangers!? and b. has the heart to!  It was so nice!

• We met our FHE Family.  They are all so nice! It's going to be a great semester with them and the ward. 
• Two Week Book of Mormon Quick Read is so very hard.  I am a little behind...
• Lots of time at the library
• Shooting date!!! I shot a gun. I can check that off the bucket list! Actually, I shot like 5 guns.  3 different 22s, a shotgun, and a 40 caliber pistol. Super awesome. We shot targets and clay pigeons and I'm actually decent! The pistol was definitely the scariest and the loudest.  yikes. but so awesome!!!! I loved it. 

Shooting with Jacob

That's right. That's me!!! conquered a fear.

• The Piano Guys are coming to Rexburg tomorrow and we have tickets! I can't wait to see them live! Its going to be so cool.
• Lately my favorite thing is Alex Boye....That man's got talent.

 

Can I just say...I am so glad to be back up here. I just love it so much.

Also, Happy Birthday Megan and Bryson!!! You guys are growing up way too fast.

Scripture thought: Doctrine and Covenants 30:11-13

"Go your way whithersoever I will, and it shall be given you by the Comforter what you shall do and whithersoever you shall go.  Pray always, lest you enter into temptations and lose your reward.  Be faithful unto the end, and lo, I am with you."  Go forward with faith.  Notice how it says, GO and THEN you will be guided by the spirit.  Sometimes we have to take that step into the darkness and let that light follow right behind.

The Call

Dear Sister Downing,

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  You are assigned to labor in the Russia Moscow Mission.  You should prepare to preach the gospel in the Russian Language.

Yes ladies and gentlemen, I am going to Russia!!!! Did not see that one coming.  Grandpa did apparently though.  He was the only one who guessed it right! Which makes it easier for me 'cause I only have to bake cookies for one person.  

Can you see me spittin' out Russian?! I can't.  I'll probably end up with the nickname Olga or something when I come home. 

I got the call in the mail Thursday morning right before class and it was in my backpack all day. TORTURE. I wanted to peak and then pretend to be surprised when I opened it on Skype, but I figured mom would have my head. haha And I really did want it to be a surprise.

Mom got this great video of the party that was goin' on on the other side of the skype camera that she posted on facebook but I cant figure out how to share it to blogger...so bummer. 

Before I opened it, my little brother caleb sang me "I Hope They Call Me On A Mission." So precious.  That triggered the tears for sure! 

When I saw "Russia Moscow," this  overwhelming, indescribable feeling of peace came over me and I knew that it was of God for ME.  Even if it said "Idaho Boise" I would have felt the same way.  Only God knows why we are going where we are going and He has a plan for each of us in this life.  The difficult, yet exciting, part is figuring out what it is. 

Funny Story...So I have, more than once, called it "Rushcow Mossa." For some odd reason, it is a tongue twister for me. 

Caleb Singing to me

Chandler made this great collage!

 

 

 

Whoa that's huge

Thank you to my friends and family who documented this moment and who have supported me  :)

I just want to testify that I know that this church is the true church on the earth and that missionaries are called of God for the divine purpose of bringing souls unto Christ.  I love my Heavenly Father and His Son  Jesus Christ and I am so thankful for the plan that they have for me and for everything they have blessed me and my family with.  I am so excited to serve as a representative of Him and Christ and I can't wait to serve the people of Russia as well.  

"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!

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.

Peace, Be Still

There was a wonderful article in the Ensign this month, the First Presidency Message actually, that our home teacher shared with us tonight.
Peace, Be Still.
It was perfect. Exactly what I needed to hear.  In short, it discusses how we can feel the Holy Ghost in our lives.  How can we be an instrument in the Lord's hands? How can we feel the promptings of the Spirit and be an answer to someone's prayer? One way is to be in the right place at the right time. How can we know where and when though?
Be still.
We live in this world, but we are not of this world. Or, we shouldnt be. Our world is loud and busy and noisy.  We have many distractions.  We have the spirit on one shoulder and the devil on the other.  Who will we flick off?
I have heard this time and time again, that to be closer to the spirit and to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, we need to eliminate distractions and be still.  Eliminate the "noise" of our lives.  We are a busy people.  That isn't necessarily a bad thing! We may be involved in many good things! But do we make enough time for Him?--the reason why we are here is to get back to Him isn't it?

From this article I have also learned that Heavenly Father has a plan for us.  I need to stop stressing about what that plan is and just go to Him.  I need to lose the noise in my life, be still, and trust Him. As the partial chorus states below, all things--ocean, earth, and skies--obeys our loving Master.  We need not worry.  Peace, Peace, Be Still.

"Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea

Or demons or men or whatever it be,

No waters can swallow the ship where lies

The Master of ocean and earth and skies.

They all shall sweetly obey thy will:

Peace, be still."

President Thomas S. Monson closed his article stating, "Through tears and trials, through fears and sorrows, through the heartache and loneliness of losing loved ones, there is assurance that life is everlasting. Our Lord and Savior is the living witness that such is so. His words in holy writ are sufficient: “Be still, and know that I am God.” 


I know that as I eliminate distractions, and replace them with things that are going to help strengthen my testimony of Christ, I will feel the power of the Holy Ghost more strongly in my life and I will grow closer to my Savior.  I know that his plan for me is real and that I have no need to worry if I have faith, be still, and know that He lives and he is fighting for me.  

The Power of Fasting and Prayer

First of all, I would like to apologize for always redesigning my blog. haha I don't know why I get so bored with the designs so fast...but it do.
These last couple of days have been so crazy! I was getting pretty discouraged about the whole job thing so on Sunday I fasted about it and prayed so much to find one that I could understand if I became slightly annoying. haha 

Then... Tuesday I got a call from Subway for an interview and as I was waiting for it, a  gentleman approached me and said he overheard that I am looking for work and he basically gave me job on the spot.  My interview at Subway was a success but I went into Liberty Tax to speak with the man, Larry, anyways. He said that he was looking for a personal assistant type of thing; someone to answer calls, fill out paperwork, and input information into the computers. So I filled out an application and waited for the official phone call...which came yesterday! 

So I went down to Liberty Tax, filled out all of the paperwork, and told him I would get back to him later that day about my Subway Schedule.  Turns out, my manager at Subway, Yvette, needs me almost every day til 4pm and all day Saturdays.  Larry needed me almost every day at 2pm and all day Saturdays, but he seemed more lenient so I took Subways schedule.  I was so nervous to tell Larry my schedule.  I told him that I completely understood if this wasn't  going to work out anymore and he said, "Emily, do you want this to work out?" and I was like, YES! and he said I could have the job anyways--5pm-8pm with no Saturdays.  He was so sweet!  

So...I have two jobs! I am so happy!  I don't start 'til Monday, but this is going to be so great! I won't be so bored anymore.  I am a little worried that I will get a little more stressed with both of the jobs, but I think I can handle it. 

 I truly believe that Heavenly Father had a huge hand in this and for that I am so grateful.  He knows our needs and the desires of our hearts and when we turn to him with faith in fasting and prayer we will be blessed.

A Spirit of Thanksgiving

So November has come and gone, very quickly might I add.  This time of year is the time to count your blessings (which should be done all year, but you know what I mean), reflect over the year, prepare for finals, listen to Christmas music, and .....check "No Shave November" off of your bucket list--what!? ....yes. But most importantly--Count your many blessings.
There is much to be thankful for especially here in the United States.  We have life so good and I know that a lot of the time I take it for granted, but it is time to do some serious pondering about our blessings that Heavenly Father has given us and to thank Him daily for what we have.  I don't remember who said this but it goes like this.  What if you woke up one morning with only the things you had thanked Heavenly Father for the day before?  Be grateful.
An inspiring video from Oprah:

This passed Thanksgiving I was able to go down to Salt Lake to visit my immediate and extended family. It was so so so great to see all of them! And Ill get to go home in just a few days to see them all again! But for a long time YAY :)
While visiting family, I was able to spend some time talking to my mom and dad about future plans like...serving a mission! I want to start my papers NOW! But I can't until Februaryish. I guess it is good for me to wait.  It will make me want it even more.
My dad took us all to Walmart on Thursday night when Black Friday started and holy cow!!! It was ridiculous the crazy amount of people there.  That is definitely NOT my scene.  Way too overwhelming for me.                
My grandma got to talk to me a lot about genealogy and she gave me some names to do, but I think I am going to wait and do them in the Mesa Temple when I get back.  She shared with me some very spiritual and touching experiences.  I love my grandparents very much and I am so thankful for their great hospitality. I do wish I was able to see my grandparents on my mom's side though, because I don't know when the next time I will see them will be.  Probably after my mission, unless they come to the farewell.
I also got to chitchat with Megan which was good.  I hope when I go home we won't fight so much like in high school.  Bryson, Camilla, and Caleb are growing up so fast! It is just so crazy what 3ish months will do during childhood.  I never noticed when I was there, but because I never see them, it's crazy!
I also got to see my friend Allison in Provo!!! I miss that girl.
Oh My Goodness! We all went to the opening night of the lighting of Temple Square.  Gorgeous.  My mom's cousin and her husband are serving their mission there right now so we got to go with them and they showed us around.
Oh! Oh! Oh! I get to go to Colorado over Christmas break with Megan and Bryson! Super excited about that.  It will be so awesome to see my best friends again.  Stacey was definitely the best housemate I have ever had (aside from family of course) and I miss her a whole heap! And Matt! I miss him so much too.  It is going to be so weird but awesome to see them again.  I probably wont be able to contain myself! I miss everything about Colorado, probably even more so because I know that i am not going there to go home anymore. I am even excited to drive on the new Powers!!! I'm pathetic...  
I know it is late, but I hope everyone had a glorious Thanksgiving and is doing well and keeping safe and warm during the Holidays. 

God's Masterpieces

This weekend I finally got to see my family! Well, some of them.  My mommy, and little sister and brother, Camilla and Caleb, along with some cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents.

They all came to the Opening Ceremony for the International Art Competition for Youth at the Assembly Hall in Temple square to support me in receiving the Humanitarian's Youth Juror's Choice Award for my piece, "Cutting Worldly Ties."

There were about 100 pieces on display, and about 20 awarded. Sister Elaine S. Dalton, the Young Women General President attended and I was able to get a picture with her and talk to her about my piece. She said she loved it and asked how I came up with the idea. It was such an amazing experience to meet her and especially to speak with her! AND to have her know my piece! 

After the ceremony we all made our way to the Church History Museum to see our gallery.  The gallery was set up so beautifully and categorized by different themes within the common theme, Arise and Shine Forth, and different mediums.  There are so many incredible youth artists around the world.  Japan, Taiwan, Philippians, all over the USA, Austria and many more. It was truly remarkable to see so much talent. And even more amazing to see so  many of God's Masterpieces using their talents to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.   

Here are some of my very favorites:

I love my family :) 

    

I am so thankful for talents and for the willingness of others to share what God has given them.        

David O. McKay once said that at the judgment day we will have a person interview with Christ.  In that interview, among other things, he will ask us how we developed and shared our talents with others.  The Lord loves to see how we use the talents that he has given us.  I had a wonderful time catching up with mom about the family and friends and what everyone has been up to. and venting about school stuff.  Sometimes I just really need my mommy.  Okay a lot of the time! I cant wait to see the rest of my family on Wednesday! :)