To My Mother

Hi, Mom.

It's our first Mother's Day without you, you know, and my heart hurts with how much I miss you. It's strange to think that when I go home in a week or so that you won't be there to put your arms around me in quite the same way. 

But it's okay. I've felt you close to me. 

I kind of dreaded today, thinking about how it would never be quite the same. But a very distinct thought has come to me several times:

"Don't focus on what you have lost. Remember what you have been given."

I have been given so much. The example of a mother who loved her children and always selflessly served them. The example of a woman of faith who kept her covenants and never lost hope, but pressed forward even when things seemed very dark. The example of how faith in the Savior of the world overcomes all trials and softens all pain.

Because of your example, Mom, and the gift of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I know our separation is temporary, and that someday I will see you again.

So today, I'm celebrating. Celebrating you and all the women who have been mothers to me throughout my life.

Thanks for always being there.

Love you forever.

Faith, Not Fear

Hey everyone.

So it has been awhile. And I've learned a lot of things in the 9 months I've been on my mission. Lately the theme has been faith, not fear.

So many things I do as a missionary are out of my comfort zone, not the least of which is talking to strangers which may or may not be rude or uninterested. It has been quite the character-building experience, to be sure. And my friends, there comes a time where you just have to do it. You just have to DO the thing that scares you, regardless of the outcome. There is only so much praying, thinking, meditating, ruminating that you can do before you just have to push all the negative thoughts away, take a deep breath, and just jump. Yes, it might be awkward or weird. Yes, you might make a mistake. But even if it doesn't turn out the way you'd hoped, you can have peace and self-confidence knowing you did something that scared you and lived to tell the tale.

Fear comes when we think about ourselves. Faith comes when we think about others and when we remember He who has overcome all things, who is Christ, the Son of God.

So. 20 seconds of insane courage. 20 seconds of exercising a particle of faith. 20 seconds at a time. I have come to the conclusion that some things (talking to people) will never be entirely comfortable, but I'll just have to get more comfortable with being uncomfortable. And I know that as I develop a habit of exercising a particle of faith, of moving forward despite fear or doubts or inadequacies, not knowing for sure, but hoping that something will prove to be true, that the clouds will part and miracles will happen.

Miracles happen, there is a God in heaven, and he has restored His truth through a prophet in these latter days. Shall we not go on in so great a cause?

Off to a Great Start

I'm here.

The Sacred Grove

It's a new year.

(2013!)

I'm a new missionary.

My companion, Sister Raines

I love it.

I love Him.

Hurrah for Israel!

What Did You Get for YOUR Birthday?

Three weeks--THREE WEEKS until I leave! Can you believe it?? 

I can't. 

It's so surreal to think that this is all actually happening. Sometimes I feel like shouting, "HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!! I'M GOING ON A MISSION!" all the time! And other times I think to myself, "Oh my goodness--what am I doing?? I can't believe I'm doing this!" But I know in whom I have trusted, and my Savior will sustain me through this grand new adventure in my life.

Anyway, back to the title question of this post: What did you get for YOUR birthday? 

 

Because I got a temple for mine.

Getting Outfitted

Life has been happening, so there has not been as much blogging. My apologies.

Do you realized that I am less than FOUR WEEKS away from the greatest adventure of my life?? It's so crazy. I can barely wrap my head around it. These past few weeks have been full of working, volunteering in first grade, spending time with wonderful friends, temple trips, scripture study, institute, lots of time with family, and, of course, SHOPPING.

Dun dun DUUUUN.

Shopping and I have a love-hate relationship. I mean, I like getting new clothes--what girl doesn't? However, I want what I want, and when I can't find what I want, I tend to get frustrated and want march out the door in a huff. I'm super picky, but I don't have the energy to comb the racks for hours on end, so I tire quickly. It can be a difficult situation. I have had several shopping days where I have walked out the door of the store irritated and empty-handed. Grr.

However, it turns out that to alleviate shopping stress, you just need to go with the right person.

Enter my cousin-in-law (my cousin Spencer's wife) Marcie.

She's Miss Super Shopper Woman, and a couple weeks ago we went shopping and got me 4 stylish skirts for $100 in less than an hour. Ka-BLAM. We dearly love having Marcie in the family for a multitude of reasons.

So, I thought since it is now the Era of the Sister Missionary (my dear friend Megan just got her call to Georgia Atlanta North--woo hoo!), I would post some of the places where I've had luck finding stuff. Because we sister missionaries have to help each other out, you know.

• Old Navy: Cardigans
• Famous Footwear: Brown Naturalizer flats
• Raffinata (Nampa Mall): 4 skirts for $100--black, black and white polka-dot, green ruffle skirt, brown pleated skirt
• Khol's: Red flats and red sweater (yay! I love red shoes!)
• DownEast: Basic camisoles/tees, black dress
• Gordman's: Black flats
• Target: Plaid raincoat, scarves, earmuffs
• Burlington Coat Factory: Down coat
• Sorella Bella: Split slips, warmer skirts
• Maurice's: Ruffled top
• Petersen's Clothing: Dresses

You can check out my Pinterest board here.

Hope that helps! The days and weeks keep whipping by. 25 days to go!

Moved with Compassion

Because of certain things I have experienced and heard lately, I have been thinking a lot about how the Savior was moved with compassion as he ministered among the people.

Matthew 14:14: And Jesus saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward him, and he healed their sick.

Luke 7:13 (when he saw the widow whose son had died): And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

3 Nephi 17:7: Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.

The Lord did not only feel compassion; he was moved with compassion to action, and as disciples of Christ, we must be moved as well.

This brings to mind an experience I had a couple years ago during my sophomore year at BYU.

Fall semester it seemed like everything was descending on me at once. I was taking one of the hardest semesters I had ever had, and I was working part time on top of a full class load. I was missing my best friend overseas horribly. My computer broke. And then conference weekend, I got a phone call.

The Power of Gratitude

One thing I have really gained a testimony of in the past few months is gratitude. 

The one leper who came back to thank the Savior after being healed

I have to admit that many times when I have heard people talk about being grateful, I thought it was another way to say

"Quit whining." 

I had never really tested the power of gratitude in my life.