Swept Off My Feet

Hello! I have missed writing on here. Really I've just missed the way things used to be once upon a time. It's hard to accept change sometimes (sigh).
I have been enjoying the quote that says, "The only constant in life is change."
That is a true blue statement!

The weather has most certainly been changing. Utah experienced an ICE STORM a few days ago. Everything is a sheet of ice and it definitely swept me off my feet a few times, haha! (and continues to do so...as everything is still a sheet of ice). Weber State's Science Building staircase is quite a fright to go down when it's a sheet of ice.
I'm not sure I was made to endure this kind of weather. The cold has sunk into my bones. Brrrrrr! The dry weather makes my hands look like sun-dried tomatoes too. If you've ever seen a sun-dried tomato, you know they aren't a pretty sight. Let's just say I am anxiously awaiting spring time. :)

Ashlyn has made it a goal to scare me as many times as she can in a day. Everyday. I think my nerves have had about all they can take. She hides in my closet, behind doors, and on the staircase and jumps up and says, "BOO!" The usual response is, "AHH!" She does a good job sweeping her seeester off her feet. :) I love that kid.

Speaking of things that have swept me off my feet, there is a wonderful, handsome young man who has managed to sweep me clean off my feet. I absolutely adore him and consider myself the luckiest girl around to be with him. We've gone on many an adventure including (but not limited to) snow shoveling service, sledding, ice skating, Harmon's, and we are in the process of becoming songwriters. :) I believe Heavenly Father definitely has had a hand in our lives as we "coincidentally" ended up in the same institute class at Weber State...which starts at 7:30 in the morning (I know it's not early morning seminary, but still. It's tough for us spoiled Utahns!) AAAND we both work at the same place. J&J Nursery. The horticulturists. That's us. We plant, sing, and talk to the flowers.
Yep. I am convinced the Lord is in the details of our lives. (See Pres. Monson's talk: "Consider the Blessings" OCT 2012 Conference)

Changing is hard, but I know it's how we grow spiritually. I know the Lord allows us to experience everything we go through so we can draw closer to Him ultimately. We have to learn to let go of the things we want and things we desire and do what He knows is best for us. Everything starts with humility and becoming like a child who will "submit to His father in all things." I love the hymn, "Nearer Dear Savior to Thee" Here are the lyrics for you to ponder:

Nearer, dear Savior, to thee,
Nearer, nearer to thee—
Ever I’m striving to be
Nearer, yet nearer to thee!
Trusting, in thee I confide;
Hoping, in thee I abide.

[Chorus]
Take, oh, take, and cherish me,
Nearer, dear Savior, to thee.

Nearer, dear Savior, to thee,
Nearer, nearer to thee—
Proved by my trials, I’ll be
Nearer, yet nearer to thee!
Humbly I come to thee now;
Earnest, I prayerfully bow.

[Chorus]

Nearer, dear Savior, to thee,
Nearer, nearer to thee—
Ever my anthem will be
Nearer, yet nearer to thee!
Loving thee, ever I pray,
Aid me thy will to obey.

[Chorus]

Nearer, dear Savior, to thee,
Nearer, nearer to thee—
Let me by holiness be
Nearer, yet nearer to thee!
When all my trials are done,
When my reward I have won

[Chorus]

I love y'all!

Post Mission Life (Derailed!)

Hello from the snowy, icy, frigid land of UTAH!
I can hardly believe I am home. It seems like a dream. I feel like a participant in the movie, "Inception." The mission felt like a dream, and being home feels like a dream. I hope that feeling goes away soon. I feel like a train that has been derailed. It's hard to remember things that happened before the mission sometimes. I feel disoriented and lost a lot of the time; not sure what I should do with myself, etc.
One of my dear mission companions, Sister Sabrina Welch wrote me a letter while I was still out and related the transitions a missionary goes through to the Plan of Salvation. We have a wonderful life with our families before we leave (like the pre-earth life), we are "born" in the mission field (earth life), we serve, things are hard, we face incredible amounts of opposition and stress (agency and opposition in all things), we find the greatest joy we know (learning about Jesus Christ and the power of the Atonement), we "die" in the mission field (mortal death), we fly home on the airplane (kind of like the spirit world), and then we return home to our families (celestial kingdom!).
Being home has been a big transition; but not as earth-shattering as everyone seemed to make it out to be. It was difficult to come home to completely unfamiliar surroundings. It is still hard for me to wrap my head around the hard facts of life. But, I just try to take things one day at a time and that seems to be helpful. :)
Things I miss about being a missionary:
My companion-She had the same goals I did. It was nice to have someone with the same objectives in mind.
Structure
Having something productive to do with my life every hour of the day
Companion study
Teaching
Bearing testimony frequently throughout the day
Going to bed at 10:30
Being safe...practically untouchable from the dating world!
North Carolina-the people, the weather, the everything
Going to church as a missionary
Gospel Principles
Having a purpose that I understand and know how to accomplish.
Having a magic blue card that I could buy food and other essential things with
Being concerned only for the welfare of others. Now I have to worry about myself...

There is a whole plethora of other things I could probably ramble off, but that might take a while (for you to read and me to type) and since we all have time constraints, I will refrain.

I gave my Homecoming address this past Sunday. I was scared out of my skirt! I think it went alright though. It felt so good to be able to bear my testimony, to teach some basic principles of the gospel and tell other people about some of the people I was able to meet and to teach. I felt so good after sacrament meeting was over. Brother Mark Fitch, who just returned home from France spoke with me. It was really neat because we both addressed the same topic, The Doctrine of Christ (Faith, Repentance, Baptism by Immersion, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End).
Coincidence? I think not!

Re-submersion into everyday life has been greeted with resistance. I still don't like listening to the radio (except 89.1, my beloved classical music station). Lance tried to introduce me to some new music. It resulted in tears. I think you see the world through a different lens than the rest of the world as a missionary. One day at a time...

My biggest fear right now is doing something to offend the spirit. I don't want to lose it. Making sure I take time to read from the Book of Mormon everyday and continuing the habits of praying and filling my day with worthwhile activities has been helpful. I have found that being selective about what is okay and what is not okay to see, listen to, participate in, etc has been a challenge. Especially in the entertainment department. Music was my lifeblood before I left. Now, I am finding a clash of standards. The iTunes library has shrunk significantly in some genres.

I want to go and serve someone.

I have talked a lot about how much I miss being a missionary, but it would also be important to note that I absolutely LOVE being home with my family. It is so nice to hold them in my arms again and talk with them and my favorite is snuggling with Ashlyn when she's getting ready for bed. It has been wonderful to be back home with them. Words can't describe the joy I felt when I saw them as I came down the escalator. It was the best thing EVER.

My love and appreciation for the experiences I have had during the past 18 months have definitely deepened since I've been home. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder. I loved being a missionary. It was the best thing I have ever done with my life. I don't regret the decision to serve.

The church is definitely true. If you don't know it yet, you can. Read the Book of Mormon and you will understand God's plan. You will see He has a grand purpose and plan for you. Bigger than you can comprehend. He can see the end from the beginning. You will learn to trust Him more, know Him better and feel His love work through you as you help other people. That's what I do know.

I hope to be a somewhat frequent blogger even though life is about to go insane with school and possibly (hopefully) a job of some sort. Not to mention I have committed myself to President Beard to re-enter the dating world (ugh).

Stay in tune!

Happy New Year (23 hours and 22 minutes late)

Love you all!