18 months

All my life I have wanted to serve a mission.

When I was a couple months shy of 21,  I was trying to figure out whether or not I was actually going to go through with it. Even though I had been planning on it for my entire life, actually submitting my papers seemed scary. Did I really want to leave my life for 18 months to go preach the gospel? I wasn't sure.

I had to wonder whether a mission was the right decision for me. It wasn't until July that I really received my answer. I am eternally grateful for personal revelation. I know that our Heavenly Father can speak to us in an incredibly personal way. I am grateful that my Heavenly Father loves me enough to speak to me in that manner. He guides me in all the choices that I make. It was through this impression that I decided to turn in my mission papers. A couple months later, they were all filled out and sent to the church headquarters to be reviewed and assigned. I very impatiently awaited for a big white envelope that would tell me where in the world I would be serving a mission.

About two weeks later it showed up in my mailbox. I invited just about everyone to come over to watch me open my call to find out where I would be serving. I was so nervous that I couldn't sit still. I caught the experience on video and I think I've watched it 100 times since... but I wanted to share it with you here on my blog.

 

I couldn't be happier. I am so excited for this next chapter of my life. I know that its going to be hard, I've never had to do anything like this before. But I am driven by my testimony of this gospel. I know that this is the Lord's restored church upon the earth today. I know that it changes lives. I know that it makes me happier than anything else on earth ever could. I can't wait to bring this truth to those that desperately need it. 

p.s. I'm trying to write/post this from the Oakland CA airport. I'm too excited to wait. So sorry for any spelling/grammatical errors that I probably made. 

September

Now that I'm all caught up with my summer, I can start catching up with the new school year. I've had so much fun this semester, I'd be so sad if I didn't document it somehow. Since I'm not the best journal keeper (I always loose them before I get half way through them), I use my blog as the next best thing.

One of the most exciting things about this semester is that most of my freshman friends are back from their missions! After two whole years across the world from each other we are finally coming back together. Its been so much fun to reminisce, reconnect, and then create new memories together. 

We got the whole gang together at Zach's house.

I honestly couldn't believe they were sitting on my couch. I was way too excited about it.

The girls and I were also excited to move into our new place at Lanai. It was our freshman year dream to live here and it finally happened. Its our last semester all together as BYU students so we are documenting every second of it. That includes first day of school/church pictures.

The start of a new year also means... COLLEGE FOOTBALL.

I love going to the BYU games. BYU football has been a big part of my life ever since I could remember. Luckily, I was blessed with roommates who feel the same way. This season hasn't been our best, but we've still had so much fun going to the games. My dad came into town a couple weeks ago so I promised I'd watch the game with him. We got to go down on the field before the game and then moved up to our box seats for the game. Being creepily obsessed with the team, I took lots of photos.

Everything else has just been a jumble of good times. I couldn't feel more blessed in my life.

Like for good friends who watch chick flicks with you while giving you a foot massage. Definitely a highlight.

Or friends who pay balloon artists to make you a princess crown.

Or friends who write you nice notes on sundays.

Or friends who get you through scary doctor appointments.

or friends that go on concert dates with you

 (Aimee and I got carded for our first 21+ concert! Not that we would have gotten any drinks anyways)

Ohh and there's those friends that go to LAX games with you. cuties.

There are also those friends that go to Islamic Art exhibits with you.

which are the same friends who photo bomb your roommate concert pictures.

&& Now that it's fall I can get excited for my top knots and fall coats. It's my favorite time of year. Break out the pumpkin cookies babe.

   

 But probably the most exciting news of all this month was when Jess came over to tell us she was having a baby GIRL! I really couldn't be more excited. I keep trying to get Jess to name her baby after me, but she isn't having it.  

Alright fall. lets get this party started.

P.S. keep on eye on the photo blog for exciting new posts soon!

California

Now that I'm a little over a month into the semester, I'm wishing I was still partying in CA with my best friends. I know I'm a little behind on my blogging... like, by a lot. But now that I'm stuck sick in my apartment, I have no excuses.

So I'm starting from when my dad also invited me to tag along with Mike and his dad to the Padres vs Cubs game in San Diego.

We sat right behind the camera guys and during the break one turned around and got a really awkward shot of mike and I just waving at the big screen. A check off my bucket list, but I wish I would have been prepared with something cooler than my shocked face.

Then to cap the summer off... Zoe flew down and met Aimee, Ashley, and I for a week of roommate bonding. We started off in San Diego, then Huntington, and finished it off at the Beach House before our road trip back to school. It was quite the adventure.

One of my favorite days was at the San Diego Zoo.
There are few places that get me more excited than the Zoo.

 

We found a cute couple that matched Zoe and Rob... can you spot the two orange shirted men and two blue shorted ladies?

 

My favorite were the Polar Bears. Can I keep them? 

While up at the beach house we took a day to drive up to Santa Barbara for dinner and a walk around the pier. A couple of us also stayed around to see Beasts of the Southern Wild. It was playing in this cute renovated theater in downtown Ventura. Erik was probably the most excited about it... What's not to love about renovated theaters? 

But really though... can I go back?