This has to be a dream...

I had one of the happiest days of my life yesterday. I always think something exciting will be announced in conference like everyone gets free ice cream or something (ya no... I don't really know what would be exciting, but I always hope there is something like that). Or maybe something scary like we have to start polygamy again. All I know about those things is that whatever President Monson tells us to do, I will do it without question and without hesitation.
The announcement that the age of going on a mission has been lowered literally changed my life in a blink of an eye.
As President Monson was talking about the boys and changed the age I immediately hoped he would change the girls as well. I waited in anticipation... I thought he would just change it to 20 because he had only put the boys down one year. When I heard him say 19 I thought I was in a dream. I didn't know whether to cry or scream in excitement. In reality- I was so incredibly happy and in shock that I didn't know what to do. I felt like my insides were going to burst. I couldn't even cry because of it. But believe me- that came later. I can't say that I can think of a happier I have felt in my life. Or at least it's in the top 5 times when I have felt the most happiness in my life.
I was with my roommates at the time he announced it, and I have to admit- I don't remember a lot of the rest of the first session. My excitement was really getting to me. I went to work a little bit before the first session was over in complete happiness. I had a 10 hour and 45 minute shift ahead of me... I didn't care a bit. The only reason I didn't want to go was because I wanted to call and cry to my mom. I waited in anticipation all day just to be able to talk to my mom. All the cashiers would talk to me about it. Even the customers would. People were just thrilled about the news! I even got quite a few texts and facebook messages of people telling me that I was the first person they thought of when they heard the announcement. I can't tell you how much that means to me!
Finally I got off, but my family went to bed before I got home so I couldn't talk to them about it.
Instead I got to talk to Austin about it and then Zach. But on my car ride home I couldn't help but pour out my heart in gratitude and happiness to my Father in Heaven. I couldn't even control myself. I can't even explain the moment in words. I felt so close to my Father in Heaven and knew that He was there listening to every single word I was saying. This was an answer to my prayers that I did not expect. It just goes to show that we have no idea what is in store for us and Heavenly Father has a plan for us and it will not always follow what we want. I'm just lucky this time it was exactly what I wanted, just not at all what I expected.
I had been praying to find myself and know what I needed to be doing in my life because what I was doing just wasn't working. Sure I was going to school, working, making friends, reading my scriptures, going to church, all of that. It just felt like something was missing. I kept saying that to my family and friends. I just thought that I was missing a boyfriend/husband or something. Mainly because that is what I wanted so badly. But I was already planning on going on a mission. This just means I get to go earlier and it will be a little easier to have a plan for my life. I am going to drop everything and go. I will finish this semester at school and go when and where I get called. I cannot even wait. And I haven't even turned in my papers yet! This is going to be an agonizing next couple of months just waiting. But I know I can do it! At least I will have school occupying my thoughts to help!
I told my mom after the first session of Sunday conference. I had already texted her and my whole family basically knew me, and knew that I would be going. But I hadn't actually told her. Plus, I wanted to make sure that it was the right thing, and that I wasn't just too excited about it to not listen to the spirit. I fasted that morning. After conference was done I just knew I was supposed to go. I looked at her and said, "Mom, I'm going. I'm going on a mission." Then I just started balling. I told her my testimony and said that I knew President Monson was an instrument in God's hand because I had been praying for it. She hugged me and we cried together. It was definitely a moment I will cherish and never forget.

I just know without a single doubt in my mind that Heavenly Father knows our needs, wants, and he knows what is best for our church. I know President Monson is called of God and receives revelation through him. This is going to be a huge change in our church, but I know it will be for the better. And I can't wait to start serving people in need of the gospel for a year and a half of my life! I can't wait to have another experience like I did with Jackie. I can already see the impact that her having the gospel in her life has done. 2 of her friends are getting baptized now because of her. Because of course, this isn't for me, it's for the wonderful people that are ready to hear the gospel and I can't wait to be an instrument in my Heavenly Father's hand to find and teach them! :)

Relief Society Broadcast

I absolutely LOVED the Relief Society broadcast. Especially because I got to spend it with one of the most amazing women I know. :) I have made it a goal/tradition to always go to the brodcast with my mother. No matter how old I am. Yes, I know there will be exceptions, but I'm still going to try my hardest to always be there and spend that time with her. Maybe when all my sisters get older we can just make it one big fun day :)
This was one of my favorite quotes and I will probably remember it for the rest of my life-
"Things that aren't fair in this life will be made up in the next through the atonement."-Sister Linda K. Burton 
I couldn't help but think of my dad as I was listening to her talk. It's been kind of a sensitive subject and it always is around this time of the year. I miss him more than ever. I like how she said that it isn't fair. Well- I know that it isn't fair for me. Even Heavenly Father knows that it isn't fair for me not to have a dad here on earth. But isn't it even better that I have 2 fantastic dads waiting for me up in heaven? I can't wait to run and huge them both with tears of complete joy in my eyes. Our kind loving Heavenly Father has a plan for all of us. Although it isn't always in sight and may not always be obvious, He knows us, and knows our wants and needs. It is going to be challenging. I can promise you that. I struggle almost every single day with not having my dad to call or cry to or even talk to. The thing that hurts the most is seeing my wonderful mother. I know she hurts more than anyone. But she stays strong and always has a positive attitude. You can see the hurt in her eyes sometimes. But She knows that it is our plan. I admire her and don't know how she does it. But she is teaching me to be strong. There are weak moments, but nothing that would ever shake my faith because of the example of my savior, mom, and dad. 

I also loved another quote- 

"We can feel of their love and compassion through our sorrows."

Their meaning our Heavenly Father and brother Jesus Christ. I never even thought about it that way. When I feel sad my first instinct isn't always to turn and talk to my Father in Heaven. But it should be, because we know that they are crying with us or empathizing with us. They care so much about our lives and want to be a part of it. 

The last thing was my sister Karly went to homecoming with Daxton :) She had a great time and I'm sure that she will remember it for a long time! I love her and am so happy for her! Plus- she looked so pretty in her dress :) 

April 2012 Conference/April Fools

I absolutely LOVED conference! I always say that, but I really did! It always comes just at the right time, right when I need it! Saturday was also fun because we went shopping in between sessions... I think every one does.. downeast was PACKED! But quick funny story... as we were in the parking lot to downeast making our way in, I hear a voice say, "Is that Nicole?" I turn around, not knowing where to look, and in the distance we see my cousin Katrina. She makes her way to us and we all just laugh. As she gets closer she says something like. "Kristin, is that you? I THOUGHT YOU WERE A MEXICAN!" We all busted a gut. My mom has lost a lot of weight and looks great! Plus, she's been going tanning for our cruise and so she is really really tan. We all got a good kick out of that. Plus it was fun to see my cousin.
Ok, back to conference. I felt like some of the things they were really stressing were, family's, forgiveness, repentance, and missionary work. Which is really what we all need right now!
Elder Holland's talk really hit me. But the end really stood out to me, he said: "Don't delay. It's getting late." That was one of the last things that he said! Wow! But really! It is getting late! We all need to get our act together and repent! We hear it all the time from our prophets, but he just came right out and said it, plain as day. How powerful.
I missed about half of the Saturday morning because Katelyn had a basketball game (I know that isn't an excuse, but I want to support her, I WILL watch it... right now actually).
I didn't write down much this time, but some of my favorite things said were:
"It's through the hardships of life that we grow towards Godhood"
"In the kingdom of God there are no second class citizens."
I especially loved President Uchtdorf's, as always! Just on forgiveness. I needed to hear that, but also the part of his talk where he talked about not judging others. That was meant for me, I know it! ;) But the bumper sticker he talked about was awesome: "Don't judge me because I sin differently than you do." I also loved how he gave us the advice to just STOP IT! How great. He's an amazing man. As all of the leaders of our church are. I also loved how he said "we should forgive as we would want to be forgiven."
I have learned so much this conference and plan to make some changes in my life so I can be a better person :)
President Monson's talk was wonderful as always :) loved his.
I also especially loved Elder Anderson's. Maybe that's because he made my cry when he talked about the earthquake and the little boy singing I am a Child of God and how the parents just prayed and had faith that they would find at least one of their children, and they ended up finding all of them.
I just know that all the talks are inspired, and are meant for us and what we need to hear in our day. I also know that the words of our prophet's today are more important than anything else and that we need to listen to them. I know that God speaks through his prophet's here on earth and what they are teaching is extremely important and we should not only listen, but do the things that they teach.

Also, today was my grandpas... 83rd birthday I think.... ah man, I can't remember. But anyways. My aunt Diane planned a huge hot dog roast for us to get together. But, the bad weather always ruins things so we did it at my uncles. We ate yummy food, talked, laughed, played games and shared memories.
My mom made real deviled eggs and then "fake" ones. The fake ones  are made of marshmallow and yellow frosting. They take a lot of time, but have fooled some people, so it's pretty fun. Then she also made cupcake meat loafs. They are little meat loafs baked into cupcake pans... that have mashed potato frosting. Those actually fooled a LOT of people. We had a lot of fun listening to people say, "oh I want a cupcake" and then to their disappointment.... it's not. Pretty funny :)