Man I miss that guy...

I have a confession. I miss Austin. So much. Like so much. I can't even explain (like really- I can't). It feels like someone drilled a hole through my heart. Ok. That might be a little dramatic. But he was one of my best friends and it really does feel like something is missing ya know? Even though I'm so proud of him for doing what he is! It's not a crime to miss him so much?? Right? You really don't appreciate things until they are gone. He was such a good and amazing friend. Sometimes I just want to call and talk to him about things. Especially all of this mission stuff. I have to say that he is growing up SO much! I can't wait till I  get on my mission and can actually be called "mature" because I sure am not right now. To make matters worse, he couldn't email me last week and said that he'd send me a letter. On Monday. That letter still isn't here. Sooooooo that just makes me feel like I haven't seen him in even longer.
Anyways. Little rant there. I just thought that I'd share ;)

Plus James said on Sunday with a huge sigh, "When is Austin coming back?" I'm not the only one who misses him!

Spanish???

So I went to the temple for the second time with my cousin today. I had an amazing time and was able to learn a lot because it wasn't as nerve racking and I could actually pay attention. I still have SO much more to learn in the temple though! It's such an amazing place! I'm so glad that I get to go a lot before my mission. My goal is to go at least once a week, but more if I can! 

I've been having thoughts and impressions lately that I need to study/learn Spanish before I leave. At first I just put it off and thought that I was being crazy. But today in the temple, I just knew that I needed to. And from what we learn from President Monson is that we should NEVER IGNORE IMPRESSIONS/THE SPIRIT. I have no idea if I will even use it on my mission. I have just heard of so may missionaries getting called to Florida (Tampa even) Spanish speaking. I just want to be prepared. I don't want to miss an opportunity to teach and share my testimony of the gospel just because I don't know the language. Plus- I have heard that there are A LOT of people who speak Spanish who live in Florida. 

I know you probably think I'm crazy and that I'm not going to learn the language before April. But I trust in my Heavenly Father that if he asks/prompts/inspires me to do something, that with him I can accomplish it. No matter what. I have full faith that I will learn at least what I need to know, if I do all that I can, have faith, and trust and rely completely on our Heavenly Father. 

He knows exactly what we need. I know that he will lead and guide me to people that need to hear the gospel at this time. I know I say this at the end of every post like this- BUT I SERIOUSLY CANNOT EVEN WAIT!!!

Oh and I just wanted to thank my Sister Ashley and my friends Hailee, Jackie, and Kailey for helping me through these past couple of hard days when my mom hasn't really been avaliable. I couldn't do it without you guys! I love you!

13 things you might not know about my dad...

My dad's mission picture and him a little bit before he passed away :)

I know that I have a lot of post about my dad... but it's a good way for me to remember him! You really don't have to read it- it's just for my own benefit :)

A Million things you might have not know about my dad:

1. He loved the Savior and the church more than anything else and he would show it in the way he lived his every day life.
2. The only thing that comes as a really close second to the gospel is my sweet mom. He cherished every moment they had together and would always hug her close and tell her how much he loved her. Even if it grossed us out.
3. He was the greatest dad in the whole entire world. I never had any doubt that he loved me more than I could ever comprehend. He would always hug me and would tell me that he loved me without fail every single day. And it never got old.
4. He had hair. And lots of it. Yep. I know it's a big surprise to most people, but he actually started shaving his head before he even had cancer.
5. He was neighborhood wide known as THEE "tickle monster." We would all run and hide from him while he ticked us to death.
6. He could make anybody laugh. Especially my mom. I think I've already said this in a previous post, but he REALLY could make my mom laugh. He would just start laughing really hard and it would get them both going until neither could breathe.
7. I know some people don't believe in "true love" or "soul mates" or even just the thought of someone else loving someone more than anything else. But that's what my parents were. And I never doubted it.
8. My dad made an impact on every single person he came in contact with. He loved everyone and never said anything bad another person.
9. We would always pray together. He would gather us around and we all knew our night of the week and he would ask us to say the family prayer. Then we would have a big family hug.
10. He loved his family. I don't mean just us, I mean the whole extended family. He loved and treasured his mom and always treated her like a queen as he did my mom, and he loved to do everything and anything with his dad. He loved all of his siblings more than anything. Especially his brother, best friend and partner in crime Dale. They did everything together. They even literally had the same job- just at different stores.
11. He was amazing at every single sport. Especially basketball.
12. He was super competitive.
13. He served an 18 month mission in Tulsa Oklahoma (18 months because literally for like 2 years they tested the 18 months out... and he just happened to serve at the same time)

Hahahahaha I'm pretty sure that I have said all of those already... oh well!

A little photo update

This has to be the first thing on here... only because it is hilarious and will be a treasure someday. If you have seen Despicable Me... you know what this is :) 

I feel like all my blog posts lately have been about church and my mission... I need to also tell you what's going on in my normal day to day life right? What better way then PICTURES! I don't even know where I last left off with normal things... so I'm just going to guess...

*WARNING- these are NOT in order even a little bit. 

Took pictures of beautiful rainbows

Watched my dads funeral picture video and discovered he looked just like one of my cousins babies... 

Went to my uncle EJ's 60 surprise birthday party, and then went to the Bezzant pie party (no picture sorry) 

Took a pic of Kate sleeping after Karl hit her in the head with the car door... 

This creepy lady on the wall in Zach's cabin... 

Took another picture 

Took another picture..

Went to Ash's first basketball game against Orem. (nope... not a win)

Built this challenged snowmen with these great people.

Found this treasure and build a wall full of these lovely old pictures.

Taught Karl how to write a letter. 

Played apples to apples and I soooo WON! (I might just be a little competitive even in silly games... thanks for that dad)

Build this masterpiece with my besties. 

Hung out with Zach and his family at their cabin!

VOTED! Aren't they thrilled? 

Ate lots of food on thanksgiving!!! 

My Temple experience.

I've been sitting here trying to think of one word that would sum it all up... the only thing I can think of is indescribable (I know right. So unique). 

I kept telling people I was going to go through the temple soon and they would just say- "Oh it's weird. So don't get freaked out", or something to that extent. To tell the honest truth- I was not even a little bit weirded out. I have NO clue what they were talking about when they said weird. I had the most spiritual experience of my life and couldn't even control my emotions the whole time. Most of my extended family was there, and my mom was my escort. That made the whole overall experience even more special for countless reasons. I am so glad I have so many family members that are worthy to enter the temple, and that live so close so that I could share this special experience with them.

My mom and I began a fast the night before I was going to go through. I think that was one of the greatest strengths for me. I fasted that I would be able to listen to the spirit and that I would get the confirmation that what I was doing was all true, and that I would not be "weirded out." I think that was my biggest help. 

I feel so blessed and privileged to have had the opportunity to be invited into our Lord and Saviors house. I am grateful for my wonderful parents who raised me to always keep my eyes on the temple as my eternal goal. I am excited that I have made it to this point in my life and that I was prepared for this time in my life not only through my parents, but my wonderful sisters, primary teachers, sunday school teachers, young women leaders, friends, family, the scriptures, and most importantly my brother, best friend, and Redeemer Jesus Christ. 

I know without a doubt that through the temple, is the only way that we are able to return and live with our Father in Heaven in the Celestial kingdom with our families again. What goes on inside is powerful, binding, and scared. I know that we are the closest to our Heavenly Father and our loved ones in heaven when we are in the temple. I know this through my own personal, sacred experiences. I am so glad that we have so many beautiful temples surrounding us. I hope that those of you who are not yet eligible for a temple recommend will set your sights on the temple and make it your goal in life right now, I cannot even explain the blessings you will receive through doing this. 

I hope that each of us can find the time to go to the temple as often as we can, there we can serve others and learn of His will and purpose for us. 

Memory #8 & #9

#7 is my first fight with Christina. It was the dumbest thing ever. I found a new friend- M'kenna and I thought that I couldn't have 2 best friends. So, I wrote her a really mean letter. The mornings on the bus would go with me avoiding her and then she would usually punch me when she got on as I was sitting with M'kenna. We made up like a week later when I decided that I could have two best friends. That is the only fight I have ever had with one of my friends. Hahaha I'm glad we got over that. We are still best friends to this day.
#8 One day on a Sunday after church I think.... I taught Ashley, Christina, and Jackie how to drive a stick shift. It was in my dads really old Toyota. It was super fun and easy to drive. I don't even think Christina or Ash had their license. But ya...

Tampa Florida!

I have received my mission call to Tampa Florida, English Speaking (thank goodness), and I'm leaving April 3rd!!!!!!!!!!
You have no idea how long I have waited for this day! I went to the temple this morning, just so I could feel close to my Savior and do some service. It was fun because I was the only one there besides this other woman. She had some family names and she let me do some! I was honored! I got dunked (that so says DUNKED, not DRUNKED...) 10 times... now I know why they only do 5! 10 is quite a lot!!! I felt the spirit so strongly and couldn't help but cry on my way there and back. My Heavenly Father loves me so much and I could just feel my heart overflowing with that peace and love. I always listen to church music/talks/podcasts/books in the car, so I listened to the Called to Serve CD by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on my way to and from the temple. That really got me. Mainly because I knew I was going to get my call today.

Here's the funny part. Karly came home from school to go to the dentist. So when I got home from the temple she was the only one home. I had her play me a song on the piano and sing. While she was I was sitting on our chair in the front room that is right by the window. I get a text from my best friends mom (Cindy Gocken) that says- "The mail is here!" I immediately whip my head around to see the mail man pulling up to our house! I screamed "THE MAILMAN IS HERE!" We both jump, up and literally start jumping up and down! We watched him put what looked like a big white envelope in! We were SO excited! We screamed for a couple seconds and she was like- "Let's go get it!" I told her I didn't want to because I was scared it wouldn't be there. I told her to go and get it. Right as the mailman drove off she ran out there. She grabbed it all and then looked up and me with the biggest grin ever! I yelled- "Is it there!????!!!!" She screams- "YES!" Then for about a minute straight we jumped up and down screaming! I started texting everybody and freaking out. It was the best moment ever. I'm so glad she got to share it with me!
I waited to open it till 6:30 when Karly would get home. She didn't end up getting home till about 6:50. The wait was hard- but I had prayed that I would be calm and patient, and boy was I! Especially compared to my family! I only invited my Grandmas and Danny. I have too much family to invite them all or to just pick some. They can all come to the farewell :)
I didn't even cry when I opened it though! That was miracle! I just couldn't stop smiling! It was the greatest feeling EVER!

If you don't read anything in this post you have to read this-

We had been playing pranks on each other all day. Ashley came up while I was doing my hair and said that Nick had opened my mission call. I believed her and was beyond ticked. I just said- "Well, whatever!" Then my mom had a white envelope from the insurance company and I came downstairs and Daxton hid it under the table I grabbed it and it was opened! Again- I was ticked! I just told them they were stupid (I was so mad) and took it in the other room. Then I looked at it. OH man. SO NOT FUNNY GUYS ;)! Then they were planning on playing a joke on Karly with these glasses they had filed for there talent show. But it was 6:00 which was when we were planning on opening it. Everyone was there- except Katelyn (and Karly of course) so we decided that we would call her friend that she was with and tell her (faking) that I was going.... wait for it....... FLORIDA! This is not even a joke. That was the joking place that we made up. Katelyn totally believed it and was pretty mad that we had opened it without her. She rushed home and we told her it was a joke. It was just hilarious when I opened it and it really was FLORIDA!
After words we went to Texas Roadhouse with my grandma, family, and cousin. It was so much fun!

I just know without a doubt that this is where I am supposed to go. I know that there are people that need to hear the gospel in Tampa and I couldn't be more excited to share this great knowledge of the truth with them! I am going to be an instrument in the Lord's hand and I feel so blessed and honored to even have this great privilege. I love this gospel more than anything and I can't wait for it to be my whole life for a year and half! This church is TRUE! I know that! I could never ever deny it!
Thanks to all my family and friends for all the support that you have given me! I love you all!

Ohhhh... and I finished the Book of Mormon for the 4th time tonight! So cool! I didn't even plan it to be on the same day! Last night I realized that I could actually finish it all today and I was stoked! I know that's it's true! I have asked him every time I finish it and I get the same answer every time that it is true! :)