My Missionaries

So I was gonna do this chronologically, but I don't know how well that's gonna go so here's just some random thoughts as I was writing down things I wanted to talk about.
Basically I have no friends because their all on missions. Luckily, I love them and what they're doing so I can wait. And be lonely for a while. But here's a synopsis on my lovely missionaries!

HPen

Haley is on a mission in Richmond, Virginia. She left in November and is just absolutely loving it! She spent some time here before she went to the MTC and it was so great to see her! I even got to see her before they dropped her off. She's doing wonderful things and teaches everyone about simplicity - don't sweat the little things because we're working on an eternal perspective.

 Reunited and it feels so good! During Haley's visit before she left.

Laken, Haley, and me on the day Haley went into the MTC. Oh Hunnay you so prettay.

The Fugal Boys

My boys are on the down hill slope!

Elder Lundwall is in Minnesota and left January 2013.
Elder Lichtenberg is in Ukraine and left February 2013.

Elder Decker is in Mexico and left March 2013.

Elder Cook is in Spain and left March 2013.

Elder Fulton is in Mexico and left May 2013. 

I LOVE reading about their adventures in their weekly emails and seeing their cheesy smiles in the pictures they send. I'm even more excited for all the food we're going to be able to eat when they get home. Hooray! Their experiences all differ in a lot of ways, but they're all growing like crazy! I can't wait for these spiritual giants to be home.

I had to really search through all our pictures because I just have some of the best ones but I settled for this:

And one of Elder Decker because he isn't in the above picture/he hated us then/he hadn't moved in yet/hadn't cut his hair and gained major swag thereafter. 

Lady K

She surprised us all when she decided to put in her papers - even more when she told us they were already done! She left in April for the MTC and is in Bulgaria now, but not before she spent some time getting wild out here so that was super fun. Happy Valentine's Day to me! She loves talking about the light of Christ in our lives.

From Lady K's two-week adventure in Provo. So much ratchet. So much love.

The day she went into the MTC. This pose though. Definitelh starting a tradition. 

Tommy Boy

This kid. Elder LeCheminant's serving in Orlando, Florida and his letters literally make me cry laughing every time I hear back from him. I miss our cookie and juice parties though. Also, I look so good in this picture. He knows he should throw in something spiritual and simply states that the church is true.

We are just supes totes adorbz

Kammmmmmmmmm

Elder Griffiths is serving in England (but actually all over the UK). I swear he was born to be a missionary. Luckily we hung out for a bit before Christmas while he was out visiting in Utah! Plus, I got to Skype with him before he flew across the pond. He is nothing but smiles and focuses on finding the positive in all he does. 

Our last skype chat! (Side note: can I just say how much I love getting international mail??)

Dump

Elder Marshall is serving in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and loveloveloves everything about it. Except coconut water. He always takes the time to thank God for the many blessings he is given while in Florida serving the people. 

Fish

Elder Hamilton is serving in El Salvador and likes to complain about how hot he is all the time. Also, he's probably gonna die down there between the gang fights and the volcano eruptions. He loves talking to investigators about the beauty of the Plan of Salvation and the importance of families. 

He's the one on the far right. 

I'm so blessed by their examples and these missionaries are making my life so great without even knowing it I'll bet. 

To learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints missionaries, click here. 

In a university of 30,000 people, it sure can be easy to feel so alone.

But I sure am grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf:
"I am sure at one time or another we have all thought it would be nice to take up residence in a land filled only with days of picture-perfect seasons and avoid the unpleasant times in between.

But this is not possible. Nor is it desirable. ...

The question is not whether we will experience seasons of adversity but how we will weather the storms.

Sometimes we cannot understand why difficult, even unfair, things happen in life. But as followers of Christ, we trust that if we “search diligently, pray always, and be believing, … all things shall work together for [our] good, if [we] walk uprightly” (D&C 90:24; emphasis added).

Still, we will have to pass through all seasons—both pleasant and painful. But no matter the season, as followers of Jesus the Christ, we will rest our hope upon Him as we walk toward His light."

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985):
“If we looked at mortality as the whole of existence, then pain, sorrow, failure, and short life would be calamity. But if we look upon life as an eternal thing stretching far into the premortal past and on into the eternal post-death future, then all happenings may be put in proper perspective. …
“Are we not exposed to temptations to test our strength, sickness that we might learn patience, death that we might be immortalized and glorified?”

I have these really awesome people in my life like... {six}

Jason K!

He's going to be in America. Like today. What? Two years already past? I can't wait to see this wollengabba. He spent two years in Brazil on his mission and now will be attending BYU-Idaho until he can transfer to Utah and we can have soso much fun! He's an amazing person and an even better friend. Love love love him!

Pretty much the story of our lives.

I can't even take how hideous this is but the fact that we're both crying shows he kinda likes me too, right?

The First and Great Commandment

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment." (Matt. 22: 37-38)

In the words of President Ezra Taft Benson, “When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities."

Wait, What?

The Church is NOT true if Elder Holland is throwing the first pitch for the Dumb Dodgers....

Read the article here.

(In all honesty it's kinda cool. But he really should of been at a game for a better team....)

Axel Revisited

Sometimes we send each other pictures of how gorgeous we are. 

I'm just so incredibly proud of him. It sucks not being able to talk to him everyday and I wish that he wasn't all the way in UKRAINE but I know that they are blessed to have him and the Lord knows that that is where he needs to be. Every week I get an email or two from him (one that he sends out to everyone in his contacts and one personal one if he has some extra time) and it's amazing to me how many miracles he encounters every week. I don't know why people say miracles only happened when Christ walked the earth because I know any LDS missionary can tell you they've witnessed them personally in their own lives. (Other members have also seen miracles too - don't want to discredit them.)
It's crazy to think that church send out 19-year-old boys (now 18!!) to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. It seems like there is quite a lot of pressure on them in doing so but some how they manage to do it and when they come back they come back as men.
Now, the church has lowered the age for girls to serve as well from 21 to 19 and the increase in missionaries has been so drastic that 58 new missions were created and more MTCs are being opened and just at the Provo MTC alone, housing has had to be increased.
I'm just in awe of the boys and girls willingness to serve and am proud to be a part of this church. I know that this Gospel is true and that spending time away from their families is bringing people to be with their own for eternity.

There's this blog H, A, and I love...

Called "Just Say Amen Already". And it's super hilarious because as a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she is able to see all the weird or off-beat things about being a Mormon. And sometimes it's just nice to be able to recognize that yes, we are different and yes, that's okay. And if you can't accept it, it's going to make those who mock you winners because you'll begin to give in and believe what they say and feel that you're wrong and they're right.

Well I wasn't expecting to go that way but it did. Anywhoooooo

This blogger wrote this post recently and while she addressed it to converts to the Church I feel that it most definitely applies to all of us on our journey of spiritual progression. She says:


This summer will mark 5 years since I first set foot in an LDS church and met with the missionaries (that’s a different story for a different time).

I’ve done a few posts about what it’s like to be a convert, so I apologize if I’m getting repetitive. But I never expected to have the platform I have now, so I want to use it for good. There’s so much I wish I had known back when I started investigating and then after I converted, and so much I needed to hear. I hope that by saying some of that here now, I can spare someone a little of the suckyness that comes from converting. And I don’t think it applies just to converts. So, here are some of the things I wish I had known as an investigator/new convert/member-whose- bishop-said-she-is-no-longer-a-“new-covert”-but-she-is-still-trying-to-find-her-way-and-kind-of-resents-Bishop-for-saying-that

1.    You didn’t make a mistake.

2.     Mormons have their own language (RM= returned missionary, RS= Relief Society, EQ= Elder’s Quorum, YM/YW=Young Men/Young Women’s, the U= University of Utah, the Y= BYU (or a hiking trail in Provo that I’m told is lovely), ZL= Zone Leader, FGSJSTWPBYDMI= For Goodness Sake, Just Say The Whole Phrase Because You’re Driving Me Insane (I made that last one up) )

3.     You will not be kicked out of the church for hating jell-o, not playing the piano, not having blonde hair, not liking Jane Austen, not going to BYU, or not bawling your eyes out whenever you speak in church. You’re allowed to be different.

4.     You have talents of your own. Use them. We need them, and we need you.

5.     Most members are not jerks. If someone said or did something hurtful, don’t lick your wounds- tell them. They probably didn’t realize what they did, and will want the chance to make things right.

6.     Some people, however, are jerks. Walk away. You don’t need them. (Mormons are humans. They’re not perfect and the church has not yet adopted a No-Jerks-Allowed policy, despite my letter writing campaign)

7.     You can ask for help. It’s allowed. In fact, I encourage it.

7.5 Don’t be afraid to pop your hand in the air and ask questions if you have no idea what is going on or if someone said the most annoying phrase in all of Mormondom- “I’m sure you all know this…..” Stand up for yourself and your right to understand things.

8.     Pray. A lot.

9.     Don’t be ashamed of converting, and don’t be scared to share your faith. Amazing things can happen if you do. If people aren’t nice when you do, see #6

10. You won’t know everything. I’ve been at this for almost 5 years and I’m still learning. Most life-long members still are (if not, they’re probably super arrogant and again might warrant a review of #6). Try not to get discouraged. Learning is what makes this whole journey interesting.

11. Do your visiting/home teaching. Do your calling. You will learn so much, and be blessed for your service. It’s also a great way to find your place in the church.

12. Journal.  My biggest regret is having not journaled more during this time. It will be a huge blessing to be able to look back on past experiences and remember why you are doing this, and how you have seen G-d’s hand in your life. It’s also cool to look back and see how far you’ve come.

13. (this one is important, so pay attention) It’s going to suck for a while. I don’t know any convert for whom the first year to year-and-a-half weren’t full of incredibly hard trials, feelings of isolation, and longing looks back. They say this is because Satan attacks. I think it’s also because G-d wants to make sure you appreciate and protect your testimony; if you have to work to keep it, it will mean so much more. But, it will get better. And, I promise, it is worth it, so please don’t give up.

14. You’re not alone. When things are hard, you can always turn to your savior, and to your Heavenly Father for comfort and guidance. Your bishop, visiting/home teachers, missionaries, and friends, are all resources for you. You can also reach out to me (Amenalready@yahoo.com) . I’ve been there. We converts have to stick together.

I just feel like she has some things right and she continues to look in the right perspective. So glad that out of humor I can find gems like these.

This year

It's almost over 

WHAT.

Wasn't it just yesterday that I sat in my room balling my eyes out with Lady K because we had no friends and hated it here and wanted to be home and missed our family and the sky was falling and the world was coming to an end?

First night at school, say what?

 That was eight months ago.

And now the thought of going home is killing me. I mean I have the BEST people in my life - hands down. H, A, K, L, and the plethora of boys lining up at my door (don't even get me started on how many marriage proposals I've had this year, I mean really*). And now I've gotta go home and put all that on hold and work and make money and do some leadership stuff on the side because that's kinda my thing. I just got settled in and started enjoying, well, everything and now I'm out. And 99.9% of the people I met won't be here next year - THOSE FREAKING MISSIONS. Good thing I love this Church as much as I do and I'm okay with it. I also don't want to be struck down by lightning...

I feel like I've learned a lot. No so much in my classes but those were cool, too. More about me. And I realized how much I love this time in my life and how I don't want it to end and I don't want to grow up and I want to be able to stay up all night and jump around until we see the sun, you feel me?

It's just been some great time. Some awesome, fantastic, truly wonderful memories. And this 3-month break is going to SUUUUUUCK.

I now present to you: A Year in Pictures (The Condensed Version)

First Friends! Love them always and forever. 

Cutest Roommates you ever did see. #Jackpot

First (and LAST) time hiking the Y.

First Homecoming! True Blue. Thanks for making me go, BM.

First time having all four seasons! (Sometimes all in one day... Oh Utah.)

First real winter. Guys, I'm still alive. Shocking to even me!

Christmas at Temple Square with my lovers. Oh, that night. Memories. 

Ice skating! Still my dream date. Take note, boys, I'm easy to please.

It felt like a perfect night to dress up like hipsters. But it was really cold...

Did you know if you sit in the right place at lunch time in the CougarEat approximately 2012839201438247 people will come to talk to you about country dancing and hungry face competitions and BYU/SA?

Just a mid-week drive to Salt Lake. Gotta look hot, you know what I'm saying?

*Yeah, no that's a joke. So sorry for the disappointment. But I made it through my first year without a ring on it! Yes, it can be done! Actually, none of my friends got engaged this year. #foreveraloneattheCannonCenter

Monday Night Letters

I've seen this on a couple blogs, and it looks like fun. Maybe it'll become a regular thing? Maybe not. #toomainstream #likehashtags

Dear Ladies of Chipman Hall,
Please stop trying to cook in the basement. There's a reason why you live here and you are stinking up the whole building.

Dear Poetry,
You're really just creepy and cryptic. Just come out and say it! Isn't that what all the magazines say to do anyway?

Dear Professor Kearl,
Stop being so crazy. You overcomplicated your class so much!

Dear Anatomy TAs,
Thanks for screwing me over. But thank you more for showing me that I need to step up my game. Thanks for supporting me and truly caring about my learning. It reminds me of home and that makes me comfortable and confident that I really can conquer this class.

Dear 3103,
We nap too much. Luckily we have so much beauty up in this room I feel like sleeping gives some of the other girls a chance. (And so much humility, too.)

Dear Mickey,
Can I come live with you and Minnie in Disneyland? I'm sorry I left so quickly last time. I really do miss you.

Dear Helen Keller*,
Thanks for trying to solve my BYU dating problems. And putting a smile on my face today.

Dear J,
Thanks for listening. It means more than you'll ever know.

Dear K, A, and L,
You're the best things that have ever happened to me. SO BLESSED. I'd kill/castrate with a fork anyone who tried to hurt you. Don't ever leave because I love you so much!

Dear Treehouse,
You have made me me and I love you, the memories, and the people who have been placed in my life because of you the last 8 years. Thanks for letting me have a few of them here with me.

Dear Bulldogs,
You taught me to value myself better than almost anyone. I love you all and I miss you and think of you every single day. Thank you for your love and most of all, the jokes. You changed my life for the BEST and I pray for your successes. I can't wait to see you all this summer.

Dear Family,
You're the best. Do I need to say more? I mean I'm sure I could write something cheesy and cliché all in movie quotes, but I think I'll save those reading this from trying to decipher it.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this life. For the beautiful views around me. For all the people, experiences, and challenges placed before me. Thank you for every moment I have to prove myself to you. Thank you for change. Thank you for perspective. And thank you for being there, every step of the way.


All my love,

Brittani

*(DISCLAIMER: This is an alias)

Science and Religion

Two things that at first don't seem related. In fact, many believe it is better to separate science and religion as much as possible. That the two are incompatible and they actually contradict each other...

I'm currently taking PDBio 220, which at BYU is human anatomy with a cadaver lab. And each time I attend that class (three times a week in case you were wondering) my testimony grows. I won't lie - I was one of those people who thought that science and religion could coexist and that, yes, I'm religious but I can believe in the sciences as well. But the more I study them, the more I realize that they not only coexist, but are codependent. 

How wonderful it is to go to a school where that is so blatantly obvious! I can never know for sure if taking anatomy would have the same impact on me elsewhere, but I can say that going to a religious school and having religion so fully integrated in my studies is such a blessing.

This may seem random. Actually, I'm sure it's completely out of left field. But I just got an email from the coordinator of the anatomy labs in which she quoted the Prophet Joseph Smith:

God Himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret. If the veil were rent today, and the great God who holds this world in its orbit, and who upholds all worlds and all things by His power, was to make Himself visible,—I say, if you were to see Him today, you would see Him like a man in form—like yourselves in all the person, image, and very form as a man; for Adam was created in the very fashion, image and likeness of God, and received instruction from, and walked, talked and conversed with Him, as one man talks and communes with another (Teachings: Joseph Smith, 2007, 40).

She went on to comment, "Isn't it humbling to know that when we are studying the human body we are also studying the anatomy of God?"

Every once in a while I just have those "Aha" moments here on campus and that was one of them. I'm so grateful to have this perspective in my learning, and I know that I'm growing in my studies of both my religion and my education. I feel like things just make more sense this way, you know?

(If you are curious about the "Mormon terms" used here, follow the links!)

Missions.

They're a great thing. Until you realize all the guy friends you made this year at BYU will slowly filter out and then you're left at square one again. Add that to your friends who are already out and you run up quite the bill in stamps. I hope that my boys spread the Gospel far and wide and make this two year separation worth it.

Gail Halvorsen - The Candy Bomber

Colonel Gail Halvorsen (born October 10, 1920) is a retired career officer and command pilot in the United States Air Force known as the original Candy Bomber or the "Rosinenbomber" in Germany. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is best known for piloting C-47s and C-54s during the Berlin airlift (also known as "Operation Vittles") during 1948–1949.
Shortly before landing at the Tempelhof airport in the American sector of Berlin, Halvorsen would drop candy attached to parachutes to children below. This action, which was dubbed Operation Little Vittles and sparked similar efforts by other crews, was the source of the popular name for the pilots: the candy bombers. Halvorsen had wanted to help raise the morale of the children during the time of uncertainty and privation.

Halvorsen started by giving a few treats to children watching the planes from outside the Tempelhof base. Wanting to give more, he promised to drop more candy from his plane the next day. Because the planes would arrive nearly every three minutes, the children naturally couldn't distinguish his aircraft from the others. However, Halvorsen promised to wiggle the wings to identify himself, which led to his nickname "Onkel Wackelflügel" ("Uncle Wiggly Wings"). The other American candy bombers became known as the Rosinenbombers (Raisin Bombers). Halvorsen's initiative drew the attention of the operation's commanding officer, Lieutenant General William H. Tunner, who approved of it and ordered it expanded into Operation Little Vittles.

The operation was soon noticed by the press and gained widespread attention. A wave of public support led to donations which enabled Halvorsen and his crew to drop 850 pounds of candy. By the end of the airlift, around 25 plane crews had dropped 23 tons of chocolate, chewing gum, and other candies over various places in Berlin. The Confectioners Association of America donated large amounts to the effort, and American school children cooperated in attaching the candies to parachutes.

I was lucky enough to be able to attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert tonight in Salt Lake and be in the presence of this man. It brought tears to my eyes to hear his story told. I now have my own white parachute with a piece of candy that reminds me to be in the service of my fellow human beings each and every day and that by small things, great things come to pass.

If You're Looking For Smiles

Click Here.

Warms my heart.

Ps. Faith in Humanity restored for the time being.

Reflection

For every paper I've written in my Writing 150 class, we had to complete a reflection on the process of writing our paper and the challenges and successes that came because of it.
Well, seeing as it's the end of my first semester of college (!), I thought it might be appropriate to reflect on my challenges and successes in this latest chapter of my life.

First, I have now lived on my own for four months. HATE IT. There is nothing better than going home, eating something homemade, having someone do your laundry, and not having to plan everything on your own. But, there are positives. I don't have to have someone plan my every minute (Mom, if you only knew how I spent my time here...), and I'm learning to be independent. Baby steps, for sure, but I'm doing it.

Second, I have a new family. I did the impossible and made new friends. Seeing my brothers/bulldogs over break was one of the highlights of my life, no joke. But there was a part of me that couldn't wait to get back to P-town to see Kenzi and Amber - my sisters - and all the other wonderful/not-so-wonderful people here. What a relief to know that, yes, it can be done! I can live outside of Lake County!

Third, I'm not engaged, dating someone, or planning on dating someone. Take that all you people who said I'd come to BYU and be engaged after a semester because
    a. That's what Mormons do
    b. That's what BYU is for.
    c. It didn't matter where I went to school because I really was only going to meet my future husband (MRS degree, obviously)
And that's all I'm going to say about that.

Fourth, I have cried more in the last four months than anytime I can remember. There were the times when I missed my boys. There were the times when I was so stressed about classes I couldn't see straight. There were the times when all I wanted was to be home where I didn't have to worry about money anymore! There were the times when I couldn't make up my mind about the future (a scary place by the way). And there were the times when I just wanted familiarity. BUT I LIVED. I succeeded. I made it through. And all those worries seem a lot sillier from this point of view.

Fifth, I'm okay with the fact that I haven't gotten all As this semester and that that is pretty much out of the realm of possibility. Did it suck of course? Well yeah! This girl's had straight As since the 4th grade! But then I remembered I'm at BYU. And every student here came from a highly successful academic background. And not everyone can be on top. AND I AM OKAY WITH IT.

Sixth, getting out of the Lake County bubble has opened my eyes in so many ways. I sure appreciate home a lot more. I wouldn't change growing up in hicktown Lakeport for anything in my life. I love having to explain where I live in California to people who think that they know the area so well. And then the looks on people's faces when I tell them I graduated with 100 kids. The stories that I have, the memories, make it all worth it in the end.

I guess what I'm trying to get across is that I'm happy for where I've been, and excited for where I'm going. I kinda surprised myself with sitting down and writing this with how many things I'm thankful for in my life. It may mean nothing to you. But it means everything to me!

EDIT: Oren wanted me to let you all know how miserable I was that I didn't get to see him over break. That is all.

THIS

Being at BYU has made me realize that there are a lot of douchebag guys out there. Now now, I know that there are A LOT of respectable men that understand what it means to be a gentleman and how to treat a lady. But I feel like here, where all the boys are focused on their missions, they feel like they have a free pass to treat people - girls especially - like garbage.
And it makes me sick! I watch those sappy old love stories, and I just wonder, what happened to all those guys? The ones who hold open doors. Who walk on the outside edge of the sidewalk. Who pull out chairs. Who offer their coats. Who pay for meals. Who are thoughtful and helpful.
The chivalrous ones that treat women like the princesses they are.
Guys have grown to be such pigs. And I know that's terrible. But it's true.
Ladies - accepting these things from a guy does not make you a prima donna. It shows that you understand and value your worth.
Gents - Treating a girl with respect benefits you in the long run, I promise you.

This guy, bless his heart:

I love watching old movies. Particularly movies from the 30’s and 40’s.
It’s fascinating to see the interaction between the characters and how well they treated each other. During that era, even Hollywood, in all its trendiness, still managed to pump out movies highlighting good old fashioned values.
So are old fashioned values still relevant today?
Is it possible to live with 20th century morals and ideals in a 21st century world?
Do these values really play a role in increasing the romance needed in marriage?
Let’s take a look at three key “old fashioned values” and see how they might help us today.
Chivalry
Chivalry is one of the easiest to indentify as being “old fashioned”. Guys, this is a message especially for us. What would it be like if we, as men, all stood up when a lady entered the room? What would it be like if we took her coat for her? What would it be like if she never had to open a door?
I know from personal experience that most women are a little shocked at first. Then, at a deeper look, you can see that it really makes them feel special – like it’s a way they’ve always wanted to be treated.
Just before my wife and I were married, a piece of advice someone gave me that really stuck with me is, “she never touches a door handle”. Meaning, I need to always be there to hold the door, open the car, and so on. By being chivalrous, you can bring back the true meaning of the word ‘gentleman’.
Even in our busy modern lives, there’s always time for a little chivalry. In fact, it’s one of the best ways to help the ladies feel grateful to you and induce more romantic feelings for you.
Respect
Tied closely to chivalry is respect. Respecting your spouse involves treating him or her the way that makes them feel important. The highest form of respect in marriage is seeing and treating each other like royalty.
Service
Serving your spouse manifests itself in many ways. It could be picking up a chore they aren’t very fond of. It could be doing something they really enjoy. It could be just taking the time to be involved with them, whatever that may mean at the time. The ways to serve your spouse are almost infinite. It’s just a matter of actively looking for ways to help.
It’s my experience, that as you look for ways to serve your husband or wife and actually do it consistently, that love will be reflected back and yours will be a happy marriage.
So are these values too old-fashioned?
What if we just removed the word “old-fashioned” and simply called them values?
In reality, any value that encourages a more romantic, more loving marriage is never old fashioned.

So give me a love like Eric and Ariel

Or Allie and Noah

Or Carl and Ellie.







That is a love worth waiting for.

CHECK HER OUT

If you want to know about life, click here.


And then maybe stalk for a while.

Things I've Heard On Campus

Oh my heck.

You couldn't swing a dead cat without hitting a temple.

This is a good place for a date.

This is a good place for FHE.

This is a good place to socialize.

(Notice studying is missing)

Are you available?


If only I could show you things I've seen.

Welcome to Happy Valley.

So Many Cray Cray Vacays Bay Bay

This has been stuck in my head since Saturday night - all thanks to Tom and Marissa. I'm not complaining (completely) because it's super catchy.

Alright so they vacays. They weren't quite vacays. But all the driving made it seem like it.

Saturday: Leave home to drive to Willits for a baby shower.
Pick up Marissa in Redwood Valley on the way.
After baby shower go to Kohl's in Ukiah.
Drive home to Lakeport for a going away party.
Melt in the 108 degree weather and then leave for the dance.
Drive to Rohnert Park for the dance.
Leave the dance to go to In and Out (for a hour and a half...).
Get lost (a couple times) driving to Chelsea's.
Stay up till 2-ish.

Sunday: Church at 9. Gross.
Missionary farewell!
Saw Elder Brower, my home boy.
Chat with Jake Otteson for two hours.
Barbies with Marble for an hour.
Nap time for three.
Dinner with the missionaries (Stainbeck and Nelson).
Drive to the other side of Santa Rosa to the Hardesters for some BYU mingling.
Back to Chelsea's to say bye!

Monday: Work at 9. One more day.
Leave at 12.
Get ready to pick up Ty in Sac and find out 20 is closed so we have to drive through Napa. Thank goodness Brendan was there.
Get back at 9. Eight hours driving is awesome.
Say good bye to Christopher (a momma goose boy) .
Stay up late blogging.

Check.

I think it's time for some sleep.