New adventures

This darling kid. This strong willed, big hearted, adventurous son of mine, who sometimes makes me wonder if I can do this mom stuff or not. We all know that some parenting days can just knock you out. They come and go. The next day, you try to pick yourself up out of bed, get on your knees and pray, and look for the sun coming up that gives you strength to try again. You count your blessings that you’re alive to see the sun, and feel the cool, welcoming fall air, and have another day on this earth. You try to talk a little slower to your kiddos, hug them more, and slow down to question their motives of their strange antics before you jump to conclusions.

We recently had Ethan tested through the school district for any autism/aspergers syndrome, and other things they test for. Thankfully, he has no autism in him at all. They said he is one smart kid, and can do things that Autism kids cannot, and there’s nothing to worry about there. They did say he qualified for a special ed pre-kindergarten class, due to an emotional delay/behavior issue stuff.

Even though we are still homeschooling, we felt prompted to go ahead with this class for the rest of the school year.  I want to learn how I can help him at home, and I’m sure he will benefit from this class, too. I met his teacher this week, and she’s just an angel. So kind, patient, and offered some good advice to help at home. She saw Ethan on one of his hard days, and understands a little more.

One neat thing about his little class is that a bus comes to take him to and from home, with only the kids in his class. That’s very convenient for me, but the bummer is that pickup time is 6:30am. I laugh, because before this class, I wanted to get back into early rising again. Well, now I have to get up at 5:30, get breakfast ready, get him up at 6, somehow get him to eat enough to last till 10:30 (no food at class), get him dressed, teeth, hair, hugs and prayer, and get out the door at 6:30. It’s a little rough, but I have no room to talk. So many of my friends have to get up early, and get their kids ready for school. I have great respect for them.

I actually have liked the early rising again. The night before, I soak some oatmeal or flour to make pancakes or oatmeal in the morning. (Soaking helps to make him more full, absorb nutrients, and break down phytic acid which block your body from absorbing the nutrients from the grain, just incase anyone’s wondering:) I put my iphone in the dock, turn on the Mormon channel app, and listen quietly to some great show or music. It’s so peaceful, even though its so gosh darn early!

When Ethan is gone, I get to spend special time with Kevin. We do some school, cook in the kitchen, play with Brooke, put her down for a nap, and play in the garden. It’s been lovely.

Here’s us on the first day!

In the meantime, the garden has been doing splendid.

Massive grape tomato plant, Juliet!

One more thing; this sweet friend. I don’t know what I’ve done in this life to deserve such love and help, but she has literally taken me under my wing and helped me through the whole Ethan testing/special ed class. She continues to pack up her kids, come with me to anything school related for Ethan to support and help me, and has been such an angel. She’s his former sunday school teacher, and has such love for him. She runs her own prechool academy at home, and is simply a genius. Each time I go to her home, I take pictures of all her organization, books, school supplies for ideas at home. I’m such a nerd. I’m so thankful for her kindness she’s shown to me.

Ok, time to tackle the day. I’ve wanted to blog here for awhile, and I accomplished that goal, yea!

Our little, tiny, short but wonderful getaway

Time to get caught up on the blog again!

For about a year or two, I’ve wanted so badly to have a little getaway, a second honeymoon or something, with my sweetie Shaun. Just something with no kids, some special time, and a chance to nurture our marriage and help it grow. I think you definitely need those, and the daily routine of life can be wearing.

My biggest hurdle was who could stay with our kids. Who could handle being around our big dogs? Who didn’t have a family of their own to take care of? We don’t have any family close by, most of my babysitters are great youth from church, and my dear friends nearby have their own kids to take care of. At times, it just seemed hopeless and an impossible dream which would make me cry, having to shelve the idea and try not to see pics of other friends on their vacations and such. I tried my best to think good thoughts, and get through the constant daily routine of the same thing every day.

When Shaun is off, thankfully he works less than last year, we do try to go places with the kids in town, do some fun activity, or something to help break up the monotony. I have learned and seen that when you don’t go on a yearly vacation out of town, it can really work on you mentally, emotionally, physically, oh man. It’s hard, and I know I’m not the only mother out there who desperately sees the need for a family vacation, but I’m glad it has motivated me to think of a way to make a vacation happen for our entire family next year. Just gotta start saving some pennies in a wiser way.

Anyways, I saw an opportunity for our getaway, and I decided to work hard and make it happen. That’s what I'm learning over and over again, if you want something bad enough, you have to work really, really hard to get it. Really hard. Shaun has a great friend named Kyle who comes to stay with us for a visit here and there. He is not married, and is great around the kids and dogs. The kids love him. When I heard he was coming, I begged him to watch the kids for a night so Shaun and I could steal away at a nearby hotel. There really was no other person who could do this that I could think of. It wasn’t hard for him at all, and it worked out perfectly.

Everyone survived fine, as you can see:)

 

Here’s one picture I took of us at the pool

I can’t even begin to tell you how absolutely wonderful it was to getaway for only about the late afternoon till the morning. It was so short, but it helped greatly. I found a good deal online for a one night stay, was able to get it, amazingly kept it a secret from Shaun until I got him in the car to drive us there. He turned his head around to back up the car, and saw a suitcase in the back seat, and really started wondering what was going on. Go, me!

It felt so cool to go check in, get our little room with a super snazzy bathroom, and head down to the pool. I’m such a water girl. I need my pool time on any vacation. The best part at the pool was just floating around with Shaun, and being able to lay on a lounge chair for as long as I wanted, not needing to get up and take care of anyone. Oh, the little things!! So wonderful.

We enjoyed the big Jacuzzi, ate a nice dinner of mexican food, saved the lefotvers to eat in bed the next morning, and then it was time to go home. Even though we were so close to home, it did feel like a tiny, little vacation, and it was perfect. I’m so thankful that for the first time in 6 years, we finally pulled it off.

Ever since then, we’ve been trying to adjust back to reality. It’s been hard. Every time I get on the freeway, the hotel is right there, and I see the pool area where we frolicked. I just want so badly to do that again, and we will sometime soon, thanks to Kyle, but I know I need to focus on the kids, continue to help and understand Ethan, and snuggle with all of them. Brooke is finally crawling!! At one year, it’s about time, but I’m sure glad she’s doing it. She gets into the dog food and water bowl often. She’s too quick, the little stinker:)

PS: I rented the main food book I learned from again, and will work on writing those food posts I really want to do for your guys. Just got a little busy with mini sessions in the photo business. Grateful for work, but trying to balance everything, again!

So, that’s our story for the week. Nice, huh?

Blessing counting

Oh, how I’d love to be that blogger that puts out a little happy post three times a week. It’s dedication that I just can’t seem to reach. Perhaps it’s the consistent need of raising the kiddos, survival mode during the afternoons, and just trying to remember my head on my shoulders. Yet, here I am, trying to write because I really do enjoy this blog of ours:)

Ever have one of those days, or weeks, when it seems your not doing anything right? You try to accomplish good, but you say the wrong things, or do something stupid, make more mistakes trying to learn and grow, and basically you just want to go back to bed and not face the world? Yea, those are humbling times. Combined with the whole family catching a cold, it can really help you to remember to slow down, pray better, and be very gentle on yourself.I think that’s the best part, remembering to be gentle on yourself. Us girls sure can struggle with that, but times like these do make you count your blessings more, and that’s a good thing.

I was so blessed to attend Time Out For Women last weekend, a big warm fuzzy conference with great talks and moving music. It happens every 2 years here, and I love it. It was a nice mom break for me. Sweet Shaun was home with the kids, while I was away for a day and a half. So thankful.

Here’s my sweet friends and I. I’ve know these gals since I was 15. They are such an inspiration to me, and I love them dearly.

Sweet Heather. We grew up in the same ward. I remember going to weekly church activities with her, and laughing at her funny brother’s sense of humor. Now, we’re moms with kids. Wow:)

Jericho Road, fun mormon boy band. Last time I saw them perform, it was 2001 at Ricks College. Holy crap, where does the time go?

One tid bit of notes from Julie De Azevedo Hanks:

Honor your emotions-It’s ok to feel mad and sad. That doesn’t mean you’re not Christlike.

Investing in your own growth-It’s not being selfish to spend time on yourself and your passions.

Celebrating the good in you-Acknowledging your god given strengths is humility.

Another great thought from Emily Freeman:

When was the last time you had an answer to your prayer? If not in the last three days, you need to change the way you pray.

Good stuff, huh?

Here are a few more blessings:

These no bake cookies. It’s my second cookie recipe I’ve found that is a healthy alternative to regular cookies. They passed the test, and they taste great! Recipe here.

Getting dirt, a lot of dirt, for the garden. Such a great thing!! Ethan sure enjoyed playing in it for a bit, which called for an early bath that day:)

The blessing of finally being able to own this book. It will be a great help in our school adventures.

For boys and their enthusiasm with the outdoors, and more dirt:)

For a friend who inspired me to get a bread maker for dirt cheap at Deseret Industries. The boys wanted to cook stuff in it, and got their play food out. Good times.

The joy of seeing it work, ha ha!

• For a washer and dryer that works
• A home to have the sick kids rest in, books to read to them, and Netflix to find fun shows
• For the newly acquired knowledge of soaking grains, and making oatmeal that really fills up the kids!
• For friends who are forever being kind to me, sharing things with me to help the kids, and who may not know just how incredibly thankful I am for them.

Those are just a few of my blessings. For those who are reading this, please know that I look up to you, and I thank you for your example. I read your blogs, and see your presence at church, outdoor activities, and Facebook. I learn so many great things from you all, and just wanted you to know that. Thank you, friends:)

My food learning journey

So, in the past month and a half I’ve learned a ton about food. A lot! It started with chatting with a friend who mentioned to start avoiding ‘the whites’, white flour and white sugar. Which began the research on those items, leading me on a huge and exciting journey to learn more about nutrition, how our food is processed today, and what causes cancer in our bodies.

I love to learn. I wish I had this passion when I was in college, but I have it now. I love technology, books, and youtube. We are so very, very spoiled today with the ease of learning through technology! When I research, I dig, search, gather information from lots of places, analyze, talk with others, process it in my mind, pray, and try to walk away with a better view on things. Well, learning about food changed our lives. When I learned one new thing, I wanted to learn more. I went from topic to topic, and was amazed at the discoveries. I listened to podcasts, and read a little bit each night. I had many moments of ‘Holy crap! Do other people know this??’ Well, yes, if they do the research.

In short, we are doing the processed free way of eating, and eating along the lines of Weston A. Price. Whole foods, nutrient dense foods, vitamin and enzyme packed goodness. It’s a big undertaking, yes, but so very worth it. It wasn’t too hard for me, because I love to cook and already do a lot of preparing meal from scratch. We’ve made, and are still making little changes to our food, and the way we prepare it.

That’s the key. If you want to change your eating, don’t get overwhelmed and try to change too much at once, because there’s a lot that needs to be changed:) Just do one change at a time, and do what you can comfortably do. I’m crazy. I changed about three things at once, the white flour and sugar, and the cooking oils. I just got really excited from what I learned, and knew we could do it. Don’t be crazy like me:)

Besides learning about traditional cooking and such, there is one lady who taught me the most important things I never knew I’d learn, and her name is Dee Mccafrey. Her website is Processed Free America,  and she has seriously done her homework. She’s an organic chemist and diet counselor.

Back in the early 90s, the poor babe was 200 pounds and only 4’ 10. She was on a hike one day with her school class, and it was there she realized that she needed to change her life or she would die, from her health, eating habits, and weight. Previously, she tried many diets, but no success. The weight would come off, but come back with cravings and such.

The first thing she did on her journey was cut out white flour and white sugar. In 30 days, she lost 20 pounds. After walking for exercise, and going processed free for a year, she lost 100 pounds, and has kept it off for 20 years. She maintained her weight, awesome.

In that journey, she went back to studying and gained insanely important knowledge about our health and food. Her story intrigued me, and I read her recent book, this one:

Oh my goodness, if there is one book you read about food, read this one. It’s an easy to understand, and very well written. She shares her story, and then teaches us about the food we’re eating, how it affects our bodies, and how to make changes to improve. It’s fabulous.

So basically, I’ve learned so many great things, and I wanted to share them in some blog posts, a food series. For anyone out there who cares, and who is curious. The things I’ve learned are concerning, and exciting. I just want to write them down. I will say that after I learned about our food, and made the changes, going into a grocery store has never been the same. I  just become a TON more aware of everything. I became a food label detective. Many times, people pass me in the aisles as I stand there holding something in my hand, and reading the label. Actually, I don’t shop much in the middle of the store, just the perimeter now. Everything has changed, and it’s wonderful.

I’m hoping to talk about these things in their own post:

• Refined, white flour
• Refined, white sugar (I never knew that overconsumption of white sugar, which is in nearly every processed food,  sets the stages up for cancer in our bodies. Can’t wait to discuss that more.)
• Refined vegetable oils (My favorite discovery so far! Free radicals, wow.)
• Canola oil
• Agave nectar
• Salt
• High fructose corn syrup (who’s bright idea was this??)
• Lacto fermentation (Really old and cool way to get probiotics in our bodies, which fight cancer)
• The movie “Food inc”
• Coconut Oil (Oh, my love! The best stuff ever!!)
• Healthy fats (Guess what? Butter, whole milk, and cream don’t make you fat. Sugar and fructose does.)
• Making cream cheese and whey (You need whey, and other items, for lacto fermentation.)
• MSG (Highly not good)
• Sodium Nitrate (Big cancer causing factor)

These are what I hope to cover, when I can. Trying my best to blog with family life and such. Thankfully, the kids slept in this morning so I could write this:)

Thanks for taking the time to read my little blog. I’ll do my best to share what I’ve learned:)

Potty training, Brooke update, and good thoughts

Today was such a good Monday. Usually, Mondays are the craziest, stressful, getting back to reality after a nice weekend break day, but today was better. I think it was because of one thing I did; I got up early. I used to get up early before Brooke was born, but then I became a slacker and slept in till 6:30, when the boys get up.

I set my phone alarm to have that pretty song from the Keira Knightly ‘Pride and Prejudice’ movie to play, the one at the beginning of the movie when the sun is coming up. Seriously, the best music to wake up to.

I got up, slowly, somehow exercised on the treadmill, felt better, got food done in the kitchen, while the boys started to wake. (Someday, I will relearn where to put the stinking commas in a sentence. Goodness, I let that one go!)

It just helped so much to get started early. I also read a neat parenting blog post last night about not yelling at your kids. Ha! Yet, I wanted to try hard to work on that today. I told the boys that if I start yelling at them, to tell me that I’m yelling. I was going to close my mouth and just not talk if I felt like yelling. Breathe deep and pray. Thankfully, with that mindset, I didn’t raise my voice today. I was shocked and so proud of myself, and the boys reacted today tons better. No meltdowns from Ethan, took the kids to the park, and had time to have fun, little moments with the kids. Gosh darn it, I want every day to be like this!

Ok, potty training! Third time was a charm for Kevin. We decided we’d give it another try, and totally not expect miracles. Yes, expectations were super low, which made it so much less stressful. Shaun took Kevin to get pick out a little Lightning Mcqueen potty. All I can say is that getting the little potty was the ticket to success. The first 3-4 days Kevin was naked just drinking lots of juice and sitting on his potty in the living room.

To help with potty training, we decided to get Netflix. Wow, what a help that was. We haven’t had TV since January, and I kept renting dvds from the library, but I love the simplicity and convenience of Netflix. Basically, my friend convinced me of the greatness of Netflix for moms and kids, and it has been a huge help. Especially when I’ve taken the boys to Brooke’s doctor appointments, and they get tired of being in that small room. They watched Curious George on the netflix app on my phone. Oh, huge help!!

Anyways, Kevin shocked us on the first day of training by going poop in his potty, his first success. Go, Kevin! We had a little sticker chart, and some junk from the dollar store for the end of the day.  Being naked totally helped in the potty training. Then, by the end of the week, we attempted to put underwear on him. It took a little bit to understand not to wet them, but by the second week, he did great. He even has done well going out, and waiting to go potty in a restroom, not in his pants. I was ready to faint in complete shock and happiness of how well he was doing.

So, I don’t have any pics of that to show, since he was never wearing clothes, but I can honestly say that with boys, it really helps to wait, awhile, till maybe they are 3 1/2 yrs, and then try to potty train. It was SO easy, and he really got it down. Oh, relief to only have one kid in diapers!

Now, for Brooke. After a series of events, we got Brooke to a gastrio.. something, a stomach doctor. We need to get Brooke to gain weight. 12 pounds for a 10 month old is a bit small. The doctor recommended some liquid vitamin supplements. She’s been taking them for about 4 days now. All I can say is that since she’s taken the vitamins she has become a lot more spunky, vocal, and moves a lot more. She rolls like crazy now, kicks her feet everywhere, smiles and is so sweet and bubbly, and has been doing tons of great tummy time on her own. We do exercises to help her with sitting up and such, but I can see a big difference in her since she’s getting some extra vitamins. So, we have a long road, but it’s taking a good turn:)

One of those fun pinterest activites. I froze toys and letters in a big thing of ice. Boys loved it!

Is this picture not the most hilarious thing ever? This is my Ethan, and his craziness. I just crack up looking at this. Boys are just so dang funny. I have no idea what Brooke, a girl, will be like when she’s older, but I sure know a little about boys:)

One day, I had a neat thought, a mini vision I guess, about Ethan. I wrote it down as fast as I could remember seeing it in my head. Here’s my notes:

“Dropped Ethan off at BYUI for college. Saw the familiar campus in the background behind him. Got emotional remembering my time there. Ethan stood tall in front of me. He was so tall and had that same wonderful smile. He turned out fine, smart and friendly, a true leader amongst friends.

All the struggles from his young behavior will be gone, as we continue to love and help him. How blessed we are to have him sent to our family.”

Isn’t that beautiful? Just made my little mama heart feel better. Made sure to give him a huge hug that day.

Friends and family visits

We were so very, very lucky to see some friends and family this summer passing through town. I love it when this happens!

My Aunt Sharon stopped by, and I had such a nice visit. We actually had ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ on at the time, and talked about when she worked on the show with Mom. I totally biffed it on not taking a picture, but I absolutely love it when Sharon sees me:)

My old buddy Andy and sweet Stacy made an epic road trip with their little men to visit their family out here. We had a mass friend gathering in their honor. So much food, and people everywhere socializing. At one moment, I wondered if this is what big family gatherings were like. It was so great to see them!

 

Last week, my cousins and their families were heading south and stopped to see me. It made my day! I’ve been following them on their blogs. They are amazing, beautiful, and so talented. To see them in person was so much better than just on the blogs. The boys had fun playing with other kids, and I wanted to talk and talk with all the adults and learn more about them. Only had so much time before they left.

My dear cousin Lana!

Kids brought the kitchen out, always a hit. I laughed when Kris mentioned Kevin climbing right up there. I think I’m so used to my boys climbing and being so physical everywhere, ha ha!

Penny is SO cute!

Oh man, this picture is so great but hard to get all the kids to coordinate, but this is a real kid moment:) My goodness, my boys are SO tan! Desert heat summer, that’s for sure.

Last time we did this shot, it was at Kevin’s baby blessing! There’s Kevin down there in the pic, doing a good job wearing his big boy underwear. Melany, me and Lana. Love them:)

My little girl and me. Too bad I blinked, but still love this pic!

Now, the fall begins. So thankful for this summer. All the church pool parties. The swimming lessons. The food, library, and friends. A new chapter starts now, with new adventures of well, working, getting caught up with bills, and the fall season, the best!! Love Fall:)

Memories from the mission

I have a friend who will be leaving soon to serve an 18 month mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This post may or may not be written for her, and any other sister going on a mission soon:)

The thoughts I’m about to share with you all reflect my personal testimony of this church, this wonderful, beautiful gospel. I completely and honestly know that this church is the only true church, with all the missing doctrine pieces, on this earth today. This church is a ‘living’ church, with a true, living prophet, a modern day Moses or Noah. I was brought up in the church, but have always felt the Holy Ghost confirm to me of it’s truthfulness as I lived its teachings, kept the commandments, and read from my scriptures. When I served in the Jacksonville Florida mission in 2002-2004, my testimony of the gospel exploded as I was in new surroundings, far from home, and needed to rely heavily on the Saviour for answers, peace, and direction.

Now, for my friend, and some good memories for my dear mission friends:)

You are about to embark on one of the greatest experiences of your life. 18 months will fly by, fast. You have no idea what you are getting into. No idea. The images that you see on church videos, posters, and such about missions don’t hold a candle to the truthfulness of missions. It will be hard and it will be wonderful. First, get ready for the Missionary Training Center, MTC.

The MTC alone is an amazing experience all of its own. You enter an ocean of missionaries from all over, tons of suits and dresses with name tags. You get to sleep in ‘dorms’ with tons of other sister missionaries, and have a blast at night. You’ll make a ton of friends, and have good scripture/devotional time. In the morning, the power may go out from the maximum use of hair dryers simultaneously. It’s really funny.

Class time with your district, small group of missionaries, will be precious, golden, spiritual education. You’re teachers will be so kind and impart to you their humble testimonies and excellent wisdom you’ll need for the field, wherever you are called to serve. You’ll love how in class, it’s always started with prayer, and everyone kneels to pray. Every time. There is great power in a kneeling, vocal prayer. I think just the action of kneeling truly makes prayer more meaningful.

Be prepared to witness sacred and amazing moments. I have to tell this story from my MTC time.

In my little group, there was one elder (19 year old young man missionary. The name ‘elder’ means teacher.) that you could tell was the slightly rebellious, class clown type. He was funny and kind, but didn’t take anything too seriously. Well, about a week into our classes, something special happened. During one of the lessons, he was asked a question by our sweet teacher. He started to cry. After a moment, the teacher asked “What are these tears? Are they tears of sadness or joy?” to which he said “I don’t know” Then, he said “I just know that I have to get home, and tell my friends about the church. I have to tell them as fast as I can. I want them to know its true.” ( Ah! Goosebumps writing this and remembering it now)

After he said those words, his buddies sitting next to him hugged him, and warm peace was felt so strongly in that room. The words I remember thinking at that time were “Oh, if the parents could only see this.” I thought about his parents far away, and how they probably knew that their son didn’t have a strong testimony yet, and were praying for him to grow and learn on his mission. You see, the parents don’t get to see the middle of the mission, the growing part. They only see the before and after, the young 19 year old boy that they say good bye to for 2 years, and the returning 21 year old young man who has matured and grown leaps and bound from his mission. You are the lucky one who will serve around these young elders, be in plenty of meetings and teaching areas with them, and see the growth. It’s awesome, a real treat.

Everything you’ve learned about the gospel from your family and church attendance will be dumped on with tons more learning from your MTC time. The first week, we couldn’t stop staying “ I can’t believe how much I’ve learned in 3 days.” Journal it. Take notes in the side panels of your scripture pages. Hang on to everything, because you’ll need it in the field. Kind of. The field is a completely different experience from the mtc, ha ha!

It’s an humbling experience when an apostle of the Lord comes to speak to the missionaries at the MTC. Being in the same room, hearing his voice give counsel, oh, it’s one of those best days ever. When you shake their hand, you just feel their goodness and spiritual magnitude flow from their hand into yours.

Then, it’s time to get on a plane and go to your where ever you are serving. A tad exciting? Oh yeah! Nervous? Incredibly. Get used to standing out like a sore thumb. Everyone will see you dressed in church clothes, and that black name tag you’re wearing. Smile at everyone, because everyone is watching you out of the corner of their eye. Start planting good seeds about the gospel by your smile, a humble act of love.

Now, get ready for this. The only alone time you will ever have for the next 18 months is when you use a restroom. (On a mission, missionaries are always teamed up with a companion, another missionary their age. One of the rules is that you must always be with your companion for safety and protection, 24-7, except of course, when using a bathroom:) The bathroom will be a sacred haven. There are times when you might be with a companion that has a different personality or quirks that you just don’t mesh well with. It happens. The bathroom is a wonderful place for a personal time out. Maybe that’s why today in my home, I have spiritual thoughts and stuff plastered on my bathroom wall next to the toilet:)

You’ll have companions that will be great friends, and companions that you may struggle with. You might even have the fun of being in a ‘threesome’, the blessing of two other companions with you. Those are good times. When my companion and I had bunk beds delivered to our apartment, my companion danced around singing “We’re going to be a threesome”. All I could think of was, “Well, let’s see how this flows” Well, it flowed in many ways. Water fights at night, giggling at bedtime, and three entirely different personalities with ideas and opinions going everywhere. One time, we had some struggles, and I was trying to keep everyone afloat. You know that part on “Sense and Sensibility”, when Elinor is trying to comfort everyone, but all her sisters and mom are in separate rooms crying? Yea, pretty much had the exact same thing happen, but it all worked out, and it will be ok. You learn to be humble, and think of others more than yourself. Patience, patience, and more patience is needed when being in a companionship, and you’ll learn some great life long lessons. Totally applicable for marriage, too.

There will be kind church members in your area that will take on the role of ‘mission mom’. They will have you over for dinner regularly, make sure you are well fed and given anything you need, and look out for you. These people are saints, and in my opinion, will be granted a seat in the celestial kingdom. It can be hard to be so far away from home, family, and familiarity. Mission moms rock.

Mail will never be more valued than during your mission. Getting letters from home, packages, or emails, are gold. My dear, sweet mom would always try to send me $20 here and there. She loved to send me clothes and slippers. Sometimes, the slippers would not fit me but it was a score for my companion. Expensive ones, too. Glad it helped her. (Just had to make you smile while you’re reading this, dear companion, ha ha!)

If you are not afraid to talk to people, you will have a blast talking to them on the street, store, everywhere about the gospel. One of the best parts of the mission is meeting so many different kinds of people and hearing their stories. Some may slam the door in your face, swear at you, tell you what they think of the church, or give you a gatorade and tell you that you’re doing a good cause, and then, some may want to hear more of your message. Try not to freak out and scream for joy when this happens, and scare them. Baby steps. The spirit will guide you to these people who are waiting and ready to learn about the gospel. There will be many who are not ready, who you will plant seeds of small tidbits of the message, and these seeds will bloom later. You will plant lots of seeds, by giving out a Book of Mormon to someone on the street, sharing your testimony, praying with someone, and more. Don’t get discouraged. Keep your chin up, and remember how lucky you are to be on a mission. No utility bills, car insurance, and kids to worry about yet. Just the simple tasks of filling you back pack up each day before you leave, getting up at 6:30, personal studies. It’s wonderful.

One of the greatest things you will ever do is teach someone how to pray. Oh, how I loved this. You see, some people don’t know that they are a child of God. They don’t know that there was life before here on earth, and they don’t know that they have a Heavenly Father who knows and loves them.

I served out in redneckville of central Florida. I loved it. Anytime I see “Oh, Brother, where art thou?”, I get a little emotional. Just the language and feel of the south brings it all back to me. One time, my companion and I taught this sweet truck driver about prayer, and how to say one. Then, (this is where you have to be brave and trust the spirit), we asked him to kneel with us and say the prayer, his first one. The most humblest and sincere prayers come from those who are offering a vocal prayer for their first time. It’s so beautiful, and I can’t wait for you to have this experience.

Ok, funny stuff. You are going to be serving and hanging out with the other missionaries in your area constantly, the majority of them guys. Be prepared, because most of the elders will be stinking hotties. No joke. It’s like this; when a guy is righteous, lives his life clean, keeps the commandments, is obedient to the mission rules, has a sense of humor, and a darling personality, he’s dead gorgeous. Celebrities and Calvin Klein models don’t hold a dime next to LDS missionaries. Girls in the wards where elders are serving swoon for them secretly. You’ll be surprised to hear of how many elders and sister missionaries fall for each other, hook up after the mission, and some don’t even make it out of the MTC without going home to marry their MTC teacher. The poor mission president sometimes has to keep track of these little romances, and transfer the missionaries apart. Some are meant to find their eternal sweeties on the mission, and some are not. It’s all good. The funny thing is that even though you’re a missionary, and do not date or do anything of the kind on the mission, youre still a girl, and will still have to stay focused on the work, even when you’re around hottie elders. I recently saw a picture of my cousin serving in Australia on Facebook. Yup, he’s a cutie, and is a wonderful missionary judging by the great emails he sends home. No doubt he’s causing a stir with girls in his ward over there, ha ha!

Also, when you’re around your companion all day, and just need a girl break, there is nothing more relieving than to answer the phone at night when the elders call to make sure you’re home safe and to get some daily info, just to be able to talk to a guy. It’s hilarious to hear the phone ring, and see three girls screaming and diving for the phone, wringing it out of each other’s hands. Oh man, this post is so fun to write.

A small blessing; if by chance you happen to make friends with one of the hot elders in your district that knows how to be friends with you without crossing the line of being too close for mission rules, who looks out for you, and helps you stay sane through all the trials of mission life, count yourself very, very blessed. 

Working with inactive members of the church is so incredibly rewarding and wonderful. Sometimes, all it takes is small act of service of lending them some church clothes to attend church again. Never underestimate that by ‘small and simple things are great things brought to pass.’ Small things are huge things.

It’s ok to eat mac and cheese or top ramen for breakfast regularly. Try to be brave and get rid of the roaches and mice yourself in your apartment, rather than calling the kind ward member to come and do it for you.

Zone conferences and mission conferences are spiritual powerhouses. Elder Gene R. Cook came out to our mission and taught us. Another ‘apostle’ moment, when the spirit is so strong you can cut through it with a knife. You will leave those conferences energized and ready to get back and serve better.

You’ll learn to pray always, literally. Always involve the Lord in everything. When you’re companion is teaching and your sitting next her, mentally pray for your companion. It’s a wonderful habit to form, and you’ll end up doing it after the mission, when your friend is teaching the lesson at church to the young women.

You will fall in love with your scriptures. So many jewels will be found. It helps to find church answers in the bible, along with the rest of the scriptures, because the people you teach mostly know the bible. Then, it helps to back up the bible scriptures with the Book of Mormon verses. They go hand in hand beautifully. You will be so excited to do your personal studies. It’s true. Never again in your life will you have the opportunity of getting up and doing personal studies, with no distractions, for an hour. Don’t get me wrong, when you get home, you still can schedule your personal study time, but life happens. You get married, have kids, and have more distractions from that unique personal study time on the mission. The trick is to keep up the studies all through out life.

Lastly, don’t let Satan get you down. He’s such a jerk, as he tends to work hard on the thoughts of good missionaries, making them think that they’re not doing good enough. Much wasted time can come from letting him have control over your thoughts. Memorize scriptures, immerse yourself in the work, have good music to listen to. Just keep swimming, but be aware of the adversary so you don’t let him wreck your day. You will be a fantastic missionary.

Then, it’s time to come home and resume normal life, because mission life is not normal. It’s wonderful, special, super hard, sacred, spiritual, and the best 18 months of your life. How blessed you are to have the opportunity to serve a mission. I cannot wait to return on a mission with my dear husband when we’re cute, old foggies.

Oh, there is so much to write about a mission, but I must stop and get to bed. Today was a day of potty training, breaking up fights, hugging and loving my kiddos, and feeding the dogs. Thank you for giving me a chance to go back in time, and remember an amazing chapter of my life. It was wonderful.

I wish my stinking printer was working and I could scan more mission pics for this post, but thankfully, here’s on of me and my dear companions. We served 6 months together, and had some great times. She helped me so much. Oh, the Florida humidity, the hair! Pre-sulfate days, ha ha!