I'm Home!!!

I left for the Canada Calgary Mission May 26th 2010 and returned December 15th 2011. Serving a mission was a wonderful experience. I loved every moment of it and learned a lot. For those who were not able to attend my homecoming I shall post it here! I typed it up, but I didn't really stick right to the words, but atleast you get an idea.

My homecoming talk:

I was asked to speak on the talk “Stand in Holy Places” By President Thomas S. Monson and of course on my mission as well. I remember talks by stories so if you remember this is the talk where President Monson talks about leaving his 5 dollar bill in his pocket and prayed and it was still there when the wash came home 2 days later and he also told the story of receiving inspiration to have a man speak at the temple dedication who was not in attendance by the still acted on his prompting. I love that story.

Going on a mission was an experience I will forever cherish. I have leaned so much. And even though I haven’t grown physically taller, I know that I have grown spiritually. I think the toughest thing about a mission is that Heavenly Father knows how to help you recognize your greatest weaknesses, but the greatest part about a mission is that he also helps those weaknesses become strengths! I also enjoyed being out of the world.

President Monson says:

“We must be vigilant in a world which has moved so far from that which is spiritual. It is essential that we reject anything that does not conform to our standards, refusing in the process to surrender that which we desire most: eternal life in the kingdom of God. The storms will still beat at our doors from time to time, for they are an inescapable part of our existence in mortality. We, however, will be far better equipped to deal with them, to learn from them, and to overcome them if we have the gospel at our core and the love of the Savior in our hearts. The prophet Isaiah declared, “The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.”5

As a means of being in the world but not being of the world, it is necessary that we communicate with our Heavenly Father through prayer. He wants us to do so; He’ll answer our prayers. The Savior admonished us, as recorded in 3 Nephi 18, to “watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you.

“Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name;

“And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.”6

Prayer is such a wonderful thing. One day my companion and I ran out of plans because we had not planned well enough. But we prayed and felt inspired to go to a certain street and when we got there we started by visiting those who we knew lived there and the first door we knocked on the lady let us in and she told us she was surprised we were able to find her home because she usually works during that time.

I really enjoyed serving in my Sister Leslie’s ward. The first time I got the transfer email saying that I was going to Okotoks to where my sister lives I knew that my mission president was inspired because if it had been up to him instead of the lord I wouldn’t have ended up being able to serve there. The second time I served there was just this last 6 weeks of my mission. When I had first left Okotoks I had a feeling I was going to be going back, and I remember telling my companion so. And then my 2^nd to last transfer I was in a Training when I received a strong impression that one of the investigators I had been teaching in Okotoks was supposed to be baptized on November 26^th. I was confused why I would get that impression since I wasn’t serving there. I did send him a letter and felt very prompted in what I should say and even though he never got baptized I feel like I was able to help him as much as I could.

One convert I worked with at the beginning of my mission was a 20 yr old young man who first started meeting with missionaries to prove that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was not true but as he took the time to read the Book of Mormon and to pray to know it is true he received an answer that it is true and he decided that he would get baptized but did not want to tell his family because they are really strong Baptists. Well, I got transferred out of the area just after his baptism and I heard that when his family found out he got baptized they almost kicked him out of the house. I found out that he was planning on going on a mission in June and in the Calgary mission if a missionary is still on their mission when a convert goes through the temple our mission president will usually give us permission to go through the temple with them. It was such an exciting time for me. I found out that I wouldn’t be able to go through with him though because he was going too late. I didn’t pray for anything to happen or anything about wanting to go… but on his was to the temple that night his car broke down and he wasn’t able to make it so he rescheduled and his rescheduled time just happened to be a time when I would be able to go. It was such an exciting time. I was able to realize then that the time I spent serving wouldn’t just end when my mission ended but it would continue through those I was able to help, serve and bring closer to Heavenly Father.

I feel just as President Monson as I look back at the many times my Heavenly Father has answered my prayers. President Monson says: “I am always humbled and grateful when my Heavenly Father communicates with me through His inspiration. I have learned to recognize it, to trust it, and to follow it. Time and time again I have been the recipient of such inspiration.”

I know that my Heavenly Father loves me. I know this because of his love that I feel, by the blessings and miracles I see in my life everyday. By the opportunity that I had to serve a mission and to have a small part in my Father in Heaven's work "To bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." I know that families are important and that Heavenly Father want us to have those strong relationships with out family. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, I love reading the Book of Mormon there is so much power and strength that can be gained from reading the Book of Mormon.

I know that the atonement of Jesus Christ is the greatest gift ever given, It makes it possible for us to return to our Heavenly Parents and makes repentance, forgiveness and ordinances complete. I know that we all make mistakes in this life and that bad things do happen to good people but as we have faith in Jesus Christ we can be healed from the guilt and shame we feel in life and that the trials we go though will be more bearable as we allow him to help us. I know that Jesus Christ lives today and that he leads and guides The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I know that Thomas S. Monson is the prophet todaywho receives revelation for the world in what Christ would have us do. I know that prophets are important and mandatory. I know thath Joseph Smith was a prophet and that he translated the Book of Mormon through the power of God. I know that the priesthood is the greatest power that a man can hold today. I know that going on a mission was a wonderful opportunity and has forever changed my life. I have gained knowledge and come to understand the gospel more than I ever would have if I had not. I know the church is true and that through it each of us can become the best person we can.

I say (write) these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

I hope you enjoy my homecoming talk. If you have any questions check out www.mormon.org, or www.lds.org

I'm 22 years old!!!

So, another year has gone by. I'm another year older and wiser. haha I was just thinking of what all I have done since my last birthday.. and it's pretty crazy... I had so much fun last summer, hiking, traveling, and just doing so much! I got my first kiss and kissed 6 more guys after that. Almost got my first boyfriend, but that didn't happen. I've done alot of outdoors stuff, like floating, boating, hiking, and snowboarding once, and tried new things. It was awesome. I should get my mission call like tomorrow.. which is intense and so super exciting! I learned alot about art, with oil painting and graphic design. I also learned alot of programming and kinda enjoy it more. I love learning!

The old Lady.. Louise's painting.

So I just finished my oil painting class. It was so much fun and I learned soooo much! I know that my art skills improved greatly! My favorite class was when Harold and Louise came to model for us.. They were this really cute old couple and I ended up painting Louise. Well it just happened that same day I had an Orthodontist apt so I had to leave class early, but I wanted to finish my painting of Louise, so I ran to my apt and got my camera so I could take a picture of her and finish my painting later. I heard Harold ask my teacher if he was allowed to buy a painting, and the teacher was like "that's up to the student" and I thought oh, that's cool that they want to buy a painting. Before that Harold had been looking at all the paintings during one of his modeling breaks and he told me mine was the best.. and that was when the painting had like nothing there... So when I was packing up to leave early Harold came to me and asked if I'd be willing to sell them my painting... I thought that was so neat that they'd want to buy MY painting! I told him I'd like to finish it but that when I did I would just give it to them. So that's what I just got back from doing... I delivered my painting to them. They were so excited for it and really liked how it looked. It was so hard just giving a painting to strangers... I had about 8 hours into that painting, but I know they'd appreciate it more than I would. Since it is the Christmas season I would have felt bad asking for money for it and I know I'll be blessed for my service. I had fun visiting with the old couple and they showed me other artwork they had in their home. He said they'd put my painting where they had a picture of Harold done by one of the Parsons, so I thought that was pretty neat... Here's the finished picture:

It's not my best and the flash from the camera kind of messes up the colors, but I was proud of it and I do like it. I was going to get a picture of Louise holding it, but I forgot... Let me know what you think!

Graphic Design

This was one of my first major projects, I didn't get the greatest grade but I like it. I enjoyed designing it though and have learned alot in this class.
I really like how this poster turned out, it's one of my favorite.. haha out of the three.. These are just some of my artwork from my Intro to Graphic Design class, the originals looked much better.
Uploading it took out the original color and some of the other information, but you get the idea! This was by far my teachers favorite poster and I really like how it turned out too. Alexey Brodovitch is a famous Graphic Designer who worked with layouts for the Bazaar magazine for over 20 yrs.

The colors changed on this poster also, its supposed to be a darker red. I had so much fun playing around with the picture until I got it just right.

My First Kiss... Ever!

So my first kiss.. haha it really is a funny story. I used to always tell myself I'd never kiss someone on the first date.. I didn't really have a reason except that I'd heard it was best not to, and I always thought it'd be a good thing to be able to tell my kids when they started dating.. (when I get there).
Well, it all started in about February of this year.. I went down to Paradise, UT, to hang out with my Aunt, Uncle and cousins there. When my Aunt found out I was coming down, she got me a blind date, so I went down probably about 4 more times after that and went out with a different blind date like every time. None of them really went further than that first date.. and then my Aunt set me up with Jesse.. he's one of those army guys, and just knows how to get what he wants I guess...
For our date Jesse and I went geocaching. I think this was in April, so it was cold and there was still snow on the ground. So of course after we found the first cache on the side of a mountain my hands were ice cubes so he had to hold them to warm them up.. and when we couldn't find the second one (we really looked every where). We decided to go watch a movie at his sisters where he was staying. Well... during the movie at the very beginning I told him he couldn't kiss me.. I told him I hadn't ever been kissed and since it was the first date it just wasn't allowed.. He asked me why.. and I really didn't have a reason.
Well.. so Jesse promised me he wouldn't kiss me, but he said I would kiss him first. He teased me hard core.. he kissed my neck and would just get so close.. I finally gave in and kissed him... it pretty much turned into a total make out session.. But the story even gets better.. I didn't ever see him again after that, and about 4 weeks later he was engaged! I think it's a pretty crazy first kiss story.. but it kinda makes me sound like a bad person.. atleast I didn't get my first kiss until I was 21 yrs old... I guess that almost justifies it.. :/

Summer Time!

Okay, so just some random thoughts and what's going on in my life right now. I still don't have a job. I've been looking more now. But there's just nothing available... It's sad. I guess I might just have to convince my grandma to travel more so I can be her chauffeur, So to start out this summer I moved home from school and babysat for my mom for a week while she went to Canada to be with my older sister who'd just had her baby. I then just helped my mom babysit while I sort of looked for jobs until I took my grandma to Denver to attend my cousin's graduation. Driving in Denver is so much fun! There were 6 lanes of highways going one way! I sped just enough to stay in the fast lane and when a slow car got in front of me, I'd weave through all the lanes of traffic.. it was fun. It started to rain too and my grandma said she was sure glad I was driving. I drove during the whole trip. Clear through Wyoming and back. It was fun. We took our time going and coming, stopped for the night at hotels, and pulled off the road a couple of times to take pictures. Who knew that Wyoming is actually beautiful? I always thought it was just desert and barren.. But I've been Chauffeuring my grandma alot this summer, we went to Denver, and then Logan like 4 times, and Tremonton once... okay it doesn't sound like a lot, but it was for me. It has been an amazing summer. I've gone on tons of dates almost one every weekend, and I got my first kiss, and have already kissed 2 other guys.. which is sad. I have by far the best first kiss story ever, but it's kinda embarrassing too. haha I've floated the dry bed 3 times, I went to Lava, hiked to the upper palisades, learned how to fly fish, went to Mesa Falls, hiked to the Devil's staircase, and it's been awesome! Most of the pictures I have on Facebook.. and if someone asks I'll type up my first kiss story and post it.

How to get rid of butterflies in the tummy...

I was feeling really nervous the other day, so I asked a friend how to get rid of the butterflies in my tummy.. she said to swallow a snake.. so I randomly decided to write this poem.. sorry it swears, I'm the kind of person who swears, but it just fit the poem and my mood a little better. Tell me what you think.

I know a girl who was nervous as hell .. I don’t know why she was nervous as hell I hope she get better and begins feeling swell.

She had those butterflies and didn't feel well.. the ones you get when you’re nervous as hell, I don’t know why she was nervous as hell.. I hope she gets better and begins feeling swell.

She swallowed a snake to eat those butterflies.. that tickled and trembled and fluttered inside her...She had those butterflies and didn’t feel well, the ones you get when you’re nervous as hell, I don't know why she was nervous as he** I hope she gets better and begins feeling swell!

She swallowed a cat to eat the snake that slithered and shook deep down inside her..She swallowed a snake to eat those butterflies.. that tickled and trembled and fluttered inside her...She had those butterflies and didn’t feel well, the ones you get when you’re nervous as hell,
I don't know why she was nervous as he** I hope she gets better and begins feeling swell!

She swallowed a dog to kill that cat that clawed and meowed and just hurt down inside her.. She swallowed a cat to eat the snake that slithered and shook deep down inside her..She swallowed a snake to eat those butterflies.. that tickled and trembled and fluttered inside her...She had those butterflies and didn’t feel well, the ones you get when you’re nervous as hell, I don't know why she was nervous as he** I hope she gets better and begins feeling swell!

She swallowed a horse to chase that dog that barked and rolled over and chewed up inside her She swallowed a dog to kill that cat that clawed and meowed and just hurt down inside her.. She swallowed a cat to eat the snake that slithered and shook deep down inside her..She swallowed a snake to eat those butterflies.. that tickled and trembled and fluttered inside her...She had those butterflies and didn’t feel well, the ones you get when your nervous as hell,

I don't know why she was nervous as hell but after swallowing a horse I greatly doubt she’ll get ever feel swell in fact I bet she’s dead and hopefully in heaven not hell…

The moral of this story is don’t ever get nervous as hell… just as nervous as crap! What a trap!