Four More Days...

The day we dropped off Sierra at the airport last month when she came for a visit was a bit of a mess. We left later than we should due to the fact that she looked at her departure time incorrectly. Luckily she was able to make it back to Utah on a later flight and that she  made it home safely. Word to the wise...make sure you always double check what time your departure time is! Although I'm grateful that she took the time out of her busy schedule the time she spent here with us was too short. Five days was not enough to spend quality time with her, but we sure made the quality of that short time spent with her worth it. Sometimes it's impossible to be able to see your friends while visiting, but there comes a time where they have to understand that "there's not enough time, but I'll see you when I get back." However, I'm glad she was able to see a couple of good friends while she was here, and that she was able to enjoy herself. Call me selfish but after not seeing her for an entire year except for the four days she spent with us this past December I really wanted us to have her all to ourselves. Seeing her friends does help put her at ease, and  I'm grateful for those who contacted her to make time for her. It truly reminded her of some of the good she left behind in Jersey. 

She has four more days left before she enters the MTC to train as a missionary, and very little time to finish all the preparations. Another word to the wise...do not procrastinate, and as much as you love your friends you got to limit the time spent with them...otherwise, homesickness will severely kick in once you leave for your mission! Hopefully Sierra will not have that issue, and that she will be "homesick free", focused, and ready to be a missionary. 

Since I'm not around to help her get all the last minute preparations done I'm extremely grateful for my mother-in-law to be a part of this special time in her life, and help her out. I wish with all my heart that I can be there full, front, and center to experience, and share this glorious chapter in her life, but it isn't possible. Nor would I be able to leave two young children alone in the house. With a husband working, and a very busy teenager there is no way I could have flown out. Call it bad timing, but I'm grateful for all my friends and family out west who were able to attend her farewell. That really meant a lot to me! There were people who came who hadn't seen her since we moved 10 years ago! She was 11 y'all, and will be turning 21 on her mission this year! I can't believe it's been that many years since we left Utah. I'm happy that she has made new friends since moving back to Utah two years ago. 

Her farewell talk at church was so uplifting and spiritual. Very well prepared, and straight from the heart. It was by far one of the best talks I've heard in a looooonngggg time, and I'm so happy she made made arrangements for someone to record it for me. I only wish she would have recorded her special musical number which included her playing the piano. She was hoping her friend Marshall McDonald would come, but he's a very busy guy and couldn't attend. She played one of his songs, and after she heard he couldn't make it became less nervous! She didn't want to slaughter his song by messing it up in front of him, but from what everyone told me she was phenomenal! I am so grateful that she has been blessed with this talent so that she can use it on her mission, and bless others with music!  

I'm just so proud that she has chosen this path in wanting to serve The Lord. It's something so personal that requires a lot of praying, growth, a true sense of surety, and major strength with no doubt, to decide in the end to serve a mission. Although she says says she's a bit nervous, and doesn't quite know what to expect she'll grow, and prosper, and with the right mindset will be an amazing missionary. 

I have faith in her, and have so much gratitude for everyone who has been there in her life up to this point in order for her to get to her where she's at in making this final decision to serve a church mission. 

According to my mother-in-law preparing to send a missionary out into the world is a lot of work, and requires a lot of time, and preparation. She did it with two of her own, and now her firstborn granddaughter. Especially when you have one going international! Thank goodness I have my in laws to help. Without them I honestly don't know who would be helping her prepare, and in buying her all the necessities that she needs! I'm grateful that I can at least offer Sierra my emotional support, and anything I can "fix" for her from a distance. 

I know in this previous post I mentioned face timing her everyday until the day she leaves, but both realized that it's best if we lessened our time on the phone. Besides, she's been way too busy with finalizing everything before she departs. I am grateful she was able to go to the temple a couple of times again, and to attend the Provo City Center temple open house. What a beautiful temple! She sure is lucky to be surrounded by so many wonderful temples! 

I will be talking to her before she leaves, and then that's it! She'll be off serving for 18 months! Luckily I have three kids at home who will keep me on my toes, and less "sierra sick." Then again, she's been away from me long enough to get used to not having her here. I hope that doesn't sound unfeeling, but I feel as if I've pretty much let go of her reigns. I know at times I'll miss face timing her, but I know that receiving her weekly emails will strengthen me in knowing that she is doing a marvelous work, and that she is exactly where she needs to be.

I'm already beginning to feel all the feelings, and have faith thatall will  be well with her when she departs! 

She only has four more days y'all! So if there are any of you who would like to send her any last minute wishes via text, email, or Facebook I suggest you do it soon! 

Happy weekend! 

Mission Call Accomplished: The Philippines.

For the past four months we have patiently been waiting for Sierra to get her mission call, and this past weekend she finally received it! Things happen for good reasons and I'm telling you, when it he comes to heavenly father's plan, everything works out, and there is no denying that He is in charge of our life. I know that everything He has planned out for our daughter is meant to be, and have faith that it'll be in His hands. Words cannot express how excited we are for our sweet Sierra to soon be on the Lord's errand. 

Goodness...I still have butterflies! The day I posted this photo on Instagram I received a call from Sierra later that evening letting me know that she received an envelope that read from the office of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She asked if that could be the envelope with her mission call inside, and I said if it's an eight by ten, white big envelope then yes, that's it! She exclaimed, "it is!", and her dad was like yes! You should've heard the excitement and anxiousness in her voice as we were talking about it. She was so excited to have finally received it. I seriously thought she was going to hyperventilate! I told her to take deep breaths, and that it'll be great news! I asked her if she wanted to wait until Sunday to open it but was so eager to open it that evening. I don't blame her. This waiting game was played for too long, and she totally deserved to open it the day she received it! 

She quickly called a few friends, and they soon gathered with the family at her grandparents house where she's been living since she left Jersey. Because of the two hour time difference she wanted to announce it at approximately 8pm which is 10pm where we live. The only person we were waiting for was her sister Lexie. She was at a birthday party, and luckily it ended at 10 so that she could be home for this exciting event! In no way would she announce it without her sidekick. Lexie finally came home, and we all gathered in front of the computer to await the big news.

Technology is so awesome! It's so nice to be able to see her surrounded by people that love, and support her, and I'm so grateful that she wasn't alone while opening her call. She was so nervous that she couldn't even open the envelope. She had her grandma open it for her because her fingers were shaking! She was that thrilled/excited/enthusiastic/nervous! Name it, she was that adjective. 

Her voice was literally shaking when she announced her call, and for a minute there I thought she was going to faint! The sound in her voice when she mentioned where she'll be serving is proof to me that she decided this all on her own motive and that she is so ready and willing to serve the lord with all her heart, mind, mind, and strength! We are so excited for her, and know that she is on the right track in her life, and that this is where she's supposed to be in her life right now. And that is to serve a church mission. My feelings right now is euphoric, and I still can't seem to get rid of these butterflies in my stomach! It's surreal and I just can't get over it. I've just never experienced this...you know, having a child leaving for 18 months to serve God. I mean, I met the sister missionaries while I was investigating the church, and they totally helped change my life, and to know that our daughter will be doing the same things is so, so, humbling to me! 

I've realized the sacrifices we are going to make so that she will be able to serve, and my thoughts right now are focused on nothing but positivity, joy, but most of all faith. I know that the Lord will guide, and take care of her, and that there is no need for us to worry. I will have to get used to not facetimeing her every other day, texting, and calling her. We'll be okay, and it's a good thing I love to write because she'll be getting good mail every week or so. She reports to the MTC on February 10th which means we have to prepare quickly. She will be getting her passport today, and are looking forward for her to come to our neck of the woods to get her endowments at the DC temple. She sure has faced obstacles in her life, and that is something that she'll be able to apply in her life as she serves, and take what she has learned with her. I know that she'll be guided to those whom she will relate to, and understand their needs. Sierra has a big heart filled with so much compassion. She is going to be amazing! We are so proud of her and the decision she has made to serve The Lord. 

She is has so much of her dad in her when it comes to "being an official missionary" and we are so excited for this chapter to begin in her life as well as ours and to see her prosper, and grow in the gospel while sharing it with the people in the Philippines.

This truly is an amazing start to our 2016. 

See...I was right. Good things do come to those who wait! 

an inspiring weekend.

Ever been to a movie where you leave with all kinds of thoughts, wows, & 'aha' moments? Well Saving Mr. Banks was like that for me. It was brilliantly produced & if I could have five minutes with Walt Disney & Pam Travers in the next life I'd be one happy girl. 

This movie was such an inspiration to me. It resonated with me in so many ways. Having three father figures in my life was quite the experience & you know what...I'm glad I endured every thing that I experienced while having all of them in my life. 

While Ms. Travers had one father she loved him in a way that was filled with wonder & portrayed him in her book as if he were her hero. The love she had for her father was overwhelming, and one of a kind. 

This movie was mystical & magical. Magical because it's based on Mary Poppins. Throughout all the adversity & heartache this woman went through as a child her thought process on how to recover & endure from her experiences was admirable & remarkable! She had an imagination like no other. An imagination where she was able to endure & escape on how to deal with traumatic experiences. I don't want to give away too much of the movie but I'll tell you this. It has motivated me to write my own story in ways where a young life that was filled with heartache can be turned into something magical & beautiful. 

And then seeing the trailers of Son of God & Heaven is For Real right before the movie began prepared me for the tears that came later!

Next to the sound of music, Mary Poppins is by far my favorite musical. My kids can watch it over & over again & seeing it on broadway was fantastic!! Getting a glimpse inside this woman's head as to her coping with her childhood was touching. And as Walt Disney said "don't dictate your life by living in the past." Is something that I have learned. 

Go see Saving Mr. Banks. Better yet, own it!

*****

Attending Kate's missionary farewell was a grand end to my weekend. I love going to missionary farewells & homecomings because they definitely put me back in full 'missionary mode' not that I served a mission, but it encourages me even more to speak up, and share this wonderful book.  Listening to her speak on how she chose to serve, & where she was spiritually before making this decision was very humbling. And I'm so pleased with her decision. 

We live in a world where everyone needs saving. A world where negativity is prevalent & different forms of parasites are roaming the earth to destroy the goodness that's inside of us. We can mend the world by doing something good & when it comes to sharing the gospel..life is fulfilled, and the world seems like a happier place. 

I'm thankful for those who are called to serve The Lord to share his gospel.  

Good luck Kate! See ya in 18 months! 

smile & never give up.

As I was meandering through the Deseret Industries thrift store back in Sugarhouse in 2005 where I used to live in Utah I noticed this young girl staring at me who was an employee. At first I wondered if the stares were due to having three young girls wondering around aimlessly playing in the rounders pulling off tags, and touching stuff they weren't supposed to. I mean...it's the D.I. What could they possibly break?

farewell to sister nichols.

Missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are a huge blessing in our life, and a gift to those who are seeking happiness. I know because I was one of them. I will never forget the day I met two wonderful sisters who came to my door to deliver a video leading to the day of my baptism. I will never forget that day, and how the gospel of Jesus Christ continues to transform my life. 

We constantly have missionaries serving in our area, and it is so nice to have different sisters come to serve. It gives us the opportunity to know them, and to serve them. We may feel that it is their job to solely seek those in need, but I have learned a long time ago that as members of the church it is our role to help the missionaries serve others in sharing the gospel as well. 

It is an honor to know that I have this book in my life, and how it helps me on a day to day basis. Without the gospel I honestly don't know where I would be today, or have the family that I love now. 

Since I have lived here I have grown so close to various sister missionaries trying to do all that I can in helping them find souls to seek the plan of salvation, and bring them eternal happiness. To help, and accept them unconditionally no matter their history or background.

I love missionary work, and hope that as each new sister comes into our ward that we will continue to know them, help them in making their investigators feel welcomed, and fellowship those that they bring to church.  

I love each sister missionary and hope that we will continue to keep in touch. There is a 100% chance we will because I still continue to keep in touch with the sisters that not only taught me the gospel, but that witnessed my sealing in the Salt Lake temple. 

There are other sisters such as this one, and this one whom I will never forget. Then there is the lovely Sister Nichols who just spent the last several weeks serving in our area. She served with her whole heart, and last night we bid her farewell.

Many of us gathered at the church to visit, eat yummy treats, and say our goodbyes...for now. It was a lovely evening, and getting acquainted with her parents was so much fun. Knowing that her dad was from Texas was fun to talk to, and her mother was the most pleasant woman to visit with...not to mention beautiful! Wish I would have taken a picture with them! 

We all fell in love with Sister Nichols, and I think she favored Noah the most which is okay because we all do in this family.

She says he is on reserve for her future daughter! 

Who knows...who knows!  

She will certainly be missed! 

Scenes of a farewell mini luau

There is something about the tongan culture that really brings friends and family together, and always makes me feel like I'm part of their family. It makes me miss my tongan friends in Utah, and all the big parties they would throw. I was once in a ward where there were many polynesian families, and oh boy...their parties were always fun and so crazy!

This past Wednesday we bid farewell to one of the most beautiful and sweetest missionaries that served in the South Jersey area...SISTER MOEA'I. Members of the church helped her mother in preparing a mini luau to wish her well back to Hawaii. She danced, and as always carried that beautiful, fun-loving spirit with her.

She sure danced beautifully! 

Her mother and sister joined in and as you can see...there was a lot of fun. I love how family oriented they are. 

While there was much fun and laughter there was also a spiritual moment in which both her sister and her mother gave thanks to all the members who where there to take care of their missionary. Many tears were shed and there were plenty of hugs to go around.

They are so thrilled to have their missionary returning home with honor. She will definitely be missed.

And returning home just in time for General Conference which I am looking forward to this whole weekend. I look forward to hearing the prophet, and apostles of the church guide us with direction in hopes that we will heed their words, and continue to feel inspired.

 For those of you who are interested as to what General Conference is all about, and if you've heard of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir you can go online and watch it here. I just love listening to them sing.

Aloha Sister Moea'i! God be with you until we meet again!

I LOVE YOU, and I will never forget you!

Happy Weekend everyone, and enjoy conference!