One of the best

I oughta post about this before I forget. Oh who am I kidding? Who could ever forget a day like last Saturday?  I went through the Temple and received my Endowments! It was a beautiful day.

Before I went through I kept having hot flashes, I was about to have a heart attack, and kept freaking out. I did all of that for nothing. People kept telling me that I would feel uncomfortable, that it is strange. Uh you are all wrong. It was perfect. I felt so much peace in there. Right when I walked back, the instant love of God was near. He gave me this opportunity. That's love.

After I talked to the Matron, I went and waited for the session to start. Can I just say that I probably have the best support system! So many people came. It was a reminder that where I am in life is right where I need to be. When I saw all my friends in the Celestial Room, I got so excited. Knowing that if I keep upon His path, I will lead others and myself back to Him. The Temple is so peaceful and so gorgeous.

I cannot wait to go back.

One of the best days of my life.

If you have questions, go here. Pray and ponder about it. You will get your answers.

Now here are some pictures:

Emily and Annie were there for me throughout High School.
Emily was a good friend that I could always go to for advice. Annie
was actually a teacher (my adviser) and gave me my first Book of Mormon.

Ron Lowe. He was the one who baptized me. He has seen me very nervous
yet he just helps me through everything and makes it easy and fun.

Marilee Lowe. I love her soo much. She was there for me when
I went through some hard trials in life. 

Alyssa, Ron, and Lori. Lori and I go far back. I've known her since the fifth grade.
I'm so please with my decision of having her be my escort. She is so wise
and always knows what to say. I am so grateful for her in my life.  

 Well there you go. I'm now endowed and I'm loving it. It was a perfect day and I cannot wait to go back. I want everyone to enjoy this experience and can't wait to share the Gospel to those who are ready for this wonderful gift.

On Sunday I went to St George and had a BBQ with my family. I haven't seen my nieces and nephew since Thanksgiving. I was in Heaven with all of them. I love them so much.

She has gotten so big since Thanksgiving. I love Sophia!

Hope everyone has a superb day!

The Adversary

First off, the title to this post is a little depressing, I know. However, I have learned so much in the last week it blows my mind. 

I have had some family issues that have been a constant reminder to never take anything for granted. Throughout my life, I have never really had a relationship with my mom. The last few weeks, I have been missing her so much. I just want to hug her, tell her how much I love her. I have done things in my past that probably hurt my mom more than anything. I'm not saying I regret what I did, but I want to apologize to her. 

This week I have cried every night. I'm not exaggerating one bit either. Every night. Family issues, friends, money, self issues where I feel as if I'm not good enough. Then on Wednesday, I realized that it's because I'm going through the Temple this Saturday and Satan is trying everything in his power to make me back out. I have been told bizarre things about the Temple that freak me out and it makes me think, am I ready for this?

Wednesday night, I went and got a Coke with my escort. She asked me, "Do you think a mission is the right thing?" Of course it is! That was my answer. I am good enough, and no matter how much Satan is there to put people in my life to drag me in the dirt, I will stand strong. I'm a daughter of a King. Our Savior died for us. He felt this exact pain and these feelings as I am right now so we can experience joy and happiness while returning to our Father. 

Then today... it was a beautiful day. I went all day without breaking down. Until about an hour ago. Had another crying episode. I realized that I love people too much. Is that possible? I don't think so. I don't won't give up on these people in my life. It breaks my heart to see them sad, lonely, etc,. So I'm giving myself a challenge-- I'm going to fast for those people. Starting this Saturday when I go through the Temple. It isn't anything extreme. My heart is just breaking for them. Like I said, I care too much. Satan knows how much I care for people-- therefore, he uses the people I love the most to try and have me back out of things I know are right.

Through all of this I have learned that Satan is just as aware of me as our Heavenly Father. That sounds weird, doesn't it? Well, as weird as it may sound, it's true. I'm grateful for the knowledge of knowing he is doing this to me. It helps me realize that nothing will stop me from going through the Temple. He puts these ideas in my mind that the Temple is crazy and why would I ever do that? Well, he lost. I cannot wait to get out there on my mission and share the Gospel with those I run into. I can't wait to meet those people and grow friendships through the love of God. 

Remember; God thinks you're wonderful.

With much love.

I love this arrangement. 

Newest addition

It's been a little over a month since my nephew has been born but I'm finally getting around to blogging about this little cutie. He seriously is so perfect. It is so hard for me to share him when I go visit-- even with Jennifer. I can't even explain how much I love him. Here are some very cute pictures of the handsome boy. A few of many.

Look at the smile! How can you not love him?

Tummy Time! He is very strong.

Every time I see him, he's getting bigger and bigger. Yes, those are
socks on his little hands. 

I can't get over how perfect he is. I went to a baby shower with Jennifer today and she brought him along. I wanted to hog him the entire time.

Oh and his name is Judah! He was born on January 30th. Again, he's perfect.

I have a list of things to blog about so I'm going to try and keep up on this more than I have been. 

Serving the Lord

I felt like the wait was so much longer than a week and a half to get my mission call. I updated my status on Facebook so everyone could cast their votes on where I was going-- I got so many Canada and South America votes (no one guessed where I'm going fyi). So, of course, I started thinking of places I would love to go. However, I think I jinxed every place.

Stake Conference came around and the Bishop told me to make sure to check the mail on Wednesday or Thursday (you typically get it on Wednesday's) because I will be getting my call. First of all, I was super nervous that day because I was saying the opening prayer in front of tons of people. Then he tells me this? Nervous wreck. I could not sleep until I got my call. I ended up having to take a trip to Wal-Mart to get Melatonin to be able to sleep.Wednesday came and I could not pay attention in school until I knew I had it. Turns out I didn't get. Heavier the envelope is and the price of the postage sometimes determines where you're going. I was almost positive I was going abroad. The next day I get a call from Coralee saying it was in the mail. I freaked out! I made sure everyone was at my house by 6:30 p.m for the opening.

I was called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Eugene, Oregon. Right when everyone was gone, I made sure to look up Eugene. It's gorgeous. Funny side note, before everyone got there, I was telling my roommate how it would be fun to serve in Oregon. Well, I got it! I report to the MTC on June 6th (wednesday). I'm so excited. I wish it would just come now! My former Bishops son actually served in the same mission so I went over for Sunday Dinner and we sat down for a good couple hours and just talked about it. First things first, I better not go to any city in the "valley of sickness." If you get allergies- which I do- you will pretty much be miserable. Let's pray that it's not as bad as I've heard.

Here are some pictures I found on Google Images:

This is Crater Lake. It was originally a Volcano. It's also the
deepest lake in the United States.

This is the coast in Oregon. Breath taking, right?

This is downtown Eugene. I can't wait to see all the green and
the big trees. 

I'll be coming home and die hard Duck fan, I'm sure.

I am seriously stoked to meet the people. There are going to be a lot of tree huggers, liberals, hippies, etc. They sure are going to be interesting! Can't wait.

My mission is the read area. I was telling everybody that I
better not be sent to Montana, Nevada or Idaho. I think it's funny how it
covers a tiny part of Nevada. It sweeps down in the most beautiful
area of California, too! 

Although everyone probably already knows where I'm going, this isn't news to you. If you're this far in the post, I guess you care!

Much love