Missionary Work

Well, since I have been home I have had some missionary experiences that of course I love! However, theres nothing that compares to being a full time missionary. On Friday I was having a bad day so I decided to drive to Provo to be with some of my friends from the mission. On Saturday one of my past companions and I went to the temple and then went to the MTC to volunteer as investigators for the missionaries to practice on. It was so AWESOME!! It felt so good to be at the MTC and feel the spirit there. It was also just so cool to see all the young men and women preparing to serve the people of whatever mission they were going to. The two elders that taught me were going to New Jersey. As they taught they were so nervous and reading from their notes and forgot stuff, but the spirit was there and it was awesome!! It had been about exactly two years since I was in that same position. I could remember the feelings I felt and then to think of how quickly my mission went by. I miss it a lot still mostly just teaching people and being so close to the spirit. Then, I was fortunate to be able to go to one of the Elders who was in MTC with me Homecoming talk in Salt Lake. It was in an all Tongan Stake and the music was beautiful and his talk was awesome. He shared some really amazing miracles and it made me think of all the miracles I saw on the mission. God really blesses his missionaries! I would not trade those moments of my mission the good, the bad, and the ugly for anything. A mission is the hardest but the most rewarding experience a young person can have or anyone. I am so grateful that God knew what was best for me in my life and allowed me to serve a mission. Everyday I see the blessings that come from it also I have had the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the neatest people. I have learned much from others! Above are some photos from my mission.

Back to Life Back to Reality

This is to show how i have felt for the past two weeks!!

The Past two years have been unreal. I have not had to deal with the daily stresses of normal life like bills and school. It has been kinda nice actually. Yes, I was excited to get back into the swing of things and have a regular schedule but it has been a little overwhelming. As a missionary I only lived on $127 a month. That would be impossible in my life now. So, now i have cell phone bills, college bills, and soon to be car bills. That alone is enough to stress me out especially since i live in Idaho where people do not get paid well. I was spoiled living in Virginia where i made lots of money and I could just save it. I didn't have to pay for anything except the Metro to and from work and to buy clothes. I am so grateful my aunt was able to do that for me so I could have some money to get on my feet. I would be in a lot of trouble right now without it. Then there is school. After two years of not going to school it can stress a person out. I felt really dumb my first day of school. Now, that it has been two weeks I feel a little better. In fact I just got done taking my first math test and I feel like I did pretty well, I at least felt like I knew how to answer every question. Well, the greatest part of it all is taking Institute. Among these past two weeks and feeling a lot stressed out I have had the opportunity to take The New Testament class. We have been talking about the Sermon on the Mount and it has been very insightful for me. I, by taking institute, have realized that why i am so stressed out is I am not putting my priorities in the right place. Sometimes i am forgetting to read my scriptures or say my morning prayers. Doing these things make a huge difference in the way i feel especially my stress level. So, it has been good for the weekly reminders in Institute amongst the times of being in the World so to speak. But, I am so grateful for the gospel and how it helps me in all aspects of my life. Really, when I look at the grand scheme of things i realize I just need to chillax.

This was the Life..this is the Stake President's Cabin I stayed at two nights before I left Virginia it was so amazing, I love this place.
Me and Hannah drinking some hot chocolate after swimming in the lake!

Me and Lizzie Waiting for the Tube Ride!

Having a Good Time getting air on the Tube!