CLICK HERE FOR THOUSANDS OF FREE BLOGGER TEMPLATES »

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Saturday is a Special Day

It's the day we get ready for... Kelcie to go through the temple! Yesterday I went through the Seattle temple to get my endowments. I wasn't nervous to go through, I was just excited for this day. It has been a day I have been waiting for for a long time. It was a different experience but amazing at the same time. I can't put my thoughts together but I do that the temple is a special place and that it is place where we can stand on holy grounds and a refuge from the "storms" of life. Today at church our stake had a topic of temples. It was pretty cool to have the topic being spoken of the day after and to hear and remember the things that I didn't know and things that I did. I also had the opportunity to teach Sunday School today and it was about Standing in Holy Places and not moving. It was such a great experience. I have learned a lot this last weekend and wouldn't change it for anything. I can't wait to go back to the temple and to learn more and to feel the peace that I feel there whenever I go. I am grateful for everyone that was able to be there with me to celebrate this special day with me as well as those who were thinking of me.

On a side note, about a month left until I leave for my mission :) I am very excited and getting more nervous as the days get closer to my leaving but I know this is what I need to be doing.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Utah Provo Mission

While vacationing I received a letter from my mission president. In the letter was some facts about my mission. A lot of the facts I was astonished by. Here are some facts about the Utah Provo Mission:

~ Geographically the mission stretches from the 'Point of the Mountain' (just south of SLC) and the snow capped mountains of the 'Wasatch Front' to the agricultural land of Spanish Fork and Santaquin. Also, included in the mission boundaries is the North Eastern Utah area including mountain meadows and the high dessert.

~ 149 stakes

~ About 2,011 ward and branches

~ In 2009, over 2,800 convert baptisms

~ 2 universities- BYU and UVU

~ Missionaries serving from 20+ foreign countries speaking up to 10 different languages

~ 3 temples (Vernal, Mt. Timpanogos, and Provo)

Just a few facts about Utah Provo Mission. There is a lot of work to be done and I will be there until May 9, 2012 to help with it!

Utah/Idaho

After our trip to California we came home for a week or so, attended a funeral, and then headed off to Utah to get some of my things and visit friends and family. It was such a good time. While in Utah I got mission clothes and shoes, visited my school (even worked a few days), went to church at my old ward, met up with Kelsey and the Hales, played vball, went on some scooter rides, ate Cafe Rio and Gellato, and most important spent lots of time with family. On Sunday Ron's family, Kodie, Chandler, Mom and Dad, and Kelsey and I went to temple square. It was such a good time. Kels and I got our traditional temple square picture, saw a model of the SL temple, and walked around the temple grounds and Church History museum. There was so much that went on in Utah I won't take the time to write about it, but it was all so much fun. Before we went to Utah we stayed at Gerrit's for a few days then headed to Christine's house. I am amazed at how fast everyone grows up. I am so glad that I was able to visit all my siblings before I leave for my mission. I am so grateful for the examples and love that they have for me. You guys mean the world to me and I am grateful for you support and love that you show to me. You guys are the best!







California

This post is a little overdue. I guess about a month ago I flew down to California to visit Greg's family and Ryan's family. I flew into San Francisco and drove back to Greg's house with Greg and Melissa. They were down in San Fran for a meeting and Mom and Dad were already at their house watching the kiddos. So I met up with them to make sure I saw them before I leave for the mission. Anyway, while down at Greg's we worked on their yard, well Dad, Greg, and Scott worked on it, I played with the kids, Melissa and Mom. Some of the things we did was shopping, In-N-Out, relaxing, playing games, and enjoying each others company. It was so good to see Greg and spend time with his family. I can't believe how much the kids are growing.

After a few days at Greg's we went to Ryan's. While at Ryan's we went to Manteca one day. Ryan, the boys, and Dad wanted to go to some sporting goods store so they went and Mom and I went shopping. Some other things we did was watch Tater's football practice, the boys and I went to the pool, In-N-Out (again), Jelly Belly Factory, played games (Taboo), and enjoyed time together. It was fun to spend time with them. It has been a while since I saw them and the boys are getting big, but I am glad they still love to cuddle with me. Taylor even tried sneaking on the bed to sleep with me a few times- not a shocker there.

I miss both families and am so glad I got to spend time with them before I leave for my mission. Here are a few pictures of the trip. On our way home we drove up Highway 101 along the coast/Redwood Forest and somehow we couldn't find the big tree you drive through but we did see a bunch of cool sites and huge trees and of course the ocean (my favorite).