the farewell

I can't believe it's over.

My missionary farewell has come and gone.

What a whirlwind of a day.

Stayed up late, woke up early and was going and going and going

all day long. 

My talk was about the Plan of Salvation and the Atonement. 

I used a lot of really great material from The Continuous Atonement  and His Grace is Sufficient .

I was overwhelmed with love as so many people I loved came to say goodbye.

The Kirkby's came all the way from Las Vegas,

Road Runner came from Wyoming,

Mark, Emily, Sarah, Natilee, Grant, Jake, and Vanessa came from Idaho,

Charise flew in from North Carolina to surprise me,

And my Grandma and Grandpa Patterson flew in from Chile

Plus HUNDREDS of loved ones from work, college, high school, the ward and my entire life came to show their love. 

{The Danville Gang-minus Ariana}

{Ariana- who at the moment of this picture I didn't realize was ENGAGED!}

{Aspen/Amelia, and the ever attractive photo bomber Jolie/Christina} 

{Natilee and Sarah came down a day early to have a little bit of a "roommate reunion"} 

I had so much fun talking to everyone and feeling like a celebrity. 

I felt like I was constantly running around,  trying to socialize with everyone.

My mouth was so dry, and my stomach was begging for food,

but I had to keep socializing! (Like I'm complaining...)

I felt like I had almost everyone important to me all in one room,

and let me tell you- it was crowded.

I also got some pretty awesome video (bideo's) as going away presents:

Also- I found this youtube video, and I wish I could put the audio on my ipod

Thank you to my  parents, grandma's, aunts, cousins, and other family members for helping everything run smoothly-

Constantly washing dishes and dishing up Chicken Croissant sandwiches.

Thank you to all who travel near and far far FAR! 

Thanks for the advice.

Thanks for the gifts!

Thanks for the well wishes and prayers in my behalf. 

I am one blessed girl. 

Missionary Makeover

Hey Kids! 

This little blog has been neglected hasn't it.?

I'm sorry. 

Did you notice the Missionary makeover this blog got?

Do you like? 

Can you believe that are in the final stretch?

Me either!

Are you coming to my farewell? 

I better see you there!

(I'm serious)

Pre-mission List:

I didn't think that I wanted to make any major New Years Resolutions 

because I figured that a mission is a pretty big resolution.

But I do have a list of things I would like to do before I leave for da mish. 

Consider this my "Before Feb. 20th Resolutions"

Some are dumb, some are serious, but guess what? They are MINE.

so #sorrynotsorry

-Wear Lipstick more often. I'm talking at least twice a week. It gives me confidence.

-Find a great Sister Missionary outfit balance. 

(Things that mix and match and as much as possible things I already own.)

-Work on my calling a little bit each day. Take one step a day. 

-Do one cleaning job a day. (Even if it's small)

-Wear skirts in casual situations. Not just church.

-Wear my hair natural once a week. 

-Reach out/ catch up with one friend a day.

-Watch all of Doctor Who on Netflix.

-Find opportunities to be patient
-Be in the moment more

-Appreciate Drops of Awesome

-Work on Spanish

-Go to Trader Joe's

-Attend the temple

-Learn a butt-load of crap about the gospel

Pura Vida

Pfft.... I am not obsessed.... 




Costa Rica: Get Living from Patrick Pierson on Vimeo.

....I'm not!

I SAID that I'm NOT!

Okay! Fine, you totally got me. 

I'm obsessed. 

They called me on a mission!

Yesterday, a VERY  important envelope came in the mail

Before you scroll down, please watch the following video to see what happened when I opened the envelope:

COSTA RICA, SAN JOSE! 

People! I have LITERALLY been called to paradise! 

This is the PERFECT mission for me!

Spanish speaking!

Warm weather!

Latin America!

...The Lord is the BEST! 

I am just so happy right now! 

And I guess we can add one more name to the list: "Hermana". 

Countdown to Guatemala: 1 Day

Well..... Tonight's the night. By this time tomorrow I will be in Guatemala.

*Could there be more gif's in a single blog post? My apologies. *

  *I recently found out I might be in charge of the "official" Choice twitter and blog while we are there. If so, I will give you all the links as soon as I have them. *

A great article, and I agree "This is why I love this company." 

Here is what I have so far:

CHOICE Website

CHOICE twitter

Buh-Bye!

Countdown to Guatemala: 2 days

What I am most excited about:

- Meeting people that will change my life
-Bettering other peoples lives
-A week of non stop service
- A week of simplicity. No cell phone, no school, no drama, no computer.
-A week of realizing what I take for granted
- A week of empowering people and teaching them skills that will change them
- Getting chummy with DownEast "higher-up's".
- Getting chummy with everyone at Choice humanitarian
- Looking into possible Choice opportunities.
-Backpacking. I think I'm going to looove it.

Countdown to Guatemala: 3 days

What I'm most worried about:

-I'm going alone. I literally have zero relationships with anyone that will be there.
-Hiking / asthma/ allergy problems
-Hook worm? (Thank you Sadie Green for the nightmares.... )
- Sleeping on the floor of the jungle. (Okay... not really... but kinda...)
- Language barriers. The village we are in doesn't even speak Spanish. They speak their NATIVE tongue.
- What if I'm not cut out for it the way I think I am?
- What if I get sick?
- What if I Fuego explodes and I'm stranded for ever and ever?
- What if this is all a joke?

Countdown to Guatemala: 4 Days

Something I'm really trying not to think about.


So remember how I am taking online classes this semester? Well one of them is a Natural Disasters class. Now, this class is actually quite awesome. Very interesting, lots of information, yada yada yada. Well guess what? It also makes me super paranoid.

And guess what. I bet you didn't know that Guatemala has a volcano name "Fuego" and it recently had the "Largest Eruption in years". Don't believe me? Read it here. 

Awesome. Just awesome. 

How I am trying to look on the outside:

How I sorta feel on the inside: 

Countdown to Guatemala: 5 Days

My to-do list:

Ya... right. I wish. 

This stresses me out:

-Write a letter

-Email professors (please be nice to me!)

- Do ALL school work for this week (aaah!!)

-AND next weeks

-Get dress fitted

-Finish shopping list

-Packing list

-Go paint balling (It's happening)

-Work

-Get Endorsement from bishop

-Renew recommend

-Try to hit the temple

-Talk to that boy?

-Figure out Counselor class/ Handout...

-By an enormous amount of gum/ lifesavers

-Figure out where by backpack

-Find a new waterbottle?

-Copy Passport.

-Return late library book (opps...)

-Watch the bachelorette... heh... *ashamed face*

-Write a love note to Jewlya

-Get cash/ figure out trip money situation

-Possible wedding?

All of this stress will be worth it....