Last chance, last dance

Those lyrics have been running through my head the last couple of days. I don't even know if they are the real lyrics but its that one 70's song - you know it. Anyway, my internet time is short because I'm getting set apart in just a few hours and have tons to do before hand (which includes watching the last dance scene from Step Up 2) but I did want to do a last post before I say goodbye for a while. Because a picture is worth a thousand words, and conveniently a lot faster than writing a thousand words, I thought I'd do a little picture post of the things I've done leading up to the mish. 

Pick raspberries at Grandma's house. One word - magical

Playing down by the river with the girls. "Ah, youth"

Holding baby cousins

Last time at Sammy's with Brittney

Farwell fiesta

Those are just a few things that I've done before I leave. I've loved spending time with my family. We had a good lesson in YW on Sunday and it reminded me of my mission. The teacher defined sacrifice as giving up something you love for something that is more important. I know that I'll miss my family a ton but I know that giving up this one and a half years is what I'm meant to do. Anyway, thank you so much to my family and friends who have loved me and supported me so much!

P.S. Watch for little updates on my mission on my blog from my wonderful mother

Was July 3rd Two Weeks Ago?

I could have sworn that I blogged last week. I guess I'm on the every two week plan these days. But, my days are numbered here in Happy Valley (don't know why that came to mind - I never use that term). Anyway, its definitely been a really fun last couple of weeks. My mom and sisters were at girl's camp last week so I got to hang out with Gabe and my dad. I was surprised by how much fun I had during the day with Gabe and also how tired I was at the end of every day! Way to go to every mom out there. The only thing I feel bad about is letting him watch a little too much TV - namely Animal Cops:Houston and E-Vet Interns. But, what do you do with a kid who wants to be an "animal protector" when he grows up? My favorite night with him was on Friday when it was just us in the house. We made Peanut Butter cookies, listened to music, and then dragged our mattresses out to the family room to have a sleepover. I'm savoring all the time I get to spend with him before I leave because I know that a few his little quirks will have changed when I get back. ("That's the sign that the tank is full" and "your bluffing, your bluffing")

While being "blogger-absent", one thing that I've been thinking a lot about is Elder Ballard's talk about "Sharing the Gospel Using the Internet". I felt really strongly when I read it and when we discussed it in church that I needed to follow his counsel. I was excited to do it but then got scared so I kept putting it off (and, consequently didn't write for two weeks). I kept telling myself that a lot of people who come to my blog will hear my testimony on Sunday when I speak or that others might discredit what I say because I'm going on a mission in a couple of weeks. But, as I sit here writing I know that I what I need to do. It's simple and direct, but it is also what I've come to know.

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints is the only true church on the earth today. I know that my Father in Heaven loves me and loves all of His children. I know that Jesus Christ died for us so that if we repent and keep His commandments, we can live with Him again. I know that Temples is the Houses of God and that the ordinances that take place there are true and saving.

I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that He saw God the Father and Jesus Christ in the sacred grove. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that President Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God.

I'm grateful for Elder Ballard's article and for the promptings of the spirit to write this post. If you want to read the article click here or, if you want to hear other testimonies and learn more about what the gospel is all about, go here.

Thanks for listening!

A little less wise

Last week I got my bottom two wisdom teeth out. What the experience, eh? I'm telling you, it's the most interesting feeling to one second be preoccupied with the IV in your arm and the next to wake up as they are leading you into the recovery room with a mouth full of gauze. Actually, I think that was my favorite part - it was in a way kind of fun.

I wish I had a great story to tell about how I was way loopy after I woke up, but everything was pretty normal. I did think that just about everything I said was hilarious (this feeling of hilarity continued on the whole day) so I cracked some jokes and I did ask my mom if the doctors said I was "a champ" during surgery. But it didn't last too long. I realized that my mom, who promised my sisters to remember everything I said afterward, was taking notes of everything I was saying, and for some reason that put a stop to the joke telling.

The recovery went great, no dry sockets and I'm even almost Ibuprofen-free. I just have to hope and pray that I don't get an infection in the next few weeks (apparently they take a few weeks to get rid of and that could put a kink in the whole going-to-Puerto-Rico thing). I'm still using the syringe to clear out those little holes in the back of my mouth. At first I was fascinated by them, every time I cleaned them out I felt like a wounded soldier (I know, I'm weird). But, unfortunately they lost their mystique and now its just something I do twice a day. Anyway, that is pretty much my wisdom tooth story, not too interesting but do have to say that I am very grateful that it was a good experience with no complications and that I was able to get them out before I leave on my mission.

P.S. Yes, I did take a picture of myself after the surgery that I will not be posting and no, I did not take a picture of myself while I looked like Elmer Fudd.