Back to the Old (but Lovely) Grind

     Shout out to my amazing sister Jennifer for keeping this blog for me while I was gone! I'm truly grateful. I wasn't sure whether or not I would keep up this blog when I got back home, but I wanted to. I've been back almost five months now so clearly it has taken me awhile to get it going! I don't know why today is the day I decided to write, but I'm just in the mood and I think I should encourage that by following through and getting my thoughts out. My mission was amazing. It was perfect. Imperfect people can have perfect moments and I just had an 18-month long moment. It's funny because people always say that they couldn't imagine their missions any other way. Trying to think of going to a different place, or having different companions, or teaching different people...it just wouldn't be the same and it wouldn't feel right. I was where God needed me, where He wanted me. It took me a long time to figure that out, but I think it is finally starting to dawn on me. If I learned anything from my mission it is that God loves me...that He loves all of us. Because of that love, I know that He has my best interest at heart. As we exercise our agency wisely, the best possible outcomes will happen. Most of the time they won't happen when we expect or want, but the happy endings will come. They have to. Coming home from the mission was hard for me; harder than I thought it would be. I was doing the things they told me to do. I got busy. I had a calling and a job (two actually) and I was spending time with my family. I went out with the sister missionaries. But despite all of the wonderful things I was doing, these amazing experiences God was blessing me with, there would still be lots of times when I was just overwhelmingly sad. Sadder than I had ever been before. I couldn't explain...I still can't, but I've grown because of it and I still know that God loves me.
     I'm back at BYU now and things are better. I'm even busier and this time it's with things that really matter to me. I'm studying to become a doctor! At least I think so :) we will see what happens! It feels right though so I'm going with it. I live with two sisters I served with in the greatest mission in the world plus three other amazing women and I love everyday. It's funny how things always seem to work themselves out. Some people say I live in a dump, but I don't think so! And if it is, well then to me it is a nice dump. The ward is great even though I am still getting to know them...I should really try harder on that front!
     Classes are in full things and the semester is flying by. Sometimes I wish time would just slow down so that I could get my bearings. There is still so much to figure out and do and sometimes I feel like I can't keep it all straight, but I guess that I just have to take it one step at a time. I'm not dating anyone at the moment, but I'm certainly not opposed to the idea haha just waiting for the right guy to come along. That's another thing that seems to really happen in God's timing and not in my own! But that's alright because I know that I need to become a better person first. So that's what I'm focusing on. School, work, and becoming more like Jesus Christ because ultimately this life is all about becoming anyways!

10.03.2014 - One More Week

You might wax on longer, but I’m not complaining! I love every word. Wasn’t conference great? That is cool to think that we were all watching it together! I didn’t hear the MTC choir except for about 20 seconds, but I want to hear it! I can do that soon. I’m definitely in for singing. As long as we all do it together. :) 

09.29.2014 - Fall Doesn't Fall Here

I’m used to calling you that so I’ll just stick with it. :) But you’re right, I’m sure I won’t be used to anyone calling me by Michelle…that’ll seem so foreign! It’s weird even just typing it haha. My week has been good for the most part! Lots of meetings and a sick day so not too much proselyting, but still good things happened! 

09.22.2014 - Autumn Equinox

Fall…we don’t really have that here haha I kind of miss that. Definitely survived the rain here…loved it actually. :) I don’t think that’s a sign that you need to be released…I think it’s a sign you need the calling longer! :) I like those four things that she mentioned in her talk. They are definitely true. 

09.15.2014 - The Best

I appreciated your long e-mail this week. :) So thank you for writing on Sunday night instead of this morning! Haha I loved how you referred to that first paragraph as your trunky mom talk. You’re the best. It’s crazy to think that it’s only a month away. Please tell me where the time has gone?! Because I can’t seem to figure it out.  

09.08.2014 - Sweet Sixteen

I’m sorry to hear that all of you were sick on your super nice vacation…but at least you are feeling better now. :) You talk about your wonderful weather of the high seventies…today and last night we had a HUGE thunder storm and it has been raining like crazy. And it was 75 degrees and cold! Funny how you adjust. 

09.01.2014 - Staying in the Ward

It sounds like you've been having a fun week! Lots of camping...haha I feel like that's all you have been doing this summer, but I can't say that I blame you!  :) You can tell Bishop that I'm doing good! Transfer calls came this morning and I am STAYING IN THE WARD!!!!! My whole mission, :) 

08.25.2014 - Short but Sweet

I’ve been telling you this whole time that e-mailing on Sunday would be a good idea, but I’m glad that you finally decided to do it. :) My week has been good! We are still running our air conditioner too! ;) 

08.18.2014 - Back to an Empty Nest

Yeah we went over to the Knudson’s house because we are teaching Lenox’s (the daughter) friend and we were working with her on that. They are a great family. I’m so proud of you for writing on Sunday afternoon. It was a very quality e-mail as well. I love Ruby Beach!! Was it beautiful?? I don’t think I’ve ever been to Spirit Lake or to the Ape Caves, but I’ve always wanted too. 

08.11.2014 - Summertime and the living is ... hot? sweaty? amazing?

I can’t believe that it is already August 11^th either! Crazy! My brain just can’t comprehend where all of the time goes. I’m glad to hear that only almost everyone was drinking wine. :)

08.04.2014 - Celebrating Kathryn's BD

This week has been really good! This past week actually hasn’t been that hot! Well, at least this weekend wasn’t. I actually wore a long-sleeve shirt on Friday (the sleeves were rolled up so I guess it was ¾) and I was fine. But it was probable still in the 90s…it’s funny how your body just adjusts to where you live. Kathryn’s dinner celebration sounded like it was delicious! Save some raspberry jam for me! I bought raspberries last week and thought of you every time I ate them. :)

07.21.2014 - Celebrate Today

I’m seriously considering not e-mailing you…but I just can’t do that! (apparently mom's email wasn't in her in box but she really, really did send one this week and she finally got it as she was finishing her email....maybe its the work police monitoring mom's non work related emails).  I have to share with you all that happened. It’s been another good week. More miracles every day. And when I think they’ve stopped, more come! God is good.

07.14.2014 - If You're Happy and You Know It ...

So I think I’m going to really have to recommend that you switch to Sunday night e-mail writing because this is the second week in a row that your e-mail hasn’t gotten to me in time…just a thought. :) But it sounds like you have been having a lot of wonderful trips, enjoying the beauty of nature. We’ve been having thunder/lightning storms throughout the week, so I’ve been enjoying that! I could probably just sit and watch the lightning for hours…is that weird? If it is I don’t care because it looks so cool! You mentioned it was too ‘snowy’ to go hiking…what’s snow??  

07.07.2014 - And I'm Proud to be an American

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!!! Did you have a good celebration? How were Kathryn’s fireworks? Was it cold or good weather? What other great things happened this week? What miracles did you see? What miracle have you already seen today?

06.30.2014 - June in the Rear View

This week has been good. Thanks for asking. :) Waffles sound good…there aren’t many mornings I have time to make waffles…there aren’t any actually! Were the cherries yummy?? I got a little bag of cherries from a little girl this week. So sweet. 

06.23.2014 - Imperfect People Can Have Perfect Moments

Happy First Week of Summer to you too!! It feels like summer started a while ago and it was just a tad bit hotter than 77 here, but it was good to have it be officially summer. 

06.19.2014 - Summer. Round 2.

Sounds like you are in for a very fun trip! You’re right…I am a little jealous of the homemade ice cream, but that’s okay. :) Barett sounds soooo cute! I can’t wait to get to hear him talk. I still wish he hadn’t been so shy on Mother’s Day but that’s ok. This way the first time I hear it will be in person…and that’s better, right?? He also sounds pretty smart/tricky.  I have the best nieces and nephews around. :) I do have Liz’s address and sent her a letter last week. She e-mailed me today saying that she got it. I told her pretty much exactly what you just told me to say, that I was thinking about her, that she is in my prayers, and that I love her. Great minds think alike I suppose. And no, I can’t believe that Ryder is three!!! And Barett isn’t far behind. So crazy.

06.09.2014 - Birthday's All Around

Sounds like Dad and Annika’s birthday celebration was very nice…and very yummy. You made the dark bread from Outback? I love that stuff! I don’t think I was there when Liberty Wagley was…but that’s awesome that she was able to be baptized. Branson trip?? I don’t think you have told me about that. When is that happening?  Which movie did you go to? We were talking to two guys on the street yesterday and they told us the movies they really saw and I had NO idea what any of them are. I guess that’s just what happens. J Oh well! I’ll have plenty of time to catch up afterwards.  Yay for the strawberry jam!! Can’t wait. :) Can he save me some raspberry jam too?

06.02.2014 - Miraculous

Jadyn cracks me up haha but I guess I remember doing that too when I was her age. I loved being able to get sprayed by the hose when it was “hot.” It’s so funny though how we really do adjust to the temperature of the place that we live because while 73 used to be a warm day for me, I am now pretty chilled when it gets down to 73! Spooner Farms?!?! Anyway you could send me some homemade raspberry and strawberry jam this summer? J That sounds delicious. And thanks to you, I know see that there are a lot of gardening metaphors. I’ll have to look more into that later! Sound like the temple was great. I got to go this week too and it was beautiful! I’ll talk more about that later though.

05.26.2014 - Memorial Day Off

I would love to meet in the middle temperature wise. It just keeps getting hotter and hotter here! But I love it :) Summer is upon us. Yay! That is quite the last name that the new family has. How do you even say that?? That's a good song. We sing it quite frequently in the ward.