Five months, five days later and I am now a normal girl going to school and working as a chef for Utah State University Catering. Since I've been home I have passed through what every missionary is required to. I have been convinced that my family are the worst sinners, then I got over that. I felt that I was the worst sinner and I've been getting over that. I have gone on awkward dates, made a fool of myself, broken up with and been broken up with, I have had to re-evaluate my commitment to the Lord and I've been humbled. It has been quite the process!
I have learned quite a few lessons including the ongoing battle with patience, and humility. I have been called as the first counselor in the Relief Society Presidency and it has been an experience in learning to love my ward and serve again. The thing I've seen the most however, is that Heavenly Father still loves me, especially when I make mistakes. I'm grateful for the positive influences in my life and I have decided that I can hold onto them and reject the things that will distract me or bring me down.
I've been blessed to go back to San Diego, twice!!! Both times were incredible and I got to see so many people I love and hug them all again. Truly, San Diego was the best mission EVER (sorry to any other RMs, but the competition is pointless. SD wins).
Ok, here is the photo montage of my life:
 |
| Days of '47 Pageant |
 |
| Giving a 40 second speech |
 |
| Me with the escorts |
 |
| Full length shot |
 |
| My dress which "looks like liquid gold" according to some |
 |
| The top 10 girls in the Pageant- I placed, but I didn't win the overall pageant. However, it was the most fun thing I've done since I've been home. I love each of these girls so much! |
 |
| Tawny and I at the Old Historic Mormon Fort in Las Vegas on our way to San Diego in January |
 |
| My baby girl- Sister Brown |
 |
| The Afflecks- an amazing couple I had the privilege of serving with at the Mormon Battalion Historic Site |
 |
| Catalina and her family. She was in my first area- Logan Heights. She dropped us at the beginning of my mission and it broke my heart. When I went back to visit I got to see her and she has now been baptized!!!! It was a huge blessing. When she saw me she immediately recognized me and was surprised to see me there. I am so happy to see the light of Christ in her eyes. It was worth being dropped. |
 |
| Hermana Aguilar! I love this woman with my whole heart. She is literally an angel. |
 |
| Ruben and Tia were in my last Spanish area and I loved teaching him. She's a member, he's still working on it. |
 |
| Skiing with Ryan and my mom. |
 |
| Lunch with the sisters: Elissa McCullough, Whitney Lewis, Sierra Smith, and Tawny Christensen. This was in January and so fun to get together again. |
 |
| Kelly Kunz and I in San Diego at the beach. That's right, sand! |
 |
| Flying with skis strapped to my feet on my birthday courtesy of Mike Elliott. We had a "wing" above us and basically paraglided from the top of the mountain to the bottom. Sweet? Yes! |
 |
My co-workers and my birthday cake. That brown lump is a mass of tootsie rolls, by the way. Jeff, Jon, and Corey. I love working with them! It's always an adventure.
So there you have it folks, that's part of the update. It's been a long but very quick five months and I can't believe how much has happened!!! It has been hard, but I know I'm growing because of it. Now a quick look at the future: I'm running a half marathon in a week, I'm running Ragnar- the Wasatch Back- in June and then I'll go to my 5 year reunion to see all my friends and their babies. I'm moving to Logan for the summer and during said summer Ryan is leaving on his mission to Nebraska. I'm not going to lie, it's beginning to become real that he's actually leaving. I'm so excited for him!
I know that whatever may happen, it'll help me become who Heavenly Father wants me to be... there I go again. Sounding like a missionary :) PS. That's part of why I love visiting teaching so much- it helps me keep in touch with my inner servant of the Lord.
|
