Goal #49

Goal #49: Stay in touch with lifetime friends

I think this has been one of the most important goals of my life. At least one that has brought so much joy and satisfaction.

I'm begining to realize that a person's influence is not determined by how long or short he/she has been in my life. I have so many dear friends that I did not get to be around for long but that have influenced my life in powerful ways. And I love every opportunity to talk to or see them again!

Like these wonderful girls!

Rachel, Steph, Kyndra, Natalie and Me

 I know that the Lord provides opportunities for us to learn from some of his greatest children along the way. I have been so blessed to be in the association of these girls. And although we might not get to see each other often or regularly, they will always be considered some of my lifetime friends.

A bubble duel

This post may sound serious... but we never are. :)

Goal #102 Lazyman Triathlon

#102: Complete a triathlon

Well... we sort of... kind of... completed this.

In other words... we actually DID complete 26 miles running, 115 miles biking, and 97 laps swimming (approx 2 miles)...

Our team: Kelsey, me, and Afton

... all in one month!

Thus, the "Lazyman Ironman."

But I still think it counts.

I think we all learned how nice it is to exercise regularly. I developed a new love for cycling. We had some good roommate time. It was great.

One day I'll do this whole thing in one day.

The girls...

I just have to admit that I adore these girls and am going to miss them very much!

September 2011

I'm going to miss Kendra's hugs and Thursday night movies.

I'm going to miss Kelsey bossing me around and picking fights with me... sorta. But I'm really going to miss her sweet acts of service and late night yoga in the hallway.

I'm going to miss Kylie's quick whit and psychology jokes.

I'm going to miss Afton's belly dance, her late night talks, and her laughter.

I'm going to miss Kristina and her sweet gospel insights and testimony.

Thanks girls for taking me in when I was homeless. :D

I just love you!

Thanksgiving Tribute #30

Maps

Isn't this photo adorable!

Oh dearest Maps, I would be super ungrateful if I didn't include her in these thanksgiving tributes. After all, 30 people in 30 days was her idea.

I truly find the Lord's puzzle work of life incredible! It doesn't matter how long or short a person is in your life. What does matter are the lessons you learned from them and the memories you share. Maps and I met a few years back. Congenial really. We had mutual friends. She was (and is) a bright happy light. It was easy to become friends with her. What I've never told her is how greatly she's influenced my life... and its been a lasting influence. Ironically enough, she's taught me the life lesson of gratitude. How perfectly appropriate.

One of my earliest memories of Maps was sitting around a campfire during a week long service project we were participating in. I noticed each night she would be writing in her journal. What I soon discovered was that it was a gratitude journal and that each day she would record the things she was grateful for that day. She had numbered each one and over the years she explained that she had accumulated several books full of these gratitude lists.

Years later I was working for a summer youth camp and was having a particularly hard time spiritually. A revelatory thought struck me and I remembered these books Maps had written. What a wonderful idea! So I tried it out... by the end of the summer my little booklet was full and so was my Spirit. I've carried on the tradition for several years now (better at times than others), but it has been a source of strength in my life for which I will always be grateful for.

In a recent Religion class I shared Maps' example of gratitude and these books she has written. My sweet perceptive professor (Elder Hammond) smiled and said that he can only image what it will be like for her at Judgement. Those books will be presented to the Lord and he will escort right into the Celestial kingdom. I couldn't help but smile myself because I'm sure that can't be far from the truth.

Thank You Maps for teaching me the power of gratitude.

Thanksgiving Tribute #19

Sister Thacker

Well technically her name is Andreanna Slade now :)

Summer 2009 in Fairfield, OH

Andreanna is a friend of ALL SEASONS. I had to laugh when I was looking at pictures of the two of us because, really, we have a picture in every season. Anda trained me as a missionary and then we ended up serving together for 9 months! (Exactly half of a Sister's Mission) I love this girl like my sister... probably because she was for so long. People even think we look like sisters. I think they even thought we were twins once.

She truly is a friend for all seasons. Really, if my car broke down I know Anda would be the first one at the scene no matter what length she had to drive (maybe Idaho is a little far from Arizona... but you get the point). She is a 1 in a million friend.

She was not only an incredible missionary and a powerhouse of a testimony she is one of the sweetest, happiest, hardest working, well-meaning "daughters of God" I know. She definitely had some endless patience with me in the mission field...endless. I will forever be grateful that she didn't give up on me. I am also grateful for her example of having righteous desires. I have long admired her practically perfect intentions in every situation she encounters.

Winter 2010 in West Chester, OH

Anda, really, thank you for not giving up on me.

Thanksgiving Tribute #18

Kenna

Kenna is simply amazing. We were introduced a few years ago through a mutual friend and bonded over longboarding. :) Ironically, I haven't seen her since BUT I consider her a great influence on my life.

She is one of those people whose strength is heroic. Through trials and turmoil she has always come out on top (whether she feels that way or not). I love how she is 100% REAL. She doesn't sugar coat life but recognizes the worth of experiences. Although I haven't seen her in years her blog, emails, and chats have encouraged and uplifted me so many times. I consider her a true sister, an avenue of the Spirit.

Thanks Kenna, for teaching me that life really is worth living no matter how hard it gets. I sure love you!

Thanksgiving Tribute #14

Emily Plessl

Snowboarding 2011

I know I have way to many cliche little analogies BUT...

If I was YIN, Emily is my YANG.

We make a harmony, a perfect balance. te he he

The Chinese symbol represents when opposites are in harmony they create a perfect balance. Emily is my balancer. :) Her strengths balance me. She is sweet and patient, calm and caring. Anything she does is 100% genuine.

Emily and I met when we worked at Badger Creek in 2007. (A long time ago!) I think I just loved her right off. I remember being in awe of her goodness and her sense of adventure. Needless to say we had some fun times together. Since then I've been blessed to have her as a mission companion (not really, just via letters), a roommate, an exercise partner, a shoulder to cry on, someone to be spontaneous with, someone to adjust to real life after the mission with, and, of course, my yang.

Badger Creek 2007

Oh Em, thanks for keeping me balanced! What would I do without you?!?!

Thanksgiving Tribute #13

Shalyn Blackham

At the University of Bethlehem 2011

Shalyn is my Diana Barry. My "kindred spirit." My "bosom friend." ha ha I know the Lord knew I needed her example and influence in my life. We joke that she is my clone because she is always experiencing what I did about a year before. However funny and ironic it is- it does make for some GREAT debriefing discussions. Yes, I said debriefing discussions. Shalyn and I debrief life. Its true. Speaking of which I feel long overdue for one. ha ha.

Anne and Diana

I quite frankly don't know what I would do without her. She has blessed my life in so many ways. Her example of righteousness, integrity, hard work, endurance, love, forgiveness, selflessness, and sacrifice has given me the courage to try and live those principles myself. Her warmth and goodness to people has extended far past her perceived sphere of influence.

Bunkie, thank you for being my Diana.

Thanksgiving Tribute #12

Flannel :)

Yes that is his name.

High School 2005 (ish)

What are best friends for?

-someone to talk to

-someone to go on adventures with

-someone to cry to

-someone whose hugs will make everything better

-someone to laugh with

-someone to call when you need advice

-someone to help you realize you were wrong

-someone to share inside jokes with

-someone to do nothing with

-someone to tell your good news to

-someone who will go to the grocery store with you

...and make it fun

-someone who will put up with you

...the real you

-someone who is patient with all of your ridiculousness

-someone who loves you anyway

-someone who helps mold you into a better person

2011

This man has been such a blessing. (I know I always say that, but I mean it!) He is a rock. I appreciate the way he makes me think outside the box. His conversations are meaningful and intelligent. I admire how he tries to understand the world around him. He has taught me the importance of pondering over current events, moral issues, scriptures, and doctrinal principles.

He is patient and kind and always willing to forgive. He has the gift of discernment. He knows when to be serious and knows when to have fun. (Although, I might prefer his fun side I definitely appreciate his serious one:D ) I know that he takes life and the gospel seriously and desires to do the Lord's will. He has taught me so much.

I couldn't ask for a better friend. Thanks Nathanael.

Thanksgiving Tribute #5

Rachel Briggs

(at my mission homecoming. we hadn't seen each other in three years!)

This girl makes me so happy!

Rachel is the kind of person that lights up a room when she walks in. She has the light of Christ so strong that it just can't help but emanate from her. Her smile, laugh, and optimism are contagious. I have always admired her selfless focus on serving others. I have been the grateful beneficiary many times. The whole reason we are friends now is because of that selfless service extending a warm hand to a reclusive me. ha ha I was pretty standoffish from the social scene at the BYU Jerusalem Center where we met. Rachel, in all of her love and enthusiasm for life sucked me right in. I couldn't help but be her friend. No, really, I couldn't.

I will always admire the work ethic of this girl. I'm pretty sure one day she could be President of the United States if she wanted to. Although, I'm sure the Lord already has plans for her to be the General Relief Society President. :)

Rachel, thank you for being such a blessing in my life. And thank you for always offering the hope of the Atonement. You are a true friend... and I love your stinkin' guts!

Goal #49

Goal #49: Stay in touch with lifetime friends

One of the greatest blessings of serving a mission are the friendships you make: companions, other missionaries, investigators, members, less actives, neighbors, complete strangers... the list could go on. Friendships have always meant a lot to me. That is why I wanted to set this goal in the first place. Plus, I've always thought that even though you might not see or talk to someone everyday the word "friendship" implies something deeper, something much more significant than just talking on a regular basis. And even though I might not see some of these friends from my mission again I like to think of there being a "heavenly bank account of rich relationships" waiting for us in the next life. Each friend a deposit to withdraw again and again.

ANYWAY... so the point of that small sermon was to say... I had the best weekend EVER with these two:

Sister Sunderland (Linsey) and Sister Pettigrew (Erin)

served with me in The Great Ohio Columbus Mission.

We had a little get together in Rupert, ID and had the time of our lives!

"Free Livin!"

Shoshone Falls

Horseback riding

(Erin and I are trying to set Linsey up with that young man who happens to be gazing at her... ha ha)

Sledding! Yes, in May!

Our "Deep Fat Fry Anything" Night

It was really nice being around people who understand why you are the way you are (ie. awkward). Mostly, it was just great being around people you love! Thanks girls!

Meet the roommates...

I've always been grateful for good roommates. Thankfully I haven't had hardly any bad ones. However, this semester has been exceptional. So I want to introduce you to Apt. #8 (except for the men of course)!

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As you can see we have done an incredible amount of traveling together. And we all know what great bonding moments you experience on various travels. I know its pretty amazing that those fat bodies can make it up such high mountains. We all seem to have some weight issues.
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So thank you girls! For being "such a blessing!"
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I would just like to note that I am the tallest person there!
(That never happens!)

Goal #47

Goal #47: Povide opportunities for others to "experience" life

Okay, Okay... I'm not sure if you consider throwing parties allowing others to "experience" life, but it has been a great memory anyway. And it's been a great experience for my roommates and I to have fun with people we love!

Every other Thursday we have a party and invite anyone and everyone we know. The first week we had a Carmel Apple Party. We had carmel apples with chocolate, toffee, nuts, etc. Hmmm! They were so good! Shalyn also made some delicious carmel popcorn. At the end of the night we had carmel EVERYWHERE! It was great for clean checks that are also every Thursday. ha ha.

The Thursday before Halloween we had a Pumpkin Party. I made some of mom's fabulous Pumpkin Dump Cake, and Natalie made Great Harvest's recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread. It was incredible! We decided to get a big game of signs going when people came by (one of the best games EVER!). We had a good time. But I'm still a little bitter I only got a small piece of that dump cake. :)

Last night we had crepes. Another personal favorite. Flannel, Natalie, and I couldn't get them off the stove fast enough. We ended up making 9 batches of crepes. Ha ha... seriously! We were a mess.... especially after our whip cream fight. Oops...

It's such a blessing to have good people in our lives! Like Ralph Waldo Emerson said,

"The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it."

Love: Holly and Isaiah

Holly and I have been great friends since high school when she sat behind me in seminary my junior year. She is one of the sweetest, most genuine people I know! In July she is marrying the love of her life... Isaiah. I offered to take some pictures for them and we had a TON of fun! So I thought I would post of few so you could see. Let me know what you think!