The Best Birthday EVER!

I'll admit... I was NOT (and still am kind of not)

excited about turning 25.

25 is when you are supposed to know what you are doing with your life and you are already well on your way there. Well... supposedly. I have yet to experience that. That may be why I was dreading 25. Plus, a little fact about my family: we love celebrating birthdays. So you can image my dread even more when I didn't want to turn 25.

But since I have the best family ever they knew how to make it special... and less dreadful. :)

This is what contributed to the BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!

Goal #30: Swim with dolphins-CHECK

I have ALWAYS wanted to do this! So when we happened to be in Florida for a family vacation over my birthday we finally took advantage of the opportunity.

What did I learn? That I love these animals just as much as I did when I was 6 and told myself I was going to grow up to be a dolphin trainer. I think I'm addicted. I'm not sure once was enough.

Goal #7: Go skydiving or hangliding-half CHECK

Ok... so this sort of counts as skydiving because... well... it was... just inside a big tube. ha ha. This is definitely going to be a new family favorite activity.

What did I learn? That it is harder than it looks. ha ha. I also decided that I would really like to jump from a plane... I think. If someone pushes me out the door I think I'd be okay after that. :)

I also have to add to my new experiences one really cheesy one: I got to wear a Disney "Happy Birthday" button. First one in my 25 years of Disney experience.

I'm not sure why I was so excited about this... but I do know that being wished Happy Birthday all day by complete strangers was great. See it's not so dreadful afterall.

Happy Birthday to me.

Here is to 25 years of life!

#98

I was recently asked to write about an event that changed my life so I thought I would share it here. It was a beautiful example to me of what I want to accomplish in my life, #98: help someone in need.

I often wonder about the “ripple effect” of life. How one small, individual choice can have a further reaching impact than could ever be imaged. I have found that some of my greatest learning experiences have come because of the “ripple effect” of others choices. It was the choice of a small Korean woman that changed my life.

It was a hot, humid day in southern Korea. However, I didn’t seem to notice. I was about to explore an ancient Buddhist temple in this quiet, pristine region of the world and I could hardly contain my excitement. The Korean culture was captivating to me and as I walked along that small dirt pathway I became completely enthralled with the native trees and plants that we passed. I hardly seemed to notice the people of our tour walking beside me. When we approached a grand set of stairs I did notice a woman, heavy and slow. She was already perspiring from the previous walk through the woods and was now preparing herself for a climb of a couple hundred stairs. As we began the ascent I quietly observed her struggle. She was forced to stop frequently to catch her breath and wipe the sweat from her eyes. I was proud of her for continuing on. After awhile I began to notice several small Korean women, each with their traditional worship clothes, quickly ascending the stairs. Unlike the many tourists surrounding them, they were making their daily climb to pay their devotions at the temple. What happened next caught my attention and my admiration. A small, petite Korean woman came up right beside my heavy friend and without hesitation slipped her small arm through the larger one and proceeded to assist her up the stairs. It was a small, but profound act of kindness. Not thinking to help I had walked idly by, while this small woman had seen a need and met it. She hadn’t thought about language barriers, religious differences, cultural intolerances, or even what this other woman would think. She had only seen a sister in need.

The ripple effect: How often have I sat idly by when there is a need to be met? How often do we, as people, get caught up with insignificant differences instead of focusing on our greatest similarities? What an impact we could have if we simply looked past those differences and learned to love and serve one another like this small Korean woman.

At the buddhist temple complex- 2007

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!

Goal #21

Goal #21: Make a difference to a child

This actually happened while I lived in Israel last year, but it just recently occurred to me as I was reading over my 100 Things To Do list.

After we finished a grueling set of mid-terms a few of us went out to explore the Muslim quarter of the Old City for the rest of the day. On our way home we happened to pass by these little boys playing with sticks when I saw one of them was crying. He was so sad! I asked him what was wrong and he just looked at me with these big crocodile tears. The older boy recognized what I had said and translated for his little friend/brother. Once the little boy had understood what I had asked he held up his pink swollen finger that had obviously been smashed. Thanks to working at Badger Creek the summer before I always carried a small first aid kit with me wherever we went (which- believe me- came in handy more than once). So I pulled out a bandaid and put it on his finger.

Did it really make a difference to him? I don't know. But it did teach me something. I realized how easy it is to reach past culture and language barriers to help someone, even if it is as small and simple as a bandaid. But come to think of it that might just be the answer to the world's problems. :)

You never know what can happen when you influence the life of a child.

Beauty: Teton Valley

Something I've been thinking about...

beau·ty

–noun, plural -ties.

The quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or pattern, or something else (as a personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest).

These are some pictures I took this weekend while thinking about beauty:

Home!

I realize that I completely left out Budapest in my blogging. I apologize. You have to understand you can't get much done when you only have 20 minute intervals on a super slow computer in the middle of McDonalds which is the ONLY internet available at any respectable location. Yes, I did just call McDonalds respectable. Actually, I wish I would have taken a picture of it because I've never seen a classier McDonalds establishment! I'm serious! It was beautiful... well almost. To bad the food tasted the same. Yucky.

Budapest was a delight. The first highlight: Turkish Baths! hmmmmm! It makes me happy just thinking about it. Just imagine beautiful, elaborate thermal baths and soaking for hours. Yep. It was amazing! Another highlight was running into a long time high school friend who is serving his mission in Budapest. It was so much fun seeing him! Let see what else... Getting stuck in a downpour of rain after church in the middle of "Pesht." It had to have be hilarious to watch the three of us in dresses and heels sprinting a half a mile to the metro station. Oh... and Peach Sundays. Delicious. It was more of an indulgence than a highlight since we kept going back for more.

Me and Baxter Elder (aka Elder Baxter)

To serve as before and after pictures: Above is Before, Below is After

A Budapest indulg... I mean highlight.

Since I've been home: I'm trying to recover from laryngitis. I can hardly squeak a word out. This morning my dad was laughing at me when my little sister asked why I keep speaking so funny. I tried to laugh by my attempt ended up even more awkward than my speech. Other than that I've been enjoying my family and the sunshine. Summer is here and I'm ready for it!

Church

Can I just say... I LOVE the gospel! We've gone to church now in London, Amsterdam, and Prague, and its always been the highlight of my week. The members of every branch are so kind, and outgoing. I've never been so grateful!

Its good to know that everywhere we go there is a network of members that are always willing to help. And its always interesting to me to see the gospel in action ALL around the world! I love it!

The church is true. Thats all I wanted to say.

Prague Castle

Well we made it to Prague. Its been harder and harder to find the internet so I apologize for the lack of blogging.

I love Prague! It is absolutely gorgeous! The architecture is incredible! The buildings and bridges are so diverse and colorful. I love it! However, the people here are about as nice as the Dutch (in other words... they're not)!

Yesterday we hit the main tourist attraction, Prague Castle.

There is so much history in this one little city. It makes it so much fun!

Prague Castle

Being just a little cheesy inside the Old Palace

This is for Ryan!

Do you like the shades theme in this picture?

ha ha... I do.

First Day in Prague in front of the National Museum

John Lennon Memorial Wall that we just happened upon.

Can you imagine?

My mark on the wall-You're jealous!

I have a ton more pictures and lots more to say. But I'm out of time!

Lots of Love!

Quick Wrap Up of Amsterdam

Amsterdam was a lot more fabulous than I thought it would be. Since I didn't get to a computer before we left, here are some pics to wrap up my stay there.

I told you it was beautiful

Two Posts in One Day... Lucky Duck!

So I forgot to tell you about last night. Obviously I was just going to have to write another post. So now you get to enjoy two!

Last night we decided to take an evening canal boat tour of Amsterdam. It was awesome! Amsterdam is made up of three main canals, plus the River Amstel that the city was named for. Man, it was really pretty!

Bridge over the biggest canal

I have definitely fallen in love with the colors of Amsterdam!

Aren't they beautiful!

Did you know that there are more bikes than people in Amsterdam!

I'm serious!

There are 750,000 people, and 1 million bikes!

It was a gorgeous night. We had lots of fun!

We even drifted through the red light district. But I have no photos to share of that one. Plus you shouldn't be looking anyway. Interesting to note the the Red Light District has actually been diminishing and in twenty years it probably won't have anything left to it.

Anyway, time to go!

Cherio!

(And I didn't even mean to rhyme!)

Anyone for some cheese?

Yesterday we took the train to Alkmaar to go to the Cheese market. It was fun to watch the men run around wearing traditional Dutch clothing and carrying big blocks of cheese. We walked around and sketched a lot. It was a beautiful area! My favorite part of the day was sitting at this little outdoor cafe, listening to the band play afar off somewhere, and sketching bits and pieces of Alkmaar.

Alkmaar is an interesting town. It's a lot more cultural than Amsterdam.

Overall I really enjoyed the day.

We had fun doing some shopping too. :D

Say Cheese!

Yum

What do you think of my new shoes?

See they are wearing them. I just wanted to be in fashion!

So I bought them.

(he he...okay maybe I didn't buy those,

but I did buy a pair of fabulous shoes!)

Funny side note: If I have time before I publish a post I will usually spell check it. So I tried and it came up that practically ALL of my words were wrong. I'm not always the best speller, especially if I'm in a hurry, but I didn't think I was that bad! Turns out I'm not speaking Dutch so the spellchecker is mad. I laughed.

Pictures

Dad "highly suggested" taking out my camera and taking more photos. I'm glad he did.

So here's a glimpse of Amsterdam. The PRETTY side!

Look Look! My SKETCH! And its DECENT!

Amsterdam

We made it to Amsterdam yesterday.

It's been interesting. Different.

It smells awful, but the area is beautiful!

Us outside the airport

Good 'Ole Holland (I told you it was stinky!)

They have fabulous cheese here!

Don't get jealous Casey! ;)

I loved these flowers!

(I couldn't get closer... to many bees!)

The Canals... Gorgeous!

I tried to sketch the canals this afternoon. I had a little bit of progress.

Wahoo!

Well our hotel is... um... er... ah... less than ideal. We will just leave it at that. But what fun is a trip without a little bit of an adventure? Or lots.

Anyway, we're having fun. For those of you who I'm supposed to be calling the phones aren't working and in order to figure it out I have to speak Dutch, so I can't call you yet. Email me and we'll figure it out.

Cheers!