Grandpa Boyd

Meet Grandpa Boyd...

Isn't he cute!

And talented!

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!

Spouts!!

Goal #10 Have a garden

I have sprouts! Which, I'll admit, is pretty good for my very brown thumb. Grandpa Boyd should be proud! I'm not past hope!

Welcome my windowpane cilantro!

Its a start #41

A few days ago my good friend Derek was looking over this blog and reading a few of my goals. But when he spotted my 41st Goal he promptly began to make fun of me. (What good friends do, right? Make fun of their friends' goals.) This is what he saw:

Goal #41: Floss my teeth once a week for a year

Okay, I know its a corny goal. And to set the record straight I really DO floss; I just HATE it! Hence, the goal.

So this is my official declaration that the next 52 weeks are now dedicated to my good friend Derek.

But if anyone is to thank it is my dear mission companion Sister (Brittiany) Cahoon for introducing me to this lovely:

This wouldn't have been possible without you.

(And yes... I really did start a ticker to keep track of my flossing. My progress can easily be tracked by simply looking over to the left panel of this blog. Pretty convenient huh.)

Goal #75

Goal #75: Hike Kilimanjaro or Everest Base Camp

No... no I have not hiked either Kilimanjaro or Everest yet, but I definitely have been re-inspired to try! My roommate lent me one of her favorite books called Touch the Top of the World. It's an autobiography of a blind man who hiked all the major peaks in the world... BLIND! Amazing! Definitely a good read! I would highly recommend it!

I've always been fascinated with mountains, with a particular interest in Everest. Its probably my dad's fault. He's always had a passion for Everest which is the reason we went and saw it a couple years ago. It is a magnificent mountain. I can't imagine climbing it. It was inspirational as our chartered helicopter flew up to 19,000 ft over base camp and all the trekkers. I wonder if I could ever really be there one day (that is IF I ever get back in shape... ha ha).

Our helicopter in the Himalayas

Everest Peak!

Little Monks

I'm back!

Dear Blog,

You are still here! What a loyal friend!

Well guess what... I'm BACK! It's true.

I know. I know. It's been awhile. I'll report on that soon. I just wanted you to know I haven't forgotten about you and that I am excited to become reacquainted.

Lots of Love,

Sister Painter... I mean... Carlee

The Time is Come!

12 hours and I will be set apart as missionary!

Wahoo!

Keep updated at sisterpainter.blogspot.com

or email my mom at ladawn79@hotmail.com for my address!

Therefore, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power;

and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance,

to see the Salvation of God and for his arm to be revealed. D&C 123:17

See you in 18 months!

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Hands off...

Hands off boys!

Dear cowboy,

18 months buddy!

Love,

Sister Painter

Ahhh!

8 Days and Counting!

Weekend Inspiration

Last weekend I got to celebrate the eternal progress of these two incredible people.

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My cousin met the girl of his dreams and married her in the Logan temple. I love them both dearly and am so excited for them.

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Plus, I better get eternal points out of the deal because if it weren't for me who knows if he would have ever gotten his act together and asked her for her number :D

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And I have to share! This picture was the highlight of my night!

They are simply inspirational.

Good thing I'm going on a mission, otherwise, I'd have to work on finding me that cowboy.

I thought it was time...

To introduce you to my family!

I tried to make these as accurate as possible.

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Dad: The work, work, work balding, "can't see a thing" most incredible man I know

Mom: The classy one who "can't see a thing" either that keeps our family together... and sane

Me: The cowgirl favorite oldest sister (and daughter) angel

Ry: The pirate/fireman costume should say it all

DP: The 17yr old teenager beauty drama queen

Bugs: The one who is taller than his older sisters and is going to be as big as a pro football player one day

Peaches: The twirling strawberry-blonde emotional bundle of energy

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That's my family! And I love them!

Always...

Ha ha! Sometimes I'm sure the Lord thinks we're not very good with our arithmetic either! :)

Especially myself! So I set a goal to write down ten things I'm grateful for everyday!

Temples

Why we build them:

Why I love them:

Elder Bednar last conference said:

The Lord declared, “I must gather together my people, . . . that the wheat may be secured in the garners to possess eternal life, and be crowned with celestial glory” (D&C 101:65).
Within the sound of my voice are many young women, young men, and children. I plead with you to be worthy, to be steadfast, and to look forward with great anticipation to the day you will receive the ordinances and blessings of the temple.
Within the sound of my voice are individuals who should have but have not yet received the ordinances of the house of the Lord. Whatever the reason, however long the delay, I invite you to begin making the spiritual preparations so you can receive the blessings available only in the holy temple. Please cast away the things in your life that stand in the way. Please seek after the things that are of eternal consequence.
Within the sound of my voice are individuals who have received the ordinances of the temple and for various reasons have not returned to the house of the Lord in quite some time. Please repent, prepare, and do whatever needs to be done so you can again worship in the temple and more fully remember and honor your sacred covenants.
Within the sound of my voice are many individuals who hold current temple recommends and strive worthily to use them. I commend you for your faithfulness and devotion.
I bear solemn witness that the fire of the covenant will burn in the heart of every faithful member of this Church who shall worship and honorably hold a name and standing in the Lord’s holy house.

A Prophet's Prayer

Every so often something touches your heart in a way that you will never forget. I remember the night President Hinckley gave his address to the youth, his famous 6 B's.

It was this moment that I will always remember feeling the special love of a prophet.

O God, our Eternal Father, as Thy servant I bow before Thee in prayer in behalf of these young people scattered over the earth who are gathered tonight in assemblies everywhere.

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Please smile with favor upon them. Please listen to them as they lift their voices in prayer unto Thee.

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Please lead them gently by the hand in the direction they should follow. Please help them to walk in paths of truth and righteousness and keep them from the evils of the world. Bless them that they shall be happy at times and serious at times, that they may enjoy life and drink of its fulness.

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Bless them that they may walk acceptably before Thee as Thy cherished sons and daughters. Each is Thy child with capacity to do great and noble things. Keep them on the high road that leads to achievement. Save them from the mistakes that could destroy them. If they have erred, forgive their trespasses and lead them back to ways of peace and progress.

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For these blessings I humbly pray with gratitude for them and invoke Thy blessings upon them with love and affection, in the name of Him who carries the burdens of our sins, even the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

Goal #32

Goal 32: Own a horse

Over the years I'm sure I've exasperated my poor parents into letting me own a horse. I was 6 years old when it all started. I'm 22 now. Poor parents. I have bugged them perpetually for 16 years now!

9yrs old

Well I still don't own a horse. Bummer I know. But I had a great experience last semester that came close to my goal.

I had to beg the teacher to allow me into his Advanced Animal Behavior class. I'm not an Animal Science major, I hadn't taken the pre-reqs, and he only accepts 10-12 students a semester. He didn't even know if I could ride. But somehow he let me in. And I will always be SO grateful!

Although its an Animal Behavior class, really it was a horsemanship class. We learn to work with horses. But it gets cooler than that! We learn equine psychology and natural horsemanship: learning to think like a horse and how to develop a relationship of trust. Oh man, after all my years of riding and training no one had ever taught me anything like that.

My semester project: Milo.

Each student was assigned to a horse- a difficult horse- to work with the whole semester. I got Milo. We spent at least 10-12 hours a week outside of class together. It took a lot of time, energy, creative problem solving, and hard work. Sometimes with little success. But by the end of the semester I realized Milo and I had come a LONG way. My goal was to build his confidence, and it wasn't until the end of the semester that I realize he had built mine too.

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I wish I could explain in one post everything I learned this semester. Believe it or not, there are some POWERFUL doctrine and principles that I observed and learned through this experience. But I can't. It would take way to long, and my words probably wouldn't do it justice.

One thing I did learn, was the power horses have to heal. There is something truly incredible that takes place when we realize our duty to God's creations around us. Adam was given dominion over all the living creatures. Today we have that same responsibility to care for those beings, and to allow them the same agency that we have been so blessed with. My experience with Milo taught me to be more Christlike. I tried to develop the same relationship with Milo that Christ would have had with him. And in turn, I think it was a tender mercy for Milo to help me in my own healing process.

Hopefully my next post about Goal #32 is that I will finally own one of my own! I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Maybe I should just marry a cowboy.