Finding That Support You Need
This one was a little rough for me. When I first started dating Landon, most of my family tried to talk me out of it saying that it wasn't worth risking the pain I would feel when he left for a mission or don't date him, he's just a premie. And honestly, it got a little disheartening after a while. Maybe I should have been flattered that they thought I was desirable enough to get snatched up while he was away for two years, but I just got sad. I put of dating him for a long time because I was worried about what my family and friends would say and how I would be lectured. Then, I finally realized that I was an adult and didn't need other people to "ok" my decisions. This has made all of the difference, which brings me to my real topic of the day.

"The more you love your decisions, the less you NEED other people to."  

Although waiting for a missionary is hard, it is such a blessing. There are going to be those people that you come in contact with that, for some reason, just can't seem to be supportive that this is what you want and what you believe will make you the happiest. Thankfully, we have our agency and do not need to do what other people say all of the time. With some people, I don't talk about Landon at all because I know they'll be unsupportive or just act like it's dumb. The trick is to find those friends and family members who just want you to be happy whatever that is and when you need to talk to someone, talk to them. My mom has always been wonderful and supportive of my decisions. I know that if I need someone that I can always talk to her without her judging me or saying "I told you so."  I have also been blessed with friends that not only don't mind listening to me talk about Landon, but care enough to really want to know how he is and how I am handling things. Just ignore those people that want to make this harder on you than you need it to be. Luckily, I am also good friends with some of Landon's relatives that are so supportive. I know that if I ever want to talk about him that his mother would also be more than happy to oblige. 

While this stability and happiness with making my decisions alone was hard to come by for me at first, I am so glad that I no longer need the approval of others for my decisions. I love waiting for my special Elder and knowing that even though I am not serving a mission, I am making a difference in his life as well. 

More Random Tips

Lately I have been working hard on focusing on the needs of others rather than worrying about my life so much. I have found other people that need supported and have gained a personal interest in their problems hoping that I might be able to help them to find the happiness that we are deserve to find in this life.  I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and for all of the blessings it gives to me. I feel so blessed to have a forever family that I love so much. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that He loves us so much that he was willing to go through the atonement not only for our sins, but for all of our pains, loneliness, and even joys so that He could understand EVERYTHING that we must/will ever go through. I love my Savior so much and am eternally indebted to Him for all of the blessings in my life. I feel so blessed to have a knowledge of the Plan of Happiness and to be able to share it with others and also to have a missionary who is willing to give up two years of his life to share that same message.

Men are That They Might Have Joy
Holy cow! I cannot believe how great I've felt the last few days! Like I said previously, it's been a long first month. A lot of this sadness came from a fear that Landon would get so busy in the work that he'd forget all about me. I was also afraid that with his new life, I'd get left behind. I mean, he's going to have the most amazing experience and I felt like it would change him in a way that we would no longer be compatible. Goodness gracious, am I silly!!

 

This time that you have apart can honestly bring you closer together if you let it. I know that it will still be difficult at times, but I can honestly say that I am more in love with Landon today than I was when he left over a month ago. Somehow, by sharing his experiences as a missionary with me, I feel a sense of accomplishment. As his testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ grows, mine does as well. I can see the joy that the gospel has brought to him as a missionary and I know that it can do that for all who accept this gospel. I can't feel luckier to have a guy who knows the importance of serving the Lord full time for two years. I know that when we rely on the Lord and have faith in His Plan of Happiness that we can truly find happiness throughout every part of our lives.

Tips for Other Missionary Girlfriends
- Reminisce on all of the wonderful times you and your fella have had
- Read his letters and see how his testimony is growing while he is on his mission (this one has really helped me)
- Keep a separate journal specifically for your elder to give him when he gets home. My journal to Landon has a bunch of mushy stuff that I don't want to send him, but need to get out in the open. (I keep mine on the computer because I'm moving around a lot and don't want to accidentally misplace it)
- Although it may be annoying to other people, it's alright to get all decked out in missionary girlfriend attire. I've got a pillowcase, missionary Build A Bear (that I made with Landon before he left), a slideshow of him and me on my computer, and a bunch of pictures that I will put up as soon as I get back out to school.
- Try to only send supportive messages to your elder. I know it's so tough because we are girls and like to talk about our feelings, but this IS NOT OUR TIME. This is the time for him to give completely to the Lord. We need to remember that this is where they are supposed to be and help them as they are going through all of these new experiences.
- Constantly tell your missionary how proud you are of him and all the accomplishments that he is having. In my tape that Landon just sent me, he told me that he could not tell me how much it helped him that I was being so supportive. There were missionaries he knew that didn't have such supportive girlfriends that were having a much more difficult time. 

 How it all began
I have never been a blogger, but I found that the blogs from other missionary girlfriends has really helped me to get through the last little bit of Landon being gone, so I decided that I would try and help other girls that may be having a difficult time to know that they ARE NOT alone.

So, here's a little about me and my Missionary. We met July 1, 2011 at the Hill Cumorah Pageant. We were both really shy at first, but luckily were put in the same group that we stayed in during our free time. We both happened to be in the same scene and so one day when we were given a break, I went over to talk to him since I did not know anybody else. Then, we started spending ever second for the rest of the 2 weeks that we had together. We had a wonderful time together at the pageant as friends, but also a little more. When it was time to leave, I was heartbroken because we knew that this was something special, but we didn't think a relationship would work out because we lived so far away and we were going to two different LDS colleges - he went to BYUI and I went to BYU. Not to mention, he had yet to serve a mission. Somehow, through the next year, we made it work out and fell hard for one another thanks to Skype and ride boards. I have never wanted to be one of those girls that get stuck waiting around for one guy; but, when you find that one you've just got to do it.

Anziano Thompson

 Landon has been called to serve in the Milan Italy Mission. He entered the MTC on May 9th and is anxiously awaiting the time for him to head to Italy.

The first month of him being gone has been extremely difficult. Letters and emails only do so much for that person you are used to talking to all day every day. Every time I start to think it's getting easier, my emotions take a turn for the worst. Still, I always have those moments or those days that I KNOW that this is what I want and i wouldn't be happy any other way. Today was one of those days. I've been really down because I haven't gotten a letter for a while, but today I got my first tape. It made such a difference. Hearing his testimony grow and all of the experiences he is having is one of the greatest things that a girlfriend can experience.

Many different people suggest that for the first month you do anything to keep yourself busy. I would suggest the same thing, but sometimes that just isn't possible. For me, I am doing a new job in a new place, but I still have a lot of down time that can make me feel sad. In this case, find a new hobby that is cheap and fun to do. For instance, I'm trying blogging and photo editing. This has never been something I was interested in, but it really does help.

This is probably enough information for me today, but I'll be sure to write again soon. Considering the fact that I may not get very many readers, I will continue to do this blog for my own sake because it is somehow therapeutic.