Waiting Time!

I've gotten a lot accomplished in the past few weeks. Mission papers all done!

Physical and dental appointments complete!

Contract sold!

Interviews finished!

Papers being submitted tonight!

Holy cow! I cannot believe that less than a month ago, I was not really planning on going on a mission and now I could be entering the MTC in a couple of months. I can't believe that within two weeks, I will know where I am going. I feel so extremely blessed that Heavenly Father has opened up a way for me to go out and serve him as a full-time missionary. I know that my Redeemer lives and that He loves each and every one of us. I know that He has a plan for our lives and I cannot wait until I get to share that plan with other! 

Fun Stuff To Come

So, while getting my dentist appointment, I found out that I have to get my wisdom teeth taken out...something my pediatric dentist back home told me that I wouldn't have to get done. Luckily for any of you who consistently read my blog, my wonderful roommates have promised videos and pictures whenever this occurs. 

Also, my mission papers should be here within the next two weeks. Since my family will not be here, I am planning on some major Google chatting so they can all be a part of opening my call. I am also gonna tape it and send the whole experience to Landon so he can feel a part of it. 

In less than a month, my Mom is going to come in town. While she's here, we are going to get to visit some of my family out in this area and Landon's family! I am so excited. I don't know if I have been this excited for an entire month in a really long time! 

  

About My Missionary

Landon and I just made it to our one year mark of dating! I couldn't feel more lucky to have such a wonderful guy come into my life. I am so proud of him and the work that he is doing and can't wait to get out there in the mission field with him!

 Landon is doing really well. He loves his new companion, who is from Virginia. He said they laugh together all of the time. They have been teaching tons of investigators and having wonderful success. In the past week, two of his investigators who had been living together got married! One step closer to baptism!
I love to hear how his testimony is growing with each and every week that he is out there.

 I am still waiting on a package from here to get here with my tape in it! I am so excited. 

I can't lie and say that I haven't been missing him like crazy, but I couldn't be more proud of him for the service that he is doing.

Missionary girlfriends: don't forget to let your fellas know how proud you are of them. They need to hear it. 

 

Well, that's it for now! I'll give more information soon!

I Hope They Call Me On a Mission

Mission papers are coming along swimmingly. I have everything done now except for my dentist appointment and my Bishop and Stake President's appointments. I feel pretty accomplished. I had tons of papers online to fill out once I first talked to my Bishop. I was pretty excited so, I finished just about all of those that first night! 

The Physical: Ok, girls...if you are going on a mission and are about to get your physical. Read over the papers before you go in so you know what to expect when you go in there. I didn't and so I was kind of freaked out. I thought they'd just check my heart and all that jazz. They can be ridiculously overwhelming if you  don't know what to expect. Thankfully, my dearest roommate went with me to help me get through the traumatizing experience!

That mean doctor even took my blood and gave me a shot.... It was not fun, but will be so worth it when I get to go out there and serve the Lord! 

Dentist Appointment: should be much less traumatizing than my physical. I have it set for this Wednesday. 

  

Other Appointments : I have both my Bishop and Stake President's appointments set up for this following Sunday. After those, they can submit my papers and I should be able to to have my call within two weeks of that. It's so crazy. 

The Lord Will Provide a Way

There have been so many different things that could have possibly kept me from going on a mission, especially since I am not required to go. There was my student loan, my housing contract, and paying for my mission. Everything is falling into place. I figured out how to defer payments on my student loans until I get home, found a girl to take over my housing contract without causing me any penalties, and have figured out how to pay for at least most of my mission. My family is the greatest. So many of my Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, my wonderful parents, family friends, and even my siblings have offered to help out. Missions aren't cheap - $400 a month, but I'm well on my way to finding people willing to help out. I couldn't feel more grateful for the wonderful people that I have in my life. 

The mission process can be slightly overwhelming as well, especially if you didn't expect it. But, it is so amazing! I love that I will be out serving the Lord full time pretty soon. I'm especially excited that one of my best friends (and cuz) just got his mission call this past week. Daniel Harrison is going to the Riverside, CA mission. He will report to the MTC on December the 19th! 

How Are Things With My Anziano?

Landon is just enjoying the service. His companion had a surprise transfer and so now he has a new one. He's keeping really busy with lessons and such. His emails don't have too much information in them, so I'll put more on whenever I get my next tape. But, he's doing really well. He keeps telling me how much he can't wait for me to be out in the mission field with him! It's going to be so amazing to share our stories back and forth.

Ok, for Missionary Girlfriends
At some points, the letters can start to be a little monotonous. Don't get my wrong, I love getting letters, but there will be times when they get a little dry and nothing new is in them. Don't get discouraged. Keep being supportive. Your fella most likely isn't forgetting about you or loving you any less, they are just engulfed in the work, which is how they are supposed to be. Eventually, he will have so many amazing stories to tell me! Sometimes it just takes a while for them to come along. If you ever start feeling super lonely, call you mom! My mom has helped me out a ton! If you don't want to call your mom, just keep yourself busy. Engulf yourself in the scriptures. With Christ, you are never alone even when you feel like it. 

Alright, this is it for now. I will write again soon. Maybe before I get my call, maybe right after!  

 

The Game Changer

I'm going on a mission! For those of you who don't really understand how or why this sudden change, let me share a clip from this past General Conference. The Prophet, Thomas S.  Monson authorized young men to leave for their missions at the age of 18 (after high school graduation) and also lowered the age of sister missionaries from 21 to 19!  

I have always wanted the opportunity to serve a mission, I just didn't think it would happen because girls are not required and, well, you know....marriage is a great call too. I feel so blessed. Now I will get to go out and serve the Lord as well! As soon as I heard, I knew what I wanted/needed to do. There is so much work to be done at this time and I, as a disciple of the Lord, need to do my part! 

Side note: girls, I'm not suggesting that you've got to go or anything. On the contrary. I know that we are not required. If you feel it is right and that the Lord desires this of you, then go!

One of the most exciting parts about this is that I will get to be out in the mission field at the same time as Landon. I most likely won't be called to Italy (which would be sooooooo amazing), but I don't care. I am just so grateful for this chance to serve.

I am now attempting to get my missionary papers in as soon as possible so hopefully I'll get back around the same time as Landon! 

1. interview with the Bishop (get link to online forms)

2. fill out paperwork (physicals, dental papers, ect)

3. meet with Bishop again for a second interview

4. meet with Stake President                           

5. submit papers                                         

6. Wait for the call                                 

I'm just getting started, but you better believe it won't take me too long. My mom is helping all she can.

For any non-members reading this: missionaries pay for their own missions. Since I never thought that I would get the chance to serve a mission, I have not been saving up any money. I was so sad to think I still wouldn't be able to go. But, the Lord will prepare a way for his work to move along. Some of my wonderful family members have offered to help my father pay a little every month so that I can go. I honestly do feel so blessed. Thanks to everyone in that category! I'll never be able to repay you for this great opportunity!

Piacenza Italy

Landon just had his first transfer to a new area. He is now serving in Piacenza Italy. He's only been there for a week, but he is loving it and says that it is so beautiful. He loves his companion and says that they are getting along really really well.

 He also got transferred into the area with 9 baptismal dates set,which thrilled him because he had left just about that many behind in Bustro Arsizio. He hasn't said much else other than that yet, so I'll have to update you when I find out!

Time for the Missionary Girlfriend Stuff

  Things are going really well. I'm still doing the hang out thing, but I've always got Landon on my mind. Somehow, even though he's gone, he's still my best friend. He is still the person I talk to about everything (well, the important stuff at least). I get one letter a week and send him one as soon as I get that. Wednesdays are the best days of my entire week because it's email day! 

I've just been keeping busy too. School, homework, roommates, friends, and I'm starting a new job at the end of the week! Adding on all of this stuff for my mission papers, and I'm completely booked! 

Ok, a few more edited pictures:

 

Well, that's everything for now! I'll make sure and let everyone know how the mission process is going!