A New Adventure

Next week I get to start a new adventure.  I get to learn and experience new things.  I get to meet new people.  I get to practice my domestic skills.  I get to live with some of the choices woman in the world.  I get to have a couch.  I get to drive around rockin' to country.  I get to study all the time!

Unlike last year, however, this year I get to share this adventure with my best friend and sister :D

Words can not describe how excited I am!  And I am even more excited to be insanely crazy with her (hopefully without embarrassing her too much)!

"I smile because your my sister, I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it!"

Conquering Toll Roads

Today I had the wonderful joy of attending one of my best friend's farewells for his LDS Mission!  He lives close enough, his bishop is Danny Ainge, and food is involved, so naturally I was there!  

I am a terrible driver in the sense that I get lost and make every wrong turn imaginable.  Oh the stories I could tell you.  To save me from my direction disability my parents bought a GPS.  I found out early on that his (he has a dashing English accent) favorite phrase when I drive is "Recalculating."  I am looking into downloading the Darth Vader voice for my GPS... that would make getting lost an even more exciting adventure, especially coupled with the imperial march music (*alert, star wars nerd*).  My talent for taking a wrong turn can even vanquish the GPS!  Psh, computers will never be smarter than humans as long as I am driving!

I was fine until I saw a sign for a toll road.  First, I panicked.  TOLL ROAD?  But it is the Sabbath!!  I didn't think I would need money!! AH!  So I quickly veered and took the other road.  

But to my dismay this also lead to a toll.  I knew I had a dollar bill and some change so I said a quick prayer that it would be enough to allow me to pass through the fortress and onto the farewell.  I found the $1.25 and was on my way!

But what I didn't realize was that I was going the opposite direction... on a toll road no less.  Of course I didn't realize this until my English tour guide commanded me to take the next exit and then get on the highway again.  As I approached the second toll (which was really just the first toll but going the other direction) I started to panic!  What do they do to you if you don't have enough change in your car cup container to pass through!!!  Do they impound the car!  Will I be sentenced to a lifetime of toll collecting?  Should I just speed through the E-z pass lane and face the United States Government later in the day after I have been properly fed?  No, I knew I was going to be taking the sacrament later and it didn't seem right... not that I didn't seriously consider it. 

I frantically found 3 quarters, a dime, and a nickel.  I decided to just come clean and face the consequences.  As I pulled up I handed the man my change and explained how I had made a wrong turn.  He laughed (I was probably entertainingly stressed and sincerely penitent) then gave me a wink and said, "you sure you don't have a quarter for me darling?"  Right at that moment I looked into my wallet one last time and saw A QUARTER!!!  I still can not believe it, I had checked before I pulled up!  I squealed for joy and handed it to him as he laughed.  

Right after this I felt extremely blessed by the Lord.  Sure, I probably didn't need that last quarter (especially since he gave me a wink haha), but Heavenly Father supported me in my effort to attend my friend's farewell. This was a true miracle and an answer to my earlier prayer :D

I have a strong testimony in missionary service.  I know, through experience, that when we pray for an opportunity to share the gospel that He will help us if we faithfully obey and work hard.  I am SO thankful for my many friends who have chosen to focus two years of their life to serving the Lord and helping to spread the joy that comes with the Gospel.  I can not wait to join them and serve the Lord on a mission as well!  In a year and 4 months I can turn in my papers, but who is counting!?!  I love the Lord and know that Christ lives!


For more information about Latter Day Saint Missions, please click here. 

:D

Meatballs

The other day I was assigned the task of dinner: Swedish meatballs and potatoes.  My mother and sister were out shopping and my sister told me on the phone that the meatballs were in our freezer in the basement.  So I went down stairs in search of the meatballs. 

Background story to fill you in:  I am Mormon, and as such we believe in keeping a food storage so that we can be self reliant and prepared for a natural disaster, losing a job, a forgotten ward potluck, or having hungry missionaries for dinner (well the last two reasons are not exactly why... but food storage definitely comes in handy at those real emergencies).  In our basement we have a huge food storage area that looks much like a mini store.  It is a joke (a very accurate joke) in my family that no one besides my mom can ever find what we are looking for.  

Knowing all this I thought to myself as I was walking down the stairs, "This time I will not call my mom and ask ten times where the meatballs are... this time I shall do the impossible and find the meatballs by MYSELF."  And those were my last words.... if only I had known better.  

After 10 minutes of looking in the big downstairs freezer (we have two) I decided that I was not properly equipped for such a mission.  I went to my room and pulled on my warmest hoodie, the giant fuzzy one my dad brought back from Oxford University.  It is big enough to cover  my hands as well.  I ran downstairs and continued to look, pulling everything out. 


Then I heard someone arriving home.  With relief I called out, "Mom?".  Then my dad popped out his head out the basement door and said "nope, its Dad."  "Oh," I said in complete despair.  Needless to say he felt welcomed, but he understood after I explained my predicament.  He offered to help but as soon as he looked in the freezer a box of ice cream sandwiches caught his eye and he grabbed one and was consumed with eating it as he supervised my search :D

Then I gave up and went upstairs about to call my mom.  But before I did I decided to check the freezer in the kitchen.  In utter joy I saw the meatballs!!!  I had succeeded in doing what no child had done before!  I had found the ingredients for dinner without having to ask my mom where,  not even once!

Friday...

I know that this is probably getting terribly old.  But after listening to the song for a few months it has finally grown on me.  Especially after the Glee version.  

But I also like this version a lot too... 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tRm1CwtJuQ

But then again... it is still a terrible song bahaha - but that is what we love about it <3

:D 

Babysitting

Today I went with my mom to babysit two of my favorite little boys!  I think that little kids say the darndest things;

Braeden:  How much is 40 years?

Analisa:  Well I think my mom is 40 years old?

Braeden:  And my dad!

Analisa:  Oh that is cool!  How old are you Braeden?  

Braeden:  Three!!! How old are you?

Analisa:  I am 19!

Braeden:  *gasp in surprise (like I said something rude)*  Don't say that!   giggiling... Do you have muscle? 


Analisa:  *very seriously* Yes Braden I do!  Would you like to feel it?  

Braeden:  Yes. 

Analisa:  Can I see your muscle now?

Braeden:  *A smile travels across his face as he lifts his arms in the air with his fists clenched, showing off his impressive muscles.*   



I am so glad that I started working out at the gym or else I would have had to reply with "no" and face the unpardonable shame of being 19 and without muscle... I am relieved that Braeden knows what is to be expected of today's young adults! 
:D