Sisterly Love

 A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost. ~Marion C. Garretty

 Having a sister is like having a best friend you can’t get rid of. You know whatever you do, they’ll still be there. ~Amy Li

A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves — a special kind of double. ~Toni Morrison

I know there is mostly just one of my sisters here, but I have been bombarded with the world's best sisters in the form of best friends, roommates, missionary companions, and, of course, my biological sisters. 

Despite kids, husbands, jobs, and life events, my role as a sister will always be high on the list. 

After the Manner of Happiness

After listening to Jeffrey R. Holland's talk titled, "Living After the Manner of Happiness," here are some of my things from my life that invite happiness:

1. The gospel of Jesus Christ. One of the many blessings that come from the gospel is General Conference every six months. Another blessing was being a able to serve a mission of inviting others to live the gospel. The best? Being able to combine those blessings by watching G.C. with Courtney who I met on my mission!

2. Being surrounded by God's beauty and creations on a daily basis. The trick is to take time out of your busy life to actually enjoy it. 

 3. Creating memories with the people I love. 

What helps you to live after the manner of happiness?

And Now I'm Back

.....from outer space.

(Please say that at least one person gets the reference).

Because of my 19 month hiatus from this blog I will treat you with a 19 point list of random loveliness. None in order.

1. I'm truly back from Tennessee and Kentucky (its own planetary system to be sure).

I flew into Salt Lake City on August 27th, and received quite the royal welcome from mi familia.

2. Reunited with the Mizzy!

3. Playing the most beautiful instrument with some talented youngsters.

4. I'm thinking Stevie is not too excited to have me back as her mother 

and I like to play around in Provo. 

5. One of my favorite places to be in on a college campus. Especially with those gorgeous mountains behind! (I really missed the mountains!)

6. Can you find the "Y"?

7. Seeing mission buddies! You talk about these moments as a missionary, but it seems surreal that you are able to hang out...in pants.

8. Stalking my childhood home. Those trees were definitely not that size. 

9. Visiting Jeb's grave in Malta. So glad he is closer to the rest of the gang!

10. Seeing MANY General Authorities! D. Todd Christofferson is somewhere in that mix. 

11. Being overwhelmed with all the new nephews and nieces. "They're everywhere, they're everywhere!"

12. Still being entertained by the elder ones. He asked me to handcuff him to the chair. Being the charitable aunt I am, I had to oblige. 

13. One of the members in my mission sent me this picture. Her daughter named her African American doll and stuffed pig "Sister Johnson" and "Sister Johnson" from when I was companions with a Sister Johnson. What a honor. 

14. Reunited with Pickle! Both proud of our Southern missions!

15. We received a knock on the door one evening and a guy from the ward bought a dozen roses and was giving a rose to each apartment. I happened to be the one to answer the door so they all claim it was for me.

16. What happens when you add Halloween and S'mores together? You get orange marshmallow cream = deliciousness. 

17. Mission Reunion!!! It happened to land on my one month of being home anniversary and was such a tender mercy to see so many of my good friends. Luckily I didn't have too many awkward "do we hug or shake" experiences. We all just went in for the hug.

18. 8:30 am church means special roommate bonding time.

19. And just another picture of the siblings. Thanks for singing in sacrament meeting!

Goodbye

It started with this:

See you in 18 months!

In the meantime, be sure to watch for my new blog:

Little Light

Feeling British

My obsession for all things British is obvious.

And probably annoying for people.

But I'm just in love with it all.

And then I feel bad because I'm living the dream in America. So many people sacrificed to live here and here I am choosing to watch Downton Abbey instead of the Superbowl.

But that's just my taste and I really do love the US of A . I am full of gratitude for all of my ancestors who sacrificed to be over here. 

So here's to my last British post for at least eighteen months.

I was introduced to Downton Abbey while I was in England and after Fall semester, I started to watch all the  episodes like a madwoman, dragging Mummsie and Dad along as well.

We finally finished the last episode this last weekend and I squealed with delight 

when I saw this castle pop up:

Why? 

Because I've been there!!!

So as the Dowager Countess of Grantham once said,

"Put that it your pipe and smoke it."

Just So's Y'All Knows:

I got my Associate's Degree.

I also did not fall once on the Rexburg sidewalks.

They should give me another certificate for that.

I also actually received my Associate's a few semesters back and just recently requested it.

How's that for academic ambition.

Music Monday

Except if I were singing it, I would throw in a few more female examples.

SAN.DI.EG.O

San Diego has always been one of my favorites. On one such adventure down to America's Finest Cities, I developed many favorites that have not altered with age such as:

Favorite animal-Killer whales

Favorite scripture- 3 Nephi 12:16

Favorite temple- San Diego

One of my pre-mission goals is to go to the temple every week (and preferably a new one). My parents spoiled me by driving down to San Diego so that I could go through the temple there. If you look closely you can see me in my yellow cardigan in the picture above. 

Trust me on this one: try, try, try to get into the San Diego temple. It was absolutely gorgeous. They like to spoil the out-of-town visitors so I was able to see a sealing room and the Bride's room as well. If my parents were hoping to fulfill my desires, the visit only encouraged me to marry there. Don't worry, a temple worker offered her son at BYU. Maybe when I come back he will still be there?

Other than our wonderful time at the temple we were able to explore a few beaches, eat lots of Mexican food, and visit the Mormon Battalion historical site. 

And now I would like to mimic the sea lions (or seals?) above.

Care to join me? 

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year That Happened a Week Ago

I had a most fantastic Christmas and New Years with hardly any pictures, but a basket of laundry to prove it. Most of the holidays were spent living out of a suitcase in Boise, Provo, and Bear Lake. 

My first photo with the new camera:

 For nine months of terrorizing her womb, we thank Mummsie by rubbing her feet:

Went through the Twin Falls temple (JC and Sara left before the picture):

And went through the SLC temple as well:

Latin Dancing at the Church History Museum. Not sure how those two relate, but please note the little punk in the background. He was kind enough to inform us of his photobomb afterwards:

She lights up my life:

Some events to celebrate the last days of 2012:

Reading books.

Snowmobiling and snowboarding.

Sleeping in.

Going through the temple.

Party with the family.

Party with my friend's family.

Les Mis.

The Hobbit.

Eating food.

Awkward church dances.

Sitting in the car.

Merry Christmas!

Dear John

I've never written a Dear John letter so I'm kind of rough at it, but here it goes.

Dear BYU-Idaho,

            Well, what can I say? My last two and half years with you have been quite the adventure! I've met all sorts of wonderful people and reunited with friends old and new. The job in Admissions was perfect and fed me well (both in money and actual food....and sweatshirts and shirts and candy). My education was superb as my love for both English and life-long learning has increased ten-fold. I feel like I've matured so much whilst there, but we know that is a lie. Not to mention the incredible study abroad experience. The Spirit of Ricks is real and I've loved you since I was eight years old. But it is time to separate...at least for 20 months. So until Fall 2014, 

              Neener

Behind the photo: One day at work they extended the offer to go on a behind-the-scenes tour of the 

BYU-I center. My favorite part was the cat walks overlooking the auditorium. Every devotional I would look up there and want to wander around. And I got to.

Bucket List = Check

*Also for those interested: I am deferring to both BYU and BYU-I for the duration of my mission and I'll make a decision (hopefully) when it gets closer to my homecoming. BYU-I perks: the best college job ever and I'm a senior (What?? When did this happen?). BYU perks: The Editing Minor and something new.*

Happiest of Birthdays

It is a very special birthday today.

It is that of Miss Jane Austen.

She is one of my absolute favorite authors.

Think of all the amazing characters and plots that were created on this little desk:

This is why I believe Jane and I would get along smashingly:

“The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.” 

“A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment.” 

“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” 

“The more I know of the world, the more I am convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love. I require so much!” 

“but for my own part, if a book is well written, I always find it too short.” 

Mission Time

Hello friends! 

It's that time when I have to patiently wait to hear where I'll be spending the next 1.5 years of my life. 

Where on earth do you think I'll go?!?!

Click on the link and cast your vote:

Choose a stateside and foreign mission. Include your name!

Happy Thanksgiving

From my family to yours.