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!

What Am I Getting Into?

As I am approaching my departure date, I am frequently asking myself the question, "What am I getting into?" I'm not talking about leaving all familiarity and trying to convince people of the Bible belt that the Book of Mormon is not the devil's book. I'm talking about this:

*All of this pictures are from Pinterest boards having to do with Tennessee*

The sad truth behind this last picture is if you follow the link, this product is sold out. I guess the New Year's resolution to lose weight is more successful when wearing Camo Yoga Pants.

Music Monday

I'll be singing this next year...

Called to Serve

Well folks, I have been called to serve the people in the Tennessee Nashville mission.

What is going is through my mind you ask?

I'll learn to love country music, buy my first pair of cowgirl boots, develop a southern twang, and eat lots of deep fried food.

I'll have to refrain from cringing every time incorrect grammar is heard.

It will be incredibly humid.

And I am going crazy with excitement.

I'm going to a part of the country I have never been to and I get to teach in my native language with no barriers between me and my message. The date (February 13th) is perfect for my situation right now.

But the most exciting thing is that

I GET TO SHARE THE GOSPEL!!!

The Gospel and my family make my life incredibly happy. Now I get the chance to share this happiness with the people of Tennessee (and some of Kentucky and Illinois!). I'll probably make more connections with my dad's profession than with my obsession with books, but I am already in love with the people there.