A series of not so unfortunate events :)

So, today's my day off and I decided to post a bunch of blogs I've wanted to post for a while. Take a looksy if you're curious and/or have the time. :)

A year ago and then some...

I can no longer say "A year ago today I was knocking on doors in humid, sweaty Mississippi." July 30th marked 1 year since I was released from being a full time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And now, all I can say is "A year ago today I was a normal person." But wait a minute...we, as Latter-day Saints are a peculiar people, right? So, I guess I'm not "normal." I'm peculiar. :) I want to do better with spreading the gospel as a member missionary. I've done some things here and there, helped a few people on my merry little way, but I want to do much, MUCH more. I MISS being a missionary A LOT. And in some ways, it doesn't really feel like a whole year has passed. I'll always cherish the memories and eternal friendships I made during that year and a half. This last year hasn't been easy. In fact, the transition back was a very hard and painful process, and every once in a while I'm swept back to those same feelings of loss and heart-ache I had when I laid my head on my pillow the night of July 30th, 2008 and realized that the next morning would be the start of the first day I would not wear my name tag. Tears streamed down my cheeks that night as I realized how much harder it was going to be to keep my personal relationship with my Savior and Heavenly Father strong and connected. It has been a battle, but I've felt their comfort and support through every trial I've had to face during this last year. And I'm happy to say, I still know that the Gospel is true; it was restored by Jesus Christ himself through the boy, Joseph Smith, who was chosen to be the first prophet in this last dispensation. I know that through the Gospel of Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end we will get back to our Savior and Father in Heaven. I know the Book of Mormon, Bible, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price are true and each testify of Jesus Christ and His Gospel. And I will not let the world convince me otherwise.

Kevin did it!

So, I took this trip before the wedding trip and never posted about it. My brother, Kevin Patrick Perry, graduated from Westview Highschool! Never thought that would happen...just kidding! No, I know Kevin can do anything when he sets his mind to it, and I had a blast spending a long weekend with the family in honor of him and his accomplishments. He's such a great guy and recently, on August 8th, turned 18. He'll be heading off to BYU-Idaho in the winter and I'm super excited to share "adult life" with him in good ole Rexburg. I'm blessed to have him as my brother.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I freakin' LOVE my family.

Um...so yeah. I pretty much have the most amazing family ever. Immediate, extended, married in...you name it, I've got the greatest. Ok, so I'm a little biased to my own family. But shoot, if you knew them you'd freakin' LOVE them too. I had so much fun spending time with the fam on my trip to Oregon for the wedding. We had some good bonding times. LOVE LOVE LOVE them. (Small picture disclaimer:Because some family members work and also live so far away such as Chuck, step-siblings, other members of the Peterson/Anderson clan, and other extended family...there're only a select few family members in these shots. :))

Hermana's BIG day

My little sister now has a new last name and an eternal companion. She has a new apartment, new kitchen supplies, and a new blog. :) She is no longer goin' solo, but has Bobby Ulrich by her side in every aspect of her life. And oh how sweet it is. :) The day they united as one with God was the most beautiful day of my life so far. I've thought and thought about it, trying to compare it with days on my mission. And while the mission was seriously the best, most beautiful experience I've had to endure, something about that day, the day of Bobby and Kayleen's sealing, tops it all. I don't really know what else to say without going on for hours and hours about my pride in them, my appreciation for them, my love for them, my admiration of them and my never-ending support for them. They could have done it many other ways...but they chose the right, and worked hard for it. And now, they have entered into a special and sacred union that can only happen in the true house of the Lord. It doesn't end there, but if you know anything about Bobby and Kayleen, you know that they're not quitters. I sure do love them.



(This one was done by the pro photographer, Ashleigh Thornock.)

What I Meant to Say

I've taken the color code test many times, and each time I take it, I fall in the BLUE catigory. It never fails, I am always a blue. After I take the test, I like to read what the colors stand for and their relationships with eachother. The description of a BLUE fits my character perfectly.

"Blues are gratified when they are listened to, when they feel understood and appreciated. They are notorious for revealing their inadaquacies, because they value being known and understood so much. In the eyes of a Blue, being vulnerable is a small price to pay for the chance to connect emotionally. Blues may have their hearts broken more than most people, but they also spend much more time in love."

This is SOOOOO true in every relationship in my life. I'm not just talking romantic relationships. I'm talking plain old family and friend relationships too. I've never been one who can really have casual friends, because I feel such a need to connect emotionally and deeply with those I spend my time with. I constantly open myself up, show my inadaquacies, and pretty much hand my heart over to anyone who seems trustworthy. The problem with that however, as the book "The Color Code" states, is I get my heart broken time after time after time...and let me tell ya...it gets EXAHSTING. So, I've recently come across a song on the new Daughtry album that describes exactly the way I feel about so many of the relationships I've had. And, because this is MY blog, I'm using it as an outlet. I think it's a great song for anyone...as I'm sure everyone...no matter what "color" you may be, has experienced this in some form or another.

Ain't It Funny

Well, here's another one. I refuse to let another year go by in between songs...even if they aren't great. I don't care; I'm just gonna keep crankin' them out. So, have at it. But, between you and me...I kind of like this one. :) This is the first shot at recording it, so there's a few mess ups...but it's me!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Don't you love how in every video I make(well, all TWO of my videos)I have to adjust my glasses before I start playing?