Looking back...

The years of 2007 and 2008 were the two most meaningful years of my life. I began my mission in 2007 and ended it in 2008. I miss it and think about those 18 months every single day. The memories well up inside of me until they come out in the form of free flowing tears every so often. The year 2008 was a great one. It began in Hattiesburg, Mississippi with a game of MouseTrap. It ended in Portland, Oregon with a game of Setlers. I witnessed many miracles during the year 2008. I felt the power of forgiveness from someone I had deeply hurt for the first time in my life. I was brought to my knees many, many times in the dinky little bathroom of Meridian, Mississippi where I learned who I truly am and who my Maker truly is. I poored my heart out to many people...some accepting what the Savior has to offer, some not so much. During the year 2008 I witnessed Leah Polanco come unto Christ and complete her family. I witnessed Leann Walden soften her heart and decide to be re-baptized and to bring her 9-year-old son with her. I witnessed Maureen, a poor, broken individual, become rich and whole in the Gospel, where she found love and acceptance. I witnessed a 10-year-old Madelyn wanting to follow the example of her older cousin and be baptized, even though her whole family tempted her with tea and other choices to stop her...yet she overcame. In the year 2008 I was able to teach Frank Golden every single missionary lesson, watch him progress, only to see miss his baptism date, twice. In the year 2008 I also received a phone call...the 25th of December to be exact, informing me that Frank Golden had finally followed the promptings of the Spirit and chosen to be babptized that day, and he was. In the year 2008 I met a dear friend and kindred spirit, Amy McCormick. In the year 2008 I was able to see my family for the first time in 18 months. My cousin and best friend, Sundy Lynn and her husband, Tyler, moved to Oregon to bless me with their sweet spirits during my sad days of post-mission life. During the year 2008 I had the oportunity to work closely with Santa Clause...the man who brightens the lives of believers, also known as children. In 2008 I received the sweetest gift I've ever received in my life from a longtime friend, Lisa Wach. A professionally bound and lamenated book of all my mission e-mails, my call, letters from the President, and release letters and certificate along with several pictures. During 2008 I was able to bond tighter with my sister, Kayleen Nicole, over many happy hour meals, movies, and games. During 2008 I saw the most snow Portland has seen since 1968. During 2008 I began writing a boy...a boy I like and likes me...and he started writing me back. :) And now, 2008 is over. I can't wait for the wonderful opportunites 2009 will bring.

You still want that pony...don't you?

This line along with "And for you it was the choo choo train, and you wanted a red wagon...and you wanted the easy bake oven huh! Ho ho ho, MERRY CHRISTMAS!" rang through the halls of Pioneer Place Mall this past month, and I had the privelage of witnessing it. Well, the Santa job is almost over and I couldn't be HAPPIER!!! There's nothing like working with Santa EVERY SINGLE day to drive the Christmas spirit right out of ya. :) Nah, I'm just kidding. Besides the fact that the company I work for is extremely unorganized, I enjoyed being reminded of my childhood, back in the day when I believed in Jolly Ole St. Nick. Honestly, I believe Santa is a great step for kids. Something pretty tangible for them to believe in...an insentive to be good and help others, especially around Christmas time. Then, eventually, and hopefully, it evolves into a strong belief in Christ. Santa is no longer our insentive, but the Savior is and the rewards we receive for what He has done for us. I'm so thankful for the true reason for this season. :)

On another note...it looks like we're having a white Christmas here in Portland, OR. CRAZY!!! This is the most snow this area has seen since 1968!


I hope y'all have a very merry Christmas!

December 1st!

I can't believe it. Christmas is just around the corner. Ok, honestly I'm only making this post because I'm sittin' here at my sister's apartment, waiting for her to get ready to go shopping. There's not a whole lot to do and she suggested I make another post on my blog. So here it is.

Life is nice. Nice and busy. Thanksgiving did not seem like Thanksgiving this year. Probably because I had to work. But it was good none-the-less. The best thing about Thanksgiving food is Chuck's homemade turkey soup. I don't love turkey all that much. If it were up to me, we'd have steak. But, I absolutely LOVE Chuck's turkey soup. He's the best turkey soup maker ever. :) And this year it was extra tasty because my step-sister, Penny, made the turkey and she marinated it. So, put in the soup, it was DELICIOUS. I can't tell you enough how much I love turkey soup. Probably almost as much as I love sushi, which I'm going to have today...so I'm really excited about it.

For those of you who read this and care, Elder Colby Smith is still in my life. We continually write letters once a week, and I'm expecting a second tape from him this week. He's a doll and I can't wait to see where this all takes us. He gets home February 25th. The time seems to be going by slower and slower...especially in between letters. Now, I just need to focus on getting into shape in the next couple months. :)

Working two jobs isn't really my thing, but luckily it will only last up until Christmas. Being on my feet for 12 hours straight or more every day has really been hard on my feet. They're swollen...they didn't even fit into my church shoes this Sunday! Goodness. But, I know I'm gonna love it when I start seeing the money come in. :)

By the way, I absolutely love Sundays. Church is wonderful. I was recently called as a primary worker and I'm enjoying that. And, I LOVE the family dinners we have every Sunday where my sister and her boyfriend come over, along with my cousin Sundy and her husband Tyler when they can. It's so much fun. I LOVE my family.

Ok, so this was the most boring post I've made I think. Oh well. It made the time go by faster. Buh bye!

Bleh...Blee...Blah

Do you ever feel like you're in one of those "blah" moods? Well, that's what I'm feeling right now. Just...blah. There's no other word for it. I have to work tonight from 11:00 p.m. to an unknown time (that's the beauty of working at the theaters...you never know when your shift ends) but it's probably going to be 2 or 3 a.m. Why? I have Twilight to thank for this lovely shift. Because of all those nutsos who insist on seeing the movie opening night, I get to work in the middle of the freaking night...and into the morning. Because, obviously, everyone knows that opening night is different than the rest of the several weeks it will be playing in the theater, right? WRONG. Nah...I understand the excitement of seeing something opening night when it's been anticipated for months. I stood in line for one of the Harry Potters and also one of the X-Men movies. Back then, however, I did not really realize the sacrifice the workers were making. :) But it's all good, right?

So, another funny thing. By the way, this post is not the least bit interesting, I'm just venting here. I was out of work for about 3 months. I finally found the movie theater job a few weeks ago, and was also hired to be the assistant manager for the Santa's photo booth in the mall. So...I went from ZERO amount of work for 3 months, to work EVERY day for the next month. Now, believe me, I'm thankful for the work; I really am. I'm just kind of dreading the fact that I won't have a single day off of work from now until after Christmas...not even Thanksgiving or even Christmas day itself. But...it's all good, right?

And what about this? I have college education. THREE years worth of it. Sure, I never got my associates...but only because I didn't apply for it. I have all the credits to qualify for it. I am going back as soon as I save enough money to get my self up and running again...in order to finnish and get my BA. But, don't you think that 3 years of college should get me something better than the movie theaters and santa's helper for now? I'm just a little confused by that. But again...it's all good. Hopefully I'll still have friends when I'm 62 and still working at the movie theaters...

Posting to post

Nothin' new is happening. That's the risk I take having a blog as a single chick living at home...working at the movie theathers. I don't have much of a life...YET. But I'm ok with that. I love hanging out with my family. :) Here are a couple new things in my life.

We had sibling bonding time at The Spill Canvas concert.






And, thanks to a friend and her weight loss efforts, I have now kicked my butt into gear and started working out. Leslie Sansone and I are becoming best buddies.


I LOVE these videos! I'm tellin' ya...they're amazing! They give me the best workout, but they're not intimidating and I have FUN while doing it. It's the greatest!

I know what I know.

There is no doubt about this people. Jesus Christ lives, and along with His and our Father, He appeared to the boy Joseph Smith and restored his perfect gospel to the earth in its fullness. I testified of this for 18 months in Mississippi and Louisiana, and I will continue to testify of this for the rest of my life. Satan is working harder and harder to attack the righteous, specifically targeting families. This is obvious in every worldly thing that surrounds us. But while Satan continues to fight, so does Jesus Christ. And even Satan himself knows that he's on the losing side. I've chosen my side and I hope and pray that when I stand before my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ they will take me into their arms and say, "Well done, you've fought a good fight; welcome home."

Odd Jobs

I just absolutely love this limbo time...especially with the economy as it is...when I get to frantically search for a job, any job, that will take me and ultimately, pay me. After three months of no income, I now have two sources. Where? Don't be jealous...


That's right...free movies for me and all my homies! :)

And...where else?

Yep...y'all better be good, because I'm the helper of Santa, the one and only. :)

Thank goodness for temporary odd jobs...to tide me over until I can afford the "real" life of school, school, school again.