October 18, 2012

large in stature

This is is a statement from my mom: 

"I read your blog. And if I didn't actually know you, I would think you were fat." (Yes, how politically correct of her.)

Well thank you. I didn't know it talked about food excessively. She then pointed out that I reference food. Constantly. Some people are always talking about their boyfriend, or their kids, or their job. And I am just over here, like, "hey, I like food."

It's true, my life revolves around food. Some people go to sleep thinking of their husband beside them, some count sheep. Others of us...well, we think what's for breakfast in 8 hours.

As for the fat comment, I would never truly be harmed by that coming out of my mother's mouth.
But I think there is a pattern here...

Exhibit A: Me and all my (old)roommates and some (guy)friends are squished together on the couch looking through pictures of the year before. Boy turns to me and says, "Mis! You are skinnier this year!".
Well thank you, I didn't know freshman year did such a toll on me. Girls, being the considerate people they are, turn to him and say "what the heck are you talking about?! Fat?! You wanna talk about fat?!"
Pretty sure the boy just didn't put in his contacts that day. Or maybe those midnight food binges did show up in my rosy little cheeks. (Don't worry, I always sat in the middle of the car after that so we wouldn't bottom out going down the curb, and the comment "at least you aren't so fat this year" was always a great way to break any tension in the room.)

Exhibit B: Senior trip after high school, we are at the St. George temple to do baptisms for the dead. 4 of us are standing in the front of the sweet old little lady as she looks us over before handing us our change of clothes. One by one she goes down the line "This should do", "This size looks right", "Here you are", and then "Oh....and you. Yes, you will definitely need a bigger one", as she eyes my over sized figure.
Thank you kind lady, for telling me I am miss gigantosaurus out of the group. Good thing the sweet old ladies are so considerate, even providing clothes for those of us who are a little extra large.

No, I am not obese. Yes, I love food. No, I have not had children yet. Yes, I may need to hold off the oreos in the future.



See a theme?
Some people take pictures of their dogs. Others of us take pictures of their food. 
So yes, looking at all these, you could take a guess that I am quite obese. 

October 8, 2012

missions

If I got a dollar for every post on facebook in the last 24 about missions, I could pay for my own mission.

The announcement that boys can serve at 18 and girls at age 19 has been the biggest news in mormonville since the invention of funeral potatoes.


“We are expanding our efforts to give more young men and women an opportunity to participate in that divine commission.” (Russell M Nelson) How cool is that. Now many more people (girls) will have the opportunity to share the gospel through a mission. 


Back in the day (a few years ago), President Gordon B. Hinkley said “Today many sisters are being called to serve. Many more are preparing to serve. Not because they aren't married or don't have anything else to do, but they have the desire to serve. One reason that the Lord wants more sisters to serve is because within the next generation He will send His priesthood army to the earth. He wants to send choice spirit children to mothers who have been prepared, properly trained, and taught in the gospel. What better schooling can a mother have than the experience and growth she gains through serving a mission.” I'm sure he is watching up from heaven with the biggest smile on his face.

                                                                     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
President Thomas S. Monson stated I am not suggesting that all young men will — or should — serve at this earlier age." I am sure this can applied to girls also. What an opportunity to grow and develop serving a mission can provide. 

But there is also some growing up that takes place before a mission. The changes made in policy allowing missions at younger age should not affect the preparation level. This decision was certainly not some spontaneous decision; and neither should the decision to serve a mission be made spontaneously. Missions are serious stuff. Good grief, even I don't know what I am getting myself into for 18 months. Serving Heavenly Father every day for 18 months can bring more happiness and growth than imaginable, but it's certainly no walk through Disneyland. 


The announcement allowing serving missions at younger ages should be the beginning of something amazing and needed in this generation, but should be a reminder of the reality of preparation. There is a reason we have been told all growing up to prepare to serve a mission or to be a wife, because honestly, that is the same thing. 

                                                                 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
I look back to all the experiences I have had in the past year and a half....
Sophomore year of college, living with my roommates, applying for social work program, humanitarian trip to Honduras, being an EFY counselor.....

I have had so many experiences since I turned 19 that will influence the rest of my life. There is definitely a time and a place for everything. I feel more prepared to serve a mission than I did almost 2 years ago. I have lived a little. I have met people. I have seen world different from my own little corner. 







Serving a mission is what is most important right at this time in my life. I would not serve a mission simply because every other girl and their dog is now serving a mission. I am serving a mission for me. (Selfish, I know.) I am serving a mission for the people in Argentina. I am serving a mission for my future children. I am serving a mission for my Heavenly Father. I am serving a mission because I love the gospel, and know that there is a purpose in our lives. There is a purpose for every person on this earth, and through serving a mission I can share this happiness with others. 

                                     . . . . . . . . . . . 

“As we lose ourselves in the service of others, we discover our own lives and our own happiness.” 
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf






October 7, 2012

School.

School? What's that??
Those $150 textbooks, midterms, and 4 papers due in 1 week...Oh, that seems vaguely familiar.
And the days of washing dishes (and more dishes. and more dishes), an always seemingly empty fridge, and 1:30 am bedtime.

Right now I am more familiar with my bigger bed, waking up when it's still dark outside (imagine that.), and dinner cooked for me. :)
I have the luxury of playing ping pong with the little brother, going to the farmer's market with the mother, and watching the brother run his races.
Not to mention, going to bed at a reasonable hour. I love it. Well, at least parts of it.

So what do I do all day? Work. Yep, I go to work. And that's about it. There is the occasional institute (until you find out the average age of the 5 other people in the class is 29 years old. So then you go in search of another institute class, because whoever said it's the class not the people that is important, really couldn't have meant that.)

And in the meantime, I find time to eat. For example, some of those delicious looking foods on pinterest have been calling my name for some time. I can attest that all the foods below are as good as they look.
                             basil, tomato, and mozzarella. Use wonton wrappers.peanut butter brownies...oh my goodness one of the most delicious things I have ever tasted. no joke.
                            Cookies and Cream Muddy Buddies! Only 4 ingredients... these are insanely addictive and delicious!Sunburst Lemon Bars
I ate this every day for weeks, no joke.
 Insalata Caprese (Caprese Salad)

I also did a little somethin-somthin like this. Call me Martha Stewart, this isn't the only crafty craft I have done.
redo lampshade

And I really like this...

and this...