tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259375128940845972024-03-05T16:00:18.364-08:00Leaving For LeedsAlishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04580016129599685347noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325937512894084597.post-31178807128412386422015-06-16T10:32:00.000-07:002015-06-16T10:38:32.470-07:00Looking BackI stumbled upon my mission blog yesterday. Actually, I have been stumbling upon a lot of mission things lately. The last time I posted on this blog I had one week to go until I arrived in England. To be honest, I can't even remember what I felt like a week before I left! But I can remember perfectly the day I got on that plane and said goodbye to my family for 18 months. I can remember perfectly how I felt for the first month of the mission. I can remember perfectly what I thought when I ate my first English food and what went through my mind when people spoke "English" to me. I can remember perfectly my first Zone Conference and my last. I can remember it all. But sometimes I don't let myself remember. Because sometimes thinking back to the mission is hard.<br />
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I have been home 8 months. 8 months of working and going to school and homework and dating. 8 months of trying to figure out my life and what God needs me to do. It has been a roller coaster! I transferred schools, changed my major, got a job, started working at the temple, and took it day by day. In the midst of all of that, I forgot the mission. I forgot that I spent a part of my life in a foreign country. I forgot that I had loads of friends 'just across the pond'. I forgot that I spoke a different language for a third of the mission; one that I didn't learn in the MTC. But the most important thing that I forgot was how to stay close to the Lord. I became the typical 'me' again. I fell right back into the routine. I became focused on me, myself, and I instead of everyone else. I cared more about getting physically fit than staying spiritually fit. The scriptures were put on the shelf and they stayed there for quite a while. Preach My Gospel became the cool new place for all the dust to collect, and I'm pretty sure my journal disappeared completely. Sometimes I came home so late and was so tired that I forgot to even pray before bed. On the mission we taught that doing the small and simple things brought happiness. It's truth! Truth I obviously forgot....and to tell you some more truth, I wasn't happy. Every time I thought about the mission I would start to feel guilty. I began to forget all the great things that happened in England and could suddenly only remember the things I hadn't done right-the things I regretted. I asked to go out with the sister missionaries all the time and never got a call. I applied for a Mission Ready camp and again never got a call. I thought they must have also known the truth about me. These thoughts slowly became a weight that I held on my shoulders. Now and again I would see people I served around or with and it made me hate myself even more. Satan is good at what he does. He uses our weaknesses to destroy us. He twists things and wants us to believe we aren't good enough. But if we put our faith in the Lord, Satan can have no power over us. </div>
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I'm not sure what changed to get me back to where I am now. A lot of things have happened in the last little while that have been really good. My friend Alice Maynard who served in my hometown went back to England because her mission was over. She talked about how she wished she could stay in Arizona and how much she would miss it. Then my little brother got home from his mission. I woke up to him reading his scriptures and studying the Ensign. I found my mission journal again, and I read the entire thing. And last night I met a girl who served in the Czech Republic and she shared her story of when their mission received the first ever Slovakian Book of Mormons. It reminded me of when we got our first Slovakian Book of Mormons in England and how amazing that day was. After that I just started remembering everything else from the mission...everything good from the mission. There will probably always be a few things I regret, or things I wish I would've done better...but missionaries aren't perfect. And I didn't do my best every single day, but when do we ever do our best every single day? It's important to remember to keep moving forward. To keep your faith strong and trust in the Lord. He has a plan for each of us, and He will help us every step of the way as long as we allow Him to. </div>
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Looking back, England was a great part of my life. It has forever changed who I am as a person and will always be my second home. My family is there, the people I love are there, and I miss it everyday. Before I left on my mission I had a countdown until I left for England. I think I felt more nervous each time that thing had one less day on it! But now I am going restart that countdown and instead of being nervous I am going to be excited every time it goes down another day. 304 days until I return to England!! I.cannot.wait. </div>
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Alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04580016129599685347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325937512894084597.post-86565660069949864082013-04-13T23:07:00.002-07:002013-04-13T23:07:54.761-07:00One Week (I wrote this 5 days ago and just got to posting it)<br />
Where in the world of beautiful men did time go?! I leave in one week. One week! Seven days! 168 hours! No I don't know the minutes or seconds, please don't ask me. Am I nervous? Excited? Freaking out? .....YesnoIDKmybffJill?<br />
That would be my answer to all of those questions. My room is boxed away, my stuff has yet to be packed (we're working on it), and I THINK (think being the key word) I have everything I need. Honestly, my mind has been lost for a month now. About a month ago I came down with a head cold and it has slowly become worse. It went from my nose, to my head, to my ears, to my throat, and now it resides in my lungs. I have been to the doctors more times than one, and I can't even begin to describe the amount of pills I've taken (all prescribed by a reliable doctor of course). And not to mention today I was told I needed surgery on my toe, but it has to wait 18 months because I don't have 4-6 weeks of recovery time. Clearly I must be a little stressed out because I now wake up with a clenched jaw and the continuing thought of, "Hey...Alisha, did you sleep last night?" Let's not forget that I speak this coming Sunday and sometime soon I need to write my talk. And as I write this post I keep looking over at my new mission bag in its beautiful blue and brown colors wondering if it is indeed a 'conservative' colored bag. Guess it's too late to buy a new one anyway.<br />
Granted this past month hasn't been ALL terrible. I was able to take professional pictures with my four best childhood friends before we all go our separate ways: one is married, one is leaving to Spain for her mission, one is headed to college to be a bomb vet, and the other is waiting to marry her beloved missionary (he is serving in the Tampa, Florida mission...his name is Elder TJ Peters. If you know him tell him Ayrica misses him dearly). I was also able to go to the lake during my time of illness and spend many fun nights with friends and family.<br />
However, last weekend had to be the best. For last weekend, we had General Conference. I can't believe how many missionaries are out and are soon to be out. The Lord's work truly is progressing, and I am so thankful to be a part of it. I have heard some say that they are surprised I am going on a mission. I have never been the rebel child, but I've also never been gung-ho about sharing the gospel before. I'm not a very affectionate person and struggle with sharing my feelings. How will I be able to share my feelings about the gospel? I've thought a lot about this when I first received my call. The conclusion that I came to was: it will all work out. The Lord will never set you up to fail.<br />
When I prayed about a mission it felt right. I could not deny that the Lord needed me to go. I think I started filling out my papers not knowing if <span style="color: red;">I</span> really wanted to go or not, but I knew the<span style="color: red;"> LORD</span> wanted me to. That is when I began to learn about my will and His will. There are people in England that need me, that are waiting for me. I know even if I am terrible at sharing my feelings, or am not too gung-ho about sharing the gospel at first, it will all work out. And as these few months have gone by leading up to my mission I have become more accepting of the plan my Heavenly Father has for me. I want to serve a mission...and I am going to serve a mission. I leave in 7 days and could not be more excited. The excitement is buried deep down in the dark abyss of sickness, but it is there!<br />
So if there are some of you that feel like you won't be a good missionary, or that you are serving because you know you need to but don't necessarily want to...I've been there. Just remember the Lord will not set you up to fail, and as you come to accept what the Lord has in store for you then you will be blessed. Soon what you want and what He wants will become the same thing.Alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04580016129599685347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325937512894084597.post-58546379870148351042013-03-24T16:57:00.000-07:002013-03-24T17:01:23.546-07:0023 Days<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can't wait. There have been days when I have almost lost my mind because I just want to be there already. I want to immerse myself in all of England. I want my mission to consume me. I want worry about nothing except bringing souls to Christ. Twenty-three days. I started with 3 1/2 months and now I have less than 1. Twenty-three days to prepare; to read my Book of Mormon; to talk to strangers at Walmart; to go out with the missionaries and teach before I put on that name tag and become a missionary myself. Twenty-three days left in Arizona with my family and friends until I am in England with only my companion and the Lord by my side. When I think of those twenty three days and how long I have been waiting and what I am about to embark on, only three words come to my mind: I can't wait. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">People have been asking if I am nervous. Sure, I guess I am...I don't really think about it to be honest. All I can think about is stepping off that plane in England with that name tag on my shirt. Maybe I'll be nervous then. I know the Lord will not fail me, I know I have people supporting me back home, and I know someone that I trust dearly will be stepping off that plane with me. What more do I need?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">General Conference is coming up; Easter is coming up. Take this next couple of weeks to think of the Savior, and what He did for you. Take this time to prepare for General Conference. Fast, attend the temple, pray, and read your scriptures. The answers you seek will be given to you according to your faith. Do not forget that patience is also required. The Lord will answer you in His time, not your's. I am so excited for General Conference. Whether there in Utah or at home, I always feel the Spirit. Those men and woman are truly called of God. I challenge each of you to watch all 4 sessions (including Priesthood and Relief Society). If your Saturdays are too busy, change your plans! You know when Conference is, plan around it. It will bless your life and bring the Spirit into your home. My favorite part of Conference is just turning the TV on on Saturday morning. The sun is shining between the leaves of my orange trees, and that light then shines through my living room windows warming everything it touches. Combine that with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing and it's the perfect morning. Nothing beats it...except maybe being in the Conference Center. You can disagree, but you won't win. :) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can't believe the last General Conference was 6 months ago. Crazy how fast time flies by huh? Six months ago my life was changed. I was told I could serve a mission <u>now</u>. I wasn't 19 at the time, but I was nowhere near being 21 either. Now I have my call and am leaving in 23 days. Take the time to listen to Conference, who knows...it might just change your life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>Alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04580016129599685347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325937512894084597.post-89723595403174937562013-03-10T13:58:00.000-07:002013-03-10T13:58:11.070-07:00Matt and Sarah-March 8th, 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On Friday my brother married Sarah, the love of his life. I am so incredibly happy for the both of them and couldn't ask for a better older sister. Right now they are on their way to California for their Mexico cruise while my family eats the rest of the left over sweet pork we had at the reception. Lets just say we made a little bit too much: 20-30 lbs. too much. By the way...anyone want some? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was so lucky to have the opportunity to be in the temple when Matt and Sarah were sealed. Spencer and I were both there and the ceremony was amazing. As my dad would say "all the women were crying". If I let myself, I would've cried; but if I had started crying it would have ended up in me bawling my eyes out. That would be just a tad bit embarrassing! My older brother and I have never had the best relationship, but lately it has been really good. Usually you think that when siblings get married you may grow farther apart, but Sarah has brought us closer together. She has already made him such a better man and I know he is going to be a great husband. The reception was supposed to be outside, but due to a rainstorm no one thought was really going to happen, we moved the reception into the stake center. It was still beautiful though! Sarah's mom is extremely talented in wedding stuff and what not, so we made it workout. I think my favorite part of the reception was when a group of boys told the DJ to play the Harlem Shake and then danced their butts off right in front of everyone. Or maybe it was when the bride and groom had the 'money dance' (if you want to dance with either the bride or groom you pay them a dollar) and I didn't have any money, but my brother let me dance with him anyway. But it could have also been when Matt and Sarah had their first dance and Sarah laid her head on Matt's chest knowing she will be with the one she loves for eternity. There's just something about weddings........and pictures. Here are most of the pictures I took that day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">P.S. I caught the bouquet. Maybe I'll find an English boy?</span></div>
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Alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04580016129599685347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325937512894084597.post-54501222284465706642013-03-03T16:32:00.001-08:002013-03-03T16:36:05.912-08:00I love To See The Temple, I Went There Yesterday...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's true, I went through the temple yesterday for the first time. My first word of advice is to go with an open mind and be ready to feel the Spirit; because you will feel it like you have never felt it before. My second word of advice is to not let anyone tell you that you may not like it or might not want to go back! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Do.not.listen.to.them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you go with the mindset that you might not like it, then you will most likely end up believing that you, in fact, don't like it. I was told that I might not like it, but that I needed to have an open mind so I would want to return. The day I went through I fasted and prayed that I would have an open mind AND that I would like receiving my endowment. The Lord hears and answers your prayers. I ended up loving everything that I did/learned, and it's true...there is no possible way to understand most of what is going on, so that is why you need to go back! I can't wait to go back and be inside those walls again. I love the Spirit I feel, the people who are around me, and I love being worthy enough to enter. I have a deeper appreciation for my family and for this gospel. One of my favorite things about going through for the first time was having everyone I love be there with me. I remember walking through the temple up to where the session was held and seeing my family along the way. Since I was receiving my own endowment I was allowed into the room first. While I was walking I saw my grandparents, my aunt and uncle, my two best friends, and my brother. They were just standing there, letting me walk past...but they had this smile, I remember them all having the same smile. It was just a smile of understanding; that they knew something I didn't, but we're so excited for me to gain that knowledge. It's hard to explain, but I will never forget how that moment made me feel. The temple truly is the House of the Lord. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Attend the temple. You will be blessed for so doing. Every man or woman who goes </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">into the house of the Lord leaves there a better man or woman than he or she was </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">when he or she entered the house of the Lord. The house of the Lord will have a </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">refining effect upon you. It will cultivate unselfishness within your lives. It will build </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">righteousness. It will impress upon you the importance of doing what you ought to do. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Go to the house of the Lord"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Gordon B. Hinckley</span>Alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04580016129599685347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325937512894084597.post-10561173969342898192013-02-27T08:19:00.003-08:002013-02-27T08:33:32.335-08:00Spotlight #1<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I promised I would spotlight missionaries on this blog (fellas that means you too). If you want to be spotlighted, just let me know! Leave a comment in the box below. Here is our first wonderful sister missionary. I chose this particular sister because she spotlights missionaries on her blog as well, and I thought it would be fun to spotlight the missionary who usually does the spotlighting (if that makes sense). </span><br />
<strong class="-cx-PRIVATE-webMessengerMessageGroup__authorName" style="background-color: white; display: inline !important; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></strong>
<span class="-cx-PRIVATE-webMessengerMessageGroup__authorName" style="background-color: white; display: inline !important; line-height: 1; margin: 1px 0px 4px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b> Kira Lynn Anjewierden:</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Going to the Belgium/Netherlands mission! She reports March 20th to the Provo MTC, and will be speaking Dutch!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>1. Did the mission age change affect you?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The age change did affect me! I turned 19 a month after the announcement. It didn't affect my desire to go - I've always wanted to go - but it made it so that I could serve sooner!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>2. What do you know about your mission?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">That's an interesting question, actually! My dad's family is from the Netherlands, so I know quite a bit! I even knew a few words of Dutch even before I got my call. Anyway, there are the obvious things (windmills, wooden shoes, dikes, tulips, bikes, and the absolute sketchiness of Amsterdam, haha), but I know a lot of the old Dutch traditions. For instance, they celebrate Christmas on December 5th, and Santa Claus is Sinterklaas, who comes with his assistant Zwarte Piet (Black Pete) in a horse-drawn sleigh! You leave carrots for his horses in your wooden shoes and he leaves you treats. </span><span class="emoticon emoticon_smile" style="background-color: white; background-image: url(http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v2/yy/x/2LyiYcypFUs.png); background-position: -68px -518px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; line-height: 17px; vertical-align: top; width: 16px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">Geographically, I know that my mission is pretty tiny! It's about 21,925 sq miles (~35,285 km²) - to put that in perspective, Utah is 84,900 sq miles (219,900 km²)! Crazy, right?! If I were to drive straight down from the top of the Netherlands to the end of my mission, halfway into Belgium, it'd probably take 2 - 3 hours. It takes longer than that to get to St. George from where I live in Bountiful!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><b>3. Why did you decide to serve a mission?</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I decided to serve a mission for several reasons. Honestly, I've wanted to serve ever since I can remember, but I'm sure it started out as "oh, that sounds like an adventure!"<br />As I grew up, different experiences shaped me, my testimony, and with them, my desire to serve. One big thing was an older friend I had who I always really looked up to. She got her call when I was 12 or 13 to the Spain Madrid Mission. We wrote back and forth a couple of times, and the testimony that she bore to me of missionary work really strengthened my own.<br />In the end, the reason I'm serving is this - I am so grateful for Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life, and I cannot bear to think that there are people out there who cannot partake in its blessings simply because they don't know about them! I may not know the people I will serve in Belgium and the Netherlands, but I feel this great love for them already - it makes me feel like maybe I'm feeling some of what our Father in Heaven and our Savior feel for them. I'm serving to help the work move along, and to bring the most important message there is to others!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>4. What have you been doing to prepare for your mission?</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, in some ways I've been preparing my whole life - striving to keep God's commandments and follow Jesus' example, which always lead to me gaining a stronger testimony that what I'm doing is right. But right now, I'm preparing by working a temp job to get some money so I can buy the things on my suuuper extensive packing list (haha), sharing my testimony as often as possible, reading Preach My Gospel (I need to be better at that, really. I don't read it often enough!), praying for help in preparation, serving those around me (mostly my family), and reading from the Book of Mormon at least 30 minutes daily!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Learn more about Sister Anjewierden by visiting her blog: <a href="http://zusterkira.blogspot.com/2013/01/why-im-serving.html" target="_blank">http://zusterkira.blogspot.com/2013/01/why-im-serving.html</a> </span></div>
Alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04580016129599685347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325937512894084597.post-72220437198875800852013-02-24T21:47:00.001-08:002013-02-27T08:34:00.871-08:00Am I Prepared To Go? <div style="text-align: center;">
Call in hand, taking a stand</div>
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Am I prepared to go?</div>
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No.</div>
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Acceptance letter sent, money's being spent</div>
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Hundred eight days left, not excited yet</div>
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Am I prepared to go?</div>
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No.</div>
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Found good walking shoes, scriptures are in use</div>
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Mission prep commission, leave that special 'friend' a wishin</div>
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Six-thirty a.m. arise, Ten-Thirty p.m's a time you despise</div>
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Am I prepared to go?</div>
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No. </div>
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You've been congratulated, starting to feel elated</div>
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Fifty days are coming fast, how many days have really past?</div>
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Teach a lesson here or there, praying almost everywhere</div>
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Meet the Bishop and Stake President, now you're feeling somewhat spent</div>
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Am I prepared to go?</div>
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No.</div>
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Holding the recommend gold and white, going through the temple tonight</div>
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Look around the gorgeous room, family beaming up at you</div>
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Fifteen days are around the corner, you have your stuff all in order</div>
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Suitcases are being packed, three sets of scriptures are being stacked </div>
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Last night in your own bed, a thousand thoughts running through your head</div>
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Am I prepared to go?</div>
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Almost.</div>
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You crawl out of bed onto the ground, and do your best not to make a sound</div>
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You bow your head and close your eyes, but in the next room your mother cries</div>
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For while you pray she prays also, to Heavenly Father whom you will follow</div>
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"Lord protect my child and let them know, that we will love them no matter where they go</div>
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Days will be hard but they'll feel our love, and know you're watching from above"</div>
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Up the next morning saying goodbyes, take one last look into your mother's eyes</div>
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You ask the question you've asked before, Mother, am I finally prepared to go?</div>
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Yes. </div>
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This is just a little poem I came up with today. It's just to show how much our mothers' love us and will miss us, and also how much they are rooting for us. </div>
Alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04580016129599685347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325937512894084597.post-6820753316300797622013-02-18T07:30:00.000-08:002013-02-18T07:30:30.266-08:00My Heavenly Father Loves Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was recently called as a primary teacher for the Valiant 10 class. I love the kids I teach, but sometimes they can be quit a handful. Today in Primary during singing time, we began learning this song: My Heavenly Father Loves Me. When the music started playing, and the conductor started singing, all the primary children became very reverent and started singing along. There is something about this primary song that I love. Maybe it's the slow melody, or the words, or the Spirit I feel when the children sing it. Whatever the reason, I do know that my Heavenly Father loves me. He loves not only me, but also everyone else. The great thing about it is that He loves us all equally. He doesn't stop loving someone because they have done wrong either. Heavenly Father has shown His loves for us by allowing us to live in this beautiful world. He loves us so much that He has created a plan for us that we can return and live with Him again. Valentine's Day was a couple days ago. I hope you each took the time to let all your loved ones know how much you love them, but I also hope you thought about your Heavenly Father and how much love He has for you. </span>Alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04580016129599685347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325937512894084597.post-45543535357391155592013-02-10T12:30:00.002-08:002013-02-10T12:43:09.509-08:00The Life of A Sister Missionary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I found this cute video on YouTube and thought I would share. Obviously this video is for entertainment, but it still holds some truth. Opposition is ALWAYS waiting for you. You may have defeated opposition for today, but there is still tomorrow. I leave for England in 65 days. It seems like just yesterday I was excited because I had 100 days left! Time is flying by quickly and I'm loving it. I am so ready to see what England holds for me. I know it will be a blast, but opposition will be there waiting.<br />
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Many of us sisters (and some brethren) have heard of the website Pinterest. I rarely get on, but last night's boredom brought me to it. I found this quote and had to share it:<br />
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It's a quote we have probably all heard at least once, but it never gets old. Be the kid of woman (or man) that when your feet hits the floor each morning the devil says, "oh crap, she's (he's) up!" I hope you all have great Sunday! Soon I will be spotlighting missionaries on my blog. Stay tuned!Alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04580016129599685347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325937512894084597.post-81926954355853145362013-02-03T12:36:00.003-08:002013-02-03T12:36:28.313-08:00Little Brother Campinas, Brazil...Say What?!<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My little brother just received his mission call to Campinas, Brazil. He reports to the Sau Paulo, Brazil MTC June 5th. What's even cooler than that, is that I guessed his city and country of where he would be serving! I actually guessed Sau Paulo, but the MTC is there so I say it counts. I am so excited for him and that we will be serving together. This may embarrass him, but the first time I told him I was serious about serving a mission he told me I couldn't go. When I asked why not, he told me he didn't want to come home from serving his mission and me not be there. Luckily for him, the Lord works in mysterious ways and I can now serve a mission as a 20 year old. I will be there to welcome him home. Congrats Elder Scott!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>Alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04580016129599685347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-325937512894084597.post-41488625484473281012013-02-02T11:36:00.000-08:002013-02-02T11:36:09.638-08:00You Are Called to ServeDear Sister Scott:<div>
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You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the England Leeds Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months. You should report to the England Missionary Training Center on Thursday, April 18, 2013. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the English language. </div>
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Five sentences that determines your life for the next year and a half. I read those five sentences the Friday before Christmas...Merry Christmas Alisha. I feel the reaction I had was different compared to others that open their mission calls. I didn't cry or laugh or even scream. I wasn't excited or disappointed. I was numb...in complete shock. I had more of an internal reaction than an outward one. My two best friends said I was calm and seemed happy. Calm? Calm? I was most certainly not calm. Sure I gave hugs, said my thank-yous, and smiled till my face hurt...but inside was more like:</div>
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"Are you insane?!"</div>
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"What the heck were you thinking Alisha...going on a mission?"</div>
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"You want school...yes, school is good...school is safe"</div>
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"Friends are here, they aren't leaving, why should you?"</div>
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"No...friends are leaving, you're going to England...they are going places to!"</div>
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"Look at the people...make sure to smile, you're going to England!"</div>
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"What's England?"</div>
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Eventually, I came to accept that I was going on a mission. After all, I'm the one that made the decision to go...I should be excited, and I am excited now. Things have changed since I first opened that letter. My attitude is different and I'm no longer "numb". It still hasn't hit me that I'm leaving in 74 days to a country I've never been to, to a place where they speak an English I won't understand. But when does it really hit you; as you're packing your bags, or when you're finally on the plane? Each missionary is different, and I guess I will have to find out for myself. </div>
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Alishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04580016129599685347noreply@blogger.com1