Tuesday, January 15, 2013

one step at a time

Wahoo is a new year..
a better me. new goals. and my happily ever after.

2013
you will be wayy to good to me!! 

It's insane i came out here in September of last year..to think i have been out here for 4 months already just completely blows my mind. I feel like i just got out here and am still learning how to drive in New York, but the other day i realized that i knew exactly where i was and i didn't have to use the navigation system to direct me around anymore. That feels way good! I still have so much to do while i am out here so i am glad that my time isn't up yet..and plus the time is going by so fast that i probably wont be ready when its time to go home! I did get my 'release' date though, i will be flying home 
June 21, 2013 :) Doesn't seem close at all..but i know that it will come faster that i think. Until than i get to enjoy the journey :)

***

Knicks vs. Celtics what???
k i don't mind basketball, but i would much rather watch football and baseball. I don't know what it is but that don't mean i would say no to tickets to the Knicks Vs. Celtics game! My host dad gets these season tickets to the Knicks, Nets, Yankee's and Mets games..so whenever they don't go, he gives them to me! So he asked and of course i said yes! And every time I always invite Tia of course! It's been so fun having her here with me and get to go to all of these amazing places with me. 

to excited :)

we always gets shirts wherever we go!

knicks fan..... jk :) just trying to be cool!

***

Mormon helping hands changes lives!!
I know that Heavenly Father puts things in our path to be able to bring people to the Gospel. Who knew that he would have to wake people up by having a Hurricane? not me, nor was i ready for that. 
Being able to help people come closer to Christ through service has been nothing but a blessing in my life. I know for a fact that even if i wasn't placed out here for this family that i nanny, that i was able to help all those effected by this disaster. Its been 2.5 months since the hurricane and there are still people without homes. We have been able to help every single weekend since the hurricane hit. 

A group of YSA Canadian's came down for a weekend and helped with our YSA branch to be able to serve more people from the list of many still in need. With the help of all the Canadian's, our YSA Branch, and about 50 missionaries serving in the New York, New York South mission there was 200+ helping hands willing and wanting to help..and everyone with a smile :)

Elder Tanner LeBaron is serving in the New York, New York South Mission.
Someone tapped on my shoulder the morning that we were getting ready
to go serve, and i was so shocked that it was Tanner!! He is an amazing
missionary, and New York is so lucky to have him. We went to Elementary,
Junior High, and a year of High School together 

The girls that are super strong and can pick up tree's! haha

Missionaries just doing what they do best!! 

This looks not so heavy, but it seriously is very heavy :)

so many hands helping :) 

***

I feel very blessed to be able to have a chance to be out here and serving and helping others :) I have had so many adventures, it's going to be soo sad when i leave! I have grown to love the kids and it's been amazing the impact that they have on my life. I know that they will come around, that they will accept this Gospel. "By small and simple things, shall great things come to pass" is the quote that i live by while i'm here. Little steps, and being an example!  

The branch here is amazing! I was just put into the Relief Society as the 2nd Counselor. Isn't it amazing that the Gospel doesn't change wherever you go in the world? No matter where i go i always feel loved and welcomed!! :)

Sister Hawks (serving a mission here, with her cute hubby)
Krista and I at church on sunday :)

I adore her! Lauren is a new convert, and is truly amazing :)
I have made made so many amazing friends out here!
Violet (who went home to serve a mission), Lauren, and Emma :)





Tuesday, January 1, 2013

2 crazy weeks

December..finally!!!

 I was soo excited to be able to go home for Christmas that December flew right by it was insane. So December 18 came way to early...like 2:30am to early. Yes i seriously had to be up that early because I had to make a train at 3:20am. I packed the night before so i only got a nap..yes a nap because i slept from 12:00-2:00am. It was awful, but soo excited so the tiredness rubbed off! haha. 

I had a friend traveling with me because she was going home that day as well..but she was going home for good and wasn't coming back. So we got to the train station where we had to say our final goodbye. And trains aren't that easy to use when you have a ton of luggage so it was a bit difficult. After saying goodbye to Violet i headed up the stairs to make the AirTrain to JFK Airport. 

Violet and i on the train ride home...we were tired but very excited :)



After a very long flight from JFK to SLC, i was home...i was in bea.you.tiful UTAH!!! I was anxious to get off the plane, so i hurried to get to my family!!! As i came around the corner before going down the escalator there were 3 missionaries who just got done hugging each other (cutest thing of my life), and said to each other, "okay, here we go..our mission is over, lets go get our families!!" seriously i wanted to cry right then..but i didn't. I followed them all the way down the escalator almost in tears because i was happy for them, but also because i am excited for the day that i get to stand at the bottom of those stairs and be so happy like all there families that i am in tears when Elder Stephan comes home!! As i came down the escalator i spotted my nephew Van, and he came running at me as i came down them!! I was soo happy once i had my two nephews in my arms again!!! After hugging them i hugged all of my family :) They are the cutest for picking me up at the airport!!

Some of my cute family and cousin!!

I missed them a little to much! love my nephews :)
***

That week was filled with fun family traditions, seeing friends, lots of shopping, eating, and of course being home on Christmas with my amazing family!! It was the best week to spend with everyone and was soo happy to see everyone who i cared about. Even though it was only a week, i wouldn't have changed it!! On Christmas i was able to Skype with Elder Stephan (last christmas on his mission). It was the best thing to be able to see his face, i can't even begin to tell you how happy and amazing that boy is!! He is changing lives, and i am so proud to be able to call him mine! :)

Cruz and I (sean and ariels twin boys!)

Parks and I 

My bestest friend :)

Our annual girls christmas party!! love these girls soo much 

temple lights with my family!! Missing someone important, next year!

last christmas with these cuties not married :)

my boyfriend is the best

still Joshua Ty

I love my  missionary :)

thank you joshua ty :) i love it more than anything!!
u r my happy :)
***

The day after Christmas i was able to fly to Florida and meet my host family there so we could go to Disney World!! The kids had an amazing time, and i had so much fun being there with them!!! We stayed in a beautiful hotel where they made cute animals out of towels everyday while you were out :) I had never been to Disney World before so it was so good to be able to go!! 

Vivian and I infront of the amazing castle. 

the cutest kids :) they were sick though, so they kinda looked so sad!

Splash mountain pic :)
***

That same day that we flew home from Florida i was able to go to the Coldplay Concert!! Amazing right?? Yes yes, i do actually have the BEST host parents in the world and they gave me Coldplay tickets...why?? Because they are amazing!!! So i invited Tia to go with me and we absolutely loved the concert!!! One of the best concerts i have ever been too :)

Tia and i at coldplay

we heart coldplay
***

The next day was New Years Eve so since its about a once in a lifetime that we are here in NYC this year we decided that it would be amazing to go into Times Square to see the ball drop!!! It was cold, and boring while waiting until the program started, but it was so worth that wait to be there in real life instead of just watch it on TV!!! It was soo cool :) A New Years to remember for sure!! 

waiting for 7 hours

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! 2013 is going to be an amazing year :)
***

I had a crazy couple of weeks, but honestly some of the funnest memories are made out of crazy fun times!!! :)