Refreshing

So I was reading my old roommate's blog (she recently left for the MTC at the beginning of June) and just the other day made it to Houston (serving in the East Mission) and she mentioned a video she got to see by Elder Holland that he gave in 2000, called "The Miracle of a Mission" and really urged everyone to find it and watch it. I couldn't find it online (if you can, PLEASE let me know!) but I did kind of a find the text from another person's blog: http://themiracleofamission.blogspot.com/2011/02/miracle-of-mission-jeffrey-r-holland.html


I then got on a mission kick and do what I do best...stalk! Haha I mean "research." There's a great talk by Elder Rasband given in April 2010 General Conference, "The Divine Call of a Missionary" and I watched on YouTube (I love Mormon Messages!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGHAGsaE6iE&playnext=1&list=PL297E507443665D99


(Sorry I don't know how to upload videos or make the cool link buttons...)


Then I looked up info about my mission president and his wife!
http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/60979/New-mission-presidents.html

Jon M. and Bonnie B. Jeppson
I personally think he resembles Steve Martin ;)

Jon Mayer Jeppson, 63, and Bonnie Jo Bult Jeppson, six children, New Jersey Morristown Mission; Winder 6th Ward, Salt Lake Winder Stake. He serves as a patriarch and is a former stake president, counselor in a stake presidency, bishop, counselor in a bishopric, elders quorum president, counselor in an elders quorum presidency, member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and missionary in the New England Mission. Lawyer, Matheson Mortensen Olsen & Jeppson. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Edward Marlow and Elizabeth Taylor Jeppson.

Sister Jeppson serves as a patriarch scribe and is a former counselor in a stake Primary presidency, counselor in a stake Young Women presidency, teacher development coordinator, counselor in a Relief Society presidency, Young Women president and counselor in a Primary presidency. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Keith Joseph and Mary Louise Gunn Bult.

Lately, I've become more increasingly nervous (terrified even might be more appropriate) about this. I've definitely re-thought it out and almost talked myself out of it BUT after this evening I feel renewed and rejuvenated. I'm still scared and nervous but I feel so much at peace with a sense of hope and encouragement.

I report to the MTC on July 27
or in 1 month and 2 days
or in 4.5 weeks
or in 32 days
or in 768 hours
or in 40,080 minutes
or in 2,764,800 seconds...
(I love numbers!)
It's coming SOOOO FAST!!!

What I'll REALLY Miss

So, tonight I went with my friends Kohlae and Colter to the temple. Afterwards, we went to one of my favorite places for a quick snack. Can you guess where it is?

Here are some hints:
* I go at least once a week
* I alternate between 3 options
* I avoid bananas like the plague
* It's only 2 blocks from my apartment
* It is a SERIOUS weakness!!


Have you guessed it yet?


OK, here's a really big hint...



I think this is something that will be a challenge for me on my mission. 1) It's not in a missionary's budget and 2) They don't really have a lot of them on the East Coast.

I know where I'll be stopping in late January/early February 2013 ;)

My Eyes

Since basically the beginning of the year my eyes have been having a hard time with my contacts. I get bad headaches, feel light-headed and my eyes will hurt, become sore, and cause red irritation. I dealt with it a lot last semester until one day the infection got so bad and sensitive to light that I couldn't be outside because it was so bright.

Well I had finally "caved" and went to the eye doctor and got eye drops and that helped a lot! I thought it was all taken care of, but unfortunately not. Even after 2 weeks of wearing my glasses, as soon as I put my contacts back in, my eyes flared up again. No bueno (I'm practicing my Spanish tehe ;) ) The other day it got so bad again that I couldn't go outside because of the brightness. I basically lived (and slept) in my room all day which I nicknamed The Cave.

Last weekend, I went to the eye doctor (for my mission) and told him all that was going on and how I really didn't like these contacts and he said we'll try another brand. I'm not sure if it was the new brand or my eyes already sore that made the infection worse...lets hope it's the first. But he said to call him if my eyes gets worse and he'll give me a prescription. Well, when I called, he was out of the office which turned into being gone the whole week...awesome. NOT! Luckily my eyes are doing MUCH better now without the drops that I can probably try wearing my contacts again in a couple days or so....

Also, can I just say how much it stinks having astigmatism??? The contacts cost SO MUCH money and they only end up just annoying my eyes. So, what's the point of this whole post, writing about my eyes?

* It's late. I'm tired, but I don't want to sleep.
* I'm really sick of wearing my glasses
(I don't know how I did it all day, every day, for 19 years).

OK, thanks for reading :)

Time Rolls On...

So, it turns out some people actually read this thing! I was informed that I hadn't updated in awhile (haha 2 weeks is way better than 4 months ;) ) I should be doing homework right now, but I'd rather do this. I'll post some pictures that I have available right now which is limited to email and my phone (I can't get on Facebook from a campus computer and I don't have my camera with me right now). However, for those of you who read this, thanks! :)

Well folks, I'm endowed!!! It was an overwhelming experience but a great one. I LOVE the temple. ;)

I had the opportunity to go to some of the church sites with my school which included Nauvoo. I wanted to do a session there but time restrictions made it difficult. I still did work there and got to the Celestial Room. Going inside, along with visiting Carthage Jail was the highlight of my trip.

This picture is a little old...I made a paper chain awhile back that countdowns to graduation and my report date...it's getting smaller! 43 days til graduation and 48 until I enter the MTC :)

When I was in Utah Memorial Weekend, my mom had some professional missionary photos taken of me. I swiped them from online (hence you can see some of the logo) but here are some of my mom and I's favorites.

This was a fun outfit :)

I think this one will be on my missionary plaque.

This one is my favorite :)

It feels awkward posting all these photos of myself....

Yeah, still awkward...

...

This is my mom's favorite.

Well that's a quick update about me. I have been better at keeping busy now with going to the temple and weekend trips. First it was Utah, then Nauvoo, this weekend it's Arizona, then back to Utah. Before I know it, the semester will be over and I'll enter the MTC....I can't believe it!! Nervous, absolutely. Anxious, definitely. But above all, eager. However, until then, I guess it's back to the homework...eventually ;)

My Life by Exhibits

Lately Sundays have been challenging for me. I'm not exactly sure why but regardless, today was one of them. However, last Wednesday my roommate, McKenna, took some photos of me for my mission and she showed me one she just finished editing of me this afternoon and it made me happy. I canNOT wait to be a [full-time] missionary :)

Exhibit A:
On another happy note, I was listening to music on my mp3 player today and one of my favorite hymns came on, #219 Because I Have Been Given Much. It's a little different than we usually hear (see lyrics below). My old roommate introduced it to me; the artist changed the last verse, which makes me even more excited for my mission :)

Exhibit B:

Because I Have Been Given
by Kenneth Cope :)

Because I have been given much, I too must give
Because of Thy great bounty, Lord, each day I live
I shall divide my gifts from Thee, with every brother that I see
Who has the need of help from me

Because I have been sheltered, fed by Thy good care
I cannot see another's lack and I not share
My glowing fire, my loaf of bread, my roof's safe shelter overhead
That, he too, may be comforted

Because of Thy life's mission, Lord, I too will serve I'll leave the comfort of my home to teach thy word I'll seek Thy sheep who've gone astray and those who've never known the way I will make Thy work my work today

I shall give love to those in need
I'll show that love by word and deed
Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed


It definitely is not fun being in this transition period, but I'm grateful for the knowledge that I have and am eager for what is ahead.

Exhibit C:

Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple
(I'm just want to brag that I took this picture :) )

In just 5 1/2 days I will enter!! Saturday, May 28, 10am session. I cannot express the joy that fills me that after working so hard for so long to be able to enter, I am worthy to accept His invitation to enter the Lord's house :)

I'm Going CRAZY!!!

Hello folks :)

Well guess what? I'm slowly losing my brain! I'm so bored and need to learn how to keep busy or else the next 10 weeks are going to go dreadfully slow...

However there are some things to look forward to:

- Going through the Oquirrh Temple next Saturday!
- Memorial Weekend in Utah (finally start checking off things I need on the missionary list!)
- Nauvoo Trip through the school with my roommate Rachel
- Weekend trip to Arizona
- Another trip to Utah to see friends
- Stadium of Fire!!! (Yet another trip to Utah)
- GRADUATION!!!
- My MISSION!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Now if only the ball would get rolling! I know, I know, once the time flies and I start running out of it I'll freak out and wish I had more. The problem is I don't have much homework and it's hard to keep myself busy because then I wig out haha I don't necessarily mind not having homework but I wish I had people to hang out with more (they all have homework!)

P.S. For those of you who I'm friends with on Facebook, I did upload all the photos from New York there :)

Anyways, this is my life right now...hopefully my sanity sticks ;)

CALLED TO SERVE!!

Hello everyone!

Well my call was waiting for me in Rexburg which was the best end to a great vacation I could have ever asked for!

I have been called to serve in the NEW JERSEY MORRISTOWN Mission!

My mission does cover more than just the city of Morristown. Based on the map the church sent me, it goes a little bit into New York (on the main land...not the islands) and goes as far south in New Jersey to a little bit below the "kink" of the state on the left. I'm pretty stoked!! I'm so glad to finally know where I am going! I love saying and hearing my mission...I don't think those 3 words, "Morristown, New Jersey" will ever get old :)

I report the MTC (Missionary Training Center) on Wednesday, July 27, 2011. I graduate from school the prior weekend so it will be a REALLY quick turnover but I'm glad that there will be less waiting :)

Also, I will be sharing the gospel in the Spanish language. I'm really nervous! I'm eager to learn yet so nervous. However, I know that God and Jesus Christ are on my side and the Spirit will help bring things to my remembrance.

So in just over 3 months, I'll be heading out for an 18-month long service for the Lord...can't wait! :)