Thursday, June 13, 2013

I'm Getting Set Apart WHEN?!

It's blogging time! Why? Because I have some very exciting news! 1) I leave for the Missionary Training Center in 27 days (who's counting though?) and 2) I get set apart as a missionary in 21 days. ... Nope. That was not a typo. Here's how it went down.

I went in to my stake president to go get my temple recommend a few weeks ago. Before I got into the interview, I found out that it wasn't going to be your typical interview. The stake executive secretary said to me, "We're looking at times to set you apart for your mission. Would July 4th be ok?" Um. What?! I was so confused because typically the missionary is set apart the night before he/she leaves for the MTC. I think the executive secretary could sense my confusion and explained a little bit more. The whole stake presidency would be out of town at a leadership camp the week I leave for my mission. Now on their defense, they didn't know that they'd have a few missionaries leaving from our stake that week a year or so ago when they signed up for this camp. At the same time, I was a little frustrated.

The whole interview I was thinking, "Of course this would happen to me..." I was a little upset they told me this before my interview because I was in shock. This news scared me more than ever. I don't think it's necessarily that I'm going to be a missionary that scared me, but it was that I'm going to be a missionary sooner. I was also pretty nervous about living the mission rules all the time while living at home. It would be hard! I'd need a female companion all the time, I wouldn't be able to do companion study, I wouldn't be able to tract, etc. I came to the conclusion that for the last 6 days at home, I'd only be able to eat, sleep and read the scriptures.

I broke the news to my parents and they could tell I was a little upset about my unique position. My dad ended up talking to my stake president and asking what I can and can't do during my time at home since he will be basically be my mission president before I enter the MTC. My stake president is aware of this rare situation that I'm put in and he's willing to be a little lenient with the rules. Once I'm set apart, I can still do a lot of things as long as the Spirit can be with me like listening to uplifting music, watching G rated movies, etc. I can still be on the internet and use my cell phone but I'll probably try not to use either it if I can help it. The only things that I can't do during that time are go swimming and go on dates. So guys if you want to get in one last date for 18 months, you have 21 days to until I leave ;) Back to the story now! My stake president said that on July 8th at 6:00 pm, I need to start obeying all mission rules. That's something I can handle.

Seriously.

Now that I've gotten used to the idea of getting set apart a few days early, I'm okay with it. My family is going to make my first few days as a missionary the most eventful in the history of missionary work! Seriously though. We're going to have fireworks, go four wheeling at my cabin, see a baseball game, have a missionary shower (like a bridal shower... But for missionaries). My parents pretty much rock and are doing what they can to make the best of this opportunity I have. So anyway, if you see me on Facebook or get a text from me after I'm set apart, don't fret! I'm allowed to. I just needed to let you all know so you don't make any unrighteous judgments! I'm excited though! 3 weeks from today! Let the countdown begin!

Thursday, June 6, 2013

The (Mission) Bucket List

I've been thinking a lot lately (shocking, I know) about things I want to do prior to going on a mission... So I figured I'd post my mission bucket list on the blog along with pictures of the things I've done. Why? Because I can. I know I might not get around to doing all of these things, but I can sure try! I need to make the last 34 days I have here at home eventful!

  • Go to the Festival of Colors at the Sri Sri Hadna Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork [Check]

This is what the after math of Color Fest looks like.

  • Go mini golfing [Check]
My brothers went mini golfing with me and it was
AWESOME!

Thumbs up for mini golf!
  • Go to a concert [Check]

Imagine Dragons with my best friend, Gina...

And Barenaked Ladies with my brother, Aaron!

  • Go swimming or somewhere with water slides [Check]
Swimming at the Provo Rec Center with Cody!
(Not Pictured: Everyone else)
  • See the Manti Miracle Pageant [Check]
Manti Pageant with my favorite people!
  • Go through the neighboring temples in my area (Jordan River, Draper, Salt Lake, and Oquirrh Mountain) [Check]
With my brothers and sisters-in-law after I went
through the Jordan River Temple.

My parents and I after I took out my endowment.


My temple - the Draper Temple!


Aaron and I made it to the Salt Lake Temple!


I finally made it to the Oquirrh 
Mountain Temple!

  • See Monsters University and Despicable Me 2 [Check]
Out of my way kids! I've been waiting 10 
years to see this movie! It was so good!

Cody and I with our favorite minion, Phil after
we saw Despicable Me 2!
  • Go four wheeling [Semi-Check]
I couldn't go four wheeling so I did the next best
thing - ride Aaron's scooter! Thanks brother!
  • See a baseball game [Check]
The Salt Lake Bees beat the Tacoma Rainiers 5-0!
  • Go stargazing [Check]

There's nothing like stargazing in a small town
with your best friends! Also I saw 3 shooting stars
that night! Score!
  • Get a Kong Kone from Macey's [Check]
You see why getting that cone was on my
bucket list now?
  • Give away a Book of Mormon [Check]
Not the best picture of me... But here's
a picture of me and the Book of Mormon
that I gave away!