The Countdown Continues.....

Last night Aunt Shannon called me and we were talking about Jen getting married and all that has been going on with them lately. As she and I were discussing everything it hit me that I had not actually listed out everything I need to accomplish as my departure time approaches. Departure? Yeah, okay so lets start at the beginning.


Jennifer is my daddy's baby sister (Aunt Shannon's) oldest daughter. She is marrying a handsome returned missionary (Dan, who we all just adore) in the Manti temple tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock. Jen graduated last week from Dixie State with an Associates Degree and Brock, number 2 child in their lineup graduated from High School and went on Senior Trip. Brooke, the baby in thier family had to have some dental work done and was not enjoying the large serving of pain that she actually had to pay for. So needless to point out, my usually very with it, got it together, take on the world and win, Aunt Shannon has been having a CR@zY summer to say the least. Chase, number 3, seems to be in his normal chillax mode which has got to be comforting for Aunt Shannon.....must be in the name. She has lists and plans and notebooks. She has backup plans for weather conditions and unecpected surprise guests, I mean just everything. As for me, not so much.


About 3 months ago I was looking for direction and making those "life altering" decisions that usually come post mission. Just so you know I am totally indecisive and have been my whole life so no, not my favorite thing to do. Of course I pray really hard and when I get the definite "yes" or "no"answer I obey and things work out the way that Heavenly Father knows is best for me. I only struggle when it comes to the other answers like "maybe" or "wait" or the "its up to you". As I was praying and hoping the Lord would send me a lightening bolt "yes" to one path I got a letter from BYU asking me to participate in a summer language course at the Center for Language Studies. I would be studying Tagalog and taking a certification test at the end of the course which is one step on the way to becoming a translator. As I was walking back inside from the mailbox I realized why I had been getting the "maybe" answer that I don't like so much. Both of my goals at the time were good decisions but Heavenly Father wanted me to know that He had more in store for me.



The day that I got the acceptance letter I was thrilled. I came running into the kitchen and did my little "yay I am going on an adventure dance" for my whole family, some joined me in my little romp, some just laughed at me, and some started making plans! I got my apartment lined up and tuition paid for. I discovered that I already own the books I will be using in class and I put everyone in Utah or surrounding areas (5,000 mile radius) on alert that this little girl was headed their way. I am sure that the latter announcement had them running into the underground tornado shelters faster than the movie Twister but they had 4 weeks of preparation time, a personal best for me. I usually give about 20 seconds of "catch your breath and hold on tight" time before I lower the boom. I love the view when you fly by the seat of your pants and I think that my mother would agree that I was raised right! My father on the other hand has been dubbed by my sister (the sefl proclaimed linguist) Mr. Planner, among other things. Don't get me wrong, I like knowing there is a plan and a backup plan and I learned the importance of that on the mission.......but I also like looking at the plan as a loose suggestion. My brain sees a plan and responds, "Looks great, it will work IF nothing else comes along." or "It is a good starting place, lets see what else we can throw in, who else we can involve, or what the detour route would look like." and yes I also so the benefits of this on the mission. When I realized this I started praying more for my companions than ever. Poor things! But what can I say, I like it like that. I need a little craziness, it keeps me sane! And because this is my outlook I have gotten to experience some pretty amazing things, meet and come to love some pretty amazing people and be molded into the person that I am today. So with that being said.....



I am starting to panic!!! I know it is so crazy. I am totally insane. 8 days left until my flight leaves at 7:00 am. which is going to be at the conclusion of the busiest week of my life. So yeah. I think now is the time to call in the planners: notebooks, calendars, and pens at the ready!