On Friday night, my friend D drove me to my parents' home to move my stuff back home. That was a really quick process. My parents weren't home at the moment and I was really nervous to be home for the weekend because my parents and I don't have the best relationship. I asked D to give me a blessing and he did. It was a really good blessing. Like most blessings, I don't remember every single word, but I do know that he basically blessed me with the strength to get through the few days leading up to my mission. Then D and I hugged goodbye like 10 times before he sped off back to Provo.
A few minutes later, my home ward bishop and his wife picked me up. We and another ward member (who just so happens to have been my 8th grade teacher) went to dinner with their daughter and son-in-law. We went for sushi and that was a great time. I really enjoy being around that whole family!
Later, we went up to the church parkinglot and lit up a Chinese lantern--a big one! I had never seen one before and so it was a pretty cool thing to see before going on the mission. After we lit it, we started to hear sirens that sounded like they were coming in our direction and so we left. Today in Relief Society the bishop's wife told me that it would have been funny had the cops showed up and the bishop would have been like "Yeah, I'm the bishop and she's going on her mission on Wednesday". Ha, the rebel in me says that it would be cool to get in trouble before going--but that's just the rebel in me. Though, I'm sure we wouldn't have been in any real trouble because Chinese lanterns are legal although the government is attempting to make them illegal. Anyways, don't I just have the coolest bishop ever?
A few minutes later, my home ward bishop and his wife picked me up. We and another ward member (who just so happens to have been my 8th grade teacher) went to dinner with their daughter and son-in-law. We went for sushi and that was a great time. I really enjoy being around that whole family!
Later, we went up to the church parkinglot and lit up a Chinese lantern--a big one! I had never seen one before and so it was a pretty cool thing to see before going on the mission. After we lit it, we started to hear sirens that sounded like they were coming in our direction and so we left. Today in Relief Society the bishop's wife told me that it would have been funny had the cops showed up and the bishop would have been like "Yeah, I'm the bishop and she's going on her mission on Wednesday". Ha, the rebel in me says that it would be cool to get in trouble before going--but that's just the rebel in me. Though, I'm sure we wouldn't have been in any real trouble because Chinese lanterns are legal although the government is attempting to make them illegal. Anyways, don't I just have the coolest bishop ever?
(The Chinese Lantern)
Speaking of the bishop, on Saturday afternoon I spent my time skateboarding around the neighborhood and I ran into one of the inactive youth in the ward (a brother and a sister). We talked and they were like "Did you hear who the new bishop is?!" I replied in the affirmative and one of them said "Yeah, I was shocked. I couldn't believe it." I asked "why?" and he said "He's too cool!"
Anyways, I spent some more time with those youth. The boy is a punk rocker in a successful local band and he is pretty tight with my dad. He said "I bet you [your dad] is going to cry when they drop you off...he's going to bawl". Ha, I found that funny because I had never really seen my dad get too emotional before and couldn't imagine him crying over me leaving. After all, I have been gone for the last two and a half years as it is.
I then went over to another youth in the ward's place and talked with him about a multitude of subjects--especially the mission. He asked for advice on preparing for his mission and I passed down the advice that's been past down to me even though it isn't my own to give due to my lack of experience.
As I was skating home, my cousin's wife called me into her house and so I spent some time with her and the kiddos. We talked and that was all good. I really love their kids and I babysat them for about 6 years before I went off on the mission and so we have a good relationship. I've noticed that every time I come home or am around that they seem more and more excited to see me. Boy, I am going to miss them a lot!
After doing my rounds around the neighborhood, I went to the movies with my family. We saw Jack Reacher. It was a very good movie and I really enjoyed spending the time with my family. The place that we go to the movies doesn't do the best popcorn but I have the touch of force and tell them when and where to put the butter and so I got designated to get the refill. I enjoyed that. Anyways, the movie was good but even my mom would say that it was very violent. She laughed when I said that halfway through the movie I was like "What type of parent takes their kid to a violent movie before their mission?" Nevertheless, I thought the movie was just great and I really enjoyed it as being my last movie in the theater.
(Jack Reacher Trailer)
That night, I talked to my best friend D on the phone before going to bed and that was nice for me. Even though things were going well at home, I was still feeling anxious and I really wanted to go back home--my home: Provo. Even though my apartment was sold and I technically didn't have a "home" anymore, I was accustomed to Provo being my home. For me, it was my friends that made that place my home.
Sunday came around. Fast and testimony went well. For Sunday School, I joined the 8-year-olds in their Sunday School because my cousin had literally dragged me into it and as I had no where else to be I didn't fight him. Let me tell you, those eight-year-olds know their stuff! They are so smart and intelligent. I say that the brethren ought to consider sending them on their missions now! :)
After church, I had a meeting with the Stake President. He is new and had never met me before. He basically wanted to give me a chance to confess any moral issue that I had before I get set apart this Tuesday. Well, I felt pretty good about my standing in life and so we just had a nice chit chat.
Then came dinner with the family and my mom passed out candy to my younger sisters, cousin, and I for answering her questions about sacrament meeting correctly. Then we read a conference talk by Ballard.
Then I worked on packing for my mission. I realized that this is going to be an ordeal. I mean, I can bring a total of 100 pounds. My suitcases way about 20 altogether. And I was advised to keep 20 pounds spare for the text books I'll get on the mission. So that's 60 pounds of my belongings that I can bring. I bring 60 pounds for an overnighter with my family--but for 18-months??? This is really bringing out the materialistic side of me. I think that I'm going to learn to live without to the point that I'll come back wondering why I ever thought I needed so much stuff.
Later, my family and I watched "Despicable Me" and ate cookies and drank soda to end the night. That was some good time and I enjoyed the movie. My family was on the couch and I was on the floor in the game chair. My dog Sadie cuddled with my legs and played with my feet for the first half of the movie. Then my cat Cotton leaped out of nowhere to lay on my chest. She really likes attention. My cat Spike even came around asking for attention but he's not the type to cuddle and only wanted a quick pet. He's such a tough guy! After Cotton left me, my chihuahua Lola replaced her. Yep, it was a good movie and some good time with my pets who I will miss very much.
Later, I talked to D on the phone. He was lying on his own bed cuddling with his cat Simba. Simba is a 17-year-old cat. D mentioned that Simba had already survived 2 missions (his and his brothers) and that he had to make it through one more (mine). We discussed the mission some more, packing, and our plans to go to the temple on Tuesday.
All in all, it has been a very good weekend. I'm getting tired and should probably go to bed. Normally, I go to bed at around 3am or later (used to be 5am or 6am) but I think that it's good that I'm starting to crave sleep earlier (Its 12am right now). Plus, I need to get up in the morning and do some errands and stuff.
Signing off!
