Provo

So I've been reading all of my friends' blogs and I am inspired to finally begin writing on this blog that Laura Webster created for me about a month ago.  After reading so many wonderfully written blogs and admiring them for the fun pictures, clever writing, and neat experiences, I'm slightly intimidated to start writing my own blog.  But, lets be honest, who else is going to read this other than me and possibly my posterity.  Actually, scratch that, by the time my posterity are old enough to read, blogs will be a thing of the past like 8-tracks and VHS.

Today is my one month anniversary of moving to Provo.  And so far, its been great!  I love the weather, my apartment, my roommates, job, boss, coworkers, ward, Bishop, new friends, independence and the excitement of all the new things up here.  But I miss my family, my friends, and my boyfriend.  Last weekend, I went home for a visit and it was So good.  I surprised my little siblings.  When I first got home only my mom and Jake were there.  Jacob was happy to see me and a little confused. He had to show me his new monkish haircut and then gave me lots of hugs and kisses!  The other kids weren't home from school yet so I hid in their bedroom and waited.

First to come home was Kassie, she went to her room to drop off her stuff.  As she opened the door, I yelled, "Surprise!"  Lots of screaming and hugging and bawling from the both of us.  Next to come home were Kieran, Brecklyn, and Brigdon.   My mom told the kids to put their stuff away in their room.  Of course, none of them listened right away but surprisingly, Brecklyn was the first to obey.  I shouted, "Surprise" again and she grabbed onto me laughing and crying.  Kieran pretended like she wasn't happy to see me, but in here heart I'm sure she was ecstatic.  Brigdon walked into the room with a huge grin then jumped on me-wrapping both arms and legs around my legs.  "I'm never letting go!" he yelled.  It was pretty epic.

Next, it was over to the Cardons to surprise Scott.  Scott wasn't feeling good and was about to take a nap, so when Bishop asked him to come help him with something, he was not happy.  He walked out of his room, head down looking annoyed.  I walked towards him and timidly said, "Surprise."  He looked up, stepped back surprised.  His whole face lit up with a huge smile.  It was so great!  In fact, the whole weekend was great.  I got to hang with my family, go to the temple with two of my sisters, shop with some of my besties, go to the baby blessing of my godbaby-Tillman Steel Webster, and go on a fun date with Scott to the park to feed the ducks and then to Pita Jungle for dinner.

It was an awesome trip and it was hard to come back here, but I am actually loving it here.  I am quite happy.  Today was regional conference and I got to hear Elder Snow of the Seventy, Sister Beck of the Relief Society Presidency, Elder Holland and President Packer of the quorum of the twelve apostles speak LIVE at the Marriot Center.  It was awesome and I really appreciated all of their messages and the reminder by Sister Beck that although I am doing better than I think I am, I could be doing better than I am.  Also, I was reminded that Heavenly Father loves us, that we should remember the good things He has done and that He is in fact, our Father and will care for us accordingly.  Furthermore, we (by we, I mean I) need to exercise more faith like Pioneers of old.

Later, I got to listen to Elder Scott speak for the CES fireside.  He talked about marriage-it was wonderful!  I am so grateful for everything he said.  The other day I was talking to my coworker about how the thought of marriage sometimes terrifies me: "What if I marry some guy and one day he ends up being a total jerkface?"  My coworker said, "Russian Roulette, marriage is like Russian Roulette."  Basically, the game consists of putting only one bullet in a gun barrel, spinning the barrel, then pointing the gun to your head, shooting, and hoping that you don't end up with a bullet in your brains.  "What if I get the bullet?!"  I cried as he laughed demoniacally.  With such a risk, why do we get married anyway?!  Listening to Elder Scott's talk helped me to think about all of the positive aspects of marriage and joys that can be experienced only in marriage.  I'm excited for those blessings someday and when it comes to Russian Roulette, I plan on shooting a blank.