I'm back!

As most know, I served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Sept '08-Feb '10. I returned home February 5. I reported my mission on February 14. And since then, what have I been up to, you might wonder. Well, let me fill you in!

I started working again on February 10, just 5 days after coming home. It was fast but awesome! I'm working at the same place I worked before my mission: a residential treatment center for teenage girls. I walked into the office Monday, 3 days after coming home, and asked Richard, my old boss, if I could have a job again. There happened to be an open shift, so I started Wednesday. It was the easiest hiring process I've ever been through! I've now been working there about two months and I still love it! I love being with these girls and helping them through their really hard times; I love seeing them change and grow and learn how to live health lives. It is so incredibly rewarding!

I'm also in the process of finding/applying internships at children's hospitals around the country. I'm looking for internships in the field of child life, which was the focus of my undergrad studies. Lots of people ask what child life is, so here's a little description. I work with hospitalized children and their families, to reduce the trauma of a hospital stay on them. I do this through working with the doctors, nurses, and social workers as a liaison/advocate for the child and family. It's a good blend of my love for my medicine and psychology. I'm excited to see where I'll end up for the fall semester, aka Aug-Dec (of this year).

I also like to read library books and watch "What Not to Wear" and "Gilmore Girls." I play with my friends and family. That's pretty much it. That's what I've been up to!

My Twins

Sophie's classic picture face
Sophie sniffs her duck's feet
Emma rubbing her face
Princess Sophie drawing a picture
Emma making faces at me
Emma smiles

So they're not really my twins--they're my cousin's kids. But I love them so much they could be mine! Sophie and Emma are the loves of my life; they make me laugh and smile and bring me so much joy, love, and happiness. Sophie calls me "Magen" and Emma likes to boss me around (she knows that I will do whatever she wants me to). They still let me hold them and they love for me to just play with them, especially at the playground. 3 is a wonderful age to be! I just felt like taking pictures of them the other day, so here are some snapshots.

Another Summer of EFY

Well, another summer working as an EFY counselor has come to an end. To borrow the words of Jonathan Cathell-Williams (a past EFY counselor): "It is the best job in the world. The clumps [of counselors], the crushes [between counselors], and the drama are unparalleled. The exhaustion, the stress, and the spirituality are beyond belief. The paycheck... well, nothing too special there." But it's the only job I've ever had where I got to listen to the most amazing testimonies of youth and then pick up an un-endorsed pizza order from Papa John's all in the same night. I love this job more than anything else!

Called To Serve

The time has finally arrived. My call to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints came this week. I opened it on Thursday, July 10, 2008 at approximately 3:47 pm, surrounded by family and friends at EFY. We even conference-called Julia in so she could be part of the experience. It was incredible! I will be serving in the Colorado, Colorado Springs mission; I report to the MTC in Provo on Wednesday, September 3, 2008. I am thrilled with my call! I know this is where my Heavenly Father wants me to be. I am so excited to share the joy of the restored Gospel with other people. Yay for missionary work!

Visiting Juju-Bear

At Greensboro City Park
In front of Woolworth's, site of the famous
1960 sit-in that led the Civil Rights Movement

The art we made for Julia's room

Julia riding a bird
Sipping Chic-Fil-A lemonade at the pool
Sisters
Sweet shades at the pool
It was a wee bit windy at the baseball game
Posing like these retro models (This is actually a front window of a club.)
This is my excited face!

I went to North Carolina this past week to visit my older sister, who I affectionately call Juju-Bear. What a blast we had! We spent lots of time together (obviously) and did lots of fun things. (Because we don't do boring things.) Apparently, we like to eat, 'cause we went to Chick-Fil-A (the filla, as Julia says) not once, not twice, but three times. I also ate the best hamburger of my life at Natty Green's (a pub/diner). And then there's the sandwiches at Jimmy John's--oh, they are like heaven on earth! And today, I learned that there is one just down the street from me. Wahoo! And never fear, in accordance with my "palate of a five-year-old" we had Lunchables and cookie dough for dinner one night.
As far as actually playing, we went swimming at the neighborhood pool; this is where we met the local abused woman (I'm not kidding, this lady is in a seriously abusive relationship but refuses to leave because she "loves him" and "he needs her") and also the local California Raisin, who drinks Chardonnay out of a grown-up sippy cup. Yes, quite the quality folks here at the Greensboro pool. We listened to beach music at an outdoor music festival, with fountains as background ambiance. Along with Gavin, we went to the Greensboro Grasshoppers baseball game. Too bad they lost 6-20. We did have some delicious hotdogs, chocolate Dippin' Dots, and even cotton candy! (Gavin is a good man, just like Charlie Brown). As is tradition at any family gathering, we watched a lot of "Friends"; Julia even gave me her "Friends" recap, where we watched the best episodes of every season. For some inexplicable reason, I hadn't seen the series finale, which has been remedied--I finally have peace knowing that Ross and Rachel DO end up together! I also decided that I love Ross. If I could find a real-life Ross, I would marry him. One of the great movies of our childhood was "The Gnome Mobile." Since I have the fortune of owning it on DVD, I brought it to watch. Sadly, though, we never got around to it. On our final day together, we went on a walk around downtown Greensboro, browsing windows and taking photos. We truly perfected the art of taking pictures of ourselves. And lastly, we did some decorating in Julia's room; we made us some art and hung some pictures. Although really, I hung the pictures while Julia directed me from her spot on the bed. Once a younger sister, always a younger sister! As with all good things, this trip too came to an end. I was sad to leave; I had a really good time and loved being with my sister, just the two of us. But alas, after four airports, three airplanes, 12 hours of travel, one entire book, 4 episodes of "What Not to Wear", and one lost bag, I arrived home. (My bag found me the next day). This is now the end of my epic travels.

EFY rocks my world!

Our group's name: Them That Dwell

Me with my boys

Jacob - as a gorilla in the Noah's Ark relay

My girls and me

Sarah, Jeremy, me.

Sarah is my soul sister

My boys...

I just finished up my first session of EFY (Especially for Youth) up at Utah State, in Logan. It is amazing, incredible, and absolutely fantrasamalastic! It involves lots of things, including Family Home Evening, games, classes, lessons, scripture study, lots and lots of prayers, crappy food (vanilla yogurt resembles Elmer’s glue), dances, pizza, music, hat-knitting on looms, fun counselors, tons o’ teenagers, testimony meetings, devotionals, and the presence of the Hoy Ghost at every activity. The hours are long (6 am to 12 am, 6 days a week), but it is the most fulfilling job I have ever had. It is an amazing gift and blessing to be able to see the Spirit touch these teenagers and work changes in their hearts and lives. I also love hearing their testimonies every Thursday night; the faith and knowledge these kids have about the Gospel is incredibly amazing to hear. I am humbled and strengthened when I hear them. What else can I say, except I LOVE EFY!!!!

21...and waiting

Due to many questions, comments, and concerns, I just wanted to let my peeps know that I am still waiting for my mission call to come. There are few options as to why it hasn't come yet: A) I am being rejected...I'm fairly certain this isn't happening, though B) They are opening up a new mission for me (this is my mom's belief). C) My paperwork got lost. D) Heavenly Father is trying to teach me about patience and faith. I'm going with options B or D. For everyone who is as anxious as I am, don't worry, I will call, text, email, and make a post when my call does come. What a sweet day that will be!!