So, seeing as how it has been nearly 6 months since last I wrote, I decided (through insistent nudging from my sister) that I should provide an update on my life.
Let's see, from the beginning... so many different major life decisions have been made too, all equally important... let's begin with Bryce. Bryce and I fell in love. We found that t
hings can work out very pleasantly when two people try real hard to make them work. We put many hours of laughing and crying into our relationship. Many discussions of taking it further (being married this month) came and after all is said and done, we found that we were to go our separate ways. He's still an amazing man and has treated me with so much respect, I have learned a better appreciation and respect for God's children on earth through him. He taught me the value of service and the need to go out of our way to do those little rays of sunshine for people in our lives. I am a better person from him and hope that I will one day marry a man that can have similar views of stepping out of the confines of social norm to express love to our fellow sisters and brothers.
General Conference was a very powerful time for me. Many questions of what to do with my life were in my head and so I decided to take one to Heavenly Father that I had taken to him at the beginning of October - May I serve a mission and be an instrument in Thy hands? I am surprised and pleased to say
I have never received such a clear resonating affirmation to a question in my life. It wasn't a "yes, go" reply but through the various addresses given in conference, each one seemed to hit me deeper and deeper that missionary work was the right thing to do. Serving a mission was a noble endeavor that I was worthy to do at this point in my life. Finally, in praying I felt a clarity of mind and a clearness in direction for what to do. After learning quite frustratingly what a stupor of thought was, this was a welcome relief. I proceeded to fill out the paper work and arrange for the various meetings with Bishop Hatch and my stake president. If it hadn't been for the dental work in Texas, I would have had my papers completed and submitted within a week and a half. As it was, I submitted my papers in April 28th, the day
after I got back from Texas. Talking to Bishop Hatch, he reaffirmed my feelings by adding that I would be blessing my family and future in ways that not even I would be able to fathom. I received my call to serve for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 15th. After stalking the mailman for 4 days and many hours of roadbiking and rockclimbing to vent some stress in anticipation, I received it from his very hand, just shy of 5pm. I drove to the Scoville's house in American Fork and opened it up with my entire family on a conference call, Nelson, Heather and Kevin, Heidi and Gary, and my friend Nate Watterson (and Amanda Cornwell on the phone). I am serving Spanish speaking to the people in Argentina, Rosario and reporting August 12 to the Provo Missionary Training Center. I am growing to have such excitement for the mission and have been trying to prepare by praying very basic prayers in Spanish, reading Preach My Gospel in my freetime, and reading through the Book of Mormon with my personal impressions written down in a notebook as I read. I
am getting nervous because I am dealing with the next 18 months of my life, other people's salvation (to a degree), and my entire family and friend network (rolemodeling as well as learning what weakness really is). I am excited however to go home July 1st or 2nd with my brother for the Martino Family Reunion as well as getting the opportunity to study the Book of Mormon in Spanish with Dad. This is definitely affecting my life for 'a long while'.
For the 'short while' before, I've been taking some remaining classes for my major (8 credits spring term), dancing (country and salsa), trying to go to the temple 2-3 times a week, hanging out with friends, roadbiking solo or with friends, and rock climbing with Nelson. I'm never one to sit around and wait for experiences to happen. So, inorder to fix my time gaps I all of the sudden had, I decided to take a stronger passion in rock climbing. I've been going with Nelson for the last 4 weeks as well as with other friends in between when Nelson and I climb. It's an interesting
thing rock climbing. It teaches you to trust on those around you and the virtue of the rock face. We've been climbing various different climbs in Rock Canyon Park, and much to the chagrin of my mother (because I don't think she really knows what this is), I've been learning to lead climb. Lead climbing is when the climber must clip in, taking the rope and clipping into the quickdraws as you climb. This is a much more dangerous approach to climbing but it teaches you a new trust - trust in yourself and your ability. God gave us so many gifts, one of which is a body that we often second guess. Might I dare add that although the reality may not be all too heroic and superman-like, we are able to accomplish quite a bit if we trust in Him and what He's given us. Although I ended up being quite sore and quite banged up, I can now say (with the help of Nelson and his friend Taylor), I have led climbed once - quite exhilarating.
The next item of news that is truly timely and shall I dare say amusing(?) is that I started dating my best friend Nate's roommate - Jeremy Perkins (this happens to be a picture from right before we started to date). It's been a whole whopping three days. I feel fine about dating him. He feels good about dating me. I am going on a mission. He wants me to go on a mission. He's not the personality type I am attracted to and yet I am attracted to him in an uncanny way. I'm not the personality type he's attracted to and yet he's attracted to me in an odd way. It's been three days and yet sometimes it feels almost as though it's been a month. I leave in 4 weeks to come home. He is going to Jerusalem for this fall. I'll probably fall in love with him and he will probably fall in love with me. With all this said, I am thankful for having been given the opportunity to learn a little more clearly that it's not up to me to plan and judge my life. The Lord puts people in our lives that we can learn most from and that can help us most when we need it and least expect it. I also am coming to realize that Heavenly Father is merciful towards us, His children. He wants us to know we're never alone and that this earth is made for one large family unit - we are the uplifting angels when we reach to our brother or sister.
Life is full of interesting twists and turns. With the various decisions I get to make in this crux of my life, various decisions that effect me for a long while, I love that I have the Lord to guide me in every footstep (if I can ever get this hard head of mine to listen that is) and that laughter is the best remedy for stress of the unknown.
