Time for Taralyn

December!

2011-12-09T11:29:00.001-07:00

Dear Family,
Happy December! I was thinking about the cold weather and I realized that I don´t miss it! When we had zone conference and stayed in a hotel in Parnaiba, the shower had hot water. It was the first hot water shower I had taken in over a month and it was terrible! Anyways, I hope you are staying warm.

This last week was a slower week. We had transfers, which is odd because it was the second week of the transfer, but this mission operates on a Brazilian time schedule. Better late than never. Anyways, our district leader was transferred, and we miss him terribly. He would often call to check up on us, and he was a great support to my companion during her first transfer training. They would often talk on the phone for almost an hour.... maybe this transfter was a good thing.
Anyways, he is a great missionary and a true gentleman. Where ever he goes, he will be an asset to the area.
We have had more difficulties with Otavio, he had a relapse of addiction and so his baptismal date has been pushed back. It is easy to get discouraged with addictions, I could tell that he was really struggling with the fact that he had slipped up. I just wish we could all have this great eternal perspective, and see that while we do mess up, we can also fix it! But if we all had an eternal perspective like that, missionaries wouldn´t be so necessary.
Also this week, we were talking to a recent convert about patriarchal blessings. What a wonderful thing to help us realize our potential. I know that this too, is part of our eternal perspective. We are really capable of doing great things, great things that take more than a day to accomplish.

Last week in an email from Auntie Kristin, she asked me what similarites and diffrences Sister Borges and I have.
1) She is also a nurtruing soul. She has a mother´s personality and takes care of everybody. It is great!
2) all of her siblings are married
3) she went to college before her mission - studying biology.

Differences.
1) She is brazilian. She speaks portuguese, and is often more blunt that I am.
2) She doesn´t like chocolate.
3) Sister Borges writes in cursive, I don´t

we are getting along very well now, I am going to be sad to be transferred! Our time is up in January, as that will the be the end of the 3 month training period. We shall see what transpires then.

Awesome experience of the week:
Ana Carla. The other sisters met her at the grocery store and she lives in our area. After our first meeting with her, we asked her if there was anything she would like to pray for to say thank you for. She said - yes! this moment with you. This book of Mormon could change my life, so this moment could mean a lot for me.
Pretty neat. I am glad that we have awesome experiences too.

I love you all!
Happy December
Love,
Sister Smith

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-12-09T11:28:00.002-07:00

Dear Family,

This last week has been a busy one! I hope that dinner was delicious, shopping was safe and fruitful, and that the chocolates are done and beautiful! Phew, that is a lot to do. And this is just the beginning of the holiday season, good luck:)

We had zone conference this last week. We traveled to Parnaiba, a four hour bus ride on Thursday afternoon, and a seven hour ride back on friday night/saturday morning. I have now seen the Sobral bus station at almost every hour of the day. Zone conference was good, I met an elder who has only been in Brazil for three days. Someone who speaks less Portuguese than I do. It makes me wonder how the members here deal with us, they are so patient.
My companion continues to be patient with my language, but everyday is getting a little better. My mistakes have moved beyond the basic stuff, and I am learning more and more how to communicate. Sometimes after I speak, people look at my companion for translation. Or sometimes, she looks at thier confused face and asks them if they would like a repeat. Learning a language like this is humbling, but I wouldn´t trade it for the world. Sometimes I feel blind and lost, but never before have I needed to rely on the guidance of the Spirit to literally lead my by the hand. It isn´t easy , but this experience is invaluable.

Yesterday, we had seven investiators come to church. It was pretty cool. Oitavio is our newest and most promising investigator. The second time we taught him, we asked him if he would pray, and he asked us if we could kneel with him. And then we asked if we could come back to teach him and he asked what time the next day would be best for us. Oitavio is 21, and is recovering from a drug addiction. He lives at home with his parents and older brother and they are all so supportive of him in his recovery. His mother is a gem, she won´t come to chruch but she is welcomes us with open arms because we love her son. His baptism will still be a ways away, because he needs to get rid of any remaining habits first. But the second day we taught him, we asked him about prayer, he told us that with every prayer, it gets better. His desires change. I have high hopes for him, because I can see his sincerity to change.
Amanda, our investigator who is afraid to change, well she is still afraid to change. She has stopped coming and says that she only read in the Book of Mormon because we asked her to. Comparing Amanda, who is so smart, and has percieved success with her current religious state, and comparing Oitavio who needs spiritual healing from the Savior, it amazing how humilty makes a difference. And how change doesn´t need to be scary, it can actually be sought after.

Sister Borges and I continue to work and walk and talk alot everyday with new people. Everyday, when she prays she always says thank you for one more day. I was thinking about that and how one more day, everyday is a gift in our work. For everyone., One more day is a priviledge, what are we going to do with it? I love it.

I have not much time, but I love you! Happy holidays!
Love.
Sister Smith

Happy Birthday Sister Borges!!

2011-12-09T11:27:00.002-07:00

Dear Family,
I got so many emails this week! thank you!!! it was wonderful to have so much encouragement. I am sorry that I do not have much time and cannot respond to each email, but know that I deeply deeply appreciate the written encouragement. Sometimes, I wonder why I was blessed to have so many people to support me. I see many people that have no hope, or few people that care about them. I have so much joy in my life because of two things, my family and the gospel. But together, I have the deep abiding joy that I read about in the scriptures. Sometimes this Brazil business is really hard, and I am not thrilled. But I always have joy in my life. That makes all the difference in the world. That is why I am here, because I have an indescribable peace in my life that everyone deserves to have. I have also seen examples and evidences of people who have changed thier lives because of the gospel, and I am further encouraged to keep going. If I don´t have many who listen, it doesn´t matter, because I have found out why I am happy. If just me, that is okay.

As you can probably tell, from the ´just me´ talk, Amanda´s baptism didn´t go through. She was baptized into the 7th day Adventist church when she was 12 years old, and she had a great confirmation that she needed to be there. Now, she is waiting for something bigger than what she remembers to be baptized. She is expecting something grand. I don´t know how to help her, but I know that faith is required. She is so smart, and she reads the Bible everyday. She reads everytime we give her an assignment in the Book of Mormon, this girl has so much potential! Hopefully, she can find the faith to realize that this gospel is a good idea. Sometimes, I just want to ask our investigators if they realize why they keep letting the missionaries return. It isn´t because we are fabulous, it is because we have the truth. And it feels good. hmph.

This week was my companion´s birthday, the ward members have been very sweet to her. They love her a lot. That is a sign of a good missionary, when the ward that they are serving in recognizes their service. She is a great people person and Sister Borges has done wonderful things here. Grandpa this week talked about a missionary´s smile. That is so valuable! If we are to ask the members to be aides in our work here, we need to show them that they matter. Anyways, Sister Borges is great at that. Kids love her. The lucky girl has 7 nieces and nephews she is a natural. I made her pizza for her birthday, it was pretty fun. I finally cooked something! Oh, how I miss measuring cups.

This upcoming week warrants a Happy Thanksgiving! I hope that everything is delicious and fun. On Thursday, we have a zone conference, a second best but doubly wonderful spiritual feast. I am very excited to see what a zone conference is like in this mission.

This last week we had 31 lessons. That is more than I have had my whole mission, and few of them sadly were with the same person twice. We do not have many people tell us no the first time, but then they avoid us after that. OH the subtlies of passive agressiveness. It knows no culture. It is hard not to get our hopes up when we get to see the same person twice! But, I know that any steps made to be closer to Christ are worth our time and our effort. We have also had a difficult time recently with people who aren´t married. I should be a wedding planner. Hey we have a Bishop who will marry you for free! But the paperwork costs 100$r. hmph. again. We have three or four couples who are just awesome, but the idea of getting hitched is putting a hitch in their getalong.

I must close, but I love you all! I am thankful for my wonderful family this week and I hope you have a happy thanksgiving!
Love
Sister Smith

Elder Bednar part 2

2011-12-09T11:27:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,
Hearing from Elder Bednar was fantastic! What a blessing it was to have the extra spiritual energy during a taxing time. I was so thankful that we were able to go, all the sacrifice of sleep and all the bug bites while waiting for the bus were worth it.

Elder Bednar´s talk/instruction was very different from what I expected. The first thing he told us was that before he left Salt Lake, the last thing President Monson told him was to tell the missionaries in Teresina that he loved us and to remind us how often he prays for us. I know that all missionaries are loved and prayed for, but an extra shout out from the Prophet never hurt anyone. He had given two previous talks about faith and had sent them to the mission for us to read them. The majority of the time spent was him asking the missionaries what they had learned from the talks, and how they can apply it. After each missionary volunteered, he would give extra insights and tidbits of wisdom. I wrote a ton of stuff down that I know I will be able to use for the rest of my mission and beyond. He talked a lot about acting in Faith, using the example of Peter walking on the water, he didn´t know he had the power until he stepped off of the boat. We don´t know our capacities until we are in the action. Faith is action and then power. I liked that very much, and wish I had brought my notes to expound more. Nevertheless, it was a perfect instruction for missionaries, and for me. How can i know what I can say in Portuguese until I actually try to speak to someone? A mission is probably a pretty safe place to see what abilities I have through faith.

We had a six hour bus ride to get to Teresina, I had already forgotten how hot it is there! My area in Sobral is also hot, but there is almost always a breeze here, whereas in Teresina there is none. I have a new appreciation for the missionaries who are serving in that zone:)

Our area is doing well, but we have had the majority of our appointments fall through in the last week. One day, we had planned to teach 13 lessons, and only 2 of the originally planned happened. With the fast pace here, if someone isn´t home, it is never clear when or if we will actually get to teach them again. With lots of new faces and new names everyday, it has been tough to create any kind of a bond with most of the people we teach, but I am hopeful that with the spirit, connections can be made quickly. I know that even though I don´t fully understand why things are they way they are here, the direction we have been given is for a purpose. The attitude of many here is to graciously accept us once and avoid us after that, but our message is of such power that there is going to be someone who invites us in a second time. Even though we have a high standard of baptisms, we have not had one in this transfer yet, but we do have a date set with a young woman named Amanda this week. She is already active of her own volition in another christian religion, and her knowledge of the gospel is very impressive. (she has already met with two other sets of missionaries) Her only fear now is to make the change and be judged by her friends. Change is never easy, that is probably my least favorite thing about life! Change is uncomfortable. But hopefully Amanda and I can learn together to accept why change is necessary when it means coming closer to the Lord. She is very smart and has so much potential. I hope her baptism comes through.

Another one of our investigators came to chruch yesterday, his name is Irinilton. He was a reference from another Bishop in Sobral. He lives with his girlfriend and 2 year old daughter, and we have taught the mother once while he was working. She told us that she was not interested, but would not stand in his way. well miracle of all miracles he came to church by himself this week, and was befriended by some of the members. I hope that his example can touch Luciana´s heart and they can continue to have a joyful family experience.

It was fun to meet the rest of the sisters in our mission and some of the elders at this mission conference. It is always a pleasure to meet others who are just incredible missionaries and are working so hard! It is an inspiration to me, to be more like them and work harder. Being in a large group of missionaries is probably one of my favorite things about being one myself.
It has been an awesome week, filled with plenty of disappointment but many spiritual highs as well.
I love you all and hope this week is a good one at home. As you shovel the snow and snuggle with my mom´s flannel, just remember that I am jealous:)
Love,
Sister Smith

Elder Bednar part 1

2011-12-09T11:26:00.001-07:00

Dear Family,
Well the biggest thing on my horizon is the fact that Elder Bednar is coming to Teresina this weekend! Happy birthday Korin, I get to hear from an apostle:) I am pretty excited about it. Our travel plans are kind of crazy. We leave Sobral at 3 am on Saturday, and will arrive at about 8;30. The meeting starts at 10 and will go to 1, and we get back on a bus to come home at 5:30. So hopefully, we will be home by midnight. Lots of travel, but for a very worthy cause. I can only imagine the logistics that President Dias has had to go through to get this to happen. We have a pretty big mission, and the idea of getting all 100 missionaries together is nuts. This is the first mission wide meeting since the mission began almost three years ago. I am pretty excited.

Our investigators are just like a roller coaster! We are supposed to find 15 new people a week, and get 10 of them to sacrament meeting. The goal is lofty, and we have fallen short both weeks. The hard part is that there are so many people to teach that if they don´t show interest after the second visit, we drop them. I don´t like it, but our time is better spent finding others... I guess? This is direction from our mission president, and he knows best for our mission so I won´t question it. So it is very hard to get to know someone, assess their needs and then never see them again. We had a girl, Leidiani, set for baptism date, and all the sudden she avoided us and then we dropped her. One day, she was five days away from baptism, and the next, we won´t teach her again. Woah! This place moves lightening fast. We have a new investigator named Ana Paula, also a teenager. I really hope she comes through and starts to progress quickly, I like this one:) She seems to be prepared to hear the gospel, I hope and pray everyday that we can touch her life with the change that only Christ can bring.

Last p-day was Halloween which doesn´t mean anything in Brazil. Except that all the stores close. It is kind of like a labor day? huh. So, today we went shopping for the first time. We went to all the stores with made in China stuff that is cheap and gaudy. I have to use up some of the stuff from my toiletries suitcase so I can start accumulating souviners. I mailed some letters last week, but the post office guy said that to get from Sobral to the US, it was going to take 25 days. I have no idea why, and I don´t think they take that long to get to Teresina. The catch is that I only get my letters from the office when my district leaders have meetings or other administrative stuff, so like one or twice a month? Not sure, I don´t really trust elders, especially the ones that I don´t fully understand because they speak Portuguese too fast. hmmm.

I reread my last email. my companion isn´t 14 sorry, typo on an international keyboard! she is 23 right now. her birthday is next week. Sister Borges works really hard, and she knows the people here really well. I have come to the realization that it doesn´t matter how I am treated, it matters how I treat people. I had a thought one day of, you know she is a daughter of Heavenly Father, and is in pretty good standing seeing as how she is a missionary right now. I better stay on my toes, and treat her like the precious being that she is. Most days, I remember, and the other days I pray to remember that. The language barrier is discouraging, but we can always communicate through service and kind actions.

It is still hot here, and everyone is decorating for Christmas already. Trees and all!
Well, I love you! Hope you all have a great week!
Love,
sister smith

It's hot, but I haven't melted yet

2011-12-09T11:24:00.004-07:00

Dear Family,
I am more person than puddle, most of the time. I have yet to find a love for the heat or the humidity! We walk 10 to 12 miles a day, in this heat of the equator, but at least I don´t need moisturizer!

So my area is Junco, which includes three neighborhoods just outside of Sobral. These neighborhoods have lots of hills, up and down, up and down, and then up and down some more. I very much appreciate a flat road now days. The people here are mostly nice, and when you ask someone if we can meet with them later with thier family, the answer is almost always a yes. Keeping comittments is the problem most often, because everybody says that they will come to church, but few actually do. This week we must have had 30 people say that they would come, but 4 came. That is okay, church is really cool, and the ward is here is very nice. There are many teenagers who are the only converts in their families and the youth group here is huge. I would say that the ward has about 100 active people, with quite a few that are less active. As missionaries here, we do not work too much with less active families which bums me out, but the work here is different.
My poor trainer, I struggle sometimes when we do things that I don´t understand. The other day, she asked someone to return the Book of Mormon we gave them because they weren´t progressing as an investigator. I would have never known that that was acceptable, and I still don´t know that I like it too much. There are so many people here willing to hear our message that those who aren´t right away ready aren´t too much of a worry. This is something new to me, but I will adjust, and it just means that I need to work harder to make connections with people in the first visits to make them stick.
My trainer´s name is sister borges, she is from São Paulo. Her family was baptized when she was 13, and she will be 14 on the 17th of november. Speaking of birthdays, happy birthday Auntie Rae yesterday! I hope your day was fun and relaxing. My trainer just transitioned from being a junior companion to being a trainer, so I think that the change is harder than she thought. It can´t be easy to go around with a confused white girl all the time that you can´t talk with too well. So, keep my companion in your prayers, because I think she needs the extra boost. I worry and feel awful that I am not more help, but with the temporal distractions of heat, language, hills, and all that other new missionary adjustment, I am just a mess! We will get there. here in the mission the training program is now 2 transfers, so we have a while to figure it out.

The ward missionaries are just outta sight wondeful. There is one girl, Glacie, she is 18 and the only member of her family. She will go with us for hours when we need member present lessons. She is such a trooper and reminds me of brooke and alexis. I just love her to bits.

We live in a 3 bedroom house with another sister companionship. Sister Johnson is from tooele, and she goes home in 2 months. She is a big help when i have a question that needs to be clarified in a langauge other than portuguese. Sister Viera has been a member for 2 years, and a missionary for 1. The missionary that baptized her was my MTC teacher, small world huh? She is amazing because her desire to continue on is so strong. She gives me hope for the young people of this ward and the people we teach.

I am adjusting. I am only slightly sunburned and have only a dozen bug bites so far. We can walk around with umbrellas here to shade from the sun, which is a very good thing. Oh, the sun rises here everyday at 5 am. I still think that this is really weird.
I am a little less confused and lonely than I was last week, and I am starting to get used to the idea that I get to do this for a time. Hopefully one day, I will come home not just having endured another day, but having enjoyed it too. I just have to remember to be patient until that day.
I love you all and thank you for your prayers and emails!
Love
Sister Smith

Brazil. It is hot here

2011-12-09T11:24:00.001-07:00

Dear Family,
yes, my mother dear, I did arrive safely in Teresina. The 12 hour flight to SãoPaulo was long, but there were over 30 missionaries on the flight. It was very fun to see all of my friends from the MTC and hear about reassignments. When we got to the airport, there was someone from the church there to help us out with passports and all that jazz. I don´t know why, but we did not go through customs, and everything went through quickly and smoothly.
Presidente and Sister Dias picked me up from the airport and took me to lunch, this was probably about 4pm. then they dropped me off at a hotel accross town where i could rest and shower for a few hours. It was incredibly strange to be all by myself for the first time in four months. in a foreign country where everyone speaks REALLY fast! I was not thrilled, but it was very nice to take a nap. The assistants picked me up from the hotel for dinner and we ate with the Dias family. Luckily one of the assistants was American, and Sister Dias said that I looked tired and that he needed to translate for me. I wish that was the case everyday. People in Teresina speak really fast.
The second day, I was supposed to meet a set of elders in the hotel lobby at 7 am. They were two and a half hours late, and i just waited, and waited, and waited some more. I was all alone in a hotel across town, where I couldn´t go anywhere or speak to pretty much anyone. I was thankful to see them, and they both are Brazilian, so they should be thankful that I can´t betrate them in Portuguese yet! We went all over the city in taxis that day to get my passport and visa authorized and to get me a temporary id. it took the better part of the day, and then the sisters in Teresina came to the mission office to pick me up where i have been staying since friday night.
I will be serving in Junco, a town just outside of Sobral. It is a six hour bus ride from Teresina, and my companion (who is Brazilian but I cannot remember her name right now) will arrive tomorrow morning for us to ride together. I have heard that it is just as hot, but that the place i will be staying is nice.
So, for the past three days, I have been with Sister Fisher and Sister Aguiar. Sister Aguiar speaks so fast my head spins, but she is kind. Sister Fisher actually served her reassignement in Montana as well, and she has been an asset to help me along for the first few days. She just served in Junco and said that has been her favorite area. here in Teresina, we walk everywhere. Everyday, we walk between 45 mintues to an hour to get to an appointment. So each appointment takes three hours. one to walk there, one to teach and one to walk back or somewhere else. I hopefully will learn to endure the heat better:)
I don´t have many details yet about where I will serve my first area, but I am sure that the email next week will be chalk full of details.
for now, pray for my success, I miss you all a ton!
Love,
Sister Smith

Brazil! It's really here!

2011-12-09T11:23:00.002-07:00

Dear Mom and Dad,
I got a phone call from my mission president about an hour ago telling me that my visa has come and that I will be going to Brazil next Wednesday. Sister Ricks also received her visa and we will be traveling as far as Sao Paulo together. Can you believe that tender mercy? I am so glad that I will get to fly all that way with her, it will prove to be a long day.
President Garner will pick us up in Helena on Tuesday night, and we will leave the mission home at 4 am the next morning for the airport.

I hope that this email finds you well and excited. I can't believe it. Just like when I was in the MTC and found out that I was going to Billings Montana and I couldn't believe it. But this reassignment has been the best thing to happen to me, so I can only imagine this change will be the same.
I love you and will talk to you next week!
Love,
Tara

Tara’s First Area!

2011-10-24T15:23:00.001-06:00

Junco is a town just outside of Sobral, Brazil. This is where Tara will be serving for her first area! It is about a six hour bus ride from the mission headquarters in Teresina.

Wikipedia says that the population of Sobral is 182,431. It also has this information about the city:

“Sobral is the second largest municipality of Ceará, after Fortaleza. Its economy is based on agriculture, services and some manufacturing industries. The city has two public universities (Universidade Federal do Ceará, with a medical school) and the Universidade Estadual do Vale do Acaraú, and also counts with two other private colleges, Faculdade Luciano Feijão and Inta - a theological institute. The city is also the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sobral. The city became internationally known when it was the place where the first astronomical observation of a solar eclipse on May 29, 1919 by a team of British scientists led by Sir Arthur Eddington was offered as the first proof of Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity[citation needed], which had been published in 1916. A ‘Museum of the Eclipse’ celebrates this event in the town. There is a monument at the museum marking the location of this solar eclipse.”

Brazil. it is hot here.

2011-10-24T15:11:00.001-06:00

Dear Family,

yes, my mother dear, I did arrive safely in Teresina. The 12 hour flight to São Paulo was long, but there were over 30 missionaries on the flight. It was very fun to see all of my friends from the MTC and hear about reassignments. When we got to the airport, there was someone from the church there to help us out with passports and all that jazz. I don´t know why, but we did not go through customs, and everything went through quickly and smoothly.

Presidente and Sister Dias picked me up from the airport and took me to lunch, this was probably about 4pm. then they dropped me off at a hotel across town where i could rest and shower for a few hours. It was incredibly strange to be all by myself for the first time in four months. in a foreign country where everyone speaks REALLY fast! I was not thrilled, but it was very nice to take a nap. The assistants picked me up from the hotel for dinner and we ate with the Dias family. Luckily one of the assistants was American, and Sister Dias said that I looked tired and that he needed to translate for me. I wish that was the case everyday. People in Teresina speak really fast.

The second day, I was supposed to meet a set of elders in the hotel lobby at 7 am. They were two and a half hours late, and i just waited, and waited, and waited some more. I was all alone in a hotel across town, where I couldn't go anywhere or speak to pretty much anyone. I was thankful to see them, and they both are Brazilian, so they should be thankful that I can’t berate them in Portuguese yet! We went all over the city in taxis that day to get my passport and visa authorized and to get me a temporary id. it took the better part of the day, and then the sisters in Teresina came to the mission office to pick me up where i have been staying since Friday night.

I will be serving in Junco, a town just outside of Sobral. It is a six hour bus ride from Teresina, and my companion (who is Brazilian but I cannot remember her name right now) will arrive tomorrow morning for us to ride together. I have heard that it is just as hot, but that the place i will be staying is nice.

So, for the past three days, I have been with Sister Fisher and Sister Aguiar. Sister Aguiar speaks so fast my head spins, but she is kind. Sister Fisher actually served her reassignment in Montana as well, and she has been an asset to help me along for the first few days. She just served in Junco and said that has been her favorite area. here in Teresina, we walk everywhere. Everyday, we walk between 45 minutes to an hour to get to an appointment. So each appointment takes three hours. one to walk there, one to teach and one to walk back or somewhere else. I hopefully will learn to endure the heat better:)

I don´t have many details yet about where I will serve my first area, but I am sure that the email next week will be chalk full of details.

for now, pray for my success, I miss you all a ton!

Love,

Sister Smith

Brazil!!

2011-10-13T17:12:00.000-06:00

So I sent this email on Monday, but I didn't know that wouldn't send because I attached too many pictures. Well here is the original email. Except this isn't all true anymore! I was going to stay in Townsend, but my visa has come instead! I leave next Wednesday from Billings at 6:00 am. It is a very bittersweet time because I have grown to love and adore my companion and my area very much. I am borderline freaking out because I just don't know enough Portuguese! Anyways, I suppose I get to call my mother and dad next week in the airport, and President Gardner said that they will be sent my flight itinerary.
I am really going to Brazil! I have made it to the next step! I just can't believe it.
I love you all, pray for me as I pack:)

Dearest Family,
I got my transfer information, I am not transferred:) I am staying in Townsend with Sister Van for her last transfer. She goes home at the end of this six weeks, and she is getting excited to go home. We are at totally opposite ends of the spectrum, which actually gives us both good perspective. She doesn't want to go home, and I am homesick. Or She is totally jazzed to see her family and I can't imagine leaving before I am ready. The balance is good and things are great. I am sometimes jealous, but I have so much left to learn and I have yet to get to the next adventure. I have too much to do! At the end of this transfer, I will have a year left. Hopefully, I can spend that year in Brazil, huh? Keep praying for my visa, and warmer weather in Montana. there isn't snow here just yet, but it has been in the 40's and 50's.

We went to church in White Sulpher Springs yesterday. The branch had about 14 members there. The town has about 400 people,and we are only there every other weekend, so it makes it tough to find investigators that can stick it out with infrequent visits. The Lord understands our restrictions, and I hope and pray that we can find some more work there. We tracted into a Woman who said that she was Catholic, great! we thought. Any religion is great! We told her to have a nice day and offered her a pass along card that has a picture of the Savior. She told us no thank you because she knows that He wasn't white. You do not hear that one everyday in rural Montana. The seminary teacher in Townsend says that she has trouble with racial comments about terrorists all the time while they are studying the old testament, good thing the descendants of Ishmael are not here with us I guess.

The ward in Townsend seems to be doing well. The Ward Mission leader is bound and determined to gather the lost sheep. He has asked every auxiliary to focus on five less active members of the ward, and work on just a few at a time. Every leader in the ward is starting to get involved in member missionary work. That is something to be totally jazzed about! Brother Mitchell is tireless, even though he is 78 years old. He has been hospitalized twice in the last two weeks with heart problems and he has atrial fibrillation? I hope that he doesn't get discouraged now that he is having to take it easy. Bless is heart, literally! but now that he has involved others, the work will still continue to move forward.

This week I had stroganoff with raisin bran on the top. We thought that they were corn flakes, but nope there were raisins in my noodles. That tops any captain crunch berries, huh? We have had some real winners for dinners lately, including a twice baked potato where the horseradish had been accidentally tripled.

Sister Ricks is also staying in Helena, so we are still in the same district, which is a blessing because we can still practice Portuguese. I am getting nervous about my language skills slipping. I practice an hour a day, and I know that the Lord understands that I can't control my visa, so He will make up the difference. Nevertheless, I am pretty darn worried about how on earth I am going to meet my mission president in Teresina who doesn't speak English. The gift of tongues and lots of faith I suppose. I know that it will all work out in the end, but this waiting thing is harder than I initially thought it was going to be.

We have been having a good time this week sharing general conference messages with everyone. President Uchtdorf's forget me not talk sure has been a hit. That man sure knows how to give a classic, doesn't he? I am so thankful for prophets and apostles who say things so eloquently that can touch the hearts of many. It is so important to forget not that the Lord forgets not us. I needed to remember that for sure this week as I got all worried about my visa. It has never been in my hands, since the minute I decided to file mission papers, this has never been in my hands. How could I ever think that I was forgotten? I sure wasn't.

I love you all lots and lots, and I miss you!
Have a great week,
Love Sister Smith

Conference feast

2011-10-06T19:54:00.002-06:00

Dear Family,

I just loved General Conference! It was so wonderful. I so appreciated the talks about missionary work and about covenants. I have been studying in Alma lately and reading about the sons of Mosiah, Zeezrom and many others who were deeply converted to the gospel. In every instance, those who were truly converted, or wanted to stay converted, made covenants with the Lord. That is how we show our love for Heavenly Father. We make covenants. They are so powerful. I loved the talk by Sister Dalton to fathers. I cried through the whole thing because I felt like she was describing my dad in her talk. So thanks dad, I am so glad that I grew up with a father who loves my mother with everything he has and a father who has always honored his covenants.
I had no idea that Elder Hales was so sick, but I thought his talk was particularly sweet talking about waiting on the Lord. I learned a lot from that talk and I can't wait to reread that one.
One last thing - A SECOND PROVO TEMPLE! And a Wyoming temple. No that isn't in my mission, but it is right close to the Zollinger's. I am very excited for those two open houses. That will be wonderful! Aren't temples a miracle? I am so excited for that Provo temple, I have had stake conferences in that tabernacle, and it will hold a lot of meaning for many Provoites. How incredible. I bet everyone at home is all abuzz about it.

On to some business - This has been the warmest September in Montana on record, I am pretty sure. I hope that they know that if I stay here for October it will be more of the same. I am pretty convinced that the Lord is reminding me that He is mindful of where I am with what I packed. President Monson mentioned that a ton didn't he? The Lord is always mindful of us.
Transfers are this next week, I will find out on Friday where I go or stay. I just have no idea, but I will tell you this, I am pretty excited to not be a greenie. Everyone is all predicting about transfers, and I just want to tell them that not having your visa, that feeling is always near. I never know where I will be next week. I am a planner type so this is a good experience for me to wait on the Lord, like Elder Hales beautifully reminded us.

The ward in Townsend is great! I love it here. There was a little girl named Sophie who was baptized this week. I told her that I was going to send a picture to my family of my first baptism. Even though she is eight, it was still just as awesome to see someone make a covenant and beam with cleanliness. Sophie was just beautiful.

This last week, we knocked on a door and an elderly gentleman answered saying that his wife was in the shower and to wait outside for a few minutes and he would let us in. We waited, and waited. I noticed a bird flying above us in circles. It was a vulture. Before we realized that the Old Man wasn't going to come back, there were 8 vultures circling overhead. Is that a sign? We haven't been back yet.

We haven't gotten any new investigators this week, but I am optimistic. We do a lot of good, and we invite many to come unto Christ, I am full of hope that our efforts aren't in vain. We tract, but we haven't had anyone say yes since I've been here. We just need to make the word available, it isn't our job to make anyone accept it.

Well, I know my news is sparse, but things are going well. I love you all, and I missed you during general conference. I hope that it was a great time anyways, I was thinking about you!
Love,
Sister Smith

How long have I been here?

2011-09-29T18:52:00.001-06:00

Dear Family,
I was going to write the week number of my transfer, but I don't remember how long I have been here? is it week four or five? Anyways, however long it has been, it hasn't been long enough! I don't want to leave:) Whenever my visa comes, it will be an exciting day, but I will miss Montana dearly. My mission president, the ward I am serving in, and my companion have all been just so wonderful. My expectations for the rest of my mission are sky high, because this is all GREAT.

This last week has been Indian Summer to be sure! How hot has it been at home? Last Tuesday, in the morning on the way to a Zone Training meeting in Bozeman (an hour and a half drive) it was 25 degrees. I couldn't believe it. And then on Wednesday afternoon, it was 87 degrees. The rest of the week, it was almost 90 degrees everyday. Today it is something like 70 outside, so almost sweater weather. For the end of September, the weather has been just perfect for someone who has packed for Brazil.
I can wear lightweight cotton clothes with the best of 'em.

On Saturday, our ward mission leader and his wife went to the Rexburg temple and were sealed. Brother Mitchell, I don't know if you remember from a previous email, was baptized a year ago. His wife was baptized about three years ago and had already been through the temple. Anyways, he got his endowments out and then he and his wife were sealed in front of about a dozen returned missionaries and many ward friends. Everyone there did one of their family names for them. I was so sad that we couldn't go with them, but Sister Van and I did get to see them that evening when they came home and they were just GLOWING. It was one of the most touching things I have seen! Brother and Sister Mitchell are the most wonderful people and they are so supportive of missionary work. Every week, they host a dinner for our investigators and some less active members. Their love for people is incredible, I want to be them when I grow up.

Did I already tell you about Brother Gordon Coop in the ward? He has the coolest reactivation story. I am going to retell it. He had a very difficult divorce, and he doesn't have very much to do with his children. After losing his home and I am assuming his job, he moved up to Montana to stay in his sister's home while she works out of state. One evening he went into a crawl space to fix something and found a large plastic bin full of scrapbooks. The top one was a mission scrapbook for one of his other sisters who has passed away. She served a mission in Brazil in the 1960's (one reason I love this story, naturally). Shortly after he found this memory of his sister, the Sister Missionaries of townsend knocked on his door, and he let them in to honor his sister's memory. Since then, he has been coming back to church and he is a very loving, kind man. This is so touching! We never know how our missionary service will bless our family, or other future missionaries.

Montana is fun, I am certainly not in Sandy anymore. The other day, a sweet older woman took her dentures out after dinner and began to suck on them. Later I thought to myself, "I have officially been broken into Montana". The things you see as a missionary. We went to visit a woman one evening and her husband answered the door wearing swim trunks and sunglasses. He didn't have a swimmer's build. Another day this week, I got to dig a three foot wide, one foot deep hole for a member of our ward who is renovating their basement. They grow rocks in their garden about as well as the Becksteads do!

Zone Training was definitely a highlight from last week. We met for a few hours and talked about the Book of Mormon, each taking turn to bear testimony of what we are learning from our reading right now. There were about thirty missionaries there, so it took a while. I love being around other missionaries, I told President Gardner this and he smiled and said "when they are acting like missionaries... yes!" I must be lucky, I have only seen them be on their best behavior. I just love my mission president, I can't say enough good things about him.

I best be off, but as always, I love you all! Enjoy general conference.
Love,
Sister Smith

ps - the relief society talk about forget me nots was amazing, wasn't it?

sixty degrees and partly cloudy

2011-09-19T18:53:00.003-06:00

Dear Family,
Hello from Townsend:) I am doing just great, or rather, better than most other BYU fans are doing today. OUCH. I am kind of thankful that I didn't have to be there to watch that one. I hope that you can heal for next week. I have been teaching a lot about general conference, the cool thing being that everyone here has a satellite dish and BYU TV! Everyone can watch from the comfort of their lazy boy that they don't leave when we come to see them. So anyways, I have been sharing Jacob 2:8, talking about those who listen to the prophet to heal the wounded soul. I know that this is so true in my life, as general conference, and the words of President Monson ANYTIME heal my wounded soul. I have a lot of weaknesses as a missionary, and sometimes it is hard to not to be too homesick, but I know that as I try I will be sustained. I am very excited to hear from the bretheren this upcoming session! We get to watch with a member family, and we even get to drive up to Helena for the relief society session this Saturday. I am glad that I am still in the US to watch at a regular time, with regular hours and regular English. I am just too blessed. Everyday, I keep thinking "are You SURE that I deserve this?!" (I really don't)

This week we taught the couple again who don't like eternal families. I told them that I am from a family of three and she questioned whether or not my parents were devout latter day saints. three isn't enough for most of us apparently. I told her that we don't have children to boost membership numbers, but to raise good people. I don't think she believed me.

We met with a woman who we tracted into a few weeks ago. She is already a member, but doesn't want visits or anything because her husband is antagonistic. It was heart wrenching. As missionaries we get to help many people, but when you can't even help for risk of troubling a marriage, it is just awful. Religion never killed anybody. (aside from persecution and a myriad of other things, but who is counting?) Religion in Townsend Montana will not hurt you. That I am pretty sure of.

So I can't remember if I recounted a story about peaches yet, but some members of the ward drove 8 hours down to Brigham City, UT to buy peaches for people. They got over three thousand dollars worth of fruit. I had no idea that Utah peaches were so heavenly! Maybe there is a difference between Orem peaches that Trevor ran over and Brigham City peaches? I don't know, but I did have one yesterday from the triumphant return and it was good. I hugged Sister Mitchell because she had essence of home all over her! I do miss Utah.

Mother, I got my flannel pillowcase, it was my favorite thing you sent. Thank you! Everyone in this town sews and likes to craft, you and Auntie Rae really need to bring up your watches you would make a killing. your flannel would be the envy of every quilter in town. I also loved the letters from the primary, they are so sweet. I am having a good time, someone asked me that in their letter. Yes, missionary work is a hoot! one more highlight: my costco card. We are going into Helena today so I get to go! I have missed it so. Thank you mother for the costco card.

I am sorry that this letter is so very sporadic, I do not have very many anecdotes to share, but do know that the work is going along just fine. We taught 25 lessons last week, I have no idea if this is average or whatnot, but the mission standard of excellence is 20 lessons per week, so I feel optimistic. We taught mostly less active members of the ward, but they are so sweet and accepting of us, I just can't help but wonder why they won't let the ward in like that. I have learned a lot about how much I slacked off before my mission on this front. I hope to be much better at loving, fellowshipping, and reminding people how much they are needed when I get home. I have a lot to work on!

I must draw to a close, but know that I love you all very very much. I love MY eternal family and it is a privilege to share my testimony with others to help draw their families closer together. I know that a family centered on Christ is a family that will find lasting joy, I am so thankful to have that at home. So thank you for your examples and inspiration to me!
Lots of Love,
Sister Smith

Townsend, MT

2011-09-09T09:26:00.005-06:00

Dear Family,

I am here, I love it, and my goodness is it difficult! Walking around and telling people that you are a missionary is harder than it looks. Literally one woman looked at us and said "I know what you do..." and that was about the gist of our conversation. There is rejection, that is to be sure. The hard part isn't that someone isn't going to like me, the hard part is that I KNOW the message of the restored gospel is EXACTLY what they need! It is sad to see someone reject the only lasting happiness that they are going to ever find. Hmph. I love them anyways. Most people are really nice about beating around the bush that they don't like us, but no matter how we are rejected, I love them anyways.
Enough about rejection! I am sorry I started with that! I actually LOVE Montana. The ward is nice, the small branch we serve in is very kind, and the people we go teach are warm. I have several people to introduce you to:
1) Brother Wayne Mitchell - He is our ward mission leader. He is 78 years old, was baptized a year ago, and will be sealed to his wife in the Rexburg Temple next week. He reminds me of Tim Burke. I think that is the kindest thing I could say about anyone. Every week, he and his wife (who was baptized 3 years ago) have dinner for the missionaries and some of the less actives in the ward. His love works miracles for people. Brother Mitchell is a hoot too! He teases all of the time. It took three years to get him baptized and the first time I met him he told me he had a fridge full of missionaries. (Just pictures on the front, but I was thinking..."welcome to Montana Sister Smith") I love the Mitchells, he always says that he wants his home to be warm and welcoming to every missionary that is far from home. Mother, I will have to get their address and you will have to send him a Christmas card.

2) Phyllis Lee - She is 83, was baptized about 10 years ago. We went and visited her yesterday, she just got home from the hospital and is in great spirits. She only wears one earring because she got in a bar fight once when a woman was hitting on Sister Lee's husband. She lost part of her ear lobe. As a badge of honor, she only wears one earring everyday, like the long dangling kind. On her side table by her chair, she has a picture of her husband ( he passed away quite a while ago) wearing pink fuzzy pajamas while camping. The story goes like this: She was working, he was in charge of packing for the trip. He didn't pack for himself, and so he got to wear her pajamas for a day. She said any strife of keeping the picture was worth it. I for one, agree. She is spunky woman with an amazing testimony. Her seven children, and numerous grandchildren don't understand why she is a Mormon, but her belief is an example even to me!

3) The Williams family. part of our area is White Sulpher Springs, which is 45 minutes west of Townsend. We go there everyother weekend to tract and to go to the branch on Sunday. We stay with the Williams family. Brother Williams got his mission call to Brazil, but got sick while in the MTC. Fifteen years later, and I am determined to have a conversation in Portuguese! They have three little girls who are the cutest things. They have an almost six year old who literally looks like she is three, she is Tiny! Sister Williams reminds me of Laura Hughes in a way, and she let me read a cookbook. I loved her instantly.

4) Sister Van Leishout. My trainer. She is patient with me and lets me study Portuguese all I want. I love her to bits! She is from Olympia, WA and has about three months left on her mission. I am her third greenie, bless her soul. She has a degree in Music from Washington State, and just turned 28? Anyways I like her a lot. she has a great sense of humor, and she has a tremendous love for the people of Townsend. She has been here almost 5 months and knows everybody! she is an inspiration.

The town is small, it is a 40 minute drive to get to Wal mart on Pday. But yes we have a truck. which is great because not many roads are paved:)

I have compiled a small list of ways to know you are in Montana:

- You know you are in Montana if a mother won't let her son watch Bambi because hunting season starts next week.
- People tell you to eat bears that have been eating berries not fish.
- You offer someone zucchini, and they decline because they don't want to fill their freezer too full in case their husband shoots an elk on his hunting trip.
- Tracting in White Sulpher is difficult because there is a demolition derby, a parade and a rodeo for Labor Day weekend.
- And finally, it is September 5th and there is ice on your truck when you try to wash it on P-Day.

I love it here! I can't wait to tell you more.
For now, just know that while yes, Missionary work is hard, it is the greatest privilege I have ever had to tell people about their Savior. It is the best thing I have ever done to be loving and kind to someone and reflect well on the church that I represent.

Ate mais,
Sister Smith ( not seester smeech... yet!)

Onward, Ever Onward

2011-08-30T05:59:00.001-06:00

Dearest Family,

first:

Sister Taralyn Smith
Montana Billings Mission
1848 Rimrock Road
Billings, MT
59102

It is here, it is really really here! I am leaving the MTC tomorrow! I can't believe that 2 months of my mission are gone and done. Time has gone by so fast. Trevor has been gone one year this week, I also am having a hard time swallowing that:) I am SO excited to go to Montana, I felt an automatic sense of rightness when I heard where I was going. I am so glad that I am going with Sister Ricks and Elders Hutchins and Morrey as well. What a tender mercy. I have a mission with someone in my district now! That has been a hard thing, not meeting anyone going to Teresina while I have been here. Heavenly Father knew that I needed a connection with my Brazilian missionary friends. I love my district so much, it has been the best part of my MTC experience getting to know them.

I was shocked when I found out that I was going to the Montana Billings Mission. I love the idea of it. I already love the people I am going to serve, and I am so excited to go meet President Gardner and tell him to put me to work. I am going to act like this is my mission for 18 months, I will represent well and I will serve with my whole heart and soul. I can't wait! 24 hours from now, I will be on a 1 hour and 28 minute flight that will get me to the greatest mission on earth.... except maybe Teresina:) I am not even worried about my visa, when it comes, it will come. See Alma 13:25. I know that the Lord has impeccable timing for our growth and I am going to learn something necessary for my experience in Brazil right now. The timing is right, and for now I need to be somewhere besides Brazil. It is humbling to think that I am needed in two places, very specific places. It is times like these when I think, woah! Are you sure I am cut out for this? Billings has a temple too! I hope I get to go. Have you seen a picture? It is beautiful! Go look, right after you read in Alma. I can't wait to get there... or really just leave before football season starts in Provo. That would be a trial of my faith... much more than a visa delay:)

The last week of the MTC has been a blur. It scares me. My whole mission is going to be a blur isn't it? Last classes, saying goodbye to teachers and members of the branch presidency, final 14-hour field training (that was a brutal day), and packing. Oh packing. I can fit it all in, I have great faith. I wonder what airport security thinks when they scan missionary luggage. Who travels with 6 sticks of deoderant? I bet that this would be an entertaining job anyways. Imagine what people think when they see Taci's luggage. A tree branch? If I can't fit everything, I'll just wear 5 skirts and carry my Portuguese books in my arms like a baby. No sweat.

Last Tuesday, I recieved a beautiful blessing from Elder Morrey and Elder Sudweeks in my district. I had a migraine. Probably the worst that I have ever had, including numb hands, nausea and disorientation. I am so thankful for the Priesthood. After a blessing and a nap, I felt so much better. I know that resting and medicine don't hold a candle to what God can do for us. I am so glad to be around elders who are worthy and willing to share their priesthood. These young men are INCREDIBLE! They make me think of the men in my family, and the good they do. Especially Elder Beckstead right now, there is good to be done with this sacred power of heaven. I cannot express what it means to me to have righteous men in my life, there is no replacement for it. I think of my uncles, my grandfathers, my brother and brother in law, my cousins and of course my father, and I am left to marvel at the blessing their priesthood has been to me. What a precious blessing we have to have each other. So thank you, every last one of you! Thank you thank you.

I must head to pack now, but know that I love you and I am so excited to email you from Montana! Oh my goodness, I am going to be a real missionary!

Love,
Sister Taralyn Smith

Reassignment

2011-08-24T16:35:00.000-06:00

News alert!
My mother just called me (Taci, Taralyn's sister) and told me she got an email from Tara letter her know that she has been reassigned to Billings, Montana. She will leave on Tuesday morning and will stay there until she receives her visa to go to Brazil.

Mais Um! (one more)

2011-08-24T16:33:00.000-06:00

Dear Family,

It has been another week, I can't believe that I am almost done with the MTC. It seems like I have been here FOREVER, but at the same time, I keep thinking... wait a minute, already?! I am a little stir crazy having been here for a space of many days, but I don't know how it will go when I teach actual investigators. It is going to be alright, I already love them! No matter where I go, I love the people that I am going to meet. We have such a great message to share with people, and the best part about it is that Heavenly Father loves us. Who doesn't need to hear that? It certainly makes me feel better about myself. The inevitable topic has surfaced... my visa. Not yet. I will get reassigned in two days. On a scale from 1 to 10, how hard do you think it is for our district to focus? Haha, we are always counting down the days and making crazy guesses. I am going to go to the Hawaii visitors center I just know it.

Sister Doyle, on of our companions got her reassignment last wednesday and she left friday for Temple Square. eeeek! I will probably leave next monday or tuesday. Anyways, nobody gets temporarily reassigned to temple square, this call was certainly inspired. Brooke and Taylor, you simply must look for her. She is 5'1 and has glasses. She has a hug for Brooke to give to Mom. Sister Doyle was put in an MTC district with all goofy elders and she didn't like to dress the part of a missionary, Sister Ricks and I think that she was sent there to learn how to be ladylike again. I hope it goes well for her. The elders from last week got reassigned to Detriot, Baltimore, Pittsburg, and Riverside CA. There were some good ones! The few weeks before that, everybody was sent to St. George or Pocatello. Wherever I go, it will be where the Lord wants me to go, so I am not too worried. Just excited! It is kind of like another mission call.

This week has been a busy week, but if I reported anything to the contrary than I wouldn't feel like a good missionary. Our teachers are going to be sad to see us go! We spend a lot of time in that little classroom, but we have learned so much. The other day, Elder Head said that he feels like he has just been at an eternal EFY session, somedays I would just have to agree. It is amazing to me to see the spiritual and language growth of the missionaries around me, and I hope that I have grown too. I know we all have, and it is inspiring to think that we have just scratched the surface of what we will learn in 18 or 24 months. I can't wait to see who we all are when we get home. I am going to miss my district very much, most of them are going to the same mission as Sister Ricks and Sister Rust( the new sister with hair pretties) [Brasilia, Brazil]. But, I have made all of the elders promise to go to BYU and look me up for a home cooked meal. Whenever a district of elders leave, I make them promise me two things: 1) keep up on language study while reassigned in the US and 2) come find me in Provo, UT in two years. These young men are just incredible! It is such a priviledge to be surrounded by stalwart servants of the Lord who make me want to be better, just by being themselves. I love them. Missionaries, while sometimes silly 19 year old boys, really are choice young men. I will miss this part of the MTC most of all!

Last Wednesday and this next wednesday, I get to be a new missionary host. That means that I get to help the missionaries who have just been torn from their families get situated, get thier name tag, and find their classroom. Good thing Elders that are host missionaries are the ones who get the luggage from the car and witness the tearful scenes. I would cry harder than most mothers. Just the other day, I saw from afar a mom hugging her daughter goodbye and I was briefly tearful. It is actually a great fun diversion to be a host, I met someone who has recieved their mission call SINCE I have been here and they are already here too! At the end of the assignment, I just think to myself, boy am I glad that my first day is over. That certainly was a hard day. But they do keep to busy from the minute you get here, and there are so many new friendly people to meet.

The other day I got hiccups while teaching a lesson. In the middle of giving a prayer. Just after learning that you should make 500,000 mistakes in a language to become fluent. Do you think embarrassing hiccups while trying to speak Portuguese counts as a couple hundred mistakes? I hope so.

The last devotional we had was the first one where a general authority came to speak, Elder Evans of the 1st quorum of seventy came and his talk was great. He said that he was talking to some members of the twelve and one of the things they most want new investigators to know is the first statement in the Preach my gospel lesson #1. God is our Heavenly Father. It is amazing that the more basic doctrine is that you are talking about, the more easily the spirit can testify because it is so true! I loved that talk. Then I taught our district meeting and the lesson topic was the same principle. I truly believe that we can learn more about our Father in Heaven by looking at our potential. It is times like this where I am reminded of what I need to be learning that I am so thankful that I am not studying alone. I know the Lord guides missionary study because our work is so important. It is humbling to be part of something so important to our Father in Heaven.

I am excited to let everyone know where I am going! I love you all very very much and I am so thankful for your support

Lots of Love,
Sister Smith

ps - Auntie Kristin asked me a question "What experience this week strengthened your Faith in Jesus Christ?"

Well, I had a very touching experience while in the TRC, a practice teaching session with a volunteer that comes. They just changed the protocol of the TRC, and instead of role playing, we teach the volunteer as themself. Even returned missionaries. Sister Ricks and I taught Brother Webb, who served his mission in Brazil when it was one mission. He is a very sweet older gentleman. We asked him about his family and he told us that he and his wife had one son, who passed away at the age of 9. We taught him about prayer, and asked him to share an experience in his life where prayer was helpful. He talked about how when his son died, they prayed that life would continue to be okay. Through his faith in Jesus Christ, he was given confirmation that he would see his son again and they could live together forever. My faith in the Savior was strengthened too, because I can see how when we are given trials we are given opportuity to grow. The thought crossed my mind a few weeks ago that whenever I have a hardship I should really just think to myself "Heavenly Father really loves me! He has just given me an opportunity to get to know Him and His Son better! Really, He just wants to be closer to me." I know that when we strive to be closer to the Savior during the hard times, our faith WILL grow. I know that when we have faith in Jesus Christ, he can help us through anything.

Reassignment?

2011-08-15T21:57:00.000-06:00

Dear Family,

on the last p day I had, everything was crazy and nothing seemed to go right. So i apologize if my email seemed a little blue. I am a complainer in my email at times, because I try not to complain to my companions too much. The complaint just isn't worth the contention. Learning patience is harder than learning portuguese. Speaking of speaking Portuguese, I spoke in church yesterday. I was called out to speak during the announcements. ONe of the MTC presidency was there and he wondered what I had done to sound so fluent. I have no idea who he was listening to, but I am amazed at the progress that can only come through learning with the spirit. My companions always tell people that I took 16 credits when someone says that I speak well, but I know that is not where the credit should go. I am so very blessed! don't worry, I am not fluent, and yes I make a million mistakes everday, it is still hard:) but I am blessed.

We have a new roommate/companion. She is going to Brasilia with sister ricks, but she is in another zone at the mtc. She is a solo sister, so she lives with us. When she was unpacking, she pulled out a tackle box with organized "hair pretties". Oh my. And she loves purple. And she is from Alaska. It is comical to see how different she is from Sister doyle and sister ricks, but this new Sister Rust does a great job. she is very sweet and things are going well.

Grandma- Thank you for the package and I loved the letter from Grandpa last week! I could read everyword:)

I have to tell you about a very sweet experience I had this last week. Well a few weeks ago was when this started. I had a spiritual thought for my district and I read Enos 1:27, AND I told a story about a boy I met at EFY who had lukemia. I will never forget Seth's testimony about eternal life. He had such an impact on me and I will never forget when he looked at all of us 15 year olds in a room at byu and told us " I know exactly where I am going" it was beautiful. So I told my district about this experience and how we can hope to have eternal life too. Well this last week some missionary came up to me when I was walking back to my residence and said he recognized me from EFY. He has been a missionary at the MTC for two years in the referral center. He came to talk to me on his last night of his mission, because he felt impressed to say hello. It isn't everyday that you get to meet someone who changed your life twice. I have a testimony of how the Lord prompts us to talk to other people. He saved me that day, and it gives me hope that one day I can do the same for someone else to a lesser degree. Elder Stevens is now home with his family in colorado. what a sweet reunion that must have been!

Last week, an elder taught me in a workshop. He was from central America and was learning English. His language wasn't perfect, but the sentiment was touching. I loved him for trying and I know that the Spirit knows all languages. I hope people in Brazil will be the same way. MY languages is far from perfect, but I know that love can translate. I have come to realization while in the MTC, my practice here is less about teaching doctrine and more about learning to communicate soul to soul. Tell missionaries you meet the same thing. Teach people, not lessons. I have also learned about being patient with myself, I have learned that excellence can only enter when self acceptance abides within.

So, one last thing, no visa yet. A week from this wednesday, I will get my reassignment. Crazy, I get another mission call! Some elders just got reassigned to the Pocatello Mission. So Taci and Jake if you meet any missionaries, ask them if they are visa waiters.

The MTC is still here, and so am I!
I love you all!
Sister Smith

we've gotta hold on to what we've got

2011-08-01T18:06:00.001-06:00

Dear Family,

Oh we're half way there! oh-oh livin' on a prayer. Who knew Bon Jovi could explain my life as a missionary so well. Yesterday was my 4 1/2 week mark in the mtc, I am half way done! It literally feels like I have been here a year. Yet, the time has moved lightening fast. I don't know how to explain it. I sure hope the mission field gets better, I know it will be better and worse, but can your situation really deteriorate or improve, or just your attitude? I will just keep living on prayer. Visa? Nope, but i am not worried. I will be pretty excited to go grocery shopping where ever I happen to get off a plane and serve people. I really really miss cooking for myself. Silly? yes but I miss having a kitchen and a fridge to put yogurt that I like into.

The highlight of my week was that I got to go to the temple today! P-day! The temple has been closed for cleaning and then pioneer day, so I haven't been since before I came into the MTC with Taylor. I was so thankful for the peace and quiet. I haven't yet been so happy for that time to myself. Before when people would talk about the peace in the temple, I was like... yeah okay, this is a nice feeling. But now, I realize what it means to get away from all of the hard things and just pour out your heart. I admit I was pondering how jealous I am that I don't have a temple in my mission but I am thankful to find this out now, with so much time left in life to have the temple be vital to my happiness. I am learning all kinds of things that will be important to me forever, at any rate, the things I am learning right now as a missionary will be things I implement in my eternal family one day. I can see how much better of a mother I will one day be because of this refiners fire right now.

You would think that the MTC would be a great place for peace and quiet but, elders will be elders and do things like sing Bon Jovi songs. I love being around them, they are my source of entertainment when portuguese verb tenses start to get fuzzy. They break the tension when the going gets rough. it is an honor to be here with young men who are learning how to use thier priesthood. I wish I could send a video to their moms, they would be so proud. I love learning and growing alongside my companions and my district, I can see how great these young men and women will be in the field. Brazil is so blessed! I really think that the cream of the crop in this MTC right now are here waiting for Brazilian visas.

We had a birthday this week in our district, Sister Ricks turned 22. Her mother mailed us out of this world cupcakes and party hats and what not. Guess how much of our district study was devoted to doctrine of the Kingdom? It was fun, and worth it because a birthday away from home can be hard. And anything to make a happy memory is worth the effort indeed. Mom and Taci sent her gifts, thank you for making me look good:) Thank you for making a missionary's birthday a little more sweet. My family is wonderful.

On Saturday, Sister Doyle was sick in bed with aches all over. The poor dear. I had given her some nyquil the night before, and she slept in for a few hours.. Her companions got to watch her drug induced sleep while trying to be effective in a cinderblock prision. Sunday, going outside again was a gift! i am happy to report that Sister Doyle is chipper and happy again today, all is well.

The MTC days are long, but I am still not able to envision leaving. I've still got a while. Never fear, I always take comfort in knowing that I am here doing good things. For now, I am blooming where I have been planted for a season.

I hope things at home smell like roses. I wish I was there to see Dad's first green august lawn. i still want a picture of how my petunias are doing.

Lots of love!

Sister Smith

No toil nor labor fear

2011-07-25T15:28:00.001-06:00

Dear Mom and Dad and everyone else:

Happy pioneer day! I have recieved many thoughts about our ancestors both in the MTC and in emails today. I miss this holiday more than I missed the 4th! I keep telling elders in my district how cool the parade is, but really this is a great holiday I can't wait to tell people about in Brazil. NO more visa work. Patience.

As a recap of my week:
I sure am spoiled! In the last two weeks I have recieved packages from Grandma, Aunite Kristin, Mom and Taci. I am spoiled and my district loves you all! thank you thank you! On the days that I just can't take another minute of Portuguese, I remember how many people are on my team back at home, and I remember the prayers and support and it all becoms alright again. I can feel how I am sustained. I am so blessed! I can't tell you how much it means to me that I get to be a missionary right now. There were many things to stop me from going, but I am glad I had help to pull through. I need to be here right now, I feel that everyday. I love all the things I get to do, even when I complain and say I don't like it. I really love it.

Let me tell you about the goings on during my past seven days:
Our Zone leaders left for Cape Verde. They are going to do so well! what a bittersweet time, the elders that were experienced when I came to the MTC are now greenies! What? Our branch of 50 sang them off singing in Portuguese. We had a day teaching in the TRC, a volunteer thing where people pretend to be investigators. We BOMBED. It was awful. At least in the field, my inexperience will be compensated by another missionary. Humbled humbled humbled. Oh my. I don't make enough eye contact. I speak too much. I don't expound enough... how does that work? IT was a hard crummy day. But eventually I will be glad that happened in the MTC not in Brazil. Still I didn't enjoy being called out with my companion by our teacher so harshly. Sometimes, I just wonder, I am trying to teach people about CHURCH, how can I do a bad job?

ON Sunday I sang a solo in sacrament meeting, they were desperate for a musical number. We all lived, barely. Singning How Great Thou Art as a soprano at 8am? I lived, and that is accomplishment enough. Anything else new? We are trying to speak Portuguese exclusively. Tough! But when I get to my mission I won't have a choice about it so I better practice now. I am not worried, practice never hurt anybody. Unless you consider sports injury, I hope I am safe. The other day we had the fire alarm go off right before bed, some sweet sister with thick hair was straightening it and there was smoke. There you have it, 4 floors of missionaries evacuated in jammies. Enough newsy bits.

As I continue to be busy, I continue to become more aware of my weakenesses. I can't focus on reading for hours sometimes like i am expected to, I can't study, go to class, speak only Portuguese and not be tired. The day I realized that I by myself am not enough as a missionary was a tough day indeed. What does one do at a time like this? I realized that my Savior makes up the difference. I realized that all I have to do is try. That is what I tell investigators to do - turn your flaws to the Lord and just try everyday. There is so much hope when we fully understand, or just increasingly understand that Merciful Father in Heaven will bless our efforts. I am so glad that I am imperfect, because I really do need divine help and my imperfections soften my heart towards other children of God. I always said that going on a mission would make me tougher. But really, if I do this thing right, I get a softer heart. I have a testimony of this. We need our Savior. I get to spread this hope of my newfound capability to other people.
What a job!

Lots of Love,
Sister Smith

week 3

2011-07-18T21:40:00.002-06:00

Hi Howdy Hello!
Life at the MTC must carry on, business as usual. I have been here almost three weeks, wild!
My companion and I remain blissfully unaware of when the final installment of our visa will come through, and thusly I don't even think about repacking. We will most likely be here the whole 9 weeks, considering others who are here still.
In the past week, I have continued to make mistakes in Portuguese and laughed all the way through. I didn't tell a man that his dead wife had it coming to her like another elder did, so I must be improving.
The weather has been warm, but I have actually never known the temperature. So really, how tough have I been while running around outside in the afternoon? Is Teresina going to be small potatoes compared to a July in Utah? Where is Brooke to give me weather updates? I keep thinking how glad I am that I'm not here during the winter, we study outside all of the time, the headcount in the MTC is currently 2600!
I still haven't met another soul preparing to go to Teresina, at this rate, I will be the only blonde on at my zone conferences. I got the inevitable this week: a cold. This is the kind of place were a sneeze is like a dandilion gone to seed. Poof! Sister Ricks and I had our elders give us blessings, for some it was the first healing of the sick they have ever done. It was a great experience and very touching. Thank heavens for the Priesthood, I can tell what a difference it makes.
I got a package from Grandma B, thank you!!! My district loved the cookies, everyone was so excited for PUMPKIN:) Every Sunday after the fireside, our branch watches a movie from lds.org media library and we share our snacks from packages. My grandmother is a popular woman. yesterday we watched the 2010 christmas devotional. The holidays are going to kick my trash! But I have to say, hearing the voice of the Prophet makes me feel at home no matter where I am. I love President Monson. I read that my accepting my mission call is a way of sustaining him, that made me feel good, I love sustaining such a great man.
I missed a family party! Sister Ricks has a birthday next week, but how do you surprise a companion who is always with you? I love her and am thankful for her everday. her knowledge of the scriptures is great.
I love telling people about my family, from the large cookoffs to the aluminum christmas tree to costco stories, it is so much fun to explain where I get my "fun" personality.
We, meaning me (I am with someone all the time so often I am a we) just love the opportunites to learn and grow. Practicing teaching the Plan of Salvation in Portuguese in humbling, but thankfully the Spirit knows no language barrier. I jsut have to put all the love I can muster in my smile and tell people how much they are loved and adored by their Maker. What a job!

I love you family!
Have a great week,
Sister Smith

ps. - what did missionaries do for exercise time in the field? I need some ideas, and I am thinking about asking mother for a jump rope for that cardio excersise I am encouraged to do. Ask around for advice, Thanks!

Portuguese Progress

2011-07-11T13:10:00.002-06:00

Dear Family,
Thank you for all of the dear elders, letters, and package(momma) There is nothing like a word hug from home, and we can read dear elders and letters everyday! And I like to get more than the elders in my district.
I am in the swing of things, struggling along in Portuguese, It is tough because my companion and I are on different levels and we struggle to work together sometimes. I naturally speak faster so our investigators speak faster and she gets lost, embarrassed and I feel bad. My goal this week is to slow down, focus on helping her rather than trying to progress myself. I am so thankful that they give us a forced 8 hours of rest, even when I can't sleep. Nobody is allowed to bother me!! My companion and roommates are very kind, but my patience needs an 8 hour break too:) Earplugs, pillow over my head and mandatory quiet time? The Lord does love me immensly, and this is one of those tender mercies that I am very aware and thankful for.
My branch has 50 elders, 3 sisters. Great odds for a singles ward activity eh? It is also nice here, we rarely open doors and always get the fun wheely chairs in the classroom.
Almost everyday, we have 6 hours of class, and about 80 percent of it is taught in Portuguese. I understand most of it, and now I am learning how to teach it. We have already taught about the restoration and the plan of salvation. You try to conjugate translate into past tense. There was a new batch of missionaries this week, I am no longer the newbie! Watching them get dropped off was killer hard though. The sisters that came in with me who are going english speaking have less than a week left here. Time flies!
Being around elders all fo the time is a blast from the past. They talk about high school sports, 17 year old girl friends and explosions. They reverence my star wars quoting and college football knowledge, but I still scare them. I always cry when we watch video clips about families being baptized. It is just so beautiful! The temple is awesome! I cry everyday because of something touching, I am giving sisters a bad name:)
Gym time is precious, don't take wearing pants for granted! The gym floor is being refinished this week, so we have been outside on the field. Mid day, right after lunch. this is worse than middle school gym with Mr. Reno. I have a healthy companion who likes to run uphill. We got stuck in one of those freakish 5 minute rainstorms the other day. We were running to get back inside and water got up my nose and I chocked. What am I a chicken?
Here is a nice anecdote for you:
I was contacting in portuguese and asked someone if they wanted a massage about Jesus Christ, rather than a message. I can not live that down in my branch. Then I proceeded to ask a 17 year old if he had a wife and children. I thought he said 27. Save that lesson about eternal families for later.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a missionary. I have been extended and humbled. I have begun a countdown and fallen to my knees to thank my Heavenly Father that I can be here. Uncle Ryan was right: 2500 missionaries singing called to serve is electrifying!

I still haven't worn the same outfit twice... I think I brought too many clothes.
Taci: my compainion respects my scarves- everyone does
Brooke: thanks for your dear elders they are the light of my life
Mom: You dear elders keep me going!

I love you all! Thanks for all the love and support. I pray for my family every day, and remember missionary prayers are extra special:)

love love and more love,
Sister Smith

My first P Day

2011-07-04T14:58:00.002-06:00

Dear Family,
I don't have taci or taylor's mailing addresses, just so you know.....
but I sent you both letters care of cleo and mother so look forward to that. The MTC is marvelous. Hard the first day, i am sure my first letter scared you a little bit. but I am doing just fine. My portuguese is coming along great, what a blessing that has been. I bore my testimony in portuguese in my branch yesterday. Many of the elders who have been here four weeks say that my pronunciation is better than theirs. I hope I can stay on top of it.
Thanks for the dear elders, my pday is monday so that is when you should email me... well do it sunday. My first day i got 5 dear elders from all of you and 2 packages. Nann sent me a PRIMO package. I shouldn't be surprised. She is a loving lady. but it was super nice with tons of treats and patriotic what not. I loved it. We did watch the fireworks from the stadium of fire. There was a program beforehand, and 2500 missionaries sand yankee doodle. Kind of surreal. but it was fun. They had a program where everyone cheered for thier mission, I totally cried because I am part of God's task force right now. Incredible.
I love it here. The spirit tells me everyday that I need to be here.
The visa sitch is still up in the air. They say that the online visa is the key, and even if you have that you won't elave provo for 4-6 more weeks. so I am here for a while. nope, haven
t done it yet.
Okay, I must sign off, Love you all! DEAR ELDER. thats all i am saying.

Tara is Officially a Missionary

2011-06-29T19:10:00.001-06:00

Tara left to go to the Missionary Training Center today at 1:30pm. She will be there for about 9 weeks!

The Eternal Enchilada

2011-06-12T22:56:00.002-06:00

I am just thankful for my family. Every single last one of them. From the small ones to the old ones. I sound like a Dr. Seuss book. I sure love you guys, and I am really thankful that I get to think about saying hellos to you forever, instead of just a small goodbye for now.

Dear Trevor

2011-05-14T18:25:00.000-06:00

May 14, 2011
Dear Elder Beckstead,
it was great to be able to say hello to you last week. Everyone was so funny, so excited to talk to you. Your mother never left the side of the phone and Sam was bored after three seconds. No really, it is amazing to see how much love a family can have for one another and the support it provides to know we are eternally together. I am so excited to teach people about eternal families, it is one of the choicest blessings we have, and perhaps the most comforting when life goes beyond our control. Sometimes, like today, I am filled with so much fear and doubt because I am going to far away from anything I have ever known. I won't know a soul, I won't know the language, and I won't know what hit me when I breathe in the hot humid air. I am so scared, and full of trepidation because my life is about to turn upside down. And then I remember why I am going, not to be comfortable, not to better myself, but because I want to tell people about the blessings that I have because of Jesus Christ. My fear is a testament to the joy that I have in my life now, I really enjoy this earthy life that I have going for me! But when I take a step back, the real joy that I have is my family, is the gospel that I get to live, and is the simplicity that comes when I do what I am supposed to.
Tell me this: yes I know that my life is about to really change, and it is going to be hard, super hard. But does it get simpler as a missionary? When you have specific rules, and specific time lines, do some of the stresses go away? Sometimes I get so frustrated because I don't know what is coming next, or I feel so alone. The endless complications of getting ready to go on a mission have been incredibly stressful, and I am hoping (keep those fingers crossed) that some of the stress can go away to I can have time to listen to the spirit. So, is there quiet time to do that? That is really my question.
This last week I got a phone call and an email from my stake president, they have pushed my MTC date back a week. I now leave on June 27th, rather than June 21st. What is an extra week? At this point, I appreciate the extra time to hug my mother goodbye, but at this point I really just want to jump in, feet first. My life right now can be compared to jumping off of a high diving board. It took all of this effort to climb the stairs and now I am on the platform, looking down. I am scared but excited for the unique feeling of taking that huge leap. I am waiting at the top, looking down. I want to jump and part of me wants to get back on the ground where I know what to expect. I am going to jump, I really am, but I wish someone would just push me tomorrow!
Patience, mixed with anxiety, mixed with fear? what does that equal? A whole lotta of extra faith.
Pray for me. I'll do the same for you.
Have a great week,
Love you tons!!
Taralyn

2011-04-25T18:02:00.003-06:00

I've registered! to be a missionary?
I have had many people ask me what I need to get ready to go to Brazil, so here are some ideas.
https://www.missionarymall.org/giftregistryhome.aspx
go to this link, and the registry ID is Taralyn's Registry.

or... here are some things remaining on my packing list

peds (low-cut, no show sock liners)

light weight pajamas

umbrella

4 flat twin-size sheets, 2 pillow cases

2 bath towels (Microfiber)

small first aid kit

gold bond medicated powder (for heat rash... I'm excited!)

35% deet bug repellent

small sewing kit

shoe shine kit

wind up or battery alarm clock

laundry bag

international plug adapters

batteries

moleskin for blisters

photo album - give me pictures to remember everyone!!!

four generation pedigree chart

note taking materials - Highlighters, pens, pencils, etc.

personal toiletries to last duration of mtc stay

clothes hangers

phew! I need to go shopping!

2011-03-28T18:19:00.002-06:00

cutting onions makes my eyes sting for hours, but I love them anyways.
watching say yes to the dress makes me cry.
I consistently dominate bridal shower games, that should be an olympic event.
if I go more than few weeks without crafting, I just don't function at a high level.
I read cookbooks for fun.
freeway construction makes me uncomfortable.
I will never go to Ikea on a Saturday again.
my idea of a perfect day is having my hair clean and my bed made.
blogging is an excellent display of narcissism.

100 days!

2011-03-14T14:37:00.001-06:00

Let the count down continue, I have 100 days until I land in Brazil. I am so excited, and ready to get going!

soup and such

2011-01-30T19:16:00.002-07:00

I made soup this week, I was so sad because it was my most vivid culinary failure in several months, minus some ill fated cupcakes over the holidays. That will teach me to use generic brand baking mixes. The soup recipe was from the Food Network Magazine, Mushroom Hummus soup, I feel so ill advised. I just love hummus, and mushrooms, who knew?
Today Brooke and I read my Portuguese text book, shoot. I have lots to learn and remember. My mother, bless her fuzzy little heart, has been putting up with me very bravely, she can't wait for June either! I am continually amazed that preparations still ahead for me to go, but I have never met a shopping trip that I didn't like:)

Called to Serve

2011-01-19T20:31:00.001-07:00

I have been called to serve in the Brazil Teresina Mission. I report to the Brazilian MTC on June 22, 2011.
Wahoo!

Nope, not yet.

2011-01-12T10:41:00.002-07:00

Me and my big mouth. No mission call this week. I can finally say that I am at peace about the whole thing, and when the day does come that I open that mission call, I will be ready and excited. In the mean time, I really need to be distracted... anyone want to take on the task??

Worth it, but still waiting.

2011-01-04T20:34:00.006-07:00

Waiting for my mission call has seemed like a mission all on its own. About a year before I was old enough to go on a mission, I began to plan when I would take time off from my college schedule, when my date of availability would be, and what was the earliest day I could turn in my mission papers. Waiting for the process to begin took long enough.
As I began the process, my medical exams showed irregularities that led to two extra months of examinations, at least 6 doctors, and several tests and procedures. It all began with a heart murmur, which is nothing incredibly irregular. After an echo cardiogram (which is basically a heart ultrasound), more red flags arose and I was referred to a pulmonologist for more answers. Two more cardiologists later, I found myself scheduled for more appointments, to discover if I had pulmonary hypertension or not. The last procedure required me to be admitted to the hospital. As I was sitting in cardiac intensive care, the very week that I had first anticipated receiving a mission call, I wondered if I really wanted to go through more hassle. The final word was that I had a clean bill of health, with a mild, run of the mill heart murmur. Thankful not to have a life changing physical condition, I was and still am glad for the opportunity to find out that I am alright before things became critical.
After medical examinations, I was given a clean bill of health a week later and I was able to continue on with my missionary application. More questions, more confusion, and working with my Stake leaders over the week of Christmas, the delays seemed to pile on and on. And on. And on.
Today is now Wednesday, the day that my call letter was supposed to come. It isn't here. I began my mission papers almost five months ago, and I have been on what I can only call a roller coaster. I have been more frustrated and more sad than I have ever been about any other decision in my life.
Here is the good part. After the delays, after the tears (and there may be more), I know now what I didn't know at the beginning. I know that my life is truly in the Lord's hands. As my mother keeps reminding me, this is just preparation for a mission call that will be exactly what I need, and exactly where the Lord needs me. I know that I am a beloved daughter of God, and that even though I am not his most patient child, I am still blessed beyond measure. I am so excited to go share my testimony with some of my brothers and sisters, and no matter where I go, this journey so far has been worth it.

invisible ear muffs

2010-12-16T12:35:00.002-07:00

I have been sick. That is right, strep throat during finals week. It has been the worst! I have a stuffy nose, my characteristic low seductive cold voice, and tonsils that refuse to get better. I think the worst part about it has been having a clogged ear for a whole week. I feel partially deaf and I couldn't even understand Taci today when she called me to tell me a knock knock joke. It is like I am wearing invisible ear muffs. I only wear one of my headphones these days because it is pointless in my other ear. I am so whiny!
While being sick, and also while procrastinating my finals this is what I have accomplished:
- watching barefoot contessa everyday.
- napping at least once a day.
- monopolizing my sister's netflix watch instantly account.
- cramming educational terms into my head periodically before finals.
- measuring my personal growth from the start of Fall 2010 semester to the end.
- wallowing in the fact that I am leaving my apartment complex after 2 1/2 years.
- whipping up a carrot cake in 40 minutes (from scratch, complete with frosting too)
- using all of my tissues, all of my roommate's tissues, and several rolls of toilet paper.
- passed a cleaning check with an inexplicably strange woman.
- worn 5 pairs of pajamas in a week.
- visited the doctor twice, because I have been so many times lately that I am now forming a dangerous, not even enjoyable habit.
- calling my mother to complain everyday.
- internet stalking my BYU football team, hoping that they win their bowl game.
- partially hosted, attended, and baked for another world famous S210 party.
- won a book of facts at said white elephant party.
- wrote a blog detailing the last week of my life.

On to happier things... finals are almost over! I am moving home:) and a mission call should be coming soon to a theater near you. Stay tuned.

My first sign of brilliance was you.

2010-12-03T23:56:00.000-07:00

I had to write a love poem for my creative writing class. Here it goes:

My first sign of brilliance was you.

“Hey there” – words I will never tire.
My life lights up when I hold your
hand. My heart beats a bit more
when you call me your own.

To my life and to my soul, I say
thanks everyday. My first sign
of brilliance was you. If our
love was tangible, it would display.

Love, heart, and affection only
in the best form. Hardy and
earthy – we are the meat and potatoes.
Quality of a Phillips screwdriver, no outsource.

My thoughts are you. My refined
respectability evident in my choice.
Better than ever, you are my library
of wisdom, a gorgeous catalog.

an essay on cleaning.

2010-11-22T11:18:00.000-07:00

Nothing brings me the satisfaction of a job well done quite like a gleaming surface can. The lemony scent of anti bacterial Lysol smells better to me than fresh bread at a bakery. I like to clean when I am bored, I like to clean when I am upset. Scrubbing away at that stubborn spot with windex and steel wool is therapeutic. There is something about a spotless room that can calm me down just like a can of cold, diet coke. I am a firm believer in the phrase ‘a clean house is a happy house,’ feel free to pity my future children.
My obsession with clean is a new phase of my life, and joined my collection of other weird habits when I moved out of my mother’s home into a college apartment with cinderblock walls. I suddenly realized that a clean space was a direct reflection upon how clean I could be, or how disgusting my roommates are. When my bed is made, I just appear to look more put together. I fully admit that I think clutter is laziness, and I already feel like a mother when I ask my roommates to move their computers and shoes into their personal spaces. It is obvious to my roommates when I have had a bad day and I think the apartment looks like a war zone; I leave passive aggressive notes that say things like “everyone please move all of your things off of the kitchen table... love you!” Some days I leave a chore chart and make my roommates (who are all responsible adults) sign up for a job that has to be done before they can go to bed that night. The indignant part of me always wins out against the guilt, and I find that have no qualms against bossing my peers around to get what I want.
Perhaps I like to clean a little too much, perhaps I like to be the dominant mother figure of whatever scene I am living in, or perhaps I just can’t control anything in life except how shiny the stainless steel sink is after I do the dishes.

Obrigada

2010-11-15T23:28:00.003-07:00

I love Thanksgiving. I love the turkey. I love the shopping. I love spending time with my family. I love the smell of cloves and sage. I mostly love the opportunity to talk about the things I love. This is like "Oprah's Favorite Things" but naturally, they are my favorite things. I do not presume to have the fine taste that Oprah has, but seriously, she wishes she had my life.
I am thankful for:
*Food Network* especially during Thanksgiving. Who knew that gravy, cranberries, and turkey could be perfected in Italian, Mexican, and Chinese culture?! I once was sick in bed during the week before Thanksgiving. For five days, all I did was watch the Food Network and it was literally the best day of my life.
*Neville* He may be a 2005 Kia Spectra painted in a pretty gold color just short of 60,000 miles, but he gets me to Sandy and Provo in a stylish fashion.
*Mumsy and Popsicle* this denotes my love of Wicked and my parental units. My parents are just about the best I could have. They are funny, cultured, and more supportive than the mats that grocery store cashiers stand on.
*Brooke, Jake, Taylor, and Taci* I used to think that once people got married, they got boring. NOPE. They are terribly wonderful. I have been to Idaho Falls four times in the last four months and been dazzled by the Smiths countless times. Gee, aren't they great?
*My roommates* Wowee, they put up with a lot. Thanks, ladies.
*Health?* I went to a cardiac clinic today, and it was the only waiting room I have ever been in where a nurse was passing out snacks and juice. A man followed behind her with a cart full of oxygen tanks, considering where I was, I surprised that the tanks weren't passed out along with the sprite and the handi-snacks. I am so thankful that I haven't reached a point where my ear lobes have to hold up tubing to help me breathe.

I have a lot, just as much as Oprah, if not more. Thanks!

Words of wisdom on a wintery evening

2010-10-26T21:47:00.002-06:00

Fall semester is busy busy, which has been a blessing to distract me from the painful football season before me. OUCH. Nevertheless, it has been a great few months of autumn. My roommates and I went on a roadtrip WITH MY MOTHER. It was amazing, especially since we were able to go to Idaho Falls. Poor Jake (Taci's husband) got a glimpse into life in a sorority as there were four college girls, one mother in law and one wife... really the poor man is a saint.
I am working on mission papers and have hit a slight road bump with the medical approval, and I am going to a second specialist on Friday in Salt Lake. I am both nervous and calm about it. I am so thankful for the many people in my life who have lent me their support and faith. Now, onto the words of wisdom from my Multi cultural education professor, Jim Birrell.
"Don't tell God how big your problems are, tell your problems how big God is" Those are words to live by.

35 to 1 odds.

2010-09-22T17:35:00.004-06:00

At the risk of sounding redundant, I am sleepy. That being said, I have had just a hoot and a holler being in a Junior High school... until today. I taught in a classroom for the very first time, and I still love it. I taught about part of the writing process in two eighth grade English classes; one the students were angelic and one they were hell monkeys.
The first class of the day, the students participated and were attentive to my every word and they laughed at my jokes! At the end of my instruction, they even applauded my freshman lesson plan, how sweet, right?
The second class of the day, the spawn of Satan showed up to class and wouldn't answer any questions or pay attention to what I was saying. Silly me, I thought that because the first go around went off fabulously that the second would be similar. NOT. The worst part of the it all was when I accidentally said something that could be translated into a remotely dirty phrase and that was the end of that. (word to the wise, never ever say that an introductory paragraph will suck your readers in)
I am now battle worn and weary, and I have never wanted to be an English teacher more than right now.
My uncle once said that the greatest accomplishment of his 30 year career as a middle school biology teacher was that he never killed a student. I have been teaching one day, and that is also my greatest accomplishment.
If you ever want to know how to best write an introduction to a story, please let me know:) Or, if you would like to place bets on my 35 to 1 odds, call my bookie.

Being the grown up.

2010-09-10T15:50:00.002-06:00

I have been taking education classes this semester, I love it! I wake up at 6 am and treasure the moments with my diet coke even more now. I also find myself longing for my bed in the middle of the day. I am permanently plum tuckered out.
I walked into Lake Ridge Junior High on Wednesday and I was the grown up in the conservative slacks. I was taller than the girls wearing glitter and more articulate than the book reports I read. I got to use the copy machine and the other teachers didn't question why I was there! I walked into the main office and the secretary gave me her respectful attention. Take note: I am an adult.
This week I have been assigned to observe and aide in a eighth grade English classroom. Grading papers, making copies and learning organizational tips has never been so enlightening, exhausting and enjoyable. What I really love the most are the students. I love the boys who wear high school football jerseys as a status symbol. I love the girls who run up to their friends to share 'literally the best news ever.' I love the zipped up binders bigger than the seventh graders themselves. I love the handwriting -- cursive, names written in hot pink ink with hearts right beside, I even love the illegible last names when kids try to sign stuff.
Students are snarky and sweet all at the same time. They perfectly illustrate the human conundrum of growing up and trying to have fun at the same time. They are sponges, unwittingly soaking up everything you say about life and grammar. These students are obstinate and eager. I can't help but adore them, there is no going back now.

Trevor

2010-09-01T12:55:00.009-06:00

Trevor one of my cousins and also one of my best friends. Called to the Auckland New Zealand mission, he entered the MTC just this week and I am going to miss him like crazy! This summer we have been to over 15 movies and played many card games with our grandparents. I am currently working on mission papers of my own, and hopefully I will come home from a mission of my own shortly after Trevor returns. I am so proud of him and I know he will be a fabulous missionary.
Miss you Trev!

Idaho Falls Temple August 2010

Disneyland May 2010

Wicked April 2009

Homecoming Dance September 2007

1992 - We were raised right, BYU fans forever:)

one more- I just can't help it!

Good luck Elder Beckstead!

A Snuggie Saturday

2010-09-01T12:32:00.011-06:00

My sister has a coupon gift. The other day, we heard a whisper that Sunggies were on clearance at Target for $7.49. Taci found a coupon for $5.00 off and lo and behold we all bought snuggies for three whole dollars (including tax). We made two trips to Target that day, once with just Taci, Jake and I; secondly with Mother and Brooke in tow. While at Target, Mother saw a neighbor and had to explain why she had a cart full of snuggies... she was rather mortified. In total, we purchased seven snuggies that day. Naturally, a photo shoot commenced.

Just the snuggie gals.

The Fam, Dad took the picture and Cleo didn't want one.

We were also inspired by the pictures on the boxes, there are so many things you can do in a a Snuggie!

Play the Piano

Check the Mail!

Visit friends!

Recycle!

Grill some meat!

And lastly, and most importantly,

Mow the lawn!

Thank you Snuggie for providing fashionable, warm comfort.

Sleep is overrated, right?

2010-08-12T07:04:00.003-06:00

Boy, I am sure tired. In the last two days, I have had a total of 9 hours of sleep. (this is typically what I average for one day, mind you) I am plum tuckered out! Between finals, cleaning checks and other homework responsibilities, I have come to the conclusion that I will be forever sleep deprived. I once asked my mother what it was like to have children like me who would never allow her to sleep, she told me that getting a full eight hours is completely overrated. She said that it is totally possible to run on four hours of rest, although maybe not at full mental capacity. Well Mother, I am here to say you are very saintly. I sure hope that when I have children they are the sleeping kind, and I would like to say that I am eternally sorry that as a wee infant I never allowed you the time you needed with your pillow. I am not running at full mental capacity. I am not even running at full social capacity, people are starting to avoid my loopy comments and yawning mannerisms. My hair is clean and my teeth are brushed, that is just about all I can promise anyone at this point. I can't do this anymore, I am going to take a nap, after my next final exam in three hours. (Yawn)

The Shakespearean Monkey is off my back.

2010-07-28T16:09:00.003-06:00

36 hours.
19 in the library.
4 1/2 in classes.
22 slide powerpoint
10 source annotated bibliography
5 Shakespearean plays
20 class handouts
20 minute nap on couch in library bathroom
44 coldplay songs, on repeat
1 new favorite song - Kingdom Come

Done.

Procrastination - the game we like to play

2010-07-27T11:37:00.002-06:00

Everyday when I put my hand in my backpack, the pen I pull out is a surprise. Will I get the dependable black pen? Or the blue ink with the gel comfort grip? The Dr. Scholl's for fingers? (that is an idea I could market) I digress, but yes -- when I hurriedly grab for a writing utensil I never know what I am going to write with. The destiny of my notes, my doodles, and my focus are always hanging in the balance of the cosmos.

I should be focusing on this project I have due tomorrow. I have known about it for weeks. I was in the library six hours straight yesterday, and I plan on a good 10 hours today. There is never a dull moment when you procrastinate.

Sunglasses and Poptarts, don't travel

2010-07-15T22:59:00.002-06:00

I have a confession to make - I am living with a man named Harold. The Harold B. Lee Library has been my primary residence for the duration of Summer Term. The other man in my life would be jealous, except William Shakespeare is the reason that I held captive in the arms of the library. I have taken to living like a gatherer, which is much more peaceful than a hunter. My primitive lifestyle has inhibited my inherent cooking flair, and I have been living off of Pop Tarts (brown sugar of course) and Costco brand trail mix. Here is what I have learned, Pop Tarts don't survive in the bottom of a backpack, underneath textbooks. Sunglasses are also prone to the same fate of being smashed to smithereens when placed under the same condition. Who knew highly processed, delicate pastries were comparable to adorable sunglasses? All I know is, when you pull out a dark lense coated in sugar dust, a painful moment will follow. Be prepared if you are going to spend your summer indoors with a textbook and internet research.

The unfortunate side to a sunburn.

2010-07-02T11:15:00.003-06:00

I have a sunburn. But now I read the post title, I am left to wonder if there is a fortunate side to a sunburn. Nope. there isn't. Pain. People judging you for your risk of later skin cancer. The incredibly awkward situation of only wearing a bathing suit under your shirt because your shoulders are so burnt. I am certain, there is no upside.
It has been three days since I went reading by the poolside, and I still have residual effect from my outdoor recreation. I did not account for the sensitive nature of my baby-white skin when I thought about soaking up the sun for a nice tan. I don't have a nice tan. I have a skin that resembles a lobster shell. I am finally beginning to heal and I am even wearing long pants today! Long pants are my way of saying, "no, I will not rub aloe vera on my knees during class today, I am captain of my epidermis!"
While we are on the subject of aloe vera, have you ever noticed that it is a lovely green color? The green is chemically enhanced I am sure, simply because the vibrant shade of my favorite medicinal plant contrasts with the pulsating red of my shoulders. It is Christmas on my skin. The contrast between the cool green and the violent red provides an extra cooling sensation that is purely psychological. Who ever thought of making aloe vera extra green, I thank you.
My other sunburn remedy is lavender oil. My Auntie Kristin gave me this olfactory-pleasing herbal solution that is supposed to sooth and heal at the same time, as well as giving my roommates and classmates extra notification of my presence. At least my vanity has been healed. I may be bright red, but I smell like a great aromatherapy substance from bath and body works. Thank heavens for that.
The moral of the story is don't read your exorbitantly large homework assignment by the pool... in a swimming suit... for two hours. Not only will you get a lovely sunburn with funny lines but your text book might get wet. (Mine did not, thankfully) My summer has begun with a monumental sunburn. And now my nose is starting to peel. GREAT.
All is not lost, I have learned for next time. Where can I buy some SPF 90?

Nothing remotely of note.

2010-06-28T22:46:00.003-06:00

Today I thought to myself "today is a day to blog!" Yes indeed, I was a determined soul. Nevertheless, I have nothing to blog about, thusly I will write about nothing.

I typically don't have classes until noon, so naturally I sleep in until nine or nine thirty on a daily basis. I wake up, and stumble out with messy hair and casually say hello to my overachieving roommates who have been awake since 6 am. My day then continues with a myriad of homework and marveling that the awkward dating situations of my ward. At night, my roommates and I giggle about silly things and bask in the steady stream of people who come play foosball at our apartment. Indeed, I live a charmed life. Comparable to Seinfeld, my life about nothing is markedly entertaining. Today my roommate LJ told me a great thought... "grades don't get you into heaven, boys do" Brilliant.

I recently have rediscovered my love of Elephant Jokes. Wikipedia has an entry about the history and spread of this logic-defying tidbits of hilarity.

I also have been severely distracted by my Shakespeare class. Kenneth Branagh is a genius! (but maybe not the best looking blonde in Hamlet) I have decided that it is really hard on me when a beloved actor changes hair color. Case and Point: Julie Andrews is a much better brunette in Mary Poppins than as a blonde in The Sound of Music. That is just how I feel.

Miley Cyrus and I have a mutual understanding. She doesn't know I exist, and I pretend she doesn't. Needless to say, my opinion only changes when I listen to Party in the USA. How can you not nod your head like yeah? After months and months of deeper study of the English language and higher forms of rhetoric, how could I resist?

Now, having delved into several paragraphs about nothing, I will conclude with a photo, as it is commonly known blogs are more interesting when photos are included.

(I had just told an elephant joke)

Psalming, poetry of praise.

2010-05-25T11:35:00.002-06:00

I am in a Bible as Literature class right now, during my stressful stressful semester! This is an English class, not a religion class and I really enjoy delving into the character qualities of our biblical heroes. Anyways, we were reading in Psalms today, and I had to write one of my own. Naturally, I decided to share it here, um, enjoy?

I see Thy hands, Thy works cause me to rejoice.
Thy hands that hath blessed the sick,
Thy hands that hath healed the lame,
Thy hands that hath calmed the child,
Thy hands that had created the heavens and the earth.

I see thy hands, holding mine hands.
Mine hands that could lift the hands that hang down,
Mine hands that could plant the seeds of thy word,
Mine hands that could serve the weak,
Mine hands that could be thy hands.

I see Thy hands, Thy works cause me to rejoice.

Ode to the Crayola Crayon

2010-05-19T23:59:00.003-06:00

I am in a class that requires creativity above what you would typically expect in a college course. My creativity has come forth via the medium of crayons. I love coloring! Needless to say, the crayons need to be crayola brand, because rose art just never makes the cut. I also love having a brand preference, because it makes me seem like I know what I am talking about. Long story short, I feel that these little crayons deserve a little more love.

The smooth blend of colors create vibrant depictions of novelty characters. In my coloring book of My Little Pony or Sesame Street, the rich tones make Pinkie Pie and Elmo come alive. The sharpened tips stay inside the lines. The color names that are hyphenated with additional adjectives are only appropriate for the crayons in 96 packs and the paint chip aisle at Home Depot. "Into the abyss blue" or "Purple Mountains Majesty" or "Timberwolf". Every crayon has the name of the color in three languages, making sure that the world can understand what precise shade is about to be employed for the perfect sky blue. Crayons are the first artistic tool given to children and they never should be put to rest. Crayons make me smile. Crayons convey my feelings about purplish hues. Crayons make me feel expressive in a way that colored pencils can't. Crayons are made to be broken. Crayons are simple, whether they come in a set of 4 or 44.

Thank you, Crayola.

Savoring Sentences and Pondering Prose

2010-05-11T14:13:00.002-06:00

I love being an English major. I may have to tell myself that every single day, but yes, I do enjoy learning more about the crafting of my mother tongue. Literature is the only way I know of to express feeling in a manner that heals both the reader and the writer. Thusly, I would like to say thank you to the million and a half poets I have had to read in the last year of my life. :)
My new Spring term classes are keeping me very occupied, and I have found myself reading many more pages and not maintaining my high standards of clean. Oh sorted laundry, I miss you and I am sorry that the white clothes have been haphazardly thrown in with the dark wash jeans. Oh stainless steel kitchen sink, I am sorry that I have not been paying attention to you with my homemade vinegar cleaning solution and a soft cloth. Oh textbooks, the heart of my diverted attention, I am sorry you are not neatly stacked and not organized according to subject. I must get back to my passion of savoring sentences, but I am sorry that I have been too busy to properly clean.

Clown College and Marigolds

2010-04-28T23:18:00.002-06:00

I spent a week at home between the winter and spring semesters of my beloved BYU. Really, I dearly love my university, and I cannot complain about too many things... other than the complete and shocking lack of spring break. Hmph. Nevertheless! I was able to spend a week in Sandy with Mumsy and Popsicle and it was a refreshing break. Here are some of the activities I partook in:

-repaired 24 kazoos. for a family party. I could not be a clown, there is too much pressure to have all of the party favors adequately function.
-played Happy Birthday to my cousin Bambi, with 23 of my family members, on kazoos.
-realized that kazoos are really great instruments.
-mowed the lawn. I do not envy the neighbor boy who will have to do that all summer long.
-went to a live cooking show with my Auntie Rae, and won a flatbed of marigold plants.
-planted 36 marigold plants in my mother's garden, and made her promise to water them and talk to them lovingly when I am not there.
-visited old friends.
-purchased shorts, flip flops and sunglasses for the summer.
-went to costco with mom, when she needed chapstick. She now has 12 tubes, and gave two to me. Yes!! the kind with spf 30!
-watched a Jazz game or two, oh Jerry. I am so glad espn respects you too.
-decided to put in mission papers around Thanksgiving.
-realized that I will have a mission call in about 7 months.
-drove to Provo for a 15 minute visit, to turn in one last paper for winter semester.
-spent 4 days with Mother, who had a successful tongue surgery and recovered very nicely.
-held a baby or two at church.

I had a very nice spring break, and I greatly look forward to my next break, in August.

It's the end of the semester as we know it.

2010-04-17T00:32:00.008-06:00

I simply cannot believe how quickly this semester has gone by! I babysat my cousins for a week (while still going to school), I taught 4 relief society lessons, I made dinner for a 14 person dinner group, I took 8 credits of Portuguese for another semester, I endured my share of computer problems and I had 9 roommates to boot! (5 girls, 2 fiances, 1 biance, and 1 boyfriend) Biance (pronounced like Beyonce) is a boyfriend that soon will be a fiance. We always had a full house, and we loved it.

Carly and Jesse -- the hilarious and ever giving couple who consistently take me on as the third wheel.

Natalie and Zach -- painfully try to teach me sign language ABC's and put up with me when we all want to cook in the kitchen at the same time.

Michaila and Ben -- they are in love and they love everybody! I am going to miss them when they get married.

Suzanne and Erik -- one day, all the roommates sent texts to Erik to notify him every time we did anything remotely noteworthy. i.e. Hey Erik! I am studying in the Library til five, just to let you know!

Becca... & Taralyn -- the single friends who play with couples, flirt with boys, and talk about dates. Thank heavens for roommates who remain single simply to make me feel better. :)

S210 (Michaila is here in spirit)

Winter 2010 has been too much fun! I can't believe it is over and I look forward to many more fun semesters!

Love Affair with Robots

2010-03-23T21:05:00.006-06:00

Recently, I have realized that I have a problem when it comes to being emotionally attached to robots. I just watched the movie "Batteries not Included" for the first time and I found myself more invested in the welfare of an injured robot than a poor man's livelihood. Why? Why you might ask, do I love machines with seemingly charming personalities? There is some strange draw that I find to loving objects that have no capability to love me in return. The cold metal that reflects the still, cold heart underneath is just so endearing. I cry when a robot gets hurt with a baseball bat, as that is almost always how they die. I laugh when they are sneaky. My heart smiles when they serve. There is nothing more cute than an inquisitive machine. I will now give you several examples.

1 - Wall-E! He lives all by himself and he yet he yearns for love. He is cultured and is willing to save the one he loves from abduction. Thank you Wall-E for teaching hometown values from an Earth so far away.

2 - Weebo from the movie Flubber! She was the perfect computer wife for Robin Williams. Patient, cheeky, and organized, this yellow hunk of metal is so cute. There is just something about a robot exhibits bravery. It warms my heart.

3 - The Family from "Batteries Not Included" - Basically aliens from another planet who eat metal from stolen kitchen appliances, these cute little things fly around and help people who are in a desperate need for help. First there are two robots, and then they have three babies. Naturally, one is runt and must be returned back to health. In a scene very reminiscent of 101 Dalmatians, the smallest robot eventually triumphs and is the best robot of all.

4 - R2-D2! Does he need any explanation? No. He saves the day in every episode of Star Wars and he puts up with the ongoing antics of a bumbling C3PO. What a patient guy. I love his beeps. I wish I could provide a sound bite of a R2-D2 giggle. Awww….

Observations from the couch in my head.

2010-03-10T21:58:00.002-07:00

1) I love four cheese flavored Cheez-Its.
2) I am not ashamed to say that I facebook stalk. Everyone.
3) Oft times I am more interested in the grocery sections placed in the newspapers than the articles themselves.
4) I love introducing people to vegetables that they haven't eaten before.
5) I don't really like spaghetti. Sometimes, but not often.
6) I am very insecure if I don't like the shoes I am wearing.
7) Socks are a necessary evil, I wear them only when absolutely required.
8) Water tastes better coming out of a water bottle, even if I just refilled it.
9) I really really really love the song 'tiny dancer' by Elton John. Thanks Nat.
10) When I have time to myself, I consider it a treat to clean so that nobody else can mess it up.
11) I am almost twenty, and I am having a hard time being so dang old. 20 is old, let's face it.
12) I have, and will always quote Spongebob. If a person understands, I automatically respect them more.
13) I can make a batch of cookies in less than 20 minutes.
14) It is one of my biggest pet peeves to have DVD separate from their cases.
15) Paper plates are amazing things.
16) Puzzles are an excellent diversion. Why do we always feel like they HAVE to be finished? It is like there is this rush... just to put it away. I love 'em.
17) Smelling good is something that greatly concerns me. I worry about it all the time.
18) I have to be on time for scheduled things. I would rather be 20 minutes early than 5 minutes late.
19) I get really sad when my yellow highlighters get a black tip.
20) I simply love to blog about weird things.

My mother, the superhero.

2010-02-24T10:01:00.002-07:00

Those who know and love Randi Smith, (and let's face it, to know her is to love her) is a hero. My mom is amazing for oh-so-many reasons, but today I would like to recount a tale of her saving a young girl's birthday. This week, Mom and Dad were grocery shopping as they like to do. While exiting the local Wal Mart, Mom happened upon a young family also exiting with a cart full of food and a baby seat. The little girl attached to her mommy pushing the baby cart around was carrying a balloon with her. Suddenly... the wind blew the balloon out of her grasp, and the little girl simply could not keep up. Rushing to her aid, our hero ran out into the parking lot with wild abandon and caught the balloon! Come to find out, this little girl had turned three years old that day and had been carrying her birthday balloon with her everywhere she went. Hooray for Mom!

We all know what a great lady my mom is, but now it is official, you can wear your cape in public now Mommy :)

Eating yogurt with MaryKate and Ashley

2010-02-17T16:58:00.002-07:00

Last weekend was my last break from school until the end of April. I sure love BYU, but I would sure appreciate a real spring break! So, what did I do to celebrate President's day and Valentine's day all in one? I went to the land of opportunity AKA Idaho Falls to see my sister Taci and her spouse Jake. We had a grand old time and I once again saw the many diversions that Southeastern Idaho has to offer. I went to an army navy surplus store and attended a church that looks suspiciously like a synagogue. Idaho sure charmed me. On the back to Provo, I stopped in on my parents and they fed me fajitas. Overall I considered it an exciting three days.

The birthday season is upon us soon! Over the next month, both of my siblings will celebrate their birthdays:) ( I got Taci a salad spinner... I am a good sister) (Taylor? I still don't know what to get him, probably something cultural)

Today, I had a free frozen yogurt that was specifically tasty and I am now in the same room as an Olsen Twin movie. So far? Wednesday has been a good day. MaryKate can really pull off that late 90's plaid pant look. Wish I could.

Innovative Vocabulary Lessons

2010-02-03T10:25:00.003-07:00

Yesterday I was accepted into the English Teaching program at Brigham Young University! I am so excited and I feel like I just took a big step forward on my career path. Now I can dream about teaching eager young seventh graders, and all the fun that it entails. I can't wait to read books, talk about commas and semi colons, and have fun with vocabulary! One day... and one day soon I will be molding young minds and instilling my passion for written words. I could not have finished my application without the help of my devoted family and friends. Thank you, THANK YOU, to those who helped me along the way. I am so blessed to have a great support system around me.
On the home front, I am having a good semester. I can't believe that January has left us already, where did it go?! My roommates are still as darling as can be, and my friends in my ward are great. I am so thankful for my classy former roommates, and I treasure my friendships with Laiken and Johannah. I went to the BYU basketball game on Saturday, where they spanked Utah:) What a good time. This is me and my roommate Natalie waiting in line for the game. I sure love her.

I have droned on long enough I suppose. I love my major. I love my Mom and Dad. I love lots and lots of things. The important thing is, I love the Lord. keep on smiling!

I just changed the appearance of my blog.

2010-01-22T10:41:00.002-07:00

Really I just wanted to say that I changed my blog background. Yellow and blue flowers? with scalloped edges?! I just couldn't help myself. I am well pleased with my yellow flowers and the orange text accents. Sometimes, I just outdo myself.
Five good things about my day:
1) I have straight hair. As previously mentioned, I love it when my hair is straight and clean. And I am wearing my favorite necklace.
2) I found some crackers in my backpack. Wheat Thins are delicious.
3) I have a date today. Well I am going to call it a date. So it is a date.
4) My blog is nice. Just admire it while you are here.
5) My roommate Michaila is getting married, and we are going wedding dress shopping today.
6) I am so thankful that I get to be a girl and like things like froofy blogs, and my great outfit and weddings.

Tuesday, January 19th

2010-01-19T13:53:00.004-07:00

Time for Taralyn has been a very depressing blog to visit of late, only detailing my sticker consumption and my teeth trauma. Well today that changes!
My new apartment S210 is amazing! My roommates are so much fun and they are always so very sweet to me. We have lots of fun and I simply adore coming home everyday.

My roommate Suzanne and I have an English class together, and I supremely enjoy her company along the winding road of British Literary History part 2. What happened to Brit Lit pt 1? Well that is my gem of a 3 hour evening class that I only have once a week. Unfortunately, that class happens to be today. Don't worry I take crayons to that class.
I was able to go home this weekend, I will always be eternally thankful for three day weekends. I got to see Whitney and Franklynn and Alisha for our annual MLK day celebrations, we played games and ate cosmic brownies. Now that I think on it, Cosmic Brownies should be renamed. Little Debbie could be leaving people with the wrong impression. For the record, my cosmic brownies have small chocolately morsels that are candy coated in different colors. For what is an alarming amount of calories I am sure, they are purty good.

Where did the sticker go?!?!

2010-01-07T11:29:00.004-07:00

When I woke up today, I decided to be more healthy. I often decide this in the morning, when most of my hasty decisions are made. Today I decided to not eat any sugar for a while, thinking this wouldn't be too hard. So what does one healthy person eat for breakfast?
I decided to eat an apple. Apples are great. After I finished my nice juicy Fuji apple, I realized that I didn't know where the sticker went! The rest of my apples have stickers on them... hmmm. Did I ate a fruit sticker for breakfast today? Does that count as a sugar? Let's go with fiber.

Something Old, Something New

2010-01-01T16:32:00.004-07:00

“The past is behind, learn from it.
The future is ahead, prepare for it.
The present is here, live it.”

- President Thomas S. Monson

Hooray for New Years! Really it just a good excuse to eat junk food for one last time before the healthy challenges of January start. My celebrations included watching movies and ahem... beading... with my Aunt Rae and Mommy Randi. It has been really fun to play with my family so much and I will really miss them when I go back to school. I have had many amazing dinners that I didn't have to cook!!! I dearly love cooking, but after a while its great to experience cuisine that I didn't have to originate.

(This is Aunt Rae, Mother and Me from last summer)(ya know, put names to faces)

2009 was quite a year! I spent it all in Provo, but football season was A-OK so I don't have any complaints:) I changed my major, turned 19, drove!!!, went to Disneyland and had 7 teeth removed. Friends got married, went on missions and moved away for school just like me. My amazing brother got accepted and is now in a masters program at the University of Utah. My sister got a teaching job in Idaho:) and my parents are just funny and traveling and sweet. Well Dad had knee surgery and is working really hard (we are so proud) and Mom is still working at Costco and sees everyone in Sandy.

2010 will be an even better year! I will turn 20 in three short months and I am officially a Junior at BYU credit wise. Haha, I still have forever before I can even THINK about graduation. I am moving to a new apartment with great new roommates, I am sure there will be many more blogs to come about my new girls! I have some resolutions, and if I type them I suppose that equals real commitment so here we go:

1) Buy a planner and USE it. I never write things down and with my aging female brain, well things have been getting harried. I do too many things to remember!

2) Compile all of my recipes in one place. I want a cute recipe box. Yup guess that means I need to go shopping sometime. That sounds hard.

3) Keep in better contact with loved ones. Facebook. Yes.

4) Read all of my assigned material in my English Classes. With a smile. And not in the dark (mr. contacts will say thank you).

5) Be healthy. Spiritually, Mentally, Physically.

6) Write blogs that aren't this long, and certainly of a higher quality.

7) Take more pictures!

8) Memorize all of the lyrics to a Michael Bolton song.

Buy Four... get Three free?!

2009-12-23T21:29:00.002-07:00

I had my wisdom teeth taken out yesterday, and while under the influence of heavy pain medication thought that it would be appropriate to blog. Yesterday I lost seven teeth. I had 5 impacted wisdom teeth and 2 twelve year old molars removed. As I see it, that tooth fairy better pay up soon.
I am sure I have some great stories from when I was high on medication, but you will have to ask my mother for further details. My dear friend Franklynn came to visit me today, but I fell asleep while he was talking:( poor guy. But I am thankful for people who have remembered me and I will be so glad when I feel better so that I can take care of other people again.
So in the meanwhile, I am going to try to recover and you better have a great Christmas.

The Dishwasher Declaration

2009-12-17T14:01:00.006-07:00

I am in college, and consequently live with people who don't load the dishwasher like Momma used to. Today is cleaning judgement day in humble S202, yes we have our quarterly cleaning check at 4 pm. Now, I am a clean person, like cleaning is a hobby of mine. I am so weird, I delight in gleaming surfaces and lemony scents. So while this is like Christmas coming early for me, I realize that this is not the case for everyone else in my life. As I was unloading the Dishwasher, I realized that I would love to have a Dishwasher Declaration neatly posted above my favorite sanitation appliance.

At risk of sounding like Marney click here(you should totally read that by the way... HILARIOUS)

I want to write a short list of rules regarding dish etiquette that we all should follow. Am I slightly insane? Yes, more than just a little.

1) ALWAYS rinse off your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.
2) Tomato Sauce is the enemy, scrub until it is gone.
3) Baked-on stuff will not come off, but hooray for wishful thinking.
4) Orange Juice, Hot Chocolate, Dried Milk, and Sticky Soda residue also will not come off, if not properly rinsed.
5) Utensils should be placed in the basket eating side down, if your name is Mr. Fork or Mr. Spoon. If you are in anyway related to the Knife family, you should be placed eating/cutting side up, as to not dull the blade or harm the fragile plastic basket.
6) Dishwashers are mainly for sanitation purposes.

Okay that is my official statement regarding dishwasher usage. I am so glad I got that off my chest.

Stalling continued.

2009-12-12T21:17:00.003-07:00

Today I found a website that made fun of the names typically found in Utah. There were really nice names like Brighamina and LaVar. Imagine my surprise when I found MY name, in the exact spelling. I had no idea that I had a typical Utah sounding name. This is all sorts of awesome, seeing as how I found my mother's, grandmother's, and my cousin's names on that list too(Randolyn, LaDean, and Korin). LaDean is also my sister's middle name, wow we really are a big happy Utah family. I am so glad that I do not share that peculiar honor with just strangers. Go see if your name is on it! http://wesclark.com/ubn/

As I am stalling from studying for finals, I thought it would be a nice treat to share the many things that I have found on the web. I found a website that has recipes inspired by Harry Potter cuisine http://www.mugglenet.com/misc/rosmertas/. This one was actually WAY cool, and I hope to one day make pumpkin juice.

While websurfing for modest clothing, I found a great site that comes complete with a no-frump promise: http://www.hannahlise.com/.
Clearly, my second day of stalling has been fruitful and entertaining.

Oh! one last thing. I watched the Charlie Brown Christmas special for the first time in years today. It made me smile til me cheeks hurt.

Stalling

2009-12-10T13:20:00.002-07:00

I am not in top form today. I am stalling the inevitable of studying for tests. I have to take a science test today, and when I woke up this morning I planned to take it at noon. And then I was going to walk up to campus at noon, and take the test at two. Then I had a Portuguese test review postponed until later this evening, so I was going to take my test at four. We'll see.

Now my stalling comes in the form of a blog. Hmmm... where did my will power go?

December 6, 2009

2009-12-06T21:24:00.003-07:00

Today was a great day. It snowed! It is Sunday. I got to spend time with great people. I am listening to my roommate's extensive Josh Groban collection. I don't know how things could be much better. Sunday is my favorite day of the week because it is most often a time to focus on other people. There aren't many of the worldly distractions that prevail the other six days of the week, and the simple silence of slowing down can be savored. (I really love alliteration)
Today is the first day that has hit me as a Christmas season day. Perhaps it is the lights shining from other windows, or perhaps it was the first official snowfall. It felt like Christmas today because of the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. I love Christmas, because it makes strangers more Christlike. Even if they just call it the 'spirit of the season', it is the true nature of Christ that inspires people to care for one another. That is what I love about Christmas, caring for others when it doesn't seem weird.
This is my last week of classes for the Fall 2009 semester. I can't even believe how fast it has gone by. Two bouts of illness, countless papers, and five batches of brownies later; I feel old! There have been highs and lows, but I feel perfectly comfortable in saying that this 18 credit semester had aged me:) AND... I wouldn't trade it for anything.

501.

2009-11-30T19:00:00.002-07:00

Today I realized that I have 501 friends on Facebook. I have been looking forward to the day that I had 500 facebook friends for almost three years now. Wow. I must be popular. Or are some of those 'pity friends'? Nah, I am just popular. 500 is just a GREAT number. Think about it. 500 dollars. 500 pairs of shoes (maybe just me). Here is a list of things that I would 500 of:

chapstick tubes. (I always lose those!)
pillows.
books.
movies.
bagels. (Not all at once, mind you; the mold potential is horrifying.)
post-it notes.
framed pictures.
pairs of nylons.
flowers.
Christmas lights.
facebook friends.

Thank you for being my friend, whether it be in the flesh or via technology. One of my items has been checked off the list. Today, as I was counting my blessings, naming them one by one :), many faces flashed before my eyes as I was thinking of the goodness of the Lord. Really, I can now say that facebook has given me five hundred and one blessings. And really really, I can say that my friends have given me countless blessings.

Oh it is Wonderful to Me.

2009-11-24T15:07:00.005-07:00

I love the holidays. I feel that it is very appropriate that 1/6 of my year (yes, my holiday season starts November 1st) is spent dwelling upon all of the things that bring Christmas cheer. Oh and Thanksgiving merriment as well. There are just so many wonderful things that are unique to the months turning into winter. In the spirit of my beloved holidays, I would so dearly love to mention some of the things I am thankful for.

Cleopatra Voldemort Smith
My darling Cleo - facebook friend, loyal companion and trusted family cat since 1999. The most hateful creature I have ever had the pleasure to meet, I am absolutely crazy about this fuzzy wuzzy beebo. Cleo bites everyone, growls when you get near her, and steps in your peanut butter frosting while your cookies are cooling down. She hisses at nice people and sits on your clean piles of laundry. She never purrs, showing signs of contentment is less enjoyable than showing sings of contempt. Her fur is so soft, but that doesn't mean that anyone is allowed to touch it. Cleo loves to eat plastic ribbons, and shiny gifts are often unwelcome because she will eat them. I am thankful for Cleo because she bites me less than she would bite you. She doesn't hiss at me until I have held her for 30 seconds. She sits on my laundry true enough, but she is so cute I am still thankful for her. For the 10 years of antics and tail swats, thank you Cleo for being my only family member who hasn't gotten married and left me.

Disinfectant
Dear Clorox and Lysol, I don't know how to choose between you. But know this, I am thankful for clean, streak free surfaces that you both provide. I am thankful for the lemony fresh atmosphere, and most of all I am thankful for the knowledge that raw meat germs will not get me.

Neil Diamond
I am listening to the radio right now, and Neil Diamond is singing a nice Christmas song. You have brought so much to us. Neil, if I wasn't already in America, I would come because of your song. Thank you for your spunk. It isn't everyday that you see a 60 year old man with a diamond stud earring. Unless you are Harrison Ford. I am thankful for him too.

My roommates
You make me cry. You make me laugh. You make me want to come home to our apartment everyday. And you let me make you guys sit on a couch to take a Christmas picture. That is how I know you care about me. I am thankful for Laiken, Heidi and Johannah because they teach me. They teach me love, they teach me patience and they teach me how to better serve others. I am thankful that I don't live alone. Thank you for taking that nice picture with me.

Five things and potential Bronchitis

2009-11-17T21:34:00.002-07:00

I read this on a blog and thought it was simply fabulous. And I'm bored. Here are some nice lists about 5 things that I was so glad to write about. Especially the one about things I don't like. Awesome, I love listing things I hate.

Five Things I Don't Leave the House Without:
1. Keys
2. Backpack
3. Shoes
4. A Water bottle
5. Cell Phone!

Five Cartoons I Watched When I Was Younger:
1. Hey Arnold
2. Doug
3. Spongebob Squarepants (who am I kidding? I still watch)
4. Old Mickey Mouse and friends stuff
5. Recess, man that was a good one.

Five Things That Terrify Me:
1. SNAKES, like this should encompass all 5 spaces
2. My family being hurt
3. Haunted Houses/ creepy horror movies
4. Failure
5. Having nobody that needs me.

Five Things I Hate/Dislike That Everyone Else Seems To Like:
1. The Office
2. The Lord of the Rings Movies
3. Really furry Boots
4. Egg Nog
5. Miley Cyrus

Five Things I Want To Do Before I Die:
1. Have kids
2. Go on a vacation simply to ride extreme roller coasters.
3. Make a quilt all by myself
4. Be in front of 500 people and not be nervous.
5. Write a wildly popular book.

As to the other item of discussion, I have a cold. This isn't like last time I had a cold where I was a spewing pussball for ten days. No, this is the kind where I can't breathe and I cough pathetically and I sound like a man. Yup, I think I'm going to have bronchitis. Bleh. Wasn't I just sick?!

On a happier note, Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Hurrah for Israel! School is good. I'm going to live and I'm going to have pie. It's all good in the hood:)

Ponder anew, what the Almighty can do.

2009-11-15T17:44:00.004-07:00

In the past week or so, I have found myself in a more urgent need to seek a greater amount of spiritual fulfillment. Ta-dah! I went to Stake Conference today. When you ask for good things, truly Heavenly Father answers our prayers.
I would like to share with you some of the notes I took at the meeting, particularly from a talk given by President Dishman. A member of the stake presidency, he was released today and gave an excellent talk about spiritual maturity. He gave ten attributes to better achieve spiritual maturity, and pointed out that the more childlike attributes we attain, the more progress we can witness.
1) innocence
2) humility
3) simplicity
4) faith
5) love
6) wisdom
7) leadership
8) accountability
9) dependability
10) self-mastery
President Dishman continued to teach that the benefits of fully learning and living these attributes will bring about these blessings:
1) Your faith will strengthen
2) You will see beyond your desires.
3) You will learn to better represent Christ.

I was so thankful to hear that talk! What a powerful witness to the divine calling that leaders have to teach and be in touch with the members of their stakes. I was so glad, and am so glad that I have infinite opportunities to sit at the feet of leaders who can teach me so eloquently.

Would you like to hear about my day?

2009-11-10T19:21:00.003-07:00

My day started at 5 am today. I am really tired, but not the type of tired that makes you want to go to bed early. No, it is the kind of tired that makes you want to complain so much that you blog about it. Know what I'm saying? (insert stifled yawn)
What else do I have to tell? My hair is straight. 9 times out of 10 I prefer to have my hair straight. That is what made today a good day.
Yesterday, I told my roommates to squish on the couch with me. They did. I love it when people submit to my will. I suppose that is one of my gifts in life. One time I told my friends in high school to lay on the ground and pretend to sizzle like bacon in a pan in the hot sunshine. They did! And then they realized what they were doing and abruptly stopped. (sigh) Nonetheless, it is a gift that I have. Now my secret is out and none of you will ever do any of the ridiculous things I demand in the future. Tartar Sauce.
My apartment is out of light bulbs. I have now replaced 8 light bulbs in the past three weeks. What is that? If my light bulbs had a warranty, it just ran out. :( My life is not about frowny faces, so I can move on. the unseasonably warm weather has been great the past week or so. Sunshine, the fanciful foliage, and the capability to wear inappropriate shoes for typical November weather. It has been so nice.
OH! the biggest news is that Taci won a pie when she was shopping at Smith's last Saturday. It was customer appreciation day and she got to spin a wheel. A wheel of prizes. She could have won dip, or bread, but she won a pie! The golden cow of all prizes on customer appreciation day. Her pie is redeemable by coupon, but she still hasn't decided if she wants a fruit or pumpkin pie yet. That is a big decision to make. I am so very happy for her, and I wanted to make it known that I celebrate her grocery successes. Congratulations Taci!!
I just found out that I am going to live with of my very favorite people over spring summer and fall next year. I am talking about Kimberly Ann Holm. I am so so so excited. She is so pleasant. :) See Kim? you put a smiley back into my day. Yeah!
I bought an egg salad sandwich yesterday and some guy told me that I had made a bold choice. It is not a fruit or pumpkin conundrum but still, I am glad that some random guy appreciates my spunk when it comes to sandwiches.
Some people write blogs of meaning. I write about sandwiches and hair. Thanks for listening to my day.

Family. Isn't it about time?

2009-11-05T09:11:00.003-07:00

In my blog of uber cheesiness mixed with all of the bitter sarcasm I posses, I have thusly decided that today's blog post should discuss the people near and dear to my heart. My siblings. Now, as am I basking in reminiscence I feel it is appropriate to start out with a photo. All good blogs come with photos.
\
This picture was taken the day of Taylor's wedding.

Taylor
My darling brother is so smart! and kind, and cultured, and eclectic, and talented, and married to the sweetest gal ever. Brooke is perfect for him. Currently in a masters program of history, it is easy to recall the times he would talk about Napoleon during a car ride. He has always been a teacher, especially through his example. What else about Taylor? He loves classical music, listens to the BBC and played the bagpipes. It is because of Taylor that I love opera, follow election results and have an unexplained affection towards plaid. He has excellent wit, and oft times comes up with incredibly clever puns. We both love to cook and one time made blueberry muffins from scratch and then tried homemade tortellini! We are amazing. Funny Taylor moment: When he went to give the closing prayer in sacrament meeting without his shoes on. Our absent minded professor:)

Taci
Taci is a hoot. There really isn't another word for her. Maybe you could say she is a delight, but only on Sundays. Taci is also smart, loves to cook, has excellent taste, and is the most creative person I know. Much of my life has been about trying to do what Taci has done. She sings, draws, writes calligraphy, and of course is musical in every way. Married to a man named Jake (who I insist calling Paco for no apparent reason), they care about everyone around them, and show a consistent example of charity. My favorite memory of Taci doesn't really exist, there are too many. One time she did say "A five foot extension cord for 99 cents?! do you know how far you could go with that?" upon which I said, "yeah Taci, 5 feet." Hee hee, ten years later that is still hilarious.

Both of my siblings have been married in the Jordan River Temple, and have wonderful eternal companions. I am so thankful for their love and their willingness to do right everyday. I am so glad that you are mine!

Leaves are falling on my head.

2009-11-02T18:36:00.006-07:00

Halloween costumes. Squash soup. Leaves falling on my head. Autumn is here! I love this time of year, and until Easter, there is now always a holiday to look forward to:) Halloween was an excellent kick off, I saw the coolest guy on BYU campus in a FULL OUT YOSHI COSTUME. So cool.

On Friday night, we had a 45 minute ward party (the best kind) and my roommates and I dressed up for the chili cookoff extravaganza. Heidi was The Nanny, Johannah was the prettiest Southern Belle you've ever seen, and I was just tasty lookin. (Laiken had to work, so she took the picture, but I assure you, she was lovely too!)

Tonight I made squash soup! I have been on a quest for a year now to find the perfect recipe. Luckily, I have a great friend named Suzanne who shared her knowledge with me! I had to buy a pumpkin from a floral shop because the BYU creamery didn't have any squash! Crazy? yes. But it was yummy and my roommates even pretended to like it:)

If you would like to have a friend named Suzanne, or would like the soup recipe, comment below!

Now, I am looking forward to more and more midterms and some awesome cooler weather. Hooray for Thanksgiving break, so close I can almost taste it...

Today. October 27, 2009

2009-10-27T22:10:00.002-06:00

Today I wore a sweater vest. The result was fantastic.

Today I read an article about foreign oil dependency. I get to write about it now.

Today I made dinner for my grandparents, and the mature me that I am, I ate Sauerkraut.

Today I slept in til almost noon. (don't do that)

Today I beefed up a pretty purple power point for my Relief Society lesson on Sunday.

Today I facebook stalked several new people. Why is everyone so attractive?!

Today my best friend Desi called me from Cedar City and said that her next door neighbor is a guy that my sister Taci went to high school with. Oddly cool.

Today I counted out 131 pennies in order for me to go visiting teaching.

Today I wore pearls. Along with the aforementioned sweater vest, it was a good day.

Today I saw snow for the first time this season. Yeah precipitation.

Today somebody called me effervescent.

Today I let my good friend borrow my crock pot, I must really trust that guy.

Today I ate my roommate Johannah's cabbage salad. That's two cabbage servings in one day!

Today I blogged.

The landfill of all my thoughts

2009-10-22T23:16:00.007-06:00

I haven't updated in a while, so I thought it would be nice to dump all of my recent thoughts and happenings in one blog. First off, I feel much better after my bout with some flu bug. I was in bed for approximately four days and was sick for almost two weeks overall. Thankfully, an email entitled "I have the Swine" produces sympathetic results from professors.
My favorite thing in the world is now blog stalking. The best is when you find a new blog to look at and uncover a treasure trove of over a year of posts. Clearly, the happiest part of stalking is checking out pictures. I will now proceed to share some recent photos of mine for you to enjoy.

miss mady beckett, my cousin's daughter. I am Mady's personal toy and she is absolutely adorable:)

Sammy! This is my buddy cousin who just lost a great quantity of teeth in a short period of time. He makes more money from losing one tooth than I do in one fiscal year.

These are my cute girls! Lauryn, Katelyn and Megan are daughters of another cousin of mine and they give the best hugs. Last time I saw Lauryn, (the oldest) she asked her grandma if she could go do pilates in the backyard. She needed to work on her abs.

Obviously I hang around many children that are far cuter than I could ever hope to be. Somehow, I carry on despite of their cuteness and I love them dearly!

I am still carrying on in school, I can't believe the first block is already over! Eu gosto de falo na Portugues, eu muito intelegente:) I just finished cleaning my apartment and everything smells like lemon scented windex. That is the most exciting thing I have to report.

One more photo... I SAW A LLAMA ON CAMPUS!

Well, technically it was an El Paca (the Veterinarian guy corrected me when I shouted Llama! from 20 feet away)

Gift giving for Men.

2009-10-11T17:11:00.002-06:00

My dear brother Taylor is one of those few sweet people who take the time to laugh at my jokes. In fact, Taylor is the very same person who first persuaded me to start a blog. Enough background about that, just know that he assigned me the homework of blogging today.

In my lifelong quest to seek and share helpful hints, I shall now share a hint with men who are forever querying about what to give the women in their lives. Along with the help of a former roommate's clueless boyfriend, we came up with the "4 S system"
There are always four adjectives that you cannot possibly fail with when buying a woman a gift. Sparkly, Smelly, Sweet, and Soft. Just remember the 4 S's and you will be set.

Sparkly-
Certainly it is no secret that like raccoons, women seek after the shiny things of life. Jewelry. Need I say more?

Smelly-
This is a broad category that should not go without notice. Candles, perfumes, those lurid pinky lotions and even the occasional tasteful potpourri mix would not be inappropriate. This gift also does not require or bind you with any commitment to the recipient as smells eventually dissipate.

Sweet-
Once again, I think the benefits are self evident. Remember, chocolate=good.

Soft-
The giving of a soft gift reminds the recipient of your softer side. Soft gifts can range from cozy warm blankets to a thoughtful pair of socks for your mother.

I certainly hope this helps anyone scrounging for the perfect gift for the perfect female in their life. Four S's. Now don't forget, and go shopping!

As for my last blog post, that movie quote was from The Little Rascals. Just in case you were uber curious.

Crawling my way throught the valley of death.

2009-10-08T18:49:00.002-06:00

Last week I blogged about having a really great cold. I should have never aired my suspicions about swine flu because now I also get to enjoy the benefits of pepto bismol on top of all of that cold medication! Six days of blowing my nose like a fog horn and now I am also a barf encrusted jumbo jerk (if you can name that Movie, I'll owe you). Cough! Cough! Moan....

On to a happier subject, I got to see all sorts of family last weekend! It is always really great to see Brooke and Taylor, even though they don't even live an hour away from me:) Of course there is the big hooplah of seeing Taci and Jake, who I don't get to see very often at all (those darn Idahoans). They are all so great and I love getting loves, hugs, and great college advice from all four of them!

Funny experience of the week:
Between sessions of General Conference on Saturday, I went to Taco Bell with Taci and Jake. While ordering your typical taco, Jake asked the cashier for advice on a newly featured burrito. Looking at Jake, the goatee wearing, 20 something already going to seed says, "Oh, I wouldn't know, I don't eat fast food." Frankly, it was really hard not to laugh after we decided not to be offended. Word to the wise- even if you are working at a dead end Taco Bell job in Sandy, you shouldn't mock your customer's food choice.

Wish me luck on this very germy and bumpy road to recovery!

I have a cold, but I like school

2009-10-03T15:20:00.002-06:00

It is now general conference weekend! Hurrah for Isreal!

I have now survived about five weeks of my insane fall semester of 18 credit hours and I feel busier than a man turning out balloon animals at IHOP. My Portuguese is coming along fine and I really really love my English classes.
My ward is pretty good and I have learned a lot about men and their failure to communicate when it comes to planning.

So far the saddest experience of the past six weeks was when Freshman approached my on BYU campus and greeted me like I greet mentally handicapped people. Sure, my hair was frizzy and my brow was furrowed from studying Portuguese, but still the effect was horrifying and now I can laugh about it. That means you can too. How would you react if someone stopped a conversation with friends and walked up to you and said "Hey Buddy! How's it going?"

I have a really bad head cold right now and I sound like a congested Spongebob character. I have to blow my nose so often that nobody in my family wants to sit within 6 feet of me. That is probably for the best, because I'm going to assume I'm going to come down with Swine Flu next week. Don't let me sneeze on you and certainly don't take of my offered baked goods for a while.

My darlingest, favorite sister popsicle Taci has just magically deleted a blog she had already posted. How did she do that? but she just gave me her password to go fix it. From now on, just assume I'll be posting some very helpful household hints on http://deanladean.blogspot.com.

Whitney, Alisha and Franklynn

2009-09-12T20:30:00.007-06:00

Forgive me for the sentimental nature of this blog, but I have decided to write about some of my dearest and closest friends. At the end of the day, good things and bad things have happened but a really great support system has come through!

These three people are all remarkable and they touched my life in different and profound ways. I met them all in middle school, so so very long ago...

Alisha Larson!

Alisha and I met in seventh grade when we had to walk from one class to another (aww.. so cute!) Silly enough, three years later we became very good friends. She was our 'designated driver' in high school and I can't even count how many times she drove me around to choir concerts, home from school and to a million dollar movies. She has the funniest laugh that comes in spurts and does this excellent fake punch. One of my favorite memories about Alisha is when she drove to Nephi on the way home from Provo. Thank you Alisha for your sense of humor, your loving nature and your beautiful self!

Franklynn Stott <3

Franklynn just makes me smile. This picture is from the night we went to Homecoming together and this is by far my favorite dance picture! He likes to say that when we met, we hated each other, he likes to say that about all four of us. I can't even say that is true, but I do remember the first class we had together and I thought he was a pill:) I made him sign a behavioral contract to switch seats because I thought that he talked way too much. Now I talk too much! When you text his name it comes out Franklymo and so now that is the name we affectionately refer to. I have far too many funny moments about him, but I'll never forget when he told someone that "We aren't active people". The best ever. Guess you had to be there. Franklynn, you always make me feel better on a sad day and you are a fantastic listener.

Whitney Fehr :)

Whitney and I live right across the street from each other and didn't realize it for more than 5 years! such a waste, I still say it. Whitney's house is where we would basically lived for the entire space of high school. Her family is hilarious and amazing, second only to her. Whitney was basically our glue and to this day I don't know what high school would have been without her. Many of our best times were just sitting around her table after school, Franklynn eating crackers and me drinking water. Basically three years of my life involved drinking water at the Fehr's and playing Frisbee at the local elementary school. My favorite Whitney memory was when we had a cake and pudding fight at a park and she was so covered in chocolate that I began to doubt her nationality. Thank you for the hours and hours of laughs and all that water!

Blogging! gah!

2009-07-31T16:18:00.000-06:00

At this point in my young blogging life, I have one follower. Despite my efforts to put forth a quality product for my viewer, I have found the entire blogging process to be difficult and hard to understand. Just like when you open your untouched play doh only to find it hard rather than gooey. Blogging is hard and I don't know how people do it. I will now be far more appreciative to those who blog regularly and have nice backgrounds with matchy matchy fonts. Nevertheless, I will press on, wish me luck.

The 2nd Annual Fake Parade

2009-07-31T15:55:00.005-06:00

Every year I compile myself a Summer checklist.

Finally make it to Lagoon? Check.

Realize my life long goal of being more tan than a penguin? Not yet.

Practice my Portuguese? Long story short, no.

Bake the perfect homemade Lion House Rolls? No, and that really is too bad.

Host a Fake Parade? Check-A-Roo!

Clearly my priorities are in the correct order because fake parades are the best part of the summer sunshine.

You may be asking yourself just exactly what a fake parade is, besides an obvious good time.

Fake parades are an excellent opportunity to enjoy

the summer sunshine, wave at cars as they drive by

and tell people you are saving seats for a parade

that in all actuality does not exist. You wave to the

cars speeding by and eat Otter Pops. That is what

fake parades are.

This year, the turnout was awesome! Overall about

15 people came and lent a helping hand to our

waving efforts! Some time next July, look for a

bunch of awkward people waving on the side of 90th south, be sure to honk!