Of Elephants, Tigers, and Bulldogs

Day 29
There are experiences in life that make or break us, define and refine us. These experiences make up so much of who we are, and why. One of those experiences in my life was the opportunity that I had to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Alabama Birmingham Mission. This was one of the best times of my life. While in Alabama I fell in love with a land, people, mad way of life that still feels like home to me.  While in Alabama and Mississippi I was refined and defined.
I learned so much about spirituality while in the South. The people on the South are a God-fearing and God loving people who willingly and actively devote their lives to The Lord. Everyday. It doesn't matter if they are on a fire truck, teaching a class, running a company or staying home with their children, they let the influence of God be part if everything that they do. From these Southerners I learned what it truly means to be a Christian. Being a true Christian is more about how you live your life than anything else. I learned that loving God and doing His will takes practice. We are not perfect here in this life, and God knows it. He sent us here to practice and to walk his way. Occasionally we make mistakes and lose our way, but a s part of the practice, our Leader is always there to guide and coach us back to His loving arms.
I learned what it means to be happy in ways that I could never have imagined before. I learned that happiness comes through friends, random strangers, acts of kindness, and  many other ways. I learned that happiness can be sweat marks on your back at the end of a long day. It can be dancing in the rain because you are so excited about life decisions that someone is making. It can be finding a wreath on your door at Christmas. Happiness is what you make it, and you can find it in so many ways.
While in the South I learned that love has many languages, and with a little time and lots of prayer, our hearts can learn to speak those languages. Some of the best and most spiritual experiences that I had in the South were with a man who was unable to speak. Though he was unable to verbally share his thought, his spirit spoke. Plumes to my heart. This was one source of happiness that I found.
I learned that there two important questions to ask someone the first time you meet them: what church do they go to, and who is their team. The answers to both of these questions can make or break a friendship. I will never forget the time that my new companion tried to show if her knowledge of the correct answer to the team question by reciting teams and their mascots: the Alabama Tigers and Auburn Elephants. (I also learned about true love when this family didn't kick us out of their home!) after checking to ensure that their neighbors hadn't heard this blasphemy, the family kindly corrected my companion: Alabama Elephants (Roll Tide!) and Auburn Tigers (War Eagle!)
I learned who I am at heart- a girl who loves the country, true barbecue, the South, her momma and daddy, God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. I am a girl who loves those around her. My heart is forever torn between two places, Utah and the South, but that's ok. I like it that way.
I have been forever changed, for the better, by my mission and the people I was blessed to be able to meet! I love you all!

A few lines that may get me in trouble:

If you wanna get to heaven where the streets are gold
you've gotta know the password which is Roll Tide Roll!
But you can't get to heaven in a red canoe because God's favorite colors are Orange and Blue!
War Eagle! Roll Tide! War Eagle! Roll Tide!

The Ties that Bind

Day 28
Today, like many, I am thankful for my family. They have each been featured on their own day, but today I need to express my thankfulness to them collectively. I am who I am today because of my family. They have always been my safe harbor, my refuge, my strength when I am weak, my rock to stand on, and on occasion, the cannon to shoot me to where I needed to be. I have learned so many life lessons from my family, and they have each shaped and molded me in some way.
I am thankful for my extended family as well. I am blessed to have such a large extended family, and though we don't always see one another, we're always there for each other. I love that one of the highlights of my year is when Uncle Jerry visits from Alaska. I love that my favorite traditions and memories are centered on my extended family. To each member of my extended family, thank you for your love and support.
The thing that I am most thankful for in regards to my family is the knowledge that they are mine forever. I know beyond any shadow of a doubt that we will all be together in the next life. This is God's plan for all families, and I know that you can also be with your family forever. This is the greatest blessing in my life-this knowledge of eternal families.
"We may not have it all together, but together we have it all," is a fitting quote. Each member of my family adds a piece to the puzzle to make a beautiful whole. Here's a shout out to the best family, my family. I love you guys so much!!!

Bookworms

Day 27
Today I am thankful for books and reading. I have had a couple of conversations about reading with different people this week and it has made me even more thankful for this favorite past-time of mine. I love getting lost in a story, all wrapped up with the characters and their emotions. Many times I have stayed up into the wee hours of the morning reading a book because I was going to "read just one more chapter..." This has been a lifelong love of mine: I remember waking up early on Saturday mornings to read my latest Babysitter's Little Sister book. Even now, when presented with an opportunity to read or do just about anything else, I will choose to read. I have been to so many places through books. I have fallen in love with so many different men, had my heart broken by many of those same men, and been swept off my feet. I have been so mad at characters and plot twists, almost feeling as though they were real and really taking place in my life.Reading is a great adventure. There's nothing better than the butterflies I get in my stomach as I turn to the first chapter of a new book. On the other hand, there is nothing quite like the feeling of being lost after finishing an exceptionally good book. Series are even harder on the soul to finish!
I am thankful for friends who love to read and will talk literature with me. I am thankful for friends who like to read and will talk literature with me. I am thankful for friends who don't like to read-we don't usually talk literature, but that's ok too! I love getting to be a teacher and talk books with my students. I love sharing my favorite books with people, in hopes that they will love the book as much as I did.
I'm going to borrow an idea from my mom and give a shout-out to those who taught me how to read. Though I would like to argue that I was born knowing how to read, I know that a lot of time and patience went into this task. Thank you to each person who brought books and reading into my life and helped to instill the bookworm in my heart.

Spraying for Rodents

Day 26
Today I am thankful for a two-day work week. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids, but I also love breaks! I'm also thankful that my principal lied to us all today and announced that we had to leave the building by 3:15 because they were spraying chemicals for rodents. Being new I believed it, so I hurriedly packed everything up. Then I realized that his message was code for "Go home, it's Thanksgiving break!" Once I realized that I found myself with some time to do the things that don't usually get done on a regular day: I sanitized all of the desks and tables in my room, found my desk (it's been buried for a while, and today my aide asked if a paper was in "this pile") changed my calendars over, straightened the desks, combined hand sanitizer bottles, and a few other odds and ends. I may have brought home a boat-load of homework, but at least my room is organized and clean! And it's all because of a tall tale about spraying for rodents! So far this break has been off to a great start, for which I am thankful!

Big Brother (in-law)

Day 25
Today I am thankful for my brother-in-law, Nic. He is such a thoughtful person, and is always looking out for those around him. You won't find anyone more willing to give you the shirt off their back if you're in need. Nic is a great example to me of what it means to be an every-day-missionary. He doesn't get in anyone's face, but he shares the gospel through his example. One of the things that I really appreciate about Nic is that he isn't afraid to admit that he isn't perfect. And that's one of the things that makes him a good missionary. People listen to him because he is real, and that's what they need.
I have been the recipient of Nic's good missionary service many times, as well as his willingness to do anything to help those he loves. I appreciate right now that he is working so hard to help me with my new adventures. I also am thankful that he is willing to to give sincere compliments. I may only see him a few hours each day, but when he tells me that he knows I am rocking it as a teacher, I know that he means it, and that it's true! Love ya, Nic!

"Getting to Know You..."

Day 24
Today I am thankful for my sister-in-law, Felicia. When I first met Felicia I was very much intimidated by her. She and my brother had been dating for most of my mission, so I was the last family member to meet her. Felicia and I are both quiet by nature, which made it hard to get to know her at first because it meant that I actually had to talk! After a couple of months we found some common interests, and became fast friends. Felicia is so much fun to be around! She is creative and has awesome style, not to mention great taste in movies. I love having "sister dates" with Felicia. Mostly we eat pizza and watch movies, but it's perfect! I love getting to spend time with her. She is so perfect for my brother, and for our family. Felicia is one of my very best friends, and I am so thankful that my brother married her so that I can have her as a sister forever! I am truly blessed to know such a kind hearted, sweet, funny, pretty, strong woman! I love that I can laugh with Felicia, and that she's willing to laugh at me when needed. She truly has become a sister to me, and I love her so much!

Nanny Manda

Day 23
Today I am thankful for my nephews and niece. Yesterday I wasn't feeling very well, so when I got home from work I went right to bed. I didn't see much of my sister or her family until this morning. When I came upstairs I saw Sam, who came running up to me to say good morning. I picked him up, said good morning, and kissed him. Sam sighed, leaned back in my arms, and said "I'm in love." I was laughing and had to put him down, but I feel the same-I am so in love with him, his tow brothers, and their sweet cousin, Erika.
Sam always knows how to make me laugh and smile. He is my little buddy and we have fun adventures together. Sam is always good for a laugh, a hug, a kiss, or whatever it is that you need.
Mark is a tough cookie sweetheart. He is Mr. Independent, but my heart melts every time he wants to hold my hand or cuddle. I'm pretty sure that his smile powers the sun.
Cole is an adventure a minute. It feels like he has been laughing since the day he was born. Cole marches to the beat of his own drum, and I love it. One of my favorite quotes about Cole: "He bit me!" "Well, don't put your hand by his mouth." And I was the one who got bit! He's a wild child and I love it!
Miss Erika is a super sweet and adorable little lady. I got to spend the summer babysitting her, and I loved it! She is so cuddly and sweet! I miss getting to spend so much time with her, but I love getting to play with her on Sunday nights!

I am referred to as "Nanny" by these four kiddos, and I love it. There is nothing sweeter to my ears than hearing each of them begin to form that name on their lips. Each time they call me "Nan" my heart melts, and they know that I will do anything for them. Nannies are made to spoil their kiddos, and I take my charge very seriously!