Life is Wonderful!

So This weekend was amazing! I stayed with Jaeda "not face" Pappas. I got away from the silliness of my apartment and genuinely enjoyed the weekend. I watched North and South (The most frustrating 3 hrs and 50 minutes of my life followed by a glorious period of 5 minutes where life is uncomplicated and joyous). We watched the Hannah Montana Movie which was surprisingly very good. I didn't hate it. I bought groceries with my change. I used a coinstar machine for the first time. Got to sit and just read. Watched a movie in a personal theater room at Brookside (Who knew? I had access the whole time and missed out.) Strictly Ballroom. Enough said. I made red, white, and blue pies and actually ate one. Watched Natty Gahn. Went shopping. Ran into Vicki. Went shopping again. Ran into Vicki again. Bought cheese. Tillamook. A simple weekend of simple blessings.
Of all these things though the thing that saved me this weekend was the temple. Its how I started my weekend. J and I went with her ward Friday at 6:30 am and I can't remember a time I was happier. Sitting and waiting in the temple gave me a chance to receive revelation from the Lord. I went seeking and brought my notebook and it came. Not exactly what I expected but it was direction I needed. After the temple I was blessed to get to know Jaeda. I always introduce her to people that know Casey as Casey's sister but I really do consider her a friend (I just thought you should know).
So thank you for being my friend and helping me remember the blessings of friendship and the importance of going to the temple. For encouraging and inviting me to go.

Tired of Being Tired...

So my mouth is becoming increasingly swollen. I try to rinse with salt water and brush my teeth as best I can, but think I still have an infection. The pain isn't too bad but the drugs loosen up the muscles making life bearable. Though the drugs make me drowsy and dizzy. I didn't go to class for that reason. Its hot outside and already hard to focus without the help of the drugs. AH I want to go back to the Dentist :(

Perfect Timing

Just noticed but my blog is on Pacific time. And I'm not changing it because hey I'm serving in California! (Pacific Time baby!)

Swollen and Sensitive

Well its over! Honestly not that bad. The first two came out easy - I barely noticed. The third and forth required a bit of drilling and cracking, which is less disturbing then imagined. I was listening to the Mormon Tabernacle choir on my I-Pod and on a bit of laughing gas so I was calm. The thing that grossed me out though was that a piece of my tooth fell on my tongue (GROSS!).
All and all not that bad. Now I'm swollen and a bit tender but eating some small amounts of solids and soft foods. The bleeding stopped and I feel okay. Tired but okay.
I'm excited tomorrow I get to turn in my acceptance letter for my mission and get a interview for the Live Ordinance Recommend so I can take out my endowments. I want to get them next week but I think I should wait and pray and study. But I want to have time to go a few times before leaving Rexburg. So I can really get to ponder the things of the temple.
I LOVE GOD! I am so grateful to have the blessing of a temple near by and the opportunity and privilege to serve as a full-time missionary. I have been waiting for this so long and I can already feel that it is going to pass so quickly that I need to be careful not to take it for granted.

Oh the Horror...

Today I get my wisdom teeth removed. Broken and ripped out. No sleep for me. Knocking me out would cost another $300. Oh the things we do for faith. Good thing God inspires people to make music so the only thing I hear won't be the cracking of my teeth. I'll do anything for the mission!

Today was the day...

I got it. My call. Not at all what I expected. But I am happy no ecstatic!

Where: California Riverside
When: September 30, 2009- April 1, 2011 (approximately)
How: With the Spirit and in English
Why: Because the Lord called me to be a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and love the people of California!
Who: That's right Sister Appleby!

It feels right. Not the mission I thought of or prayed for but its the mission I know I can thrive in. My heart was hoping foreign and if not at least a foreign language but its not what the Lord knows I need and He needs me to serve the people of California. So that is what I'll do get to know the people of the Riverside California Mission and by knowing and loving them I will know and love the Lord more than I can imagine at this point.

I guess since I know the English language I'll have to work more on knowing the Spirit's voice and know intimately the scriptures until we are as old friends.

I am blessed!

It's today... It has to be

So I'm getting ready for class but just want to say how much my heart wants to burst. I'm going on a mission the call is on its way, in fact it may already be in Rexburg. I'm having heart palpitations. Where does the Lord need me? Where will I come to love and live for the next year and a half? When will I report to the MTC? Where will I report? Questions racing through my head yet a peace is with me in knowing the Lord knows my strengths and weaknesses and the place where those weaknesses will become strength by His power. This is a critical event that will take me out into the dark. The Lord will be with me but it is my unknown. I'm glad that I have faith to lead me. I'm ready to sacrifice it all. I can't wait but I can't disappoint the Lord by disregarding the education He blessed me with so this is where I end. Headed to class. I am going to pay attention, I am going to pay attention, I am going to pay attention...