Goodbye for 18 months

"But friendship is precious, not only in the shade but in the sunshine of life, and thanks to a benevolent arrangement of things, the greater part of life is sunshine." ~Thomas Jefferson

Well, this is it. Today is my 21st birthday and tomorrow I enter the MTC. What an eventful 8 months it's been since I decided to go on a mission. And you know, I wouldn't change anything. It's been a great ride. I've been able to make a lot of wonderful memories. Speaking of, Jill and Jamie, I have loved texting those memories back and forth. I can't wait for our next adventures when I get home ;)

My farewell was yesterday... or 2 days ago I guess seeing that it is technically Tuesday now. I felt really good about the way my talk went. And I felt even better that I didn't cry, seeing how I have my mother's genes. It probably helped that I looked right over the heads of my friends and didn't look toward my family.

I am so grateful to all my friends who came up/ down to hear me speak. You guys have no idea what it meant to me to have you there. I am so grateful for your love and support, and for the wonderful friendships we have been able to build over the past year or more. We've had some great times. Though I will admit, I thought it would be a lot harder to say goodbye to some of you than it was. Not that I didn't cry a little or that I won't miss you. I just guess that means I'm really ready to go.

I was pretty busy yesterday getting things ready. I cleaned my room some and labeled everything. Wow was that a fun chore. And I started actually packing my luggage. Everything has been in my luggage because of lack of a better place to keep it, but with no rhyme or reason to it. Of course, we'll probably end up taking everything out and repacking it later today when Dad the master packer can help me so i can sorta get an idea of how to do it for transfers.

However, today will be a super busy day. I have so much to do. I have to do laundry. I have to iron. I have to finish packing. I have to register my car and renew my drivers license. I was making cards to send for birthdays or thank yous and making them look all cute, but have completely run out of time so I'm just going to put one simple stamp in one simple color on them. Sorry in advance to anyone who gets a boring card. It's not because I'm lazy. I have to then separate my stamps and ink and such from mom's and put them away. I have to change the sheets on my bed. Oh man. So much to do! It's sure not going to seem like much of a birthday--not to mention all my new mission clothes and the camera mom and dad gave me after I tripped over Bear and broke my old one WERE my birthday gifts. But I'm not complaining. Like i said, I really am super excited that I'm leaving tomorrow! I know that the Lord has something wonderful in store for me on my mission and I can't wait to find out what that is!

I can't wait to be a missionary. My aunt sent me some pictures of her with my old roommate Megan who is serving in the same mission. It was so good to see Megan's face. It's fun to hear them talk about each other in their letters. After I get home, Megan and I will have to make a trip to see Linda and Steve.

I know that this Church is true. I have read the Book of Mormon many times and have taken Moroni's challenge to pray about what I read, and I have felt the Holy Ghose testify to me that it is true. I know that Joseph Smith truly did see God the Father and Jesus Christ in the Sacred Grove. I know that Thomas S. Monson is God's prophet on the earth today and that the Lord gives us counsel and direction through President Monson and the other General Authorities. I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers. He knows what is best for us and so lons as we are livign our lives in accordance to His commandments, He will greatly bless our lives. I have a strong testimony of the power of the Priesthood. I have seen it work in my own life as well as in the lives of people around me. I know that the Lord gives us trials to strengthen us, and that while our burdens may sometimes seem hard to bear, He will never try us above what we are able to bear. I know that our loving Heavenly Father created a Great Plan of Happiness so that we can return and live with Him as we repent of our sins for which the Savior has already suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane. I also know that the Lord never leaves us alone. He will always be there for us to help us through whatever we may be facing at the moment, so long as we pray to Him and ask Him for the necessary guidance and direction.

Well, There isn't much more to say, other than goodbye. I love you all, and will see you in 18 months! Keep your eye on my blog for the updates I'm going to have my mom post.