9-11

Today is 9-11. Up until ten years ago, September 11 was just another day. But for the past 10 years, it has become something so much more. Ten years ago today, the life of every American changed. I remember exactly what I was doing. I was in the first few weeks of my 8^th grade year. That morning, I was getting ready for school. As usual, I had the radio on. That’s when I heard the news. At the time, I didn’t know what the World Trade Center was. I went into the other room, and turned on the TV. I watched the second plane hit. At school they had the news on, and I watched the towers fall. I remember the emotions I felt: the great sadness, the horror, the gratitude that I had for my life and that of my family.

Yes, I was scared. I was terrified. What was going to happen? Was this going to start a third world war? What was happening? Why would anyone do this? Many questions ran through my 13 year-old mind. And I still don’t have all of the answers. But one thing I know for certain is that my Heavenly Father loves me.

Today I have paused to reflect on that day. I have watched news clips on youtube. I have watched documentaries on TV. And my heart has been full. That day changed my life. There were some people whose testimonies wavered that day. Mine was strengthened. To me, this was just another of the signs of the times in which we live, a sign that the second coming of our Savior is ever growing closer.

That day is one that I never want to relive. Just seeing the news from that day is hard enough for me. Those images are forever burned into my mind as I think of the thousands of people who were injured or killed that day.

Today, my prayers are with the families and friends of those who were killed on that terrible day. May they feel the love of their Father in Heaven in their hearts and be able to come to the knowledge of the great Plan of our Heavenly Father.

And Should We DIe Before Our Journey's Through...

I heard something at work today that absolutely broke my heart. Of course, it always makes me sad when a missionary dies for whatever reason, but this one hit me even more. I don't know why, but it did. A sister missionary who had been out for 13 months was killed in a car accident on Tuesday, as reported on Deseret News.

I think this one hit me because it reminded me of my interview with President Stewart before he sent in my mission papers, now almost 2 1/2 years ago. I don't remember much from that interview. Okay, I don't remember anything about that interview--except for one thing. He asked me what I would say if I was called Home while I was on my mission. I remember tears filling my eyes, but saying that if that was my Father's will, I would accept that. No, it wouldn't be easy. But I have the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation and that brought me great strength.

I was blessed to be able to return home to my family 8 months ago, and continue my life as I planned. And I am so grateful for that. My thoughts and prayers go out to Sister Bentley and her family, as well as her companion and all of the missionaries in her mission. She will be a great blessing to those in the Spirit World as she goes and shares the beautiful message of the Gospel until the Second Coming of our Savior.

Summer Break Adventures!

A Photo Blog of the Good Family Summer Adventures 2011


Mom and Dad surprised us with tickets to see the Lion King (Broadway Version)! It was breath-taking!
We saw the Bellagio Water Show

I had my first experience eating at an In-N-Out Burger Joint
Next Stop:
The girls and their fancy feet!

Soaking after a run on Grizzly River Run

We're late, we're late! For a Very important date!
Getting ready to Splash on Splash Mountain!

Taking a nap on the Tower of Terror

Beach Bums!

Eating at the Rainforest Cafe
One of the first families I met in El Paso, the Gonzales family! LOVE THEM!

With the Garcia girls!

Las Hermanas! They sure know how to make an old sister miss the mission!

Bishop Zuniga and his family

Enjoying a Texas-sized (jaja) waffle in the morning!

The view of Juarez from the freeway

McDermed/Longoria family!

Then we hit up Carlsbad and went 7 stories underground to enjoy the beauty of the cave




PAPA LUNA!!!

And Fernanda!
Gonzalez family!

Yeoman family!

The beautiful Albuquerque temple!

Enjoying a slice of Dion's Pepperoni-Jalapeno Pizza! My favorite!

We stopped in at the mission office and ran into Sister Barello! I remember when she came out...and now I've been home for 7 months and she's almost ready to go home herself!

Sister Short in the office--the only office sister I still know

My dear friend and trainer, Sister Michel...Poulette
My old roommate Magaly and her family now live in Albuquerque so I got to see them too!


If you saw a giant chile-pepper apron clad teddy bear, I don't think you'd be able to resist giving him a big kiss either!

We went into this old Catholic Cathedral. It was beautiful!

With my boyfriend! Isn't he a hottie?


We drove down part of the Historic Route 66

And enjoyed good, old fashioned milkshakes

Gloria! I was with her when she went through the temple for the first time!

Magda and I having fun! She told me that since I haven't yet found a boyfriend, she's going to have to go back to Venezuela and bring one back for me

The New Mexico Flag
Sister Swartz

Marquez family! They were like my 2nd family!

Brother and Sister Edwards

Riding the Sandia Tram: The world's longest aerial tramway

Standing in 4 states at once (or at least would be if this were actually on-site of the 4 corners...) but my right heel is in my favorite state (New Mexico!)

With Bishop Decker and his family

With Gabbi and Juan. I was there for her baptism, and he started taking the lessons and was baptized shortly after I was transferred out of the area. They have plans to go to the temple in the very near future! I can't wait!!
With the Renteria family!
With Trena and Angela Decker
Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde

Driving through the Utah Desert

This is the school where I'll be doing my student teaching...and it stretches out just as far on the other side of the entrance! It's huge! But I'm super excited!