Miracles

So, this week was full of seemingly insurmountable challenges for me, especially in my academics. There were three huge projects due: ORCA and an English paper on Wednesday, then a 15 page research paper on Friday. I should have been stressed out of my mind, but wasn't. Everything went smoothly, even though it meant some dark rings under my eyes and a bit of general fatigue this week. I couldn't start my 15 page monster until Thurs. afternoon, the day before it was due. Last semester I would have dissolved in tears and just been a complete stressed out mess in general at the prospect of writing so much in such a short time, but the Lord really blessed me with peace. I skipped my French class on Thurs, then all of my classes Friday morning except dance, and got that paper done just as the clock struck 12 - the time it was due.

Wednesday night I was partially in charge of a Relief Society meeting. We had our RS coordinator come to talk to us about nutrition. Man, she seems to know everything, and I left feeling very motivated to turn over a new leaf and make sure I eat better. I came to the realization once again how important it is to have a healthy body, because you can be so much more effective when you really take care of it. One of the principles our coordinator stressed was the importance of exercise - something that I know I don't make enough of a priority of...

Friday Brad took me to see the BYU production of "As You Like It" - a play that I've really wanted to see ever since I listened to the tape recording about a year ago. My reaction was similar to most of the other times I've watched Shakespeare - that Shakespeare was a genius - and I loved every minute of it. They even had a few little kids involved that were absolutely adorable on stage - reminded me of the days when I used to preform myself... *sigh* :).

Saturday was awesome, although I didn't get as much homework done as I would have liked. I was at the temple at 6am, and stayed for 3 hours after I had done baptisms to write in my journal. I really learned a lot of important things - life lessons, more about myself, etc. The day was absolutely beautiful, so when I got back Brad and I went for a long walk in the canyon. Somehow he persuaded me to go to the gym with him afterward, so I donned some sweatpants and a t-shirt and prepared to fail miserably at everything, motivated partially by the RS meeting from earlier in the week. Even though it was hard, I was surprised at how much fun it was after all... I'm completely sore today, but feel good :). Hooray for exercise!

Hand another cool experience with mission prep class today... Hillary and I (my roommate who also wants to go on a mission) prepared the second lesson about the atonement. We taught Sasha Solo, who is a teacher at the MTC, and it was incredible. We worked together so well - while I was talking Hillary would be finding a scripture and vice versa. I just felt so good about the whole thing... I wish we could be companions while I'm on my mission!

The guessing is still on about my mission call. I talked to the bishop today, and he said it hadn't been sent yet... which means the earliest I could get it would be next Wednesday. It seems like an eternity till then! So, if you'd still like to hazard a guess, let me know :).

Love you all, and hope you take time to see God's hand in your life this week. I know he loves each one of us so much!

Margaret

ADVENTURES OF A LIFETIME!!!!

A day I will always remember –

03/21/10

I’m 21, and it’s the 21st of March (my golden birthday) and I just turned in my mission papers! Wow… it feels great!!!

It took forever - had to reschedule all of my appointments at least once in the process. Today was the last step - my interview with the Stake President. What does that mean, I've submitted my papers? Well, it means that I've officially volunteered to serve an 18 month mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints somewhere in this wide wide world. I'll be dedicating that time completely to service. It's going to be AMAZING. I started a Facebook group for it so people can start guessing where I will be called. If you'd like to guess and you don't have Facebook, just email me and I'll send you an invite. Or just email me your guess! I'd love to know. I could get sent anywhere in the world, and I won't know when I'll be leaving exactly until I get my call. My availability date is for May 1st, which is coming rather quickly... I can hardly wait!

So, that excitement is actually just the tip of the iceberg this weekend - Brad has made my birthday this year a one-of-a-kind fantastic mind-blowing experience. It started Friday afternoon (yes, two days in advance!!!) with some Lindt chocolate (one of my favorites :)), and a trip to the park that involved a kite (despite the snow), some delicious cinnamon bread and lots and lots of bubbles. Coming back from this adventure I found my door adorned with sticky notes, and a little package on the table that contained a new furry frogy friend:)...

Saturday hit and I'm still reeling. It involved the appearance of my roommate laden with a beautiful tray laden with omelet, English muffins, cinnamon rolls and a delicious smoothie. After some shopping for the Germans I was confronted with a grinning Brad, a gorgeous bouquet of brilliant flowers and ANOTHER furry, this time beary friend - aquamarine, like my birthstone, with a bag of matching m&m's on it's arm. Impressed yet??? It was only the beginning.

Next adventure involved a trip to the chocolate factory to get a caramel apple - in the past I have been sadly disappointed in the deliciousness of caramel apples - they always look promising, then prove to be slightly disappointing with the first bite. This caramel apple, however, changed my perspective forever - because this was a caramel apple in STYLE: smothered in Reeses pb cups and chocolate. After about 5 min. in the car I had managed to spread the chocolate from my apple to my fingers, jeans and coat. It was great, but necessitated a pit stop at the mall. However, within minutes we were on our way again - for me, into the unknown.

SLC appeared on the horizon. And before I knew what was happening, we hit the town. Starting it off with the Joseph Smith movie, we traversed Temple Square, and enjoyed dinner in the Garden (a restaurant on the top floor of the JS Memorial building overlooking Temple Square). As if that wasn't enough. Caught completely unaware, I magically landed in a splendid white carriage for a drive around old Salt Lake. Um, WOW??? With an epic bubble war to finish off a crazy amazing day, a very happy almost-birthday girl hit the pillow.

This was one of the most beautiful of all first-days-of-spring I've ever experienced. The air was fresh and cool, the sunshine gloriously warm. After Mission-prep Brad handed me a key and asked me to check his mail box. Yes, the story goes on. Brad knows me so well, and is always taking notes... under the butcher paper I discovered some origami paper and an instruction booklet, as well as small package of silicon cup-cake holders. After my interview with the stake president he pulls out ANOTHER package, which revealed a beautiful journal. I am all set as far as accessories for my mission. Then he started asking weird - texting mysteriously, stealing my phone away, then having a sudden desire to go for a walk. Suppressing a smile, I pushed the door open and was met by a lusty shout of "surprise!!" Cake (!with candles!), cookies and lots and LOTS of friends. Who could ask for more?

Before you go, I have another bit of amazing news to share!!!!!! Last week I participated in the national Dancesport competition at BYU. I competed Foxtrot up and made it to the quarter finals, then competed in the 284 Silver level Waltz competition and took 2ND PLACE!!!!!!! I was so shocked!!!!!! It was BEYOND AWESOME and I was SOOOOOOOO happy....

I live a fairy tale, and am going on a mission. How could life be better?!?!?!

Hope your lives are full of bubbles and March Madness as happy as mine!

Love,

Margaret