O N E W E E K

So.....I leave in a week to serve the Lord as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints....to Edmonton, Canada...not a big deal, right? 

ACTUALLY IT'S A REALLY BIG DEAL!  

I'm so excited, nervous, happy, sentimental, crazy, anxious, stoked for it all!!!  It's happening so fast, I can't quite handle it.  Oh I'm just so excited.  It's FINALLY happening. 

If you have any questions regarding my religion, beliefs, or what missionary work is, click here for my personal profile on our church website, or here for an overview of the LDS church.

Also, this past week I made the last decked out package I'll ever make for my cute missionary!!!  WHHHAT???  Crazy, right?  He'll get home about 10 months before I do, so after that, the package making/decking out/sending will be his job. ;)  

His birthday is early in August, so my mom's going to send it for me after I leave so it gets to him around his birthday. :)  

I'm actually REALLY proud of this package....since he's been gone, I've come into terms with the crafty side of myself.  MISSIONS ARE MIRACLES I TELL YOU!  

Without further adieu, here's the package:

 

Simple directions for the package:

Cut out 13 (or however many you need) triangles of the same size, and write the letters on them..super easy, right?

Next, cut the ribbon so it reaches across the package (it's really up to you how long you want it)

Hot glue the triangles to the ribbon.

Next, get your scrapbook paper and cut it to the dimensions of the inside flaps of your box, and hot glue them to the inside (I wouldn't risk using glue sticks, they don't seem strong enough)

Lastly, I hot glued the ends of the ribbons to the OUTSIDE of the flaps.  (I tried to glue them to the inside before gluing the scrapbook paper, but it DID NOT work, but maybe I'm just not that talented hahah)

Contents:

I did a little "party in a box" type thing, so I got...

Cake mix

Frosting

Candles

Foil cake pan (like $2 at maceys)

Tie

And a special present I got for him (Canada T-Shirt) cute, right? :)

SUPER easy package.

On another note, I'll be posting on here probably once more with info regarding my mission address, email, blog and the like.

I hope you all have a fabulous day! 

brookelle

temples, cousins, & a skype sesh

Quite a bit has happened in this past week, so I figured I'd blog about it for all of you who read this (aka probably only my mom and grandma.  thanks guys.) 

Anywho, since I have my mission call, I was able to go through the temple and receive my endowment!  I chose to go through the Jordan River Temple since that's where my beautiful family was sealed a little less than 18 years ago.  (wow, I'm old.)  Here's a little throwback for ya'll. 

Yeah, I know.  My dad had hair.  Weird, right? 

On Thursday, May 8th, 2014, I received my endowment.  It was a little overwhelming, but I felt the spirit so incredibly strong.  Now it's time to go as much as possible before I head out to Canada!  :)  

Also, thanks so much to my wonderful family and friends who were able to join me in such a big event in my life, it really meant so much.

 

 This weekend I got to go to my cousin Andrew's state soccer games!  He's only a freshman and he's starting varsity!  I'm so glad I was able to go to watch him play.  Although they lost in the state championship game, they played their little hearts out.  Annnnd they got to play at Rio Tinto--kind of a big deal.  Anyways, he did fantastic.  I also got to watch my cousin Josh's baseball games!  This kid has been my bff since birth and I'm so proud to call him my cousin.

Andrew and I after his first game^^^

Now for the skype sesh...Sunday was Mothers Day, and as you all know, Mothers Day is one of the two days a year that missionaries get to skype or call home!  On Sunday morning, I was surprised to get a text from Adam's mom saying that I was welcome to come over during his skype call!  I was so not expecting it, and it made me super nervous to be honest.  I didn't know if I should go because I didn't want to freak him out or distract him or anything, but eventually I ended up going.  Let me just tell you that it was probably the greatest thing I've ever done...seriously.  Just hearing his laugh and his voice that I haven't heard in over a year put me on cloud 9!  And I'm still on cloud 9..I'm not sure if it's supposed to last this long...but I'll take it! Only one more year until I talk to him again when I'm out on my mish and he's home!

Although this wait/decision to serve as well has been one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do, I know it's going to be more than worth it.  1 year and 9 months til we're together again?  We're getting there.

xoxo
brookelle

one year.....WAIT WHAT?

Guess What.

This Thursday, April 10th, Adam will have been out for a whole year.

A YEAR!

I don't think it's quite hit me yet that I've been doing this whole waiting thing for a year.  It feels like yesterday that I was freaking out over his one month mark.  Boy am I glad those days are over!

Anyways, for his year mark and Easter, I'm sending him a package!

I'm pretty proud of it to be honest.  My creativity skills have definitely improved since he left.

It was both his and his companion's year mark, so I sent double the goods.

Contents:

Cadbury Eggs (of course, it's Easter)

Reese's Eggs (ditto that^^^)

Missionary Peeps (here's how to make them)

President Uchtdorf's "You Can Do It Now" talk (here's the link)

Tie

CD full of church songs

and a little "Easter Egg Hunt of Christ's Last Days"

I got the Easter Egg idea from another blog!  You can click here for the details and templates!

I also got the missionary peeps idea from the same blog above.  Kayci and I made some sister missionary peeps as well to send to some sister missionaries who are out in the field right now!  Here are some pictures:

 Thanks to Kayci for helping me with these, they actually turned out!

It's so crazy to me that Adam's been out a whole year.  I'll see him in less than two years by the time I get home from my mission!!! :)  We'll know for sure exactly how long it will be on Thursday night when I open my mission call.  

Happy year mark to my best friend and his companion! :) 

xoxo

brookelle

valentines shmalentines..

Soooooooo Valentines Day is this week!

Don't worry, I won't bore you with all that mushy stuff like true love or kissing or holding hands or getting flowers or heart shaped chocolates or having a romantic candle lit dinner with a handsome boy. 

Who needs mushy stuff anyway?

I just wanted to post about my Valentines Package to my favorite missionary, and now District Leader! (he's been out 10 months today, btw)

I wasn't planning on going all out, but that's when I realized that since I made his Christmas package all cutesy and such, I couldn't let him down with just a plain cardboard box.  So I just put this together real quick, taped up the box and sent it off to North Carolina!

I gave him a tie (of course, he's a missionary, duh), a T-shirt for pdays, and of course Reeses (don't worry, I got the heart shaped kind.  I'm not that heartless).

I also had an abrupt realization today while complaining about not having a Valentine here.  Most people complain about not having someone to go on a cute date with on the blessed V-Day, but really, it shouldn't be a bad thing.  Once you get married, you have the rest of forever to have a special someone on Valentines Day.  But you only have a few more without one.  

I know that was quite a stretch, but desperate times call for desperate measures, right?

Anywho, I hope you all have a wonderful Valentines Day full of chocolate, chick flicks, and all that other mushy stuff that comes along with good ol' February 14th.

xoxo

brooke

Resting Hour

Things have been pretty crazy lately, and I've been a little down.  Life is happening right before my eyes, and no matter what I do, I've realized it's not possible to slow it down.  I, like so many other college students in my position, have so many big decisions to make.  It's been stressful, but today I got a much needed letter from the sweetest boy, my missionary. :)  

I usually try not to tell him all the things I'm having a hard time with, because his mission is his first priority and the last thing I want to be is a distraction.  In the last letter I sent, I just told him I was having a bit of a hard time, and his response was priceless.  It's such an incredible blessing to have his eternal perspective on what I've been going through.  His words helped me, so I'm sure they can help some of you.

The Lord is so aware of each and every one of us, and He gives us trials and hardships so that we will turn to Him for help and comfort.  He truly loves each and every one of his children more than we can even try to comprehend.  In Adam's letter, he sent me this little quote:

"God sent a man to push a large boulder.  The man pushed and pushed on the boulder.  Satan came by and said, 'why are you pushing on that boulder?  You'll never be able to move it.'  The man became discouraged.  He went to God and asked why he had been sent to push a boulder he would never be able to move.  God said, 'I never expected or told you to move the boulder.  I told you to push the boulder.  In pushing the boulder, your arms, back, and legs have been strengthened and you have become strong.'"

When times get rough, we need to turn to the Lord, and He will show us how he is strengthening and shaping us.  Blessings will always come from turning to the Lord, and by putting our trust in God, we will be able to get through anything we may face in this life.

"Righteous sorrow and suffering carve cavities in the soul that will later become reservoirs of joy."

D&C 122:7-9

"7 And if though shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape opn the mouth wide after thee, now thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. 

8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all.  Art thou greater than he?

9 Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass.  Thy days are known and they years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever."

 God loves us.  God loves you. 

His hand is stretched out for you, all you have to do is reach for it.

xoxo

brookelle

"When we are broken we’re not forgotten
You will be strong
And even though that fight that we’re facing
Leaves you burned out and shaken
You’re not alone

 Give it all to me
I can be your resting hour."

nine months

I'm just feeling a little nostalgic tonight, seeing as Adam has officially been out for 9 whole months! 

I've spent the night organizing all the pictures on my phone and laptop, and came across a bunch from the Summer of 2012; the best Summer yet.

This particular July evening was spent with Adam and my family.  We went to the Owls game, and watched fireworks after.  Somehow, this picture from that night was saved on my phone after almost 2 years.  

And just like that, the memories come rushing back.

9 months.

9 months ago I said goodbye to my best friend for 2 whole years.

and in 3 months I'll be halfway there.

I'm thankful for all the time we were able to spend together before he left to serve the people of North Carolina and Virginia.  And I'm especially excited for all the time we'll be able to spend together when he returns.

2 years compared to eternity, right?

xoxo

brookelle

A Much Needed Break

Hello friends!  Tonight, I'm blogging because this wonderful Christmas break is coming to a close.

It's a little sad, but I'm actually pretty excited to get back to school and do something with my life.

I have this issue with breaks..I love them, but after a few days I get extremely bored, and I feel like I need to be doing something.  So it's relieving a lot of stress knowing that I'll be back in the school grind in a couple of days.

I guess this is the part where I tell you all about the crazy things I did over the break..so 1 2 3....GO!

Throughout the first part of the break, I got to work at the job I have missed so much this past semester!  Seeing my little babies (or not so little anymore) was seriously the greatest thing.  Over the Summer, I worked as the infant teacher at Kids Count Daycare.  It was really hard, but oh so rewarding. I have come to know that you truly do come to love those you serve.  

My awesome cousin came up to play basketball against Springville, and I got to go watch him play!  This kid is one of a kind.  Not only is he an amazing athlete, he's an incredible person as well.

I love you Joshy!!!

(aaand he likes to pretend he's taller than me)

 

During the break, I got to get back to my old bookworm habits.  Need I say more?

I sent an adorable package to my favorite missionary....

Aaaand I got one as well.  :)  

I was able to spend some quality time with these beautiful sisters of mine, and we got our annual Christmas Jammies!!!

Photobombed by a moose ^^^

We're really good at playing toy kitchen.

We also have really intense Hungry Hungry Hippos tournaments.

Aaaand Sophi ended up being on the nice list after all..:)  

I've loved being able to spend so much time with my family this break!  It's nice to have that reminder of what really matters in this life.  It's so easy to get distracted by worldly things that in reality, don't mean anything.  I'm so blessed to have such a supportive and loving family, because when it comes down to it, that's what really matters.  

Now it's time to get back down to Ephraim and show Snow College who's boss!  :)

xoxo

brookelle

a 2014 objective

Here I am on New Years Eve, just chillin by my lonesome. 

And guess what.

In less than 2 hours, I can officially say that I'll see my best friend next year.

GAHHH!

Anywho, I'd just like to thank everyone who has stuck with me through this past year, it's funny how days seem to drag on, but years fly by.  It just makes me glad that we can live forever.  Although our time on this earth is limited, we'll still be able to live for eternity.  I love that, and I'm so glad that I have the gospel in my life.  Without it, I don't even want to know where I'd be.  

Now for this new year, I'm going to make a resolution.  Actually, let's not call it a resolution, because those never seem to stick.  I'm going to call it my objective for 2014.  And that objective is to enjoy every moment that I'm given.  Whatever life throws at me, I'm going to get through it with a smile on my face and the Savior by my side.

2013 has been good to me.

Now I'm going to be good to 2014.

xoxo

brookelle

Why The Wait?

I promised myself I would never do a cheesy post like this..

but here I am. 

Christmas is in 4 days.

And I've always thought it was super lame when people complained about not having a significant other to kiss under the mistletoe, to go sledding with, to go to temple square with, etc.

That's what you hear being a white Mormon girl on any social networking site.

And that's not a bad thing.

Just the norm.

Aaaaaaand I miss my best friend.

THERE

I said it.

I miss him like crazy.

I think it's making me crazy, actually, because I've suddenly become capable of relating to that annoying Mariah Carey song, All I Want For Christmas is You..yeah it's a little sad.  But I'm not here to tell a sob story, I just thought I'd clarify a few things.

For those of you who don't know, I'm waiting for a missionary.

I've had people ask me, since I haven't come out and said it officially or anything, but there it is!

His name is Adam, and he's my very best friend.

He's been gone for a little over 8 months now, which seriously feels so great. 

But I won't lie to you, it's not easy.

I do get a lot of crap from friends and family that think I need to be "having fun" and going on adventures and living the college life, etc.  (I'm not even waiting and not dating anyways, though..) "People can change a lot in 2 years", yeah I know.  That's the beauty of it all though, isn't it?

Change is a necessity to life, and sometimes it's good, and other times it's not.  Everybody says that you never know what could happen, which is 100% true.  I've accepted that, and I know that things might not turn out exactly how I expect them to.

Does that sound familiar?

That's life.

We don't quit living life just because we don't know how things are going to turn out, we keep going, and keep the faith that things will work out the way they are meant to in the right time, as long as we are on the Lord's side.  
There's not that big of a difference, really, when it comes down to it.

Most people don't quite understand how it is to experience this, but that's not a bad thing.
I know why I'm doing it, and the Lord knows why; and that's all that matters.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Anyways, I miss him.  A lot.  Especially during this Holiday season.
But I've grown immensely in the past 8 months and I wouldn't trade this experience of growth in the both of us for anything.  This is the right thing, and I'm so proud of the work he is doing, and the man he is becoming.

I also got to make this ^^^ adorable Christmas package for him. ♡♡ 

 I hope you all have a very merry Christmas!

xoxo

♡brookelle♡

a wonderful day

I'm sorry, I know I just barely posted yesterday, but it's just too good of a day to not post about!  It's only 11am, but today is a special day!  First of all, I just finished my first final!  I felt pretty good about it, which can be a bad thing..but I'm going to take it as a good thing, because nothing can ruin my happiness right now!  :)  

Secondly, my best friend has been out in the mission field serving the Lord for a whole 8 MONTHS!  Wow.  Wow is all I can say right now!  I can't believe that time is flying by so fast.  Days feel like months, but the weeks fly by.  This is one of the hardest things I've ever done, but I know for a fact that it's going to be so incredibly worth it.  And to all of you fellow missionary girlfriends out there, KEEP WAITING.  

You can do it!  

♡♡♡♡

 (Us last Christmas break at the Riverwoods ^^^)  

I'm so excited to see this handsome boy of mine in 16 months!♡

And the most important reason today is such a wonderful day....(drumroll please)....

It's these goofballs birthday today!!!  

Tyler and Andrew are a couple of the coolest cousins.  I still see these two as little boys, and can't believe that Tyler is already 14 and Andrew is 15! GAHHH you two are making me feel so old!  I'm so grateful to have them in my life, and I love them so much!

Happy birthday, guys!

Today is just a great day.

♡brookelle

Blessings

Time to catch up on the past few weeks!  

This past month has seriously FLOWN by.  Actually..this past SEMESTER has flown by.  It's crazy to think that I'm almost done with my first semester of college.  

SO MUCH has happened, and I've learned SO MUCH.  I honestly think I've learned more in these past 5 months living on my own than I ever have before.  

Here are a few things I've learned:

        You cannot (I repeat) CANNOT be a fence sitter.  You have to choose what you're doing, and DO IT.  If you don't make a choice, life will make a choice for you, and I can guarantee the result will not be what you want. 

        Don't settle.  Ever.  Don't even think about settling.  Have high expectations for yourself.  If you don't like the path you are on, get on a different one.  If you're not happy with your life, do something about it.  You have more control over your life than anybody else.   So use it.  

       Don't be afraid to care.  Care.  Please, CARE.  Contrary to popular belief, you cannot care too much.  In fact, you should care.  Carelessness is glorified in our world wayyyy too much.

Anyways, here are some of my adventures from this past month:

It was Thanksgiving a couple weeks ago!  I got to spend some quality time with my favorite people.  

HAPPY SPANKSGIVING! ^^^

I cut my hair!

It snowed AND I got a letter from Adam in the same day!

As an institute choir, we got to sing at Manti Seminary's morningside.  I walked all the way across campus from my apartment to the institute building in below zero degree weather.  That was arguably the worst decision of my life.  I sure do love these quality people though.

This weekend, my roommates and I have been studying for finals nonstop.  So we took a break and went sledding last night.  We didn't exactly have a sled..or a hill, so we used a car hood and a road.  I seriously love these girls so much.  I've been blessed with these beautiful roommates! 

To end this wonderful week, these beautiful girls and I all went to church together.  ♡ 

Anyways, these past few weeks as well as this past semester have been a grand adventure, I've really come to know how blessed I truly am, and I've been able to recognize the Lord's hand in my everyday life. :)  

Now it's time for finals week, BRING IT ON!

♡brookelle