Farewell

On Sunday I had my farewell.

I spoke in church about Temples and then everyone headed to my house for yummy food.

It was so wonderful to be surrounded by so many friends and family that traveled from near and far to be there. 

Sadly I didn't take any pictures but these are the few I have that friends sent to me. 

College Friends

(Cami, Kaylie, Ally, Me, Sophia, Melanie and Wil)

High School Friends
(Myrinda, Karli, Me, Rachel and Amanda)

Well this is goodbye...for now.

I leave tomorrow to serve the Lord for 18 months in Louisiana Baton Rouge. 

For updates on the mission and my address you can follow my new blog all about my mission.

You can find that blog HERE!

I wish you all the best of luck in life over the next 18 months!

Church History Tour

When I told my parents I wanted to serve a mission, my mom said she wanted to take me on a church history tour. We thought we'd rent a car a do it all by ourselves but we found a tour through Morris Murdock Travel and figured this would be much easier ...and it was!

Earlier this June my mom, sister and I all embarked on a 9 day church history tour throughout Palmyra, Niagara Falls, Kirtland, Independence, Far West and Nauvoo. It was such an amazing experience and I learned so much. It was inspiring to see the places that I have heard stories about my whole life. 

What a neat experience it was to spend my Sunday morning in the Sacred Grove. Since our tour group was the only ones there that early in the morning it was very quiet and peaceful. 

What made the tour even more interesting for me is that we followed the same chronological path that the saints did. We started in Palmyra and ended in Nauvoo then flew home to Salt Lake.

Our tour guide was incredible. His name is Joel Judd. He is such an inspiring man that is full of  knowledge and the spirit! 

***And for all my london friends... The Judd's went to Israel with The Seely's for a year! We had a long chat about how much we love the Seely's.***

For more pictures check out my Facebook Album!

I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to visit these places as preparation for my mission. The trip definitely strengthened my testimony! 

The church is TRUE!!!!

Called to Serve

Wednesday was probably the most exciting and emotional day of my life thus far. 

For starters, my sister-in-law gave birth to my new niece, Kinley Ann.

Then later that afternoon while studying in the library, my mom texted me to inform me that my mission call came.

I immediately started crying...... in the middle of the library.

I was so nervous and excited and scared and anxious and a whole lot of other emotions.

Wednesday felt like the longest day ever as I waited for 7:30 to come so I could open my call and see where I will be serving for 18 months.

My friends from Provo and my family from Sandy met at my sister's house in Lehi to hear me read my mission call.

"You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the  LOUISIANA BATON ROUGE MISSION. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months."

"You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, August 22, 2012. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the SPANISH LANGUAGE."

In the days leading up to receiving my call I had countless number of people ask me questions like "Where do you want to go?" "Where do you think you'll go?"

I really I had no idea nor did I care but I NEVER would have guessed Louisiana!!!!!

I am so excited though!!! I can't wait for August 22nd.

I should probably start learning Spanish though :)