Crowned Lily

January 12x12

2012-01-13T23:27:00.000-08:00

1. I drop David off at work every morning

2. The book I'm reading "Covenant Marriage" by Gary Chapman

3. I went and worked out at Gold's Gym

4. Gedde (The little boy I watch) eating lunch

5. My favorite tree in our backyard I love to watch it change through the year

6. The tower Gedde and I built

7. We ate at Jack in the Box for lunch

8. Gedde's froggie boots he was determined to wear

9. The house where I work

10. Mt Rainer.. My favorite thing about driving on 520

11. It was Thursday so I worked at the temple

12. Gedde loved to watch the things pop

We're Engaged!

2012-01-12T10:08:00.004-08:00

Yes it happened. I got engaged to J.D. Svedin!

It was quite the suprise when he asked.

All day on the 28th of december J.D. was acting weird (Have you ever noticed that most proposal starts start like tat and the girl still never figures out it's becasue he is proposing). We were going to meet my former companion, sister Kuttler (She just happened to be the one who J.D. was interested in on the mission). On the way down he makes a "phone call" to the person he was geting my ring from to see if we can stop by during the weekend to look at the other rings. We're about halfway down to provo when she calls and says we can't do what we were going to do cuz it's closed. So I invite her to come up to Jack's house for dinner. J.D. is mouthing "no to me." His excuse was that his sister and brother-in-law might be there and it would be awkward. But he agreed to have her come up to lehi. So We have dinner at Jackie's and Sister Kuttler left soon after telling me to let her know when J.D. proposes. So J.D. tells his sister and borther-inlaw to come over for games. They arrive and J.D. asks if he can give me my big christmas gift. I said sure. So he hands me a big box. It was pretty light and I kept commenting how I thought he said it was big. I open the box to find packaging paper. Jackie tells me I need to take it all out. I do and find it empty. That's when J.D. says "oh your present isn't in that box, its in this box." And he shows me a little ring box and gets down on one knee. I ask "What are you doing?" He then says "Stephanie, will you marry me?" I sat there for what seemed a long time not answering because I forgot I was supposed to say something. But I finally Said yes.

After we just had gotten engaged!

An engagement picture showing off the ring

And a close up of the ring

Merry Christmas ya'll...

2011-12-25T12:22:00.000-08:00

And ya'll a good night

Countdown to Christmas - 1 day Left

2011-12-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

December 24th is Sister Phillips birthday! Sister Fluckiger made us pancakes! We also got together as a zone and had a pinata party for the 3 missionaries whose birthdays were in December.

Happy Birthday Ariana Phillips!

Countdown to Christmas - 2 days left

2011-12-23T23:17:00.001-08:00

So Right before Christmas I got a new companion, Sister Kuttler

We went to a member's house on Christmas and saw all their new toys. I got caught up in trying to turn an action figure into the car! Dang it was hard! It was the second to hardest level. But I solved it!!

Countdown to Christmas - 3 days left

2011-12-22T14:43:00.000-08:00

During the Christmas season Sister Lucas and I learned how to solve the Rubik's cube! Some missionaries liked to use it to teach the Restoration and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Countdown to Christmas - 4 days left

2011-12-21T12:27:00.000-08:00

I don't remember if I used this in a blog but I thought it was fitting for Christmas anyway.

The manger at the Aycock's home

Anyone else concerned about Joseph?

Countdown to Christmas - 5 days left

2011-12-21T11:55:00.001-08:00

Sorry this is a day late, I was working on the bathroom floor all day and into the wee hours of the morning

We went to say goodbye to one of our favorite families cuz we were being transferred and they weren't home so we took a picture w/ their snowmen family!

Countdown to Christmas - 6 days left

2011-12-19T17:55:00.001-08:00

Right before Christmas I was transferred to the Heath Ward. So I spent Christmas with some kind members who were kind enough to have us over. Luckily my companion had been in the area and knew everyone. Quite the experience to spend Christmas with people you had never met before.. It was a blast! In fact one of the families that was there was sister Kuttler's first cousin.

They put on skits. Sister Kuttler and I were different elements - wind and snow

We had a competition to see who could find the items (It was like musical chairs where there was always one less each round) I saw an Item and jumped across the room to get it and was then given the name sister feisty :D

Countdown to Christmas - 7 days left!

2011-12-18T18:04:00.001-08:00

One week until Christmas! I am soo excited!

My last blog I mentioned that a member from the McKinney 3rd ward was performing at the McKinney first Christmas Party. Here is one of my favorite songs that they performed.

The Twelve days of Christmas - remix

Countdown to Christmas - 8 days left

2011-12-17T09:47:00.001-08:00

While we were in McKinney 2nd and 3rd the elders serving in McKinney 1st were emergency transferred. The assistants to the president called us and asked if we would cover McKinney 1st for 2 weeks. So we did and went to their Christmas party.

Santa told us he would give us good men next Christmas - he fulfilled his end of the bargain for me :D

A couple from McKinney 3rd were there to do a musical number w/ some friends. While we were waiting the husband drew Christmas pictures - an evil elf!

Countdown to Christmas - 9 days left

2011-12-17T00:38:00.001-08:00

So at this time of year last year we were helping the Elders work on some one's roof. It was a time for lunch and we told them we were going to make some lunch if they wanted to come over and have some. At the time we lived in a pool house. Outside our door was a hot tub (Which was covered w/ boards to keep it warm) and a pool. Since the elders couldn't come into our place we just ate outside at the picnic table. Sister Lucas and I go inside to grab something when I hear "Elder Clayton just fell in the hot tub!" I look out the window and sure enough there he is (the tall redhead on the far left) elder Clayton had walked across the boards, which could not support him and broke. The interesting thing is all the elders knew (except elder Clayton and his companion) knew that there was a hot tub under the boards and they just watched him start walking across.

So why are we all smiling in this photo - Elder Taylor just said "Hot tub!"

This was a picture of us at the Christmas specialized training

Countdown to Christmas - 10 Days Left

2011-12-15T13:34:00.003-08:00

The Tree decorating did not start in McKinney with Sister Lucas but in Mesquite with Sister Hokanson. We decorated Sister Agee's tree who 6 months later housed me and my companions and is still housing the sister missionaries. I love sister Agee! She was having a rough time and just needed enjoy her favorite holiday! Glad we were able to be the instruments in the Lord's hands to accomplish that. :D

Countdown to Christmas - 11 days left

2011-12-14T15:34:00.001-08:00

And another tree we decorated!

This time it was the Ross' since her two daughters were gone, we helped!

We enjoyed helping everyone with their trees especially the Ross' since they took such good care of us!

Countdown to Christmas - 12 days Left

2011-12-13T21:20:00.003-08:00

First I want to say Happy Birthday Lexus!!

And now I will continue about Christmas on the mission

Sister Jessica Lucas' mom sent us 12 days of Christmas. They were odd items and yet so fun! WE loved opening them together each night. Sadly We were separated for the last 5 or so :(

So Since the 12 days of Christmas start today for some, I figured I would share our 12 days of Christmas

All the presents!

Sister Lucas ready to open the gift!

Oh Yeah baby! Way Legit gifts!

Countdown to Christmas - 13 days Left

2011-12-12T12:09:00.001-08:00

I thought I would continue the burning stories. The last one was from my second Christmas this one is from my first one. My trainer Sister Hokanson hit her 18 month

YAY! We burned a hole in the almost impossible dress to burn

Stomping ... or I guess jumping out the fire

Luckily Stephanie Sanderson was there. She's a certified EMT

Countdown to Christmas -14 days

2011-12-11T21:55:00.001-08:00

So on the mission you burn certain things at certain points on your mission.

Elders burn a tie 6 months, a shirt at 1 year, pants at 18 months, and a suit at 2 yrs

Sisters burn nylons at 6 months, a shirt at 9 months, a skirt at 1yr, and a dress at 18 months

So we had a few elders who hit certain marks, but I only had photos from elder Solum's year mark

Burning the Shirt

We made s'mores! All the elders giving faces

Burn, baby burn!

Countdown to Christmas- 15 days left

2011-12-10T14:43:00.001-08:00

The Word spread and Jessica Lucas I decorated another Tree. This tree was our biggest one, 12 ft. We Decorated it for Sister Wolfe

Us in front of the tree

It was leaning so we were trying to get it to go all the way. Sister Lucas found it as a perfect opportunity to take a picture

Gingerbread house with the Kids

2011-12-09T12:11:00.001-08:00

A few weeks ago my mom and I picked up a gingerbread house kit from Costco. We thought it would be fun to do it with the kids. Andy-drew was very excited for it - during thanksgiving he found the box on top of the air hockey table and brought it downstairs (He can't even see over the top of the air hockey table)

Andy-drew Decorating the gingerbread house.. not sure what Izzy-belle is doing

Yay We did it!

"I love this tree!" - Andy-drew

"I love kisses!" - Andy-drew

And we finished it off with an Izze

"I love this drink!" - Andy-drew

Countdown to Christmas - 16 days left

2011-12-09T11:42:00.001-08:00

Sister Lucas and I helped decorate another member's house! Sister Adams! She was so much fun!

Jessica Lucas in front of her snowmen

The tree we decorated

Sister Adams and Jessica Lucas struggled to get Santa to sit on the chair

Making him meditate was the solution

Countdwon to Christmas - 17 days left

2011-12-08T13:26:00.001-08:00

As missionaries you talk to everyone about the message the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. So Sister Lucas and I made sure to talk to everyone

Santa was always willing to listen

Even Snoopy took a copy of The Book of Mormon

See, Santa would always lend a listening ear

His reindeer were just as willing to listen

Christmas Countdown - 18 days left

2011-12-07T08:30:00.000-08:00

We went over to Sister Ashton's for breakfast and a lesson with James and she gave us all Santa hats! Don't we look cute?!

Countdown to Christmas - 19 days left

2011-12-06T19:50:00.001-08:00

The Fluckigers gave us all P.J's for Christmas eve! It was so sweet of them! They spoiled us!

My set

G.P.S. in our new P.J's! Aren't we cute!

Countdown to Christmas - 20 Days Left

2011-12-05T20:42:00.001-08:00

Sister Ashton gave us Santa hats and to decorate our car we put it on the headrests of our back seats. My hat said HO HO HO - it reminded me of a good story from when I was younger and being silly with my siblings :D

The hats were to remain there until one of us left the area (it was supposed to be like that whole candle in the window thing). Well new year's passed, valentines came, and st Patrick's day was right around the corner so sister Ashton then gave us leprechaun hats and then Easter bunny ears and then flowers and then Sister Gross went home. So our car was decorated for the holidays anymore :(

Countdown to Christmas - 22 Days left

2011-12-03T09:00:00.000-08:00

Jessica Lucas and I were transferred right before Christmas and the Elders wanted to say goodbye.. So they made us breakfast!

Elder Solum was all decked out for the Holidays

They made us Pancakes!

Christmas Countdown- 21 Days Left!

2011-12-02T21:59:00.001-08:00

I only tried a thousand times to upload these photos so sorry it's a day late

Last year Jessica Lucas and I got to go to the Dallas Temple and hang out w/ Mary, Joesph, Baby Jesus and most of all the animals! Way awesome!

The Seattle Temple

2011-12-02T17:50:00.000-08:00

I just have to say how much I love the temple. Every Tuesday afternoon I attend the Seattle temple and do a session. On Thursday night I'm ordinance worker along with my dad, mom, and brother. The temple brings me such great joy! And Now when you ask Andy-drew and Izzy-belle the answer to every question they say "Sealed in the temple!"

The Seattle temple in the fall

The Seattle Temple in the Summer

hmm...

2011-12-01T17:27:00.000-08:00

My mom said "here is the sour cream." - Which container do you think she handed me?

If you guessed the sour cream container with the white lid, you would be wrong

If you guessed the sour cream with the black lid, you're still wrong

If you guessed the horseradish container DING DING DING! You are the winner!

The sour cream was not in any of the actual sour cream containers, go figure.

Countdown to Christmas 23 Days Left

2011-12-01T13:17:00.001-08:00

Jessica Lucas and I decorated many Trees! One of which was a recent convert's Brenda. She was puerto rican and proud of it. She was so much fun!

Brenda's Tree

Chocolate and Carmel - That's what they said the caption should be

Countdown to Christmas 24 days left

2011-12-01T10:22:00.001-08:00

So I decided to do go back to share a Little more of my mission by telling about my christmas' on the mission and perhaps I'll throw in a few Christmas stories from childhood.

The first Story is from McKinney

We helped a lot of people decorate for Christmas.One of which was Diane Lavery

My favorite part was the manger, Sister Lucas and I kept fighting over how it should be set up.. I won :D

Sarah Richardson's wedding

2011-11-09T09:46:00.000-08:00

Recently I was asked to do the flowers for Sara and Drew's wedding. I was so happy to! So I decided that doing their wedding (since it would be everything) would tell me if I like it enough to do a business... I do! So I am starting a floral business with Lynelle Spencer. It will be called simply stylish designs

Alexa's reception in WA

2011-11-09T09:41:00.001-08:00

So I only took pictures of the decor cuz I totally forgot to take any pics during the event.

Working on the chairs

What we were doing to each chair

Me at only the half point yay!

What we did for the tables, their were smaller electric candles under the organza

The bride's bouquet (the one w/ blue) and the bridesmaid's bouquets.

I thought these ones turned out a lot better than the rexburg ones

What the reception looked like. Notice the dropped ceiling w/ the lights. That is what my dad and I spent a good 5 hours doing. But ti turned out beautiful! Since Brandon is allergic to flowers we did candles as the centerpieces.

What I did with my leftover flowers. We put an arrangement on the guest table. Lynelle was kind enough to go out in the dark and cut me some salal for the arrangement.

Lynelle Spencer helped me a ton with the reception! I really appreciate all her help! We're thinking about going into business together. What do you think? Do think we have a knack for it?

My trip after the wedding!

2011-11-05T11:30:00.000-07:00

Ok so I know this is kind of cheating but I was going to do a post about Bear world but Jackie beat me to it and used my videos anyway so if you want to read about bear world check out her blog Here. It was very fun and if you're ever in ID by Rexburg check it out!

But after We stopped in at bear world and had dinner at a high class gas station - no joke their food was delicious! Best Gas station food I've ever had! We met JD at his house and went to a corn maze. Jackie is quite the expert at finding her way through a corn maze. After JD scared Jackie once the rest of the time turned into trying to scare each other. It was fun!

Jackie!

Jackie and Eric ready to enter the corn maze!

JD and Me ready to enter!

On Sunday I went to church with JD and oh man was it funny! Everyone kept checking my finger for a ring. Funniest moment would have to be during sacrament meeting though. JD's former Young Men's leader is now the ward clerk. JD had told him that he wanted him to meet me. So during sacrament he is walking around counting. We were sitting in the front row of the chair section. He walks by stops, looks and me and points. He gives a thumbs up and mouth's "nice!" Oh man it took all my energy to contain my laughter!

On Monday I made Mole and pao de queao (Brazilian Cheese Bread) at Jackie's for dinner. It was delicious! We Also went shooting before dinner. JD did very well shooting the pistol but I kicked his Butt in the rifle competition we had. Which was the official one to see who shot better.

Tuesday was fun too! JD took me to a high school marching band competition. It was amazing! It was so fun to watch! If you haven't seen one, GO! Our high schools never had a marching band while I was there.

JD and Me at the marching band competition

Davis High's marching band, they were awesome!

I flew back to WA on Wednesday right in time to work at the temple on Thursday and put together my sister's reception on Friday! Which looked beautiful! Watch for my next post!

Alexa's Wedding

2011-11-04T08:40:00.000-07:00

My baby Sister got married Oct 15, 2011 in the rexburg temple. I thought you would enjoy a few pictures!

Andrew w/ his GQ pose!

Aren't they just adorable!

Eric feeling pretty!

The Classic ring photo

Andrew tickling Eric

Jessica Lucas (My former companion) and her friend Allison were in rexburg and stopped in to say hi!

Alexa and the bridesmaids!

What a beautiful Bride!

Jackie also makes a very beautiful bridesmaid.... well Jackie is just beautiful all the time!

The four Kids! Kerstin said "looks about right for the springgay, all the girls doing the heavy lifting!

The 3 Springgay girls except Alexa and Jackie have different last names now. But deep down their still a springgay :D

The beautiful bride in front of the Rexburg, ID temple

Our classic pose!

My dad had fun taking these pictures!

Congrats Alexa! I love you

I did attend a session at the Rexburg, ID temple making my count 17 temples!

2011-10-28T23:29:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Mommy!

You mean so much to mean and I am grateful that I got to be your daughter. You taught me to do the right things, you taught me the gospel and helped build my faith in God!

I love you!

Cake Truffles

2011-10-11T19:22:00.000-07:00

So Dad and I made Cake Truffles or Cake balls or Cake Pops whatever you would like to call them. Basically you make a cake, smash it up, mix frosting into it, roll into balls, and dip in chocolate.

We did some cool designs!

Mole (pronouced Mo-lay)

2011-10-10T09:37:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite dishes from the mission is Mole. It sounds disgusting but it is delicious! It's a Chocolate/Peanut butter sauce on meat. So good! I like it on Pork the best. Shortly after I came home I made it for my family and Izzy-belle liked it alot ... especially the tortilla

This is what it looks like, disgusting I know but soo good! Mix some Mexican sour cream, refired beans, and rice, then scoop it up w/ a tortilla and it's to die for!

The Seattle Underground

2011-10-09T23:20:00.000-07:00

Shortly after I came home Awbrey and Chris Pepple invited me to see the Seattle underground. Basically it explains how Seattle was a city built upon a city, built upon a city, built upon a city .... It's a really cool tour. Most locals know about it but have never seen. There were about 8 locals on the tour (we were 3 of them) and about 60 out of towners. If you visit Seattle though you have to check it out, it's interesting.

Andrew and MJ being Sharks. I May or may not have started it :D

You get to see things like this, it used to be the store but Seattle slowly sunk so they had to build on top of it so people could enter it

A door to some store- it's been awhile so now I don't remember why I took the picture HA HA

Awbrey and MJ petting the Police Horse

It was way fun! Thanks Awbs and Chris!

Tracting

2011-10-08T22:54:00.000-07:00

While we tracted we would find interesting things, people to talk to, things to talk to, make funny comments. Basically we would do anything to make tracting fun!

Santa is a great listener!

We would even find places to workout

Find Fountains completely frozen- yes it gets that cold in Texas

Fun Signs!

Speciality Cars

Some more awesome signs

You saw Texas pride everywhere!

The reindeer also make great listeners

It's a stuffed animal... why.. I have no idea! They didn't answer their door so i couldn't ask

MY INITIALS! And it even has my favorite number twice! 7!

We knocked on every door! Even if it was just a pop machine w/ an address

Need I say more

And I meant every door. This garage had a different address from the house so I figured someone lived there :D

Not sure exactly what it is, Kuttler really wanted to find out. I think it was a light

I need this sign!

There were many more interesting things we found while tracting and even more interesting people. One man claimed to be Neil Armstrong - the guy who walked on the moon. We had preachers Rip us apart and even a few proposals of marriage. I'm up to 11 proposals, I'll except number 15. :D

Alexa's Bridal Shower

2011-10-07T14:59:00.000-07:00

My baby sister gets married in a little over a week and about a week ago she came up for her bridal shower. It was quite enjoyable especially when everyone kept teasing me saying that I was going to have one soon. And just to clarify I'm not JD and I aren't there yet

Alexa Opening Gifts

Micheal is really enjoying the party... such a typical guy

Enjoying each other's company and food!

More enjoyment!

I guess the photographer needed a photo as well

How cute is my niece Izzy-belle?! I love her!

Congratulations Alexa! I love you!!

Sewing Project

2011-10-06T14:34:00.001-07:00

So I saw this adorable fabric at JoAnn's and I thought that would make a cute apron. So I went to my handy dandy sewing project book from costco (Thanks for the tip Nat, it only took me about 3 years to finally do a project in it!)

On one side it's pink and on the other ...

It's Polka Dot!

Dad Even enjoyed it!

Temple Tour

2011-09-13T13:00:00.000-07:00

Since my mom and I love the temple my goal is to attend 30 different temples by the time I'm 30.

Currently I am at 16

1. Seattle, WA

2. Manti, UT

3. Salt Lake City, UT

4. Columbia River, WA

5. Twin Falls, ID

6. Idaho Falls, ID

7. Bountiful, UT

8. Draper, UT

9. Oquirrh Mountain, UT

10, Mt,. Timpanogus, UT

11. Vancouver, BC, Canada

12. Dallas, TX

13. Jordan River, UT

14. Provo, UT

15. Vernal, UT

16. Logan, UT

Now these temples have been over the past 2 years. This past UT trip My mom and I attended 9 temple in 6 days. But I am starting the pictures with the Vancouver, BC, Canada Temple. We went up and met my wannabe companion at the temple and then heard her give her homecoming talk. The pictures of temples I attended before my mission are sadly lost. I lost my camera before my mission and w/ it my memory card that was in it.

Sister Davy and I in front of the Vancouver Temple

Our first stop down to UT, The Columbia River, WA temple

We stopped by and took a pic of Bosie... It's closed for the next 2 years for renovations

The Twin Falls, ID temple

Sister Lucas attended the Idaho Falls temple with us!

We stopped by the Rexberg, ID temple which was closed for summer cleaning

The Logan, UT temple

The Brigham City temple - It's under construction

The Ogden, UT temple... it's being dismantled

And we think this is the new one... That's our best guess

The Salt Lake City Temple

Of course the classic picture!

Vernal, UT

The Monut Timpanogus Temple

Jackie and Eric came with us to the Mount Timp.. aren't they such a cute couple

Jordan River, UT

J.D. Svedin and his mom attended a session with my mom and me at the bountiful temple. J.D. is one of the elders I served with

My Mom, J.D., and Kathy (J.D.'s mom) in front of the Bountiful Temple

When Sister Lucas came up for labor day we went to a session at the Seattle Temple

I love the temple! The spirit you feel there is not of this world. I always walk away at peace. I feel uplifted and loved. I am so grateful the Lord has allowed me to Join the Springgay Thursday Night shift at the Seattle temple.

Todd Johnson

2011-09-12T10:23:00.002-07:00

Today is great day to post this becasue exactly a year ago yesterday the missionaries tracted into Todd Johnson and he lived in Apt # 911.

I came into the area on the 3rd Lesson.

Alexa was a less-active member. They were expecting a new little baby and Todd was thinking about religion a lot. He asked Alexa what she was and she told him Mormon but not really since she hadn't been for years. So he looked it up online at mormon.org. He requested missionaries. Sister Lucas and Sister Ishi went tracting and thought it would be fun to knock on 911 on 9-11. Ttodd answered and invited them back. He thougght they came in response to his request. I came into the area and Sister Lucas and I continued to teach him. About a week before his baptism we received a text referral for Todd Johnson.

They got married!

And then Tod was baptized.

We met with Todd after his baptism and he just soaked everything up. They are working towards the temple. And todd wants his children from a previous relationship to be raised in the church. they are an amzing couple!

I know, I know..

2011-09-09T22:10:00.000-07:00

I know I've been horrible about doing posts. But do people still want to hear mission things or what's going on now or both. Let me know.

Also I'm thinking of starting a floral design business on the side. Any good names?

I Found my Friend

2011-07-27T14:57:00.001-07:00

Jorge (pronounced George) Ziesk was one of my most spiritual experiences on my mission.

I had met Jorge at the beginning of mission. He attended church with his friend. 5 months later we get a call from the spanish elders (they did the spanish work in the area) who tell us that we need to teach Jorge. It took us awhile to finally get a hold of him but when we finally did we taught him and saw him baptized soon after. On the day of his baptism we met with the bishop. The bishop was explaining the Holy Ghost to Jorge. He made the comment that the holy Ghost knew that sister Gross and I would teach Jorge. Jorge then says "Yeah, I felt like I knew them when I met them." That is when sister Gross and I felt impressed to the story entitled "The testimony of a Missionary."

"The following event took place in a ward in Salt Lake City in 1974. It occurred during a sacrament meeting and was told to me by a Regional Representative of the Twelve who was in the meeting. A young man, just before leaving on his mission stood in sacrament meeting and bore in essence the following testimony:

Brothers and Sisters, as you know, the past two weeks I've been waiting for my mission call. During the time I was waiting I had a dream. I knew it was not an ordinary dream. I dreamed I was in the pre-existence and awaiting my call to come to earth. I was filled with the same anticipation and excitement that I had before I received my mission call. In my dream I was talking to a friend, and I felt a special closeness to him, even though I've never met him in this life. As we talked a messenger came and gave me a letter. I knew it was my call to go to earth. In great excitement my friend and I opened the letter. I gave it to him and asked him to read it aloud. It said: "You've been called to earth in a special time and to a special land. You will be born to the true church and you will have the priesthood of God in your home. You will born into a land of plenty, in a land of freedom. You will go to earth in the United States of America."

My friend and I rejoiced as we read my call, and while we were rejoicing the messenger returned. This time he had a letter for my friend. We knew it was his call to earth. My friend gave me the letter to read aloud. His letter said: "You've been called to go to the earth in circumstances of poverty and strife. You will not be raised in the true church. Many hardships will attend your life. Your land will be fraught with political and social difficulties - which will hinder the work of the Lord. You will be born in Costa Rica."

We wept, my friend and I, as we read his call. And my friend looked at me with tears in his eyes, and said, "When we are down on earth, you in your choice land and me in Costa Rica, my friend, please come and find me."

The this young missionary, with tears in his eyes, said, "Brothers and Sisters, I have received my mission call. I am going to Costa Rica."

There is a sequel to the story. About a year after the sacrament meeting, the bishop received a letter from the missionary in Costa Rica. The letter had one sheet of paper in it and on that sheet written in capital letters were four words:

I FOUND MY FRIEND AS I read the story to him I felt impressed that we experienced a very similar experience. That I would be born into a family where the gospel was taught, I would have the Priesthood and wonderful parents. Jorge on the other hand would be born into a broken family, would not have the gospel or the priesthood. I then promised to find my friend. Jorge was then baptized by his friend who brought him that first sunday to church.

Cindee Scott

2011-07-11T15:36:00.000-07:00

We went to stop by a less active and they weren't home. So as we were walking back to our car I looked down the street and said "why don't we just tract here?" We had scheduled tracting for later that but we had some time before lunch. So we started tracting. We came to one door. A lady in her PJ's answered and we told her who we were and asked if she would like to learn more. She said she would love to but right now wasn't a good time. So we scheduled for Friday morning. Typically people who schedule appointments while tracting tend to not to be there for the appointment. Cindee was not one of those. We showed up Friday morning and she invited us in. She told us she was surprised that she even answered the door. Typically she's upstairs and you can't hear the doorbell or knocking. But she happened to be downstairs at that time. She had worked with many members of the church and had a great respect for them. She knew nothing of the doctrine but she knew the people. For the past 6 months she was hoping missionaries or someone from the church would get in contact with her. We met her on Tuesday, Taught her on Friday, and she came to church on Sunday! On Cindee’s third Sunday we had a new investigator at church and we introduced Cindee to our new investigator, Linda. Cindee told Linda that she would absolutely love this church! It was amazing

She was the perfect investigator. She was taught by the spirit. We merely showed up and were instruments in the Lord's Hands.

I am so grateful we listened to the spirit that day. I am so grateful and humbled that the Lord would use us as the instruments in His hands to give Cindee the gospel.

She just needs to be married and then she'll be baptized.

Cindee was truly one of the many miracles I saw. This was a miracle that happened the week after we met w/ Leandra!

“Wonders of Wonders, Miracles of MiraclesI”

Leandra Womack

2011-06-27T16:47:00.000-07:00

So the whole “let’s post everyday" really isn't working. So perhaps I should aim for once a week. But also nobody commented about the things they want to know about my mission, so please let me know, it makes it so much easier! But I figured I would start heading in the direction of telling the stories of the people I love!

I want to start with one of the more recent people I had the opportunity to learn from.

Leandra Womack

Leandra Womack was a less active member on our ward list. Her family was active long enough that she was baptized. When she was 17 she wanted to return to church. So she did. She went through the temple, was called as a seminary teacher and then a tragedy happened in her life and she stopped attending regularly. She was married in that time to Marshall. The man who reminded her of the great love of God.

One night our appointment fell through and Leandra's name came to our minds. Leandra is a shy person and doesn't answer the door unless she knows you're coming. It happened that night we stopped by her husband was home and she was sick. So he answered the door. Leandra came and was excited that we were there but sad she was sick at the time. So we gave her our number and she told us to call in two weeks. A week later she called us asking when church was. We called her back, schedule a time to see he that week and told her when church was. We met with her and when she bore her testimony of the savior it was as if a prophet or an apostle was bearing their testimony. Her testimony taught me that you don't need to be a prophet to have the spirit bear witness powerfully of the truth. She also gave me a greater understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We loved taking her teaching with us. My last Sunday was the great blessing of seeing her being able to take the sacrament again. Leandra is someone I will forever love, cherish, and remember Leandra for the effect she had on my testimony.

My Areas

2011-06-06T11:03:00.000-07:00

There were a few comments from people saying I did not recognize them as my companion. Well there were several people such as Marci, Mom, Jackie, Alexa, Dad, Sarah Davy, etc. that were my companion at some point of my mission for some allotted time. And I thank you all for helping me keep the rules! I love you all!

So onto my next post

The areas I served.

This is a map of the whole mission. As you can see I pretty much stayed around the same area.

An area in the Texas Dallas Mission was typically a ward for English missionaries. Sometimes you covered 2 or 3 (we covered McKinney 2nd, 3rd, and 1st for 2 weeks. The elders were taken out 2 weeks prior to transfers so we covered it for the time being). Wards would sometimes cover multiple cites. Some wards were huge and others were small.

Mesquite/D5: 11 1/2 months

We covered parts of 6 cities; Mesquite, Dallas, Sunnyvale, Garland, Balch Springs, and Seagoville

The Church Building in Mesquite. People loved my directions to this building. Down the road from the church was another church called Church on the Hill. So I would tell the people that they were going to see a church called Church on the hill, that's not us keep driving and you'll see our church about halfway down. They always laughed.

The First Place I lived on my Mission, the Fluckigers. They lived on the northern edge of our area in Sunnyvale.

While in Mesquite we moved in with Sister Agee. Some Goods times... Zumba!... Need I say more?

McKinney 2nd/3rd: 3 months

We only covered a small part of McKinney

Our place in McKinney. We Lived in the Ragsdale's pool house. It was nice! We each had our own bathroom! Good Times in that house. And yes that fence is around a tennis court. We played a few times for morning exercise and to wake ourselves up during lunch.

Heath: 4 1/2 months

We covered parts of 5 cities; Heath, Rockwall, Fate, Forney, and Royse City

The Building in Heath...It was built to be a stake center for when the stake splits so we got to use the high council room for mettings. My favorite meeting was our discussion about the Bishops concern our youth weren't going to sunday school. It then came out that our Youth were hiding in the basement of the church. Some kids struggle w/ drugs and morality issues... ours skipping sunday school to go to the basement. HA HA HA

I didn't take a picture of the front of the White's house. Bro. White was our Ward Mission Leader. That was awesome we would come home and update him on everything we did! It was Sweet. Anywho that was my bed.

Mission Companions

2011-06-01T16:35:00.000-07:00

I've decided that I'm going to try each day to post a blog about my mission. So comment and let me know what you want to know. I thought I would first start with the people who were beside me 24/7 for a part of my mission, my companions!

Sister Wilcox from Nevada/Utah

Companions in the MTC for 3 weeks

She served 18 months in Wisconsin

My favorite thing about Sister Wilcox was her awkward tent/Canoe/turtle whenever there was an awkward situation. She came on a mission at 28. She was told no at 21 and went on with her life. At 28 she felt she was headed nowhere. She had a good job, but it wasn't what she wanted to do. One day she felt impressed to go to the temple. She went and within 10 feet of the door she heard a voice say "go on a mission." She followed the prompting and Oct 7, 2009 we started our missions together.

Sister Hokanson from Nebraska

My Trainer

We served 6 weeks in Mesquite together

My favorite thing about sister Hokanson was her over dramatization of everything!

She always knew she wanted to go on a mission and kept asking until the Lord said yes.

Sister Phillips from Utah and Sister Gross from Idaho

"GPS"

We served 6 weeks together in Mesquite

My favorite thing about Sister Phillips were her facial expressions.

The Lord told her to come on a mission and she went.

Sister Gross from Idaho

We stayed companions for another 18 weeks making a total of 6 months together in Mesquite

She was my longest companion

My favorite thing about Sister Gross are her made up words ex: Flustrated

She never thought she would go on a mission until it was said in one of her blessings and never mentioned again. Her decision was confirmed by the spirit and she went.

Sister Carpenter from Utah

"My Daughter"

I trained her for 4 1/2 months in Mesquite

My favorite thing about Sister Carpenter was her funny noises ex: gulping

She was working in the MTC and kept thinking she wouldn't want to go do that. The spirit told her otherwise.

Sister Lucas from Idaho

She was my "sister" - trained by Sister Hokanson right before I came in

We served in McKinney for 3 months

My favorite thing about Sister Lucas was her silliness. She always made things funny

Sister Lucas thought she wouldn't go on a mission. Then she and her ex-boyfriend worked towards a mission together.

Sister Kuttler from Utah

My last companion in the mission field

We served 4 1/2 in Heath

My favorite thing about sister Kuttler was her love of sweets. Believe it or not, the twig loved to eat sugar.

She came on a mission against her will. She was told by the spirit to go and every single step of the way kept saying I can still back out. But she came even with her dad and brothers telling her not to. Her younger brother is currently serving a mission at the same time; they'll get home within a month of each other.

Being around someone 24/7 took some getting used to but I did. In fact I still freak out to go places alone or if I am in the store with someone and I need to go check something out down another isle I feel as if I need to drag them along with me.

A Returned Missionary

2011-05-06T21:48:00.004-07:00

I have honorably returned home from serving the lord in the Texas Dallas Mission. It was truly an incredible experience that I cannot put in words. I will be trying my hardest when I give my homecoming talk on Sunday 29 may and then at the open house later that evening.

I love you all!

Me and my Mission

2011-01-29T13:19:00.003-08:00

Written for and behalf of Stephanie,
I have been having a wonderful time of my mission. Some say it is too much fun. I have now served in Mesquite, McKinney, Forney/Rockwall, all basically to the east of Dallas. Many people I have taught have now been baptized or re-activated. My companions have been great, several of them have already left. I have also trained a few. The summer was HOT, very hot! But I am not sure if their winters here are any warmer than Western Washington. My term here is about over and I will miss all of the people but time moves on and I will be entering another glorious phase life. The Gospel is true and I love being a Missionary!

Farewell!

2009-10-01T13:02:00.003-07:00

Today Andrew and I will pick up Marci tomorrow Jackie and Eric fly in and then David and Kerstin, Lynda and Brett, Jackie and Eric, Mom and Dad, and Marci and me are all going to Wicked at the paramount In Seattle! I'm SO excited! I have heard great reviews!

Then it's General Conference on Sat and Sun!

Then Marci and I fly out Monday afternoon!

Last I report to the MTC on October 7 at 1:30!

I can hardly wait but there is still so much i have to do! Like Pack, finish getting my scriptures ready, finish last minute shopping, and pack up the stuff that will be mailed to me once I reach Dallas!

While I'm gone my family will post letters on my blog so if you wanted to stay updated just read my blog unless you want your own personal update write me at

Sister Stephanie Springgay

Texas Dallas Mission

Provo Missionary Training Center*

2005 N 900 E Provo, UT 84604

*I won't know my P.O box until I arrive so check back and hopefully it'll get posted

Sister Stephanie Springgay

Texas Dallas Mission

13747 Montfort Dr Ste 120

Dallas, TX 75240-4454

Since my address will change continually send letters and packages to the mission office (address above). If you send a package make sure you send it via USPS so they can forward it to me otherwise it will just sit in the mission office until some one can deliver it and if you want a package to get there by a certain time like Christmas send it 4 to 6 weeks in advance

I won't know my mission e-mail until I report so I'll have my mom or marci post it. You can e-mail me but I'll only be able to respond to immediate family members through e-mail. So you may be family (Marci, Lynda, and Brett) but I can't respond. I also only have a very little time to check e-mail so letters are the easiest .

If you would like to be on the e-mail list post your e-mail address in the comments and my mom will forward you my letters

I look forward to hearing from you! Just know that if you want a letter from me you'll have to send me one first :)

Love you all!

See you in 18 months!

Happy birthday to me!

2009-09-11T10:35:00.004-07:00

Today i turned 21 at 12:21 am! How funny is that!
So today, I'm renewing my lincese and then going to Las Magaritas for dinner! Some time today my dad wants my help putting his ham radio in.

Today is also 8 years after the twin tower terrorist attack. Today is when i listen to "Where were you" by alan Jackson. He wrote the night after the attack.It's a very powerful song about the attack. If you have never heard it I suggest you loisten to it today!

I want to take some time to honor those men and women who died that day. The men and women who risked their lives to save others, and the men and women who lived!

"For the Truth I would Die"

2009-07-25T21:07:00.007-07:00

My second favorite location of the trip was Carthage Jail, where President Joseph Smith and Patriarch Hyrum Smith were killed the the truth they would not deny.

Joseph and Hyrum headed to carthage

(This is the Statue in front of the Temple)

The first sight of Carthage

The window that Joseph Smith was shot out of

the Original door, the big bullet hole is where Hyrum had his cheekd pressed and a bullet shot through hitting his cheekbone almost instantly killing him, I say almost because before he hit the floor he cried out "I'm a dead man!"

The window that Joseph Smith ran to, the theroy being he was trying to draw the mob's attention to him.

The Stairs that the Mob - most likely only 3 members of the mob - ran up

The desk where Joseph Smith wrote his last letter.

Tis is the jail cell that John taylor was dragged to and hidden below the matress

Hyrum and Joseph Smith, Simple men but Great men.

Alexa and Me! Same pose, the older sibling behind the younger, supported them in their life

Dad and Alexa

Dad and his favorite Brown Eyed Daughter

Andy-drew and Aunt Stephanie

These placks had scriptures retelling the life of Joseph Smith

The Nauvoo Temple

2009-07-01T12:18:00.013-07:00

*Note make sure you see the blog "Typical Nauvoo" a draft was saved prior to my mission call post but it was posted after.

The Nauvoo temple was my favorite place from our trip! It was beautiful both architectchually and spiritually. Alexa and I had the opportunity to do baptisms while everyone else was able to do a session. Our temple day was the only day of touring that it rained. It rained during our drive to nauvoo. So awesome planning except for Alexa, Andrew, and I (read Typical Nauvoo for story). I felt bad for the 2 weddings that were happening that day.

The temple is probably what I have the most pictures of. Anywhere you went in Nauvoo you could see. We kept joking about if we had that angle or we still need to get that angle. We would also constantly yell "STOP THE CAR!" so we could take a picture of the beautiful building! I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I loved taking them.

The beautiful stars on the temple. My dad couldn't decide if the center of the star was red or blue. During the day it was dark could have been confused for blue.

Our first view of the Temple!

The shot everyone was telling me to take a picture at once!

Sunset after Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo

The temple reflected in the granite from the Hyrum and Joseph Statue

The backside of the temple at sunset

Joseph and Hyrum on their way to Carthage

The temple reflected in the water from the rainstorm the day before

I saw this shot and said "STOP I NEED A PICTURE!"

The sunset reflected in the Temple Window

Joseph and Hyrum on their Horses headed to Carthage

This was one of my zoomed shots from the other side of nauvoo. I wasn't kidding everywhere you were in nauvoo, you could see the temple, It was absolutely beautiful!

My Call!

2009-06-25T16:46:00.002-07:00

I got call my today!

And I've been called to the Texas Dallas Mission. I report to the MTC on October 7, 2009. I will be the fourth missionary from my ward serving in texas. It totally reminds me of when everyone was going to chile.

I am very excited and honored to serve the Lord!

Typical Nauvoo

2009-06-21T15:46:00.008-07:00

Back to blogging about our trip.
Since I have a ton of pictures I figured I would just show a few photos of typical nauvoo. I'll still do some detailed posts about certain places I really loved or thought were interesting.
A 4 o'clock stove. They wouldn't burn in these stoves instead they would put coals from the fireplace, most likely downstairs, at 4 o'clock so it would keep the room warm for the night.

The wonderful Missionary Tour guides! hey had to know everything about everything becasue you would have to switch places almost everyday! Mom loved to stump them. A lot of the time they would tell her that she needed to come serve a mission in Nauvoo!

A typical kitchen. This particular one is from Heber C. Kimball's Home.

The top floor of the cultural hall floor is the original floor, Can you imagine Joesph and Emma dancing on the floor!

A old fashion toilet seat in Wilford Woodruff's house, it was next to one of his 8 fireplaces!

Blue signs explainging what everything was

Brick Buildings

Log Cabins, which are small. I couldn't imagine growing up there with our family of 6. In today's world it would house one person maybe a couple. TINY! And this is what people lived in most of the time they were in Nauvoo. Most people only lived in their brick home for about 6-8 months!

Me holding Andrew as he sucks water from my water pack, he prefered that instead of his sipping cup as you can see. You can also see that we were bundled up and wet. When everyone went to do sessions in the temple, after baptisims that morning, Alexa, Andrew, and I went to do a walking tour of Nauvoo. Well it happened that there was a thunder and lightening storm that day, so we got soaked but covered a lot of ground since we were practicially the only ones touring. Luckily the center of Nauvoo is close together, but we would still get soaked in between houses.

I loved this! It followed the trail out of nauvoo and had quotes from different people like the picture below. It reads " Unless the people are more united in spirit and cease to pray against counsel, it will bring me down to my grave. I am reduced in flesh so that my coat that would scarcely meet around me last winter now laps over twelve inches. It is with much ado that I can keep from lying down and sleeping to wait the resurrection." - Brigham Young

I loved that, sometimes I wish I could just sleep until the resurrection bt alas we have work to do.

See, Andrew sitting on my lap drinking from my water pack, ALL THE TIME!

"I hope they call me on a Mission!"

2009-06-10T23:13:00.002-07:00

So as some of you know, I have been working on my mission papers. They are now complete and can be submitted tomorrow! It really hit me today that I'm going on a mission!

So here comes the far part, where you get to guess where I'm going. You get one foreign and one Stateside. And if you're really ambitious like my SFF you can guess everyday. One rule, No copycats, so once someone guesses a place, it's no longer up for grabs. Have fun!

Happy SFF day!

2009-06-09T22:29:00.004-07:00

Happy SFF day. Marci Krumperman is my Steller friend forever. I've known her since she was born ;)

She's a caring, loving person
She makes me laugh

And she is someone you can goof off with
I love you Marci! Happy SFF day!

Happy BFF day!

2009-06-08T12:25:00.002-07:00

So apprently June 8th is BFF Day, Who knew? I didn't know until I was reading one of my friend's blogs and she found out from the radio. So I want give a shout out to all my BFF's Jackie, Lexus, Elise, Sarafrances, Lauren, and Kylee.

Now I know there is someone who is reading this saying hey what about me?! And I can't give her a shout out on BFF day cuz we're SFF's. So tomorrow will be SFF day! for those of you who have no idea what SFF is, it's Stellar Friend's forever! So I've decided that tomorrow will be SFF day! Let everyone know that tomorrow is Steller Friend's Forver day! :)

Eyes Westward

2009-06-08T08:00:00.007-07:00

So after our wagon ride around Old Nauvoo, We stopped by Ducks - similar to smiths just smaller, WAY smaller- and got pulled pork and pulled beef, some rolls and made sandwiches (Btw don't leave your backpack by daivd/Kerstin, they think you want the left over barbeque sauce) We then headed to the pioneer memorial and ate lunch and then enjoyed looking at the mississippi river and enjoying the reverence of the memorial.

The Pioneer Memorial
There was all the names of the known people who died on the trail. Across the top it said "Upon these walls are the names of those who died before their Journey's end. In addition to these, others died who are lost from our records but are remembered unto the Savior."

"Eyes Westward"

Brigham and Joseph mapping the way to the Great Salt Lake Valley

The mao said "Great Basin and Route to the Rockies"

Starting the Tour of Nauvoo!

2009-06-02T23:02:00.004-07:00

So now we start on Nauvoo. Where we spent most of our time. I loved Nauvoo! It was restored like none other. It was amazing how much they were able to resote! Williamsberg is nothing compared to this! It's a whole town! Not just a street. Not only was it beautifully restored but the spirit there was strong and sweet.

We went on a wagon ride, they take you around historic navuoo and point out everything so you can pick out where you want to visit. It was a fun ride, Andy-drew couldn't decide if he wanted his parents or aunt stephanie though..

One of the original sunstones. It's on loan to the church, sadly the church does not own a single orignally sunstone, they just made a bunch of new ones :) I like that you can see "the japanese" fighting over the shot.

We went on an oxen ride, this was how big the wagon was back when they were in use. Infact this one is a foot and a half to long. It was tiny! The 6 of us barely fit in it. There was only room for one bench on one side and then leg room.

Me petting the Oxen. They really like boxen ;) You have to grab them by the horn firmly and then you can pet them. They weighed around 2000 lbs I believe, and these were the small ones, they weren't full gorwn. People prefered oxen to horses cuz they can eat a greater variety of grass, they were stronger, if they went lame they tasted better, they weren't as skittish, and a few other things. My mom said that her dad always said if you have the choice to eat either horse or mule, go with the mule. Horse is just tough.
These are the bigger oxen

Lexus in the wagon, you can kind of see how small it is, photos really don't do it justice.

The rides were a lot of fun! And you got to learn a lot! Luckily I wasn't in school or I may not have retained the little bit I did!

Summer!

2009-06-01T15:38:00.003-07:00

Ok so I'm interrupting the vacation blog to insert a quick sipnet about what's currently going on.

It has been Sunny for the past 3 weeks! We had to turn on the sprinkler system which never gets done until the end of june. And it was may when we turned it on! We emptied the pool and cleaned it, and get this We're opening it today! We never open it this early in the summer season. Sometimes we would try to for Jackie's birthday but it was still pretty cold. On sat, after we burned EVERYTHING (which makes my mom soooo happy to finally clear out A LOT of wood and debri) we checked the pool temp and it was 80! About the temp of a lap pool. We were thinking of swimming but we couldn't leave the HOT HOT HOT fire as Andy-drew kept telling us in sign (yes jackie he knows sign).

Apparently the summer is supoosed to be dry and hot and everyone is excited! We'll have to wait and see, but it may not rain on the 4th of July! How exciting would that be! We actually had seasons this year!

Hope everyone is enjoying the vacation blogs and excited for a nice summer!

Adam-ondi-ahman

2009-05-29T11:23:00.007-07:00

So after farwest we headed off to Adam-ondi-Ahman where "Adam will come visit his people" - D&C 116. All there is there are cows, grass, trees, and a wonderful spirit.

An Awesome view of the sunset.

One of the open gree fields.

A model shot of Lexus. Isn't she gorgeous!

My mom said "Are those trees supposed to represnet the first presidency?"

There was this statue that looked remarkably like alexa! It was crazy!

The turtle we almost ran over. Poor guy was missing his back right leg.

Dad saving the turtle so he doesn't get run over

Adam-ondi-ahman

Farwest

2009-05-28T11:03:00.004-07:00

Well before we went to farwest we stopped by walmart, got lunch and dessert. Andrew didn't figure out that you had to eat the ice cream before you eat the cone.

On the way to farwest. I swear those two get more sleep than newborn infants.

So we went to farwest to see where the cornorstones of the temple were laid but the temple never built. I learned a very interesting thing there. The first thing that occurred at farwest was to excommunicate Issac Russell, my great-great-great-great grandfater. He was excommunicated for a misunderstanding or something like that, i don't know all the details. But the funny thing was is that his family stayed active. The russells became a lengend. The one family who stayed active with an apostate. If they didn't stay active, who knows what would have happened. He was my mom's dad's great-great grandfather.

A momument there with different scriptures , quotes, and prophecies about farwest.

Each conorstone was covered in glass and then had a plack by it saying what it represented. This one was for the first presidency

The Twelve

The Lesser Priesthood

The High Priesthood

Farwest

One of the conorstones, it was the wrong time of day to get a picture of limestone in a glass case

Our new friend, a cat. He was very friendly he just followed us around, climbed on us and wanted love and attention. We think he was just a cat from one of the many farms.

Andrew would just walk through the fence. He loved it!

Visitor Center Part II

2009-05-28T10:46:00.002-07:00

This was another tour, but we did a self tour of it. It was about Prophets.

"Hail to the prophet who communed with Jehovah, Jesus annointed that Prophet and Seer..."
I loved this, they had a ton of different copies of The Book of Mormon in different Languages. Alexa would open up the scripture masteries in a non-english copy and "translate it"

An original copy of The Book of Mormon

"We thank thee oh God for a Prophet.."

The LDS Vistitor Center

2009-05-28T10:12:00.004-07:00

I have to say I liked the LDS visitor's center the best (btw the fourth cornor belongs to the Community of Christ's auditorium).

The front of the visitor center
You saw this when you walked in. It was awesome!

The model cabin they had in the downstairs of the center - we went on the historical tour

Andrew found a stool his size

Mom and alexa were very interested in the audio tape - btw jackie look who also has a camel pack

I really liked that at all the visitor centers then had Christ's statue and then Joesph. It always made me think of "No man has done more for the salvation of men save Jesus Christ.." (Sorry If it's not 100% accurate)

A printing press, this was a representation (most of the furniture in there was authentic) of the one that was burned and the girls saved the revealations.

They had a little kid area, Andrew Loved the wagon

The Church of the Temple Lot

2009-05-28T09:54:00.002-07:00

Now we have the Church of the Temple Lot. They believe that the lot they have is where the temple will be built.

The sign explaining about the lot
This is the sign in front of a huge field

That's the huge field.

Another shot of the Huge field.

The Community of Christ

2009-05-23T20:46:00.001-07:00

We went to independence to see the temple lot, where everyone has a claim to it. Everyone being the Community of Christ, The Church of Christ of the Temple Lot, and then the Church og Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I'll do a blog for each church. First is the Community of Christ, previously known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

This is their temple, It's supposed to be a seashell calling out to the world

I'm in australia! Just Kidding, there was a huge world map made out of pavers right in front of their temple.

They have this to represent that you are walking in the shadow of His cross.

They have this fountain to represnet the living water, above it is the scripture "whoever drinks of the water that I shall give will never thirst"

This stain glass window is to represent that the field is white already to harvest. The tour guide told us that someone said they should have a john Deere tractor. I full heartedly agree :D It's already green and yellow

It was a very cool temple, and the people were so sweet.

Liberty Jail

2009-05-21T15:26:00.004-07:00

Before we went to our hotel we went to liberty Jail where the Prophet Joesph Smith, Patriarch Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, Alexander McRae, and Caleb Baldwin were kept for 4 months. Sidney was only there for a month (I think) because he was very ill so they hurried his trial. I can't remember if it was Alexander or Caleb who was 6'6" and after being in liberty jail, he walked with a hunched back. The cell was only 6' tall ( I think) and there were 2 little windows, probably 3 inches tall and a foot wide, that faced each other causing the room to get very cold. The cold air current would come through and hover.

The vistors center, the actual jail is inside. They reconstructed it on the original foundation. Through the years it had been turned into a house, and later the Church bought it and restored it.

This is where the Jailers stayed. An Interesting tidbit, there is no handle on the inside of the door. The jailers were also kept prisoner, basically, they couldn't leave until new jailers came. So there was only a handle and lock on the outside.

This shows how thick the walls were, it was a very sturdy jail.

This is the prison. Joseph is the one writing. He had written a letter to Emma asking for more balnkets. She recieved the letter the day after their home was burned, she had no blankets to give him. She only had one blanket and her and the children needed it. Hyrum, the one standing (I think, he could be the one sitting with his knee up) asked his wife to bring his newborn son to him. She did even though she was very ill.

Liberty jail was a truly incredible experience, the spirit there is so strong and being able to see all the historic sights brought a new respect for the early members of the church.

Random Photos

2009-05-21T15:11:00.003-07:00

So first of all I just wanted to show all my random photos that I took of funny things.

Our Hotel

The resturaunt across from our hotel, My dad thought the sign read Shooters
Where we ate, another resturanut across from the hotel

This is a tattoo parlor we passed, and I loved the sign in the window "Freaks on Noland"

Some more signs on the tattoo parlor building

Correction to previous blog: I took over 1700 pictures

Independence to Nauvoo!

2009-05-19T11:07:00.002-07:00

A week ago My family and I (Sadly Jackie didn't come) flew off to Kansa City,MO to do a part of the church History tour. My Mom has always wanted to go and I was really excited to go see Marci! So we flew into kansas city drove to Liberty where we saw liberty jail then we went to the hotel, went to dinner, and went swimming. The next day we started our drive to Nauvoo. Our first stop, Costco! And then we made our way through the church sites. And then to Nauvoo where we spent the rest of our trip! But I will tell all about it in the blogs to come with pictures! I took about 1400 pictures. My mom would call my dad, brother, and me her little Japenses cuz we would all wait until everyone left one room and then we would take a million pictures! Luckily I had my computer with me and could clear my memory card. So look forward to Photo blogs this week. I'll try and space them out.

Gen. 9:16

2009-05-12T21:21:00.002-07:00

"And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth"

One of the many beautiful sights you get to see in western washington.

Just a merterology note, there was also a secondary rainbow (A secondary rainbow is above the primary rainbow, it's fainter, and it's reversed coloring - so purple is the 1st color, not red) but the really cool thing, which you can't see in the picture was that the primary rainbow was almost a double rainbow, it started again - so the colors were red, organge, yellow, green, blue, purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, red

For Jackie

2009-04-09T11:37:00.004-07:00

So Jackie has been bugging me to post a picture of david and andrew next to each other to show how much andrew looks like david

There you go jackie, it's the best picture I can get of david - his slide pictures really show how much andrew looks like him. But that's a little hard to scan

A fun weekend!

2009-04-09T11:29:00.002-07:00

Lynda and her Grandma-in-law were kind enough to let me come help them with flowers a few weekends ago. It was very fun! It was great using things I learned. I just have to say I love flowers! My goal this summer is to make the patio a garden of eden :) - my mom will like that we already got an arch w/ climber roses in, AND part of the hedge trimed, now we just need to get the weeds and all the other junk off and then stain it!

Too bad there are no floral shops hiring :(

Can you guess which vase I did?

If you said the left you're too kind, if you said the right, You won!

Would Anyone Like Some More Cake?

2009-04-09T11:14:00.003-07:00

So we had the missionaries over a few weeks back. My mom said "stephanie make a cake!" So I made a cake, she then looked at it and said, you didn't have to decorate it, and I said "then it wouldn't be my cake, Presentation is everything, I have to decorate a cake I make!"
So here is the cake I made. I think I should have added pink flowers but I thought of that too late..

The cake, I didn't have time to cover it completely in grass, but I think I like it like that

Elder Livingstone about to eat it

A little add on - my mom likes to take chcolate covered strawberries to parties, special events, and the temple. So she has me make them - since I am the best jk- so I made a tux one, isn't it cute!

A Day at the Science Center

2009-04-09T10:16:00.006-07:00

So a few weeks ago, G.G, Granddad, and Aunt Stephanie took andrew to the Seattle Pacific Science Center. We had so much fun! Especially Andrew!

At the start of the day

He was frozen on the bench watching the dino exhibit, I don't know if he was scared or just amazed at the technology ha ha ha

Granddad showing Andrew how to make the dinosaur move

Having fun moving the eyes!

Space Commander Andrew!
He really liked buttons, he didn't care that it was making paper aunts move, he just liked pushing it ha ha ha

He really liked the butterflies. One landed on him and then one ran into him, that almost made him fall down...I guess it was a strong butterfly

I was fianlly able to get One of blue butterflies open, the even prettier one refused to sit open..

He hated the big worm thing, I don't know why, he just did not like it

Building Bugs with aunt stephanie (this was after we built them, then someone came and knocked them down - we had already left- and he didn't like that so we had to go rebuild it)

Andrew the grass hopper

Playing chess, he gave up cuz he couldn't move the pieces

Andrew and the beanstalk....

LOOK OUT! he's already driving!

At the end of the day

Goodbye Awbrey! Be safe!

2009-04-08T22:27:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago Awbrey Chris Pepple came over with their little daughter M.J. to say goodbye. Awbrey is in Iraq and chris will leave in august. :( We had a fun time with them. We played 2 games of Phase 10. I won the first game, I think chris won the 2nd. I was making chocolate chip/macadamia nut cookies.

The whole Family
Chris Eating the samllest cookie ever!

It had 1 chocolate chip and part of a macadamia nut. It was just a randome piece that didn't clump but it we still made the smallest cookie! - i really don't know how big the smallest cookie is but I'm pretty sure this one is close.

MJ and Andrew huging each other goodbye. The moment before the picture was the treu hug, sadly I didn't get my camera in time. :(

Return Safely Awbrey! I'll be praying for you!

1 picture 9 different ways!

2009-04-02T09:57:00.004-07:00

So I was have fun with photoshop again. And decided to do one photo, in 9 different ways. So I decided to do one of the cutest couples I know, (and have a picture of) Jackie and Eric.

Here is the orginal. The picture was taken at David and Kerstin's wedding, December 28, 2006

Bright

Tinted Blue

Trying to make it look like an artistic painting

Spotlight

Movie camera glare

High Contrast

Washed out pencil sketch

Old photo

Spot color, See if you can find the 4 sections/things I left colored

PHOTOSHOP!

2009-03-17T20:20:00.003-07:00

So today we got Adobe Photoshop elements 7 from costco (there was a $30 off coupon making it $50) I wanted it so I could do tinting - where the photo is black and white except for one item which is color. So ther first two are experimenting with that.

So enjoy! If you love photography - aka Nat, Marci, & Jackie I sugesst you get it :)

This was how Jordan asked Alexa to homecoming!

Here is grandma Dorothy before I touched her up

And after! Her wrinkle are, as gone as they can be!

It looked cooler in higher res. but oh well

The recession

2009-03-08T11:08:00.003-07:00

Man can I just say, that these economic times suck! I know you really don't want to hear anymore about it but I have to rant. I barely have any hours at work anymore and trying to find a new full time job closer to redmond has proved impossible. I'm still waiting to hear back from the goddard school. But I don't know if I'll get it. I hope I do, it would be really fun! I called there the other day and they said that they filled one position and are still interviewing for the other one, and they'll keep me in mind.

However on the bright side, I have been able to keep the kitchen clean (until now, I got sick thursday night and today and yesterday I have felt the worst of it). It's hard to do that when no one else is helping. So if you're reading this and you know that you could be more help around the house do it! IT'S A GREAT SERVICE!

Another positive aspect is that I get to spend more time with andrew. He is getting so BIG and it's been so fun to see him grow. I feel so blessed that I am able to see him grow and learn. With most of his aunts, uncles and other grandparents in another state, I can help feeling so blessed, since they rarely see him.

It's nice to take a break though. Going through school so rapidly and not taking a break is hard, it's nice to have a break.

Today was an excellant sacrament metting though. One of the speakers was talking about looking on the positive side and I decided that I am going to write one positive thing about each member of my family each day. I hope by doing this, I will be able to look back and remember why I ardently love and admire them. I hope in the end it will make me a more positive person. Like Fanny Price, from mansfeild park. Always eager to forgive but still knows the evils of the world and is not blindsided by the world. I think I get so caught up in pleasing the world, that I forget about pleasing the Lord, the only person I should be pleasing.

Sorry about the very random blog. I hope you can get something worthwhile from it :)

"Cake! Everybody likes Cake!"

2009-02-22T22:28:00.002-08:00

So on saturday I decided to make a cake. I wanted to try making roses out of frosting. And This is what I came up with. I think it's pretty cute, the roses turned out ok, Not the greatest. But my mom made 2 (the ones on the ends) and I made the middle one. We made our own rose nail. My mom didn't like the one I had. lol.

The cake was really good, we had it for sunday dessert. :)

Andrew anbd Aunt Stephanie

2009-02-22T17:15:00.003-08:00

I spend a lot of time with my newphew andrew So here are some pictures of his favorite things to do!

He Loves to run into my room straight to "Bear, Bear" and hug and "Kiss" aka Lick them!
He Loves to listen to music with Aunt stephanie and dance with her. He loves to waltz! Perhaps He'll be a better dancer than his father and grandfather....we can only hope!

He LOVES to play in the shoe bin. Not sure what he was doing here..

My cute nephew outside playing with Aunt Stephanie and Natalie after watching them shoot Aunt Stephanie's Bow. He Just Loved exploring and trying to pick up the wet leaves!

Sunday Dinner

2009-02-22T17:00:00.002-08:00

Anyone that has eaten with our family on sunday knows we always (well most of the time) we have bake potatoes and David is always the last person to be done with his potatoe. This is why...

Christmas!

2009-01-13T10:21:00.004-08:00

Andrew chewing on his bone at christmas dinner
The beautiful table, I forgot to take a picture before everyone started eating, it was such a pretty table, thanks to me :)

The other side, look at those nerd twins

What I wore most of christmas break, slippers! it's sooo cold in our house!

The beautiful tree and presents! It was prettier when I first did and then andrew started choosing which oranments he didn't like

I hope you all had a wonderful christmas!

Andy-Drew

2009-01-13T10:01:00.003-08:00

Here are some pictures of my adorable nephew, Andrew, during the holidays.

He was balancing on the side of the box, Have no idea how he was, but he had all his weight on one thin side of a box and it was supporting him!
Andrew loves to hang out in the bathroom with Aunt Stephanie, so of course he needs a toothbrush!

He wanted to do his hair too

Andrew just loves my bears and always comes into my room and says bear bear and points to them and then gives them lots of hugs and licks (that's his kiss lol) Infact he has run off with the dark brown bear. I need to go find that....

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

2009-01-13T09:21:00.007-08:00

The first few hours of the snowstorm. The boys, who were working from home, would lean out the computer room window and taking my sewing meausring stick and sticking it in the snow, they got in trouble.

Here in washington we had a huge snowstorm, infact we had a White christmas. The last time that happened was about 15 yrs ago and it only snowed on christmas, it didn't stick. The snow was here for almost 2 weeks. Everyone was stuck, since each county has about one snow plow, but don' worry there was sand underneath the 2 feet of snow. That was about the total we had. Our chains were on the van the whole time, or else you couldn't get up the driveway, sadly both our chains broke. The first one broke by thino's dairy. And we couldn't stop cuz we were on a hill so after going about a 1/4 of a mile away we were finally able to pull over. So my dad and I set out to find them. Mom pulls out eragon and starts to read. She has barely read 2 pages when here come my dad and I. Some people from the stake were driving by and recognized my dad and me from us doing all the tech work for the stake. So before we even started our trek, we got a ride down and a ride back. It was pretty neat.

This was after about 14 hours of straight snow
We couldn't get into the pool area to see if you could stand on the ice, the lock was frozen shut

Although we were all stuck, it sure did look pretty.

After everyone finally was getting over cabin fever and ready to go back to school and work, it snowed the night before, which was when I was supposed to be working and doing inventory, and probably would have been done around 2 or 3am, but the weather report sounded horrible. So I had to call in and tell them it was snowing. Luckily by 6 o'clock, it was raining and clearing away the snow. My dad came home and said, luckily you didin't go to work, you wouldn't have been able to get there and you wouldn't have been able to get back.

So the joys of snow, in a state (well the west side at least) unprepared.

What?!

2008-12-09T19:47:00.003-08:00

So My mom and I both love Jennie Hnasen. She writes AMAZING LDS novels. Well she came out with 2 knew ones. One is a christmas book and the other the last book in one of her series. So I went down to my mom and said, now I know we are going to get each other a jennie hansen book for christmas, so lets just decide onw who is going to get what book for whom. So she got the last book in the series for me, and I got her the christmas book. Well I got her gift on monday, well I had alexa pick it up since she goes to school right next to deseret book, and she got mine today. So I wrapped her gift, although I was dying to read I figured that we would both get our books on christmas read them and then switch.

Well my aunt was staying at our house, but decided she wanted to go back to her sons who has had a stomach flu over there, why she went when she's about to leave, I have no idea. Well she calls up and tells us monday night that she is sick, she and grandma are supposed to leave tuesday morning. Well then she calls today and says that none of her kids at their house. ANd why would they, she has the plague. So I'm in my room and I hear my mom saying I don't want the plague, apparently she wanted to come over and stay at our place. Now I don't know how many of you remember the plague of 2006, the power was out and our cousins had no heat, so they came to stay with us, although they all had the stomach flu, and so everyone in the house ended up with it. Well we all sat there just seeing that lovely experience happen again.

So after my mom finished her call I went in to investigate. But guess what I find?! My mom reading the christmas gift she was going to give me! I was shocked, I said MOM!!! If i have to wait till christmas to read both books, so do you!

She said she was going to wrap it, but her shoulder was killing her and she needed something to take her mind off the pain, and she didn't know where the TV controllor was.

Mother I hope you're reading this!

Love you mommy! But we're waiting till christmas! :)

The Joys of Retail!

2008-12-05T16:15:00.004-08:00

Any one who has worked retail knows you deal with some CRAZY people! Well today I had to deal with the craziest of them all! It wook a sales assocaite, a manager, and a persoanl shopper to deal with this lady. She was from Canada. She came to return something, but she had no reciept and waned the money put on her debit card. So I checked with my manager if I could look it up or if that was only for j.crew cards. She told me I could look it up, but the system won't find it. So we swipe it about 10 times. We also typed in the numbers to see if it was just the card reader itself. So we tell her that we can only give her store credit. So she says fine. So the manager leaves and I start taking her info. So then she says "I don't want store credit, I want it on my debit, swipe it again!" And I say I've already swiped it about 10 times and it's not finding it. And then she goes on about how if it's just our computer or her card. AS I'm taking her info she just hands me her ID so I can just read it from that (she had a thick accent, so I had to ask a few times, Not to mention when I asked for her last name she gave me her middle) And I see she's from BC so I say oh you were able to use your canadian debit card? Cuz most of the time they won't work. That's when the persoanl shopper comes over thinking that I was trying to siwpe it for a purchase. So I expalin to her, as The lady is screaming at me about how she knows her finances and she knows she used that card, and that it works. So then the persoanl shopper,lisa takes the card and runs a purchase through to see if it works and it does. And then the lady says I used that card, I know it works, I said yes I know she just tested it, and she said that well you still don't believe me and I said yes I do I just want to make sure that we help you correctly. So the lady hands me another debit card (I'm guessing for the U.S.) and says put it back on this one. So then Lisa is kind enough to break policy and tells her she can put it back on her debit. And then says which card and she points to the original. And I said "oh you want on that one," Just to clarify, "I thought you wanted it on the other one, but that's ok." Then she said "No I want it on that one like I said, You need to drink some coffee." And I said "I don't drink coffee." ANd then she said well drink whateer will wake you up." (I was telling the other managers, who missed this person, about this lady, and they said I should have said that I'm allergic and one drop will kill me. I said man I should have done that, that would have been funny) However Lisa says "Due to the economy we've had many sales and promos so we can only give you the amount that it is selling today which is 39.50." And the lady says fine but I paide $60 for it, and honest people should be helped and don't tell me it's the economy, don't use that line. So she leaves and lisa nad I just look at each other and roll our eyes and say man she's crazy.

Oh but that is not the end. She comes back and says she wants to do an exchange so she doean't lose 30 dollars. And I said well the sweater you picked is $39.99 with an additional 20% off so you still lose money, and she said yeah but at least I'll have a sweater. So then I have to have a manager void the previous return and do it all over again. But I swear she was bi-polar or something. Cuz 5 mins earlier she was screaming her head off and then comes back for the exchange and is calm.

Btw MINE!

Man oh man. It's was nuts. But later that day lisa came up to me and said that I did a good job and wanted to make sure I was ok, and I said yeah I was fine, it makes for a good story. we just laughed.

If only customers knew how much we make fun of them, well the crazy ones that is. Like how women can never seem to put things back where they came from, and how the customer will say I want a large in the picnk, as they are standing right in front of it, and you have to shove them out of the way in order to get to the item.

The Joys of retail.

Working, Working, Working

2008-11-13T23:28:00.003-08:00

Andrew's a little tractor Boy. We first tried this wehn unloading the shingles from the van, No one could hold andrew so I strapped him in. Ever since then his stroller is less then fun.
Alexa wearing dad's old shoes... why? I have no idea, we all have a old set lying around for days like this but maybe she prefers the manly look...

Andrew Watching all the water for us in his little box

Working hard

My 20th Birthday!

2008-11-13T22:04:00.011-08:00

So I know it has been awhile since my birthday, But blogger wasn't letting me upload images. But obviously it's working now.

My Last Day as a teenager! I had lunch with my Best friends Elise and Nyguen. Elise Is my 2nd longest friend, marci being the longest! Nyguen I met in junior high where we became better friends beacuse of lice, I know weird. We went to red Robin and then walked around RTC (redmond town center) where they showed me all the new changes, like how there is no movie theatre anymore, now it's a dinner theatre but I'm not sure what type of movies they show, new/old. I know it's $35 a ticket!

Elise showed me the new tanning salon in RTC; Seattle Sun tan.... I think that's just an oxymoron??? lol

Of Course We went to las magaritas (Our Favorite mexican resturant) and celebrated not only my birthday (September 11th) but ....

Debbie Neilson's(Sept 12).....

And David's (August 28th)!

It wasn't andrew's birthday but this was his first time to Las magaritas - He didn't like the hat that much... oh well he'll get used to it

My Birthday pie!

It was good....

Luscious Pink

2008-11-11T22:12:00.005-08:00

Everyone vote for my dress! Tell all your friends! if I win Mariah carey will wear my dress, i will recieve one, and another one will be auctioned off to raise money for the fight against breast cancer. So everyone vote!
Here is the link: http://www.brickfish.com/Pages/PhotosAlbums/PhotoView.aspx?picid=683083_10210970&pid=1397611&scid=331&

Thanks!

J.Crew

2008-11-02T23:23:00.004-08:00

So I got a job at J.Crew. It's loads of fun! But you wouldn't believe how many mormons work there. When I was filling out the paper work, the other person was LDS. And then a girl who also lives in redmond and takes the hour long bus ride with me, was raised mormon - she's inactive now. And then one of our personal shoppers was also raised mormon. That is 4 people affiliated witht the LDS church out of..about 35... what are the odds! The inactive girl told me I should marry the activie LDS guy - she told me that while we were closing, very loudly in front of my manager - he was shocked - and I of course just started laughing!

But J.crew is fun. I missed a week of work, just this past week, cuz I was sick with the stomach flu :(

Hiking

2008-09-21T19:20:00.006-07:00

I know I know I haven't blogged in a while. So here is the first of many blogs.

Over my Birthday weekend I went on a hike with my Katie and her friend Harrison. I'm not sure if I regret it or enjoyed it..... I think I enjoyed... I'm actually still recovering from it, I did something to my foot and it hasn't healed but oh well
We went hiking to Marmot Lake in Wenatchee National Forest. The whole time I was thinking that Tucker…oh and of course Roxy, Jackie and Eric.... would just love this. There were many lakes and waterfalls and I doubt tucker would be dry at any point of the trip.

Our first Campsite...... we were so tired that we didn't make it to marmot lake so we stopped at our best option.. a hill, let's just say that I kept sliding down towards katie. it was not very comfortable.

One of the many water reatures we saw.

So after the first day and an uncomfortable night of sleep we hiked about a half mile more and there was the lake... the place we had wanted to get to in the first place. katie's friends Harrison who was sort of the guide, thought we were 4 miles away so we stopped. When we got there we just sat there saying "are you kidding me, we could have had a comfortable sleep!" oh well!

So I was going to upload a few mre pics, but blogger isn't letting me upload them. But the pics I was going to was Katie with the fish she caught, the tree bed i found - which was actually very comfortable, the amazing sunrise, an amazing shot of the sun coming through the trees, and then a goofy one of me being bored. Katie likes to take her time, studying every plant and wild life again and a gain. I like to enjoy it and then move one lol. So I sat around waiting a lot. The hike went up the mountain, down the mountain, and then up another mountain. So on the way back going up the down (on the way there) I decided to keep going while Katie and Harrison picked berries. So I got to the top of the hill and then just sat by a lake and enjoyed the sirenity. it was a beautiful hike - tiring- but beatiful!

It's my ...

2008-09-11T08:23:00.005-07:00

BIRTHDAY! and I'll cry if I want to, laugh if I want to..

I am now no longer a teenager cuz I'm 20! I don't know I have always liked the age 20 and couldn't wait to be 20! ha ha silly I know. So reaching the big 20 ha ha, I look back on my life and think of all the things I've done... graduate HS, Graduate Seminary, Graduate BCC, AND graduate from BYU. Man I've finished a lot of things and now I think it's time to start new things. yesterday I applied for a job at J.Crew in Seattle either as a personal shopper or a sales associate. I have an interview on tuesday, so we'll see how it goes.

I can't believe I'm 20! How exciting!

P.S. I have a lit of blogging to do and pictures to post but I'm going on a camping trip so I shall post a bunch of pics after that.

BYU Graduate!

2008-08-15T14:17:00.007-07:00

I am now a Brigham Young University graduate! Not only did I graduate but I was one of the 4 19 year olds which was the youngest age for the summer 2008 commencement. So it's pretty sweet! So I am now graduated from BYU with a BS in Home and family living!

Once I get pictures I will post them. So keep looking ;)

Thanks to all who have helped me get to this point and become one of the youngest BYU graduates of the summer 2008 class!

Thanks everyone!

YAY!

2008-08-01T20:57:00.004-07:00

On thursday I took my medal exam for Ballroom. Medal exams are acclaimed ballroom dance tests. They are recognized worldwide. As you may have read before I earned my silver. On thursday I went for my Gold American, The Highest level for Americn. I was really worried about the test because people will take the class for it about 3 or 5 times before they take it. Well i went in w/ all my all and earned my Gold. I'm now Gold American certified! So Now I have all 3 pins, Bronze, Silver and Gold. Now I just need to go get ones for latin and Standard. lol

My Dad Shoots Better

2008-07-27T21:22:00.005-07:00

Before I came to school my dad always joked about how I need to post my good targets from rifle and put a caption that reads "My dad shoots better." And then I needed one of my archery targets and something to show I also learned self-defense. He loves to say yeah my daughter is a bow-hunter, can take down whomever, and shoots rifle. So last summer I went to dinner with my brother and sister-in-law to my brother's in-laws. Her uncle came and brought some swords he made. He made most of the swords for Lord of the rings actually. So he took out this $10,000 sword. It was beautiful and HUGE! So I had to take a picture. And then I sent the picture below to my dad with this caption:

I picked up a new weapon

Well then he finally sent me the picture I took at christmas. I had be dying to shoot my bow so my brother decided to also bring out the air rifle. Then we had to take a picture of me with my other two weapons. So here is the picture. But what's funny about this picture is that it shows what eric always talks about. He says jackie and I grew up on a farm but that we're also spoiled rich brats. How those two are connected I have no idea. So I saw this picture and couldn't help laughing cuz it was exactly what eric said. This photo is the Epitome of what eric says jackie and I are. If you notice in this picture I am wearing puma's which are rather expensive shoes ( I got them on clearance) then you go up to my jacket which looks like a north face (a $100 jacket) but it's a jacket from walmart. Then if you look on my right shoulder (left side if you are looking at it) There is my pin for ballroom dance, which tends to be viewed as the snobby dance, go figure. Then there I am with a rifle and bow standing in the woods, obviously not a snobby rich brat. So I just found this picture so funny, I thought eric would especially enjoy to prove his point, that I just had to share. So I hope you Like it.

Lame I know..

2008-07-23T11:30:00.010-07:00

*I don't know if you can tell, but Marce I was reading your blog at the time I took the pic lol

I got my computer back! I know you're probably thinking dejavu (sp?). Well i got it back and the microphone still didn't work. So I had to re-install the operating system. Microphone still didn't work grr... So then Gateway tells me it has to be sent in...again. Last time they told me a max of 10days that I wouldn't have it took them a month. So I wasn't really excited to send it back. Well yesterday I was at home and heard the doorbell. I thought ot myself who could that be?! I open it and it's DHL and they hand me a box I look at it and start flipping out! I bet the DHL lady was just laughing to herself. But how cool would that be to be a delivery person. you get to make someone's day everyday! She told me merry christmas, happy birthday, happy graduation, or whatever other special thing. So no it's back and.... drum roll... the microphone works!

Some other good news is I finally bought and recieved my latin ballroom dnace shoes. I got them WAY cheap. Normally latin shoes range from $75 (for a cheap pair) to bout $150. I got mine for $45 including shipping. It was pretty much amazing.

And last thing

*Inspired by Nat

Here are a few of my favorite things in my house

My Favorite LDS pictures, finally framed. But I really liked how it turned out. I was thinging of doing each photo in it's own frame so each photo had a special place of honor but that would have gotten rather expensive. But I liked how this turned out.

My kitchen table. With my matching flowers and dry-erase boards.

My sewing cornor. It's actually pretty organize and I love. Soon it may be crazy once I can get the fabric for the skirts for the WA bridesmaids. But as you can see from jackie's blog cars aren't really doing to well this week and biking back with a bag of frabic isn't a great idea.

So not something I love but something I find funny. Since I bike to school and work (I also take the bus to work so no I don't bike all the way to pleasant grove) I just have my water pack and carry my dance shoes in it. But when I get home I take them out so my pack doesn't smell and to put the next load in it. So if you walk into my kitchen you see shoes on the table.

looking your best!

2008-07-16T15:19:00.004-07:00

So my supervisor and I were talking and figure out the times and dates that i'll be teaching this workshop (thanks lynda for reminding me that I needed to post that). Every tuesday/thursday from 5 to 6, staarting july 22 (closed july 24) to August 7 I will be teaching the workshop. It's just the same class every time, well the basics who knows what I'll say in every class. So come bring your friends it'll be a good time! And though I may not dress it all the time, I do, or at least I think I do ;), know what i'm talking about. you even get a booklet that is small enough to be carried in your purse (sorry guys, it's for ladies).

What's pretty cool, is on the e-mail they sent out it says "award winning designer, Stephanie Springgay" ha ha ha... it's only two awards from a store and my high school but they are still awards. ha ha

Another cool thing is I showed them my designs and they loved them and want me to do more!

So come to the modbod and hear about how to Look your best! .... now I sound like the e-mail ha ha! if you need directions I think I put them in the blog before this one.