LYON

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I’ve been busy, busy, busy….Although I have been busy, busy, busy there are loads of exciting things happening here in Provo, Utah.

Drum roll please………….

I am serving a mission in Lyon, France!!

SURPRISE!

I had been thinking about a mission but never seriously but when they made the announcement of the lower age in General Conference it hit me in a way that I didn’t expect. Being at the conference center during that announcement way amazing. The reaction of the audience was priceless. Since I was on crutches (due to my knee surgery) I got to ride in the tunnel with my parents. I was able to talk to a lot of general authorities, general officers, etc. I got to talk to Sister Dalton and Sister Cook from the Young Woman’s Presidency after that session and I broke down in tears to them while expressing to them my wish this announcement would have been made a year ago. They both immediately put their arms around me, and Sister Cook looked me in the eyes and said, “Lauren, you can still go.”

 I knew it was something I needed to seriously ponder and pray about. I prayed, pondered, and studied while seeking for my answer. I was nervous, apprehensive, and excited to see what Heavenly Father had in store for me. I tried keeping an open heart and mind while I prayed, knowing that whatever my answer was I would follow it with all my heart.

Well I got my answer. I have a journal I keep and take impressions, thoughts, or good quotes in during sacrament meeting. I kept writing down things I heard, quotes that came to my mind, and impressions I had. When I reread what I had written my answer was clear as day, I had written a perfect paragraph addressing my questions and concerns. It was so powerful to me.

It read:

“Mission?? I have to put my faith in Christ that things will work out. “Look less with the eyes and more with the heart” –Uchtdorf. Am I thinking with worldly worries clouding my heart? I am worrying so much about school, future, marriage…everything! I need to set aside my worries. Should I serve a mission? Put God first in your life. If the Lord wants things to workout/happen, he will help them workout after a mission (Job, school, husband, etc. will workout accordingly). Trust, trust, trust. Don’t deny the feeling you had in the moment. The Lord never contradicts himself. GOD LOVES ME.”

This has been one of the hardest decisions in my life because I have every reason not to go but I have to! I have faith in my Savior and in my Heavenly Father and I know things will workout.

Ever since I began my papers miracle after miracle has happened to get my papers in and prepare me to leave. God loves me personally.

Life is crazy. Life is unexpected. Life goes in different directions than you expect. BUT TRUST. 

On a lighter note, I am obsessed with T-Swifts new CD Red. Repeat ALL DAY LONG. 

Pee Coma

Technology is taking over our minds. It’s a sad fact but true.

I LOVE my Iphone. It does everything I need (email, texting, calling, facebook, instagram, entertainment, stupid games, wakes me up every morning and even my banking!) This afternoon I was on facebook, then instagram, then my email, then facebook again. Then suddenly I come out of what I like to now call a “technology coma”. As I am coming out of this "technology coma" I find myself sitting on the toilet...and my pee has long since left my body. Confused as I looked around at my surroundings and uncomfortable by the lack of knowledge of the state I was in (pants down, air drying) I tried to begin to figure out how long I had been there. Ladies and gentlemen….18 minutes. Yes it is true I had been in a coma on the toilet for 18 minutes. I then began laughing (OUT LOUD!) at my current condition. What on earth happened?? I have no recollection of even walking into the bathroom! I can just imagine the confusion of the other girl washing her hands as I walked out of my stall COMPLETELY overcome with my laughter. Technology Coma is coming for you! Let’s just say I am now a little frightened of my Iphone!

Now my wise superior adults say that there is a learning experience in every situation.

 Learning Experience: Its time to unplug. What things have I missed because I have been consumed by my technology?? Due to it being the month for being “thankful” here is today’s “thankful”: I am thankful for today’s experience…even if it very unconventional.  It taught me to look up from my technology and find the opportunities given to me throughout the day to enjoy my surrounds, whether that be people, experiences, or the beautiful fall leaves! Live a little and laugh a lot! Happy November my friends!!

Crime shows, candy, and crutches

I am no longer anti-social loner girl…no no….you may now call me Crime Show Junkie Homework candy eating binge girl. Yes, that is much more flattering and attractive. As some of you know I had surgery this past weekend. Joy….actually it wasn’t joyful at all! It was painful, annoying, exhausting, and downright rotten timing! I quite literally get home after a LONG day of crutching around campus wanting nothing more than to curl up in fetal position in my cozy warm bed and drift into a serene slumber…but no. I can’t get into fetal position because my leg can’t bend and my bed is NOT cozy warm because I have to ice my dang knee!

I had surgery Friday afternoon….I can honestly say I was not nervous at all. I think I was in denial that I would be getting surgery mid semester…boo. Needless to say Friday was quite eventful! As you know when you awake from surgery you tend to…. well…not be all there.... Only my closest friends and family will know the full account of what I rambled on about for near 45 MINUTES! It really is very entertaining…no I will not be posting onto YouTube…. although I know I would get quite a few views…. lets just say things were said, my opinions were stated, and tears were shed. Curious yet?? Here is a water down version: BYU football, the upcoming election, my siblings, handholding, no flowers, killer parents, my volleyball skills and much, MUCH more.

And now for a very requested update on Intermediate Volleyball…..

To be completely honest….I ROCKED it! BOO YA!  Everyone thought I had played varsity in high school (*que brush my shoulder*) After the first day or so I was completely in my zone!  I was even learning to jump serve before…the incident….(knee surgery) My main goal is to recover from this stupid injury so I can get back on the court! I am completely smitten with the sport!

But….baby steps! For now I will remain on the couch, icing my knee, watching CSI, Criminal Minds, The Mentalist, NCIS, and Law & Order. I am currently out of candy….(blessing in disguise?!)…I will have my little brother go get me more. Gives him an excuse to drive with his new license and me a reason to stuff my face with milk duds. Win, win.

Please enjoy this picture…..hahah

Look at its little legs...hahah creepy or cute?!