Plans, Plans, ERASE! New Plans Ahoy!

Dearest friends and loved ones,

I just want to say first and foremost, thank you for all your wonderful words of guidance and inspiration these past few weeks and months. I would not feel comfortable making this decision without knowing that you would be supportive and love me regardless of what I choose. So thank you for your overwhelming vote of confidence in my intellect, and spiritual thermometer and antennae. Thank you for your gracious and forgiving unconditional love. I love you all and thank you with all that is in me and of me.

Now on to business.

I have, after much deliberation and as Grandma Angell put it "suffering/agonizing of myself", I have decided to return to Provo, Utah to attend another semester at Brigham Young University.



The above picture was taken last April, in 2010. That summer I left BYU knowing that I would be going on a mission;Knowing that the only thing I wanted more than to live one more day, would be to live one more day preaching the Gospel (good word) of Christ to everyone I met. I said my goodbyes and took nice pictures.



And some inappropriate ones. :)

But I left with such courage, such belief, such a fiery passion for missionary work! And then things changed. One thing after another led to another thing and more changes which then led me back to where I decided I would not be again for a bit...BYU. I didn't want to return, I did not want to go back when I felt such a desire to be serving the Lord as a full-time missionary, IN THE FIELD.

Then I ended up serving the Lord in the BYU Singles Ward Field: that movie was no joke! I took my yearnings and pleadings for missionary experiences to the next level as a counselor in the Relief Society Presidency, organizing activities and working hard to teach and love and serve and understand and support the beloved friends and sisters I found in my ward. I had a blast. After I got comfortable with that, I prayed to be called on a mission, and yet another mission inside the Church to the members,presented itself. I was called on to work with a co-teacher of my choosing to prepare a manual and teach a class in my ward about the LDS Family Services Addiction Recovery Program. I counseled with my Bishop and discovered that to meet the needs of the ward and anonymity required for this class we would need to combine principles from the Addiction Recovery Program as well as the Support Program that is available to family members of those suffering from addiction.

That was a feat and a glorious opportunity for me to teach some more, and I learned infinitely more from those in my class, and my co-teacher, than I am sure I taught them. That experience was vital for my growth and as I saw struggling class members take my private challenge to bear their testimonies in church, I laughed and cried as they told me the joy they felt afterward. I fasted and prayed often and always plead with the Lord and our Father in Heaven for guidance in how I should proceed both in teaching the Women of our ward about Chastity and Modesty, as well as when we talked about addictive behaviors and codependent behaviors in the Sunday school class.

I have been humbled, and humbled again, and humbled over and over again, as I see the beauty of this gospel of transformation heal and direct and comfort all who are touched by it. I bear my simple but sure testimony to all who read this that the principles on which this Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is founded, are perfect, and perfectly applicable to all. There is not one for whom this Gospel cannot provide light, direction, and peace for. There is not one who if they give their heart, might, mind, and strength to ask about it, will not receive an answer that it is true. The Gospel as preached by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Gospel as our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ would teach it to us today.

Therefore it was fitting that I would be called as a Ward Missionary and Gospel Principles Teacher here in Texas. I love my callings! I get to teach about my favorite parts of the Gospel every Sunday! I get to pray, study, and fast some more about how to teach each class. I get the wonderful opportunity of hearing people bear their small and new testimonies of what we are talking about when they comment in class, or answer questions in their homes. I love teaching the investigators and new members of the Church. They are people who are so excited about the Gospel. Almost as excited as me! ;) They are teaching me by their everyday example. Most are older than me and are so much smarter and wiser than me. They have experienced things, I have yet to know and may never. I am greatly edified by it all. They have changed my life. And I will be sad to leave them so soon. I see their faith grow, and as I see theirs grow I feel the burning of the Spirit in my soul and throughout my body as mine continues to grow deeper roots and longer stems.



I like to think of my testimony as a growing Cherry Tree. Why? Because I am from DC and my heart aches when I think of how much I adore and miss the Cherry Blossom Festival. The beauty of the trees and the joy and celebration they bring for the coming of Spring! It reminds me of the joy and excitement that my testimony and faith brings to me.



So yes, I have decided to go back to BYU. To go back to friends and family in the area; back to the Provo Temple, and the Temple of Higher Education I will be willingly prostrate before yet again.

Bring it on! Got my ticket, Got my family, Got my friends, Got the Spirit, Got my head on in the right place...so let's make this happen.