far and wide, his love proclaim

Today, I had the opportunity of going to Russell Doria's farewell talk. The choir sang, "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go". I thought a lot about Russell's decision to serve the Lord for 2 years. But I also thought about my choice to leave for Maryland. I am sure you are all sick of hearing about it, but I know, that for some reason, I am going.  I just have to search for what it is.

Russell shared this amazing story, that I would like to share with each of you. (I am going to change it, so it applies to me, the "I" is me. haha)


"In the premortal existence, I had a friend. To make it personal, I am going to chose the name Mary. Mary and I did everything together. We would dance, go running, swim, watch movies, talked. I mean, everything. Mary and I were best of friends. It then came the day that I got my call to earth. It read, 'Sister Astle, you have been called to serve in the Provo, Utah Mission. You will have the opportunity of being raised in the gospel, with a family who serves and loves the gospel. You will make friends along the way who will help you grow and love the gospel even more. The gospel will be your daily anchor as you strive to live far from the world. ' I read my call, and was excited. I knew that Provo was going to be a very great place for me to live. I wanted to tell my best friend Mary. I looked for her every where. She wasn't at the movie theater, or the mall. She was no where to be found. But I saw a tree, and I found Mary laying under it sobbing. I asked her what was wrong. She said that she got her call, and that she was going to be living in Maryland, with no source of the truth, far away from the gospel principles. She then told me, that I needed to find her, and that she would be looking for me."

Although, my purpose to go to Maryland is not to proselyte and teach everyone of the gospel. But I felt so strongly, that there is a purpose. Maybe I will just be an example to the kids I work with. Maybe I will be able to invite a friend to church. And maybe, just maybe, someone is praying for a miracle to come into their lives. Maybe Mary is looking for the truth. My brother has spent almost the last 2 years serving the people of Maryland-- It's my turn now. Maybe I won't see anyone "get dunked" (as my cute missionary brother says) but you never know the lasting impression you can make on someone's life.

So I challenge you today, to think about the call you got in heaven. Think about where you stand. Maybe someone got called to the Provo Utah Mission-- but they didn't have the opportunity to be a member. Maybe their challenges are those around them--forcing religion on them. Be a friend to all. Be an example. Be your best self. For you never know who is watching. It could be anyone.  One last thought--

"Someone is watching, and that's a fact.

Someone will copy the way you act.

So make this your motto and put it to use--

Be someone's example and not their excuse"

you're a part time lover, and a full time friend

"The more I'm around you the more I realize, we'd be imperfect together - but that would create perfection." 

  --Thank you Emma for putting the words in my mouth that I have been trying to express. 

We don't make sense. We don't have similar interests. We don't have similar friends. We don't even agree on a lot of things-- but somehow, it fits perfectly. 

Maybe it's because we can just talk for hours-- about everything and anything. Past, present, future, serious, funny, you name it. Maybe it's because we accept each other for who we are. When your sister asked me why I am friends with you, I really started thinking. Why AM I friends with you? You do the strangest things around me. You know that "noise" you make that I hate? I find myself doing that all the time now. You know that one time when we sat in your basement and you ate the tissue? You know that one time when I told you my "problem" that potentially could have been the most awkward conversation with anyone?  When you steal my phone and play Life and restart until you get the Dr. or when you let me win Wii Golf? Yeah. I don't get it. I don't get how it works so well between us. 

On paper, we make no sense. But in reality, we are perfect. I am glad we are friends. I intend to keep it that way. THAT WAY. Nothing more, nothing less. Like I told you the other day, I like having you as a friend. The bunny rabbit needs you. Dondra needs you. But not in a stupid, high school way like I thought I did, once upon a time. Friendship is the best thing for me right now. I absolutely love it. Don't listen to what people say, I enjoy being your friend. Remember how good we are at being friends? Yeah-- so do I. 

So just so everyone is aware-- friends. That's what we are. JUST FRIENDS. And, with all my heart and soul, I want to keep it that way.

oh. skip. to. the. ending.

Have you ever wondered. . .

where your life is going? 

why there are certain people in your life?

when those people will fade-- or will they?

why somethings work out-- and others don't? 

who you are going to marry?

who they are-- personality, where they are from, family life ETC.?

what your future spouse is doing right now?

what they are doing to become the person you are going to marry?

what your family is going to be like?

who your kids are-- how many of them, their names, their personalities?

who you will become? 

Have you ever wondered these things? Somehow, I already love my husband. I don't know who he is going to be.  I hope he is out there somewhere becoming the man who will be perfect for me. Somehow, I already love my kids. Each of them. 1-1000, I love them all, however many I might have. Families are eternal. Marriage, having kids, families-- they are all scary thoughts at times. But you know what? Nothing else will make me happier than to grow up and marry a man that might be crazy enough to love me forever.

Someone just tell me who he is.

we are running this town.

13.1 miles later--

You are all invited to my funeral. 

Note to self: Don't run a half marathon, where you don't train and decide the day before that you are going to do it. You knee will stop working at mile 10.

But hey, I still finished :)

#6 Completed. Who would have thought?

you are my sweetest downfall

Want to know what makes me happier than anything? 

A new pair of converse. 

Photo Credit

Converse aren't like boys. They don't let you down. They don't get over you and get a new owner. You have complete control over them. They understand you, they are the miles you walk. They are your shoes. They understand your problems. They don't suck. In every way, they aren't like boys. Boys are only good at breaking your heart, giving you hope and leaving you in the mud. Converse on the other hand, will not leave you in the mud. They are the good friends who go in the mud so you don't have to. Then you are sad because your perfect pair of Converse are now "ruined'. Every pair has a moment where they go from being "perfect" to being "shoes that are new" to being "converse" to being "old" to being "really old and they are struggling with holes and you really should buy a new pair". I have a pair of each of these. I remember the moments where they went from perfect to being shoes that are new. It was a tragic moment. Made me sad. Makes me more sad that I have more emotional attachments to a pair of shoes over any person. But who is dependable? Exactly. Not you. Not anyway. 

(Ok, hyperbole much, but still-- I am a little bit excited about my new addition to my collection-- WELCOME ORANGE) 

"All I know is that you are so nice, you are the nicest thing I have seen" . . . No. Not the converse.

I keep on falling...

In the words of Simple Plan...

You don't mean anything to me.

Someday, I will believe that.

April Quotes and Then Some. . .

I miss the feeling of being in the shoot after a race. I remember clear as day the Murray race- standing there, asking the girl behind me the time she got because my eyes didn't believe that I PRed by 4 minutes. Or the feeling after crossing the finish line of a half marathon. 13.1 miles behind you, 2 hours later.. I miss the feeling of accomplishment. I miss the feeling of running. That's just a side note. This is basically a post for my April Quotes. (Yes Dania, I copied you. Well actually, you started it in my phone anyway)

Dania: "They're just gonna come off anyway!"

Bridal Magazine (tux add): "He puts it on, you take it off."

Phineas and Ferb It's important to look your very best when you are doing your very worst"

Amanda (on the song Teenage Dream): It's not a teenage dream, its a teenage nightmare! Then you have to go through the repentance process"

Mayson: It wouldn't be a first!
McKann: Oh but it would be a second!

McKann: I just requested "Firework" by Katy Perry

Sarah: Bye KC! I hate you!

Jeane (Sarah's mom asking about a dress Sarah wanted): Where are you gonna wear it?
Sarah: EVERYWHERE!!

Ashley (with every little thing Sarah wanted): But mom, she needs it! IT'S PROM!!!

Bryson: Oh hey ocifer

Travis: (singing, might I add awfully) and I didn't make acapella. . .

(Travis asked who sings "Such Great Heights") Bryson: The Postal Service, you know the mail man, NOT HIM!

(talking about getting caught trespassing again) Bryson: Yeah we already got one trespassing, we learned our lesson!

( I turned on a song) Walker: Ew.. turn that off! We don't know that song.

Lydia: So I found myself Facebook stalking myself today

Brother Dykstra: You can't just walk around like a monk!

Brandon: Rosa, would you like a ride to the bus stop?

Lauren: They will probably have lasagna in a dish!

Lauren: Could a teacher get fired if they were pregnant and not married?
Caroline: If it were with a student, yeah!

Mayson: You skank!
Sarah: Tell me something I don't know

(pretending to be kissing someone) Sarah: Look at me! I'm a skankopotomus!

Mayson: Now give me a hug and tell me you love me!

Question at Prom game: When was the last time you received paper mail?
Me: Oh I was thinking like a boy male!

Chase's sister (Grace?): There are black ones and there are white ones. Do you know which ones are which? Don't get the black confused with purple, or orange. 
Jake and Me: Wait! I am confused. . .Which ones are black? Which ones are white?

(takes of picture of himself) Travis: There we go!

Jensen: FLOSS!!  (She really said false and my aunt thought she was just telling her to go floss her teeth)

Mrs. Benson: Enjoy your short classes!!

Shannon: Excuse me while I go salivate.

Brother Dkystra: It's like the sand in the ocean, except it's cows

(It says 'union' on Mrs. Van Orden's board) Jake: Mrs. Van Orden spelled onion wrong. . .

Jeane: Goodbye my righteous children!