October 5, 2010

On October 5, 2010, I went through the temple to take out my endowments. I was totally excited for this day because it was time to make my own covenants to Heavenly Father. It was a great day! I was so grateful for the people that came. Of course, my parents, Tom and Deeana Baumgardner, Jared, Kris Eden, Vida Vaughn and my Pap. I was excited that all of these people could share that special day with me! Although, the time is coming closer to when I leave, I know that they will be here when I get back. I'm totally excited to serve my mission and the opportunity to go through the Washington D.C. temple. The spirit was so strong that day that I knew I was doing the right thing by going on a mission!

Call...

So, my mission call came today and I will definately post where I'm going! I'm excited/nervous but the people around me are totally excited. I know I'll miss sharing the news with my grandpa, but I know he will be here in spirit!!!

'What happened here changed the world, let it change your life'

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to go to Palmyra, New york to visit the Joseph Smith sites and I have to tell you, it was amazing! Saturday afternoon we went to the temple and it was the first time in 5 years that I've been there! It was a spiritual, amazing and comforting being there. Once I walked through the doors, it seemed like all the challenges and trials i'm going through right now didn't matter. After that, we headed to the sites and saw the log home, frame house and sacred grove. I had the same feeling in the grove that I had in the temple and again, it was awesome! As I was walking through the grove, headed for the exit, I got a prompting to turn around and look at the grove from where I was standing. As I was looking at the trees and the beautiful flowers, I thought how much that my life has changed when I learn more of Joseph Smith. Its my all time favorite church story and I love it! So, as the subject of my blog, that phrase ran through my mind as I was looking back at the grove. As a friend of mine said after we exited the grove, 'how can you not feel the spirit walking through?"

What happened in that grove, changed my life more than I think everyone knows. I love hearing about Joseph Smith and what he went through. He is a great person, seer and revelator. He never once let anything or anybody get in his way and he never gave up. When it all came down to it, he loved everyone and everything.

"What happened here changed the world, let it change your life"

Growing Up

To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there. -- Barbara Bush

This weekend, my dad and ashley are out in Idaho visiting family and also visiting utah state--which is one of her options for college. Anyway, yesterday they had the chance to meet up with one of our neighbors that we lived by in Rexburg. They now live in the Logan, Utah area. The oldest daughter is putting out a CD this spring (her own!!) and she is really good and we recently became friends on facebook and as i was clicking through her pictures i couldn't believe how much her and her sister have grown! I remember all those times growing up and doing some crazy stuff. Then, to make things more emotional my 2nd cousin Braxton turned 11 today!! CRAZY!! Its amazing how kids grow up so fast and they really teach you what life is about. I hate growing up..it sucks! I mean, half my cousins have kids already, I'm planning on going on a mission, ashley is going to college, megan starting high school next year, kellen whos voice is changing drastically..it sounds like he has a cold and thats all i can think of. Its amazing though how a family can go through all these changes and still manages to be there for you. I think since i'm in the process of turning my papers in its all starting to hit home that i'm not going to be here during the next 18 months and life is going to go on without me and that some of my relationships with people will be different. I already know they will. I know that no matter where I go though, I'll ALWAYS have my family!!

A day late

Yesterday was probably the toughest day of the week/month/year so far. It marked the one year anniversary of my Grandpa Moss' death. During the past couple weeks, I reflected on where I was last year during that time...saying goodbye to my Grandpa. I remember like it was yesterday where I was when I got the news. It was a Sunday. I had just finished up with dinner at my Grandmas and was heading into my Great Aunts house to pick up Kellen from his b-ball game. As we were driving home, I told Kellen to call my dad (who was still in Idaho w/ my grandpa) and tell him about his game. Little did we both know, or all of us know, 15 min. later my Grandpa would pass away. Kellen and I were home for about 25 min. before my mom, ashley and megan got home from church. In walked my pap which I thought was a little strange. My mom sat us down in the living room and me being myself was of course, joking around. She told us that Grandpa had passed away an hour ago. I was shocked, upset and every word to describe my emotions was possibly true. I remember crying the whole entire night and talked to my dad that night but only less than 30 seconds because he was so upset.
With it being a year later, I've missed telling my Grandpa that I graduated from Vo-tech for Dental Assisting, Getting a job as a Dental Assistant and preparing for a mission in the summer. I know without a doubt that he has been watching over each of us throughout this past year. I miss my Grandpa everyday but I can't wait for the day when I can see him again. I miss his smile, his laugh and him cracking jokes. It took me about 9 months after his death to fully accept it. Throughout the whole grieving process however, I've gained a better testimony on families and on faith, hope and love.

Lately

Ever since November I've really started thinking about whether or not I should go on a mission. This is an experience that I want most in my life and I know I will be a better person because of it. The confirmation came to me a couple weeks ago as I sat and listened to my friend give his return home talk from his mission. I knew right then and there that I was going. This is something that I'm supposed to do and I know it. Some people might think I'm not going to make it or I can't do it...I've been told that by some people (mostly by one). Its my life and I'm going to take a stand for it..because in the end its my happiness that counts. I'm here to prove to people that I can do it and that I want to do it.

In other news, I'm going to be a bridesmaid in my best friends wedding in August! Which is going to push back my leaving date for my mission.....

Untitled

"Make a wish and place it in your heart. Anything you want, everything you want. Do you have it? Good. Now believe it can come true. You never know where the next miracle is gonna come from, the next smile, the next wish to come true. But if you believe that it's right around the corner, and you open your heart and mind to the possibility of it, to the certainty of it. You just might get the thing you're wishing for. The world is full of magic. You just have to believe in it. So make your wish. Do you have it? Good. Now believe in it. With all your heart."

I've been thinking alot about where my life will be in the coming months. I'm now preparing to go on a mission and have my papers in April. But i've lately been thinking about dreams or wishes that I want to come true. The conclusion that I've come to is that you just have to believe that they can come true and believe in them with all your heart. Life is short and full of opportunity--so take the next opportunity that might scare you or make you anxious. Life is short and afterall, you only get one shot. Think of an experience that you want to see happen in your life and make it happen.