Well, this will be the last post on here actually posted by me!!! Tonight I was set apart as a missionary!! In just about 36 hours from now I'll be entering the MTC!! I am so excited for this opportunity to serve the Lord and give others the opportunity to have the joy and happiness I have because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I was given a wonderful blessing with my setting apart, and I know that this is what I am called to do at this time. I feel so blessed!
I don't know when my first chance to write will be, but I'm hoping that it shouldn't be much more than a week before there is an update from my parents on here. I hope you all keep reading about my adventures in teaching the gospel, and all the wonderful things I'll get to experience. Everything should be updated on here on a weekly basis.
Here is my itinerary for the next day and a half....
Tonight: Finish packing and cleaning... hopefully this won't take too long! If I'm lucky I'll be in bed by midnight
Tomorrow: Get up early and drive to Utah.
Wednesday: Report to the MTC at 12:45
I'm sure I'll fit some more stuff in there, but those are the basics of it. I'm so excited!! I think I'll be a jittery ball of energy for the next 36 hours, I only hope that I manage to sleep for at least some of them!!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
IT'S OFFICIAL!!!
I guess really it has been official for the last 8 weeks... probably 9 if you count the time between when my call was issued and when I got it, but today my MTC address (my first official address) was emailed to my new LDS mail email account. That means I'm leaving! Even more, that means I'm leaving this coming Wednesday. I am so excited!! I have countless things to do between now and then (most of which I've been putting off...), and so I should keep pretty busy. Monday at least will be hectic as time runs out and I realize exactly how many things I've been saving to do until the last minute. Tuesday my dad and I are making the trek back to Provo, and then Wednesday I'll enter the MTC as an official missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. How time has flown!
SO! You know what that means... time to start checking the blog for the latest news and for my current addresses. I'll post this one here, but then also know that they will be posted (hopefully, since I'm relying on others to do this for me) in the sidebar right on top so they should always be easy to find! Everyone is free to write, and I'll do my absolute best to write back!
Sister Kaitlin Boston
MTC Mailbox # 283
VA-RICH 0615
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793
I haven't been slacking on getting ready completely. I went yesterday and got my last shot... the only one I needed since I am serving stateside. Finally I have all the medical stuff done! Hopefully I'll stay nice and healthy for the next 18 months, and maybe if I'm lucky put on a pound or two!
In other happy news... my nephews are currently on their way to come see me before I leave. It's hard to imagine how big they will be when I come home in 18 months!
Also, I promise pictures of my hair and stuff at some point before I leave... sorry it's taken so long!!
SO! You know what that means... time to start checking the blog for the latest news and for my current addresses. I'll post this one here, but then also know that they will be posted (hopefully, since I'm relying on others to do this for me) in the sidebar right on top so they should always be easy to find! Everyone is free to write, and I'll do my absolute best to write back!
Sister Kaitlin Boston
MTC Mailbox # 283
VA-RICH 0615
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793
I haven't been slacking on getting ready completely. I went yesterday and got my last shot... the only one I needed since I am serving stateside. Finally I have all the medical stuff done! Hopefully I'll stay nice and healthy for the next 18 months, and maybe if I'm lucky put on a pound or two!
In other happy news... my nephews are currently on their way to come see me before I leave. It's hard to imagine how big they will be when I come home in 18 months!
Also, I promise pictures of my hair and stuff at some point before I leave... sorry it's taken so long!!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Skirts and Nylons
Anyone who knows me... knows me well or knows me at all... knows that I don't usually, or ever for that matter wear skirts or dresses just for fun. I wear dresses for church, church, and well, church. They just aren't really practical to wear, and I like things to be practical. That being said... I've just volunteered to spend the next 18 months of my life wearing skirts. I think this is going to take some getting used to.
By far worse than the idea of wearing skirts every day, is the knowledge that I am going to spend the next 18 months wearing nylons. Not all sisters have to wear nylons. My sister probably wore nylons for less than a month equivalent of her mission. My roommate who also recently got her call and is going to Tucson Arizona, only has to wear nylons for zone conferences, and other such meetings. I on the other hand will be wearing nylons daily. Every... day... for... the... next... 18... months! Prior to yesterday I don't recall the last time I wore nylons. Probably back in high school sometime, which would put it at a good 4.5 years ago or longer. They are a pain to put on, a pain to deal with all day, and you have to take painstakingly good care of them to not ruin them. On top of everything, they are pretty expensive for how quickly and easily one can ruin them. I guess I'm just not quite a lady at heart. Yesterday my mom decided that I needed to practice wearing nylons. She is a pretty smart lady... so in getting ready for church, I donned the nylons. Not so bad... they were surprisingly less itchy, and uncomfortable than I vaguely remembered them being. Perhaps something I can live with for 18 months. Still something I could live without if they were ever to change the rules. Possibly the worst part of wearing nylons: Shoes. I hate shoes. I typically only put them on as I'm walking out the door, and they come off the second I return home, wearing nylons however, pretty much requires that the shoes remain on... ALL DAY! It was quite a relief last night when it was time to finally change out of the nylons and the Sunday clothes into something more comfortable. I wonder if I'll get that same relief every day of my mission, or if I'll eventually get to the point that it doesn't phase me anymore. I The clock is ticking, and it won't be long before nylons and skirts are the basis of my wardrobe!
By far worse than the idea of wearing skirts every day, is the knowledge that I am going to spend the next 18 months wearing nylons. Not all sisters have to wear nylons. My sister probably wore nylons for less than a month equivalent of her mission. My roommate who also recently got her call and is going to Tucson Arizona, only has to wear nylons for zone conferences, and other such meetings. I on the other hand will be wearing nylons daily. Every... day... for... the... next... 18... months! Prior to yesterday I don't recall the last time I wore nylons. Probably back in high school sometime, which would put it at a good 4.5 years ago or longer. They are a pain to put on, a pain to deal with all day, and you have to take painstakingly good care of them to not ruin them. On top of everything, they are pretty expensive for how quickly and easily one can ruin them. I guess I'm just not quite a lady at heart. Yesterday my mom decided that I needed to practice wearing nylons. She is a pretty smart lady... so in getting ready for church, I donned the nylons. Not so bad... they were surprisingly less itchy, and uncomfortable than I vaguely remembered them being. Perhaps something I can live with for 18 months. Still something I could live without if they were ever to change the rules. Possibly the worst part of wearing nylons: Shoes. I hate shoes. I typically only put them on as I'm walking out the door, and they come off the second I return home, wearing nylons however, pretty much requires that the shoes remain on... ALL DAY! It was quite a relief last night when it was time to finally change out of the nylons and the Sunday clothes into something more comfortable. I wonder if I'll get that same relief every day of my mission, or if I'll eventually get to the point that it doesn't phase me anymore. I The clock is ticking, and it won't be long before nylons and skirts are the basis of my wardrobe!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Lasts
I've been meaning to write... but life has been incredibly busy!
On Wednesday I worked my last shift as an employee at Old Navy. I still don't think it has really sunk in yet that I no longer work there. After just short of three years, it is strange to leave a place. Mostly I'm really excited to finally be done. I never thought I'd last three months there, much less three years, and for most of the last three years I've been telling people that it was just a temporary job, and I was planning to find something better. Well, that day has come, and I have found something much better to do... Preach the gospel to the people of Virginia! My manager... who almost got emotional on me when I left told me that no matter what, if I come back and need a job, I always have one there. Honestly, I'd prefer not to have to take him up on that, but it is nice to know that I have something. It was, in some ways sad to leave. I'd worked with a lot of the people for the better part of two years, and actually felt like I had quite a few friends there. In retail, sometimes people can come and go and you hardly even notice, but those that do stick around get to be kind of close. They did give me a pretty good last week though. Monday... my last closing night, the manager who closed bought pizza, and we got to eat it just after closing (before recovering the store!) She was my favorite manager that night! Then on Wednesday night the manager that worked with me most the day bought me cupcakes so I could celebrate! I'm still not really sure who wins out as favorite manager. I kept my nametags... I figured Old Navy was a significant enough part of my life, that it might be fun to have a keepsake... at least for a while. Eventually, the scar on the back of my hand will probably be enough keepsake... and it's one I can't really get rid of.
On a slightly different note, I was told that the "Kaitlin Shrine" at work would remain up while I was gone. I doubt that will last long, but it has been up for more than 9 months. All the kids who worked over holiday knew me as "the girl in the hand" Still not really sure how I feel about that, but now that I'm gone, I'll just be the mysterious girl in the hand... the idea of being immortal at old navy is kinda exciting... or kinda pathetic. I can't really decide.
On Thursday I packed up and drove home to California. It wasn't really that exciting of a day. I drove 10 hours. Played the Alphabet game once shortly after I left Vegas thinking that I was being smart and could use Zzyzx exit to get some of the letters at the end of the alphabet. I guess it's a lot easier to play and actually find the letters when you are actually paying attention because I finished in probably about 10 minutes, and well before Zzyzx. Playing once was enough for me, so Zzyzx road will have to wait for some little kid to find its usefulness.
Being home is kind of strange. It's been almost two years since I lived at home, and it is different without Wee One here to pester all the time. I guess everyone has to grow up and move on with their life some time. Why do people have to grow up? Baby sisters should stay little forever... Even if it's been a good 5 years since she was littler than me anyway.
Yesterday I had an amazing opportunity to go to the Fresno temple with my parents. My parents are both temple workers on friday nights, and it was really cool to spend the evening with them that way. It was also really cool that unplanned, and unknown to us, we planned my evening at the temple to correspond exactly with my mom's schedule. So I was with her the whole night. God really does know how to take care of even the little things for us! Very amazing night. The sealer that was at the temple was really sweet and talkative, he told us some pretty interesting stories about the MTC... I'll be there in just over a week!! Small temples are cool because everything is so personal. Everyone knew who I was and asked me about my mission, where and when I was going, and everyone had some sort of advice or wisdom to give. Amazing experience!
Finally, today my mom and I were able to finish all the clothing shopping I needed to do for my mission. Even after that it doesn't really feel like I'm leaving! For two people that hate shopping, we were pretty successful... and we even managed to make it through most of the day! We got some shoes, nylons (gag!), shirts, and some really nice jackets. We also got a really big suitcase. I could probably fit in it if I was at all inclined to curl myself up into a ball to try it out. It should easily fit everything I need for the next 18 months. It is such a nice feeling to finally have that done! Now I just need to figure out how to get everything else done. Only about 10 days before I leave... I'm starting to get a little nervous that I won't get everything done! At least I'll be dressed though. I no longer have to worry about showing up to the MTC with nothing to wear and being sent home! What a relief that is! Pictures of the wardrobe... or at least some of it will probably follow later.... once I get my hair cut and stuff. Just one more thing to add to my list of things to do! Maddness!!
On Wednesday I worked my last shift as an employee at Old Navy. I still don't think it has really sunk in yet that I no longer work there. After just short of three years, it is strange to leave a place. Mostly I'm really excited to finally be done. I never thought I'd last three months there, much less three years, and for most of the last three years I've been telling people that it was just a temporary job, and I was planning to find something better. Well, that day has come, and I have found something much better to do... Preach the gospel to the people of Virginia! My manager... who almost got emotional on me when I left told me that no matter what, if I come back and need a job, I always have one there. Honestly, I'd prefer not to have to take him up on that, but it is nice to know that I have something. It was, in some ways sad to leave. I'd worked with a lot of the people for the better part of two years, and actually felt like I had quite a few friends there. In retail, sometimes people can come and go and you hardly even notice, but those that do stick around get to be kind of close. They did give me a pretty good last week though. Monday... my last closing night, the manager who closed bought pizza, and we got to eat it just after closing (before recovering the store!) She was my favorite manager that night! Then on Wednesday night the manager that worked with me most the day bought me cupcakes so I could celebrate! I'm still not really sure who wins out as favorite manager. I kept my nametags... I figured Old Navy was a significant enough part of my life, that it might be fun to have a keepsake... at least for a while. Eventually, the scar on the back of my hand will probably be enough keepsake... and it's one I can't really get rid of.
On a slightly different note, I was told that the "Kaitlin Shrine" at work would remain up while I was gone. I doubt that will last long, but it has been up for more than 9 months. All the kids who worked over holiday knew me as "the girl in the hand" Still not really sure how I feel about that, but now that I'm gone, I'll just be the mysterious girl in the hand... the idea of being immortal at old navy is kinda exciting... or kinda pathetic. I can't really decide.
On Thursday I packed up and drove home to California. It wasn't really that exciting of a day. I drove 10 hours. Played the Alphabet game once shortly after I left Vegas thinking that I was being smart and could use Zzyzx exit to get some of the letters at the end of the alphabet. I guess it's a lot easier to play and actually find the letters when you are actually paying attention because I finished in probably about 10 minutes, and well before Zzyzx. Playing once was enough for me, so Zzyzx road will have to wait for some little kid to find its usefulness.
Being home is kind of strange. It's been almost two years since I lived at home, and it is different without Wee One here to pester all the time. I guess everyone has to grow up and move on with their life some time. Why do people have to grow up? Baby sisters should stay little forever... Even if it's been a good 5 years since she was littler than me anyway.
Yesterday I had an amazing opportunity to go to the Fresno temple with my parents. My parents are both temple workers on friday nights, and it was really cool to spend the evening with them that way. It was also really cool that unplanned, and unknown to us, we planned my evening at the temple to correspond exactly with my mom's schedule. So I was with her the whole night. God really does know how to take care of even the little things for us! Very amazing night. The sealer that was at the temple was really sweet and talkative, he told us some pretty interesting stories about the MTC... I'll be there in just over a week!! Small temples are cool because everything is so personal. Everyone knew who I was and asked me about my mission, where and when I was going, and everyone had some sort of advice or wisdom to give. Amazing experience!
Finally, today my mom and I were able to finish all the clothing shopping I needed to do for my mission. Even after that it doesn't really feel like I'm leaving! For two people that hate shopping, we were pretty successful... and we even managed to make it through most of the day! We got some shoes, nylons (gag!), shirts, and some really nice jackets. We also got a really big suitcase. I could probably fit in it if I was at all inclined to curl myself up into a ball to try it out. It should easily fit everything I need for the next 18 months. It is such a nice feeling to finally have that done! Now I just need to figure out how to get everything else done. Only about 10 days before I leave... I'm starting to get a little nervous that I won't get everything done! At least I'll be dressed though. I no longer have to worry about showing up to the MTC with nothing to wear and being sent home! What a relief that is! Pictures of the wardrobe... or at least some of it will probably follow later.... once I get my hair cut and stuff. Just one more thing to add to my list of things to do! Maddness!!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Two Weeks, Three Days. Where Did the Time Go?
My blog has been pretty quiet for a while, but I guess that will just get every one used to when I leave. While I'm gone there won't be much going on here, though I am hoping that my mom will keep it updated with my e-mails and pictures once a week. So don't go away completely! I also hope that the blog will be regularly updated with my new addresses so everyone can write to me as well! I am excited for this new adventure, and the opportunity to serve in the church! I am looking forward to an absolutely amazing experience and some of the hardest, yet best times of my life! It is ridiculous how fast the time goes. It's been a month and a half since I opened my mission call and discovered I would be going to Richmond, and while in some ways it seems so long ago I can barely remember it, I also feel like the time since then has slipped by without my knowing it, and I am starting to feel slightly panicky at how much I still have to do before I go. At least after Thursday I will be at home, and not working, so I will have nearly two weeks to get things ready at home! what an exciting time! I know that I will learn so much and grow so much on my mission that I will come back a different person! I am so excited for the challenges that will help me to become the person that Heavenly Father wants me to be.
A combination of leaving and mothers day today has caused me to spend a lot of time thinking about the people who have helped me the most, and who mean the most to me. Of course, my parents top that list. Without them, I wouldn't be anywhere near where I am today! They are my biggest supports in anything and every thing I decide to do, even when it makes no sense to anyone but me. They are there for me, and always ready to help me when I finally humble myself enough to realize I can't do everything on my own. I don't think I could have better parents for me! There are many others who have touched my life, and many who do not even know it. Thank you to all of you!
It's strange. I've moved so often in the last 5 years that I have yet to ever pay taxes in only one state. I've lived in four different states, attended four different colleges, made all types of friends, and learned so much about myself. It's strange leaving Utah though. I've been here for almost two years... which is by far the longest I've lived any place for a while. I feel like I've finally found a place that I could stay a while (not Provo, but Utah), and I'm leaving. I guess it's also weird to think that I'm leaving, but I'll come back, but when I come back everything will be so different than it is now. Some things will assuredly stay the same, but people move on, get married, change, have babies, go out into the real world and get jobs, and yet life goes on. People come and go... you make new friends, but never forget the ones that have touched your life and changed you forever. It will be really interesting to see how things have changed when I come back 19 months from now. I'm sure that some changes will be expected, some will be complete surprises, and perhaps some things I expect to change will remain unchanged, as though no time has passed.
For a couple of days I was having a hard time with the idea of leaving. But, last night I felt a final release, like I've done the things that were important for me to do before I left, and now I'm ready to go! The next two weeks, and the final preparations getting everything ready can hardly go fast enough. I've said my goodbye, and this time between now and when I leave is just extra time... time waiting for something far grander to come. It's like a little kid waiting for Christmas. It will be a long wait, and when the wait is over, the actual event will go so fast it will hardly seem like it happened.... that is what I hear anyway!
I think that is about all I have to say today! For those that actually read this, sorry for the scatterbrained thoughts! I guess that is just how I think most of the time! I should have more time to write once I'm done with work, and at home.
A combination of leaving and mothers day today has caused me to spend a lot of time thinking about the people who have helped me the most, and who mean the most to me. Of course, my parents top that list. Without them, I wouldn't be anywhere near where I am today! They are my biggest supports in anything and every thing I decide to do, even when it makes no sense to anyone but me. They are there for me, and always ready to help me when I finally humble myself enough to realize I can't do everything on my own. I don't think I could have better parents for me! There are many others who have touched my life, and many who do not even know it. Thank you to all of you!
It's strange. I've moved so often in the last 5 years that I have yet to ever pay taxes in only one state. I've lived in four different states, attended four different colleges, made all types of friends, and learned so much about myself. It's strange leaving Utah though. I've been here for almost two years... which is by far the longest I've lived any place for a while. I feel like I've finally found a place that I could stay a while (not Provo, but Utah), and I'm leaving. I guess it's also weird to think that I'm leaving, but I'll come back, but when I come back everything will be so different than it is now. Some things will assuredly stay the same, but people move on, get married, change, have babies, go out into the real world and get jobs, and yet life goes on. People come and go... you make new friends, but never forget the ones that have touched your life and changed you forever. It will be really interesting to see how things have changed when I come back 19 months from now. I'm sure that some changes will be expected, some will be complete surprises, and perhaps some things I expect to change will remain unchanged, as though no time has passed.
For a couple of days I was having a hard time with the idea of leaving. But, last night I felt a final release, like I've done the things that were important for me to do before I left, and now I'm ready to go! The next two weeks, and the final preparations getting everything ready can hardly go fast enough. I've said my goodbye, and this time between now and when I leave is just extra time... time waiting for something far grander to come. It's like a little kid waiting for Christmas. It will be a long wait, and when the wait is over, the actual event will go so fast it will hardly seem like it happened.... that is what I hear anyway!
I think that is about all I have to say today! For those that actually read this, sorry for the scatterbrained thoughts! I guess that is just how I think most of the time! I should have more time to write once I'm done with work, and at home.
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