Two Years Home

On this day two years ago, June 29th 2011, I returned home from my service as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. As many other sentimental missionaries have done, I want to take some time to write about what this experience meant to me. For those who are reading this who are not a member of the LDS faith, I hope this will give you some understanding as to what I did for 18 months of my life and the impact it had on me.

A mission was the best and hardest thing I have ever done. Ever since I was young I wanted to be a missionary. My mother served a mission and her dedication to and faith in the Savior was always an example to me. Making the decision to go was hard. I left in the middle of my college education, giving up opportunities for school, jobs, relationships, and time with my family. As a missionary, you decide to dedicate all your time and attention to serving Heavenly Father and teaching people about Jesus Christ for 18 months... Going to a new area of the world and speaking a foreign language, emailing your family once every week and hearing them on the phone two times a year, wearing a dress everyday in 100-degree weather or in 4 feet of snow, waking up everyday at 6:30am (that was a hard one for me)... Needless to say, many sacrifices have to be made if you want to be a missionary. But that is the whole point - to sacrifice all of our worldly desires for a period of time to leave home and teach people about Jesus Christ.

Shouldn't we be willing to sacrifice everything that we might know Him better?

When I received my mission assignment to go to the Arizona Phoenix Mission the first thought that went through my head was, "Great... I'm going to be sweating for 18 months!" I entered the Missionary Training Center about 10 days after Christmas. Over the period of the next 18 months I served with 10 different companions in 6 different areas (Glendale and Flagstaff, AZ, Bloomfield and Aztec, NM, and Durango and Bayfield, CO), had two mission presidents, AND switched mission assignments to serve in the New Mexico Farmington Mission.

My mission experience was filled with experiences that brought me closer to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. There were also times when I was discouraged and sadness. Every missionary will experience times like these. The real test comes in how each person deals with those times of discouragement. Do you choose to stop working hard or go home? Or do you choose to put your faith and trust in the Lord and press forward?

 I went through such an experience of which I have only told my parents about until now. In an area where we were not having much success for many months, I wrote in my journal "What else is there for me to do here? What else does the Lord want me to do?" I was tired of trying to talk to people who didn't want to have anything to do with us. I was tired of knocking on doors. I was tired of teaching the same 3 people every week who were not making any real commitment to change. I was ready to throw in the towel, give up, and come home. And then I realized....... The Savior did not give up on me when he was in the Garden of Gethsemane. He did not say "I'm tired" or "This is too hard." There were thousands of people who did not want to have anything to do with Him or want to change their traditional way of life. And yet He did not falter.

Although some days it was a battle to get out of bed, I decided to keep pushing forward with what I had promised the Lord I would do - and that, I consider a victory. Just like the beginning, the end of my mission was filled with wonderful companions who encouraged me and helped me to keep working hard. It was filled with members of the church that became family to me. It was filled with opportunities for sharing about Jesus Christ that will forever solidify my testimony in Him. I am grateful for the Savior's example of steadfastness and how it helped me to press forward. 

My memories of my mission are already beginning to fade over time. I occasionally will talk with my companions about mission stories and memories to help me remember. I am also VERY grateful that I kept a journal for about 80% of my daily events. And I took a lot of pictures... Although the memories will fade, I will NEVER forget the feelings that I had ---

When I heard Brian Kohlenberg share his testimony for the first time

When a parents would renew their commitment to Jesus Christ because of the faith of their children
Joe Brown's dedicatin to invite every person he met to meet with us to learn about Jesus Christ

When I read my scriptures and received revelation for people we were teaching
Young single adult college students, like Janice and Jill Bacigalupo, who follow what they know to be true even when family and friends oppose their decision

When Mary Trujillo invited me to her baptism (after meeting with missionaries on and off for 5 years)

And the list could go on and on...

It is these memories and the feelings that I had as a missionary that carry me through hard times today. When I am having difficulty with my faith now, I remember the time I spent as a missionary and the conviction that I had about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It helps me to remember the principles that I thought and how important it is to do the little things like read my scriptures and pray to my Heavenly Father. It helps me to stay on the path. It gives me light when I am in a dark and low place. 

It helps me to know that I am not alone.

 

The Graduate

It's been about a month and a half since I updated my blog. SSSOOOO many exciting things to write about. Where to start... Who said life after graduation would get any easier????

The first great piece of information to share - I have an internship! Towards the end of school I sent out about 4 more applications to internship sites all around the country. One of the places was at the Oregon State Hospital in Salem. I had my interview during finals week and I thought it went extremely well! I was sad to hear at the end of the interview that they were not going to make a decision until about September. And THEN one week later they called me to say that I got it! I was so excited! This internship site really fits with what I am looking for as far as population, location, and treatment philosophy. I felt really good about it and received a confirmation from Heavenly Father that this is where I was supposed to be. So I accepted it! I will start the beginning of next year (January 2014).
And the BEST part is, my friend Marisa Johnson has her internship in Portland at the same time! Perfect :)

Second-of-ly, I GRADUATED!!! (well, sort of) In the music therapy program I technically don't "graduate" and get my degree until my internship is finished. But I DID get to walk at graduation! It was fun to get all dressed up and feel all fancy with some medallions around my neck. Best part of that day? During the general commencement with the thousands of students attended, the president of our university was detailing some of the accomplishments of our graduating class students. And of course, when I wasn't paying attention, he began to talk about me and my trip to Africa! He also mentioned the research I had completed through the Honors Program and how it related to music therapy!! How awesome was that?!? All in all, what a wonderful day celebrating this event with friends and family. Also, my beautiful and talented sister Sandi Fawson also graduated! (one day before me haha). So proud of her as well!

I wish I could say that I am 100% done with school. I am dealing with the consequences of procrastinating my online human anatomy class for the past year and so now I get to try to finish the whole course in two months. All I need is a C to pass haha. And I have also been practicing for my Level 3 exams. (75 memorized songs, on both piano and guitar, in two keys). This summer is quite busier than I would like it to be but that is alright. Once it is over that will be a relief!

Third-of-ly, I went on an awesome graduation road trip with Marisa Johnson and MaryJane Dibble! We traveled down to Southern Utah to see Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park, Monticello, and Moab. It was a little cold with the wind chill but we managed to see all of the best places just at the right time. We also went to the Manti temple on our way home!
It was a fun trip with great friends.

Fourth-of-ly, I have been training for a marathon again! I signed up for the Top of Utah Marathon that will take place on September 21st. In April I ran the Salt Lake City Half Marathon and a few weeks ago I ran the Ogden Half Marathon! Both of these past two races occurred on days when there was a lot of rain. I was drenched both times from head to toe. Hopefully my next race has some nicer weather. I have also been going to the Copper Mountain Cross Fit with my sister Kelli. We go about 3-4 times per week and it kicks our butts! I really enjoy the challenging workouts and, although it wipes me out for the day, I feel like I am making improvements in small steps.

Last-of-ly, I am working two jobs this summer! I am back to work at West Ridge Academy where I started last summer. I work with the home staff on the evenings and weekends. I really enjoy my time there and there are even some familiar faces from last summer! I also work at the South County Outdoor Swimming Pool, yes the pool where I have been working since I was 15 years old haha. I have been promoted to a facility supervisor and so far I really like my job! There are about one million things to learn so it keeps me on my toes. That job will only go through the end of August so that will keep me busy busy busy!

I am enjoying the nice weather, living at home, and spending time with my family. I am missing my friends from USU, from the music therapy program, from my study abroad program, and from Ghana. It has been quite a journey for me since starting at USU back in 2007. But I am finally ready to be moving on with a new chapter of my life.
I just can't wait to see what is around the next page!