2017 in Photos

The year started with a goodbye to my dear Romney Branch. I felt welcome and accepted there from day one, and my testimony of the Savior grew SO MUCH from fellowshipping with these people. Attending that branch taught me that I don't have to have anything in common with someone to consider them a friend, but it's also easier to find things in common with people than you'd think. 

My reason for leaving Romney was to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA in my very favorite place. Being a VISTA has been the most rewarding, frustrating, and fun labor of my life so far. I love the other VISTAs and the staff at my site - there's nothing like being surrounded by people who've chosen to serve. I'm soooo excited to have the opportunity to serve as a VISTA Leader later this year. I've also been able to volunteer in my "free time" as an advocate for children in foster care, which is my lifelong passion.

Speaking of cool people who've chosen to spend 24/7 serving, I've been fortunate enough to continue convincing missionaries to call me their friend. 

Aarin & Chatlen were the best dang counselors a Young Womens' President could ever need. ;) Before I left Romney, they gave me a priesthood blessing that has carried me through some really challenging moments.

Weekly visits with Patty and the missionaries were one of my favorite things about this year! It was sad to watch Patty's health decline, but it's been amazing to see how much a simple visit and receiving the sacrament can brighten her day.

Adam and Koby made being in Morgantown again "okay" until it became "great." (Morgantown is my favorite place, but transitioning to life there as not-a-student with not-my-old-callings was lonely.) I'll always be grateful for their friendship & the fact that Adam only judged me a little for calling him a badass son of God.

Austin, Elder Sandlin, and Krugs (center below) helped me SO MUCH with one of the hardest ongoing trials of my life. I honestly expected to be judged when I opened up to them about it all, but all three of them were nothing but loving. They also helped me rediscover my love for Indian food. (: 

I'll also choose this random space to give a shout-out to Elders Howe and Kent, two Motown ZLs who made my days brighter but haven't yet coughed up any of our photos.

Elder Cornwall and Elder Estes are two of the most compassionate, caring, and crazy missionaries I've ever met. I thoroughly enjoy the spiritual and emotional boost I get every time I spend time with them & appreciate their choice to befriend a weird old lady like me. ;) 

As I've grown to love Morgantown again, I've had the tremendous blessing of reconnecting and becoming closer with both my old friends from church and some new ones too. The Morgantown University Ward members are my people. (Especially the Relief Society! Never thought I'd say that...) When I was first called to the Relief Society Presidency my instinct was like "???" but my heart leapt for joy, and that's pretty much how it's gone.

These particular old-and-new-again friends deserve a special shout-out... 

One of the very best parts of 2017 was that one of my all-time favorite missionaries came back to visit for a day! He also got married this year, which is cool for him but a little bit lame. (*cough*marriedpeopleareboring*cough*) It was fantastic to hang out with one of my very best friends for a day. 

Note to any other RMs reading this: VISIT!!!! 

Last and most importantly, please enjoy some literal family photos. I love my family. (: 

P-Day! {lessons learned}

One of my favorite things about being friends with the missionaries is the amount that I can learn from them.

For example, Elders Hurst and Fidel taught me that outside of WV "collar" and "color" are pronounced differently, Elder Espinosa taught me not to leave my wheelchair unattended, and Sister Wonnacott helped me learn how important it is to remind people of what they're doing well.

So, this week, I'd like to document what I learned from emailing with my favorite missionaries. Along with mostly-funny random photos of their time in Morgantown, because.

Elder Fidel is basically my favorite honorary kid brother. Seriously, that's not the point of this, but oh my goodness I love that little punk. ANYWAY this week he reiterated the lesson about collars and colors by telling me a story about getting colorful teriyaki sauce on his white collar. :) And also he sent a really sweet list of things he loves about the "south" and working in tiny rural branches. "Talk about a people who love their Savior.  Their faith is so strong and just awesome. Makes missionary work a pain sometimes, but they're so great." I can lose sight of that myself and I feel like most missionaries do sometimes too, so it was so sweet to be reminded of that wonderful part of our culture. People who love the Savior are great!

There are so many funny photos of him to choose from

Elder Fitch reminded me of the power of a positive attitude & the importance of having friends who can uplift you and help you recognize the blessings in your life.

Me: I need to get a picture of you two.
Elder Fitch: Only if I can look chill.

Elder Higgins sent me a literal two-word email... but his mass email made up for it. :) He wrote about how the love he's felt from other people in his life has impacted him. "Always remind those that you love that you love them, do it in a time and place that will allow you to convey the sincerity and genuineness of that love, it will leave the greatest impact on their lives." #preach

There's an explanation for this photo but I'm not going to give it.

Elder Hollembeak/Solemnbeak is the king of short but significant emails. I had told him about something I was worried about, and he replied with a word document containing a talk he wanted me to read. The cool thing was that it was my absolute favorite talk! (Elder Bednar, "That We Might Not Shrink") That talk was given at a time in my life when I really needed that message, and just as Elder Solemnbeak realized, I needed to read it again today.

The camera shy one... all the other pictures I have are from baptisms.

Elder Rueda actually sent his mass email on Monday, because that's how APs roll. And as usual it contained something super deep and relevant to my life. "No matter how much you love and want something for someone, they must make the choice for themselves. I've really grown to see that the only thing that's really ours in this life is our agency, or ability to choose for ourselves. Everything else is the Lords. We must choose happiness, it doesn't just come on it's own." Being patient with people I love when they're making choices that prevent them from being as happy as they could possibly be is tough, but the Lord is patient with me.

Surprise! It's not the chastity picture.

Elder Su'a-Filo/Souffle also reminded me of the importance of keeping a positive attitude no matter your situation. His enthusiasm for missionary work and "the WVCM experience" makes me smile. He's going to do amazing things in Hazard!

Sometimes I initiated new elders by making them grill dinner.
Sometimes they accidentally threw spices in my eyes...

Sister Wonnacott gave me some great advice about figuring out what I want to do with my life. I guess a missionary going home in 2 days would be the person to ask. :) "My suggestions? Just give up on life and live as a hobo on the street with me..... or if you don't want to do that, you could try this thing that I had to do for this new "My Plan" program for returning missionaries. It has you read your patriarchal blessing and circle all the words that describe you and underline all the actions that is says God wants you to take in your life. [...] Ponder what KIND of thing God wants you to do, pick a course of action, then pray about it." Boom. Thank you, whoever came up with programs to help new RMs.

Name tag theft! 

Elder Zazueta made sure I know the importance of remembering EVERYONE'S birthday... I said something about Higgins's and Rueda's but forgot his so he kindly gave me an opportunity to practice the repentance process. (Don't worry, I was forgiven because I remember exactly what he orders from Cafe Rio, which is obviously more important.) Also he's planning on putting Elder Rueda on date to become "Mexicanly reborn." I can't learn something deep from them all every week. ;)

Just like with the other photo including Elder Z, no explanation will be given.

I love these kids. Every one of them (including the ones who are home or who didn't email me this week) are such a blessing in my life. If you have missionaries near you and they aren't your best friends, you should either buy them a burrito or bake them some brownies and tell them they no longer have a choice. Missionaries are the greatest.