Life After Alaska.

Like any other good journal writer/blogger, I will not be trying to play catch up. A lot has happened, some exciting and some not so. Regardless, a lot has happened.

A few things that are noticeable is that I am no longer in Skagway, Alaska, but I did do some traveling. I am going to focus on the travel part and what I am up to now.

I came across this quote (Thank You Pinterest) and not only did I enjoy it, but I could relate to it! And I will expand on it.

“I would gladly live out of a suitcase it if meant I could see the world.”

I returned to the Pacific Northwest on September 26^th.  The following weeks consisted of watching A LOT of Netflix, you don’t appreciate streaming until you cannot do it anymore, and hanging out with my family. I helped my mom with little projects and chores. I read some books. An Alaska Roommate and her sister stayed at my house. And I continued to watch Netflix. Surprisingly. I consistently went to bed at a decent time. On October 26^th, that is where the adventure began! I traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah to meet up with Shannon so we could go back to Orlando, Florida to visit out mission.

A TRUE fan now.

October 27^th-November 3^rd: We started the trip off by going to Universal Studios and Island Park to visit Hogwarts. If you do not know me, you should know that I LOVE Harry Potter. Before I received my mission call I made the statement to my parents that it would be cool if I was called to Florida and could go to Hogwarts. They laughed. When I got my mission call I practically screamed that I was accepted into Hogwarts. And before I reported to my mission, I listened to all the Harry Potter books because I knew I would miss them. See, I am not lying.
                Universal Studios/Island Park was amazing! We got hooked up for two days and it was awesome. I am so grateful that Shannon was just excited as I was. Oh and I should mention that I told her in order for me to go with her to the park, she would need to read the books as well. No lie, when we landed in Orlando she finished the last book!  It was a magical experience to witness that. I loved all the rides and even though I was not a big fan of the Butterbeer, it was still such a blast. It rained and rained, but I think my happiness overcame the wetness. The second day at the park was just as awesome because we spent it with Ashley and her husband, Sam. They both work at the parks so it was fun to be with them and even get ahead in a few rides.

We went to the temple (I forgot my recommend) 

My 1st Missionary Apt. 

                The next two days we spent in the first area we served in. Where Shannon trained me, Lake Mary! It was so weird to be back in the area…together….and not be missionaries. I kept feeling like we needed to talk to people and leave messages with people. We were so blessed with some of our favorite members to host us by giving us a place to stay and eat! It was awesome to not feel pressured to have quick visits, but just relax with the people that we love. I also got to see a couple converts who are doing awesome.

The weekend we spent in Daytona Beach. We got there on Sunday and when we arrived at church so many people were shocked. Shannon has been back a few times so they were happy to see us and when they saw me they were really thrown off! That was the best part. We stopped by some people we didn’t see at church and they were confused because they didn’t remember signing up to feed the sisters that day. Wrong Sisters! Haha. On Monday we continued visiting and even went to the beach! That was really awesome to just look at the beach. I love the beach because it reminds me of my mom and I love the smell and the sound. When I first got to Daytona Beach as a missionary and saw the ocean, I cried. No joke. I cry a lot. 

Each missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints receive a little white handbook that talks about how missionaries should live and what is expected of them. One of my favorite experts comes from page 36 and I always think about it. It reads, “When you go home, do not forget those you have taught. At all times live worthy of their trust.” This is so special to me because I want to always live worthy of those I taught's trust, whether they were baptized or not. I want them to know that I know the Gospel to be true. And as I live the principles and doctrine, I am happy and they can be happy too. Returning to the mission was weird and sad, but I also felt so good to know that I did my best in those areas. And I will say it a million times I LOVE THE PEOPLE OF ORLANDO! I am so blessed to have met so many wonderful people, non member and member a like. I do not think I can ever repay them on what they gave me. I have been infleunce to become a sister, future wife/mother, citizen, and overall follow of Christ because of the people I spent time with in Orlando.

We returned back to Salt Lake City on November 3^rd

Olive and Leki

November 4^th-6^th I spent in SLC. I hung out with Kimm (Shannon’s sister) and her kids. I adore her kids so much! They always remember me and I love playing with them. I also got some Sifa snuggling in! That night I went out to dinner with two friends from Washington, Allen and Kevin, which I really liked because I loved seeing how we have all grown and have had experiences.

On the 5^th, I spent ALL day with Kendal, which was way fun. We shopped. We laughed. We ate. We painted nails. It was exactly like we were still roommates, except she had a husband. Ha. I love being with Kendal and Matt because they make me laugh so much! They were kind enough to let me stay at their place my last night in SLC. Friday morning (the 6^th), Amanda drove up from Orem to pick me up. I met Amanda up in Alaska. Amanda is a true blue Alaskan lady and I love her to pieces!! We went out to sushi and caught up and laughed. She is seriously one of my favorite people and I am so grateful to have met her. After, she took me to the airport, where I would make my last pit stop to Las Vegas.

Oh Vegas. That place. It is something I didn’t expect at all. From the moment I stepped off the plane my brain was going crazy with all the sounds and sights. But I did love it! I went to Las Vegas to visit my friend, Michael. I met Michael at school my first semester back from my mission. We were in the same FHE group and he is a really awesome guy. He graduated a year before me and it seems normal for friendships to end, but our friendship did not end. I am really grateful that he let me come down and see what the Vegas life was like. There was a lot of lights and sounds and sights. Lots of good food and walking. Nevada is beautiful and I loved the mountains! I won't lie, I was not thinking it would be as beautiful as I thought. I am a girl who loves green and rain and trees.Come on, I am from Seattle and have spent the last two summers working in Alaska.  The scenery was was different, but I love how every state is different its own way. Heavenly Father really is an amazing artist! We finished off the weekend by visiting the Hoover Dam, which was WHOAAA! I normally beleive I am an intelligent person, but I did not know the Hoover Dam was so close. Seeing it was not what I expected but was way cool. And if you are afraid of heights, you will probably want to run away and if you are so kind, like Michael, you will want to show me a video of someone falling off of it! ack! Overall, I loved ending my trip in Las Vegas.

Now, I have been home for about a week. It’s been rainy and cold. I went from Hot and humid Florida to Snowy SLC, to perfect Vegas weather. I would not have it any other way, I love the Pacific Northwest and I am glad I live here. The big thing I am focusing on now is getting a job, which I have a few interviews coming up, and really establishing what I think I want to do.

Oh and more travel. I want to travel more.....referring back to how I started this post, "I would gladly live out of a suitcase it if meant I could see the world." I am someone who likes their own bed. I was never that girl at school who wanted to pull out her mattress to have a sleepover in the living room. I like doing my own thing. I like my routine.However, this experience was amazing and I know I have said it a million times, but here is ONE MORE TIME:: I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THE PEOPLE I WAS ABLE TO VISIT AND CATCH UP WITH. THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO FED US, GAVE US A PLACE TO STAY, AND OVERALL ARE JUST AMAZING. I love know that I know people in three different states that will let me visit them.

Nothing beats a FLORIDA Sunset