Monday, April 20, 2009

But, Whatever Shall I Do?

Life is just grand. I'm sitting here, mulling over the thought that I have finished my finals! That means I am DONE for a full 20 months! That's right...Done. Yongwan. Hecho. (Note: Please remember, I don't speak Spanish...yet). How long has it been since I've experienced this kind of freedom? Try...NEVER! Yeah, I'm just a little overwhelmed as to what I should do with myself now...

Oh wait, nevermind, it's planned (you really think I'm going to waste time just waiting for something to happen this summer?):
  • Road trip to San Diego/Disneyland with my friend for our birthdays! Yes, 3 days in Disneyland for $70...I'd say that's a deal. Oh, and P.S. This trip obviously includes In 'N Out.
  • HOBY! That blessed time when I make friends with high school kids again and tire my voice out from doing cheers and skits.
  • Wisdom teeth...note that this does NOT deserve an exclamation mark...or special colors...or bigger font...grrr...
  • Road trip to Bakersfield/Santa Barbara with my mom! One last girl's week before my mission.
  • Strawberries 'N Cream frappuccinos every day for a week with my best friend ever, Jessica, who gets home from her mission one week before I leave on mine.
  • And of course in between all that...sewing away at work. It's a party there during the summer though so no big deal.

Needless to say, this next 2.5 months will fly by. And it is going to be amazing. :)

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Women's Chorus

I have been so blessed this last 3 years by having the chance to be in the BYU Women's Chorus. Every day at 3:00, I have wandered into the HFAC to spend an hour singing with some of the most amazing girls on campus. I cannot imagine my BYU experience without it.

I have never been on staff or anything for choir, but I didn't want to let that stop me this year from being involved. As the year progressed, I adopted the role of the unofficial photographer and took pictures at every event we had...concerts, parties, service projects, retreats, etc. I loved it. My goal was to get every girl pictured, so of course I wanted to know who every girl was. Those girls have truly changed my life for the better. Some of them I only just really got to know last week and some of them have been good friends of mine for all 3 years now. Wow, it's been a crazy ride but oh so worth it.

This last weekend we had the chance to do a performance to be filmed and later nationally televised on PBS. All 4 auditioned choirs, along with the BYU Philharmonic Orchestra, sang/played pieces centered around the theme "Pilgrim's Journey Home." We explored all different aspects of the theme...war-torn times, service, faltering in faith, enduring to the end, and reaching our eternal home. As we sang, I was just trying to soak in every second of being on that stage...the cameras zooming in on my face, the feel of the lights, the look of the dimmed audience, the sound of the choirs and orchestra reverberating through the hall. It was the closest thing to perfection I've ever felt.

Ever since I got my mission call, I have never felt such strong feelings of doubt and inadequacy flood my mind. But the final closing numbers (which consisted of all 5 groups) were beautiful arrangements of Come Come Ye Saints and Lead Kindly Light. The words to both of those hymns and the power and conviction of all 700+ performers on that stage brought me to tears. Especially on the third verse of Lead Kindly Light, "So long thy power hath blessed me sure it still will lead me on!" I thought of all the times I have called on the power of the Lord in the past and I have been blessed with it. It will be the same on my mission. The Lord wants every one of us to know that He is near, always looking out for us, and He will bless us with the power we need to further His work upon the earth. I had no idea if a camera was zooming in on me right then, but I knew that I wanted whoever was looking at my face to know that I know, and to have a desire to come to know it for themselves. I felt like we had a little glimpse into missionary work by having the responsibility to portray the pure love of Christ through our music, our faces, and our spirits.

Sorry I've been rambling on, but Women's Chorus was so much more than a choir to me. It was a time that I could set aside to feel the spirit, strengthen my testimony, and strengthen my friendships every day. If anybody reading this was in Women's Chorus with me this year, thank you. Thank you for your patience as I passed out ;) , for your support in hard times, for your smiles in wonderful times, and for your love in all times. I love you!

Friday, April 3, 2009

CALLED TO SERVE!


I have been called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am assigned to labor in the NEW JERSEY MORRISTOWN Mission. I report to the Provo MTC on July 1, 2009. I will prepare to preach the gospel in the SPANISH language!!!

So there you have it. I cannot believe I am going on a mission! When I opened my call and started reading the words, I knew that I have been called to be where I need to be, speaking the language I need to speak, in order to teach the people I need to teach. It is an amazing feeling. I haven't stopped thinking about it since I opened it last night. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve the Lord for 18 months of my life. He has given me everything. Thanks for all your support during different stages of my life to get me to this point! I love you!


We started out the evening with a rousing rendition of "Called to Serve"
At this point, I was really really nervous...
And then I freaked out...
Where's a map? :)
I love my family. I'm so glad they live close so we were able to celebrate this special day together.
Oh yeah, and I decided to cut my hair, as you can see in these pictures. But don't judge too harshly, it had been raining all day :)