Mission Interviews

I had my missionary interviews yesterday with both the Branch President and Our Stake president. And it happened to be pouring buckets of rain. So trying to get out to the car without messing up my hair or my clean outfit... Yeah... that was fun. I was a few minutes late due to the rain. 

President Lott was very kind (as he always is.) He told me that the Glitch in my paperwork was fixed so that we could send it in to the stake so that the president could look at it and then send it in to the First Presidency. 

That thought sends the good goosebumps down my arms... that someone in the Twelve actually pulls up my papers, looks at my face and thinks, "Sister Faith Peters, Where does the Lord want you to go?" And then he listens to the spirit and writes up my paperwork and hands it over to the Prophet to sign his approval. It's so amazing! 

President Lott asked me if I had any questions and He answered them and didn't belittle me... That was such a nice feeling... Not to feel stupid when I asked maybe a not so important question. For example, My skin was my only abnormality on my doctor's papers... and I asked if it was going to be a problem. He didn't laugh or scoff... He just explained that my skin is fine and that most missionaries just need to worry if they have medication that needs to be sent to them. Which I don't have... so I am good. 

I then met with President Tateoka. It was kind of Nerve wracking as He looked over all of my Doctor's paperwork... It seemed like he took forever to look over all of it. He smiled and said "it looks like you have everything in order... and your healthy as a horse... We both chuckled... He asked me Why I wanted to serve a mission, and where I wanted to go. Then he asked me if I was Ok with working, walking and going up to complete strangers. If I had a testimony of the Book of Mormon and the Bible. It was a nice heart to heart talk with him. I think my favorite question was "Are you serious with anyone?" Ha... ha... ha... I answered honestly, "I really liked Adam before he left... but that isn't going to be a problem... :) "

He looked at me and he said, "I've known your family for a long time... and I knew your Mom. And I know that she would be proud of you." I started tearing up, and said thanks. 

The Feeling after both of my interviews was incredible. I felt like it was Official. I AM GOING ON A MISSION!!! kind of feeling. It's a nice feeling.... I felt at peace. I even walked out of the Office and the sun was shining... but just for a little bit. 

I am so grateful that I have the Gospel of Christ in my life. That I am able to have the spirit in my life. I love the Book of Mormon and the many voices of the past that teach of Christ. I am grateful to those prophets and those faithful who kept the records throughout time, those who watched over them, kept them from those who would have destroyed the messages, and kept the world from progressing. I'm grateful for men like William Tyndale, who spent a life time translating the bible from hebrew, and made the books therein accessible to the public, when those in power forbade it. He was betrayed by a friend and then was strangled and burned at the stake, because He knew that what he was doing was right. I love the simpleness of the gospel. That we don't have to jump through circus hoops in order to obtain blessing from our Heavenly Father. I am so grateful for my friends, my sisters and parents for all the love and support that they have shown me. 

It's just a great time to be alive.

(sigh) I am so ready for it to be the weekend... I kinda wish that the weekend was longer. Right now... I feel really lonely and I miss Adam. Every time I look at his first letters and compare them with the ones he just sent me I can see how he has grown. But I do know that he is serving a mission and that he is working hard and has no time for me. And I sound like a love sick puppy. grrr.

I am uncertain about what lies ahead. It's very exciting but I also feel apprehensive about all that the future holds. Honestly, I am scared to death. I don't want to have bad roommates at redfish... and I want to be a great missionary.

I realize that a mission is no bed of roses... and that it will be one of the hardest things I have ever done, But I do feel like this is right.
I just feel inadequate... I have forgotten so much. I am not sure that I will be able to share the gospel with those who need to hear, because I am finding it hard to speak to people. I don't go anywhere. I don't interact with strangers... (sigh)
I just hope that the lord will help me in my weakness as he promised Moses and Moroni.

I am excited for my little excursion with my sister in law. We are both going to Burley to go try on some temple clothes. I hope that I can find a dress that I would love to wear over and over and over again. I hate getting something that I do not feel is me, cause then I get it and I never like to wear it... Unless I absolutly have to. So I am hoping for the best.
But I don't have any money so I guess I have nothing to worry about. :)

Thoughts, Impressions and Plain Excitement

I have been reading Jesus the Christ by Talmage and I have had an interesting time reading it. It's really inspired.

I was reading about how Christ was tempted by Satan the three times in the wilderness. The fist temptation If you are the Son of god... turn the the stones to bread and feed yourself... I never realized that Satan was really tempting him to use his god given powers for himself.

The second temptation was to throw himself off the temple pinnacle or battlements. IF he was the Son of God His father would save him. Could you imagine? The temple was always surrounded by people and he would show that he was invincible... he would have become quite the object of discussion, but it was blasphemous... Only Heavenly Father decides when and where his powers shall be used and Christ knew better.

The third was to bow down and to worship Satan to gain personal wealth... as the Devil promised to give Christ the Kingdoms that Christ could see from atop the high mountain. This is mind boggling cause Christ helped the father organize and create the worlds. The amazing part is that Christ had the veil over his eyes... just like the rest of us... but maybe he had some knowledge of the preexistence. It just amazes me that he was able to thwart the plans of the devil.

I know that this is pretty old news... but I finally got what the devil was trying to tempt the Christ with. It's amazing that you think you know the story and then something jumps out at you after the 60th time. Lol.

Well, I guess I will update on my life too. I just found out that I can send my papers in 120 days from my birthday... Which means that I can send them in on the 23 of June....Yay!!! I am so excited to be able to have them sent in so that I can finally find out where I am going...

I am taking temple prep and my heart pounds with excitement that I may be going to the temple soon!!! There are almost no words to describe the joy. It's like my heart wants to explode out of my chest. I am just very thankful that we have a temple here in the valley and that I can see the blessings in my life because of it. I really can't wait to go.

My address at Redfish is

Faith Peters
C/O Redfish employees
P.O. Box 307
Stanley, ID 83278

Just in case I forget... :)

Letters from Family

So I got two letters yesterday in the mail and I must say that it was a nice SU-PLIES!!! lol.. I was quite happy to have them both after a long day watching kids. Adam is doing great and he and his comp answered almost every question on the sheet I sent them. Elder Anderson seems like a great comp. He drew a picture of a Cheesy smiley head that made me laugh Out loud. It kinda reminded me of the Turnip head guy from Howl's Moving Castle... which made me laugh even harder. (that movie is a riot... )
Anyway... I thought I would share the Questionaire cause I love the Answers... The elders remarks are in bold if they had a side note.

Favorite Type of Candy: Twix
Favorite Type of Cake: Confeti
Is Elder Anderson...
A) The Nerd
B) The Annoying Elder who wants power (ZL, Dl, etc.)
*C) The Cool Dude who works really hard?
D) The Slacker
Is Elder Land....
*A) The Hardworking Dude
*B) The Slacker
*C) The Nerd/Greenie
D) Just an Annoying Elder
(Elder Anderson: JUST TAKE IT!!!)
(Elder Land: ok whatever...)
Favorite Hymns or other music you like to listen to: String Quartet and MoTab
How Long has Elder Anderson been out? 18 months
favortie memory so far: you didn't leave me enough room...
Any other cool stories: same thing...
Weirdest Food Eaten so far: Okra
Favorite Cookies: Oreos and Snickerdoodles
Favorite Idaho Food Missed: Jamba Juice
Favorite Gal? JK!!! ME- You
Elder Anderson- Loni Burrws

OK, maybe I just think it's funny... Hope that you guys are having a great day and that everyone is happy and healthy!
With lots of Love,
Lainey

This is Rich.... Ben Just Delete this. Trust me.

My sister's requsted that I post pictures of my brother's prom pictures on my blog... (sorry ben.) They wanted to see what his date looked like and see what she was wearing... this is the result of that... I bet mom had a Cow!!! Internally cause she would be nice to her.



Here is the group he went with.



Here are the two of them.



Her dress is pretty... On the bottom... Mom said that it wasn't so bad cause she had straps. (insert a disgusted roll of the eyes from mom and you can figure out the rest.)

And for the piece de resistance'



Yeah My jaw dropped when I saw this... I was shocked. I felt kinda bad for myron cause he had to go to prom with a really immodest girl... I thought she would have a strapless... But Myron got more skin than I even bargained for.... No back!!! I can only imagine what went through our mother's head. (insert a guilty evil chuckle...) Maybe next year he'll ask an lds girl.

The Waiting Game

I am really excited for My new job at Redfish Lake Lodge. I leave for Stanley on May 11, and start work on the 12th. I cannot wait to be there and start working. I feel Like I am beating a dead horse but I am so excited!!! I can't wait to spend time up in the mountains and spend lots of time meeting new people and having new roommates!!! I sent in my contract today, along with all my doctor paperwork for my Mission. It feels great to have it all done. But now I am just waiting for time to pass so that I can actually do it. It seems like I am doing a lot.

I had a great weekend. I got to hang out with my Sister who lives in Washington, and my Awesome nieces. My brother in law and my niece Addison was in a Bike race called the Barking Spider. The both placed first in their groups! I am really proud of my niece cause she was the only girl brave enough to race. She didn't beat the Boys but I bet if she keeps working on it she could be really great one day!!!

My sister Jill, Christina and I where riding home to get everything ready for our picnic on the greenbelt. And then we heard a weird sound.... Her tire had a broken stem and it had gone flat. We pulled over and got into the trunk for the spare. Christina and Jill jacked up the car and I loosened the lug nuts. It was pretty funny. Two women pulled over and must have thought that we where City gals who didn't know anything, cause they started telling us what to do and we where pretty much done with getting the tire off. I finally said, "I am sure glad that we had to change a tire for 4H. Otherwise we might not have known how to change this tire." And then the Ladies where like "Oh!" and they just Left.... they where kinda rude, but at least they where not being bossy anymore. And then a Dodge pickup pulled up behind us and we all kinda groaned underneath our breath. A nice Man came up to us and asked us how we where doing. We looked up from our tire and saw the Les Swab tire store logo and we said that we where doing just fine. He asked us if he could finish for us and We let him.He was very impressed with us farm girls and was very kind as he put the spare on and tightened the Lug nuts. He told us our spare was flat and called his buddy to come air up the spare and escort us to the tire store so that we could get our tire fixed. They where really nice.

We finally made it back to the house and we grabbed the Meat and went to meet our brother's family. We played hard with the Frisbees and on the playground. we had a great birthday cake for my sister and we had lovely walk on the green belt. the Kids even saw a beaver... I was tying my shoe or something.

We went home and then watched a movie! the Girls watched the princess and the frog in one room and We adults watched Howl's Moving Castle. It was very weird and very entertaining at the same time. My favorite character was Calcifer... he is a fire demon that is controlled by Howl. He seems very grouchy but he is a pretty nice guy. I wouldn't mind watching that movie again. It was a riot to laugh with my family! I am glad that we get along so well.

Mission Papers and the Redfish

I am proud to announce that I have my mission papers are done! At least on my end. I have this tiny glitch that needs to fixed but that is the last little detail. I am so excited! I cannot believe I have them done. It seemed like just last month I was only dreaming of it. Now I just have to study and prepare.
I also have my contract from Redfish Lodge, I am so excited to be on my own again and living the life of a young single adult! I have missed being responsible for just myself. (Don't get me wrong. I love watching my Brother's and my Sisters children.) I can't wait to be able to work hard for my room and board, my mission and just live in the outdoors and enjoy the lord's handiwork for three months straight. I'll have to take my camera with me and take a ton of pictures.

My life has been richly blessed with the love from my Parents, My Sisters and My Brothers, Some awesome friends and an awesome missionary. (here is the part where you all roll your eyes into the back of your head and think "gag." But I really do like him and there is nothing you guys can do about it. ) I am thankful for the influence that my sisters have had on me and for the love that they give me. (even though they will never let me live down My Blonde At Heart moments.... ) We had a Blast this weekend and just enjoyed each others company.... I am glad that they are older and can help me with any problems I have.

I am grateful for my friends and the way they keep tabs on me and keep me on track. They always seem to know when I am about to crack. I think I would walk through Hell and Back for them. I really don't they will ask me to, but I would. They keep me going with their strong personalities and their willingness to serve one another. It's amazing to me that no matter my faults they still want to hang out with me. I love that. I get a feeling of belonging, even though we aren't family.

So I guess that All I am trying to say is thank you. thank you for giving me purpose in this life, for being a shoulder to cry on, a hug, Hot coco on a late night, a goofy sarcastic remark, a light, a love, and above all, for just being a person who has touched my life in a personal and meaningful way. I Love You all.
Lainey

Little Miracles

My Dog, Tanzee, had her puppies on the 3rd of April. She had a rough time and lost two of them, and had we not gone to the vet we probably would not have the three we do have. I went to bed that night about 10. I thought I can't really sleep so I'll read a bit... Bad Idea. I got caught up in my plot and the next thing I knew, I heard the three stomps to the floor above my head. (That is the signal we use to get one to come upstairs so that the other person doesn't have to come down and get you.) I crawled out of bed and went upstairs to see what was up. Mom told me Tanzee had a Puppy and it had died. She asked me if I would stay up and watch her so that if needed we could hurry her to the Vet's office. I took care of the puppy so that my little sisters wouldn't have to see it. Tanzee then had another puppy. I got her all cleaned up, and then Tanzee had another one... only this one came half out... Then Tanzee did the unthinkable.. She broke the Placenta. That will kill a puppy if the head isn't out. Which happened to be the case... So I tried my hardest to help the little guy get out.. but he was stuck. I had to wake up my Dad and have him do it... It had died. I was a wreck and was crying my eyes out. Dad took care of that puppy and I took the live one inside to warm her up... We wrapped her up in a towel and cranked up the heat. We then put her on top of our vent and let her lie there to get warm. She was really cute... I kept checking on Tanzee and no other puppies where coming out. I could see her pushing but it had gotten stuck inside. We took her to the Vet Saturday morning and Dad decided to have a C-section to get the little puppies out and then have Tanzee spayed so that this couldn't happen again.
The vet had me hold her as they shaved her and as they gave her the shot to put her to sleep. She looked so funny after a while, cause her tongue was half a mile long hanging out of her mouth. Lillian was with me and she didn't want to watch and part of me didn't want to either. But We did want to see the puppies that where coming out. The little Nurse was kind and had us come and wake the puppy up and get him dry. Lillian liked that part. Then the Vet pulled the one out that had gotten stuck and said I have no hope for that one. The nurse went to work anyway and gave him a little something to wake him up. She also did this cool thing where she held the puppy in her hands and Like a ketchup bottle, Flung him towards the ground to get the gunk in his mouth and nose to come out.
I felt like I was in the Movie 101 Dalmations as the nurse had instructed lillian and I to rub the puppies with a towel to get thier hearts to pump. I was amazed to see the little dude suck in air every once in a while. It took me about 45 minutes to get the little puppy to cry and clear his lungs. The Vet came back into the room and asked how the little guy doing and He got a surprised look on his face to find that he had survived.
I guess we can thank the Lord for little miracles. Tanzee is doing great and the puppies are getting really fat. The fattest is that little one that the vet said that wouldn't live. Oh and guess what? His name is Lucky...

Brand New Friend!

On April 5, 2010, Bransen B. Thacker was born to Nikki and Bostin Thacker. Weighing in a 6 lbs. 9 oz. he is sure a cute little guy! Nikki was surprised... She didn't even have anything packed in one of those Survial Mom bags that should be packed a few weeks before they are born. Bransen was born three weeks early... He is so cute. He has Dark hair like his Mom and his father's nose and lips. He also is stubborn, like his parents. He hasn't been wanting to learn to eat, but Nikki isn't going to give up on him yet. He just can't seem to grasp the concept that he has to work for his dinner. :) I went to see them all yesterday at the hospital, and ended up staying way too late. But it was fun to see them all. Hopefully Bransen gets to go home today! Hpefully if the little guy learns to eat... If not it might be another day.
I looked on Facebook at Adam's Page and he was excited that he was an uncle. So does that make me an unoffical aunt? I'll have to ask his parents...

Last night I was feeling so depressed. I felt like the world was on my shoulders and that I was drowning in impossibilities. I had received my first bill/receipt in the mail and I still owe $900 dollars to the oral surgeon and Mom and Dad. I knew what I still owed, but for some darn reason it hit me in the gut that I am in way over my head. I felt Panicky and I started to feel really emotional. Then I started thinking about the other part of filling my tooth... I still have to do that and still pay for gas to drive, and other stuff like that. 

And then Katie called to tell her kids that Jake was going to come pick them up. I asked her how she was feeling. She and I started crying and couldn't even talk. She said that she was doing ok and that she felt like she was going to be Ok. I had recently given her a book to read calledPoison Study. The heroine is constantly finding herself in impossible odds and is constantly fighting old, and new wounds. Katie told me she felt like she could relate to this character and like Yelena, we can overcome our battles, heal, and survive. 

I was reading in Doctrine and Covenants last night and one scripture also hit me like a ton of bricks. Even though we have our struggles and go through all of the trials of this life, We are not alone and the Lord knows all that we are going through. He will remember us and make us his. Which is why we are going through the struggles in the first place... We have to know the bitter in order to know the sweet. And like a block of marble and the great master that worked it, God knows us with our Faults, our Strengths, and he knows how much pressure he can put on us without us breaking. He is shaping us into the people that he wants us to become...  So with that little thought in mind, I Know that my Redeemer lives! He Lives and He is watching over all of us and we can become the masterpiece if we follow his counsel and continue to grow and learn. I know he is watching over me and will help me in my quest to become the daughter He knows is underneath the trouble and work. I am looking forward to that day when I can see the finished masterpiece.  I just have to remember to stay strong. I am strong. I am Strong!

P.s. I recommend this book.