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Friday, August 31, 2012

One Word

Until more time presents itself, here are some one-word descriptions of my experiences so far.

Overall Experience: OVERWHELMING
Food: INTERESTING (I really miss my kitchen and might just become a vegetarian).
Roommates: FANTASTIC
City Smells: PUNGENT
Professor Judd: KNOWLEDGEABLE
Professor Stratford: ENTHUSIASTIC/FUNNY
Dr. Jackson: BRILLIANT
The Center: BEAUTIFUL
Prayer Call: FASCINATING
Homework: INTENSE
Weather: BREEZY
Professors' Children: ADORABLE
My Brain: FRAZZLED
My Heart: EXPANDING

I am honestly completely overwhelmed right now. There really is not a better word to describe what I am feeling. I love it here. I would be lying if I said otherwise, but I am overwhelmed with homework, emotion, and the overall experience of moving to foreign country with 81 other students.  

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Jerusalem

I made it to Jerusalem! Jerusalem is breathtaking; words cannot adequately describe the grandeur of this city. It is alive. I felt overwhelmed in New York, awestruck in Rome, and important in DC, but I have never felt as alive as I do here. I can feel the intense emotion of hundreds of generations of people in the air. There is tension, devotion, and a spirit like no other. I am humbled to know that I am a guest in this Holy land where Christ dwelt and sacrificed His life for me. I am but one of millions who have joined in this grand pilgrimage to worship their almighty God. Together our lives make up the strands of a great tapestry that tells the story of this great city. Each life is important in creating the story of Jerusalem and each adds a bit of diversity to this amazing landscape.

I know I will face barriers of language, religion, and culture over the next 4 months. Some of these seem intimidating, yet as I look out over the city tonight, I am at peace. I am ready to accept these people for who they are. I will meet Muslims, Christians, and Jews; Israelis and Palestinians; and others from all around the world and I can't wait to take the time to get to know them and love as children of God regardless of their beliefs.

This city is amazing. It is already changing me and helping me grow into kinder, wiser, and more accepting Annie. It is the city of the peace. It holds a special witness of Christ. And it is now my 2nd home.

Monday, August 20, 2012

8 days

I am excited. For adventure. For experience. For everything the next 4 months holds in store.

(On my way to DC round 2)

I am nervous about meeting 82 new people. I've never been good in large groups, but I'm working on changing that. I figure I just need to be my happy, cheerful self and it will all be fine. Somehow I did just fine with 35 senate pages, 18 xela girls, and 29 officers. They all managed to become family and I know that will happen in Jeru too!

(Senate Pages Summer '10)

(Xela girls)

(officers)

I am grateful that this summer is coming to a close. It's been a long one and I've learned a lot about God's timing, the importance of families, parenting (that's right... I took nannying/chauffeuring/cooking/cleaning/etc to a whole new level), diy weddings, and service.

(spending time with my favorite little brother)

(one of the 9 kids I've spent my summer with)

As I prepare for all that's ahead, a verse of my favorite song from "Little Women" comes to mind.

"Here I go, and there's no turning back
My great adventure has begun
I may be small
But I've got giant plans
To shine as brightly as the sun."

Aside from packing, all I have left to do is get ready to embrace Jerusalem, its people, and its cultures because once I board that plane at 8:15 am next Tuesday there will be no turning back.




Sunday, August 12, 2012

16 days

image via
In just over 2 weeks I will be sitting on the plane waiting for takeoff from JFK. The last physical leg of my journey to Jerusalem will have finally come. I will have said goodbye to my family, seen plots of farmland from the sky, listened to the quiet hum of the engine, and felt excitement seep through my veins as I come closer to the Holy Land. I'll be tired and nervous, but definitely not afraid to finally realize my lifelong dream. As I head east to a land where tension is high and and tradition reigns, I prepare myself to look for peace. I know it exists (although many disagree) and I know I will find it. This blog will become a place where I can document those discoveries. I will find peace in the eyes of little children, in kindness from strangers, in an innocent smile, in quiet acts of service. Although dark clouds are gathering on the horizon, there is still light, hope, and peace and I am determined to share what I find in hopes of spreading that light. 

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Jerusalem, here I come!

I got in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm going to Jerusalem this fall and couldn't be more excited!


I definitely reread this over and over and I still can't get my mind wrapped around it.


And for posterity's sake, here's me opening the letter. 


I'll probably regret posting this within the hour, but I'm still a bit high on emotions.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

I am Spring


I am a calm spring morning that welcomes the sun into a faint lilac sky. I breathe in the dew that gently rests on the baby blades of grass. I see through the eyes of each bluebird chirping her day's first hello while I await the surprises that the world surely holds in store.


I wander through rainbow gardens and linger to feel the sun's fingertips paint my face with rosiness. Lily of the Valley whispers hello from my guardian angel. She's still watching over me after 6 long years; I just know it. The tulips stand tall, reminding me that I am my father's daughter and must live up to my name. Pansies, impatiens, and English daisies release a flood of memories: most of my mom and I weeding side by side.


It's safe to say the garden is my second home. The soft dirt a comfortable pillow beneath my head and the blue sky a safe ceiling up above. The fragrant medley of aromas please my senses and I quietly plead for the flowers to live and bloom beyond their upcoming expiration dates. Their resilience is heroic as they brave spring showers and gusts of the breeze. They bloom right where planted and don't fight death's welcoming veil. It is through them, that perhaps I have begun to recognize the beauty of life and peacefulness of its end.


The day moves on and now calls for the playfulness of the afternoon. No longer willing to sit back and take in my surroundings I stop at the strawberry field. I bask in the brightness of day and twirl through the red-spotted fields. The berrylicious smell beckons me and I enjoy each scrumptious bite. Strawberries have always been my favorite. Their bright red personality and sweet taste is truly one of its own. Maybe I've inherited my stubbornness from the hundreds of sassy strawberries that have kissed my lips on many a spring morn. Who knows, it could happen?


I live in the serenity of perpetual spring; always trying to keep its spark alive in my eyes. Sometimes, it fades as the sweltering heat of summer calls for crazy chaos. At other moments the dimming of the sun in autumn makes time speed up and turn into a whirlwind of forgetfulness. Winter has a mind of its own often requiring that I just wake up and make it through the day. Life has its seasons and I prefer mine to be spring when I feel most alive. Even in the chaos of summer, the lost time of autumn, and depression of winter, I somehow always find a way to light that spark. Maybe it's because I was born on a lovely May day, so in the deep recesses of my brain I remember the happiness of my heavenly home that I left that spring. Or maybe it's my ability to keep on hoping and believing in a better day when it seems their are none left. Even spring has its gloomy rainy days, but the sun always comes out shining a little bit brighter. I guess that's why I am spring because after each rain shower I come back a little stronger and with a little more hope.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Lessons Learned: Freshman Year

First Day of School 2011
  1. The freshman 10 can be magically lost- not gained.
  2. Boys are't completely necessary for happiness when your 18 years old.
  3. Missionary letters can bring a smile to any face.
  4. Blogger, pinterest, and facebook should be disabled on my computer. 
  5. Hearing about your friends' impending marriages never gets more normal.
  6. Procrastination can be avoided.
  7. Getting dressed everyday and making my bed are my two keys to success. 
  8. Attending class is completely worth it.
  9. Learning is a never-ending process. Keep doing it. Hone your baking skills and master family history.
  10. Prayers are answered. Every.single.one.of.them.
  11. Family is my #1 reason for success.
  12. Your grandma can be your best friend even if she live thousands of miles away. 
  13. Sisters may have been God's greatest creation.
  14. The temple is a place of peace. I need to go more often.
  15. Service does not have to be winning the Nobel Peace Prize.
  16. Surprise lunch dates with Dad are completely wonderful.
  17. Your never too old to call your mom.
  18.  Being a missionary doesn't require MTC training.
  19. There is always room for growth. 
  20. I live a very blessed life and there is much to look forward to in my future. 
  21. Everything will always work out in the end.
Easter at Temple Square 2012