Thursday, January 28, 2010

Called to Serve


Today being Thursday, a lot of people in Utah probably opened their mailboxes this afternoon to find a mission call waiting for them. On facebook today a couple of my friends were included in that group and it got me thinking about when my call came just 2 1/2 short months ago. I remember feeling so excited in a way but at the same time somewhat indifferent just because the whole thing felt so surreal and I couldn't really get my mind into enough of a focus to register exitement. It was like watching a stranger go through the whole process rather than myself. But anyways, after seeing that these two girls had received their calls I had this strong feeling of.....I don't know what to call it. Not jealousy. Longing? Nostalgia? I'm not sure, but it made me want to go back and do it all over again.

The anticipation was worth every second and reading those first couple of lines was truly one of the most exciting things I've ever experienced. Although I tried not to glance ahead while reading each word aloud to my family, I couldn't help sneaking a peek after the words "you are assigned" and caught a glimpse of the name of the country where I will be serving: "Uruguay". I think I gasped but I'm not really sure. Pretty sure when I read it aloud my mom did a loud clap and jumped up to give me a hug, but that's debatable too; the whole night was a bit of a blur. It's definitely one of those moments I have relived over and over in my mind and still get tingles from. I remember having such a special feeling just from reading the "Dear Sister Casebolt" and knowing that Heavenly Father was so happy with my decision to serve a mission. That knowledge and reconfirmation of my decision combined with an overwhelming feeling of love was probably the very best part of the whole thing.

I don't believe that Uruguay is where I am "meant" to serve because I think anyone could have a great mission in a lot of places if they try their best to make the most of it, I don't think there is such a thing as one perfect call, but I do feel that being called to Uruguay is a perfect call for me. It is a huge blessing and makes me feel lucky and absolutely honored and priveleged to have received the call that I did and I only hope to live worthy of it and be the best missionary I can be.



I would love to see comments about what you remember from that night or from when I told you where I was going!

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Insignificant

I love to read the blog Seriously So Blessed. I think it is hilarious. In case any of you don't know, the blog often does giveaways where the author TAMN offers prizes donated by her sponsers done through a drawing. One simply comments on that post and a week or so later she posts the winners. So, when I was leaving my comment on her most recent post as I faithfully and unfruitfully do for every giveaway, I noticed that over 1,000 other people had also left comments. ONE THOUSAND. I'm pretty sure only 4 people read my blog. Popularity is a bummer.

Friday, January 1, 2010

Branching Out

I consider myself to be a pretty traditional cook. By traditional I mean that I usually stick to the tried and true recipes that I know and love, but because of this I don't have much variety in my cooking/baking abilities. The last time I really challenged myself was probably when I made chocolate chip cookies in Mexico without having measuring utensils, normal ingredients, and an ancient oven with no way to set the temperature. So the night before my birthday this week I decided that I wanted to find and try a new cake recipe. Amy and I searched online for a while and found a recipe for a Chocolate-Coconut Bundt cake. We put on our aprons and got to work. The cake was nothing special but it was fun to try something different and spend time in the kitchen with my big sister who is pretty much pro at finding and successfully making delicious new creations. Now I think I'll try some new kind of bread recipe. Jennie, would you care to join me?














P.S. I took these pictures with my new camera that I got for Christmas! What do you think?



Thursday, December 24, 2009

On the corner of Memory and Santa Clause

Just in case someone wakes up really early this morning and has to wait to open presents, I thought I'd share a little poem so they'll have something to read while they wait. Consider it part of your Christmas present Amy....Oh! I mean, whoever you are...

It's Christmas night and I'm in my bed,
thoughts of presents run through my head.
I hope I get that Barbie Jeep,
I hope that Santa thinks I'm asleep.

Between the trundle bed there is a crack,
And that is where I've hit the sack.
It's not too comfy, but I don't care,
I'm wearing padded underwear!!

I'm getting thirsty, my mouth is dry,
It think a piece of ice I'll try.
But my big sister is awful quick,
and she thinks up a mean old trick.

Holding a blanket she blocks my eyes,
But secretly peeks at her own suprise.
She is so naughty and has such gall,
I don't know why Santa brought her anything at all.

Maybe next year I'll write him a letter,
and tell him for her coal would be much better.
I don't know why, but I love her still;
even though she is such a pill!

Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Runnin' Reds


Driving by the MTC the other day with Rochelle. Come to a red light so I stop. Car next to me stops too. A few seconds pass and car next to me goes. The light is still red. I say to Rochelle:

"WHAT THE?! THAT CAR JUST STRAIGHT UP RAN A RED LIGHT!"

So I waited until the light turned green-as I am a law abiding citizen and have never ran a red light-but when it turns green I went and caught up to the outlaw who was stopped at the next red light. How fortuitous. I looked over at the evil-doer and wiggled my finger in the air disapprovingly, giving him a stern look. His partner in crime was chuckling but the dead-beat driver was looking pretty sheepish and maintained a forced stare straight ahead. Me and Roch were cracking up; it was just about as good as when I let off a whoopi-cushion in Jake's car. I guess there's just nothing quite like driving in Provo.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Hot and Cold

I don't know if anyone else has experienced this, but it seems that some kinds of heat are better than others. For example, when some people get cold, they like to take a hot shower, run a hair dry over their hands, or turn up the furnace. For me, the best heat is from a space heater. For some reason crawling into bed at night with the space heater on makes me feel so cozy, but there's only one problem; I'm one of those weirdos who likes it to be cold while I sleep. Don't worry though, I've found a solution. A little while before going to bed I crack open the window to let my room get cold and right before snuggling down under the covers, I turn on the space heater...leaving the window slightly open. That's right, I sleep with my window open and my space heater on. It's a little strange I know and maybe counter intuitive, but it makes me sleep so much better. Does anybody else have some weird sleeping quirks?

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Sweet Saturdays

What I loved about today:


Driving with the windows down and feeling the fall breeze.

The red trees in the mountains.



Going to the farmers market.


Eating carmel apples.


Not having tuberculosis.



Starting a new book.




Shaving my legs.

Listening to the Beatles.