MTC Farewell

Lately I've been feeling really nostalgic and reflective about the 4 years I've spent working at the Missionary Training Center. I was hired as a secretary in the Media (Audio/Visual) department before I had taken one college class. Honestly I have no idea why they hired a young 18 year old girl with absolutely no secretary experience, but it's a good thing they took a chance on me. Working at the MTC, both as a secretary and office manager, gave me ample opportunities to learn, grow, and gain more self-confidence. I know the Lord's hand was involved. I even met Miles indirectly by working at the MTC (which has been the greatest blessing of them all). While working at the MTC, I have felt the fire of missionary work. I look forward to serving a mission with Miles some day.

Just a little explanation for the picture above. This huge map of the world is a very common backdrop for missionary pictures. Most missionaries will get a picture taken of them pointing to where they will be serving. So as you can see, I'm pointing to Provo, UT. I guess you might say I served a 4 year mission at the MTC (however, I was paid).

The collage of pictures probably won't mean too much to you, but they are images I encountered EVERYDAY at work. Some of the pictures include: the skirt I wore just about everyday for 4 yrs, the chair I was often glued to, the name tag I wore, the decorating kits I checked out to teachers, and the missionaries I interacted with. It's strange to think Wednesday is my last day. I will miss it.

M&M (Miles and Michelle)

http://www.becomeanmm.com/

Flower Power/Packing Up

Just a quick little update on how my flower pot is doing! I'm sorry, but as you can probably tell, I'm really excited about my little flowers. The pot has literally EXPLODED! The growing conditions must be perfect for this plant, because all I do is water about every-other-day and take pictures of it!. The way it's hung, it gets sunlight in the morning when it's still a little cool outside, and is shaded during the hot hours of the day.

So the dreaded time of packing up has come. Miles and I will be living in Irvine CA 10 days from now. I cannot believe how much stuff we have accumulated in the short 2 years we've been married. I love the feeling of purging all our junk, but Miles has really disliked me making him choose between keeping this old T-shirt or those broken stereo speakers. We are not renting a moving truck of any kind, instead we are planning on packing up my dad's old diesel Ford pick-up. Yep, we will definitely look like the Beverly Hillbillies moving to California with our stuff piled high on this old truck (don't worry I'll definitely take pictures!), but have found we'll save close to $500 doing so. And hopefully we'll be able to use some of the money we saved to buy some new furniture (like a new dining table, and futon for our 2nd bedroom). California HERE WE COME!

Family Pictures

Well, I did not intend to post two entries in one day--but I forgot about these family pictures. Miles and I decided to get some fun "family pictures" taken now that we've been married for more than a couple years. We're just getting a little tired of the wedding pictures hanging on our wall. So, we had a friend (an armature photographer) take a few. We hope they captured a little of our personalities. Have a look!

Green Thumb

Well, I know this is a silly post, but I had to show off my beautiful flower pot! Never in my life have I been able to cultivate and care for a plant of any kind, and this one is flourishing! My brother, Rick, gave the plant to Miles and I for our graduation present (notice BYU blue and white flowers). Rick is now working in a greenhouse in St. George and is planning to be married in September to beautiful Danelle. We were able to hang our flower pot right outside our front door, thanks to our manager jerry-rigging a wire hanger for us.

At our new place in California, there is a community garden. Miles and I have been craving the opportunity to work outside and get our hands dirty in our own little garden. But, because neither of us have had much success in gardening, we think we'll start easy and plant things like tomatoes and peppers--we could at least make homemade salsa!

Miles' Birthday Weekend that We Spent at Laura's Wedding

We have now spent 5 days celebrating Miles' Birthday. Starting on Thursday, we had a little party at our friends' house, the Shades. Another couple, the Turners, were there as well. Miles hates cake, so we improvised and put all 25 candles into a stack of Krispy Kreme donuts.



At this party, I also gave Miles his present from me--a brand new suit, shirt, tie, and belt. I know it doesn't sound exciting, but he really loved it. And he looks good!






On Saturday, his REAL birthday, we actually went to St. George to attend a wedding of a high school friend. But even during that busy day, we were able to squish a little birthday time in for Miles. My sister and I went to the store and surprised Miles with a very chocolaty chocolate cake (which he doesn't like at all--my sister was just craving chocolate).

While in St. George we had a lot of fun with the family. My little nieces are adorable! They are my favorite people to visit! Look at little Avery!







My younger brother Danny and my nieces love playing in the water. You'll notice they didn't have their swimming suits with them, but that didn't stop them. Instead they just borrowed a couple T-shirts from their uncle Danny.

For the wedding, my sister wanted to do my hair in these steam rollers she had. They were pretty cool. You just set the curlers on the steamer for 5 seconds, roll your hair, and take them out 30 min later. I looked pretty silly for awhile, but got many compliments later. It was definitely a fun-filled birthday weekend!

Deana's Card

I've now worked at the Missionary Training Center in Provo for 4 years! Two years ago, Deana, a new sister missionary, was assigned to work as a secretary in my office. Her story is truly heartbreaking. Her tale includes living through breast cancer, struggling through chemotherapy, while at the same time divorcing her husband who left her for a younger woman. Through all this, Deana has been a shining example of endurance and strength. Over the past couple years, Deana and I have become really close. Today was her farewell party. To tell her thank you, the people in my office and I made her a card. The design was inspired by the Brady Bunch. I took pictures of everyone in the office looking toward the center of the card at Deana's picture. All the employees in my office signed the inside of the giant card. She loved it to say the least!