I love President Monson!

I love President Monson!!! There is no doubt in my mind that he is the living prophet. Yes, I do admit that when President Hinckley passed away I wasn't fond of President Monson, only because I grew up and loved President Hinckley so much that I felt no one could replace him. And no one can! But there needs to be a prophet, and President Monson has turned out to be one of my favorites.

A scripture in the Bible I often use to explain to non-members why we need a modern day prophet is Amos 3:7. It is so powerful because it is out of the book they already have a belief upon! It states...

"Surely the Lord God will do nothing,

 but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."

This scripture is amazing, because it is so true! The Lord knows our needs and he counsels the prophet on how to lead our church in our modern day. The scriptures are very important, but the prophet's words are even more important to me. They are made for US in these MODERN days! They are to lead and guide us through these last days, to help us stay on the straight and narrow path. People too often take general conference and other broadcasts too casually. Pay attention people!! The Lord is trying to speak to you! You can't accuse the Lord of not answering your prayers if you are unwilling to listen. Open your ears, your mind, and most importantly your heart.

P.s. My mission papers have been assigned and are on their way!! I should get them on Thursday! YEEEE!!!! :)

Not the "typical" Sister Missionary

As of today, my mission papers have been sent in!!! Now it's time to sit and wait...

I am a huge fan of Sister Diederich's mission blog! She is so beautiful, inside and out! Her love for others shows through her blog posts and her dedication to this work. She said something in her last post that really stuck out to me...

"I remember how hesitant I was to serve a mission.

I'm no gospel whiz, or poster child for LDS living magazine. 

I'm not a "typical" sister missionary.

But then again. No one asked me to be"

DING DING DING!! I think she read my mind. There is so many things I need to learn and work on before I leave, but I know that as I study, pray and prepare it will make all the difference. 

In my interview with our stake president, he said that he believes sisters are so incredibly spiritually ready to teach others about the Gospel. He also said I am a very influential person and will be a powerful missionary (no pressure right?). He advised me to be myself, not try to be the "typical sister missionary" as Sister Diederich said. I'm going to wear my cute skirts, curl my hair and wear my bows. I'm not the one softening people's hearts or converting the children of the Lord, that's all Him! The Lord asks us to be tools in his hand, and that's exactly what I intend to do! I want to go out everyday and have others feel the Spirit touch their hearts, just as it continually touches mine. I know this Gospel is true. I know that as I stay valiant and faithful the Lord will work through me to touch the hearts of others, and by his power, I will be able to teach with the Spirit and change lives.

Wesley Roger Reed

One year ago today, Wesley Roger Reed asked me to be his girl friend. One of the most memorable days of my life! Now how did it all start?

About Wesley:
Wesley is a 6'6, volleyball, HUNK! He is so fun and always keeps me on my toes. I can't keep from laughing when I'm around him. He is awesome at anything he does, whether it be board games, volleyball, wake boarding, or school work, he always gives 110% and hates losing! (I'm the only exception he says :) ) He is so adventurous, which I love! He's also crazy smart, he teaches me new things every day.
He is currently on a church mission in Uganda, Africa. Not only is he having the experience of a lifetime, but he is learning, growing and becoming the man the Lord wants him to be. He is doing amazing work over there! He's been out 4 months and has been the Zone Leader for the past month. (That's verrrry unusual!!) He is impacting so many people, more than he may realize. I both figuratively and literally look up to him in so many ways! I am so proud of him and all the decisions he's made in his life. I love that boy!

How we met:
Summer 2011, we both ended up going to the same BYU volleyball camp. I was sitting at a table by the door in Legends grill when this strapping young man comes through the door. His shirt said 'Green Valley Mens Volleyball' I recognized that school... my friend Troy goes there! I met him the previous year at this camp. So I ask him a few pretty obvious bimbo questions and am instantly intrigued by him. After following him around like a little puppy for the next few days, I came to the conclusion that he's tall, he's Mormon  he plays volleyball, therefore he will be MINE!

Over the next few months we talked briefly, I never thought that it would actually go somewhere. But fortunately I had a volleyball tournament in Vegas! (That's where he lived) He came and watched me play everyday and hung out with us on the strip! At this point, I started to really like this guy. Just like chocolate, everything good has to come to an end. I flew home on Sunday night and ended up not going to school the next day. I woke up to a phone call, the name said 'Wesley Roger Reed', I was so confused, first from just waking up, and second trying to figure out why he was calling me. Thinking it was a bum dial, but still wanting to talk to him I answer hesitantly. He said that he was snowboarding, biffed, hit hit head and he doesn't know where he is or what he should do. So he decided to call me! ME! Being a million miles away, I couldn't do anything. So I tried to jog his memory and told him to probably go back to the car. Thankfully everything worked out and he only got a minor concussion.

Prom: 
A few weeks before my high school prom, my mom gave me the option to either get a new dress and go with someone here or borrow a dress and she'd fly Wesley in to come to prom with me. Well this was a no brain-er! After long phone calls back and forth to try to figure out the details, Wesley took me to prom! We did our pre-prom activities, took pictures and were waiting for dinner outside when he asked me to be his girl friend. Little did I know at the time that my sister captured the moment! (picture below)

Summer:
Over the summer we saw each other twice. He came back to Oregon and we went to a rodeo, went on hikes and had a Lord of the Ring's marathon. (Who knew I'd actually like them?!) My first rodeo! Wes had to explain everything to me, but I loved it. We even got to go on a ghetto circle roller coaster that makes you so sick. But we still had fun, winning bootbarn... haha! Next time I saw him I was at my BYU volleyball camp, I was playing and I looked up in the window and there he was! He waved and then left, thirty seconds later he comes running through the door and gives me a hug. I was so mad at that moment because I didn't want my coach to get mad. Silly Gretchen, he then left immediately after seeing my grumpy face. An hour or so later I was in the hall getting water when I look to my right and see Tyler, his brother. I hadn't officially met him yet so I couldn't be sure if it was him or not. I go back into the gym and Tyler comes in later, asks me if I've seen Wesley because they lost him. Typical Wesley, wandering off by himself because he hates being tied down with restrictions. They later find him playing video games at his friend's dorm.

Volleyball camp ended and my aunt drove me back down to Provo to meet his family! Ahhh! Stressful. We all stayed at his Aunt's condo there before heading out in the morning to Vegas. I fell in love with Vegas that week! Mostly because of all the food options. (Chicken Shack!!) But also because there is so much more to it than the strip, we went to the world largest chocolate fountain, a cactus garden (Warning, Cactus's really are prickly!!), and my favorite... boating! I learned how to wake board and wake surf that week, only because I had the best teachers. I will never let Wesley forget how I destroyed him in Monopoly either, even though he is still the boss at Disney scene it.

I had the opportunity to go to Utah and see him once more before he left on his church mission. He was going to BYU and took the tram up to my aunt's house in Kaysville. He was excited about being able to drive my aunt's car... she has niceeee cars! And we found the worlds nicest Wendy's! (Yes our relationship revolves mostly around food, I'm not complaining!) We also had a fun pic nic, went to dinner with his sister Megan, her husband Reese and my sister Alli, and got to go to the First Presidency Christmas Devotional! My first time seeing the prophet in person. It was definitely a weekend to remember!

Only 40  days until my last day of school... WHAT?! Where did the days go? It seems like just yesterday I was entering high school. Although these past few years have been a bit of a rocky path, I've learned and grown so much; I am feeling more blessed than ever!

What have I been up to lately?

Well I got a job!!! Yes, you may call me money bags now... kidding. I work at Plato's Closet, and because I get 25% off, it is extremely difficult to resist buying clothes. Shifting through cute clothes all day is not a hard task, but it's definitely hard to resist building my wardrobe! Guess who hasn't bought new clothes in a week though... THIS GIRL! (Yes, that is improvement for me...) 

Recently I've been volunteering in my mom's kindergarten class about once a week. I love those kids! They come from the most humble backgrounds, most with broken homes and fragile families. They've taught me way more than I have taught them! Especially when a new girl entered our class a few weeks ago, her name is Yami. She is the most precious little girl; she is also a midget. The kids treat her with so much love and everyone wants to be her best friend. It is so nice to see these kids putting aside her differences and loving her for her sweet spirit. 

Just under a month ago I had the privilege to go to general conference with my bishop, his wife and the awesome priests and laurels in our ward! It was one of the best spiritual experiences of my life. Even though we only got into the conference center for one session; watching conference on temple square, whether it be in the Joseph Smith memorial building or the tabernacle, and feeling the testimonies and spirit of those around me was an experience I'll never forget. I want to go to temple square for every general conference! If any of you didn't have the opportunity to hear Elder Holland's talk... I strongly suggest you look that up. He is such a powerful speaker that gives so many profound power statements! Elder Holland is the man! 

I am now one stake president interview away from officially turning in my mission papers!!! After a little mishap with my availability date, I am SO close to knowing where I'll be serving for some of the best 18 months of my life! I couldn't be more excited. I hope this doesn't jinx me... but I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to go to temple square!! (Knock on wood, just to be safe!) Nevertheless, it doesn't matter where I serve, but how I serve! I have to put my whole might, mind and strength into this next year and a half. Everyone says, it's the greatest and hardest thing you will ever do in your life, but boy am I ready to get started! 

Now onto my wonderful family!!

My sister, Alli, (who took that awesome picture above) is heading out in 2 days for Florida to go work at Disney World. I feel so bad for her, having to spend everyday at Disney World... that poor girl! What a rough life. (Totally kidding.) For those who don't know my family, we are Disney FANATICS! Alli is working in Dino Land in Animal Kingdom until August, so I'll get to see her for a month or so before I leave on my mission. She is so excited for her "Disney Mission" as she calls it. 

My mom has continued to be the amazing mother she always is! I don't know how she does it. Always so supportive in everything we do and always is outside herself. I probably should have learned by now to be selfless from her wonderful example, but hey, I'm not near perfect! 

My dad has been in the stake high council for quite a few months now, building his testimony stronger each and everyday! (Don't worry, he's still a goof ball) And he hasn't lost his touch at always making me laugh every time he gets up to do stake business at the pulpit, smoldering with the congregation and standing as though he has a very important message. Oh father! 

As for Garrett and Micah, Micah just graduated from BYUI and has an AWESOME new job! She is such a superstar, I have the best sister in law! Garrett is studying at BYUI and is a manager at the testing center, so if you're a cheater... you probably don't like him. But I love my big brother, Big G! 

Well that's it for now.

Until next time, Au revoir!

Future Missionary

A lot of people recently have asked me why I have decided to serve a mission. And at first it was hard for me to answer! It was simply because I felt it was right, but they seemed to want a more in  depth answer. And over these past few months my desire has just grown stronger and stronger and I have come to see more specifically WHY I am supposed to serve a mission.

All of my life I've grown up knowing that boys go on missions when they are 19, and girls can go on missions when they are 21. TWENTY ONE. I was not fond of this number. So I never even gave a thought to serving a mission, until last general conference. On October 6th, 2012 President Thomas S. Monson announced that young men could go at age 18. Hurray! And then he continued to say...

"We have prayerfully pondered the age at which young men may begin their missionary service, we have also given consideration to the age at which young woman might serve. Today I am pleased to announce that able, worthy young women who have the desire to serve may be recommended for missionary service beginning at age 19, instead of age 21."

At this point my jaw was to the ground. I couldn't believe what I was hearing, that fear of the number 21 had disappeared! At this point I wanted to serve, but I didn't know if I should serve. What to do, what to do? Many people in the scriptures turned to their Heavenly Father in prayer for answers. So what did I do? I prayed. Prayed my little heart out to know if I was supposed to serve a mission. For the next week or so I couldn't get it off my mind, constantly thinking about the positives and negatives about serving a mission. And you know what? I couldn't find a single negative! Everything that you get out of a mission is positive: you become more independent, you get to experience a different part of the world, gain a greater love for others, gain a greater love for your Heavenly Father and most importantly gain a greater love for this gospel.

Taking a step back, I realized that these attributes would make me into the person I want to become. They would make myself, as well as my future family much stronger. It would build my family upon the foundation of Christ, which we are advised to build our testimonies on in Helaman 5:12. "...because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

I am also super excited about being able to go out and full heartily serve the Lord by serving the people of (insert future mission area here) for 18 months. I have always believed that the two ways you can show your love to your Father in Heaven is by obedience and by serving others. And I look forward to being able to do both with all my might, mind and strength for 18 straight months. I love this Gospel!  

To know you must DO

Stand: Strength of Youth 2013

"Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved,

 until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly,

 saith the Lord. Amen." D&C 87:8

I am nowhere near perfect and have my share of flaws. I grew up by no means being the "goody goody" Mormon girl, my priorities were entirely worldly things or matters. Sure, I believed that it was true, but I didn't know. But as I started to make the right choices and living my beliefs; I came to know of the truthfulness of this Gospel. If you have ANY doubts, pray. I can tell you a thousand times that I know this church is true, but you will not know for yourself. Gain a testimony brothers and sisters!! Build it on the foundation of Christ and you will not fall. (Helaman 5:12) 

Live the standards. How can you gain a testimony of the Gospel and its' principles if you are unwilling to abide by them? Stand as a valiant disciple at all times, in all things and in all places. If you want to know you must DO. 

I know this church is true, I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet ordained of God sent here to restore his church, and I know that if we follow the commandments, and if we live, love and share the gospel we will be lifted up in the last days and be exalted in the presence of our Lord and our Savior. All the temptations and struggles in the world can be overcome by our father in heaven, and as we seek his counsel he will guide us. I testify of this, in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, amen. 

Big change

Today I joined the brunette community. Eh eh??