Opportunities & Letters

Life has been a MADHOUSE, but the best things happened this week.

I had been carrying around my CougarFACS forms for the national club for my major (Family and Consumer Science Education), and I had specified on these papers that I was very eager to get more involved with it. Before I had even turned it in, the officers contacted me about a position they wanted me to fill-- their President Elect was going to serve a mission. They offered that placement to me. I was beyond excited by this opportunity, so I graciously accepted. Little did I know, that would entail me being PRESIDENT of the National CougarFACS club for BYU. What??? Oh my gosh. Feeling humbled but determined, I gladly accepted. I later found out I was going to be shipped to Indianapolis, Indiana for the AAFCS Conference, all expenses paid. They needed to know if I would be able to attend so they could purchase my plane ticket. ........ ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Of course I'm going!! I am beyond stoked for the immense opportunity this is. For all students considering FACS as a major, DO IT! It's amazing, and the growth never ends.

Maybe I'll even see Elder Tristan Mayfield knocking on doors in the Indianapolis mission! Haha. :) A girl could dream. (PS: Happy Birthday on the 23rd, Tristan!)

Tristan and a very old, but independent man. :) He is too cute. (Both of 'em!)

To any ladies interested, Tristan recently asked for a tall blonde to write him a letter so he could respond back in the best way possible. Don't know what that means, but if you're willing, I'll give you the address!

I had the opportunity to visit and observe Timberline Middle School in Alpine, and it has been very educational, but I have yet to interact with the students. Hopefully it will get better on my last day and we (Heather Payne and I) will be able to get some real field experience. Hopefully the High School we attend will give us better chances to work with the students!

I finally got used to my short hair and I'm embracing it despite the cold. It has already grown a little bit. Crazy how that works.

Also, last week, I caught Bethany Stevens Jerome's wedding bouquet. Needless to say, it was a proud moment for me, even if I was the only one to dive for it. :)

My brother in law Kyle at the small but vibrant wedding shortly after I had won this trophy!

This week I received two letters! One from Elder Tim Harker and one from Elder Jared Hammer. Elder Harker just entered the MTC this week and he has been surviving the first few days with much enthusiasm! My little racer just beat the MTC track record for a mile with 5:04 without basically even trying much- a noble feat for a first try when he hasn't been conditioned to run in a while. Go Tim!

Jared's letter showed up on Wednesday as a complete surprise-- it contained about 3 pages, each from a different week he had compiled until he was ready to send it. It was such a nice surprise-- school has been grueling, and that small effort meant the world. Missionaries really are a blessing!

Basketball has not been the same without Jimmer Fredette or my favorite band member, Elder Jared Hammer. This is my favorite clip of Jared at the games. He was so embarrassed to be dancing to "Jump on It" for the game. Love him!

Anyway, enough of the procrastinating. Time to get some work done!

Love,

Monica

Elder Tim Harker

Today my best friend Timothy Harker entered the MTC.

He will be serving in Omaha, Nebraska, my dad's mission.

You know, once a person leaves your proximate life, you realize all the wonderful things you love and miss about them. Tim is a very unique person in that he understands something very important: women. He always knows how to talk to us. Not many boys have

this quality, but he does. Unless, of course, he is being dumb. But he gets over it. :)

Nebraska is a lucky state. I have no doubt Tim will serve as diligently as he has prepared. He is honest, kind and sweet. He will be a very useful instrument in God's hands!

Good luck Tim-bo, you will be missed for the next 3 years.

-Monica

I was lucky enough to be there for his mission call opening-- what a happy moment that was.

Goals for 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

This year I intend on keeping to my goals in hopes it will benefit me for the better. I've made a list of 5 things that will make this year a lot more do-able and a whole lot more effective for my better learning and growing!

1. Organization.

........ My room is not allowed to get so messy that I can't work in there, and I bought a 2012 planner (a big one) to house all my due dates. Putting everything in it this week at the start of the semester so that nothing is ever a surprise.

2. Time management.

...... I'm really bad at procrastinating and wasting days away.

3. Early to bed, early to rise / Setting Routines

......... I just need a routine. My body has not taken well to random sleep patterns and crazy eating schedules. This break hasn't felt like a break at all, what with working every day.

4. Quit with the nail-biting

... I'm getting so close!

5. Cleaning up after myself & Maintaining Care

..... I have two pet mice now that will need to be cleaned each week to keep from smelling. I also want to chip in my cleaning part of the apartment more with dishes and such. I want to become a "desirable" roommate. :P

So basically, lifestyle changes. That's about it-- nothing huge. Just things that need definite improvement.