Elder Har-Har-Har

I came across this again the other day and it made me miss my best friend Tim Harker! This was our last skype before he left in January on his mission. At least someone realizes "I'm crazy." :) He's been out 133 days, and Jared's year mark is TOMORROWWWWWWWW!

Year Mark!

Dear World: It's been a Year.

(Well, almost. He got a new release date: June 14th.)

 No big deal. I'm CougarFACS President? Not sure how that happened. Regardless, look out world of 2012-2013. Seriously.

 Tried to pick up Guitar since Christmas. Synopsis? Failed miserably. This picture is very misleading.

 Cut my hair off in January (many inches.) That's me and the stuffed bear I sewed for Jared's Christmas present last year. It's cool, I'll babysit while he serves in Armenia.

 I still love fruits. Hence the apple orchard. The favorite is still the Peach.

 Trying to figure out life. Trying to be a good sport about it, because life is great to have!

 Got a new roommate, Caroline. She's Canadian. ...... I feel that's all I have to say to describe her.

 Oh, and we're friends.

 ...... Most of the time.

 And it's apparent I am still a child.

 Oh, here's the stuffed bear I was talking about. Named after his owner. So... his name is Bear. (That would imply the owner's name is Bear.)

 I still make wishes by blowing out dandelions.

 I'm also a proud owner of that Book of Mormon. It's a great read.

 Oh, and I'm a Mormon.

 I also think I'm foreign via my Danish roots. Which, by the way, is not just a delightful pastry dessert. Family History: Are you doing it?

 So the proud owner of that bear stuffed animal is also the proud owner of this girl's heart. Each one of these Danish hearts was handcrafted for me by my best friend Jared Hammer. You can call him Elder.

 Did I mention I'm in love?

 No but really.

 I also like to be awkward. Hence this wretchedly creepy "family photo" of the 40's. Caroline's face is a little disturbing.

 But alas, we have the capacity to also be cute.

 And then terribly over-do the cuteness.

 I grew up living in my backyard without ever wearing shoes to play outside. .... Why start now? (PS: This book is true.)

 Classy modest trumps.... everything else.

 I can be a little shy.

 ....Andddd also very socially awkward.

 I also dress exactly as if I were to fly a plane at any moment. Just need some goggles. I'd say it's all about the Spirit of Adventure. (Thrift stores are a great adventure, and a great way to recycle.)

 I love the peace that comes with being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Have I made this testifying book look appetizing yet?

 I was once the kind of kid that bounced off walls. Now, a quiet afternoon is a beautiful thing.

Thank you Caroline for being my excellent photographer.

We had a great day today taking photos of one another. All the ones we are in together were taken on self-timers hung from tree branches in this apple orchard. I've always wanted to take photos there. The deer run wild through the aisles of never-ending trees. Truly a spectacle.

Girls will be girls. Note the shoving.... and my full-on tackle.

Also on a random note......

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true!

The secret to finding joy all your days is finding Christ in all you do.

Also, falling in love helps. One year since I saw my best friend in person. One year to go! Got a birthday package in the mail today. Awesome! .... Except it isn't my birthday for another month. Looks like someone was eager to make sure it got here on time by sending it 2 months early. He made me a very complicated-looking hat with yarn and a loom. It's real cute and the effort he took to make it was so sweet and thoughtful. He wanted to be able to put time into something rather than just buy something. Thank you Jared! (I can't help but picture an Elder in his suit and tag using a hat loom with colorful blue yarn. It's a little comical in my brain.)

Happy May! One year left 'til I put in my papers to serve a mission!