VEDA #3

It came. My mission welcome pack is at my house. My mom got a letter as well. She read it to me over the phone. If you think the interviews and the call is stressful, get the next packet. Oh my. What have I gotten myself into??? Kendal was so sweet and always brings me back down. Everything is going to be fine and work out.

We only did one shift today, then went to the river. It was nice and so hot! There was a dead snack in a hole in one of the rocks! aaaahhhh!!!!! I don't like snakes. Later we went to target and goodwill. Kendal is going to help me make a mission journal. So excited! At goodwill we were looking at dresses//skirts. Or course everything I found that was cute went to one of the Titus gals. SUCK!

These posts are small but good. I need to be able to look back and see what has happened in my life and let the creative juices flow!

Night!

VEDA #2

Today was the first official day of doing a double shift. It wasnt hard but it was work. I never thought I would be able to clean for that long and feel like it was only a second. And tomorrow we do it all again, but with no night shift. We are going to go to the river or something else.

A lot of blogs I read// follow have grateful lists and I have decided I need to do this as well, so I am able to physically see what I am grateful for instead of thinking about it. Okay, go!

1. Family-- they might be crazy, but they are mine. Today I was thinking about how we are spirits first and we choose to come down. Well did we know what we were getting into when we chose our families? Either way, I dont think I would have chosen any different.

2. Working-- the ability to and having work provided for me. I hear of so many people not having jobs because they cant find work. Well I had 2 jobs ask for me back and I was able to pick up this extra cleaning gig.

3. Other mormons-- When I am around other members I am able to be reassured who I am. I am able to be a better me. I am able to stand for my standards and challenge myself to be better.

Well that is it for now. Shower and nestie time with Kendal!

BEDA #1

Looking around multiple blogs, I keep seeing BEDA and I kept having a heart attack and thinking "WHAT IS THIS?!?!" After much observation and research I have figured out that it stands for "Blog Every Day August (April). So here I am, August 1st, 2 hours away from August 2nd.

I am currently in South Carolina, in the Titus' home, sitting on Kendal's bed. I must say, I LOVE IT! I am here to clean college apartments with Kendal's parents' cleaning company to make some extra money for the mish. It is hard to be away from my dad and other family with the little amount of time I have but well worth it. I sure do love the Titus Family and I think everyone should witness there awesomeness. Today was the first day of cleaning ans wasn't that bad. We cleaned dorm rooms and if I hear anyone ever complain about the BYU Idaho dorms, I will point them to the Columbia College dorms. Now I am not saying they were TERRIBLE but I could not imagine myself living in them for two semesters.

Tomorrow is a busy day. Up at 7:50 to be out of the house by 8:15 to be at the site by 8:30, to work a double. I am so grateful and blessed to be able to have a steady and find other work while others cannot or simply will not.

Georgia

Last night I boarded a plan at 11:22 for a 11:59 departure, service to Atlanta. I don"t think I want to take a red eye again but it is nice to be with my family, not so nice with this weather. I am scared to go outside. ha! Well here goes a crazy 3 weeks!! (:

Back from AK

Well last Friday, mom and I got on a cruise ship in Seattle

We went to Jueno, Sitka, Ketchinkin, and Victoria (Canada). We ate a lot. We slept a lot. We shopped a lot. We got a lot of free stuff and overall had a good time. I loved being with my mom and talking to her. Every time I spend one on one time with my mom I get to know her a little more. I love hearing stories from when my mom was my age. I ask about it all the time. I love imagining my mom and I as friends at this age and thinking about what we would do. Now, we are back in reality. There is no room service, no all you can eat, and no little room overlooking the ocean. I think everyone should take a vacation with their mom and only their mom. I suggest a cruise, but if you cannot do that, you wont regret it! I love you mom! Thank you for taking me with you!!!

I thought you were going to Florida....

Well, I am. I am just going to Alaska this week! That is right folks! I am off for a cruise to Alaska! My mom and I found out about this less than 12 hours. I am going off of about 4 hours of sleep and I want to die. I am so hot and cranky but I am super excited. This is what I have been wanting!! Here is my life for the next few weeks...


July 16th Board cruise to Alaska
July 23rd- Return at 7am to Seattle, go straight to work

July 27th- Work, midnight board plane to Atlanta, arrive in Atlanta 8am next day

Atlanta until July 31st, Go to South Carolina. Clean and be with Kendal August 1st-August 12th
Return to Atlanta until the 18th (ish). Go to work until the 5th or 8th (havent decided). Sept 9th weekend garage sale with Mom. Sept 13th leave for Utah, Sept 14th enter MTC.

ack!!! Can I do it?? Yes!! All between that, I need to get endowed and set apart and get more missionary stuff. What is a girl to do??

Mission Blog

Its up! Not fully running but its up! I even figured out a way so that I can update it straight from my email so my family doesnt have to figure it out. Thanks Chelsie!!

Check it...http://plothinorlando.blogspot.com/

They called me on a mission!

STORY:



I went to Rexburg, Idaho this weekend. It was wonderful! What a great get away. While I was 30 mintues outside of Idaho my mom called, "Its here" she said. All I can say is, that I KNEW it would come while I was gone. It was amazing telling people I had it but I had not opened it yet. A lot of people thought I must have been going crazy, I wasnt. It was so exciting and nerve wrecking and everything in between. I didnt think it would hit me until the ride home and it did! As soon as I hit Spokane my heart kept skipping and I felt like I was going to throw up. I got home at 2am and I couldnt open it. I snuck into the kitchen to look at it and it felt like Christmas. Last night was the hardest night ever. I couldnt sleep and I kept waking up. It was finally 7:53 and I jumped out of bed. Rounding the family up, I opened it.

The Call waiting at home!


I have been called to serve in the Orlando, Florida mission. I report Sept 14th. I am so excited and so grateful of the support I have received. Looking back, I would have never saw myself serving a mission. I look forward to it and all the letters and meeting new people and sharing the gospel! Look for a new blog for when I send updates and such!

With my call!!!

We celebrate fireworks on 4th of July

I love teaching primary and I dont think I can ever say it enough. Those kids humble me and help me be better throughout the week. Whenever I have a bad attitude during the week or I want to do something I shouldnt, I think of those 11 kids and how I need to be the best I can. This week the lesson was about Heavenly Father blesses and helps missionaries. I told them all about how I am going on a mission and they all got really sad. I will really miss them but I am glad Sister Horkley wants me to stay until I leave.

Anyways...I love my kids so much I bring treats EVERY week, being in Rexburg next weekend will be hard, but I dont think I will be able to top myself after this.

This week, my mom and I went to this candy shop in Monroe, Wa called Sweet Indulgence. We were just looking around and we saw these cute little candy treats

Look easy, right? WRONG!

My mom and I hit up Winco Friday night to get some candies for this treat and we got them all. Saturday night we sat down to put together the treats and oh my! They were sticky and gooey and took FOREVER! And I had to make 11!!!! After some silly choice words, my mom and I finally managed to put some together for both of our classes and extra treats.

So cute, I know! I am on my way to be a cute little Mormon girl. And when I gave them out at the end of class this Sunday they all gave me a hug and told me how great I am. I know it was mostly because of the candy, but still. I LOVE THEM!!!

Its been one week since...

you looked at me......and however else the song goes....

But really. Hello again! I worked Monday and had Tuesday off. Tuesday I hung out with my family and I finished my Harry Potter costume with Jennifer. All I need to do is cut down the wig and by me I mean my mother.

The doggie daycare manager put in her two weeks this week. You might ask yourself what that has to do with me well I will tell you, I am now in charge of an event being put on at the end of month as well as have the responsibility of putting together the monthly newsletter and managing the business Facebook. Oh geeze. If anyone has any hints or ideas lemme know!!

I got my first MTC letter from Myla Mortenson! That was so exciting and I loved it! I cannot wait to write her back!

I have started a writing journal, I hope I can keep up with it. The only hard thing is to come up with ideas.

I want to do a blog of all pictures that show what I do in a day, I just need to figure out when and how.

Things to look forward to: Luna Lovegood (cat) is pregnant!
Rexburg in a week.
My mission papers are getting reviewed in SLC tomorrow!!!

The Human Experience

Today I got to sit in a missionary teaching appointment. The investigator is a 19/20 year old young man who is married and works at the local feed store. He does not like the word "investigator", he doesnt like sitting in the middle, he doesnt like reading out loud, and he doesnt like praying in front of people. However, he is an amazing young man. He really wants to know the fullness of the Gospel. Though he is goofy you could feel the spirit. It seemed like I was just there to sit (when Sisters are teaching a male there has to be 3 people present for that one investigator, but it was such a humbling experience. We watched "The Restoration" movie and though I have seen that movie a million times something always sticks out to me. This time, it was the preacher that Joseph Smith would talk to. It was interesting because this Preacher is challenging the people to find the truth for themselves and that is what Joseph did! When Joseph had his first vision the Preacher told him that revelation did not happen anymore, that God didnt talk to us. These were a few thoughts:

"Was the Preacher jealous that Joseph had a vision and not him?"
"Did the Preacher ever give the Book of Mormon a chance?"
"Did he have the faith that he preached about?"
"Did he ever join the church?"

I would like to know who the Preacher was and see if he ever did join the Church. It would be interesting. After the movie the Sisters talked to the investigator about Joseph and asked him if he had any questions. He didnt. They asked if he wanted to get baptized. He said he wanted to know more first, that he wanted a full understanding before joining. I shared my testimony with him and said he wont be able to have a full understanding, we always learn. I told him I joined at 13 but didnt really accept it until I was 17, almost 18. It was so amazing to him he say he reads 1 page from the Book of Mormon a night, that he feels at peace on Sundays because he is going to church, and even though his wife doesnt agree he thinks more clearly about everything and it gives him patience. I love this gospel! What joy it brings!! It was also a nice sneak peak into what I will be up against. (:

Later at home I watched the last 45 minutes of the documentary with my mom called, "The Human Experience". It is about a group of young men going through different phases and getting to know people. I am going to watch it sometime so I can get the beginning. I loved at the end that it said when it comes down to our experiences its about the family. There were so many different types of religious and other people adding that testimony of the family. That IS what it is about.
The most important thing that stuck out to me though was from a man with aids in Africa. One of the young men asked him how he is able get through his life and he replied, "By giving thanks to God. If He lets me wake up the next day, he has something for me to do." What an amazing statement! The Lord has something for me to do! He needs me and my hands to do His work. From this day forward I will remember this statement!

SCORE!

I drove for over 2 hours (added together) both ways to work. dislike.



I am almost done with HP 3. LIKE!



I saw a movie with my family (SUPER 8). LIKE!
My mom scored us free movie tickets. LIKE!

aaanndddd

i bought my HP midnight premier tickets!
Too bad its in 3D....dislike.

Does the First Presidency take the 4th of July weekend off?

Within the next 48 hours my mission papers will be in!

Catching Up!

Sunday was Father's Day. It was weird because I always express my love for my dad so it felt like a normal day. I did make this kick butt card:

My primary classed jumped from 7 kids to 11!! Our time changed to 1pm church and at first they did not explain, but this week they told us how the stake established a Spanish speaking branch but their youth programs will be apart of our Ward and then they will have thier own Sacrament meeting at 4:15pm. The kids are awesome though! All the other ladies were freaking out about how many kids I had and wanted to give me help but I said NO THANK YOU! I think it is also because I like to be in charge of things. I will need to learn some spanish words to tranlate to them so they can understand more and feel welcome.


Oh back track...KAI GOT BAPTIZED! Aww. I was so happy! I got to give a talk about the Gift of the Holy Ghost. It was so great. Later that night I wrote him a letter about the day and I want to give him it in 10 years. I think it will be a good idea.

My Oma brought over a bunch of hair bows that she doesnt wear anymore since she cut off all her hair. This is one of them. I love them all so much! I feel like Anastia. There is a blue one I want to wear with my white dress. (:

Before getting baptized. I love this little boy! I cannot beleive he is 8!

Siblings! I love them!

Hmmm. Catching up. Today was the last day for Oma and Uncle John to be here. We finsihed the porch and Drew and I decided to give everyone a nice surprise...A WATER BALLOON FIGHT! It was so fun and there were some casulties. I will miss them both and I hope I am able to write to them when I am gone. I have a million pictures to upload from their visit.

Finished product!

While everyone is working! hehe.


Mission update: Stake President meeting on Wednesday! (:

Days like this I love my family even more

I had a break down today. I cried at work, TWICE. I shouldn't let customers get to me and let them walk all over me. I have spent 76 hours at the pet salon these past 2 weeks (according to my time clock) and I am going back tomorrow morning at 7:30am to who knows when! Taylor asked me today not to quit. I don't want to, I am just overwhelmed. I want a day to myself, where I can read and not talk to anyone and just have me time.
In the end, my family raised my spirit. I walk into the door, expecting some kind of chaos but everyone had a smile and wanted to know how I was. They were all in the same room, not necessarily together but it was comforting. Karl and Grandma D were in the living room sitting and talking, Oma and Kai were in the loft watching Tangled, and Uncle John, Drew, Mom and Mikey were at the table on different laptops but still together. It was so comforting to come home to that. I had a plate of dinner waiting for me and the boys got me a iced DDP. Oh what a life! I love my family more than anything and I hope they are able to feel that love.

Full House

Grandma Denninghoff is here, its the couch for me! blah.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is in my car's stereo ( I am 14 of 15 for Chamber of Secerts).

Today is Unlce John's birthday! Therefore, I bought alcohol for the second time in my life.

I am reading a book about Matthew Shepard, written by his mother. That poor, poor boy. More to come on that later.

I am trying decide if I want to read or watch "The Secert Life of Bees".

Scrubs season 2 is on going.

I made the best father's day card (picture soon).

And finally....

^This is a perfect curl. Dang, I love my curly hair!

This is what I have been doing all day...

Less than thirty pages and I am done with "The Secret Life of Bees"!Getting sucked into a book is one of my favorite things. I also have this thing that once I start a book and get sucked in I am done within 24 hours. This is good but bad because once it is down, I feel really sad, like something is gone. I become that main character and I even dream about it for awhile. I found the movie and reserved it. I watched the trailer for it and I got even more excited. My mom told me she gets jealous when I get sucked into a book because she wants to read it. I also need to remember to tell my cousin, Jessica, to read it. We always talk about books and movies to one another via text and facebook

My Doctrine & Covenants is in my Book of Mormon

Today was my first Sunday as a primary teacher! Oh my, it was I dont even know how to describe. Six year olds like to talk and move and giggle and say weird things. I dont know how I will survive this calling but I am determined! I will figure out a way to make the learning fun and make them love me. I must admit, it will take some geting use to being called Sister Ploth. They told me, I have a weird last name and they thought I was 33. Oh golly!!

Now for the past few days this is what I have been up to....

Listening to this while driving. I am almost done and I am 15 on the waiting on the list at the library. boo!


Watching Scrubs season 1! All 9 seasons are on Netflix and I love it!!



I started reading this book and I love it. I am excited to watch the movie after.



I made this display at work. I love it! I have been changning some things around at the shop to be able to get to know the products and give people more of an idea of what we have. Tanaua and I have been working together and bouncing ideas off of each other. We have lots more of ideas for displays for the future. This is our 4th of July one.



Finally, Drew cracked his head open! Oh my. It was so funny!! Well, not really. So we were all out in the yard not doing as hard work, at least I wasnt. I was reading on the porch, Oma was planting flowers, Drew was on the machines, and everyone else was doing random things. Well I hear Drew say, "Get in the suburban! We are going to the hospital!" I look up from my book and he is holding his head, with blood running down!! I ran inside and grabbed a towel. Turns out he stood up and banged his head and scraped his eyebrow. Mom and I went to the ER and didnt have to wait long, which was good. He got a staple in his head and four stitches in his left eyebrow. He lived! And had a great attitude. However, being in the hospital made me think of Scrubs and I really wanted to see the characters from the TV show!

In other, exciting wonderful news!! I signed the last papers of my mission papers and the Bishop handed my papers to the Stake President. I should hear from President (Call I think his name is) this week! WOOT! WOOT!

We don't need your business

I love my job. Somedays it sucks. Somedays I want to walk out. Somedays I even question why I work there. But in the end, I LOVE IT. I learn something new everyday, I work with amazing people, and everyday is an adventure. The customers are great, most of the time and I dont have to wear a silly uniform. Though I have a boss, I have to motivate myself to do things. I like the days where I can clean freely and take it easy. When it gets crazy and I have to be a million peopleand a million places then I feel accomplished. However, there are the days where I get a rude customer who makes me so mad that I could just spit or I want to cry. Today there was a rude customer. I didnt cry and I didnt get mad, I was just blah. Just in case all you dog owners didnt know...YOU NEED TO BRUSH YOUR DOG!! If your dog is matted, the dog is in pain. Imagine having knots all in your hair and your hair is everywhere on your body. Well sometimes rich people dont relaize that they need to brush their dog, if not there is a brush out fee. When a dog is older and needs brushing out it is painful. So I had a customer call me and tell me that she pays us for the grooming and we shouldnt complain that the dog is matted. Also the haircut wasnt good enough and she wouldnt be bringing back Hugs and Kisses. Well, GOOD! I dont want to deal with them and you. And the shop wont be losing any money.

So that was my rant. Everyone is here now. Pretty exciting. Kai's birthday is tomorrow. Tonight Drew, Mikey, and I went and got birthday gifts. It was intersting to see what we all got. I hope his birthday is awesome.


BROTHERS!

The start of a crazy two weeks

First off, my computer isnt working, again. I dont even understand. I just need him to work for the next few months. Thankfully my mommy is so kind and lets me use her lappy.


Today work went by so fast. I clocked in at 12:47 and the next thing I know its 4:00 and my cleaning wasnt officially started. It was so weird. But overall, a good day. No one was rude and I got everything done that I needed to. After work I went to Taco Time to read my scriptures. I am so behind on my reading for the month but I know I can do it if I push forward. I was reading in 2nd Nephi 9 and I loved it all!! It is about the atonement and I just fell in love again. The atonement is something in my life that I can always reflect on and remember what it has done. I like these chapters of the Book of Mormon because they are compared to Isaiah and I love Isaiah's teachings. One time I met him at the SLC Temple Square. (:

The next exciting thing is that DREW IS BACK! And Uncle John is back! And Mikey is being picked up! And Oma comes in tomorrow. I am so excited for the next few weeks. It is going to be crazy and fun and loud and annoying but great. Kai is turning 8 this week and is getting baptized. So that will be a neat experience to share with the family.

Pressing Forward

So here I am, back in the blogging world! I am going to try really hard to keep up with this ish since some exciting things are happening.

1.) I should have my call by the end of the month
2.) There will be 4 more people in my house by Wednesday: Oma, Uncle John, Drew, and Mikey!!
3.) I have TWO callings at church. The first one being, I am a ward missionary leader so I get to help out the Sisters. I hope to get to know them and really befriend them and serve my ward. The second is, a long term sub for the CTR 6 primary class. Yep folks, I will be going to primary for the first time in my life! I am super excited (and nervous, mostly).
4.) Tara and I are reading the BOM this month and I am so behind! She is such an inspiration and always reminds me to keep going!

So exciting things for the day:

Ani got a haircut! She looks super cute!!
I started listening to Personal Revelation by JoAnn Hamilton (but my computer stopped working so now the disc is stuck in there...dangit). Its super good. Its all about listening to the Holy Spirit. I was cleaning today and a lot of what she said helped me. What is cool about her book is that it contains scriptures and her personal stories. It made me think about how I listen to the Holy Ghost and how I need to be better.

Well I dont want to overwhelm myself, since I havent posted anything since January...haha. But hey, practice makes perfect!

Salsa Sunday

Well blog, I am now 21 and have started my sixth semester at BYU-Idaho. It has been a lovely journey. It does not feel like school. Probably because I do not go to school as much as others.

I am taking classes mainly for my minor so I can get my AA before my mission. This is just in case I do not come back to BYU Idaho or whatever. However, the plan is to come back. I love my classes, so far. They have to do with families and they all blend together so it feels like I am just learning lots! On Thursday, my roommates threw me a surprise party which was amazing. I would be lying if I did not say I did not enjoy attention. (:

On Friday, I got blood work done for my mission papers AND biggest winner. Biggest winner is a program on campus where you work out and lose weight! Jessica and I got into it and we are very excited.

Saturday, ward talent show. Yeah...we have talent....

SUNDAY! I taught a wonderful lesson. I am really grateful to study the New Testament and Christ's teaching. I love Mary and how she was able to do the Lord's work. What a great example as a mother and follower of Heavenly Father. I am going to work on being a woman like her.

So that is about it. Now I am watching Beauty and the Beast. What a life.