Thursday, June 20, 2013

Utah, Here I Come!

Alriiiiiiiiiiiighty my friends, I am being set apart in 1 1/2 hours to be a MISSIONARY for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!!!

I am so excited!!!! and I am also feeling kinda nervous...but I hear that is normal?? hehe 

Then tomorrow, my mom, dad and I leave at 6:40 AM to fly to Salt Lake City :) oooo yeah..not a huge fan of the flight time though...

We will be spending time with my two sisters' families who live out there ;) I can't wait because I haven't seen them in years!! And I am very grateful for their hospitality :)

Then, it's off to the MTC for me! Yay!

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So...Here is how my blog is going to work out for my mission:  My lovely sisters, Brandi and Jaime, will be posting updates each week for me.  (Thank you two so SO MUCH for doing this for me btw) :) 
And so by me keeping this mission blog, I can keep an online journal of what experiences I have had over my mission for when I come home to look back and cherish.  I also, wish to share my experiences with all of you :)

 So to end my last blog post before I enter the MTC, I just would love to share my testimony of this glorious gospel.  It's amazing the path I have taken to get to where I am now and I know, I could not have done it without the Lord's help. I don't know why the Lord has called me to serve in Provo or to speak Spanish, but I am going to try and work my hardest and lose myself in the work for Him because He has called me to His work.  I have truly grown so much in the gospel these past several months.  I have a strong testimony that my Savior loves me and knows how to help me become closer to my Heavenly Father.  I know the Atonement of Jesus Christ is real and that it did happen and that by applying it in our lives we can become clean and pure.  I know that the gospel brings peace and happiness to all of those who embrace into their lives.  I know Heavenly Father answers prayers because He has answered mine many times.  I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that by studying and pondering its teachings we can become more like our Savior.  I am so thankful for the gospel and how much it has blessed my life, and continues to bless my life.  I can't wait to embark on this amazing journey and to be a representative of Jesus Christ.  The gospel is true, and I cannot wait to share this wonderful message with others. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Para siempre Dios esté con vos!
Love, Hermana Derges :)

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

It's Down to One Week!

Oh my goodness time is flying by! Almost 3 months ago was when I received my mission call and now I am entering the MTC in 7 days!! craziness!
so......since I haven't posted anything between then and now...I'll give ya a little update on what has been going on in my life :)

~After I received my call, all I could think about is my mission and getting ready for it...there was (and still is) a lot to do! but I think I have been handling quite well... (or at least I hope so!) ...haha :)

~I have gone through the temple to receive my endowments!
 The fam and I went to the Kansas City Temple on May 25th!  BEST DAY EVER!


I love the temple and it strengthened my testimony of the gospel so so so much!  I know now more than ever that I am a daughter of God and that He loves me. I know my Savior lives and that I can be the person Heavenly Father wants me to be if I rely on Him and His Son and use the Atonement more fully in my life :)

I was so excited that my family could come with me and support me on this wonderful day! (Just a few because someone had to watch all of my crazy nieces and nephews, right?)

 
The weekend we spent in KC was a blast and here's a picture to prove it :)


 ...an awesome picture of my family :) and I have to say it describes us prettttty wellllll....

~I finished up my junior year at Oklahoma State! I am almost done!! Yay :)  I'll be coming back after my mission to finish up my degree in Human Development and Family Science with an option in Early Childhood so I can start teaching the kiddos! Hopefully my mission will prepare me for that in a way??? ...maybe?? lol

~I graduated from Institute!! :) I am very happy that I was able to go and learn more about the gospel and have that wonderful break between the craziness that school and work can bring :) It has definitely been a testimony builder...so for those of you out there who haven't been going, go go GO! :) I promise it will bring blessings into your life because I have seen it a number of times in mine.

~I had to say goodbye to all of my amazing friends and good ol' Stillwater for 18 months...and head home to Missouri for the final countdown

 The small summer group :) at my last FHE... (which was pretty neat btw, we learned how to fence!!)

 My amazing singles ward friends have helped me become a happier and better person :) And I am going to miss you all very very very much!

 I also want to give a shout out to this lovely bunch :) That day at Frontier City was such a blast! You all have been so good to me and you all have supported me every step of the way! Thank you all very much for how you have blessed my life :)



  And of course I could not leave out these two lovely people in my life :) These two are simple the greatest!!!

Christen, you have been the greatest friend to me :) We have had so much fun together and I'm so sad to leave you!!! BUT I am so excited for what life brings you in the next 18 months! You better keep me updated missy! lol...and David, you are simply amazing :)  Thank you so much for all of your support of me going on a mission.  I could not have made it this far without you!  Keep being as sweet and as wonderful as you are :)
Thank you two for being so good to me! I will miss and I love you both soooooooooooooo much!


..........That's basically it on the update...plus I kinda need to go to bed, haha.  The waking up at 6:30 and lights out at 10:30 is going to throw me for a loop for a bit, but I will get the hang of it! Hehehe

Anywhooo.... Life is good. SO good! :)  Now, I am off to be set apart tomorrow! Then flying out to Utah on Friday and bam ba da boom...the MTC on Wednesday!! Yay :)

So goodnight everyone! Sweeeeeeet Dreams!

~Love, Hermana Derges :)