Guatemala City South

Well my loyal readers! I'm officially going to the Guatemala Guatemala City South Mission! I got the actual mission call last week and it finalized things. I'm to report the 29th of November. My flight is on the 28th for reasons called flying to a different country. I was kind of surprised that I wasn't going to the Provo MTC. Nope! Instead I'm going to the Guatemala MTC. It makes sense I guess. I guess I just didn't know that Guatemala had an MTC and that's why I'm surprised.

To be honest I'm a little apprehensive. I don't know much about Guatemala and I don't know what to even ask or research. I'm luckier than most people though. My Aunt Melanie served her mission in Guatemala 17 years ago and knows some things that I would have no clue about otherwise.

The main things I know so far is that it's a very poor country and it rains. A LOT! Like buckets and buckets forever! So that's exciting I guess. I've already bought my self a pair of sturdy rain boots and a thin rain coat. Hopefully they last the entire time I'm out. It's going to be weird because it's not a cold rain. It's like living in a warm jungle kind of rain. At least that's what I've been told. 

I've researched a little bit but I'm a little wary of the information I find. This is why. Before I moved to Spain I did some research and it was nothing like when I lived there. Sure they ate pulpo but it was nowhere as rainy and cold as it was said to be, things weren't expensive like some people made it out to be, and people were soooooo friendly! Where as some blogs I read made it sound like the locals could be a tad rude. So I'm kind of wondering if I research will my expectations be completely skewed?! I have no idea. 

Well besides that I'm going to be learning me some Spanish! And I'll have no choice but to become fluent in it! I'm actually pretty excited about that. Sure my base Spanish is from Spain and people will think I'm crazy for my thhhh sounding c's but whatevs. I'm sure I'll grow out of it though. Maybe. Although I really like the Spain accent so maybe I'll be a rebel and try to keep it or something. I've been doing duolingo to try and get me started. 18% fluent guys! That's not very accurate. My friend Aldus is on a Spanish speaking mission right now. He was about that "fluent" when he left and he said he didn't honestly feel that fluent till he had almost left the MTC. So I guess we'll see how I fare once I get there. It does help to be immersed in it though and be constantly hearing it. I know my time in Spain helped my Spanish immensely. Sure I couldn't really talk but my understanding was way better!

But really over all I'm excited to meet new people! It's going to be such an amazing experience to be able to teach these families and learn about their way of life. I love learning and living and sharing a culture. I guess I should go spiritual. I am a future missionary and all. As my friend pointed out when I used the word "hella" in a joking manner. Whoops!

I truly am excited to teach the Guatemalan people how much Heavenly Father and the Savior loves them. I'm excited to teach them about eternal families. (probably the strongest part of my testimony) I'm excited to teach them about the plan of salvation and the atonement and pretty much just everything! I'm excited to share my love and understanding of the gospel. I know it's going to be really hard. But I figure I have so many people who care about me backing me up. If I ever feel like I'm failing I have people there to support me. And in turn I hope I'll be able to support and love people in the same way while I'm out there. 

My life may have taken an extremely different path than most but I'm glad it did. It's prepped me in so many ways. If I were to have just gone straight off on a mission as soon as I turned 19 I don't think I would have been ready. Spain helped me in incomprehensible ways. It made me more confident and sure of myself. It made me more decisive. It helped me realize I can be away from my family for extended periods of time. All in all it made me not scared to do things anymore. 

Me getting back just in time to be there for Mom's cancer and being able to take care of the baby. That was pretty horrible but I was able to be there for my family and it helped me understand and be able to relate to those who have or are going through similar experiences. 

And as for my summer adventures they taught me that I can still have fun in my life. I don't have to be stuck. I did so many things this summer. I went to Washington, I lived in Utah, I went to Idaho, I went on a cross country road trip twice, I went to Spain, and saw so many things! I have a weird irrational fear that once I go on my mission and come back I'll have to face reality and get a job and go to school. While that may be true, this summer taught me that I can have fun while doing it. I worked this summer and was still able to do all these amazing things! So why shouldn't I be able to do the same when I get back?

Overall though I think the past year has taught me that I have control over my life and I don't have to be scared of the unforeseeable consequences because I know in the end everything will work out. Everything happens for a purpose. All of these things happened I think to prep me for a mission and everything else that's coming in my future. I honestly currently don't know why the Lord is sending me to Guatemala. I only know that everything happens for a purpose and the reason I'm being sent there is to fulfill that unknown purpose.

Life is about looking at the big picture. Too often do we focus on the small insignificant things. We judge and criticize, we get insecure, we hold grudges, we speak unkindly, and so many other things. That's what makes us human. That's the natural man.  As my Grandpa Judd used to say, "The lord looks on the heart." And if we remember that when thinking about ourselves and others I think the world would be better. I think we would be more understanding. I'd like to think that we're all trying our best. Despite trying our best we have to struggle with the natural man to be our best. And I think that's what it means when God looks on the heart. He sees our intentions and our desire to be our best. And we should try to do the same with those around us.

Why focus on the little when we can focus on the grand! We're all people. Most of us love life. We all in someway love each other. And we are all trying our best! And I think that's all that should matter.

There was that spiritually enough for you? I think so. Now my dear people I want you to know when I go on my mission I intend to stay me. Some of you may know what I'm talking about others not so much. I'm going to keep my individuality. I'm going to continue being myself. I'm going to still have my love of music, I'm still going to love little kids, I'm still going to love my reading, and my knitting, and my nerdy anime, and I'm still going to love my family. I'm still going to have my likes and dislikes. And I ABSOLUTELY refuse to pick up that horribly obnoxious teaching dialect most missionaries somehow have. I think you guys know what I'm talking about.

I refuse to conform to the mold. I still want to be me. I know I can't indulge really in those likes but I'm still going to talk about them and keep them as part of who I am. I don't know if this makes any sense. Part of the reason I initially didn't want to serve a mission is because I thought I would lose who I am. I've met so many missionaries who have no personality. You know nothing about them. They're just missionaries. Does that make sense? I refuse to become that. And hopefully with that determination I can still be a person. I can have my personality. I can be me and not just another missionary. And hopefully while still being me, I can be the best missionary I can be.

Well now that I'm done waxing philosophical I must say adios. Lastly I shall say that I'm excited for this opportunity to be a missionary. I'm excited to go to Guatemala and meet and teach new people. I'm excited to experience and live in a new culture. And I'm excited to see what the future brings. Till next time! 

The Fun Kid Filled Life That Is Mine

 Well my life has recently been entirely consumed by taking care of little youngins. Whether it be my own siblings or the two cute little kids that I Nanny. 

I feel like I've been pretty productive these past couple weeks though. I went on a play date/hike thing with my friend Jane and her kids at Huntley Meadows. That place is seriously so beautiful. It's a beautiful lake (really swamp) with a gorgeous forest leading up to it. And my favorite part is that it just kind of appears out of nowhere. It's surrounded by houses and building galore but when you're there all you can see is the nature. It's a cool place. If anyone ever wants to come visit I'll take you.

I cut up a watermelon which was devoured within the hour. Norman especially liked it. 

And I had my weekly Sunday doodles. This one was my favorite of this particular Sunday's adventures. (I know I'm horrible for drawing during church)

More adventures with chilluns. The National Coast Guard was giving free tours on their Tall Ship that they train their recruits on. So that was pretty cool. 

As a kid I thought it would be fun to be a pirate or a sailor and then I read about the rigorous physical exertion it takes to sail a ship and I gave up on that dream. I've always been lazy I guess. 

I had an old lady ask if all the kids were mine. That was awkward. As it usually is. But do I look like I could have six kids? I've been told I look old for my age before but I don't look that old do I?! Anyway that was fun. I ran into some families from the ward and they all commented how brave I was on bringing so many kids with me. Sometimes I think about how it should be hard but it's just my everyday life. It really doesn't feel any different. If anything it's easier because it's not our full 9. Perks of growing up in an insanely large family. You all should consider doing it sometime. It's fun. ;)

More play dates at the park. Jane and Nora are besties and it's seriously the cutest thing in the world. 

Then the weekend came and me and Townsend took a mini road trip down to VA Beach. That was amazing! We stayed with our good friends the Jones' in their awesome new house and just spent the weekend with them.

We went to the beach. Obvi. I think someday I want to live by the ocean. I've probably said that before but I don't care. I love it. It makes me happy. I've always lived by water and I can't imagine my life without it. Plus I'd get freaking tan and that's worth the skin cancer right? 

While I was searching for parking at the beach we saw a parade of clowns and one of them tipped his hat at me. That was a new experience. I don't know how to feel about it. Townsend was like, "He was probably really cute under all that makeup." But guys he was in a clown costume. I feel like that's gotta tell you something about a person. Right? 

After the beach we went to a youth dance. I "chaperoned" which was really weird. It turns out stake dances are SUPER awkward and I just never noticed. All those little munchkins just don't know what to do with themselves! Townsend got himself a flock of ladies by the end so that was fun to watch.  

Sunday after first hour of church (and a little pokemoning) we headed back home. Townsend is a wimp and can't drive more than 1 1/2 hours before starting to feel sleepy. So I drove all the way there and most of the way back. Good times. 

As soon as we got home I helped mom make cream puffs and then we went to my friend Jane's Great NOVA Bake Off. A spin off party of  The Great British Bake Off if any of you people have seen that show. There was so many yummy desserts. I was in heaven! And guess what?! Me and mom got Star Baker! Meaning we won! (for those of you who have never seen the show) It was a really fun party and I got new books to read from the lovely hosts so that always adds to the excitement. Well for a nerd like me anyway.  

Anyway that's been my life. Today I dropped Mom, Dad, and the babes off at the Airport. They're going to Costa Rica and I'm stuck being mom for 10 days. Joan-Claire even said, "Marley? When mom and dad leave will you be our new mother?" So yeah Mama Marley is here and it's gonna be a party! So watch out! 

And last news of all I was told by both the Stake Pres. and the Bishop that my Mission Call has been sent so I should be getting it anytime this week! Crazy stuff man! I'm so nervous! I've been having the weirdest anxiety over it. And I'm not an anxious person. Anyway stay tuned! Hopefully it's I go somewhere awesome! 

Till next time!

Tennessee and Other Things

My last couple weeks have been pretty enjoyable. I hung out with one of my friends and we went to Jone's Point park and walked around old town. I do love old town. It's probably my favorite place out here in Va. 

Then after that my fam and I took the eight hour drive down to Tennessee. 

We have friends that live down there and we spent the weekend with them. It was so much fun! They fed us delicious food all day everyday and just had a really fun time hanging with their family and mine. They have a really cool pool and amazing property. But let's be honest I swam the whole time. Ain't nobody got time for bugs! Seriously there were tons of bugs. That was the only downside I think. But besides that I think Tennessee is one of the most beautiful states I've ever been to. I've always thought that when flying in for layovers and stuff but now I know it's true now that I've actually visited and spent some time there. 

I also got to sleep in a lot which was fabulous. You know me and my sleep. Jairus slept even longer than I did and he doesn't appreciate being woken up. I love him though.  

We got back from that fun trip on Sunday. Monday was the eclipse and that was really cool to see. Even if I didn't get to see it in totality. It was crazy how dark it got for only being 80% 

Anyway and then the rest of my time has been spent nannying and spending time with my siblings. I've made a goal that before I leave to spend a day with each sibling before I leave on the mission. So far it's going well. I've taken the first three youngins. Well excluding Norman, but I don't think he's really going to care. It's been pretty fun and everyone tells me how adorable they are and all I can think is how they probably think they're my kids. I mean that's happened before. Can you blame me for being paranoid? 

So that's what's up with me. On a side/main note my mission papers are officially turned in! Now to just wait a couple weeks till they actually mail me my call. So be on a lookout for that! I loved going to the doctor and dentist. My two most favorite places in the entire world. Not. I hated it with a passion but hey I guess it's worth it if I get to serve a mission. Anyway I think that's all that's been happening with me. Sorry for the lack of substance in this post. It's been a kind of everything but nothing kind of past couple weeks. Well I'm gonna go bake something delicious. Till next time! 

An Unexpected Journey

As I may have mentioned in my last post I got home from my cross country road trip and was almost immediately offered a job as a nanny. And with that job proposal came the offer of a two week vacation. I mean who could say no?! It was an unexpected journey but an awesome one.

I left two weeks ago Monday. We started our travels, we as in Me, Dawn, and the two youngins, flying for six hours or so to Denver Colorado. I drove through there on my way back to Virginia but it was really cool to stop and see the area. We stayed the first night with Dawn's dad. Dawn's family is all really friendly and welcoming. That was awesome 'cause I was a little nervous to meet so many new people. 

The next day Dawn had a meeting in Garden of the God's so that is where we went. To say the least I sure saw a lot of nature on this trip. Seeing it all really makes me appreciate the world I live in and love God. I attempted to take a small hike with the kids but it was pretty hot and there wasn't really a stroller path. So that attempt was short lived. But hey the visitor center was cool. It had a "life size" dinosaur replica thing and tons of stuffed animals of what animals lived in that desert environment. It was pretty entertaining and the kids liked it. It was timed perfectly too because by the time the kids were bored Dawn was done with her meeting. 

We stayed in Colorado Springs that night and the following two days. Both days Dawn had conferences to go to with evenings off to do whatever we wanted. Woo! Day one was swimming and partying it up in a hotel room. And when Dawn got back we drove up to Pike's Peak.

That was a gorgeous drive. Clouds coming down the mountain.

And feeling like you were on top of the world. It's really weird being higher up than the clouds.

Cute picture with people I love. 

Shortly after we arrived the kids decided it was to cold and they wanted to be miserable. 

Such pretty clouds. I truly do love nature. 

Gazing off into the distance. You know gotta get those candids.

Seriously watching these kids is the best! They're super loving and kind towards me and not only that they're soooooooooo cute!

The second day I went to the Focus on the Family visitor center with the kids. That place was awesome. It had an awesome slide that went outside of the building and then ended up in the basement where they had several jungle gym structures for kids.  As well as several other activity rooms with a puppet stage and legos and all that cool stuff that kids love. 

That night we went shopping for wedding presents and baby shower gifts. That the actual main reason we went to Colorado. One sister of Dawn's was getting married and another was having a baby. That's always fun. I felt like a mom though. I kept seeing cute boy clothes that I wanted to get for Norbaby. Sometimes I think it's a curse being the oldest of nine and being so closely involved int their lives. But let's be honest it's a total blessing. 

We picked up Michael, Dawn's husband, after our shopping extravaganza and the next day we headed up to Grand Junction where the wedding was held. But first we had a nature adventure!

We stopped along the highway and saw this beautiful lake. I have no idea where we were or what this lake is called but it was so gorgeous. It was so clear and still. I wanted to swim in it but it was a tad cold. 

Apparently as a youngin Dawn would hike with her family to Hanging Lake. And so that's what we did. Keep in mind we have a 2 and 4 year old and she's 7 months pregnant. But we did it! 

This creek was pretty much a continuous waterfall down the mountain that followed us along the trail up. It was such a calming sound. 

3/4 of the way up we saw this amazing waterfall. Nature truly is amazing. I've seen pictures of things like this but it was amazing to see them in person. 

View from some outlook point. Look at those canyon walls. It was so amazing. 

And then we made it to the top! It was so beautiful. I've never been so tempted in all my life to go swimming in a body of water. It was clearer than the lake we saw earlier in the day and just so beautiful. I felt like the lake/waterfall belonged in Hawaii rather than in the mountains somewhere in Colorado. 

Cool stone steps.

"Waderfall!"

All of us together. Dawn's sister Faith came with us. She's a really fun person to hang with. It was nice having her tag along. 

I didn't take any pictures of Saturday. But it was filled of wedding prep and dinner/dance parties with pulled pork samiches. That was yummy and fun. I like me some dance parties!

And then Sunday was the Wedding. It was held at a fancy vineyard with a river in the back. That was fancy and fun. They had a dance party and delicious food. All the best parts of a wedding. 

Monday we traveled to Southern Utah.

We did Arches National Park and saw all the glory it beheld. It was kind of amazing to see how all these things were formed by nature. 

It was just so pretty in it's desert way.

Red and glorious.

It was fun being able to hang out with this amazing family and seeing such amazing sights. LOVED IT!

I did a whole lot of hiking and got in some kind of shape. So that was nice. 

There was some fun blue sand. I've never seen that before. 

Which made a fun combination with the red sand. 

There's the famous arch way off in the distance. But with two little kids that kind of hike is a little difficult. 

Tuesday we visited two national parks. We went to National Grand Reef and then to the Kolob Canyons, which is part of Zion National Park.  

The Reef was my favorite place to visit. There was a dry river bed called The Wash that had holes all in the canyon walls. It was so fun to climb inside and see how I fit. 

I mean look how cool this is.

You all should be jealous. Or you should take a family vacation and see it for yourself. It's totally worth it. 

Okay maybe by now you're getting bored of all these hole in the wall pictures but hey I think they're fun. So deal with it. 

Then we saw the Canyons. They were pretty amazing. The amount of greenery that grows on those cliff faces is absolutely amazing.  

And this was the view at the top of our hike. 

I seriously really enjoyed this mid part of the trip.

And the people who came with it. I seriously love this family so much. They're just so loving and fun! 

Wednesday we drove to Vegas.

I went there once with my family when we had our cross country road trip two years ago but we didn't really do anything.

So this trip was pretty awesome. We walked forever but we saw a ton of different hotels and places. 

Like what kind of hotel has a river running through it? So crazy.

And we stayed at Mandalay Bay and had an awesome view of the land below.

That place had an awesome pool so we hung out there the Monday before we headed out to Cali. (My parents have been making fun of me for calling it that so that's all I'm going to call it from now on. So there.)

This vacation was so much fun. Going to Colorado and driving up a mountain, going to Utah and seeing amazing rock structures, and then seeing Vegas. But going to Cali was by far my favorite part of the trip!

We stayed in West Hollywood the first day and that was really cool.

I walked around with the kids. Went to Trader Joes and got some food and just kind of explored the surrounding area around our apartment. 

Then we cooled our feet off in the pool until we got bored and then went to a cool park and chilled until Dawn was done with her meetings for the day. And then we headed to Venice Beach. Now that is where it's at! 

Cool chill vibed restaurants.

With vegetarian pizzas. (I didn't like that to much. I like my meat.)

But what I do love about good ol' L.A. is all the street art. 

It made the city so bright and just fun.

It's just so fun!

It made me love the city so much. It was so laid back and go with the flow. Just gonna say it was my kind of place. 

I might consider maybe living there for like a year or something. I really loved it so much. And I don't really know how to explain why.

Wow there really was a ton of street art.

I like to bore you with holes in canyon walls and wall art in Cali. 

We might be almost done....

Nope I lied.

"Protect yo Heart" I relate to this. 

Hey look an awesome bird.

And some kind of monster. 

But hey I think I got the love. Maybe. 

This mural was on the side of a building that was right next to our Air BnB. And may I mention that place was only a block away from the ocean. Pretty awesome stuff man. 

And this Mural was done in the early 90's and is somehow still in top condition. 

Yep still more street art.

Great advice.

There may or may not have been more but I thought I wouldn't torture you anymore. 

And here is my favorite part. The BEACH! I love the beach so much. Maybe a little to much. I got a bit burned and now my back might be paying for it. But hey you should see my arms. They are gorg.

The two days we were there at Venice Beach I spent most of my day by the water with the kids. That's another thing the water in Cali is so warm. It's not like VA where I feel like I'm going to get hypothermia or something.

Our second day there we went to the Santa Monica Pier.  

That was pretty cool. A bustling crowd of very obvious tourists. So fun man.

And after the Pier we went to the 3rd Street Promenade. 

This was probably one of my favorite places we visited. Like within L.A. I mean.

There was so many street performers. It was so awesome!

It made me want to take my siblings and go street perform with my siblings. We'll see if that happens. Stay tuned.

Cool stuff man. I think the thing I loved about this trip was that I was able to have so many different experiences. Now that may sound cheesy but whatever. It's true. 

I said goodbye to L.A. on Saturday.

And then we headed to San Diego. We have some friends who used to live in our ward here in VA that moved to San Diego and we were able to stay and visit with them. So that was really cool.

I saw the San Diego Temple. That place is beautiful. Probably one of the most beautiful temple I've seen. It was just so white. 

We also visited the Mormon Battalion historical site and that was pretty cool to learn the actual history behind it. 

And our last day, Monday, we went to the Seal Beach. 

And there they are. The cute little seals.

It kind of smelled but hey it was still really cool.

I'm really sooooo thankful that I was invited on this trip. I had so much fun meeting people, traveling, and just seeing everything. It truly was so amazing. 

And now to see what happens next! Like who knows what the next adventure will be! I'm working on my mission papers and saving up money but that's really all that's going on at the current moment. So we'll see. Till next time!