Time

Short and simple. Time. Our time is so limited, there comes a point where you have to schedule everything down to the very last minute to try and fit everything in.

A typical day for myself consists of waking up at the crack of dawn, cleaning my room, showering, brushing out my mess of a hair (because yes, that does deserve it's own amount of time), going to work, running errands, shopping for mission outfits, doing homework, scripture study, planning primary lessons, chores, and hanging out with the family. 24 hours in a day is just not enough!

I'm to the point in my life where I have to be responsible for my own time. I can't have my mom pushing me to do something before the day's end. To help with creating my own time, I never have my phone anymore. It's so nice. Less people, less technology, less distraction. It normally just sits thrown in my locker at work or on the floor of my room somewhere. I rarely watch TV or movies anymore. Don't worry.. I'm not giving up my So You Think You Can Dance addiction. Or watching soccer games. I'm not throwing those two away just yet. Music is my best friend these days. So that I have something going, my Pandora stations are getting a workout. They are always playing.

Hanging out with my friends is a lucky thing these days. I always fit in time to see them. Or try to at least. Whether it's going to the temple on a Sunday night or going to get frozen yogurt right before they close, I'm trying to keep up with some people. It's hard with everyone going their separate ways! But, alas, that is life. Welcome to growing up!

I guess the point that I'm trying to make is don't waste your time. There are so many things that need to be done. Don't just sit idle. Make the day worth it.


P.S. New life motto. In the scriptures, it always says "And it came to pass," Not once does it say, "And it came to stay". Everything in life comes and goes in waves. Like Sugarland says, "And the hard times pass, like the good ones do." During the hard times, keep your head held high and your faith even higher. During the good times, remember who you are and what you stand for and why it's a good life.

Primary Kids

I've been called as a primary teacher in my ward recently. And can I just say how much I absolutely adore little kids? 

During sacrament meeting today, my best friend (who is 5) ran up to me and came to sit with my family during the rest of the meeting. I tell her basically everything. I love her to pieces. She is my little Bug. 

This is one of the many pictures she and I took while watching fireworks on the 4th of July. Obviously we are exactly alike. 

Anywho, I went with her to primary, then was asked to sit with the sunbeams. I haven't been called to a certain class yet, so I go and sit in with different teachers. There were 5 kids in our class today. 4 boys, and one little girl who happens to be my neighbor. One of the boys, Braxton, had a fishing line and an action figure tied to the end. He "went fishing" the whole time we were in singing time. I was busting up. He kept turning to me and asking if he was doing good. CUTE. Then there is my favorite.. Evan. We became the best of buds today. He is super crazy and loud. But what do you expect from a 3 year old? We made funny faces, gave high fives, and played the quiet game all during the second hour. Evan and Trenton started play fighting, so that was a whole mess to deal with. 

After singing time, we headed to our classroom. Five 3 year olds running around a church turns in to a game of hide and go seek. Have no fear, we found them all. Our lesson was on families and they actually paid attention for most of the hour! I sat next to Trenton during class. He was so funny. He kept giving me high fives and making crazy sounds. At the end of class, when everyone was coloring, he came and gave me the biggest hug. After the lesson, we colored, sang, danced, and "fished" with Braxton. He had to teach us all how to do it. It was one of the funnest days I've had at church in awhile. 

The main reason for this post is for what happened as I was saying goodbye to one of the kids. Evan's older sister, Ellie, came to pick him up and take him to their parents. I went to let him out and he turned around and gave me a hug. He then turned to his sister and said, "I love her!" CUTEST THING EVER. Basically my heart melted and the other teacher stood there, baffled. Evan hasn't ever said that to any of the other teachers he's been with.

 I take this as one of the biggest compliments I have ever received. Yes, it was from a 3 year old... But it was exactly what I needed to hear. That little boy was the blessing that I needed today. I absolutely love primary and those little sunbeams. They have so much life and they are the sweetest spirits. I can't wait to go back next week and see them all again. 

Welcome To The Real World

Oh my goodness gracious. I have never been this tired in my life. I have no down time anymore. I should be doing homework right now. Or laundry. Or reading my scriptures. Or sleeping. But I needed to just write some shtuff.
I hate the real world. There is so much to do in about NO time. I work two jobs, am doing a college course, all while trying to prepare for my mission. Plus, my mom was just laid off and my cousins from the other side of the country are here. Welcome to my life. It's great.
Side note. I really do have a good life. I know my sarcasm makes it seem like my life sucks, but I really am so blessed.

I'm working at Cherry Berry, a frozen yogurt shop. I'm also working at Deseret Book. Which is an amazing place to be. I love everyone there and I love the atmosphere. There is never a dull moment. I love working because I feel like I'm actually doing something for myself. School on the other hand can go drown. I don't know why I decided to take a summer course. I have no time for it and I'm not even that invested in online schooling. I hate it.

Between everything going on right now, I have no social life. Ask Emily and Jaycee... I haven't hung out with them in forever. I think I've hung out with Cameron Dower more than my two best girl friends. Ugh. It sucks. To top everything off, I have 4 months to prepare for my mission. This includes getting a passport, visa, and actually accepting my mission call. Oops.. I should probably get around to that.

This is what growing up really feels like. Making the executive decision to not go and waste money on a movie or lunch out and about just because I feel like it. Not getting to really hang out with friends. Having to be the responsible one and go home early because you worked a late night and an early morning. I'm so exhausted. I just want someone to come and watch movies with me while I slowly fall asleep. That would be great.

I'm so excited that I'm finally becoming an adult in the world. It's just a lot more tiring than I thought it would be.

In the words of Rosi Goslan...

It's been a long day. And all I gotta say is make it strong.

Called To Serve... Finally!

You do not understand how long I have been waiting to finally find out where I am going to serve on my mission.

Okay... it hasn't really been that long. But it has felt like an eternity!

Dear Sister Hamilton,
You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Mexico Mexico City Northwest Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months.
You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, November 13, 2013. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language.

WHAT?!?! No one saw this coming! I was convinced I was staying in the states, my friends and family kept thinking East coast or Europe. But Mexico?! Holy cow! Last week my mom told me that if I get called to Mexico, I'm not going.. Well... Thanks for jinxing that one, madre. ;)

I couldn't be more excited. If you had asked me a year and a half ago if I was thinking about a mission, I would have thought you were crazy. Now? You can call me Hermana Hamilton! I know that I've been called to Mexico for a specific reason. I know that there are people who are waiting to meet me and hear what I have to say about this amazing gospel.

I'm terrified to finally be a missionary. I don't know the scriptures and the stories like others do. But you know what? That's okay! I will learn, just as everyone else does.

I know this is the true gospel. I have absolutely no doubt that we all chose to come here and go through our trials, because we all knew of the greatness that would come afterwards. I love the prophet. Thomas S. Monson is one of the most amazing people on this planet. He is the current day prophet and I know that he is doing everything he can to help better not only our lives, but everyone we encounter. I'm so grateful for missionary work and the opportunity we have to go out and serve others while we put our own lives on hold.  I know that without my friends and family, I wouldn't be this far. They have been the greatest examples to me in my life. I'm grateful for the atonement and that my sins can be washed away. I'm grateful for a loving Redeemer who gave his life for me. I'm grateful for a plan that can keep our families together forever.

I am so excited to go and serve. I know that it will be hard, but it is what I need to be doing with my life right now. I can't wait!!!!