Another bump in the road

I could find a thousand quotes about patiences. But only thing that makes it better is when you make it to the finish line and everything was worth it.
But don't worry I'm gonna give you a couple quotes for the fun of it all.

• Some things take time
• Patience is not the ability to wait but how you act while you're waiting
• If something is not happening for you it doesn't mean it's never going to happen it means you're not ready for it
• The hardest tests in life is the patience to wait for the right moment
• Faith in God includes faith in His timing- Neal A. Maxwell

Do ya'll get the idea? I get the idea but we all know things take time to work out in the right way. And yes, I'm so dang impatience. Filling out mission papers you have to have a lot of patiences. That's for sure.
Before I started my papers earlier this month I went and got shots. Well comes to find out at my doctors appointment today I found out I didn't get the most important shot! This shot isn't some normal shot (I can't remember the name) but you have to after 48 hours go get looked at after you get this shot. Well it's Thursday and no place is open on Saturday which means I can't have my papers finished by this weekend. Which is what I was really hoping for. Most of you are probably thinking I'm crazy because this isn't a live or die situation. But here's the thing... Every moment of the day I'm always thinking of my mission. Where am I going? I can't even count how many dreams, daydreams I have and I go to a different place each time. Or my big fear that I won't be able to say where I'm going. (ha). Will I learn a language? When will I leave? Will I just love the people so much? What kind of place it is? When can I wear dresses and skirts all the time? When can I get my nametag?
When you want something sooo bad anything that gets in the way is just a horrible thing. Seriously though.

Lucky for me I know this so much. And of course just need to remember it at all moments... I'm praying to have my call by next month.

Starting the process

Well as of Sunday I have started my mission papers. After talking with my Bishop, him and everyone else has said to be aware that Satan will try and make it so that I won't be able to serve a mission. He is very smart at what he does, and from just a couple days into the week and I can say that Satan doesn't waste his time at attacking your weaknesses. But guess what Satan? Aside from the fact I decided on Monday you are a douche and I don't like you at all when you are trying to make me feel bad. It's not going to happen. Because I know in my HEART & MIND that I want to serve a mission.

Like I said in a previous post that Tuesday is one of my longest days at  school. I was there from 8:30am-9pm. I took a nap in the LDS Institute building. When I finally woke up an Institute teacher came up to me... It was seriously just what I needed. We had a nice short chat but in that chat I was able to tell him some key moments of my life. This amazing man was sent to me to tell me what  I really needed to hear yesterday. As simple as the phrase is, "You are here this semester for a reason" it really did get to me. Because as I've been preparing I've been so frustrated with myself for not already having my call and serving the Lord. 

I really want to be wearing that name tag that says I am here to represent the Savior Jesus Christ and to tell you what I believe. I want people all around this world to know of this beautiful gospel that I love so much and to be able to join it if they choose to. 

I can honestly say to you at this current moment that I am so blessed the Lord does bless those of you who are trying. I can't wait for everything to fall into place. Yet I know I'm still going to be challenged but I know that if I keep focus on my goal that I will be able to get there. 

"You cannot run away from a weakness. You must sometimes fight it out or perish, and if that be so, why not now and where you stand." - Robert Louis Stevenson

Yes we are coming. And it is a wonderful thing to happen. 

School 4 days a week.

Well folks, the new semester has begun. I can't even believe that I am in my 4th semester of college. It feels like just yesterday I was in high school going to football games, skipping classes, getting in trouble. Now I'm trying to make sure that I eat, sleep, and making it to work on time. I'm growing up each day.
My classes this semester make it so that most my days are never the same. Monday & Wednesday I only have one class at 1pm. After that I gotta get to work. Tuesday and Thursdays are my crazy days.
I'm taking Book of Mormon at 9 in the morning. And on Tuesday nights I'm in mission prep. That's right, I'm still getting ready for it and trying to figure out when I should go. I have 4 official college classes. ASL 202G, ASL numbers, Language 3000, Math. 3/4 have ASL influence. Which will make for a really nice semester for me.
Well tons has happened in the last 3 weeks. But I keep telling myself that it is a New Year. Which is a reminder not to get down because anything can happen.
So here's to a New Year, a new me.

Au Revior 2012

This year I put together a cute little jar where I put moments that I found as a blessing this past year. 

Right before I came out to Arizona I read them. I was reminded of the amazing things that have happened. I have the most amazing life anyone could ask for. 

I'm gonna do a quick recap of the year. 

• Finished my hardest semester of college yet. 
• Worked at Sonic Drive-In
• Moved into a duplex with some amazing girls <3
• DahLynn, Lynsey, Sydney
• Went on my first airplane ride to WA <3 such an amazing week 
• Worked with Edna. She's had some amazing advice for me
• Finished the Book of Mormon for the very first time ever!!! :)
• Gave up Italy to go on a mission (which I will still be doing).
• Went to my friends mission farewalls
• Meet Parachute!!!!!!! 
• Became a Jazz fan
• Went to S.D. for Bryson & Sam's wedding
• Arizona for Thanksgiving, Christmas, & New Year's
• Got a job at Super Sonic CarWash
• Completed the challenge my Bishop gave the ward
• Have a missionary moment
• Take family names to the temple
• Finish the BOM before the end of the year

Now to figure out my New Years Resolutions. 

 First and for most...

1. I want to read the Book of Mormon again
2. I'm currently reading the N.T. 
3. Study Preach My Gospel 
4. Apply for my mission

I think that four is a really good amount of things I should be able to work towards. Because they aren't things that I can just do over a couple of days. 

Happy New Year!!! Here we go 2013. I'm looking forward to you very much. 

The Epic Surprise

When finals came to an end Nathan came straight back to Arizona. The day he left I only got to see him for a short second because I had plans I was going to be late for in Orem. 

Well here's the thing Nathan didn't know that on Cyber Monday I asked him mom if it would be okay to come down to Arizona Christmas Eve day to surprise Nathan for two weeks together. Well she said it would be fine. Nathan thought that I would be flying in on New Year's Eve. I had a really hard time keeping the big surprise from him but some how he didn't even realize that was my plan at all. 

I thought I was going to die Christmas Eve morning because of course Utah got snow...

My flight could of gotten cancelled and I wouldn't be able to surprise Nathan... Which was the big present I had talked up a lot to him in the previous weeks. 

As I was packing Nathan decided to FB message me... his very last comment to me was "well have fun talking with her! talk to you soon!" Oh my goodness for sure he knows that I'm coming down. I thought my big surprise was ruined. 

The flight alone was horrible. Got delayed, had to sit in a cold airplane why they defrosted the wings...

Sue comes and picked me up, Nathan was at a Christmas party. Well as we were heading home we ended up BEHIND the van. What was my plan? I had nothing... I even forgot my big huge gold bow I was going to wear since I'm his present. Naturally the fam had forgotten the salad so they went back for it. We pull up right next to the van. Nathan is in the seat right next to the window. I'm trying to hide while Art, Sue, and I try to figure out what the plan was. 

"Yes some random girl with your mom"-Art 

            My face was priceless with his comment to be honest. 

Art told me to just jump out. So I do and go over to the van door and just smile right at Nathan and say "Merry Christmas" 

What does he do..... Sits there in complete shock! Thanks babe. Then jumped out and hugs me. Comes to find out all my comments of trying to avoid talking about Christmas things were weird to Nathan but they finally made sense. I can't believe I pulled off the ultimate Christmas gift and Nathan had no idea. 

I hope that you got an amazing gift that you are just so thankful for. As for me... I'm enjoying the idea that there is no snow outside. Woot! Win for the Utah girl. 

Another day in the Eck home

Yesterday was a pretty fun filled day here at the Eck home.
Started putting up Christmas lights. After that I got most of the girls and painted nails with them.

All our toes!!

Aren't we just so dang cute?! I think so! Sophie, Kami, Amelia, & I.
After painting our nails we all just relaxed around the house. Later that night we ended up going caving. Which was an experience all by itself. Nathan decided to take us to a different entrance, which had BILLONS of flies. Ew. But than we turned around and went in the right entrance.

Little Aaron boy

 It was an intense climb. ;)

It was pretty exciting and I think after the first two seconds of being in the cave I gave up on what my clothes looked like. Danny also got set apart as an Elder yesterday. So it was a pretty great day if you ask me. Right away little miss Kami turns to me and goes "Aubrey are you going on a mission?" when she said it it was as if she already knew my answer. I told her yes. :) but when I said it she gave me the saddest look ever!! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

We pulled into Nathan's neighborhood really late Tuesday. The front door to the house is so dang big!! Oh my goodness... 

Do you see how small we look? Alright now that you know it's a really big door. The house is so dang beautiful. The kitchen is to die for. :) Seriously I would never leave if I was allowed to stay the whole time.

Alright after 12 hours of driving in the car and coming in at 1 in the morning we go straight to bed. Well I didn't fall asleep for a while. I was warned that we needed to get up at 6 in the morning for scripture study with the family. So I knew I needed to be up in a matter of hours. Well Nathan comes in at 6:43 (I'm gonna be honest, I was made he woke me up right before my alarm.) As I get pulled out of bed he tells me to put on my tennis shoes. I think I was to tired to understand that meant we would be missing scripture study. Well we go out to Silly Mountain. Even though I was soo tired. It was so beautiful. 

 Don't we look so dang tired!!! Haha.

It was the perfect temperature and beautiful. Thank you to my sweet boyfriend for it. Even though my stomach was doing flips when it was suppose to be romantic. Sorry Nate.  

After that I got to come home and take a nice nap. After that we made food for the potluck with Nathan's buddies from high school that night here at the house. 

Today we woke up and went to play volleyball with all those whom came last night. It was a lot of fun and I totally went flying to the ground for that ball more than once. 

And of course we had Thanksgiving dinner, and watching some football. Even though my Packers aren't playing you have to watch football on Thanksgiving. 

I'm honestly loving it out here and not looking forward to leaving. 

Did I mention it is really nice weather here? haha. It's a pro for Arizona. 

Happy Thanksgiving. Today I am thankful for the Book of Mormon and extended education. Did you think of what you are thankful for? 

Oh and I'm thankful for this week and being able to just relax with Nathan.