Challenge to Myself

     So I get paid every bi-weekly, and I go from paycheck to paycheck (not in a bad way, just in a I-like-to-shop-and-spend-all-my-money kind of way). I have lots of things I want to try and save up for, and Christmas is just around the corner too. I recently decided I want to try and do something new. My challenge to myself is to spend as little money as I possibly can. My realistic goal is to spend $50 or less these next two weeks.
     I figure:
Gas: $25.00
Food: $15.00
Incidental: $10.00
     Not much leeway, but then again, I'm just trying to do something new!

In other news...
- I am done with my first semester of ASU in just 5 days (!!!!)
-  It only took my 5 months, but I finally finished painting my room...
- Christmas is in 21 days! <3
- Working at Desert Ridge Junior high is pretty much my favorite. Funny kids are the best. (Tutoring at the high school next semester too!)
- I love emailing missionaries. But that's nothing new. :)
- I got a real life taste of motherhood when I was babysitting, and in a matter of one minute I was covered in barf and pee. That was quite the experience!

And if you got this far, congratulations! Because you just read one of the most boring blog posts ever. Go ahead, give yourself a pat on the back, you deserve it.

Love, Olive!

My UN-Mission Decision

Yes, it's different. I WAS planning on going on a mission. I DID finish my papers. I DID meet with my bishop. But I DIDN'T submit my papers, and I'm not going to. But you know what?

It's okay, and I'm okay.

A few months before I started my papers, I had so much confusion as to whether or not I should go. It was literally to the point of almost making me sick. I decided that since I felt so strongly confused about it all, I would go forth with starting my papers. I mean, it's not like I would regret it if I did go, but I might have regretted it if I never even gave it a shot. I had the faith, and I had the desire, but it just wasn't right. I met with my bishop after all of my papers were finished, but I decided that it just didn't feel right for me. As sad as I was about it, I was at peace. I AM at peace. I know that staying home and attending school is the right thing for me to do now. I am SO excited to become a teacher. And just because I am not going to serve a full time mission, does not mean that I can't still be a missionary, because as Richard G Scott said, "every member a missionary."

I've had people ask me about my papers, and I have just told them that I'm not going anymore because it didn't feel right. The usual response to that: "Oh, I'm sorry." or "Bummer" or "I was excited for you." But you know what I think?

Don't be sorry. I'm not. I know that not going is right. It's not a bummer, I look forward to school and when I will be able to become a teacher. And just because I am not going doesn't mean that my life is over. I'm just getting started!

I truly love this church. I waned to go on a mission, but I know that it just isn't what I am supposed to be doing. I will have my impact in other ways, and I am okay with that. Life is crazy, but so beautiful. And I am so SO happy.

Love you all,
Olivia

MY Mission Decision

As I think everyone knows, I have made the decision to serve a mission and my papers will be finalized and submitted next week. I HOPE to have a call within the next month. :) As excited and thrilled as I am to go on a mission, the decision didn't come lightly. It came with lots of tears, stress, phone calls, and prayers. There were lots of factors for me to consider:
-Did I really want to go on a mission? Absolutely!
-What about school? I can easily defer my scholarship and pick up where I leave off.
-Can I afford it? Well, within the last week I now have myself up to 3 jobs, so the Lord is definitely on my side and blessing me with the capabilities to pay for a mission.
-What will my parents think? This was probably the biggest concern for me, as I was so very concerned and mindful about what they would think about putting school on hold to leave to go serve. But, even though it was a shock, I am glad I have such loving parents who understand that this is what I want to do and what makes me happy.
- What about my school loans? Weeeelll... I still have to figure out this part, but from other sisters I have heard that it isn't too hard to get them deferred, it's just a matter of the interest that will still accrue while I am gone. I have faith that it will all work out though.
It was a lot of prayer and considerations that got me to these answers.

My story:
     I never thought I would be someone who would want to serve a mission. I was only baptized a little over a year ago, and as far as I was concerned, I had my life pretty much planned out. Go to college, hopefully get married in my senior year (or shortly thereafter), get a job, and have a family. A mission was never a consideration for me. I remember waking up one morning a couple months ago, and I just had this overwhelming feeling that I needed to go on a mission. I couldn't shake this feeling for about two weeks. It consumed all of my thoughts. I went and talked to my bishop about starting my papers, but that I wanted to research a little more into the school portion of things before I started them. I found out pretty quick that it would all work out well. During that time I had gone with the sister missionaries in my ward a whole bunch. I absolutely love the spirit I feel when I am with them and the happiness it brings.
     As I began to think about it less when school and work got busy, I brushed the entire thing off and put it out of my mind. Who was I kidding? Me? A sister missionary? Ridiculous! And this was my mentality for about a month.
     But, surely those thoughts came back again. I went and talked to bishop, and had him get my missionary account started. I was going to do this. And as my favorite person told me, "do NOT double cross when the answer comes. Stick with it!" And I remembered that. When I told my parents, I had been praying like crazy, fasting, and I went to the temple for a couple hours. I love the spirit the temple has and how easy it is to be guided by it.
     I told my parents, and now here I am, almost done with my papers! I am so excited for this adventure I will be able to go on to serve the Lord and share this gospel with others! I for one know that it has made me so happy, and even though some may think the church is "restrictive" (that's a story for a different post), I love the guidance the church gives and I know that it is just for my protection, and ultimately, these guidelines provide me with more freedom by being able to keep my agency.
    
     I am SO excited to be able to know where I will be going! Hopefully less than one month! Eeeep! My excitedeness is just too much!

With love, Olivia!

P.S.- Any helpful tips on preparing in general? Things you are doing to prepare/wish you had done? Good scripture marking guidelines or ideas? Please leave a comment if you do! <3

It's Been Awhile...

So yeah. Life is pretty much crazy, nonstop, madness. But it's all good, I'm surviving.

So Kai has nominated me for an award? Well I feel flattered. ;) It's called the Liebster Award, and basically, you get nominated, then you nominate more people, then the nominate people and so on! Its a great way to get the word out on newer and smaller blogs!

So the rules to this award are:
1. Link back to the person who nominated you.
2. List 11 facts about yourself.
3. Answer the 11 questions posted by the person who nominated you.
4. Nominate up to 11 bloggers who have 200 followers or less.
5. Ask your nominees 11 new questions.

Eleven Facts About Me
1. I was baptized into the LDS church (Mormon) in July of 2012. Best Decision EVER.
2. I love to read. It's pretty much the best.
3. College life= awesome. College + working life= not so awesome. College is amazing and I love the freedom I have with it, and it isn't going to pay for itself, so working is definitely necessary for me.
4. I aspire to play the piano someday. I think it is the most beautiful instrument there is and hope to be able to play it well in the future.
5. I have been to Greece, and I would love to see more of the world. I hope to travel to Paris specifically.
6. My best friend/ secret keeper/ boyfriend is serving a mission in Irvine California. I miss his guts. The first month was surprisingly not all that bad, but lately this week my heart just aches for him. So many things I want to tell him and talk to him about, and I want a hug more than anything.
7. Mostly all of my friends are gone and doing crazy awesome things in different parts of the world. And I'm here, with a few of my friends still left.
8. I love to sew and scrapbook.
9. I'm a self-teacher. I want to do something? I figure it out, or at least try really hard. That is how I know how to do a lot of the things I do. Google and YouTube are my friends.
10. My favorite color is purple, and my other favorite color is green because that is Brandon's favorite color.
11. I am attending Arizona State University right now. I am at the Polytechnic campus right now, so its nice and small and quiet and friendly.

The Questions Kai Asked Me
1. What is your favorite color to wear? I like anything that is reddish/orange or scarlet. Those are my favorite to wear, but other people say I look good in green.
2. If you could only listen to three songs for the rest of your life, what would you listen to? We'll Bring the World His Truth by Insideout, Dog Days are Over by Florence and the Machine, On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons, Why Don't We Just Dance by Josh Turner, Overjoyed by Matchbox Twenty. That's more than three, but oh well. :)
3. Would you rather travel to a beach or a forest? I've been to the beach before, so the forest! Why not? Sounds like a grand adventure to me!
4. What is your ideal weather? FALL. I like cloudy days, around 70 degrees, little bit of wind chill, but not too much.
5. Who is your role model? My role model... I don't think I could ever pick just one person because I have been touched by so many different people in my life. I would probably have to say Jen Martineau or Marie Stevens, both of them equally as much. But there are a bunch of others also :)
6. What would be your last meal if you were on death row? I guess it would depend on what type of food I was craving at the time.. But my favorites are homemade baked potato with chili, in-n-out, or fettuccine alfredo from the Cheesecake Factory (along with a slice of red velvet cheesecake, of course).
7. What is your favorite book series? Harry Potter, hands down. That is my absolute favorite.
8. What cool things would be included in your dream home? A secret room that you can access through a spinning bookcase wall. My own gospel library type thing (it's a dream because really, I can't afford to spend like $20+ per book I want and make it big enough for a library, so I just pick and choose my favorites). A big craft room for all of my sewing and scrapbooking activities.
9. What is your favorite (cheesy) pick-up line?

10. If you were granted one wish what would it be? I think it would have been absolutely incredible to be able to witness the miracles that Jesus Christ performed while he was here on Earth. 11. What is your favorite number and why? How coincidental! It is actually 11. Why? Well, my first kiss with Brandon was on the 11th month and 11th day of the year 2011, and in the 11th hour. 11-11-11 11:something was the start of my happiest times with him. :)

My Nominees
I don't really know any bloggers all that well, but I do follow a few. So I nominate Shaylee (even though she doesn't know me) from My Fave You Are. She is pretty much my favorite blogger right now because she was a missionary girlfriend who is now engaged to her RM and getting married soon. What an inspiration! I only hope that I can be that lucky when mine gets home.

My Questions
1. Favorite book series?
2. How many kids do you want to have?
3. Favorite movie?
4. Dream job?
5. Favorite kind of desert?
6. If you had to live in any different decade (except for 1990-now), when would you choose and why?
7. What is your favorite animal and why do you like it?
8. Favorite number and why?
9. What is your favorite instrument, whether you can play it or not?
10. What is one of the most memorable moments of your life?
11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

And alas it is now almost two in the morning, and church is at nine, so I am going to bed! I will do a "my life" update sometime soon hopefully.

Love, Olivia

Month One!

Wow-oh-wow. Even though the first few days were completely miserable, the month actually did go by pretty fast. I guess that's what happens when life is almost nonstop busy!

The happenings since July 10th:

**One of my best friends Jared got home from his mission in Colombia, South Carolina! I guess it depends on who you ask, but to me I thought they went by pretty darn quick! (Hoping for the same thing with Brandon) :)

** I start college?! Well yeah, actually I do. I guess since I start in less than a week I should get to putting my schedule together.. #procrastination #dontwanna #hatemath (I am actually a little bit excited to have a structured schedule in my life again though)

 

** Sewing. It's my outlet. And I am learning a bunch of new stuff and am getting a whole lot better.

**Mondays have quickly become my favorite just because of the sole basis that I have a chance to communicate with Brandon (you know, considering I've only gotten one letter since he's been gone). I love emails. I am SO grateful for modern technology

 

**Handwritten letters and decorating envelopes has slowly worked its way into the list of some of my favorite things to do.

**Babysitting and work= my life. It sure does keep me busy though! And these are some of my favorite little kiddos. :) Branson, Ellie, Tommy, and Emma.

**I don't have picture for this, but lately I have been going out with the Sister Missionaries Halcomb and Carroll quite a bit! It had been some great experiences, and I have become pretty good friends with these lovely ladies. We have taught a few lessons, had people not answer their doors and phones, and turn us away. But the lessons are what matters the most. With all of the things I have been thinking about a lot lately, it really has made me grateful for the testimony I have and encouraged me to grow it all the more and better. Reading scriptures more often, and studying them, and praying about it more often.


I am so grateful to have a best friend serving the Lord. Without people like him, I myself wouldn't be a part of this church (or at least it probably would have taken a lot longer). I know that this church is true, that this is the gospel of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and that the plan of Happiness was created for us to be able to obtain eternal life with our Heavenly parents and Jesus Christ.

Life is crazy and wonderful and beautiful and I love it.

Love Always,
Olive

Missionary Mail

I am house sitting for a family that I am close with, the Martineaus, and about 5 days after they left, I got a text asking if I could take a little baby lizard hat was in one of the boy's rooms to a friends house. I go and find the Rubbermaid, but no little lizard. So I went a pulled out some purple papers that were taped in there (places for the lizard to hide), and when I pulled one of them out, there was the lizard, stuck to the tape and dead. I texted Jen and told her what happened, and what was I to do with it? Mail it to Brandon. Jeff was suggested first, but it would take a looong time for the letter to get to him compared to the two days for Brandon.

I wish I could see his reaction to him opening it! I'm excited for when he will be able to write me back telling me what he thought of it. :) I feel like things of this sort are usually the other way around, the boy sending the girl some sort of dead thing. Nope, not this time! I'm such a sweet girlfriend. ;)

I gave Brandon a list of instructions in his letter, so first he opens up the purple paper that has the lizard in it, he needs to take a picture of it (I'm curious to see what the mail system will do to it), throw it away, read the story behind why he has just received a dead lizard (Which is in a taped closed index card that says to open last), and then write me back! :)

 

Here's the lizard. He really is a small little thing, less than an inch long.

 

 

So that was my exciting day of mail to my missionary yesterday. I'll let you know what he says when I get my letter. :)

 

 

Love, Olive

MTC, Here He Is

Elder Stevens is officially in the MTC!! This is actually day three for him because I am a little bit behind. But he's there, and in the letter he wrote me before he went to the MTC, he said that he is SO excited to be able to put his nametag on and begin this work, he's been dreaming of his mission since he got baptized!
I am SO excited for him too!!

So after seeing this picture (Brandon is on the right), I have some bittersweet feelings, but I am so happy for this righteous young man and that he is willing to serve the Lord for two years. What an example he is to me. :)

(On a slight tangent, I couldn't imagine only having only about 3 or 4 minutes from the point of pulling up to the curb to say goodbye. That is so hard.)

Here's to the start of two fun, work, and gospel filled years!

Love, Olive

The Last "See You Later"

"Ready?"

I absolutely wasn't and neither was he. But we didn't have a choice. It was our last "see you later" but only for two years. (That's what I keep reminding myself, it's only two years, not eternity)

I was fully expecting and knowing it would be hard. I knew we would both cry. I didn't realize that it WOULD be the most difficult and heartbreaking thing I have EVER done. It honestly was. It's weird having a heartache so bad that it feels like it is literally breaking your heart inside your body, but that's what it was. I think the hardest thing for me now, one day in (I guess? He hasn't reported yet, and my Stevens family all left only an hour ago) is knowing that when he cries, I can't be the one to give him a hug and hold him. Not being there for him when he is sad is hurting. SO, this means that he needs to be so incredibly happy (he will be, I have faith) so I can be happy so we can just have lots of happy hugs and kisses when he gets home.

It is crazy how so many emotions can be felt in one day, even one moment.
We laughed, we hugged, we cried, we kissed, we laughed some more.

The actual goodbye at my front door is so close to my heart and personal between just Brandon and I, I don't want to share that. It will be something I always carry with me and think about.

I'm holding up surprisingly well today. I have prayed for the same for Brandon, to feel comfort and love in abundance. I think part of it is because I knew that he was still just a quarter mile away from me, and he is still my Brandon and nothing has changed yet, except for the being ordained a missionary officially.

It'll hit me hard when he actually reports and then we are on a just letter and package basis.

For now, things are just crazy. But I do know that this will be an amazing incredible journey for him, and we will both grow so much. There will be so many blessings, for those he will come in contact with, himself, his family, and myself. I am blessed to have such an INCREDIBLE man.

One day, down.

Much Love, Olive

Overflowing Gratitude

Today has been a roller coaster of emotions, to say the least. My Brandon gave his farewell talk today, and his open house was right after. I couldn't even tell you how many times I have cried today. (I think I am bipolar with crying right now? I'm fine one second, and not the next. I can't really control it, it just happens.)

So, why overflowing gratitude? I could not be any more proud of this man. Everything he does astounds me. I know that there are thousands of young men and women that choose to serve missions, but none of them has been my best friend, my other half. Brandon has been such a wonderful example and strength to me. Whenever I have had questions or concerns, or just anything, he is there for me. Always.

I remember July 21, 2012 crystal clear. That was the day that I was blessed to be able to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and I was baptized. I spent that day with my best friend, Trey broke his arm at the Martineua's, and one of the heaviest rainstorms I had ever seen happened that day. My one year anniversary of baptism is less than a month away, and it amazes me how time can fly. Brandon was one of my speakers (and he is excellent at giving talks) and I still have his typed/hand-edited version that he used. Some things, although simple, have such a tremendous value to me.

Marie made a video that played at Brandon's farewell, and it was absolutely beautiful. I bawled. I can't figure out how to save it to the computer, so I can't post it. However, I can post some things.

The songs of he video:
Army of Helaman
Two Years

This is probably one of my most favorite pictures of my Brandon when he is so little. <3

 

I have an overwhelming feeling of gratitude, to my best friend, the whole Stevens family, and to Jesus Christ for his sacrifice, and Joseph Smith for his. I am thankful to Brandon for being so firm in his faith amongst trials, and I know that the people of Irvine need him more than I do right now. I know he will do amazing things, and I would expect nothing less of him. He is a wonderful disciple of Christ, a wonderful man, and my best friend ever. No matter what happens over the next to years, Brandon will always hold a very special place in my heart, as will the whole Stevens family.

 



Here we have some lovely candids that Allison took. Candids are awesome. I'm sure so are the nice pictures that Di took, I just haven't seen them yet.

 Bottom line, I guess the best way to describe how I am feeling is just so utterly bittersweet.

"Two years is a long time for me, to be here, without you, it's hard to believe but I know it's the right thing, and I'll miss you dearly. It's only a small thing, when you look at eternity."

How About Some (Healthy, Natural, Unprocessed) Food for Thought

About two weeks ago, some kids came by my house playing the game "Bigger or Better." So I don't know the exact rules of the game, but the principle is that you start out with something really small and not valuable, and the goal is to keep going around trying to find something that is bigger or better. Pretty simple.
When these kids came to our door, we swapped, and what we ended up with is a book called Eat This, Not That (2011 edition) by David Zinczenco. At first I thought it was basically the stupidest thing ever, but once I actually looked at it, it's pretty interesting.

 

This book has so much useful information and facts, it just shocked me. I mean, I've watched documentaries on things like this for school, but even Supersize Me (which was super gross) seemed to be less informative than this.

 

Anyways, this book has got me thinking, and I have realized that (like 99.9% of the population) I am not feeding my body the things that it needs and deserves. I'm not a total slob, but I could be treating my body so much better, and it really does deserve that. Reading about all the additives, preservatives, sugars, and that processed junk makes me realize just how much I DON'T want that stuff polluting my body.

 

Within this next month, I am shooting for a lifestyle change. I want to eat healthier and more naturally, exercise and improve myself, and develop better habits. No, this book isn't the only thing that has made me want to do this, although it's been a big part in convincing myself. I have P90X pending my way, healthy food sitting in the fridge, and I've been stocking up on my workout clothes and Pinterest fitness pins and healthy recipe pins. I'M READY TO DO THIS.

 

I know I can be better, so why not challenge myself and be the best me that I can?

 

With Love, Olive

I Have Auburn Hairs!

So it was time for me to re-dye my hair, and this time I decided  would try to be a bit more "daring" with the color. I went with medium auburn from Garnier. I've never used the color, brand, or style of color (foam).

Foam was weird. Not bad, but weird.

Yes, my {not so} lovely hair-dying time. This stuff smells harsh!

(Yay for no makeup!)

Bam. Auburn.

It doesn't look very auburn-y in this picture, but it totally is.

It looks more like this in person.

Zaidee had lots of fun braiding my hair a bunch of times during and after the broadcast this afternoon. :)

 

So, it was me being bold, and as it turns out, I'm not a huge fan of this color on me. I love it on other people, but not for myself. At least I know that though and I won't ever have to wonder about it! It is VERY (I repeat VERY) slowly growing on me. It made me feel better when about 10 people at church today told me it looked great on me.

 

I do plan on getting my hair dyed professionally sometime soon, and it'll be dark brown like it used to be since I like that color on myself. :)

 

With Love, Olive! 

My Future Baby?

Could this possibly be my future baby? (Baby as in my sweetest dog that I love like a child, and then I have my own child and I still love my dog just as much?)

I have been thinking, and what I really want more than anything right now is a Corgi puppy. I mean, I've always thought they are cute, but once I actually REALLY looked at the pictures of them, they only became about 10,000 times more cute.

How are these not the cutest little things you've ever seen??

Happy Corgi.

Happy Corgi.

 

Happy swinging Corgi. (my favorite)

Wet Corgi.

Baby Corgis.

 

And they are just such a happy looking breed. :)

 

I really do want to get one. I have legitimately been looking up Corgis, and I think that if I could find one for a reasonable price (I don't know how someone could ever pay $1,000+ for a dog unless its some sort of medical dog) maybe like $100-$200. That would be stupendous.

 

For the past few months I have just been saving up money. I think I might know what for know. ;)

 

With Love (for Corgis), Olive

It's "Greenie" Time

I have lots of friends on missions (what Mormon girl doesn't though?), however there have only been a few that I have actually written. Alongside with Jared Chapman, Kyle Garr, and Alexa Marble, Jake Rogers is going to be on of those that I write frequently I am thinking. To be honest, I think he has been the most enthusiastic of them all to write me. Haha.

Today I decided that I was finally going to put to use all those Missionary pins I have on Pinterest(http://pinterest.com/okaypierce/missionaries/ I forgot how to hyperlink. Sad day.) and so I am sending my first missionary package ever! Hooray! *Happy snaps!* This package's theme: "Greenie"

This was actually more difficult than I thought it was going to be to find green things to send a missionary, HOWEVER it was also SUPER fun. :)

A letter is an absolute must in a package as far as I am concerned. :)

GREEN!! Lifesavers, Mike and Ikes, gum, granola bar, notes, pen, chapstick, and balloons! I know the balloons really don't serve any purpose, but now if Jake ever wants to have a spontaneous party, at least there can be balloons. :) (There was also a box of Jell-O too that I forgot to put in here)

 

And one of the best parts about this is that it ALL fits inside a small flat rate box.

 So total, I think it was all maybe like $12, and that is including the $5.80 shipping cost. :)

Brandon has T-minus 21 days until he reports, so I shall be doing another one of these very soon again! Gotta love packages and missionaries and just plain being Mormon!

With Love, Olive

Going, Going, Gone...

Today, (as in yes, it's 1 am) one of my best friends is leaving for Provo, Utah to the MTC to serve his two year mission for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Craziness! When I was younger, time seemed to drag on, but now that I am older, the time is flying out of control so fast! It doesn't seem like it was over two years ago when this boy asked me on my first date.

Colorado is lucky to have such a wonderful guy there to share the gospel and spread light to others!

The Church is true!

With Love, Olive

Elder Stevens, You are Hereby Called...

To serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Irvine California mission! He is called to be at the MTC on July 10th.
What a relief to finally know the when and where of my best friend! We waited 6 months from the first time his papers were submitted to now. I'm SO glad he isn't going too far.
What's really cool about this though is that its a BRAND NEW mission. It officially begins as a mission on July 1st. That's only 9 days before Brandon has been called to leave. How exciting it is! :)
He is going to be a great missionary. :)

Times of Change

SO, I dyed my hair! And holy moly, it is way dark! I figured that since last time I dyed my hair, and the color didn't take at all, I would get a color a few shades darker than what I was hoping for. So of course, this time I actually got the color on the box. To a tee. OF COURSE. But it's all good, because I actually really do like it, it's just taking some time to get used to.

Random rant: How many social networks could there possibly be? Like seriously. I mean, I can only keep up with so much. I already have a blog, facebook, twitter, instagram, and pinterest, and now they have these new things called Vine and Path? Like no, just count me out please.

Back to subject: So I like my hair, and I managed to get it done just in time to make it to work on time. So that was good, because I like my job. Not really actually, I just like getting paid and spending money. ;)

TOMORROW is the day that my best friend Brandon FINALLY gets his mission call!!! My guess is for Washington, and in 8 weeks to leave, but we'll find out tomorrow! :D

Good night, all :)

My Impending Abandonment

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and I absolutely love it. It's the best decision I've ever made in my life. The one drawback for me right now... my best friend is going to be leaving on his mission soon. On Friday he will find out where he is serving for the next two years of his life. THIS IS A MAJOR THING. Seriously. Like, I don't even know what I'm going to do with my life without him because he's been so much a part of it for the last year and a half. It'll be an adventure for sure.

Despite the fact that I don't want him to leave me, I'm glad he is leaving me to do the Lord's work! In the scope of his two mission years, he can bring so many others to be able to have eternity in the celestial kingdom. How awesome is that??! I'm proud of the excellent example he is, and I love him so much. :)

Call comes FRIDAY! That's when I officially freak out.

~Olivia~