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."