"Consider the Lilies"-My "Unfarewell"

Yesterday was seriously AMAZING! Sometimes I really wish every day could be Sunday, but I guess that's why I'm going on a mission. ;) It was one of the best days ever! I couldn't have asked for a better, more enjoyable, more spiritual, more fun, more exciting day! I really just wish Corey and my mom had been there to enjoy it with me.

First, my home ward... I arrived at church about 10 minutes early, and I walked into the chapel to hear my aunt, cousins, and Matt practicing for the special musical number. I almost started crying! It sounded so awesome! That song has a lot of significance to me, and it's one of my favorites! I sat up on the stand, and the other speakers weren't there yet. I was a little worried about that, but then I saw them sitting in the congregation and I was very relieved!

Bishop Smith gave me my plague to hold for about an hour. He told everyone of how he took Corey to general conference last October, and how I met up with them. We went to the MTC, the 3 of us, and got permission to stand in front of the infamous map. Of course, neither of us had our calls at the time, so we shrugged our shoulders and posed with an "I don't know" face. Here's the picture...

At that time I didn't even know that I was going on a mission. Then he talked about now, how Corey is serving his mission in Hiroshima (not Tokyo!), Japan, and how I'm leaving to serve in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Spanish speaking. He read the scripture on my plaque. It's kind of choppy because what I wanted to fit, couldn't fit, but I wanted this to be my scripture. The reference is Matthew 6:28-34, "Consider the lilies-He knoweth that ye have need of all these things-Take no thought for the morrow."

The Pinas spoke on reverence and going through hard times, which they were both great! Then Jackie, Lahren, Dallen and Matt sang "Consider the Lilies." It was wonderful! Then I spoke on Elder Perry's talk from this past general conference entitled, "Bring Souls unto Me." I wasn't nervous at all. In fact, I love speaking. This was the first time I have spoken for 20 minutes or so. I remember looking at the time thinking, I already have to conclude? Where did my 20 minutes go? It was just an awesome sacrament meeting, and the spirit was so strong!

I couldn't believe how many people came to hear me speak. I later found out from the elders that Bishop Smith had asked them to be ushers since the chapel was so full. We took some pictures outside afterwards. I'm so grateful for everyone I know, especially those who came to my ward yesterday. I hate saying goodbye, but I know that I'll be back before I know it. A year and a half will fly by!

A few pictures from yesterday...
Caitlin and I. I've known Caitlin forever! I love her so much!
Chris and I... I hadn't seen Chris in a few years, so it was way fun to see her! She drove all the way down from Oceanside with her two kids just to hear me speak!
Marty, Me, and Tavin! Like my brothers, future missionaries!
Weston, Kira, Me, John, Lorraine! A few of the best friends in the world! (Only they would get up at 9am just to hear me speak. ;) )
Erin and I! I'm just another friend of hers leaving for the mission field! 18 months and we'll all be together again! :)
Me with my plague... it's official now! And it can go in the trophy case in a week and a half!
Eden and I... yes, I know, she's taller than me. (The sad part is, she doesn't even have shoes on!) I love her like my little sister!

Bishop Smith, Me, and Brother Gefrom...the best bishopric ever!Me with Jessica and her baby, Bradley! Love them!
Randal and I, the missing member from the other pic of the bishopric. I love him!
Ashleigh, Buddy, Lindsay, Me, Lorraine, John, and Mary. I love them! They're the best!

New hair!

Friday night I was talking to a friend, Lindsay. She was like, yeah, I need to get my hair cut. I said, me too! But I was like, I don't look good with short hair. It's been kind of hot, and I'm sick of just throwing my hair up and not doing it because it's so hot. Then I thought, Christina, it will ALWAYS grow back. It's just a hair cut. So I immediately started looking at hairstyles online, and I found one I really liked. I told nobody that I was cutting my hair.

Saturday, I ran a few errands with a friend, Erin, and I told her that I wanted to chop off all my hair. She said, no, don't do it. Then I told her I had a picture of what I wanted. As soon as she saw the picture, she immediately asked if she could come with me to get my hair cut. I said, sure. So, I went and got it cut. I chopped off 9 inches! After, I went back to Erin's house, and she curled it just to experiment.

Honestly, I wasn't thrilled at first, but it's growing on me. I'll get used to it eventually, but I do miss my long hair! :(

Picture that inspired my hair cut...
Before...

After...

Time to start saying goodbye...

I fly out of San Diego in just under 2 weeks! Ah, it's crazy! I can't believe it's almost time for me to leave! This is not real! It probably won't be until I'm actually in the mission field with a tag on that says, "Hermana Hogewoning."

The goodbyes have officially begun! One of my friends left on a mission, and a few of my friends are returning back to BYU this week to start school. It's sad to see them go, but I love them and I look forward to seeing them again in 18 months or so.

I really am grateful for my many, many, good, and amazing friends! I feel so blessed to know such great people! And I just keep meeting new people and making more friends! It's great!

Tonight I went to the branch's FHE (family home evening). We met at the Little's, watched The Princess Bride and swam. It was great! We kept saying bye to each other and trying to leave, but nobody was leaving. It was pretty funny. We finally all left around 10:45 or so. We just love each other so much!

Me and my friends at the Little's house. (Front to back, left to right: John, Luke, Mary, Me, Christine, Lorraine, Lindsay, Carlee, Randall, Justin, and Buddy)

I always hate saying bye! I hate when people move, and I lose contact with them. But I found a scripture that is comforting to me. If our paths don't ever cross again in this life, it's okay because, "...that same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory..." (D&C 130:2). I love knowing that!

Here are some other pictures from the last couple of days...

Me, Jessica, and Bradley (Jessica's baby) at Jake's Open House. I love her, and she has the cutest baby ever!
Jake and I, the soon to be missionaries! He and Corey are the same age, and they grew up together. Jake is going to the Tallahassee, Florida mission. He reports to the MTC this Wednesday. This was another goodbye, but he reminded me that we might see each other in the MTC.

Amber and I at Brittany's reception. Love her! (This was the last time I'll see Amber before I leave for the mish.)

Brittany and I at her reception at the McWhirter's house in La Mesa. She looked amazing! I'm so happy for her and Alex!
Kira, Me, Caitlin, and Lindsay at Brittany's reception in San Diego (La Mesa). I love these girls!

The longest day of my life!

I feel very blessed because even though I'm not working, I've had some random jobs just fall into my lap this past week without exerting any effort. I'm so grateful for that! BUT, because of them, I had the longest day ever yesterday.

I was house/dog-sitting for a family from Wednesday morning to last night. Yesterday, I baby-sat all day long, from 8 in the morning to 10 at night! I had three kids until 1pm, and then one kid until 4ish. Then three kids again the rest of the day/night. I kind of felt a little bit like a mom yesterday. I was running all day, trying to do a million things at once with kids and stay sane.

I was telling the Densley's that after yesterday, I never want kids. I know that's not true though. I do want kids some day. I love them, but I'm grateful that I'm not a mom yet. I know when they are my own, it will be a lot different, and I'll love them all, every single second. But I am grateful for all these experiences I am able to have that allow me to learn such important things that will prepare me for what lies in my future-motherhood!

21 Things I've Learned...

The other night my aunt asked what I've learned in my 21 years of life. I gave no answer because I thought, that could take forever to tell what I've learned in 21 years. But here is a snapshot of what I've learned so far on this road we call life:

1. Life never goes how we plan it.

2. Our time on this earth is precious and short, and we never know when our time will be up. Our mission is not complete until that time comes.

3. Everyone is struggling in some way or another. Even the people who seem to have it all together. Our job is to always be reaching out to each other, so that people never fall off the path.

4. We don't need to keep the false traditions of our fathers. We can break the negative cycle and start a positive one.

5. Parents are there to parent their children, and sometimes children are there to parent their parents.

6. Rules are not meant to be broken. In fact, our obedience provides us with safety and freedom.

7. Often the best way we learn is from our own mistakes. That doesn't mean we have to learn the hard way and make every single mistake possible. We can often learn just as easily from the mistakes of others.

8. It is not important to know details and information about things that are not pertinent to our salvation.

9. You don't need to know why you have to do something in order to do it.

10. Communication is an acquired skill that not everyone has.

11. Happiness is a choice, which not everyone chooses or knows how to.

12. Depression is not merely a choice, but a real emotional illness/condition.

13. It's impossible to keep in contact with everyone I want to the way that I want to.

14. Things in life don't happen coincidentally.

15. The only thing we really have, that is ours, is our will.

16. Serving others brings more happiness than focusing on ourselves.

17. TV is the root of all evil. (Well, in my house anyway.)

18. It takes a lot of work to become a person other than that of your parents.

19. It takes a village to raise a child.

20. I've learned more from my brother than he's probably learned from me.

21. People come into your life, right when you need them to. They only stay as long as you need them to, and then somebody else comes along. But sometimes they stay forever.

At 21, you think you know everything, and then you realize you really know nothing.

A month and a day...

Time is slipping by so quickly these days! I used to think I had all the time in the world until I leave, but I'm realizing that I really don't.

And life just keeps changing every day!

Today was a blast, though I wish I had pictures to show you how awesome it was. :/ Oh well! Technology fails us sometimes.

Tomorrow will be another great day! :)

Mark Your Calendars...

Just two dates I wanted to give you...

Sunday, August 30, 2009

My "Farewell" at 9am at the Aztec Building

(5555 Aztec Drive La Mesa, CA)

Friday, September 4, 2009

Open House from 6-9pm

The Densley's Home

(7670 Loma Vista Drive La Mesa, CA)

I hope you can all make it! Just so you know, I fly out of San Diego on Monday, September 7 around 10am, and I will report to the MTC on Wednesday, September 9! Less than 5 weeks away!

Happy August!

I'm so happy! And I'm so excited that it's August! Life is just wonderful! :)