¡Adiós!

     Alrighty everyone. This is it! I'm off for a year and a half to serve the good old people of Sacramento! I am so excited to embark on this next adventure and I appreciate all of the love and support that you all have shown me. Mollie is going to be posting my updates on my mission blog, which also contains all of my contact information. Click here to go to the blog. Once again, thank you all for everything! Hasta la vista! :)

Love always, Hermana Freestone

Jake's Soccer Game vs. Bear River

   

   
     Morgan vs. Bear River. Although the game didn't go quite in Morgan's favor, it was still a hard-fought game. Jake scored a couple of times, and I was able to get one of them on film :)

     And now, for Jake's goal (and credit Josh with the assist, of course). It was pretty awesome if I do say so myself :)

Softball: Morgan vs. Northridge

     On the 26th Mollie and the Lady Trojans played against Northridge. Seven full innings were played, and Morgan made a mad dash for comebacks in the last couple of innings, but still fell 15-13. However, it was the most fun game that I have watched the girls play this season, so I wanted to highlight it! Here are a few of the shots that I got that were good:

Addie

Chandler...SAFE!

Paige

     And Mollie actually got to hit this game! She is now playing in center field and she was SO excited that she was able to bat because she has been playing as Flex while Paige hit for her as DP. BTW: she did UH-mazing!!!

     I even got a couple of videos of her batting. She's way better at it than I ever was! :)

Background story: the score was 11-6 in the bottom of the 6th with two outs and a runner on third. Without a score, the game would be over due to the 5 after 6 run rule. This is what happens:

Although she should have been called out on this one, the umpire was blind or something we were able to get a rally going again :)

SO proud of my baby sis!

Swimming, Sunshine, Softball, and St. George

     As per tradition, my mom and I headed south last weekend (13th-16th) for the annual March Warm-Up softball tournament in St. George. Mollie made the softball team this year and got to go with the Varsity team! I was one proud sister :) Mom and I went down a couple of days early and we stayed with some friends that have a house down there. Let me just say that I had a BLAST playing with all of their little munchkins! There was a 6-year old, a 3-year old, a 2-year old, and two little ones that are both 18 months. We had a rockin' good time drawing chalk pictures on the sidewalk, riding bikes/scooters, playing football and tag, and going swimming. Yes-they did wear me out, but I loved it! I also found out that Emily is a Ketchup lover...:)

     Mom and I went to the St. George temple for a session. I'm not gonna lie, I was pretty tired (we never slept all that great) and almost fell asleep during the session, but I made it! It was nice to go through with my momma again.

   
     On Friday and Saturday I spent hours in the blazing heat watching Miss Mollie play some killer right field!  They only won one game, but the team got some great experience and bonded as a group! They also went to one of the girls on the team's aunt's house for dinner and some games. Oh boy, did THAT get crazy! I haven't laughed that hard in a while! Well, I got a great tan and got to watch my baby sis play some ball. What better way to spend my weekend?!

My Weekend In Rexburg

   
     On the weekend of the 8th-10th I had the pleasure of driving up to Rexburg, Idaho to stay with my dear sister Micquellyn. It was a long drive, but I was so excited to see my dear sister! The first night we were there, my dear sister and I went to dinner at Applebees and had a great time! It was great to catch up! We enjoyed some yummy dessert at Coldstone and that night we had the opportunity to go and clean the Rexburg temple. It was so awesome! I got to clean the second floor, which is the best floor of the temple :)
     The next day we went into Idaho Falls to go do a session at the temple there. It turned out to be a Spanish session, which was way cool. I had to read the subtitles most of the time, but the Spirit was still there. The coolest part, though, was that we got to do a sealing session afterwards. It was  such a tender moment with my dear sister.

     We did some shopping and got some food, then headed back to Rexburg. We watched a movie called, The Letter Writer. TOTALLY recommend it! Very touching (and it's not a super churchy show, just a feel-good show). Funny part of the night is that we ordered pizza. Well, the fools that were cooking didn't know that we only wanted cheese on one half and didn't put anything on it! For real! It was a half marinara sauce pizza...what the weird???

     On Sunday we went to church and that is the first time I have ever gone to church in a school. All of the meetings were really good, but testimony meeting was super powerful! Got to love the Single's Ward! We called mama Sandey after church for her birthday, and then took a much-needed Sunday nap.

     Well, as all good things do, my amazing weekend had to come to an end. I left Rexburg and my dear sister to make the long trek home. I am so blessed to have been able to visit my sister Micquellyn, and to have had the amazing weekend that I did!

Driving Miss...MOLLIE?!

   
     This has taken me a little while to post, but my baby sister (who is not so much a baby anymore) just turned 15! That's right folks, she can now legally obtain a permit and get behind the wheel of a car! Maybe it's a good thing I'm leaving now? Anywho, the morning of the 27th dad made crepes and she opened her presents. However, because of school/softball/soccer/mutual we couldn't really do anything that night (except me, I went to the Jazz game!).

     Since we were super busy  the day of, we went to Applebees the Saturday night after. We had a blast! Since we had time to kill waiting for our table Mollie, Jake, dad, and I went over to Sportsman's Warehouse. We all found some particularly attractive hats which presented this photo op:

Yes, we're sexy and we know it.

     The dinner was particularly good, and we wasted no time in telling the waitress it was Mollie's birthday! Who wouldn't pass up a free dessert, after all?

   As you can tell, I had some good fun with Mollie at the end of the clip. Love my little "strawberry" blonde. :)

     I can't believe my baby sis is all growed up! I love you to pieces babe!

And though she may kill me for this picture, I couldn't resist:

Preparing the Next Generation

     I love this quote by President Hinckley! It is so important that parents are raising their children strong in the gospel and that values are instilled in the so that they can withstand temptation when it comes their way. I can't wait to, one day, be able to teach my kids about the gospel and the happiness that it brings, and also the blessings is brings to families and the home. 

     I can't wait to serve my mission! It is going to be the coolest, hardest, most spiritual time of my life. I know that, no matter how hard it gets, it will all be worth it!

¡Bueños Suerte Amiga!

 
     This weekend I made the never-ending trek down to St. George to spend the weekend with my dear buddy Sydnie. She was called to the Texas, Fort Worth Spanish-speaking mission and she reports to the MTC on February 20. Her farewell was this weekend so I went down to hang out with her. Boy, was that an adventure! For most of the day Friday and Saturday we baked and cooked. Literally. We made 3 batches of cupcakes, and then cored them and filled them. We made near 200 cake balls, 2 huge bowls full of lemonade chex mix, a few batches of cookies, rolls, and who knows what else? Ha! It was so much fun and so crazy!
     Along with the cooking and crafting I also met some amazing people. Sydnie's mom Chris was freaking hilarious! I laughed so hard this weekend. I spent a lot of time with Syd's aunt and cousins too. Great people! I also met one of Syd's neighbors, Tonja and her kids. She has a daughter that is special needs, McKenzie and she is a little spitfire! She gave me a big hug :) Tonja is a talker but boy does she have some funny stories. I was crying I was laughing so hard!!!
     Staying in the house I met Syd's brother Colten, and three of her cousins: Xochitl, Keegan, and Kaden. We all watched movies, cleaned, cooked, and had a good time. There was one downer on the weekend: Syd has a cat and a dog and I am allergic to cats and pet dander. Every night I would lay down on the couch and, without fail, I would start to have an allergy attack. My eyes would start to get red and itchy, my nose would run, and my throat would start to tighten so much that I wheezed when I breathed. Boy, was I a sight!
     This weekend was so much fun! I had a blast with a good friend, and made some new ones. Syd did a great job on her talk (and no, goofball, I'm not just saying). I look forward to serving at the same time as you my friend! Buenos suerte amiga! MURDER!

How NOT to Blow Your Marriage

     Alrighty, so many of you may be curious about post, as I am not married. I ran across this article on Facebook about a man who has been divorced twice and was giving advice to his sister before her wedding. He couldn't really give her much good advice on how to make it work, but he had loads of ideas on how NOT to screw it up because of his experience. I may not be married, but I can tell that this guy knows what he is talking about and any couple would be smart to follow this advice :) Click here to read more about his 16 points, which are:

1. Don't stop holding her/his hand
2. Don't stop trying to be attractive
3. Don't always point out her/his weaknesses
4. Don't stop cooking for him/her
5. Don't yell at your spouse
6. Don't call names
7. Don't be stingy with your money
8. Don't argue in front of the kids
9. Don't encourage each other to skip working out
10. Don't poop with the bathroom door open
11. Don't stop kissing her/him
12. Don't stop having fun together
13. Don't pressure each other
14. Don't label each other with negative labels
15. Don't skip out on things that are important to him/her
16. Don't emotionally distance yourself after a fight

Everybody Is A Genius

     I must just be on an Einstein kick lately, but I've actually adored this quote since I heard it:

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

     This quote is very true. Society today judges everyone by their book smarts. Our entire culture is based on how well we can store and recall information that a board of education deems "relevant." Not everyone is blessed with the ability to just learn things at the tip of the hat, but I do think that everyone has something to contribute. This just goes to show that we shouldn't judge people just because they aren't just like we are or not as smart as we think they should be.

Do YOU Believe in God?

Professor : You are a Christian, aren’t you, son ?

Student : Yes, sir.

Professor: So, you believe in GOD ?

Student : Absolutely, sir.

Professor : Is GOD good ?

Student : Sure.

Professor: Is GOD all powerful ?

Student : Yes.

Professor: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn’t. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?

(Student was silent.)

Professor: You can’t answer, can you ? Let’s start again, young fella. Is GOD good?

Student : Yes.

Professor: Is satan good ?

Student : No.

Professor: Where does satan come from ?

Student : From … GOD …

Professor: That’s right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?

Student : Yes.

Professor: Evil is everywhere, isn’t it ? And GOD did make everything. Correct?

Student : Yes.

Professor: So who created evil ?

(Student did not answer.)

Professor: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don’t they?

Student : Yes, sir.

Professor: So, who created them ?

(Student had no answer.)

Professor: Science says you have 5 Senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son, have you ever seen GOD?

Student : No, sir.

Professor: Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?

Student : No , sir.

Professor: Have you ever felt your GOD, tasted your GOD, smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any sensory perception of GOD for that matter?

Student : No, sir. I’m afraid I haven’t.

Professor: Yet you still believe in Him?

Student : Yes.

Professor : According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn’t exist. What do you say to that, son?

Student : Nothing. I only have my faith.

Professor: Yes, faith. And that is the problem Science has.

Student : Professor, is there such a thing as heat?

Professor: Yes.

Student : And is there such a thing as cold?

Professor: Yes.

Student : No, sir. There isn’t.

(The lecture theater became very quiet with this turn of events.)

Student : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don’t have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can’t go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.

(There was pin-drop silence in the lecture theater.)

Student : What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?

Professor: Yes. What is night if there isn’t darkness?

Student : You’re wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light. But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and its called darkness, isn’t it? In reality, darkness isn’t. If it is, well you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn’t you?

Professor: So what is the point you are making, young man ?

Student : Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.

Professor: Flawed ? Can you explain how?

Student : Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good GOD and a bad GOD. You are viewing the concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, Science can’t even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing.

Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?

Professor: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.

Student : Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?

(The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going.)

Student : Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor. Are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?

(The class was in uproar.)

Student : Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor’s brain?

(The class broke out into laughter. )

Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor’s brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?

(The room was silent. The Professor stared at the student, his face unfathomable.)

Professor: I guess you’ll have to take them on faith, son.

Student : That is it sir … Exactly ! The link between man & GOD is FAITH. That is all that keeps things alive and moving.

By the way, that student was EINSTEIN.

Les Miserables

   
     Ok, I went to see Les Miserables on New Years and I fell in love with it! So much so that I bought the soundtrack. Yeah...I think I'm driving my parents crazy! However, my favorite singer HAS to be Mr. Russell Crowe. Yeah, if I'm being totally honest I loved him before Les Miz. Gladiator is one of my all-time favorite movies! Anywho, back to the subject. Russell Crowe: beautiful voice, beautiful man...can you tell I love this guy!? :) I couldn't find a clip of him singing :( so you'll just have to check i-Tunes or something :)

     So, not only am I obsessed with Russell Crowe, but my dream role for that musical (I pick one for every musical I see) would definitely be Madame Thenardier played by Helena Bonham Carter. Mostly because I fetching love Helena Bonham Carter, but also because of the song that she gets to sing with Sacha Baron Cohen: Master of the House. It is the funniest song in the whole flipping show and, yeah, loved it! 

"I Will Make Weak Things Become Strong Unto Them."

   
     I've been going to mission prep lately on Sunday mornings with the home stake. One thing that I have noticed is that all of the boys preparing seem to be miles ahead of me. It seems like they can whip out the perfect scripture or quote at the perfect time and some of their lessons just blow me away. Like, it's crazy how much they know about the gospel and the scriptures already. I just feel so behind.
     I've been feeling this way for a while. I've posted before about our sister missionary group on Facebook. Well, not only is it a place for future sister missionaries to post where they are serving, but it is also a place where we can give feedback and support to each other. Some girls post where they find modest clothing (NOT an easy feat), where they are buying shoes, and just common concerns we can help give support for. A couple of girls recently posted about having feelings of inadequacy. I'm not alone! They found some amazing quotes that I would like to share:

“I feel to invite women everywhere to rise to the great potential within you. I do not ask that you reach beyond your capacity. I hope you will not nag yourselves with thoughts of failure. I hope you will not try to set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve. I hope you will simply do what you can do in the best way you know. If you do so, you will witness miracles come to pass.”

― Gordon B. Hinckley

"God wants to help us to eventually turn all of our weaknesses into strengths, but He knows that this is a long-term goal. He wants us to become perfect, and if we stay on the path of discipleship, one day we will. It's okay that you're not quite there yet. Keep working on it, but stop punishing yourself. Dear sisters, many of you are endlessly compassionate and patient with the weaknesses of others. Please remember also to be compassionate and patient with yourself."

-Dieter F. Uchtdorf

     I'm so grateful for these girls and for all of my amazing sisters in the work. Reading these quotes brought me back to my favorite scripture in Ether 12:27:

 27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their^aweakness. I ^bgive unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my ^cgrace is sufficient for all men that ^dhumble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make ^eweak things become strong unto them.

     I know that Satan doesn't want me to feel adequate. He wants me to belittle myself and he wants me to think that I am weak. However, I know that with the Lord, anything is possible. He will help me with my weaknesses, and He wants me to know that I am a daughter of God-and there is no greater honor! :)

Many Are Called...But Few Are Sisters

I know I blog so much about my mission and how excited I am to serve, but I LOVE THIS WORK!!! I can't wait to serve! It is going to be such a blessing to me :) There is a marvelous girl who had future sister missionaries send her some short clips and/or photos about their mission and put together this beautiful video. If you watch long enough you may see a familiar face ;)

"The alarm rings at 6:30; I stumble to my feet

I grab my companion's bedding and pull off her sheet.

A groan fills the room. It's already time to arise?"

It seems like just a second ago I was able to shut my eyes.

The morning activities follow: study, prayer and such

When its time to leave the apartment, you feel haven't accomplished much

"We have a super day planned," my Companion says with a grin.

I lowly utter a faithless breath, Yea, if anyone lets us in.

With the word of God and my faithful Schwinn, we ride off in the street.

Prepared to face another day of humidity and heat

It's 9:30 in the evening, the day is almost through.

My companion and I are riding home, not accomplishing what we thought we'd do.

We ride up to the mail box hoping to recieve a lot.

Only to look inside and hear my echo reverberate "AIRBOX"

We go up to our apartment; the day is now complete

the only thing to show for our work is a case of blistery feet

It's past 10:30 Pm, my companion is fast asleep.

Silence engulfs me all about and I begin to weep

In the midst of sadness I kneel down to pray;

I need to talk to Father, but I'm not sure what to say.

"Oh Father," I begin, "What happened to us today?

I thought we'd teach somebody, but everyone was away

My hands, my aching hands worn, hurt and beat

If our area was any smaller,we'd have knocked on every street."

Why on missions are the days so much alike?

the only difference about today was the flat tire on my bike.

Will you send some cooler weather? the heat is killing me!

I sweat so bad, it gets in my eyes. Its very hard to see.

Why do I have to wear a helmet, isn't your protection enough?

People always laugh at me and call me stupid stuff.

Please send us investigators so I may give them what they lack;

I want to give them Book Of Mormon, the weight of them hurts my back."

And what about my Family? They don't have much to say.

I'm sick of not hearing from home day after day.

Oh Father,why am I here, Am I just wasting my time?

Sometimes I just want to go home, I'm sorry but that's on my mind.

My Companion, Heavenly Father, what are you giving me?

The way she rides her bicycle I don't know if she can even see!

Now you have it, I can't go on. I DON'T KNOW what to do!

That, my Father in Heaven, is the prayer I leave you."

My prayer now finished I stand up, then jump right into bed.

I need my feet for tomorrow; we have another long day ahead

Sleep starts to overtake me, I seem to drift away.

Then it seems a vision takes me to another time in another day.

I'm standing alone on the hill, the view is very nice.

A man walks towards me and says, My name is Jesus Christ."

Tears of joy well up inside, I fall down to His feet.

"Arise he states, follow me to the shade you and I need to speak."

My attention towards my Saviour, total and complete

He says, "Your Mission is similar of what happened to me.

I understand how you feel, I know what your going through;

In fact, it would be fair to say I've felt the same as you.

"I even know how you felt when no one listened to you

At times I felt now quite sure what else that I could do.

I know you don't like to ride a bicycle for a car would be sweet.

Just remember the donkey I rode I was not equipped with 21 speed.

I understand you don't like sweating, in fact it's something to hate.

I remember when I sweat blood from every pore, " Oh, the agony was great.

I see you don't like your companion you would rather have someone else.

I once had a companion named Judas who sold my life for wealth.

It's hard to wear a helmet and have people make fun of you.

I remember when they put thorns in my head and called me King of the Jews.

So you feel burdened down by the weight of your pack.

I recall how heavy the cross was when they slammed it on my back."

Your hands hurt from tracking and knocking on doors all day

I guess when they pounded nails into mine, I ache in a similar way.

It's hard not to hear from home when your family was not there to see.

I lost communication on the cross and cried, "Father, why has though forsaken me?"

We have a lot in common, but there is a difference between us you see.

I endured to the end and finished my mission, so follow and do like me."

He embraced me with his arms, His light filled me with His love.

With tears in my eyes, I watched as he went back to the Father above.

I stood with awe and wonder when a beep rang in my head.

I listened and heard the alarm, when I realized I was in my bed.

My companion let's out a groan, "6:30 already, no way!"

I sat up and said. Come on, I'll even carry your scriptures today!"

     I know this will be the hardest thing I will ever do in my life, but I welcome the challenge because I know the reward will be even greater! I can't wait to aide in changing the live of the blessed, beautiful people of Sac-town!

As promised, some awesome memes:

And, my personal favorite: