Week 26: It's Official: I've Become My Mother

5 Questions:

1)    Do you remember taking a tour of USU before deciding to go there?  Or did you decide to go there and then tour the campus?  I couldn't remember this weekend, as Cameron has decided and we finally got to go tour it. 

2)    Any memory of what kind of "fun money" budget you had at school last year?

3)    Did you remember it was Dad's birthday this past week?  He loved the book--and has been reading it all weekend.

4)    Can you believe Daylight Savings Time is beginning NEXT Sunday already?!?

5)    What is your typical procedure to send photos/email to us each P-Day?  Where do you go?  How long do you have?

Those are some good lookin' parents! Glad to see Dad still can't smile when a camera is near, but at least he's looking at the lens. Baby steps right? haha and momma your glasses make you look extra smart! I mean, not that you need any help....haha it always was a little weird getting a new prescription of glasses for me too. Takes some getting used to.

1. I think I had already decided because it was going to be the cheapest option for me. Then we went in the spring for SOAR or whatever it was. I think I did tour U of U before I decided though...just because we were already in Salt Lake or something. Clearly it didn't really affect my decision.

2. In reality, I don't think I gave myself a budget. I started out with one, but I don't think I stuck with it--I know, it's terrible. Basically I didn't spend a ton of money except for on food; that was almost everything. If we went to dinner as roommates or something, I didn't have a problem with that. I think I just limited it to once a week MAX. And just tried to be conscientious of my money. Sorry that doesn't help a ton.

3. I remembered it was Dad's birthday on Dad's birthday because it's on the calendar. Unfortunately I couldn't do much about it the day of....so HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPI!! Glad you like the book. I'll be honest, when I bought it, I had relatively little idea what it was actually about. So I'm glad it's handy and not useless.

4. No. It feels like just last month was Daylight Savings....because it messes up our Area Book Planner app. And it feels like that just happened...but I guess not.

5. Usually we go to the church in the afternoon, around 2 or so, because we've finished cleaning and shopping and laundry and whatnot. Today is different though, which I will talk about more later on.

First off, this week I turned into a complete sobbing blubbering baboon. And while there are multiple causes for this outcome, there is only one I will be mentioning at this time: I have been so very prideful. And it's gotten me into trouble, and will continue to do so unless I do something about it.

Hence, I have done quite a bit of self-evaluation. And I have come to a variety of conclusions:
1. I have terrible communication skills, and the way in which I do manage to communicate is not a way people are used to.

2. I detest making decisions, which is in fact a life skill. Ergo, I need to develop said skill.

3. I need to be more humble. I need to accept when I am in the wrong, accept the constructive criticism and run with it, apply it. I need to be willing to change and improve so that I can be the missionary Heavenly Father wants me to be.
4. I need to stop taking things so personally; this would avoid a lot of confusion.
5. I need to show more emotion so that I can be properly understood. [Remember when Grandma and Grandpa gave me my Escort for my birthday? And Grandpa thought I didn't like it? yeah, that's basically what happens. I truly am excited but I don't do a very good job of acting like it....sorry again Grandpa.]
6. I need to forget myself and go to work--24/7. If I do this, everything else will (hypothetically) fall into place.

As you can tell, this is quite the list. And becoming humble--for me--is quite the process. So I'm beginning with just one of these issues and hopefully the rest will follow. Until that time, there will
most likely be continued confusion and irritation. And I'm not sure what else I can do about it. I guess only time will tell.

On a happier note, Bishop found Mary's membership record number! What a miracle. Now the process to get her re-baptized will get going, I think. She was so excited to tell us. It was awesome.

We have seen so many miracles already! I think I said that last week, but it's still true! Hermana Araujo is an amazing missionary, and just wants to work hard. It's inspiring, really. I've been thinking that I have been SO blessed to have such old (with regard to the mission) companions. Because when it gets down to crunch time, all they want to do is work. And of course I want to as well, but with companions like this it's just so much better. I can't really explain it.

This morning, while studying, I found this scripture, in Proverbs 28:25:
He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.

So the goal is, by the end of my mission, to be fat. Maybe this is one reason so many missionaries put on weight while serving. They're just putting their trust in the Lord! haha (but for real)

I know the Gospel's true! If it wasn't, you can bet I wouldn't be here freezing my body parts off. But it is. Joseph Smith is a prophet called of God, and through him Christ restored His true Church to the earth once more. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and allows us to know more fully our Elder Brother and Savior. I receive strength every day as I study from its pages, and I know you can too. I know that through the Atonement, we truly can be made perfect and become at one with God--we just have to put forth a little effort first, and He'll make up the rest. I love this Gospel and I wouldn't be me without it.

Todo Mi Amor,

Tu Hija y Amiga,

Hermana DeBuck