I'm Going There Someday

On Saturday, Erin, Kyle, and I went to walk around temple grounds after an awesome fireside. This is my favorite picture I took. It won't be long until I get to be inside of that beautiful place.

Christmas

Christmas was so fun at my house! Christmas Eve we had our awesome traditions. The Leder's came over, and my grandpa read How The Grinch Stole Christmas for us. Then we read Luke 2 out of the Bible. It's always fun when Grandpa reads The Grinch to us. He's got the BEST reading voice EVER!! After we read, Mom had us open a present: footy pajamas!! Awesome! :)

Hannah and Justin were here for Christmas, and I really enjoyed that time with them.
The five of us (whoa that's weird to say) woke up around 6:00 on Christmas morning after staying up really late playing games, and we made breakfast for everyone. Around 7, we woke our parents and grandparents up, and we all enjoyed french toast and fresh fruit salad. After that, we opened our presents.
Mom and David had to go to the Cancer Care Alliance for antibiotics about noon-ish. I went over to the Mallory's for Tyler's Christmas phone call! Yes! Please!!
Hearing his voice was so wonderful. It was exactly what I needed! He told me he got permission to call my dad, so after we talked, I hurried home so that he could use my phone to call David. After he talked to David, I got a few more minutes with him, and he told me he feels so much better about everything going on after hearing it from my dad's mouth. He told me all about the people in the area he's serving, the famous people that live in the surrounding town, and how he's excited for the next few months. I can't believe that the next time I talk to him, he'll be home three weeks later!
The next day I got his package in the mail! :) He sent me some awesome DVDs he won in a white elephant thing (he says they're to add to our DVD collection) and a hat that he knitted. Yes, you read that correctly. Tyler knitted a hat. And it's freaking sweet! It also came with a great letter.
This Christmas, by far, was the best Christmas I've had so far!

6 More Months

That's right! Roughly 180 days until I see this face again!



Excited??

You betcha!!!

Life as of late

Life? I really love mine! That's not sarcasm, either. Honestly it's been really hard. By the time I had come to terms with my dad and the fact that he's going to pass shortly, we got a phone call saying that my 36 year old uncle had died suddenly. It took almost a week for it to really sink in because I had talked to him for my birthday two days prior. I realized that Uncle Josh is in a much better place, and that he'll be able to accept the gospel without any barriers that blocked him here. It's nice knowing he's able to do that now, even though I really miss him.

I'm almost done with my externship, so that's great. I really love it! I'm glad I'll be able to have a job, even if it's only on-call for a while.

Recently I got to go with a group of missionaries and my friends Erin and Stan for the missionaries' cultural day. :) They get one for their entire mission. One guess where we went. You betcha we went to the Harry Potter Exhibition at the Pacific Science Center!!! It was one of the best days of my life. :) I had so much fun with the group I was with. I mean, I'm already pretty great friends with five of the eight I went with, so that made it even more fun! Collectively we took about 200 pictures. Here are just a few of them!

Yep. We're best friends :)

We met Harry Potter ;)

Let's be real: I have no idea what Elder Moody's doing here.Best friends

Aaaand the shot that explains the personalities exactly


It was sooooo cold!


Elder Bunton, Elder Bottoma, Erin, and I decided to be little people.


End of the adventure.

Ready?

No. I'm really not ready.

My dad's dying. And there's nothing we can do.

I just

need to talk. It shouldn't be so hard, but I can't seem to do it.

Time

I didn't realize until this week how fast time has really flown. Today I talked to a friend who served his mission out here. He's been home for about three years. Um, hello! When did that happen? That's crazy. Then! Two weeks from now, I start my externship at MultiCare in Covington. ONE mile from my house! Holla! :) I'm extremely excited about starting to really get out there in the medical field, but the closer it gets, the more scared I'm becoming. I know this is what I'm supposed to be doing, though, and the Lord will help me do my very best!
Hannah pointed out that Logan's one year mark is coming up in November. That's incredibly exciting for her, and I'm thrilled! Tyler's been out for fifteen and a half months now. What?! Tell me when that happened, please! By the time I register that he's been gone that long, two years will have hit and he'll be home again. Let's be real -- some days it's still hard, and I wonder if I'm going to remember the way he sounds when he laughs, or if his arms are still going to hold me as tight as they used to. Most of the time, though, I remember how all of that really is, and I remember why I'm doing this. :)
Thanks, Hannah, for the AWESOME countdown you started!! :D

I'm Just Sayin'

...I have the best friends in the WORLD!! I'm so grateful for them.

Courtney --
She's been there through thick and thin with me. I'm so thankful for the fact that I've had someone to turn to when I have something awesome to tell, or when I haven't had the greatest day. Or when I'm in the mood to get into some really deep discussion about church or the temple. :) I'm WAY excited for her, because she gets to go back to the 'Burg to attend BYU-I. :) Good luck! Oh, and she's a master bug-killer, too. ;)



Erin --
Yup. She's pretty much great! It's so wonderful having someone to go to missionary lessons to, and to laugh about absolutely everything with. Not to mention some freaking fun games with a deck of cards! :) Aaaaand card-making. And Will Ferrell marathons. :)



Elder Waite --
It's so too bad that he can't watch The Office with Erin and me! We talked about it last night, and he was laughing so hard trying to describe something from an episode. :) Elder Waite cracks me up. It's so great to have someone who likes to check in on me, or is there to give me a blessing, um, whenever. :)



Elder Bunton --
Dear man, you are so hilarious. :) I like when he comes over and plays the guitar after a lesson! He's super talented!! He always has a wonderful spirit when he teaches a lesson, and he's right there with Elder Waite in just checking in. It's cool because they are best friends, and it's funny to watch them. Especially when a bird is involved. Haha.

Aaaaaaannnnnnddddd.....

Tyler --
I'm pretty much in love with him! Need I say more?? :) He's always the one to be there and be the best. Always has been, always will be. :)

Bunton, Waite, and a blessing

Lately there's been so much going on that things have been absolutely crazy around my house! My dad's chemo, unfortunately, has been kicking his butt; he's been sicker than I've ever seen anyone. My mom's life is on hold until he's better, which is the way I think it should be, because she's taking care of her life by taking care of him. Hannah's going back to BYU on Wednesday. I'm so excited for her because she loves it there! I feel like I've just existed lately. To be honest, I've not been the happiest person lately, but I definitely know that's something I control. I'm a much happier person when I'm out doing things like school rather than sitting at home. Break's almost done, and I'm actually sighing for relief! :)

I've gotta say I'm SO thankful for missionaries. I'll bet you think I'm going into something about Tyler now, right? Nope! Elder Bunton and Elder Waite are pretty much the greatest missionaries to serve in our area ever. Sorry guys. One of my closest friends, Erin, and I went to a baptism along with her friend Michaela yesterday. After the baptism, Elder Bunton gave me a blessing. Um, can I just say that my testimony of the power of the priesthood and blessings was strengthened at least tenfold?! I mean, blessings are absolutely miracles. I love Elder Bunton and Elder Waite; they are people I consider to be good friends. With that being said, it's not like I sit down and pour out everything that's going on in my life to them. I don't even remember telling him that my dad was going through chemo, and I for sure know that I didn't tell him what was on my mind or anything like that. The words spoken in my blessing were powerful, and I am so grateful that he was ready at that moment to give me that spiritual boost. Heavenly Father knows who we are, and exactly what we need. There's no way that Elder Bunton knew what I needed to hear or what was in my heart. Man!! Our missionaries are the best!!!

Definitely I cannot wait to go grocery shopping for Elder Waite's muffins tomorrow. "You know, the ones with like, 1,200 calories each" from Costco. :) Those guys crack me up.

Dear California

If you haven't heard the news, been online, or seen what's going on, you've obviously been hiding under a turtle shell or living in a hut with no civilization around you.

Today, a California judge overturned Proposition 8 and made gay marriage legal in that state. Okay.....so.....let's think that we have more power because we wear a stupid robe and have a gavel. The voters in California passed Proposition 8 with 52%. People didn't want gay marriage in that state. Yes, they are people, but marriage is between a woman and a man.
The Family: A Proclamation to the World -- an statement issued by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1995 -- stated the following:

"The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity."

Marriage between a man and a woman is ESSENTIAL to the Plan of Happiness -- also known as the Plan of Salvation. Heavenly Father didn't intend for people of the same sex to be together as a couple.

We live in a wicked, wicked world where the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman has been lessened by the temptations and persuasions of Satan. The scarier thing is that the world is going to get even more wicked before it gets better. There aren't really too many things that I will stand completely firm in, but this is one of them. Same sex marriage is wrong -- there's absolutely NO other way.

I am not saying that homosexual people are not American, and that they're not people. I'm saying that marriage is a sacred, beautiful covenant. I have friends that have chosen that kind of lifestyle; I love them, but will not support the way they live their lives.

Lucky

To sum it up, this is how I feel about my relationship with Tyler.

I'm pretty darn lucky to have fallen in love with my absolute best friend!

Life with him couldn't get any better. :)   

"Do you hear me,
I'm talking to you
Across the water across the deep blue ocean
Under the open sky, oh my, baby I'm trying

Boy I hear you in my dreams
I feel your whisper across the sea
I keep you with me in my heart
You make it easier when life gets hard

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Ooohh ooooh oooh oooh ooh ooh

They don't know how long it takes
Waiting for a love like this
Every time we say goodbye
I wish we had one more kiss                                              
I'll wait for you I promise you, I will

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Lucky we're in love every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday

And so I'm sailing through the sea
To an island where we'll meet
You'll hear the music fill the air
I'll put a flower in your hair

Though the breezes through trees
Move so pretty you're all I see
As the world keeps spinning round
You hold me right here right now

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
I'm lucky we're in love every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday"

I love you, Tyler Scott Mallory!

Hello August!

What the what??
When did August get here?
Just sayin'.
I'm definitely not complaining about how fast this year has gone so far. By the time I know it, Tyler will be home again! It's weird how you keep track of time in monthly increments when you have a missionary out in the field. I think school helps a lot, too, because I'm always busy. I love when I have free time now! :)

August is going to be a good month.
We have our graduation ceremony this month, even though we technically don't graduate until November. They only do it once a year.
My cousin, Amanda, is coming to visit for a few days! I haven't seen her for over two years, and even then I only saw her for a little bit.
I have a two week vacation from school before I start my final quarter.
My last quarter of school starts on the 29th.
Tyler comes home in nine months on the 27th. :)

Yep. It's going to be a great month.

Right now? I may kill my youngest sister for being a butt head.

So

I think my expectations for tonight were too high or something.

Or things haven't changed.

First Article. Opinions?

Hey all. Before I send this to Lyndsey to post, I need some opinions!

Here it is!!

As MG’s we know that waiting is hard better than anyone. We have all the “what if” questions running through our heads – “What if he feels differently about me when he comes home?” “What if I meet another guy and he ends up being the one?” Those are scary thoughts, right? What could be a scarier thought than that? Let me give you one word: dating. As if dating wasn’t scary enough with the having to get to know the person better, having that awkward date where nothing goes right, or even having that amazing date and going home with butterflies in your stomach, we add the element of already being in a relationship. Personally, it’s hard to date because I know that the man I’m out with isn’t Elder Mallory; however, I WANT to go out on dates! How many of us find ourselves in that situation? In a BYU campus debate article, Jen Schofield, a senior from Provo, said, “Some guys would never ask me out since I had a missionary.” So guess what? Ask THEM out! That’s how I got my first date since he’s been gone.
Around the year mark, I got tired of sitting around not going out on dates. Going out on dates might not be for everyone. It’s a personal choice whether you want to date other people while your missionary is serving.It’s suggested, though, that we do get out there and date. If your missionary is the first person you’ve ever dated, it’s highly encouraged you date. Dating other people can show you how much your missionary means to you. Dating other people helps me become closer to my guy friends; it helps me make new friends. Going on a date with someone isn’t a marriage commitment. In general, you date to find the type of person you want to marry. Not only that, when you date, you find the kind of spouse you want to be for your eternal companion.
I’ve made a challenge for myself, and I extend it to you, whether you’re an MG or an MM – missionary’s man. I’m going to go on one date a month until Elder Mallory comes home, with the intention of strengthening my friendships, growing, as well as strengthening my relationship with my missionary. Remember – dating is not bad. Stay strong, be happy, and remember your missionary! Things will work out the way they’re supposed to.

Help!!!

So there's a website for girls waiting for missionaries. It's a forum where we're all able to help each other or brag about our missionaries. It's actually REALLY helpful, so a big thanks to Kaitlyn for showing it to me!

Here's where I need help. They've started an online magazine, and I've been chosen to write the Dating While Waiting article on a monthly basis.

I need some SUPER awesome ideas, if you all wouldn't mind putting your two cents in! Thanks! :)

What a Great Week!!! :)

Last week was excellent!
FHE on Monday was a ton of fun! It was a ward bbq at the Jones' house. It was great to see Scott and Emily. I should get over there to see Sandy soon.
Tuesday -- school started again. It was pretty cool. It's nice to be done with the busiest quarter and into a quarter with only two classes! :) I'm diggin' that one.
Wednesday -- started going to institute. It's great! Why the HECK did I not do that sooner??
Thursday -- watched the youth of the Kent Stake perform their dress rehearsal for their big show they were putting on. I'm going to quote my friend George and say, "I stand all amazed at the talent of the youth of the Kent Stake."
Friday -- hung out with Courtney. It was great! Grilled bratwursts, got ice cream from Coldstone, had a fire in the backyard burning our papers from last quarter, washed the dogs and three cars! Then we watched While You Were Sleeping. I LOVE that movie! It's super cute.
Saturday -- volunteered at the dragon boat races at Lake Meridian with the ward. It was tons of fun! :D I'm game for doing that every year now. My friend Eric got to row in one of the races because the team was missing a rower. It was pretty cool! Trevor and Suzi brought the kids over. It was the first time I had ever met Anna and Ian, which was great! Anna doesn't talk much, but she talked plenty to me! And Ian? He came to play with us with no problems. Haha. Ella and Grant are so funny! :) I love those kids a lot. That night, Hannah and I went to George's with a bunch of other people. We grilled kabobs and pineapple over a fire. Erin roasted us some starbursts. :) Yum! Andrew taught me the basic steps of the tango. I'm looking forward to getting better at that one. The tango is something I've always wanted to learn, though I'm not entirely a fan of Latin dancing in general. :) Anyway, it was definitely a great week.
I can't wait for this weekend! I have my first date in over a year.
Don't freak out -- I'm still waiting for and devoted to Tyler. I should be going on dates, though. I know that won't make sense to some people, but it does to me. He's happy that I'm going to do that, and I feel good about it. :) We're going to Seattle with sixteen other people for a picture scavenger hunt. I'm way excited!!!

I've Been Here Before

Monday, my parents sat us down to inform us that our dad has cancer. Again.

It felt like deja vu; we've been down this road before. Good news? It's not lymphoma. Bad news? It's leukemia, and thirty percent of the cells in his blood stream are cancer cells. It came on within the last month and a half, so it's classified as AML. He has a series of treatments in the hospital next week, where he'll be staying for about ten days. Roughly a week after that, he'll be tested for the number of blood cells in his system, and how many cancer cells there are. If everything looks as good as it can, he's going to have another stem cell transplant. Yep, I've definitely been here before. He got a blessing from Doug, Bevin, and MacKay on Monday night. I got one, too, from Eric.

What we're supposed to learn from this, I don't know. I just want him to be cancer free again.

"Oh, The Places You'll Go!"

With Kathryn graduating today, I've been reflecting on my own graduation two years ago. I cannot believe it's been two years already!

June 14, 2008:
With the rest of the graduating class, one of my best friends in the world, Madison DeGidio, and I walked to Pomp and Circumstance to our seats, beginning our commencement into the real world. I don't remember who our classmates were that spoke or what they said. To be honest, the only things I do remember about graduation are that Shannon (our security guard) was one of our speakers. He was everyone's favorite! The choir sang Omni a Sol -- it was Mr. McKee's gift to us because it was his last year as a teacher at Kentwood High School. Mr. Hostetter did the Soulja Boy dance on stage in front of all the families. Yikes? And then we graduated. The best part? Two of them. Throwing our caps into the air, and knowing we were finally done with high school!

Two years later, I'm going to the Showare Center in Kent to watch my little sister start her life in the real world. It feels like so much has changed. I'm going to school to be a medical assistant. I'm waiting for a missionary. Um, hello! Two years ago I would not have thought that I would be waiting for Tyler as he served in the California San Fernando mission. I'm a member of the single's ward -- something I drug my feet about -- and I love it! My life is very different from what I imagined it was going to be, but I couldn't have asked for a better one.

Congratulations, Kathryn Jane Bush! I am so proud of you. <3

Busy Weekend Ahead

So I have this super busy weekend ahead -- two papers, a chapter of terminology, and not to mention Kathryn graduates tomorrow! I went to hang out with Courtney tonight, but I was there for literally three minutes because I felt like I was going to puke. I decided to go home.

I can't be sick this weekend!!! I don't want to miss my sister's graduation! It seems like every time something important is happening, I get the stomach flu. It all started back a few years ago when Sarah and Bj got married. I missed their reception -- sick. Then more recently, Bret and Natalie came for dinner while they were up here last November-December-ish. It was the first time Natalie had ever been here and had dinner with our family. What happens? Stomach flu. Thank goodness for an amazing, fairly new sister-in-law who still came up to visit me. I'm telling ya -- Natalie is the greatest. :) And now when my grandparents are here and Kathryn graduates tomorrow, I come down with the flu. Thanks to some of my classmates who have learned that sharing is caring, I'm going to spend the day in bed tomorrow. Lame. Oh well, it could be so much worse. Even though I seriously have a fear of vomiting/vomit itself, I'm glad it's ONLY the stomach flu.

Hello

This is a seriously helpful website for us girls that are waiting for our men. :) Anyway, they're saying that it's "Love song month" this month, so I've been listening to cute songs that I really like. I'm super into Glee right now, and this season, they've had lots of good love songs. Today is "Hello" by Lionel Richie, but I like the Glee one better.


I've been alone with you inside my mind
And in my dreams I've kissed your lips a thousand times
I sometimes see you pass outside my door
Hello, is it me you're looking for?

I can see it in your eyes
I can see it in your smile
You're all I've ever wanted, (and) my arms are open wide
'Cause you know just what to say
And you know just what to do
And I want to tell you so much, I love you ...

I long to see the sunlight in your hair
And tell you time and time again how much I care
Sometimes I feel my heart will overflow
Hello, I've just got to let you know

'Cause I wonder where you are
And I wonder what you do
Are you somewhere feeling lonely, or is someone loving you?
Tell me how to win your heart
For I haven't got a clue
But let me start by saying, I love you ...

Hello, is it me you're looking for?
'Cause I wonder where you are
And I wonder what you do
Are you somewhere feeling lonely or is someone loving you?
Tell me how to win your heart
For I haven't got a clue
But let me start by saying ... I love you