i have been changed for good

So I just got home from NYC (final trip with the parentals before my mission) and it was so much fun. One of my favorite parts was seeing Wicked at the Gershwin- third row from the stage & dead center- and yes, it was absolutely incredible.

Here is the deal though, I cry...a lot. I inherited this trait from my mother. So we are sitting and watching this incredible play. It gets to the end where Elphaba & Glinda sing "For Good". 

I start sobbing- because as they sing, "I have been changed for good". I have been incredibly blessed by all of the people that have been placed into my life. My family, my friends, my ward family- they have truly made me into the person I am today. So, thank you- because I knew YOU I have been changed for good. 

missionary meltdown

I have had several meltdowns due to the lack of "Sister Missionary Modest" clothing here in Utah County (of all places)

These meltdowns have included, but are not limited to- crying, running, crying some more, eating ice cream, crying and then repeating.

I have been to every store from Salt Lake to St George.

I have finally compiled my 8 outfit wardrobe and can now look back at my mission shopping experience as "funny" but it is still a somewhat tender subject.

What really brought on this blog post was my conversation with cute Heather Wood. She came up to me at Church (she is also going on a mission and just awaiting her call!) two weeks ago and told me of one of HER meltdowns. Poor Heather, I feel your pain. So I thought I would blog about where I found the BEST things....

1. Sister Missionary Mall- okay most of their stuff looks like a dead great grandmother but I was able to find two skirts (stretchy great grandma material) that are solid colors, long and will do the job. Are they cute? Not so much, but they are functional.

2. Down East Outfitters- seeing as this was created to be a "modest" store I had higher hopes. I found ONE skirt that was long enough and went past my knee. It is cute :)

3. Banana Republic- this is my heaven. gorgeous sweaters and shirts. LOVE

4. Eddie Bauer- my mom went in there this last weekend when we went to the mall and I grudgingly went with her. She came out with nothing, I came out with three shirts :)

5. Target- they have the basics...like cute scarves, cheap jewlery, neosporin, tissues, pens, paper, etc.

6. Diane Mudrow- she is a LIFESAVER. She is making 3 of my 8 skirts. I almost cried when we went shopping and was able to get everything we needed to make three adorable skirts. This is the best option. If you can sew, your mom can sew, your aunt's best friend can sew, or if your wonderful neighbor can sew then choose this option!

I hope this helps any Sister going out into the field! :)

mark allen boyack

6-4-34

This is when my Grandpa was born. Those four little digits were an hourly repeat to each new doctor at the hospital, each radiation visit, and yesterday they were all I could think of. I was a little bit of an emotional wreck yesterday, so I postponed writing until today. I LOVE my Grandpa. He was the funniest thing. Whenever he was teasing or sneaking ice-cream behind Grandma's back his bright blue eyes would twinkle.

He loved baseball, I love baseball. He watched "Western Wednesday" on AMC, I watched "Western Wednesday". I was his constant companion and he was my best friend. We would cruise to the Greats- Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bing Cosby...and he would whistle along.

 He passed away in May of 2010 from cancer. I am so thankful that he is no longer in pain, but I miss him all the time- when I go to the Temple with my Grandma and he is not there, when we go to visit and baseball is never on, going down to St George alone.

I was reading Les Miserables by Victor Hugo (for the 5th time- this is my ALL time favorite book) and I noticed a quote I had highlighted many reads before,

"Be careful how you think of the dead. Dont think of what might have been. Look steadfastly and you will see the living glory of your beloved dead in the heights of heaven."

How beautiful and true that is. I am blessed to have the knowledge of the life hereafter and of my Savior who has paved the way for us to return to Him. I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve a mission on this side of the veil, and I know that the work done here will be doubled while my Granpa serves his mission on the other side of the veil. :)