Leaving the Nest! Flying to Uruguay!

Hello Dear Family & Friends!
    Thank you for all your support and for the encouragement you have given me for my mission.  I can't believe that it is here already!  Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013 marks the day that I leave the comforts of my family nest at home to go and serve, love, and teach the amazing people of Uruguay!  I love the gospel of Jesus Christ with all my heart.  I am honored and humbled to represent the Savior in serving as a missionary in Uruguay.  I hope to share of His great light and love again and again!  This is it!  Argentina! Uruguay! Here I come!
     Here are some pics from my Open House and at the airport--more pics still to come. I have such an awesome family and amazing friends! You have all done so much for me.  I thank you so very much!

Happy Times! Three days before leaving for Argentina MTC!

Tired Open House Helpers

Crazy Friends at Open House

Awesome Friends at Open House

Kaitlyn & Karina at Airport --6:30 am

Newly set apart Sister Hansen & Pres. Carpenter

Hermana Hansen & Her Mamacita

Be Your Own Kind Of Beautiful

Lately I have been thinking. Life is a journey that is made better through the grace of God, excellent friends and family, and your own personal choice and attitude. The more I grow up, the more I realize that the place you come from doesn't really matter. What matters more is that you know where you are going and to know without a doubt that you are not alone!

I strongly believe that there needs to be more love in this world. That kind of brotherly love, where we take care of one another. I think everyone honestly just needs to feel they are loved. To know they have a friend. To be comfortable, secure, and learn to see the beautiful them that has always been there.

A kind word is never forgotten. In reverse a mean, rude, insensitive, ignorant type words are remembered and soon opinion and judgements are formed on both ends. Should we not speak kindly of one another? How about towards each other? Each of us is beautiful, special, and incredible! Kind words spring from kind thoughts. Lately I have been thinking about what sort of thoughts am I thinking about others? I would like kindness to begin with me.

I think inner beauty is worth more than a handsome face. I truly believe everyone is beautiful.

Like the beauty of discovering a new soul, a new story, a new personality, a new perspective. Perhaps with different or similar passions, dislikes, and experiences as you! I love people. They offer so much with so little effort. I love it when people are just themselves and no one else--yes flaws and all! I am starting to figure out who I am; which I am beginning to realize is a life long process. I am starting to figure out how to shine brightly by just being me, and no one else!

Each one of us is a child of God with infinite potential. Each of us is loved of God and we all need to feel of His love. Our capacity to love is endless. Honestly try it, you will never run out of love. I think it is  a personal choice to let that action become regular and to not be afraid to give of our time and personality. We all need love. We all need to know that we are worth something. To me, you are beautiful, talented, amazing, good, and worthy of love. This is my challenge to Be My Own Kind of BEAUTIFUL!

Dreams

Lately I feel as if my idea of a dream is changing. That there is a lot more to a dream than just "a wish your heart makes" (Cinderella). That it is the idea that you can change. To take a leap of faith, to not just sit stagnate in your life because it make sense. But to grow, to express, to reach. I feel as if my idea of a dream has changed into reaching that complete me. It is like changing from being a caterpillar to a butterfly. It is up to me to make that choice. To choose to get into a "cocoon" of sorts, to not be content with the life you have, but with the life you could have if you left the light of the Lord shine in your life. In  2 Corinthians 4:6 it reads,

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of knowledge of the glory of God int he face of Jesus Christ."

I hope to one day be my "butterfly" self. To face a new way of thinking, of life, of  beauty, and letting my wings take flight. I hope to reach everything that God has in store for me, that he may shine the light through me. I came across this video the other day. I loved it. I have to remind myself that "what we are is more important than what we've been, and what we can become is more important than we are".

Please feel free to watch this video, its kinda long (22:00) so make time, it is inspirational!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p98KAEif3bI

Puddles to Peaks

I am so happy. Why? Because I just accomplished my first semester and pass/excelled in all my classes! I am grateful to now know--I can do hard things! College. It is difficult, (no duh) but it is different for every person. We go through different trials and problems. We have different room mates then our neighbors do. We also have a lot of different "why me moments". Like I got super sick with Broncitis and a sinus infection and then got my finger cut open. I was in the Health Care center way too much this last semester.

There is also a feeling of change in my life. I feel great. Like I have so much in front of me. I feel like my next mountain is right in front of me. My dad told me, don't stop and make puddles at the bottom, (he meant crying...). Get on your hiking boots and hike. Work for it! See you at the top sweetie!" I love that. He has been through these mountains. He is now encouraging me on wards and up wards. I see my next mountain. Here. I. Come. =]

The Weaver and Why not's

My friend once said, "Dear Lord, Why me?" She then felt the words, "Why not". Things happen, whether good or bad and we ask why? When it comes to trials and tribulations we ask why yet it is not till after the tempest is done raging that we look back and realize just how far we have come. Through the Lords hands "nothing is impossible".

Growing up my mother allowed us to expand our active minds on things that were most edifying. They create so much of who I am. She presented us with a poem that I know I shall always remember. It is entitled, "The Weaver" by Benjamin Malachi Franklin. It reads:

My life is but a weaving between my Lord and Me,
I cannot see the colors he worketh steadily
Oft times he weaveth sorrow and I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper, and I the under-side.

Not till the looms are silent and the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why.
His dark threads are as needful in the Weavers skillful hands
As His threads of golds and silver in the patter He has planned.

He knows what we are going through and lately I have found the need to praise His name through it all. For it is His merciful hand that sustains me in this mortal journey.

I have a new dream. To look at people the way the Lord of Heaven and Earth does. I have a desire to be an example and say "Thy will O' Lord be done".

Free to Be Me

Today was one of the best days. Even though I was running all over campus and not really having any time to rest or think about anything else but the task at hand. Yet the whole day I felt like me! I truly feel like because I focused on the right things Heavenly Father blessed me this day. It was a beautiful bright day, the sun was warming and the wind less violent, and I truly felt confident as I went about my day. Not only that but I pushed my "loosen up button" (as my mom calls it) and enjoyed giggling and being structurally random (if there is such a thing). Today was an all around good day.

A smile from up above :) carried me through the day!
It was not challenge to sing, dance, and pray.
I am me, it is who God wants me to be.
Open all your doors,
who knows what way God will take you.
Perhaps over a rainbow or through purple moors.
Yet I have found this day,
that my trust in God will remain and stay.

Poetry on the spot, it is within my thoughts :) I do hope a day may come your way, in which you can sing, dance, and pray! Let yourself be you! For if you aren't, then who will be?

Mind Over Matter

Sometimes the only thing holding you back are your own words of "I Can't"

There are times when I personally feel like the harder I try to be good, the harder the adversary sends the wirl-winds. "Master the tempest is raging" is my call towards the heavens and then I remember that trials are for my good. It is at this point I know it is time to brace myself and stand firm having trust and faith in the Lord.

"Most of our obstacles would melt away if, instead of cowering before them, we should make up our minds to walk boldly through them." --Orison Marden--

We all wish we did things perfectly. I know there has been a times in my life I could go back and change. Perhaps it was a relationship I hadn't made or a harsh word that could have been prevented. Yet I also feel like those experiences I learned from and now strive not to repeat. Learn, change, and move on, trying each day to be the better you!

Honestly I don't think we realize just how much each one of impacts those around us. Being ourselves gives "others the right to do the same" (Our Greatest Fear quote).

Perspective is a key to a new understanding, a new view, perhaps a change of opinion. A challenge to myself is to try to prevent those things I regret from the past and constantly think, "how can this person impact my life?" and "What can I learn from this experience?" and last but not least "Love being Beautiful me". God loves me, you, and all of us. May I never forget it!