I thought California was supposed to be sunny!

I had a great time in Utah and was sad to leave, but excited to head to my aunt’s house in California. My drive there was absolutely insane though!!!! What should have been a 12 hour drive ended up being 16 hours!!!! I will explain!

Before that though, here’s some scenery I was able to see.

I wish those poles weren't getting in the way! I love this pic!

I got to drive by parts of the Great Salt Lake which was really cool! It was beautiful to see the bluish/green/teal colors of the water against the mountains!

Then I made it into Nevada! There were more mountains, rocks, etc…

Well, I decided to stop and use the internet, eat, and take a little cat nap. So I parked but stayed in the car the whole time. Then when I was ready to go my car WOULD NOT START!! Ahh!!!! I realized that I had left my lights on (and since I didn’t get out of the car didn’t hear the little ringing noise). Thankfully there was a couple right next to me and they had jumper cables, so the man was going to help me. But, they were long enough to reach!!! Thank goodness another man came by and had another set that would reach. I was finally able to get going but of course all frustrated and feeling silly for being irresponsible. LOL.

I needed to get gas and was afraid to turn off the car in case it wouldn’t start again, but then at the same time I was nervous to pump gas with the car running. Oh my gosh, I was a mess, haha. Anyway, I made it back on the road and all was well.

Then the closer I got to CA the mountains had more and more snow on them, and when I stopped to get gas it was snowing hard!!! AHH! Couldn’t believe it. But then shortly thereafter it stopped snowing so I thought everything would be fine.

I made it in to CA, yay!!! And while the trees and mountains were pretty with snow, I couldn’t believe that it was snowing like this in May!!

The next thing I knew semi trucks were pulling over to the side of the road and there were men in the streets directing people to pull over… I of course had NO CLUE what was going on!!!! ROlled down my window and a man came up saying, "sorry ma'am but you can only go through if you have a 4x4 or if you have chains on your tires." I'm thinking WHAT?!!!! (there was a check point up ahead an they wouldn't let you pass unless you had chains). So I told him how I was from GA, wasn't expecting this, and had no clue what to do....didn't have chains etc... He said that it was out of the ordinary for this to happen, considering it was MAY and all!!!! Said he had some chains he could sell me for 40$ and then it would be an additional $30 for him to put them on. Are you kidding me!?!? (keep in mind I'm super poor and already blew money on getting towed!)

Of course I didn't have cash. The man said I could go on up to the next town, stop at the ATM, get some chains etc, and that there would more men down the way who could put them on for me. So I finally get in to this little town that's covered in snow and pull in to the only gas station I could see. There I was in a skirt and flip flops and it's freezing and snowing outside! AHHH! Not what I was planning on as I imagined going to California! I was trying to decide what I should do... they were selling chains at the gas station but of course they were more expensive. I was afraid that if I kept going though there would be no other place to buy them and then I'd have to turn around! So I just went ahead an got them! (I should have waited because sure enough when I got to the checkpoint for someone to put them on he said he had some he could have sold me for 20$ cheaper! oh well.)

So I finally got back on the road, not knowing what to expect, and hoping that there would indeed be a person ahead that could work the chains. I really couldn't believe what was happening, haha. A snow storm in May, and there I was right in the middle of it!!! The one good thing that happened was that I didn't have to turn in my fruit at the agricultural checkpoint. I was freaking out all along the way, thanks to my friend Maia for always helping me calm down!!

A little ways ahead I stopped and this really nice man put the chains on for $30.... I was not happy about paying for that, but what's worse is it's $15 more for them to take them off!! Then I could only drive 30mph.... and I was on my way. It really was the most bizarre thing I've ever experienced. I couldn't help but laugh, and I took videos and pictures all along the way. I even called my dear friend Charlotte who I knew would appreciate my situation!

The nice man who helped me out!

I guess things could have been worse... glad that wasn't me!!

I tell you what, it was probably only 20 minutes at the most when I stopped to take off the chains! All of that for 20 minutes?!?! Oh, and I had been calling Karen (my aunt) all along the way as well to see what she thought I'd do etc... She was sweet enough to pay me back for everything I had to buy.

Another crazy thing is that it was snowing more AFTER I got the chains off.... and I even hit a patch of ice and my car went sliding, which was seriously the scariest part of my ENTIRE trip! But somehow my car got back on track. WOW!!!!

It took a while to get going at a normal speed again because it was snowing and I was going down a mountain, but I finally got out of that mess and was able to make it to Karen's house in one piece!!

I definitely said lots of prayers during those hours and felt very protected and at peace!! While it was one of the craziest things I've ever experience I'm glad it all happened. And like I always say, it's ALWAYS an adventure!!!

And to think that when all of this happened I was only 2 and a half hours away from where I was going! It turned into 5 or so hours before I finally made it there!

SLC

I've been to Salt Lake and Temple Square before, but it's always been rushed. So I went back and took my time... still didn't see I wanted to, but it was great nonetheless. And I got to do a session in the Salt Lake temple which was a first for me! I loved it. It's so beautiful there, and there really is a sweet spirit to be felt.

I enjoyed looking in the Visitors' Center, Conference Center, and Tabernacle, looking at the flowers, and talking with the sisters there. I actually met a sister whose brother served in my mission. (They are from France so it was easy to figure out they were related). And the lady who gave me a tour of the Conference Center was so cute and sweet!

While it was cold out and there were snow flurries, it was still lovely day. I should have gone up early so I could have seen more stuff....just means I'll have to go again some day!

Here are some of the pictures from that day:

beautiful Salt Lake Temple

I LOVE FLOWERS and these were all so beautiful! One of my favorite things about temple grounds is that they are always well maintained and the flowers are lovely!!

In ones of the Visitors' Centers there is a section on the humanitarian services and programs of the church. Some of the programs include providing clean water, vision care, neonatal resuscitation training, and wheelchair mobility--services provided to less fortunate countries. I would love to be a part of that work, and hope to be able to serve a humanitarian mission some day!

Also, I just love these quotes that were posted, and these concepts are what really make me excited to be going into social work!

So often people just need guidance and a push in the right direction. As people are empowered and gain more confidence, knowledge, and resources they will be able to better help themselves and find greater happiness in life!

As we serve we grow and gain a greater love for those around us! And to top it off, we can be the answer to someone's prayer! That's why we must always search for ways to serve and help other people, even in small ways! We are here to help one another and make a difference!

Christus statue

Conference Center

Assembly Hall

There's still so much more I want to see at Temple Square, so I'll have to plan that for my next trip! It's a beautiful place! :)

Weddings and Receptions=Reunions!

While I was in Utah I got to go to my friend Heidi's second reception which meant seeing more wonderful people I hadn't seen in a while!!! I got to see a few more of the sisters I served with, as well as two of the senior couples (Alders and Woodheads) and the Childs, our VC director and his wife. It was wonderful!!! I love them all so much. Living out in GA I never get to go to any of the mission related festivities, so this was one of the reasons I was so eager to go to UT!

Here are some pics of that night:

some of us sisters with the Alders, Childs, and Woodheads!

John, Kristin, and Kim

All of us with the newlyweds! :)

Sister Wardell... now Pande! We were roommates for a few transfers, love her!

Love Mandi Rogers! Such a patient and loving companion!

I was also able to go to the sealing (wedding) of Katie Hamblin, another sister I served with. It was beautiful! However, getting there was a challenge.

It was the morning after my car was towed.... and I was running late and waiting to get a ride to go pick up my car. Thank goodness one of my old companions and great friend, Amy Flood, came to the rescue and took me to get Maisie. Well, when we got to the towing place the sign said: open M-F 8-5pm.!!! It was Saturday!!! and they had my Car!!!!!! Needless to say I was freaking out!!!! b/c it was already close to or after 11am, I was in Provo, and needed to get to Draper by the 12pm wedding!!!! (technically I was supposed to be there at 11:30). And then I thought that my poor car was locked up for the whole weekend. I was almost in tears and about ready to scream!! I looked in the window but it was tinted and I couldn't see at all. Then I was kind of yelling, probably saying something rude, and knocked on the door... the next thing I knew a man opened it up! Whew!! what a relief. He was on the phone so hopefully didn't hear me complaining and griping about them being closed and also the fact that they towed me!!!

Well, I tried to give him the whole run down as to why my car was in the parking spot, why we hadn't been able to put my name on the list etc... but he didn't care, I still had to pay! boo. I was really annoyed with myself for letting all of this happen and having to pay a lot of money (money that I didn't have to spend!) in order to get my car back. But, what was done was done. It is what it is. And so I was on my way, racing to get to the temple in time!!! Thank goodness for my GPS (who has since been named Sallie, thanks to my aunt Karen).

I was having such a bad morning but knew that I needed to get out of that bad mood before going to the temple. Well, of course once I got there I felt at peace, and I was so happy to be there and not miss the sealing. It was BEAUTIFUL! and it really helped me think about the eternal nature of our lives, the whole purpose of being here, and the blessings that come from the gospel and temple. How grateful I am for this knowledge!

Katie and Weston :)

And, for the fact that these two young, beautiful people were not only being married for this life, but they were being SEALED for time and ALL ETERNITY! Not to end at death, but to continue forever into the eternities! That is what makes it so worth it! That's what makes a temple marriage different. THAT is what we should have as our ultimate goal.

Why would we want anything short of an ETERNAL marriage and family? And it is all made possible through the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ and the restoration of His gospel. In addition to personal salvation, eternal life with our family is the greatest gift Heavenly Father has in store for us! These should be our greatest aspirations!

Afterwards, waiting outside of the temple I was able to visit with more old mission friends! It was great :)

Sis Troxel and me

with VC sisters

with her real sisters.. I love this one!

That night I rode with Amy to the reception... it was packed!! Lots of people and good desserts. It was nice to see more mission people that I haven't seen in a while. Sisters, elders, and senior couples etc...

cute cake

with Amy and her beautiful new haircut!

Jon and Mindy

the Ellsworths

Jenny Paulson, always so beautiful!

Jessica Curtis, she cracks me up!

love them!

Audrey and Gustavo

lovely ladies!

This trip reminded me over and over again of the blessing it was to serve a mission. Not only did I grow spiritually and work with and teach amazing people in the DC area, I got to meet and make some of the greatest girlfriends I will ever have!! And that truly is a huge blessing!! I love you sisters!!

BYU Women's Conference

While I was in Provo I got the chance to walk around the BYU campus and go to the BYU Women's Conference. The campus there is really beautiful, and I loved the conference!!

The conference was two days long and had an opening and closing session each day and then three classes in between. There were so many good classes to choose from, and I was blessed enough to make it in to each one I wanted to go to! Especially one where they kept saying it was full, but I was determined to make it in that room so I stayed even after they said no more people could go in. Then people in line started walking away....sure enough the lady at the door said there were three more seats so I got to go in!!! And to top it off I was on the front row!!

That was such a tender mercy because the speakers were wonderful. The class was about miracles in our lives/tender mercies. The first lady shared the story of how her husband was badly hurt in a boating accident. The doctors said he probably wouldn't live... she told about his recovery and all of the little miracles that happened along the way. He did survive and it's twenty years later. He does have a limp and his speech is somewhat impaired, but his mind and ability to think and function is completely fine. He was there that day and got up to express his gratitude and share his testimony. It was wonderful!! of course we were all in tears! The Spirit was strong ! The other sister shared stories from her family and how 3 of her 5 children have special needs. Her story was also inspiring.

The conference was a great spiritual boost and I got to hear so many wonderful things I needed at that moment. The other classes I attended were on the topics of: dealing with feeling of inadequacy, not letting the digital dominate our lives, making your life happen instead of waiting around for it, overcoming criticism, and making changes/stepping out of one's comfort zone. They were all so good!

The general sessions were about choosing this day to serve the Lord, serving others, humanitarian and welfare programs of the church, etc... It was all so wonderful. The General Relief Society Presidency spoke as well as Elder Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife. I almost didn't go to the conference, but I'm sooo glad I did!

RS general presidency

YW general presidency & Elder and Sister Oaks

One of Audrey's old roommates, Jenna, went to it as well, so I was able to spend time with her and her mom/friends. We went out to dinner and then to the concert that was part of the conference. I got to hear Hillary Weeks and Alex Boye (listened to some of their music as a missionary), and we even got to meet her afterwards. It was a great time!

Alex Boye

all of us with Hillary Weeks. She was so sweet and kind to take pics and sign autographs!

I have more pics of the conference and concert, but it takes a while to upload on here...

Another neat thing is that I ran into one of my aunt's old roommates during the conference. I wish I had taken a picture! It's such a small world!