Saying good-bye to Minnesota

I had the blessing of going home to visit friends and family in Minnesota before I leave.  Thank you for all of your support and encouragement!

Had lunch with mom, Kim, Diane, Chris, Stacey, and myself at Pablo's (best salsa in Shakopee, Minnesota)...forgot to get a picture though.  But thank you ladies for coming and for those that tried to come!

I wanted to see all my friends and family there, but one of my biggest enjoyments of going to Minnesota was playing with my niece Kelsey!  She's going to be almost 3 when I come back....so much changes in that time of 16 months to 34 months!

 

Saying good-bye is hard.  But I know the time is going to fly by and I'll be home before I know it!  This is me, Tyler, Kelsey, and Brenda (before the tears came).  :)

Missionary Advice

This is a post I found in another missionary blog and I love this advice....some of it extends beyond missionary work!  Do you have advice for future missionaries?  Comment below.

From the blog of Sister Emily Silva (click on title to go to her blog)

How to be a Happy Missionary

• Get in the habit of exercising regularly before you leave
• Start your mission journal a couple of weeks before you leave the MTC
• Bring an extra pair of glasses (if you wear glasses)
• "practice" recipes before you get here- once you've left the MTC...you're on your own and grilled cheese starts to get old
• Memorize D&C 4
• Homesickness means you are fortunate enough to have a fantastic family. Be grateful- not mournful.
• If you play piano, memorize as many hymns as possible to play at a moment's notice. They WILL hunt you down.
• Remember, the Lord blesses the families of missionaries.
• Get to church early-get to everything early.
• know how to budget and don't go out to eat a lot- these are sacred funds ($1 menus work occasionally:)
• Eat a good breakfast every morning...sometimes you don't get a good lunch
• leggings under skirts if you're biking and watch your miles carefully if you're blessed to have a car.
• learn what annoys your companion...and do it on occasion:)
• keep a copy of an already prepared talk for when the Bishop or Branch Pres. calls you to speak randomly.
• Bring Sticky notes...they will be used.
• Laugh.
• Cry.
• Pray...a lot. He understands.
• I have a testimony of going to bed on time at 10:30 and getting up at 6:30. Somehow your body will have just enough energy to last the day.
• 50 push-ups in the mornings feels good. Don't just do sit-ups in bed!
• Eventually you'll get good at eating all the food on your plate.
• For at least one day each week, completely refrain from thinking about home.
• Write your family weekly...not weakly.
• fasting should prayerfully be considered between you and your companion and for a special reason
• Help with the dishes at dinner appointments
• You'll have bad days. Keep ice cream in the freezer for this purpose.
• Buy fruit!
• Don't "coo" at any dogs before you walk inside...they probably won't like you.
• Microwave popcorn saves lives.
• If you don't approach a stranger, the answer is already "no".
• Names not numbers.
• Remember your feelings when you first opened your call for when times get tough.
• Let yourself stretch, that's what a mission does to you.
• Smile...it's the only curve that sets everything straight.

So much to do....so little time

Tomorrow marks my two week mark before entering the Provo MTC!  I'm so excited to serve the Lord and get to know the people of the Fort Collins Colorado mission area, but there's a lot of last minute things to wrap up before I leave too.

I wanted to thank those that were able to make it to lunch at Pablo's in Minnesota....it was great to catch up before I leave for 18 months.

Blogging is a new thing for me, but felt like it was the best way for friends and family (and future missionaries) to keep in touch.  If you are ever bored, feel free to send me an old fashioned letter in the mail.  :)  Well time to get this whole blog thing figured out and keep going on my to do list.

Stay strong!
Sister Karisa Nielsen