Lauren's Happenings

Today was kind of my typical Monday: Meeting at 7:30, Miles at 12:30, homework in between, dinner, etc. I'm going to leave all that out and just get to the good part. Plus it is 11:41 and a shower is still in need. So anyway, tonight was FHE and we decided to combine with everyone. We did a scavenger hunt at the mall. It was a little different though. To make it easier on ourselves, we did an alphabet edition. You start with A, and you have to take a picture with something that starts with that letter. You have to go in order til you get to Z. We gave everyone 30 minutes and then they had to be back. 

These are some pictures from my group. 

We got the whole alphabet, but I will save you from looking at a million pictures and only post a few. 

F-Food court

G-Garbage 

J-Jamba Juice. 

K-Kay Jewelers 

M-Mannequin

P-Playstation

Q-Quarter

W-water fountain 

Y-Yogurt swirl 

Z-Zales

This isn't even everyone. Some left too early. It was a great turn out nonetheless. 

Well it is time I get ready for bed, I am exhausted and have a long week!! It is worth it though for the wonderful weekend that is approaching. 

Countdown til Utah...

Even though it was the 5th Sunday, we had fast sunday since it is conference next week. 

I always just love testimony meeting. I wish it could go all 3 hours.

Unfortunately, I did come to an end. 

I got to ditch Sunday School today, but it wasn't ditching because I was needed elsewhere. Stephanie's family was in-charge of break the fast, so we helped prepare everything during 2nd hour. 

There were lots of people helping out.

After we were all finished, we had to go to third hour to meet our home teachers, and visiting teaching partner. 

They gave a sweet lesson, and I can already tell they are going to be THE BEST home teachers ever. They have already made it clear, that they would do anything for us, and I believe them 100%. It is going to be a good year, knowing we have 2 brethren watching out for us! 

After 3rd hour, it was finally time to eat!

The food was divine of course. 

When everyone was finished eating, we had to clean everything up though. We got home at 530, which is super good! Especially for starting break the fast at 4. 

At 6 I had a meeting to plan the Halloween Dance/Carnival. If you live in Tucson and are between 18-30, you better be there! It was going to be the party of the year! 

Right when the meeting was over, the sister missionaries snatched me up for a lesson. It was wonderful of course!! 

Now I am home getting ready for my busiest week of the semester! Wish me luck! Feel free to bring me food. :) 

After practicum I had to meet with a group of girls to plan out our presentation. One of the girls had to unexpectedly go home for the weekend, thank goodness for Skype! 

Steph and Syd went to Chipotle, and had to wait 15 minutes for chicken and lettuce. Steph wrote an email of compliant and now recieved 4 free meals!! Now just burritos but a drink, guacamole, and chips! Looks like another roomie date is coming on! 

Later that night we went to a Relief Society activity that consisted of food, and tying blankets. We even took some fun pictures but those will be posted later. They were taken on the sister's camera! 

After the activity we watched "She's the Man", had an impromptu dance party, and played heads up!

Saturday

I have literally 12 huge assignments that are all due this Thursday, so I buckled down and did homework all day. Literally until 5. 

Thankfully, I got a break to watch the Relief Society Broadcast! Side note: It was amazing, I was definitely touched. All of my "conference questions" were answered! I recommend everyone watch it, even you fellas! 

After the broadcast, we decided to dress up and go out to eat! It was just what I needed: good company, junk food (pizookie), and fun! 

When we arrived home, Meagan, Alexis and Rachel were all there! They came down for a party, and asked if they could crash at my house! It was so fun to catch up with them until the party! 

When they left, I did a little more homework while watching "A Cinderella Story". 

Sunday. 

Annabeth just came into our room and said, "Lauren I love your friends" and then she showed me this. 

Oh sweet are they?? It was so fun for me to have them, they definitely didn't need to do anything. We will definitely enjoy all of it though! :) 

It is going to be a great day! 

(JaKelle :) ) 

Like oh my goodness. Just the beauty alone should make everyone want to get married here! Then you tie in the fact that you can be together forever! Holy cow! 

Love, Mrs Lauren ____________

Today was lovely. 

1. In institute, we had a great lesson. There was a quote from President Hinckley, and now I want to read every talk he has ever given. I forgot how much I love that sweet man! But seriously, I'm excited to study some of his words. :)

2. I didn't have one of my classes today, and the other got out early. score!! Before my last class of the day, we had an intense cramming for our test! It was fun though! Anything done with friends is enjoyable! :) Plus I think I did well on my test!

3. It was customer appreciation day, so Jimmy Johns had $1 subs! Of course I had to take advantage of it!! I went after my second class, and it actually wasn't too packed. The guy wrote down my order, and then when it was almost my time to pay, I realized I forgot my wallet in my other bag! How embarrassing!! Who can't afford a sub for a dollar?? I walked out to my car, hoping I magically would have some cash stashed away! Luckily I had lots of change, so I walked back in and got my sub! My class didn't get out til 1:45, so by the time I was heading back home, it was 2:15. I was STARVING. I decided to take a pic of my sub for my blog... 

I'm a freak! 

This one is a little better?

4. After my last class, I went with my deaf mentor to a volleyball game! It was actually a lot of fun! My favorite was this little boys reaction. When he saw us signing, he said, "Do you know sign language??" I said, yes, (pointing to Reggie) he is deaf. Then the boy ran to tell his friends, so excited he saw a deaf person! That's how I felt when I was first learning ASL. Deaf people are just so famous! 

5. IT IS MY MOTHER'S BIRTHDAY!!!! I posted a picture, and it was blown up with comments all day. I loved it though. It just solidified how amazing my mother is. Even though it was her birthday, she did nothing for herself. She went to the temple to support a previous YW going through, helped with a lunch, and went to Taylor's choir concert. I'm 100% sure she wouldn't have wanted it any other way though. She is my idol. Love her!

When I was in elementary school, I think I had lice 2 times. It just kept getting passed throughout my school. We tried Mayo, the awful smelling lice shampoo and every possible solution we heard. We could not get rid of it, until we (Morgan and I) received a priesthood blessing. We have not had it since that blessing. 

When I saw the kids getting checked, I instantly could smell mayonnaise, and my head became very itchy. I had the nurse check me, and I WAS ALL CLEAR! Thank goodness!! 

(this was not posed) 

(Fake laughing) 

After all the pictures (I have at least 10 I didn't post), they gave us a sweet lesson. Next time they do it, I will try to record it! At one point though, Elder Dayley was trying to spell LDS, but accidentally spelt LSD. In his defense, he was spelling everything upside down. Oh and before the lesson Sister Hendricks said another prayer but she said Anna bell instead of Annabeth. Between they prayer and misspelling LDS, we were laughing like little school girls! 

When the missionaries were leaving, there were more cute candid moments. 

Syd and Sister Eyre 

I made steph take pictures of my outfit/me so I could blog and remember my first big girl lesson. 

Later than night I was invited to a dinner! 

It consisted of... 

1. A game I have never played and I got super lucky and won!!

2. Meeting my second cousin/Ren's husband

3. Really yummy food. 

4. Laughter. 

It was a grand Sunday indeed. 

My day started very early. I left my house at 6:30 to drive to Sierra Vista. It is so far south, that when you are driving back to Tucson, you have to go through border patrol. Why did I leave so early and drive to Mexico (not literally)? For school of course. I shadow a mentor that teaches all the way out there. To be honest, I had NO DESIRE, to drive 1 and half hours to sit in a classroom all day. I ended up loving it though. My mentor is the best!! She was so friendly and made it fun for me! 

My site I was assigned is a high school. It was an unfriendly welcome back and made me grateful I went to MHS! The football players were jerks, everyone running into you, they actually had lockers, couples making out in every corner, and kids swearing left and right. I did not like the environment, but observing the classroom was still wonderful. 

So since my junior year of high school, I have had a desire to go to general conference. With school, I just never thought it could work out, so I never brought it up to my parents. Well last October and April, I finally said something! My family had no luck getting tickets though. We tried again for this year, but still no luck. Last night, I had the feeling I should just ask on facebook if anyone had any! 

My prayers were answered. A girl in my ward happened to have 8 tickets she no longer wanted. I texted my mom, hoping I could at least go, even if they couldn't.

During my lunch break I received this email...

GUESS IM FLYING TO UTAH!!! Come to find out, my family decided we wouldn't ever get tickets all together ever again, so we are taking a family trip! I'm so excited!!!! The thought of going kept me up all night and has been on my mind all day! 

After I came home and got to breathe for a bit, we went to the YSA/ 5th ward activity. I wasn't in a very social mood (that happens when I'm stressed), so I pretty much just stuck with my roommates/missionaries. It was still fun though "hanging out"!

Annabeth started it!!

Then the girls. 

Then the missionaries had to get in on the fun!