Joanna

New Blog

2010-07-15T22:30:00.001-05:00

Blog Readers:

Ben and I have joined our blogging efforts and have created our own blogfor our new family!!

You can now find us at:

jbjoslin.blogspot.com

Happy reading!!!

Wedding photos

2010-07-12T17:33:00.003-05:00

All the wedding photos are up on facebook. We might put some up here when I feel like it :) Sorry to those of you who don't have facebook. Go find your child and look over their shoulder.

In other news, my horoscope that gets delivered to my phone everyday said I should write a poem for the one I love. Here goes:

My hubby Ben is really hot.
He really cares for me a lot.
Though he teases me so,
His love he does show.
I'm so happy we tied the knot!

I love you Ben!

And, the customer I just helped in the drive-thru couldn't get her car to start. It ended up she had turned it off while it was still in drive!

2010-07-01T11:27:00.002-05:00

48 hours from now, Ben and I will be married people, and my single life will come to an end. It's about stinkin' time!

Here are things I'm happy to be leaving behind:

Singles Wards. We can all admit it isn't where we want to hang out forever. After being in family wards/branches on my mission I remembered how much better family wards are. And, while I had a good time in my ward, it just wasn't as exciting as I hoped it would be.
Not having someone to do everything with. I'll have a partner for everything! Since Ben likes to spend so much time with me, I'm sure I can convince him to come with me when I have errands to run, we can go running together, we'll be able to go to church together.
Having to say goodbye every single night (we got tired of it about 6 months ago!). Ben knows this is my least favorite time of the day. He has started telling me I can't pout when we say goodbye. I've never been a fan of goodbyes anyway, so when we can finally say goodnight and turn of the lights, it will be one happy day!
Lonely nights because Ben is studying or doing assignments. Since Ben has a futon, it is our guest bed in Ben's study room. I can go in there and read while he is slaving away at reading and papers. If I get bored and want to do something else, he'll still be in the same apartment as me!
Being the only one in the house getting ready in the morning. I made Ben promise he would get up with me in the morning. I like the quietness of early mornings, but it has been really hard to get up and be excited to go to work when my cousins are all still sleeping and will sleep until I've been at work for an hour or so.
Driving 30 minutes to see each other and then another 30 to go home. It's been quite costly on the old wallet and is a big factor in when we can get together and how much time we can spend together. If Ben comes over he loses an hour of studying time. If I go to Ben's, I lose sleep. So we'll be getting an hour of our day back!

All in all, yay to us getting married. We'll have pictures up as soon as we get settled back after all our fun travels.

PS-Not that this has anything to do with this post, but do you recognize what color that is? I'm pretty sure it is puce, and I was excited when they had it as an option.

Book Review: Mansfield Park

2010-06-28T17:02:00.003-05:00

With my extra time in the drive thru, I've started bringing a book to work to read. The first book I decided on was Mansfield Park. I love Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice and was excited to read antoher one of her books. Sadly, though, I noticed a theme developing that I could have predicted.

Mansfield Park was very similar to Pride and Prejudice. I've seen Sense and Sensibility and Emma, and it seems like Austen was very much stuck on the idea of the heroine loving someone, but is saved from a despicable relationship to later fall in love with Mr. Perfect.

If you like this type of book, you'll like Mansfield Park.

Next up on the reading list is Tuesdays with Morrie.

Happy Summer!

2010-06-22T11:36:00.002-05:00

Since it is officially summer, here is a list of things I'd like to do before it starts snowing again.

1. Go swimming. I haven't even touched the Clark's pool yet!
2. Eat at least one meal a week that has been cooked on the grill (and not just hamburgers!)
3. Have a good bonfire to roast marshmallows on.
4. Road trip, but I don't know where we'll go. We don't have time or money.
5. Go to a Twins game.
6. Clean my car inside and out.

I know it's not long, but I don't have tons of time to get this all in since I will be:

1. Working during the prime hours for some of the above (like swimming).
2. Getting married.
3. Flying to two more weddings. If only time wasn't an issue we probably would have road-tripped to Sarah and Brian's wedding.
4. Encouraging Ben to study and get his work done. Someone has to do it ;)

Just an update if you were wondering, it is now officially 10 days, 23 hours, and 6 minutes until we get married. And, if you weren't wondering, too bad!

20,131

2010-06-19T11:26:00.001-05:00

That is precisely how many more minutes until Ben and I are married.

Yes, I just figured it out:)

2010-06-03T15:42:00.002-05:00

My apologies to anyone who has visited the blog lately. Since we finalized our July 3rd wedding day, we've been extra busy trying to put invitations together and finish up last minute details. And, things are only going to get busier. Ben's aunts are visiting next week, Ben starts his first in-class summer school class the following week, I get to cover for several people at work who are taking vacations, and the Ben has one more week long class right before the wedding. Even though we've been busy and will be busy, we had time to attend Studio's graduation, celebrate Ben's birthday and make a trip to Wausau for Memorial Day weekend. Hopefully, when things settle down at the end of July we'll have fun things to put on the blog, and until then...don't be sad there's nothing to read here.

Last Weekend

2010-05-21T14:04:00.003-05:00

Ben and I enjoyed being able to actually spend time together last weekend. We went to Ethan and Jessica's wedding and visited with the Allred aunts, uncles, and cousins.

This is about when Emily said, "Would you two stop being so mushy?"

And stopped by Hamline to give Mom and Dad a tour of where Ben spends most of his time.

This upcoming (as in tomorrow!) weekend is the big weekend! Ben's birthday is on Sunday, and he is really excited for it! He enjoyed an early birthday present from Mom and Dad (come visit to see it) and has a pretty cool one waiting for him on Sunday.

Finally!

2010-05-10T19:01:00.003-05:00

Today I finally saw a Minneapolis landmark that I have been searching for the entire time I've lived here: the famous Spoonbridge and Cherry. I got really excited when I saw it outside of my car window as I was driving to work. Now, I'll just have to actually see it not from the road and not through the trees.

Other than that excitement, things are pretty low key these days. Ben studies and takes finals, and I go to work. However, there are some exciting things coming up later this month. I'll make sure to share the fun.

Horoscopes

2010-04-26T23:07:00.003-05:00

This is my horoscope for tomorrow:

Just how long has it been since you indulged in a big helping of your favorite guilty pleasure, Aquarius? It's time to let the youngster in you come out and play today. Eat that chocolate, read those mindless magazines or skip down the sidewalk. You've been taking life much too seriously lately. Even grownups are entitled to indulge in the pleasures of youth from time to time.

Uh-oh. I guess that means Ben might have to watch some JAG with me....

I don't go by these horoscopes. I read the Star Trib's horoscopes by Holiday Mathis, and boy does she ever know how to read the stars.

And, I don't take them seriously, people. It's just something we can have a good laught at for five minutes at work everyday.

Capisci

2010-04-18T21:55:00.003-05:00

We can all thank Uncle Jesse for teaching us all the word 'capisci', but does anyone really know what it means? Ben enlightened me Saturday while we were having a one-sided conversation in Italian. All I can say is that now I understand.

the sofas

2010-04-17T15:55:00.004-05:00

This is just the loveseat, but the couch is just as great (and the only difference is it's longer)! And, the pillows came free with it, however, I might be tempted to recover them in the future.

Which one would you hang on your fridge?

2010-04-12T21:51:00.003-05:00

Crazy Drivers

2010-04-11T23:07:00.002-05:00

Growing up Mom always cautioned us about several things when we left to go somewhere. Things like "watch out for deer," "be safe," and "look out for crazy drivers" were among the most popular. It was her motherly instinct to warn us that we shouldn't ride with people from California because they are notorious for being bad drivers. So, once I left Provo and wasn't around California drivers I thought I was free from crazy drivers.

NOT TRUE!

Friday night, Ben and I were rear ended by a 'crazy driver'. That same night Ben and Shannon encountered a high speed chase as they were coming to our apartment. Saturday night I was almost ran out of my lane by a van who was trying to pass another car.

I guess crazy drivers aren't only from California.

PS. Ben and I are fine. The Friday night accident just gave us one of those awesome life experiences to go through together in preparation for all the others we're going to have.

Can you pass the Super Quiz?

2010-04-08T19:52:00.003-05:00

Subject: BODY PARTS: THREE LETTERS

The first letter is given. Name the three-letter body part. (e.g., R. Answer: Rib.)

FRESHMAN LEVEL

1. E

2. E

3. A

GRADUATE LEVEL

4. L

5. L

6. T

PH.D. LEVEL

7. H

8. J

9. G

Yes. This is what I do at work.

Spring Break!

2010-03-29T19:10:00.003-05:00

Thanks to Ben's Spring Break being this week, we jumped on the opportunity to go to Mom and Dad's for the weekend. But, before we could leave the cities Friday night, we (meaning I because I'm the one with the job and steady income) filled out an application for our own apartment! We really like the future home and there will be plenty of room for visitors.

While at home we had Leesa take engagement pictures and she did a great job! Her blog has a sneak peek of the outcome.

We also colored Easter eggs! Ben is a lot more crafty than anyone would ever think-he even specially brought out a hairdryer to finish up the details on a couple eggs.

Ben enjoyed some church ball with Ben which gave me the perfect time to try on my dress. Macey really liked playing dress-up and had lots of fun looking at all the fabric and beads.

We also had fun with Miss Macey. Macey and Ben are obviously going to be great friends. Not only did she ride on his shoulders, but he also helped her learn how to play with the blocks she got for her birthday.

We enjoyed our little weekend getaway. It's nice to have somewhere we can go and put everything else on hold for a little while.

ugh

2010-03-24T19:47:00.002-05:00

This morning I took a survey. At the end it asked those general questions about gender, race, age. I didn't realize it, but I'm in a new age bracket. How can that be?

While that was disappointing, because of my survey I stopped to take advantage of this deal on my way to work and got the exact same survey! Now, I can ease my sorrows over my age with another awesome deal!

Speaking of awesome deals...

the Girl Scouts stopped by the other day and Ben bought some cookies. They were delivered to the Clark's so I got to sneak a taste of them before I give them to Ben. Hopefully, there will be some left...

boring

2010-03-18T19:37:00.002-05:00

I still have 23 minutes left of work and no one has updated their blogs. What am I supposed to do, people?

I can't really complain. I haven't been to up on the blogging. Ben has even blogged more than I have this month! If you want to know what's been going on with me read his blog or Mom's blog. Other than that, I just work.

So not only am I bored at work, I am just boring these days!

27 Dresses

2010-03-08T17:27:00.002-06:00

No, I've never seen the movie (it came out while I was on my mission and I haven't gotten round to seeing it yet), but this weekend I think I tried on 27 dresses.

Gayle at Fantasy Bridal put me in about 10. I liked some of them alright.

I tried 3 on at Bridal Expressions. I really liked one of them.

Sweetheart Bridal had, oh 7, that were worthy of trying on. I really really liked one.

Walker's Bridal had 0.

Allyse's Bridal had a consultant who kept pulling dresses and I didn't want to try them on. I didn't like any of the 7 or so she pulled.

The Sister Missionary Mall had 2 dresses I really liked, too, and had an awesome sale too!

So, after trying on almost 30 dresses this weekend, I came back to Minnesota with three more to add to my collection. I'd say it was a successful weekend!

Here's the story y'all have been waiting for.

2010-02-20T11:57:00.003-06:00

Let me just preface this by a few things:

1. Ben cannot hide things from me. He may not give me the entire truth all the time, but he can't keep everything a secret. I knew he had the ring, and I knew he had talked to my dad.
2. Lot's of things happened so this could all happen the way it did: the Clark's were out of town for the weekend, Emily and Preston had asked me to babysit weeks earlier, and Dad can keep a secret pretty well.
3. Ben and I never get to spend time together thanks to work and school, so I never turn down an opportunity to be with him.

So, here's the rest of the story.

The week of February 7th, was a fairly busy week for both Ben and I. Ben had meetings on top of classes and getting the first draft of his appellate brief ready to be turned in and I had work, helping out the missionaries, and the usual day to day things. I worked Saturday morning, and was looking forward to a somewhat quiet and long weekend where I could get some things done that I had been putting off for a few weeks. After work, I was "running errands" when Ben texted me asking if I wanted to hang out with him after babysitting or if he could come over then. Of course, I said yes.

When Ben arrived he banished me from my room and and immediate vicinity of my room while he decorated it special for Valentine's Day. I knew, at that very moment, that Ben was going to propose that day. So, I happily let him decorate my room. When he finished, I had to hurry up and leave to make it to Emily and Preston's on time to babysit. Ben said he needed to run by his place to get some books to study, so we took seperate cars.

Babysitting Lauren was a joy.

After Emily and Preston got home and as Ben and I were leaving, he told me to call or text him when I got home. We both left and both headed back to the Clark's. I had forgotten that I knew Ben was going to propose, so I started taking my time driving home. While I was at the gas station I remembered there was a surprise for me waiting at home and that Ben was most likely on his way over, so I booked it the rest of the way home. Luckily, my driving skills surpassed Ben's that night, and I beat him back home.

Once I was home, I went down to my room to find it decorated very Valentine's-y. There on my bed was a little box. In my mind, I thought, Ben better be showing up any minute now. As I opened the box, I found it was empty, so I read the letter that accompanied all the decorations. I called Ben (like the letter said and as he requested before we parted), and HE DIDN'T ANSWER HIS PHONE!!!!! So, I ran upstairs because I knew he had to be outside waiting. When I opened the front door, Ben was down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I told him of course, I'd marry him.

So, that's the story. Yes, we are still trying to figure out WHEN we can finally get married, so we'll keep y'all informed about it.

Work, work, work

2010-02-17T16:32:00.005-06:00

The best thing about work is that when you are in the drive through you can surf the net. So, after checking my email, facebook, and fellow blog sites, I have been looking at these:

And also these:

Isn't great that I get paid to do this?

My Valentine

2010-02-14T07:17:00.003-06:00

I love Ben muchos!

Last night he asked me to marry him, and now everyone will know how much Ben loves me after seeing this.

Arizona (like I promised)

2010-02-09T21:38:00.002-06:00

One month ago today, Ben and I flew to Arizona to spend a little time with his family. Ben's parents picked us up from the airport. Since it was 70 degrees and sunny, Ben and I took the opportunity to enjoy the nice weather since it was -14 degrees when we left. We took his nephew, Asher, to the park twice. Sunday, after church, we had a family dinner with everyone who lived in Phoenix. It was similar to family get togethers with my family: good food, lots of people, funny stories from the past. Monday, Ben and I took off for Tucson to meet his family there. We had fun with his 88 year old neighbor who took us and his brother's family to dinner, went to the Sonoran Desert Museum with his sister's family (it was cool. I liked the hummingbirds the best), and stopped by the University of Arizona. We headed back to Ben's parents' Tuesday afternoon and spent the rest of the time chilling (which was really nice and I'm ready to do it again), playing Heroscape (something I'm going to have to get used to playing at least once in a while), going to the Mesa Temple with his parents and brother and sister-in-law (which is a gorgeous temple and a lot bigger than the St. Paul Temple), and meeting up with my last companion (we took Sister Hartman out for ice cream since it was her birthday). Thursday, Ben and I came back to the frozen tundra land. Neither of us were too excited about that since it also meant a return to work and school and not spending lots of time together, but we were glad that we could go to Arizona. We'll have to do it again soon...

What's in a name?

2010-02-07T22:24:00.005-06:00

Names are important. Names are even more important when given to inanimate objects that you spend lots of time with (like Roger). On our first date, I informed Ben of my relationship with Jimmy, my car. Ben was completely impressed with the fact that I love my car so much and had given him an actual name and used it that he practically pleaded with me to name his car for him. I told him it would be hard, since I didn't really have much of a connection with his car, but I would try my best. Over the past couple of months, Ben kept asking me over and over if I had discovered the perfect name for his car, and sadly, the results were not good. Little did Ben understand that the process of naming such an important part of your life was such a tedious process.

Yesterday it happened. Ben's car finally received her proper name of Silvia Diamante. We both agree that it is the perfect name for his car. Now if only he'll let me name his computer......

The Traffic Report

2010-02-04T22:37:00.002-06:00

Now that I actually have to drive more than 10 minutes on actual highways, I have taken to following the traffic report. In the morning, I check out the traffic on the mndot.gov website and at night I listen intently for Moon and Stacey (the radio djs) to let me know that my highway is moving along fine and dandy.

I never thought I'd be a commuter.

Happy Birthday week to me!!!

2010-01-25T22:05:00.003-06:00

In case you didn't know or forgot, this is my birthday week.

It's an important birthday, too, because I am going to be 25. That's 1/4 of a century.

Legally, I can rent a car.

And, that's about all the exciting-ness of turning 25. I get to work from 7:30-4 and Ben has a meeting at from 6:30-8, so I feel my actual birth day will be quiet.

Related to birthdays...

Dad's birthday is tomorrow. I learned a very important thing from Michael Scott while picking a birthday card for him. You should wish people a birthWHOLEday to not forget the night time and the pre-dawn hours of their special day. Thank you Michael. And happy birthWHOLEday, Dad!

Wanted: 1 Good Husband

2010-01-18T20:18:00.005-06:00

Looking through an old journal of mine while I was at home this weekend, I found one of those mandatory lists all teenage girls make about their future husband. I'd have to say that since I made this list most of the things on it are still important to me, but I had a good laugh about some of them. Here is a sampling of what my husband will be like (in no particular order and according to my teenage self):
-Is a member of The Church and will honor the priesthood.
-Makes me laugh.
-Lets me have a kitty.
-Isn't way in debt.
-Taller than me.
-From the eastern United States.
-Buys me all 10 seasons of JAG on DVD.
Obviously I have my priorities in line. Anyone who fits the above description may apply for the position listed, and I am willing to make exceptions.

Snowbirds

2010-01-15T19:29:00.002-06:00

The last week was great! Pictures will be coming soon, I PROMISE!! I might become a snowbird.

2010-01-08T07:54:00.003-06:00

This morning I woke up to this:

Tomorrow I will go to sleep to this:

Happy New Year!

2010-01-02T10:53:00.009-06:00

To start off 2010, Ben and I visited the Como Zoo and Conservatory. It was lots of fun! The conservatory houses lots of tropical plants even ones I frequently saw in Florida and Alabama. Being in the warm and humid greenhouses was nice, especially since it was so cold outside.

Eventually we ventured outside to get to the animal houses. We started off in the primate house and met this cute little guy. He came up to the window and wanted to be our friend.

The sea lions and seals put on a show for us while we were there.

Our outing was a fun little adventure for the afternoon. It was especially nice to have Ben back and to be able to spend time with him again.

Sincerest Regrets

2009-12-31T06:51:00.001-06:00

To my avid followers,

I express deep sorrow and regret at the fact that I haven't posted anything for half a month. Please excuse my delinquency. I shall do better in the upcoming year.

Joanna

Finally!!

2009-12-15T20:07:00.002-06:00

After months of job searching and applying, I was offered a job today by First National Bank of the Lakes in the Uptown area here in the cities! I will be their newest full-time teller starting December 28th. What a great Christmas present!

I don't know why it happened today of all days. For nine months I have been searching, applying, and interviewing for jobs with what appeared to be fruitless results. What I do know is this is an answer to prayers and happened when it was right.

With a new job, there are a few things I'm looking forward to:
1. A more consistent schedule without lots of variation in hours or days.
2. Benefits! I can finally go to the dentist after 2 and a half years. My teeth are excited!
3. I can wear my nice clothes, and I don't have to worry about them getting dirty.
4. I don't have to rush back here the day after Christmas to work. Yay for holidays!

When I was talking to Mr. Johnson, my new boss, I informed him I'd be gone for a week in January and he said that wasn't a problem. They understand that I have a life and have planned things so they are willing to work with me.

Yay!

Snow Day!!

2009-12-09T21:37:00.003-06:00

Thanks to the "blizzard" we got yesterday (and the fact that I didn't have to work and Ben is busy studying) it was like those wonderful days growing up when school would be cancelled and we would just hang around the house all day. In order to make the day somewhat productive, I did a few crafty things. Here are the results!

Christmas Traditions

2009-12-08T11:34:00.002-06:00

This year I am excited to be home for Christmas so that I can enjoy the traditions I've missed out on the past two years. This past Sunday Ben and I went to this:

Faces of the Nativity from Galen Erickson on Vimeo.

It was exciting to see all the different nativity sets and think of all the people around the world who share in the same tradition of celebrating the birth of our Savior. I can't wait to make this a tradition in the future. Ben and I also listened to the hand bell choir before watching the First Presidency Christmas Devotional later that night. It was great to spend the day with Ben especially at this time of the year, and I'm excited for all the other fun traditions to take part in over the next couple of weeks.

December 1

2009-12-01T23:50:00.002-06:00

Back in high school Cory Wilbur and Amy Ruffner always celebrated the first day of a new month because it meant a time for them to write a new month. I never got it. It was a new month and every 30 or so days it would happen again. Today at work, though, that excitement caught up with me.

It's hard to believe that it's December already! Where has the year gone? Last year, I was in warm sunny Destin thinking that a December with snow and cold weather would never come. And, here it is! Time sure has a way of passing by quickly and unnoticed.

I'm going to keep telling myself that all month because it looks like it is going to be a long and boring month with Ben having finals and then heading back to Arizona for a few weeks. I might be making more trips home than usual this month just to give me something to do.

You can expect that January 1, 2010 will be an exciting day. I can't wait!

Remember When....

2009-11-22T21:57:00.005-06:00

Remember when we were little and would have dinner together every night?
Remember when Mom or Dad would ask us what we did that day?
Remember when it was my turn to answer?

Well, for all those who miss (and don't miss) the daily log of all of my activities, here is a sample of life lately. I'll use Friday as an example.

7:40 AM: Wake up to alarm going off. Turn it off because the night before had been somewhat of a late night. Fall back asleep.

8:30 AM: Wake up to piano lessons. Still tired. Fall back asleep.

10:15ish AM: Get out of bed.

10:30 AM: Find some breakfast. Muffins. Read some comics and look at the daily newspaper including my horoscope. Clean up the breakfast mess from three shifts of breakfasts.

10:52 AM: Think about watching the last 10 minutes of Gilmore Girls but decide against it. Check my email, facebook, the blogs to see what happened in the 10 hours since I last checked them. Respond to anything that needs a response.

11:15 AM: Finally get ready for the day.

12:07 PM: Do some job stuff. Get really into it because I need something a little more permanent and steady. Talk to a lady and get an interview. Yay!!! While time passed really quickly, at least there was something beneficial from it!

3:12 PM: Get a text from Ben! It was nice to take a break from job stuff. Text a little about what we should do and decide to play some racquetball later.

3:57 PM: Hang out around the house. Graze on some food. Read about Oprah ending her show.

5:23 PM: Dust of the old racquetball racquet (okay, it is one of the Clark's, but it was a little dusty from sitting in their garage). Eat leftover's from dinner at Famous Dave's in the Mall of America with Ben the night before. I actually found Famous Dave's BBQ sauce in the fridge!

6:04 PM: Leave to meet Ben at his place.

6:16 PM: Realize I made a bad choice of ways to get to Ben's. Sit in traffic for a long time.

7:00 PM: Make it through the I-94 tunnel and decide to take some side streets the rest of the way to Ben's.

7:21 PM: Finally make it to Ben's, 21 minutes late! We head off to Hamline.

7:37 PM: Make it to the courts and start the warm up for what would be a great match of racquetball skills.

8:00 PM: Get kicked out of the rec center. Guess they close early on Friday nights. It's okay because someone was losing 9-2.

8:21 PM: Decide to try and see New Moon. Try and tell Ben it will be sold out, but he doesn't believe me that people would be that crazy for the movie.

8:50 PM: Find out New Moon is sold out until 11:30. Guess we'll have to see that one later :) Decide to do something else.

9:01 PM: Stop at Kohl's to see if they have a certain Christmas present. Get a massage from one of those nifty things you put on a desk chair. Look for black shoes size 13, but couldn't find any.

9:45 PM: Decide to watch Star Trek and head to Cub to get some food to eat during the movie.

10:23 PM: Start the movie. Try not to fall asleep during the movie. My eyes were only closed for a little bit and I heard every word they said.

12:59 AM: Walk out of Ben's apartment. Hear a train coming down the tracks so we go look at it. Head back to the car to find that my windows need scraped off. See a second train coming down the tracks that are closer and we go look at it.

1:10 AM: Head home to the Clark's. Also, realize that Jimmy is running on empty. Decide to see how far I can make it in order to find a cheaper gas station.

1:30 AM: Reach the Holiday gas station and fill up.

1:37 AM: Pull into the driveway.

1:40 AM: Get ready for bed.

Mix up those times and amounts of time I spend on each and you have what most of my days are like.

2012

2009-11-14T17:23:00.003-06:00

Last night Ben and I went out and saw the new movie, 2012. It was a fine movie if you like movies where the world is about to end, lots of things being destroyed, and John Cusack (which I kept thinking about his role in Serendipity the whole time and couldn't really take his character seriously). None of this was a major draw for me. In fact, I probably would have fallen asleep except my "pillow" had to get up and use the bathroom right as I was ready to close my eyes long enough to let sleep come.

However, during the entire movie I just kept feeling sorry for people who think that the world really is going to end like that. While the exact time and events are still unknown, I'm not too worried about it. It's called the "great and dreadful day"for a reason: great for some, dreadful for others.

Next time Ben and I hit the movie theater, I'll be ready for something a little less exciting and something a little more Joanna-esque. Like New Moon. Or Princess Diaries III (if it ever happens).

2009-11-11T21:22:00.005-06:00

Joanna's Christmas List

A better job :)
A plane ticket to Andalusia in late February or early March
A new winter coat
Boots
New clothes (especially jeans)
Printer cartridges
Stamp pad cleaner
Ice scraper/snow brush for Jimmy
Fleece headband for running in the cold weather
Enchanted
Anything else that might amuse me

I'm in love! I'm in love! And, I don't care who knows it!

2009-11-06T18:43:00.004-06:00

Yesterday I was invited to go to Rochester for the afternoon. I had a great time in Rochester, especially since I had my own personal tour guide! The afternoon and evening of fun included a stop at Greg's Meat Processing to check out the local grub, a walk along one of the many paths in Rochester at sunset, dinner at a great Indian restaurant, and a drive around Pill Hill, where all the rich doctor's from the Mayo Clinic live. I've always enjoyed taking little excursions like this, but this one was different.

This was different because I fell in love.

I fell in love with this....

While it might appear as a simple Jeep Grand Cherokee, I was smitten from the moment I saw it. A moonroof. Leather seats with seat warmers. Cargo room. Silver. Jeep. Grand Cherokee. I've always wanted one and it was heavenly to sit behind the steering wheel of this car.

I personally want to thank my tour guide who so patiently waited while I enjoyed the wonderfulness of a dream come true and then listened to me as I talked about how great it was. I found my one true love.

Shoes, Glorious Shoes

2009-11-03T21:42:00.002-06:00

Shoes really can change your life. Let me tell you about some shoes that have changed mine.

1. The cow shoes. I know you sisters and mom will remember these shoes. They were some of the first heels I owned. They were such a deal at Cato's and helped me see the light about how wonderful high heels are. Emily loving described these shoes as immoral (she'd been home from her mission for a week, I think) and 'the cow shoes'. That name stuck.

2. The moccasin slippers. I bought them during my junior year at BYU because I needed some slippers and didn't want the type without a back. I instantly fell in love and would always hate the time I'd have to go to class or work because I'd have to change into real shoes. Eventually, I decided I'd just wear them all the time. They were one of my two luxury items on my mission and are still holding strong. In fact, I am wearing them as I type this blog.

3. THE flip flops. Brown. Turquoise. Foam. Who wouldn't love them? Not Janet, because she had the exact same pair. Together we have loved these flip-flops. Occasionaly, we have gotten them confused. This summer we looked for replacements for the best flip flops ever, and sadly no flip flop will ever live up to the greatness of these flip flops. I can't wait for warmer weather to start wearing them again.

4. The gray and blue Adidas tennis shoes. I learned to love running in those shoes. They were so great I had them for four years. Eventually, they became my work shoes at veg prep, so everyday I could look forward to comfort of such a wonderful pair of shoes. Sadly, there came a day when I had to throw them and all the dried up food on the bottom of them away.

5. My brown Mudd missionary shoes. I wore them straight through in nine months, but my feet have never been happier. The scriptures mention feet in reference to declaring the 'good news' and these shoes were with me as I had some of the greatest experiences of my mission. While I loved them for being really cute, I will love them forever because of the miracles I saw while I had them.

Cinderella had it right.

The joys of running

2009-10-27T14:24:00.002-05:00

Usually running is a great thing. Like the Tater Trot, for example. While it wasn't my best race ever, it was good.

This morning's run was not good. I don't know what the problem is. My body seems to be telling me that it doesn't want me running. And, to make me stop my stomach decides it is time to throw up. Yes, it is really disgusting, but this now officially brings the total to three. Three times in the last six months that barfing has interrupted my running.

How am I supposed to do well in the Scoresby Scamper if I can't even make it a mile without barfing?

Co-Workers

2009-10-23T23:06:00.002-05:00

During one of my first days of work at Kirkland's, someone said, "Everyone here has their own personality." Boy is that true! Tonight I had an awesome (and by awesome I mean the I-seriously-cannot-believe-there is-anyone-so-immature-as-you awesome) experience working with my co-workers. One is for sure going to give me lots of practice in being more patient. But, I have been quite satisfied with my co-workers.

After having worked at BYU and then going straight on my mission I was used to being around people who, for the most part, shared similar beliefs, ideas, standards, etc. Not any more! While they might not be my ideal choice of people to spend 4-8 hours a day with, the majority of my co-workers are great! They have been patient as I continue to learn every single item of merchandise in the store, where it all goes, and what all the codes mean. They have been respectful of me not working on Sundays. They have let me work over 20 hours each week.

When I eventually leave Kirkland's I will miss those co-workers. But, until it happens, I guess I'll be trying really hard to NOT tell my co-worker to grow up and act her age.

Sisters

2009-10-18T22:59:00.002-05:00

I love my sisters (and the in-laws, too)!

I love them even more when they leave me special surprises and go through my stuff. You know what I am talking about...

Super Cute Sundriness

2009-10-16T13:02:00.003-05:00

Back when school was starting and everyone was beginning life in new wards, Super Cute Sunday became a major topic of discussion. You can read more here, here, and here. After all the stress of finding the most SCS appropriate outfit, I decided on this one.

No one at church commented on how cute I looked in this outfit. I didn't care. I knew I was looking cute.

So, why does this all matter now, seven and a half weeks later?

Yesterday, I went to the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra. I wore a similar outfit except I had on some khakis and brown shoes with brown accessories. This is the response I got: "Hi! You look super cute!"

Yes! Success!! Super Cute Sunday really does pay off!

Joanna's got talent

2009-10-13T09:34:00.002-05:00

There are lots of talent-based shows on TV these days. But, who needs a TV show to tell you what your talents are when you can go to church and have a lesson on talents? The Gospel Principles lesson was on Talents this week and part of the activity included making a list of our talents. Here is what I came up with:

1. Making food. Pretty much I could be The Next Food Network Star because of my awesomeness in cooking. Mom, Dad, and Janet can vouch for me since they ate my food every week this summer.

2. Listening and understanding others needs/feelings. I had lots of practice with this one on my mission. People still turn to me to when they need to talk and someone to listen.

3. Doing things with my hands. Whether it is crafting or hair cutting or anything in between, my hands are a very useful tool.

4. I can teach. I guess that is why people think I should be a history teacher.

5. I can jump over couches and slide across floors. My roommates informed this was a talent my sophomore year.

6. I can whistle. After my freshman year, Mom said that she missed my whistling. I guess Sas and Jan just weren't good enough.

This, of course, is just the beginning of all the wonderful talents I possess. We also had to make a list of talents we wanted to develop. Here is a brief list of those:

1. Learn to really play the piano.

2. Learn to sing alto. This one could be difficult because my voice just doesn't reach the lowest notes.

3. Improve my running. I want to be where I was before my mission.

4. Be the First Lady or the next Martha Stewart. This might be more of a goal than a talent, but talent is definitely necessary for both.

So, that's what you'll find me working on. One day I might just develop these talents.

The Weather Report for October 12, 2009

2009-10-11T22:00:00.004-05:00

I don't know what I was thinking when I made the decision to come to Minneapolis. It's only the middle of October!!

Sunday's Editorial Cartoon

2009-10-05T22:48:00.002-05:00

Good laughs were had by all on the reading of this cartoon.

My Best Friend's Birthday

2009-10-03T09:51:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday, Nikki!

You are such a great friend!
I'd shrivel up and die without your sparkling personality around :)

Dream Big

2009-10-02T11:19:00.002-05:00

For some reason, my dreams lately have been quite wild and ridiculous. I don't know whether it is because I have been going to bed later than usual or eating late at night, but it has been really fun waking up in the morning thinking, "Did I seriously just dream that?"

Here are a few of my favorites.

Everyone in the family was going on a trip to see Joseph get some sort of award. We stopped for a break at a church building and it just so happened that it was Zone Conference day for a zone in my mission. I was taken into the room and everyone there fawned over me. President Summerhays said I was the best missionary ever and one of his favorites. We never made it to Joseph's thing. This one wasn't that far-fetched since most of it was pretty much true.

This one is 100 times crazier.

I was walking along a dirt road with someone (not sure who) thinking "This journey is going to take forever if I'm supposed to make it home. How in the world did Odysseus ever complete his Odyssey?" As I was wondering that, we came to a field that had cows in it and had to get them to a different field surrounded by a fence. Using all of my muscles, I started throwing the cows over the fence. Then we continued on our merry way. I don't know if I ever made it "home", but I really had become the female version of Homer's hero. Now I just have to figure out whether the cows represented the sirens or cyclops.

Sold!

2009-09-29T14:15:00.002-05:00

Those candle holders are sold to the lady who didn't want any candles to go with them and didn't want to get emails with coupons in them. I sold them to her.

Yesterday was my first day of work at Kirkland's. It seems to be a pretty good job. I only really did hiring stuff and will be doing it again tonight, but I like my coworkers and the store is a pretty cool store.

So, my life of ease has come to an end.

And, for those who are wondering. You don't get my discount.

Recruited

2009-09-25T08:17:00.002-05:00

Last night, I received a phone call asking me if I could join the Women's Volleyball team from my ward. I warned the girl calling about my athletic prowess, but she assured my it would be no problem whatsoever. The team would be able to handle it. I hope it just isn't too embarrassing for them. So, that's it. One phone call and I'm on the team. The first game is this Saturday. Hopefully, I'll be able to report back some good news.

2009-09-21T07:33:00.003-05:00

This weekend there was a YSA Conference hosted by my ward. It was my first ever YSA Conference, so I was a little hesitant about going. I still went determined that I would have a good time. And, I did! Here is a brief rundown of all the exciting things.

1. Sister Julie B. Beck was the main speaker. Friday night she spoke and then had classes Saturday morning for the women. It was less formal than a Conference talk but good nonetheless.

2. We colored counting books for orphanages. It was all great until we realized the watermelons we colored were actually pizzas. But, kids in orphanages won't mind will they?

3. I saw Wausau people. It was fun to see them again. What wasn't fun was Lacey's unfortunate fainting incidents which ended her up in the hospital.

4. Saturday night ended with a Mississippi River boat cruise. I was afraid the boat would make me a little seasick, but I managed to keep it all together. It was a good time to meet and talk to lots of people. Even the dancing was fun!

5. I finally met the Holts, who I have heard a fair amount about. They spoke on Sunday about making decisions and being a good RM two years after your mission.

I had a fun weekend and look forward to lots of other fun activities.

Roger

2009-09-17T14:21:00.005-05:00

I love Roger. He entered my life January 27, 2006--the day before my 21st birthday. He was my birthday present. We've spent long hours together in the HBLL, enjoyed countless movies and listening to hours of songs, and have traveled all over the US together. Sunday evening, Roger had a horrific accident that almost sent me to tears. This is what happened.

Roger's right hinge popped off, and now the little plastic cover at the top of my key-board is sticking up out of place. It was really hard to listen to the sound of breaking plastic. After a little exploratory surgery last night, I discovered the problem. The hinge is super stiff! I couldn't move it at all. No wonder he just cracked! I wasn't sure what to do so I just put him back together. At least I know what's wrong. Maybe I'll be able to get some lubrication for him, so he'll be able to move like he did before.

In other news, I'm here in Minneapolis. It's been fine, but there is nothing exciting to report except for my adventure into the heart of Minneapolis. Thanks to the Clarks, and especially Jeff, for the housing. Here are some pics of the new place.

My bed. I was doing laundry, so it was a little messier than usual.

The desk area.

My closet. It's sweet.

That's the news from here. I'll keep everyone updated with Roger's progress.

September 12th

2009-09-12T12:09:00.015-05:00

Two years ago today, I walked through the doors of the Wilford Woodruff building on the MTC campus and bid farewell to Emily, Preston, and Sarah as I began my mission. I was very reluctant at first as can be seen in the smile I had to force for the first picture. Little did I know what lay ahead of me. Here is a photo recap of those 18 months and three weeks I spent as a missionary.

Three Sister Scoresbys. Sarah wrote me a
letter once and also included a hand drawn
rendition of this picture. It was funny, so I
had to keep it for good laughs.

Tallahassee, Florida.

Our district, 24-D. Those elders come home
this week. They were great!

President and Sister Summerhays.
They are the best!!!

The Adult Activity Center. This was the 'real south'.
Southern drawls, dominoes, chicken and dumplin's
for lunch. It didn't get much better than this.

"The field is ripe already to harvest"

Great companions. This was also our favorite
sign in our area, but after going back six months
later, I found out they painted over it. Sad day.

I ate so much! Every one was really
impressed that I could pack it on like
an elder.

Baardson, the pink bunny. He was a
first investigator.

Best companionship study ever! This
should be hanging in the MTC!

I really liked that vest.

That's all the church building is, but the
people in Andalusia are amazing!

Morning exercise=crunching pecans.
Can you find the pecan in this picture?

The Arnolds. Perhaps, the most important
reason I had to be in Andalusia for 10
blessed months.

Good old FSU!

Sarah. She is amazing and represents all of
the wonderful people we taught on campus.

Destin fun!! Yes, this was in December for
all the poor people who endured snow.

Sister Scoresby, arriving in glory and great honor.
And, wearing a coat because it was so cold when
I got home.

For all the agonizing I did and the absolute surety that I would be miserable for 18 months straight, my mission was one of the greatest things I have done so far with my life. I learned so much, had so many great experiences, and met so many wonderful people who have changed my life forever.

2009-09-04T14:47:00.001-05:00

Maybe if I take this approach, I'll get a job sooner.

I feel like Jonathan Jordan

2009-08-31T20:11:00.002-05:00

I've been there, I've done it, I left it, and now I am back to it. I went back to the good old Single's Ward this weekend. It was just what you'd expect when heading to a Single's Ward. The Bishopric wants everyone to mingle and get to know each other, the Relief Society lesson was on modesty, and about half the ward got new callings. While I don't mind Single's Wards and it will be good to have people my own age in my ward, I'm going to miss the loud Sacrament Meetings, listening to the Primary kids sing for every holiday, and being the unofficial permanent substitute. I know in the end it's the best thing for me. Before I know it, I'll be back in the wonderful world of Family Wards.

The Eternal Question

2009-08-27T19:47:00.007-05:00

Every Saturday night the question has to be asked. "What should I wear to church tomorrow?" For years I have struggled with this question and always have such a hard time finding an answer. Usually, this is not a problem, but not when it is Super Cute Sunday. This Sunday will be my first Sunday in my new ward, thus making it Super Cute Sunday, and leaving me in a dilemma. What should I wear to church on Sunday? I'm leaving this up to you.

Lazy, Lazy, Lazy

2009-08-20T17:08:00.002-05:00

Yes, folks, I have been lazy. But, my life has been fuller of funner things than just the same old wake up, go to work, come home, go to bed routine. At the end of July, I went to the Allred family reunion which is always a treat. You can check out all the fun here. I also enjoyed a quick trip with Mom and Dad to Nauvoo for Tyler Conkle's wedding. It was great seeing Ohio friends again and being in Nauvoo. I've gotten back into the competetive running scene. Janet captured my amazing finish in one of them here. Last of all, Sarah came home yesterday! It's great having her back and has been lots of fun being with the family this summer.

2009-08-03T19:26:00.001-05:00

What do you call a lazy bison?

A Buffaloafer!!

HAHAHAHAHA

2009-07-28T16:25:00.002-05:00

Several years ago I came across a sure fire way to bring a laugh (or maybe just a smile) into any written conversation. I'm pretty sure it all started thanks to Lisa Clark (almost Serrano). This is what you do. Start an online conversation with someone. It can be in MSN Messenger, GoogleTalk, or Facebook chat, which ever you prefer. Then when you want to respond with a laugh rapidly alternate between the h-key and the a-key over and over until you have a ridiculous amount of lines. It looks something like this:

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I'm smiling and silently laughing at myself right now :) See how much happinees it just brought you?

Firsts

2009-07-18T16:23:00.002-05:00

Even though this summer has been somewhat plain, I have had some great "firsts" that my life has been missing for 24 years.

1. I've attended Institute more than three weeks in a row. Thanks to BYU I never really had to attend Institute and enjoy the great company one gains from going to Institute.

2. I finally went mini-golfing. I wowed everyone with my mad mini-golf skills, especially the hole-in-one on hole 18.

3. I have no a calling. Strange, but since no one knows what I'm doing with my life, no one can give me a calling. I am a regular substitute in nursery, though.

4. I get to do what I want, when I want (unless it is cake decorating class. Darn #1!)

5. JAG Marathon!!! What more can I say?

To all those who think I do nothing all day, here is proof that I've accomplish lots of important things in all my open time.

Tonight, tonight

2009-07-14T16:02:00.002-05:00

Tonight is Harry Potter!!!!

I'm excited :)

One True Love

2009-07-08T10:30:00.000-05:00

Some may call me obsessed, some may even call me crazy, but one of my true loves is JAG: Judge Advocate General.

Who wouldn't be enthralled with Commander Harmon Rabb, Jr. as he searches for his missing father or Colonel Sarah MacKenzie as she overcomes the vices of her childhood and teen years? JAG follows Harm and Mac through 10 years of world events, including September 11th and the war on terrorism. But, the question on everyone's mind throughout these years is "When will Harm and Mac realize their undying love for each other?" You decide.

"Well, aren't you just...crafty!"

2009-06-29T11:03:00.006-05:00

Since, I don't have much else to do these days, I've resorted back to one of my true loves: crafting! I've always wanted to be Martha Stewart and, I even told someone once that I was going to be a professional crafter. I guess it gives me the opportunity to make something new from bits and pieces of ordinary things. Here's a look at what I've been creating recently.

Placemats and dinner napkins
(yes, they are pink John Deere)

Memory Books

Jewelry

Now, crafting is a very important thing in our family. It is so important that when we, the daughters, graduate from college we are bestowed with our very own sewing machine from our parents. The day after Thanksgiving is reserved as "the craft day". My own bedroom is also known as the sewing room. But, even though I have to move piles of fabric and fight with the craft boxes under my bed, I would never give up crafting. In fact, it goes to show that what Pres. Uchtdorf said is true. "We each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before. Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment." Since it is one thing I CAN do, I guess I'll stick to crafting. Be on the lookout for future creations.

By the way, anyone who can tell me what movie the title is from gets extra bonus points.

My Tribute

2009-06-26T15:44:00.003-05:00

Yesterday brought the news of Michael Jackson's death, it only felt appropriate to leave my tribute to the King of Pop. No, I never really listened to his music. No, I never learned the Thriller dance. In fact, he kind of scared me. All this aside, he did leave his mark on my life, and I will never be the same. So, thank you Michael Jackson.

Thank you for the glove!

Meh, Meh, Meh

2009-06-18T14:37:00.003-05:00

Mom informed me this morning that I needed to update my blog. With what? That is a really good question. Since the last time I posted here are some things that I've learned.

1. Being unemployed isn't as much fun as it always seemed. Yes, I get to do lots of "projects" that I wouldn't normally have time to do, I've gotten back into reading for pleasure, I've caught up on sleep, etc., but I feel half guilty doing these things when I could be working somewhere making a suitable income for living.
2. The economy is really bad. And, the lack of unemployment sure isn't helping it anyway. I tried to buy some shoes, but then realized it would use about half of my entire savings! One pair of shoes that was 50% off would use half of my savings. Don't businesses understand and can't they help us poor people out!?
3. Wisconsin is not Florida. This week it finally decided to act like summer here and we had several very beautiful sunny days. I guess I'll be grateful for this in August when it isn't 97 degrees and 97 percent humidity.
4. The Next Food Network Star is still as amazing as it was two years ago. For some reason in 2007 I found myself with a really empty Saturday and no one around so I watched an entire season of TNFNS and became hooked. I loved it then, and I love it still!
5. Wii tennis is a lot more fun if you are good and can beat the pros. Thanks to Janet I learned some good techniques and I, too, have reached pro tennis player status. Now if only my real tennis game was as good.

There are a few things. If anyone has a job for me, let me know. If anyone knows of any fun social things to do, let me know. If anyone knows where the money tree grows, let me know. Those shoes are still calling my name.

Watch out Ace of Cakes!

2009-05-20T17:09:00.003-05:00

In an attempt to further our crafting prowess, this past weekend we took it upon ourselves to learn how to make and decorate cakes. Things turned out pretty well for the first try, but I don't think Duff and his crew have anything to worry about.

Return of Michael Jackson?

2009-05-11T15:29:00.003-05:00

Michael Jackson could be identified by a glove, but no he isn't making a comeback. A year ago, my middle finger on my right hand developed a serious case of "eczema" as the dermatologist later diagnosed it. He gave me a medicated cream (Fluocinonide cream 0.05%) to use twice a day to help it return to normal and asked me to come back in in two months. After following very specifically his directions, the check-up appointment resulted in two things:

1. Another prescription ointment (Triamcinolone Acetonide ointment 0.1%). It is not a problem to have yet another prescription lotion around. They work great for dry skin. Instead of using the other one twice a day, I would use the first cream once during the day and the ointment before I go to bed at night. This leads to number 2.

2. I have to wear a freaking glove to bed each night! I almost laughed when he told me that I had to wear it to bed so it would keep the ointment from getting all over everything, but then he went on about how I can cut all the fingers except the middle finger off to make it more comfortable to sleep in. Not only did my finger have problems, but now I had to sleep with a one finger glove on.

He then told me that it should all clear up in six months and I can come back in for yet another return appointment. That was October in Tallahassee. Immediately, my mind fast forwarded six months and I thought "Yeah right, Dr. Chris. I'm gonna be at home and there is no way I am coming back so you can look at my finger."

Needless to say, my finger is much better thanks to my glove. And, I have about a ten year supply of medication cream/ointment.

The secret life of Joanna Scoresby

2009-05-04T12:08:00.005-05:00

Since I've been home, I've been all over the United States. It kind of felt like I was in a "Where's Waldo?" book, but this week concluded all the fun of traveling. And, to top it all off, I accomplished some pretty amazing things.

I became a new mom! She is super cute, and I look pretty good for just having a baby. I got lots of wonderful comments on little Macey :)

I also graduated from Southern College of Optometry. Thank goodness all that schooling is over! Now if I could just find a job...

I'm pretty amazing, if I, Dr. Joanna Scoresby, newest 'mom' in the family, say so myself.

Too bad Janet and I were just bored and had a camera to amuse ourselves. I guess I can just be satisfied with being me. I can wait until the day when screaming babies and long years of graduate school are my own reality.

How do you enjoy being home?

2009-04-07T21:17:00.003-05:00

Ever since I came home, everyone asks how it is to be home after being on my mission for 18 months. It is such a great question, however, I don't know how to answer it. Here is my dilemma: I haven't really been home enough to know.

When I walked off the plane Thursday night, my mom asked, "How would you like to go to Memphis this weekend?" So, Saturday morning my mom and I got on the car and drove to Ben and Shannon's.

After leaving Ben and Shannon's on my 1 week home anniversary, Mom and I drove forever (at least it felt like it!) to come home and then leave the next day to drive to Aberdeen, SD. We spent Easter weekend at Grandma Allred's house, which was a joy in and of itself.

Now, I've been home home for 5 days, and what a great time it's been. It's pretty much how it always has been: sleep in, eat good food, play Wii (that's something new), go to JoAnn's every single day this week, have Mom buy me stuff :)

Has it been worth it?

I think so. Here is why I think so:

1. I get to see Ben, Shannon, Tiger-kitty, and the newest edition, MACEY! I'd say this is a good reason why.

2. The Memphis temple is right down the street. Literally. I think I saw the temple every day I was there which was great since I hadn't seen one for 18 months.

3. Going to Grandma's is always a treat. She always spoils us.

4. Since being home, I've gotten a start on all my crafty things I've waited 18 months to do, I think I've gained the weight I lost right before I came home, and I am making my way up to pro status on Wii.

In my mind, it's been a productive two weeks. And, if you thought that sounded busy, it is only going to get busier with a trip to Provo and then another one back to Memphis. Isn't it great to be "home"?

2009-04-05T23:22:00.002-05:00

Now that I have all this time on my hands I plan on devoting more time to the blog. Sorry for the state of my blog, but until I remember how to fully use a computer and the internet my blog will be under construction until that time.

Home Again, Home Again

2009-04-03T18:26:00.002-05:00

I'm home after the 18 months I've spent in The Florida Tallahassee Mission. It is hard to believe that 18 months have already come and gone. While it is great to be at home with the family and living in my own home instead of tiny apartments with not much furniture, I will miss my mission.

2009-03-30T10:55:00.001-05:00

Dear Family,

How strange to be writing my last email to you! It still doesn't seem real that I am coming home. I'm not nervous at all which is quite unusual for me. It must be Heavenly Father blessing me to remain calm with everything.

We had a good week this week. It did rain like crazy Thursday, Friday, and Saturday morning. But, luckily the Lord gave us a miracle and let the rain stop. We were able to go out and tract and we found some really great new investigators.

We also had a very good Sabbath here in Destin. We had Fast and Testimony Meeting due to General Conference this next week. There was a family that blessed their baby, and then we had really great testimonies. It was perfect for our investigators that were there. The Stake President was here so he asked me specifically to bear my testimony. I didn't even cry, which made me really happy :) I'm going to miss being here in Destin. I really like the members here.

I got to talk to Donnie and Melissa last night. They are so great! They told me that I can move back to Andalusia so that we can hang out and go to church together. They are going to do baptisms in the middle of April and are preparing to go to the temple together next year. It was so great to hear that! I love them!

Well, I guess that is about it. I'm glad that you are bringing a coat because my jacket will not be warm enough up there. It sounds like Thursday is going to be a long day, but I'm glad that President Pleshek is willing to release me when I get home that night. I'm excited to talk to and see everyone!

I love you!
Joanna

2009-03-23T14:43:00.000-05:00

Dear Family,

I had a great email all written out and then the computer erased it. Sorry this one won't be as good.

Things were alright this week, but not the most exciting. Spring break for the colleges has been in full swing, which really isn't that fun. Traffic is crazy, and so are the people, but we did some good missionary work with the locals. The weather is absolutely amazing (the beach and ocean are breathtaking right now) and I'm somewhat scared that I'll have to live through a real winter for a little bit when I get home. But, I do want to see some snow. it's been two long years without it.

John's lesson this week was so good!! We taught him lesson three. When we asked him if he would be baptized when he knew that this was true, he said "Well, there isn't anything telling me no. It seems like the thing to do." It was great! He also said that the Holy Ghost really rang true to him and what we shared with him seemed to be the best explanation of it he has ever heard. He reread all the reading assignments we had ever left him, and he already has a favorite Book of Mormon scripture-Alma 32:26-27. He says it describes him perfectly. I really like John. He might be one of my most favorite people that I've gotten to teach. I love them all dearly, but John is so genuine and sincere and honest with us. Plus, he is really committed.

Well, I don't have too much else to write. We didn't have our best week last week, but this week is going to be a lot better. I'm so excited for it!

I love you all! Thanks for everything you do for me!
Love, Joanna

2009-03-16T11:13:00.000-05:00

Hello Family!
We had a good week this week. It is wonderful being a missionary! Worry about the eternal salvation of souls really gives you a purpose for life.

We did hear about the shooting in Geneva, Alabama. It's pretty sad that that happened. Being a missionary you don't really understand what is happening in the world. You only get small snippets of world events. I'm a little nervous about having to come home to 'real life', but I know that with the Lord first in our lives, we don't have to worry about anything.

Jessica Palmer is the sister that is buying my bike. I'm glad you got the check from her because she went into the MTC on Wednesday. She is probably going to be my replacement here in Destin. I'm excited to meet her, because her Bishop in Provo came to visit his daughter who lives in the branch.

I did have my last zone conference this week. It was pretty good. We got to watch "An Ensign to the Nations" and then talked about it. The sisters from our branch made our lunch and it was good. Then at the very end President Summerhays did something he hasn't done really at all. He asked Sister Hartman why she loves me and then had me share with everyone what my mission has meant to me. It was hard because having to put that into words isn't easy. And, just for the record, I cried :) I'm still as soft-hearted as before my mission. I'm really interested to hear what President Summerhays wrote to Bishop McBain. I really love President Summerhays! He is the best mission president ever!

This week we had a really fun opportunity. On Valentine's Day a lady called us saying that she wanted us to come over. She did scrapbooking and she wanted us to come and meet her, and help her find peace in her life. Along with all of this she wanted us to do what else but scrapbook or make cards with her! I was in heaven! She had a ton of scrapbooking stuff. She is an independent consultant for a scrapbooking company, so it was a lot of fun! She has really been struggling with things recently in her life, and so she needs us. She had taken the lessons 20 years ago, and we are now teaching her again. Later on that night was the Relief Society birthday dinner, and she came to that, too! She really enjoyed it and loved the women in the branch.

We had a really great turn out at Sacrament Meeting. All three of our good firm investigators came, which was great! They all loved it and will be regular attendees in the future. However, we found out that one of them is on probation for two more years, so she won't be getting baptized anytime soon. In two years though, there will be a good firm member of the church to be baptized.

I'm looking forward to running some 5ks this summer as well! Janet and I can do them together, but she definitely beat me by a long shot. I'll have to train super hard before she comes home. I can't believe that Afton is turning 1. I can't wait to see her and Ben and Shannon's baby whenever she is born. There are some babies here in the branch and it is so hard not being able to hold them.

Well, I hope that everyone has a good week! I love you all! Thanks for your love and support! Love, Joanna

2009-03-09T12:10:00.001-05:00

Dear Family,

I was wondering if you had gotten my flight plans yet. I don't get them until two weeks before I go home so that I don't lose them. But, Miami? That is in the complete opposite direction of home! I wonder if Church travel realizes that. Do you think that I'll still get released that night? Just wondering. It seems like everyone wants to know about going home and how I feel about it. It is kind of hard to think that in just a few weeks I'll be sitting at home playing Wii with everyone.

So, a new sister that is coming out when I go home wants to buy my bike. I said I'd sell, so we are going to get things figured out. I'm thinking that $200 for Gary is quite reasonable. I haven't really ridden my bike and it is in good quality. Plus, I'm going to need some money and shipping it home would take a lot of effort. I don't need such a nice bike when I get home. If I really need one, I'll buy a Wal-mart one for $50. I just thought I'd let you know what is going to happen with the bike.

We had a good week this week. We had such a great lesson with John and the Stephens this week! In our last lesson John told us that he would think about coming to Church on the 29th of March, but this week he told us that his wife said they should just go together this Sunday! What a surprise to hear him say that! And, his wife, who is a very devoted Catholic, even said she wanted to come and was curious about what has made her husband change from being a heathen to having a good relationship with God and praying everyday. It was amazing! We had some other really great lessons this week. A member's fiance said that we could start teaching him, and we have been waiting since Thanksgiving. We are really excited about it. Missionary work is great! You should all try and do some everyday!

I'm glad Sarah was able to meet help meet the monthly goal of having 308 baptisms! That is more than our entire mission had last year! That is crazy! Anyway, I wouldn't trade the Florida Tallahassee Mission for any other mission in the world.

This morning I was thinking that maybe Ben and Shannon's baby was born this week, but I guess not. There is a brand new baby in the branch here and it is really hard to not be able to hold her. I'm really looking forward to being able to hold babies again!

I was hoping that I would get the Saturn when I come home. I guess I'll just go with my good old truck. You still have that, right?

That is about all for this week. I love you all so much and am grateful for everything you all do for me!

Love, Joanna

2009-03-02T17:19:00.001-06:00

Hi Family,

I have no time to write this week, so I'm sorry this is going to be pretty short.

It was crazy! We had so many miracles happen. Five of our investigators were at church. We got two flat tires, but out of it all come great blessings (people stopped to help us thankfully).

Sister Stowers was emergency transferred to Andalusia this morning. One of the sisters there is going home for some surgery.

I've been reminded of how great our Heavenly Father is. He blesses us so much! He has showered miracles down on us as we have been working to accomplish His work.

We taught Relief Society this week on missionary work. We used some M & Ms as a visual, and I talked about how in the Allred family they are Vitamin Ms. The sister in Relief Society loved it! We told them that they had to take one M & M a day so they can have daily missionary moments. It was really good.

I got the email about the Stephens. They were excited to hear that President Pleshek is my stake president. We are having them come with us this week and we are really excited about it. There was another couple from Appleton here, but I didn't get to meet them.

I love you all so much! You are the greatest family and friends anyone could every wish for. Hopefully, next week i can write more and tell you more about our miracles. I love you!

Joanna

2009-02-23T14:03:00.000-06:00

Dear Family!

What a great day it is! We had a very happy week and had some really amazing lessons this week.

We had some really great other lessons this week. Several weeks ago, a member invited one of her friends to dinner when they were taking us out. She came and it turns out that she was blessed as a child in the church and that her husband's cousins are members and have served missions and everything. After several failed attempts of meeting with them, we finally caught them at home and taught them lesson one. It was such a good lesson and they asked the perfect questions. The wife, Gini, became one of our new investigators. Hopefully, this week JJ will also become an investigator. There are going to be great things that happen with this family.

We also met with John again this week. He is so amazing! He did his reading and has still been praying, which most of the people I've taught have not been so dedicated to either of these commitments at first. But, we taught him about the plan of salvation and he told us it answered so many of his questions and he felt that so good about what he had learned from us so far. We tried committing him to come to Church, but he told us that it would take him a while. He also admitted that he has commitment issues, and was afraid of getting committed to this before he was ready. He did say he would come to church and it will probably be within the next couple of weeks. We suspect that he knows that this is true and is a little overwhelmed by knowing that. He said that he has been "praying for the perseverance to see this to the end." He knows that "the end" means baptism because he asked us the last time we taught him. He is so happy about life and the new light we have shared with him. I want to see him baptized so much! There is a couple that is here for a few months who are converts (about 25 years ago) that were in a very similar situation to John. We had lunch with them right after John's lesson and everything they said pointed us to have them fellowship John while they are still here. We were able to set up a sooner return appointment for the 3rd of March. This is what missionary work is all about. I love it!

The couple that are going to be John's friends are some snowbirds from Appleton, WI. They are truly amazing! He is a sealer in the Chicago Temple and was in the temple Presidency there a couple of years ago. We had lunch with them this week and they are both amazing converts to the church. I'm so glad that they came down here while I was here. I think that when I'm home we should go down and visit them. They are really neat people that I think you would really like.

Transfers were last week, and now I am in my final transfer. It is hard to believe that it all is coming to an end here in a few short weeks. We, as a companionship, have decided that this is going to be the best transfer of the mission and have dedicated ourselves to it. We have some really great things that are going to happen here.

Oh, I got my hair cut last week. It was really just a trim, but a pretty good sized trimmed. I don't have any pictures yet, but I'm planning on printing some off today and I'll try and send some home soon.

I hope you all have a great week! Thanks for your love and prayers. It is so great to know that I have so much love and support from friends and family! I love you all!

Love, Joanna

2009-02-17T17:11:00.000-06:00

Hi Family,

This will probably be pretty short since we don't have much time left today. Sorry for the bad typing too. Npothing is happening with transfers. I will end my mission here in Destin. I'm happy with it. I like it here. It is really hard to believe that in six weeks I'll be coming home.

Jose's baptism was so good! It was such a spiritual occasion. Everyone there really felt the spirit. Jose was so happy to get baptized and then receive the Holy Ghost on Sunday. I love seeing people come to receive the ordinance of baptism. It is the greatest thing to be a part of. I can only ever think of how happy Heavenly father is with each one who gets baptized.

Melissa got baptized this weekend as well. I didn't get to go even though President Summerhays entertained the idea for a little bit. Another girl also got baptized that I had met and knew her mom. It was really exciting to see that she got baptized because I had no idea. I'm so excited that things are going so well.

We had zone conference this past week and it was really good. I learned so much and had such a good interview with President Summerhays. I got a letter in the mail from President Pleshek. It was nice.

I'm sorry this is so short. Hopefully next week I'll have a little more time to write so I can write more. I love you all! Thanks for everything that you do!

Love, Joanna

2009-02-09T14:31:00.000-06:00

Dear Family,

It sounds like your week was about as good as my week. We did have a couple of exciting things happen, though. Tuesday we helped some members lay laminate floor in their house. I was really good at it. If we ever want to put it in our house, I know what to do. Just don't ask me to measure/cut. It seems like the old sewing problem about cutting it too small is still a problem. But, we did a room in their house, and it looked good. I got a pretty good size bruise on my knee from being on a hard wood floor all afternoon, but helping them outweighs my tender knee. The other thing of excitement is that Jose had his baptismal interview this week. He is excited to get baptized this Saturday. We had some really good lessons with him, and he told our district leader this week that he was planning on serving a mission.

We had a really great lesson with a man this week that we had met several weeks ago. He had actually done his reading and had prayed like we had asked him to pray. It was kind of a surprise because lots of people don't keep those commitments. As we talked with him he told us that he feels such great comfort when he prays (he didn't pray often before) and he really finds the Book of Mormon interesting. Then he said, "I don't know what all this is leading to or where this will all end, but I really like meeting with you. I don't know if I might have to say 'no' sometime in the future, but I want you to keep coming back." I was shocked! We don't always have the most interactive lessons, but he actually asked us questions and made comments. But, he is really nervous about everything because he hasn't been too religious in his life and doesn't know what to expect. He told us that he wouldn't be able to meet with us every week right now, but once he gets a little more comfortable with religion he would. So, in two weeks we are going to go back. He is such a great person! I feel really good about him.

The weather has been absolutely beautiful here! It is hard to believe it is February when it is sunny and 70s here. There were a couple of cool days, but nothing to really complain about. I think the lows were in the thirties.

There have been several people from Wisconsin at Church. A member grew up in Waukesha (I think) and his mom has been here for a while. She said that she knows Shannon's family from way back. Their last name is Lillian. Does that ring a bell Shannon? There is also a couple who is going to be here for a month or so from Appleton. She told me that they have a granddaughter at BYU.

Thanks for the Valentine's Day package! The cookies were great! I also got a reimbursement check from missionary medical. I might try and cash it here or just wait until I get home and cash it then.

This week we are looking forward to Jose's baptism and also zone conference. It should be a really good week. Next week is transfers. I don't know what is going to happen. I'd like to stay here, but I don't know if that is what would be the best. I guess we'll see what the Lord has planned.

I love you all! Thanks for everything!
Love, Joanna

2009-02-02T12:52:00.001-06:00

Dear Family,

Thanks for all the birthday wishes! It was a great day! We spent the morning tracting on a muddy dirt road where all the dogs were barking at us the whole way down the road. Then we had a good lesson with Jose, and a couple other investigators. Then we went contacting at Goodwill. They have a really nice Goodwill that is always packed with cars and lots of people are there. We talked to this lady there. She had good friends who were members so she was excited to talk to us. She also said the elders who cover where she lives could come talk to her. On top of talking to her, I found a nice pair of pants that I just had to buy. Then we had another lessons, got kicked out of a neighborhood, tried contacting at a mercadito (no such luck), and then had dinner with a member. It was really good. The taco salad was excellent. They are a great family! They are always willing to help us with the work, and they have a genuine love for us. I especially want to thank Emily for her very thoughtful and personal gift. It really meant a lot.

Other than that the week was pretty normal. Missionary work is missionary work. We met a guy named Alan Perkins from Iowa who said that the name Scoresby sounded familiar. Does anyone know an Alan Perkins? Maybe he'll remember why it sounds familiar before we go back to teach him.

Jose our investigator is getting excited for his baptism. We had some really good lessons with him this week. He is 19 years old and just moved down here from Kentucky. he has had a rough life in the past, but since he has been learning he has seen the joy the restored gospel brings into our lives. He was talking this week about going on a mission. We told him that maybe he would get called to where we are from and we can help him teach investigators. Wouldn't that be a great experience.

President Summerhays challenged us to read the Book of Mormon before our next zone conference (so it gives us 26 days). It has been a really neat thing to do. This week I was reading in Alma 27 about the people of Ammon. It describes them as being highly favored of the Lord. As I was thinking about that and the conditions it mentions for being highly favored. We all want to be highly favored of the Lord, so are we willing to do what the Lord tells us we need to do? It was neat thinking about that.

It has been really nice here. This past couple of days have been about 70 degrees and sunny. I feel like it should be April, but it is only February. I'll remember Jeff in my prayers. I'm glad Casie got accepted to BYU. She'll really like it.

Well, that's about it for today. I love you all! Thanks for you prayers and support!

Love, Joanna

2009-01-26T20:16:00.000-06:00

Dear Family,

This week was work as usual. I don't really have much new to report. We had some really good lessons where we were able to commit a couple of people to be baptized. It is exciting to see the results of hard work through laboring and prayer. That is how the Lord teaches us to gain results from the effort that we put forth in everything that we do.

Yesterday the branch president was telling people that they need to have us, the missionaries, in their homes and how you get to know us, etc. etc. We went into the priesthood to talk about the priesthood helping us with missionary work, and it came up that it was my birthday. So, the priesthood sang happy birthday to me. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. They didn't sound too bad either :)

I'm really excited about going to Grandma's. That will be my third stake conference of the year and my second satellite one, so it will be fun. Oh, I'd like to go to the temple soon after I get home, like the next day if that is possible.

Sorry this is such a short email. I don't think I'm gonna get much time because the library here is pretty busy today. Thanks for all of your love and support and prayers. I love you!

Love, Joanna

2009-01-20T13:33:00.001-06:00

Hi Family!

Because of MLK day yesterday, today is p-day. We had a pretty good week this week.

We had Zone Conference Friday and then Stake Conference Saturday and Sunday. Elder Costa of the Presidency of the Seventy came to Stake Conference. We had an investigator go so we could go on Saturday and Sunday. It was so good. The investigator who came set a baptismal date the night before. We introduced him to Elder Costa and Elder Costa said that he was going to be a great leader in the future. He also told us to have President Summerhays write him a note telling him when Jose gets baptized so that Elder Costa can send Jose something! Isn't that amazing that he would make that effort for a young man who is getting baptized? Zone Conference was great as always. Some of the Elders that I have served around for most of my mission were there which is always a happy reunion.

Other than that missionary work is missionary work. We teach people, find people, and are going to baptize people. It is so great! I can't believe you are already getting official mail about me coming home. I think my zone leader likes to remind me how much time I have left. He always asks things like, "so how many zone conferences do you have left?" "what's the first thing your going to do when you get home?" Silly elders.

I did get my debit card. Thanks. I also got a great letter from Meghan and Nikki! Thanks for all the love and support! I really appreciate it! I really like dad's truck. Do we still have my truck? I'll also remember to be safe and look out for 'accidents'. We always watch a safety video at zone conferences so we are always reminded of it.

Congrats to Ben on his boards! It sounds like things are great with the family!

I'll have to write more about our investigators and life in Destin some other time. There isn't enough time to write about all the great experiences of a mission in just one weekly email home.

Well, I love you all so much!

Love, Joanna

2009-01-12T12:43:00.001-06:00

Hi Family,

Here is the real email. I have a little more time to write, so hopefully I can get it all written down. A lot has happened since last Monday, but I'll answer your questions first.

If you could deposit my check that would be best. I have nowhere that I could deposit or even cash a check here. Apparently, Wells Fargo is not a southern thing. And, I will definitely let you know when I get my debit card. I was thinking about that this week.

The weather turned a little bit cooler this week. But, it still is a lot warmer than where you are. I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures. I'll try and get some more. Pictures just don't capture the beauty of this area.

Have you happened to find me a job yet? I don't think I need anything permanent when I get home, but some thing that pays nice would be wonderful. After I spend the summer with you I'm going to move elsewhere. I'm not sure where yet, but somewhere else.

Do you think that you could send me the recipe for The Next Best Thing to Robert Redford and also a recipe for Taco Salad? A member here has requested that they feed us on our birthdays (Sister Hartman's is today) and she will make whatever we want. That is what I want, and I want it exactly the way you make it. That is why I want a recipe for Taco Salad. I don't want the member to mess it up. I love Destin!

I can't believe that I'm almost done. I spent a little bit of time with President and Sister Summerhays this week (I'll explain in a little bit), and we talked about it. President says it is a terrible thing that my time is almost over, but he knows it is right. Today I have been on my mission for 16 months. That is so hard to believe! It has gone so much faster than I thought possible. I guess that is the way life is. Jacob, in the Book of Mormon, describes it as a dream, and that is what it feels like. It will be fun to continue on with my life, though.

So, all of the excitement of this week resulted in me going back to Andalusia for a little bit. President Summerhays called me up Tuesday morning and told me that he had been thinking about me and how I need to go back there for a little bit. he also needed me to help him with some things there, so he asked me if I would go. He told me to figure out when would be best for us in Destin for me to go. Later on Tuesday evening, we talked again and decided that leaving the next day would work out the best with transfers and everything. One Wednesday morning, the three of us met President and he took me up to Andalusia. It was so great to be back. I got to spend time with the members I love so much, the investigators I love so much, the area I love so much, everything! And, such great things happened while I was there. Melissa, Donnie's wife, set a baptismal date of 15 February. We taught a lesson to a part-member's sister-in-law. That was a realy miracle, because that is how we can get the part-member a member. I was there until last night, when President and Sister Summerhays picked me up on their way home from a Stake Conference and dropped me off back with Sister Stowers and Sister Hartman. I had such a good time back in Andalusia. It was like I never left. Things hadn't changed at all. Here is a little bit from my letter to President Summerhays (sorry it is kind of long):

"The work is truly amazing! It's the Lord's work, so it has to be amazing. The whole time I served in Andalusia, I worked on having faith to produce miracles there because that was the only way to have anything happen, and this past week I saw that those miracles are still happening. It was amazing to see that it is still the same. Andalusia really is my own waters of Mormon. I learned so many things there and will always be remembering the things I learned there. I know years from now I will be reminded of things that I learned in Andalusia, and I will cherish those memories for all eternity. Thank you so much for letting me go back. I love Andalusia! I love the members! I love the investigators! I love the demands of missionary work found there!
Things have to be done the Lord's way or else the don't work out the way they are supposed to work out. No matter how much I want to do things my way, following the counsel in the white handbook, really being a Preach My Gospel Remember This... missionary, praying, studying the scriptures, heeding your counsel as the mission president is truly the only way to find success and happiness in the work of the Lord. Obedience and being fully committed to our purpose is how we can find happiness now and how we will always find happiness. It is so simple, but people don't realize how simple it is. I guess it is the easiness of the way that blinds them. That is so sad.
The Spirit was so strong. I had some of the most personal personal studies where I learned so much about the Savior and the reality of the Atonement in my life, some of the most powerful testimonies of the restoration of the gospel, some necessary insights for the work here in Destin this next week, and above all I was strengthened beyond what I thought possible. As I have reflected on the past 5 days I have seen how the Lord does bear us up in our times of need. It was tough. But, I am grateful for the things the Lord placed before me to learn. I have no idea about what my future will hold and the experiences that will happen, but I am so grateful for the things the Lord has helped me learn since I have been here on my mission. I know everything will work out for my good the way Heavenly Father sees it. I feel like I am in the best class for my life."

I love being part of the Lord's work. I am so grateful for the decision I made to serve a mission. I would be so under equipped to live my life if I didn't come. We have Zone Conference this week, and I am really excited for it. I love Zone Conferences! They really are the best things ever!

While I was with President and Sister Summerhays driving in the car we had some time to talk. President and Sister Summerhays asked me to tell them about my family. I gave them a glowing report. It wasn't hard because y'all are a really great family! I couldn't have asked for a better one. I told them I was going to spend some time at home after I get home and then they asked what I am going to do when I get home. I told them that you said I would have to get a job and President laughed. He said that I would be so bored if I didn't work because it is part of who I am. Remember how before my mission I wanted to go early enough so that I would be home before I turned 24? Well, I'm glad I didn't because I needed to have President Summerhays as my mission president the whole time. Things work out wonderfully in the Lord's plan.

I love you all so much! Sarah, I'm going to write you a letter this week, so be watching for it.

Love, Joanna

2009-01-08T00:59:00.002-06:00

Note: Joanna sent this originally on Dec. 28. It bounced and she re-sent it the next week. I just got it today. So the news is old, but I thought you'd enjoy it.

Dear Family,

It was great talking to you on Christmas. Here are the long awaited for pictures from here in Destin. The first one is one of our investigators named Manuel. If you recall last week's email I talked about him there. We spent Christmas Eve there and it was great! He can really feel the power that the gospel brings into our lives. We are going to keep meeting with him. The other pictures are from last Monday at the beach. It is gorgeous. One day we had dinner with some members in one of the condos in the background. It was a totally different experience.

We had a good week. It was somewhat quiet, but we were able to see how the Lord works miracles in His quiet way. We didn't have any new investigators until Friday, but were then able to reach the goal that we had set. I know that it is only through the Lord that we were able to accomplish the goals that we set for this week.

We went on splits for Church on Sunday so that we could be in both areas. I stayed here in Destin, while Sister Stowers and Sister Hartman went over to Panama City Beach. I know why the Lord has us in companionships, because it can be a little stressful trying to make sure your investigators are set and also trying to make sure you get all the missionary business done that you need to. On the other hand, I think I will make the adjustment to not having a companion just fine when I get home. The members were really good to help us out by making sure that I wasn't alone, etc.

I love you all! I'm so grateful that I have y'all as my family. I wouldn't have picked it any other way. Thanks for all of your prayers and support!

Love, Joanna

2009-01-05T12:34:00.001-06:00

Dear Family,

I don't know why you didn't get my email last week. It sent it back to me and told me that it couldn't deliver it to your inbox. But, I will resend it. There were pictures, too, so hopefully you can get it. Anyway, we had a good week this week. There are a lot of great things happening. It is exciting to be serving the Lord. I love it! I'm so glad I made the decision to come. This week is transfer week, but nothing is happening with us. In fact, none of the sisters are being moved. Too many good things are happening with the sisters. I'm glad because this has been a great transfer and the Lord has blessed us with some amazing miracles. I love it!

The work is great here. I feel great! The gospel is amazing. I'm glad that the elders are urging you to use Preach My Gospel as you study. Preach My Gospel is an amazing tool for missionary work and can be used by everyone since we are all missionaries.

On New Year's Eve we went to our investigator, Manuel's house again and had a good lesson with him. Then on New Year's Day we had lunch with some ladies who we are trying so hard to get them to be investigators, dinner with another investigator and then dessert with yet another investigator. I don't think I have ever eaten so much in my life!

Here's a picture. We do service for the little boy's mom. She is pregnant and sick and can't do anything, so we help out each week cleaning. Her little boy is so much fun. The other sister is a member here. Her husband used to work for a scrapbooking company and has told me how I can make it big in the scrapbook world when I get home from my mission. I really like her a lot.

I'm glad that Shannon and the baby are good.

Thanks for all of your love and support. I'm so grateful for all the things that you have taught me and the way you brought me up. What a great family to be a part of! I hope that you have a great week! I love you all!

Love, Joanna

2008-12-22T12:52:00.001-06:00

Hola family!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

I am going to apologize for no pictures this week. Sister Stowers was having a rough week, so we spent most of the afternoon last Monday inside and didn't get to the beach until it was dark, but it was great! It was so peaceful and amazing being there. Today the other sisters in our zone are coming down for a special Christmas p-day. We will definitely take pictures and I promise to send them home next week.

I'm going to call at 7:00pm or around there, hopefully if my companions don't take the phones first. President said we could talk for 40-60 minutes. I'm excited to call. I didn't realize how much I am looking forward to talking with my own family until yesterday in church. I'm glad I have you as my family and you brought us up well to be somewhat normal and to realize the big picture of things.

We had an exciting week with several great investigators and potentials lined up for this week. There are some really great people here. I love it! Missionary work is awesome! We are spending Christmas Eve with one of our new investigators from the past week, and I can tell it will be amazing. He really is great. Here is a little snipet from my letter to President Summerhays this week:

Branda dropped her baptismal date because she didn't come to Church yesterday. We were a little worried about her, but we stopped by her house early last week and she told us she had been busy and had been hoping that we would come by. She still wants to be baptized. We had a really good lesson with her this week about the plan of salvation and she wants to know what the qualifications for each kingdom is specifically so that she knows what she needs to do in order to go to the Celestial Kingdom. My heart rejoiced when I heard her say that.

Manuel we met tracting. He was surprised to see us when we came back because he has been burnt by priests and other churches, but we taught him a good lesson one and he said that several times he felt like we were piercing his heart. He called us later that night and asked about the reading assignments we left for him. He also told us he would be at church with his kids and they came! He was worried and a little scared, but he told us he really enjoyed it. We are going to spend Christmas Eve with him helping him learn more. After Church he said he need all the information we could give him so that he could learn it all. Manuel is great!

One of the other new investigators we found is named Jason. He said that he had gone to Church in Chipley for about a year and was about to move out to Utah for a job, but instead came to Destin. He said his friends have joked about he he is going to become a member. We have a lesson with him tonight. And, we are planning on setting a baptismal date so he will be a member.

Sister Reeves came to church again, and we had a really good lesson with her. We taught lesson three and were somewhat worried because she had pretty emphatically told us she didn't want to be baptized. As we were teaching she didn't say anything about not getting baptized, and she she wants to understand more. I think that things are working slowly as we keep going over and sharing more with her.

I wish I could write all about it in these emails home, but I feel like Moroni in Ether 12. It is so hard to put it all into words, especially in emails. I can't wait to share everything when I get home. I'm sorry there isn't more to this email.

I love you all! To everyone I won't get to talk to on Christmas, I love you and hope you have a great Christmas. Before we all know it I won't have to write emails home and can call and share everything with you personally.

Love, Joanna

2008-12-15T14:12:00.000-06:00

Hi Family,

It sounds like things are good at home. I was wondering if you had gotten the Christmas tree yet. I'm not surprised that y'all are waiting for Janet to come home to get it. I guess that I'll call later in the day more towards the evening or later in the evening. My companions will probably both call earlier in the day.

I got the letter and also a package from Joseph and Tracy this week. It was nice to finally get some mail. My companions and I haven't made the Christmas tree yet, but I'm sure we will before Christmas. Sister Hartman's mom sent us a 12 days of Christmas countdown and we have been enjoying that with our very tiny Christmas tree.

Things here are alright. There really isn't anything spectacular happening. We have some pretty good investigators and had some interesting lessons with them. We have been teaching a Romanian lady and her family. They are Seventh-day Adventists. It has been pretty interesting to say the least. We also met a man named Syd who was very interested in our message. When we went to teach him, he said he wanted to know how we came to know that the Book of Mormon and Jospeh Smith are true. He was so fascinated by what we each told him, and by everything (things about serving a mission etc.) and he asked us to tell him how everything about the Church came to be. It was great!

Oh, I need my birth certificate. In Florida they have this law that you have to have a Florida driver's license. So, since I'm the driver, I need to get one. Maybe you can include that in the Christmas package.I think I have everything else that I need to get it. If not, I'll let you know.

I can't wait until I can go to the temple again. I miss it. Maybe we can do that the day after I get home. It's just a thought.

Well, I can't think of anything else for this week. Hopefully, next week I'll have more exciting things to write and some pictures, too. There are some other sisters in the zone and we were thinking that maybe next Monday we would get together. We haven't planned anything. I'll also let you know for sure what time I'll be calling home. Don't worry. I'm really looking forward to it, so I'll make sure y'all are home.

I love you! Thanks for all of your prayers and your support. I really appreciate it.

Love, Joanna

2008-12-08T16:28:00.000-06:00

Hello Family!

SO, this might be pretty short because I don't know how much time the library here allows us to email, but luckily I get to write this week. Being here in Destin h as been good. I'm glad I'm here. It is a great place. The branch is great. It is about the size of Mt. Vernon, so I feel right at home. It is really hard to think that I have to spend Christmas here. I don't know how I'll survive :).

Let's see about things here. Thanksgiving was good. It wasn't like Thanksgivings at home, but it was good. We have been having some good success. We have already found and committed someone to baptism. She is awesome! She ran into elders 3 years ago and wasn't ready then, but since then she has become super prepared and told us in our very first lesson that she knows it is true! She loved Church yesterday and is looking forward to coming back. She is great! We have also taught a Romanian lady and her husband, two sons and their wives. It is crazy because there is a little bit of a language barrier, but hopefully we'll get somewhere.

We had Zone Conference this week. It was good. The zone is a lot different than in Tallahassee. The sister I was supposed to train back in August is in the zone and so we had a good time talking about Andalusia. She ended up serving there, so we could swap stories. WE are hopefully going to plan a Christmas p-day to spend with the other sisters and also do exchanges if we can work it all out.

Here is our address again just so that you have it for sure:
200 Sandestin Lane #616
Miramar Beach, FL 32550

There is a set of Spanish elders in our branch, too. We had a branch Christmas party this week. It was fun. Because our first Sunday was the Sunday after Thanksgiving we didn't get to meet all of the members because they were out of town, but we did at the party. There are a lot of tall skinny blondes who look like they are 25 (but they aren't). I was joing with my companions that I'm the only one with dark hair and I don't fit in. They did a Christmas around the world thing, and the food was decent. I like being here in Destin. It is nice to be back in a family branch with real people. And, they appreciate us and ask for our help with things.

So, Sister Hartman is great! She is from Flagstaff, AZ and is the youngest of 7. She is the only girl, and is actually a twin. She has been out 7 1/2 months and has spent the whole time in Panama City Beach. She was supposed to train, but her companion didn't make it out of the MTC. Because of that we are also covering Panama City Beach. It is going to be interesting to see how things work out with it. It takes some effort to cover both. We do have a really good investigator there as well. He ordered the lamb of God video and as we taught him the first lesson he started crying in the middle of it. It was pretty amazing. He even went to Church in PCB without us being there.

I might write you a letter with more in it later today. We'll see. I need to write to President before the time runs out. If I get more time and I think of anything else, I'll write you another email.

I love you! Thanks for your love and support!
Love, Joanna

2008-12-05T14:32:00.003-06:00

Dear Fam,

Well, transfers were this past week and we are in Destin. It has been an interesting week, but a good one at that. We are actually in a threesome. Sister Hartman from the Panama City Beach area came over to join us because her trainee didn't come from the MTC. She is great! She is an excellent asset to the companionship.

Because of the transfers, we didn't know anything about the area and the library closed at 5:00pm and we didn't know that. So, you get a handwritten letter this week. Our address is:

200 Sandestin Ln.
Apt. 616
Miramar Beach, FL 32550

Destin is pretty ritzy. There is no other area like this in the mission. The lower class neighborhoods look like our neighborhood. Where we live (Sandestin) is pretty much one huge resort. It's crazy! I really like it here. They have a branch that is about to become a ward. They are great! We got to speak this last Sunday in Sacrament Meeting. On Thanksgiving, we played in the Branch Turkey Bowl. We won! Then we had 2 Thanksgiving dinners. They have been so welcoming.

We have Zone Conference again this Friday. Yipee! President Summerhays and I had a pretty interesting conversation as we were driving for transfers. We talked about my future and what I should do with myself when I go home. It was really interesting. He promised me that he would pay for me to spend 3 days and 2 nights in Andalusia (after the mission) because I am not going to be going back while I'm out. He is great!

We had had some really great success while we've been here. Today when we were grocery shopping, we ran into a part-member who is going to be an investigator, a new investigator, and then a contact. And, that was all on p-day! We have spent a fair amount of time lost and wandering around finding people, but sometimes that is what it takes.

The beaches are gorgeous! We haven't gone to them, but we are practically surrounded by them. I'll take lots of pictures for sure. On Christmas, the Branch President and his family take the missionaries to the beach to open their presents.

I feel so much better being here than in Tallahassee. It was a trial being there, but i know that I learned so much being there. Without it, I don't think I would have learned what the Lord needed me to learn for my future. I've spent a lot of time thinking about it and it was one of those necessary hard things. But, as always, the Lord blesses us after we go through these trials. And He is always there with us as we are going through all the experiences we face.

I was studying about being well-favored and favored of the Lord. It was pretty interesting to study about. Christ, of course, was the most well-favored and it intrigued me about how He did it. Philipians 2 and Hebrews 5 talk about it. I don't have my notes with me right now, but it was pretty interesting. When we are obedient and righteous, we gain Heavenly Father's favor.

How were things at home last week? Did you enjoy Thanksgiving? How is Dad's job? How is everyone? I've been out of the loop for this week and I guess I'll still be for another week. It lets me be more focused on the work :).

I love you! I am so lucky to have such a great family like you. Because of the Scoresby family, I am who I am and I have learned and developed qualities and characteristics (like hard work and obedience) which are so important. Thanks for teaching me so well. I love you!

I'm sorry this is so random and sloppy. Next week, we should be good to go for emails so I can write a more normal email home.

I hope that all is well! I love you! Love, Joanna

2008-11-22T12:56:00.001-06:00

Dear Family,

It must have been the computer that was having problems because I opened the email again and it worked fine. Thanks for always sending me an email. You are the only one that I can count on for an email every week.

I'm getting transferred! It is exciting. Sister Stowers and I are both beig transferred together and we are opening a new sisters area. We are going to Destin, which should be fun. They have a very strong and active relief society, and the elders that are there right now say that it is definitely a sisters' area. Since both Sister Stowers and I are being transferred from campus, we might not be transferring with everyone else. President wants our investigators to be able to make the transition and not get lost. So, we might hang around here in Tallahassee to get the investigators turned over to the new sisters. Hopefully, by next weekend we will be in Destin. We will definitely be having p-day on Monday again so that will be when I write next. I'm so excited! We might end up eating McDonalds for Thanksgiving, but that is alright. The senior couple at the Institute has spoiled us with a Thanksgiving dinner yesterday and they are making a special dinner for us Monday night. I'm really going to miss them. They really made this place not as bad as it could have been.

We had an alright week this week. We had Zone Conference on Tuesday which is always the best part of the week. It was amazing again. We talked about obedience and the importance of obedience. President Summerhays said that when we choose to not be obedient we are signing up for a miserable life and also signing up to receive no blessings. I had never thought of it like that before. We also talked about prayer. President also wants us to be more expressive in sharing our love with others, so we did this really fun activity where we went around the room saying why we love each other. It was great fun, kind of awkward having elders tell you that they love you, but it was fun. And, it was a good experience as well. I asked President what I should do with my life, and he said I was qualified to do anything. He said that we would talk about it in the future.

We also were able to set another baptismal date with one of our investigators. She is great, and I'm sad that we'll be leaving her. In our last lesson she said that she knew that being baptized into the Church was what she needed to do, she just wanted to make sure she knew and understood what she would be doing. She makes me happy everytime that we get to meet with her. The new sisters won't actually be teaching her. Instead, one of the sets of elders will be. It is a better match personality wise. She said that she was going to be sad if we left and that she felt comfortable with us. hearing investigators say things like that is the hardest thing to hear when you are getting transferred, but that is what happens. It is a good thing people are converted to the gospel not to the missioanries!

Our toilet has been having problems lately. When we came home from Zone Conference this week, we had a really messy problem that they didn't fix until the next day. It was a little miserable there for 24 hours until they got it fixed. But, I'm grateful that we have good living conditions. There really is nothing to complain about.

Thanks for sending those talks! I really appreciate them. We didn't get to go to the CES Fireside where Elder Holland spoke, but everyone kept saying that it was really good. I'm glad that I could read it. As I was reading it I couldn't help but liken it unto myself, and it made the talk so much more meaningful. Everyone should read it. It is good.

The weather here has been freezing! The lows a couple of nights this week were in the 20s. I was so surprised! It isn't supposed to be this cold in Florida. I've learned how to do some nice layering jobs to stay warm during the day. The hardest part is that from about midcalf down to the toes you can only where so many pairs of nylons/tights. But, I can be a little cold to share to gospel with everyone around me.

There is a baptism tonight for one of the sets of elders. The young man who is getting baptized is amazing! He saw the elders talking to his friend on campus and joined them and started telling his friend that what the missionaries were teaching was true. He is really on fire and actually is thinking about going on a mission. The elders have taken him to some of their teaching appointments and they said that he was awesome.

I aksed Sister Summerhays about being reimbursed. The $94 dollars was probably for the first visit. I paid for the second visit with my debit card, so it will probably just be put into my account, but how do I get access to that $94 dollars on my credit card? Will it just hang out there if I don't use it? Maybe, there is someway to transfer it over to my bank account. It probably needs money in there.

So, I have been thinking about Christmas a little bit lately and have started compiling a Christmas list. Here is what I have so far:
-a new watch. mine has been under several surgeries and it is about out of commission.
-some tights. they have to be solid colors and no texture. I think black and maybe a nude/brown would be great.
-possible some leggings to keep warm. this might not be necessary because it might be warmer in Destin. and this cold spell might be just a crazy Florida weather thing.
-my gray Old Navy bag that I've had forever. The bag I am using is also almost out of commission. I guess since it spent 18 months in Argentina and then the past 14 months here that would be why. That other bag is somewhere in the bin that has all my bags. I think maybe it is in a purple bin of my stuff. I'm not really sure where anything is.

Well, I can't think of anything else to write about. We are having lunch with the ward mission leader and his fiancee, and then we get to start the fun packing process. I think it should be a little easier this time, since I haven't had 10 1/2 months to accumulate things :) I feel that I have been very good while I have been here in Tallahassee.

Well, I love you all! I hope that you have a great Thanksgiving!
Love, Joanna

2008-11-16T07:02:00.001-06:00

Dear Family,

It is so great to write to you! Like Sarah's last email, this has been a long week, and I am glad that it is Saturday.

We had Lindsay's baptism last night. It was good and there was a good turn out from the ward. Here are some pictures from it. Her friends from Jacksonville came. There were four investigators that also came, which was a really good thing. The investigator that we are teaching was really glad that she came. She is amazing! She is going to get baptized soon. She gives the best prayers and even this week she prayed that she would be given the strength to take the steps that she knows that she needs to take.

We are having our Zone Conference this Tuesday. I am really looking forward to it. Last Sunday, we walked into the Church building to make some copies for our weekly coordination meeting and President Summerhays greeted us at the door. It was great! He wanted to talk to us about transfers and what was going to happen. He said he isn't sure, but there is a possibilty that I'll be transfered. I'll let you know what is happening next week. Because of that, I don't have any idea what will be happening with Thanksgiving. Transfers are two days before Thanksgiving so it is up in the air. It'll be good though. We are having district meeting that morning, so I'll at least be going to district meeting :)

So, Mom and Dad, I had a horrible dream last night about both of you. For some reason I was driving to someone's house to visit them. All of a sudden I was at the house on the corner of Beckley and Upper Fredricktown road by the 10 bridge. Y'all pulled up and I went to hug you and both of you pulled out cigarettes and started smoking them. I was horrified! And, then I woke up relieved. But, it must have been a crazy night for dreams because then later I dreamt that two of the Elders here and Sister Stowers were all being sent home. My mind is working too hard when I sleep!

I don't really know what else to tell you. Things haven't been too exciting here. Just the normal missionary stuff. Oh, this Sunday is the third Sunday so I better find something great for you to share. Yeah I can't think of anything. I hope the last couple of emails have something a little more beneficial in them. If not tell the ward that I am doing great and that missionary work is precisely that--work. It might not be happy and exciting, but we have to do it. Whatever you want.

I just looked at those pictures I sent, and I look like a sister missionary.
Yesterday while we were at the Ronald McDonald House we put the lights on their Christmas trees. I couldn't believe it. here I was putting lights on Christmas trees and it isn't even Thanksgiving yet. They have a Florida themed tree. I'm excited to see what it looks like. Someone asked me today if I would move back to Tallahassee. I said "No, I like cold weather."

Well, I guess that is it. Hopefully, next week will be a little more exciting. I love you all!

Love, Joanna

2008-11-09T06:38:00.001-06:00

Dear Family,

Well, this week was alright. We met some really neat people that hopefully we can get back in contact with to teach. Our investigators are doing well. During our lesson with one of them this week, he told us that earlier in the week he had a dream. In that dream his grandfather came to him and told him that the Book of Mormon was true. He told us that that was the answer that he needed, so he is working towards being baptized in December. Lindsay's baptism for today got pushed back until next weekend. Other than that nothing new is happening.

Today is a big football game. We ran into a lady from somewhere in Eastern Europe that we had talked to before, and had a good conversation with her. The only thing is she can't make time to meet with us. It is sad to think that people aren't willing to make that time themselves. It is something we all have to do. I've realized that since I've been out. Time management is important and also making sure that we use our time wisely to do the important things in life like studying the scriptures and praying.

I wish we could have gone to the CES fireside. We didn't have any investigators go, so we couldn't go.

I don't know what else to write about. We'll probably be here for a while yet. Oh, here are the pictures.The first on is me and Melanie. She cut my hair. She is great and she helps us with a lot of stuff. She joined the Church almost three years ago. The other picture is with that house of girls. The are great! They are probably some of my favorite people here. They all are really good about helping us. The picture isn't too great, but you get the gist of it.

I just remembered something else I wanted to ask you about. Could you send me some recipes? The ones that I would really love to have are blonde brownies, banana bread, and baked apple donuts. I taught the Institute couple how to make German pancakes and they love them! They have even varied it up some and put cheese and jalapeno peppers in it.

I can't think of anything else to write. The work is great, and the Church is true! I love you all!

Love, Joanna

2008-11-01T13:09:00.000-05:00

Dear Family,

I had a nice long email written, but then I accidently deleted it. I hate it when that happens. I can't even remember what I wrote. Sorry this one won't be as long. I'll probably write a letter today with some of the other stuff in it.

We had a good week. We had our special Zone Conference with Elder Mask. It was excellent. We also had really good lessons. We stayed safe last night with Halloween, because we were to be inside by 7:00.

Thanks for the package. I love the sweater. I looked at that sweater at Target and really wanted to buy it, but I didn't. Thank you! I cut my hair short last Saturday. I would send pictures, but this computer doesn't want to read them off of my card. I'll send them next week.

It sounds like exciting things are happening for Dad and Ben. Soon I'll have to worry about that, but for now I'll just enjoying worry about missionary work. Being able to do missionary work is great! I have loved being on my mission even though there were difficult times. I have never felt more joy and happiness. I don't think we ever understand the effect we have until much later on. I was reminded of that this week at our Zone Conference and then also in a letter I received.

Our investigators are doing really well. Lindsay is getting baptized next Saturday. She is moving to Jacksonville at the end of the semester, which is sad, but something she needs to do. Zach also said he would get baptized which is really exciting. He has such a great desire to do what is right and to make changes. It is really strange because all of our investigators act like members. No one at church really knows they are investigators unless we tell them so.

Well, I think I will write anything else I have to share with you in the letter I actually write. I love you! Thank you for all the love and support. It means so much to know that I have a family who is supporting me in what I am doing.

Love, Joanna

2008-10-26T06:45:00.000-05:00

Hola Familia!

Can you believe that it is already time to write again? This week seems to have flown by. I guess each one seems to go by faster and faster.

I bet it was fun to have Joseph, Tracy, and Afton visiting. Maybe I'll get the snail mail pictures in the mail today. That would be really exciting!

It sounds like you had a great Stake Conference. And, I'm excited to hear that Elder Christofferson went to Sarah's mission. We are having Elder Clate W. Mask, Jr. come to our mission this next week. We are meeting with him on Monday. It was a little bit of a surprise because they only told us this past week at our Zone Conference. It will be really great! I'm looking forward to it.

Our Zone Conference was really great this week. I really needed it. Even though we did a lot of role playing, President Summerhays talked about preparing for our futures. He also talked about the importance of prayer and how it is through prayer that we can align our actions and our productivity with our goals. We at times have these goals that we want to reach and the result of our efforts don't match. It is through prayer (and real sincere prayer like Elder Bednar has talked about in the past two conferences) that our efforts will match our goals. That was really good, but the best part was of course my interview with President. We had a pretty lengthy discussion about the importance of the experiences we have at certain times in our lives, and then we had a pretty good talk about the area and the future of the mission sister-wise. Apparently, three are coming this next transfer and only one is going home, so either there will be threesomes or a new area will open up. It is pretty interesting to see how much President trusts us. I'm so glad that he was called to be the mission president. I don't think I could have served under any other one.

Our investigators are doing so well! Lindsay and Melanie are both set for their baptisms. We had a really good time with Melanie last week at dinner. She has such a strong testimony. Her boyfriend's dad told us he had been wondering what the missionaries would think when here Melanie showed up regularly attending church and going to all the activities and institute class and everything. He also is very impressed about how strong of a testimony she has. She is a great girl! They took pictures so maybe we'll get to send them home.

We also have two really strong investigators. We were teaching one this week and he told us that right before we had knocked on his door he had been praying to God that he would send him a more direct sign that the feelings he had been having were true. He came to church last week and he said that it was after going to church that he realized that we were the answer to his prayers! He also told us that the Book of Mormon felt heavy like how a fishing pole feels heavy when it is going to be a good fishing day and it is going to catch fish. We were really excited when we heard that. He has some really good spiritual gifts and is really in tune with the Spirit. He should be coming to Church again tomorrow.

Our other new investigator is Zack. He was friends with members growing up, and even went to church, Wednesday night activities, and early morning seminary! His family started getting more active in their church when he was a teenager and they told him that he had to stop going. When we met him on campus he told us that his mom isn't paying the bills anymore and he can do what he wants. When we met with him this past week he told us that he felt like he had done too much wrong in his life and didn't know if God would want to listen to his prayers. We bore testimony about how God will always answer our prayers. He told us he knew it was time for him to get his life back in line with God. It was really great!

We have also been able to find more investigators this week. It has been a pretty good week, except yesterday it rained all day long! It makes it pretty hard to work, but we were still able to acheive some things.

Oh, last Sunday while we were waiting for Church to start I saw Brother Garr and Sister Garr. They stopped and talked. Sister Garr was like "Oh, you're our Sister Allred's daughter? We loved our Sister Allred! She was great!" She said she had to give me a hug. They both wanted me to say hi again to everyone in the family. It was exciting to see them.

There is going to be an article in the Deseret News about the Institute program here sometime next week I believe. You should see what it says. I'm not sure what day, but the institute director said it should be next week. We were talking one day this week and he told me that I have a great spirit about me. A lot of people have told me that while I have been on my mission. It is interesting that other people see that when you don't necessarily see it.

I love you all! I hope that you have a great week! Thanks for the love and support!
Love, Joanna

2008-10-21T07:05:00.001-05:00

So, remember how I said the weather was nice and it was cooler? Yeah, well, I forgot that it is Florida and it is back to hot weather. It isn't humid which is good, and it isn't super hot which is good, but it is still hot and it's October! That was a really long run-on sentence, but I wish the weather would be like real weather.

Yes, Brother garr is here this weekend. We snuck in last night and I got to talk to him for just a coupl of minutes. We took the attached picture, as proof that he really was here. He remembered who I was and told all the people that were standing around us that I was his student and that my mom was a missionary when he was in Palmyra. He wanted me to say hi to everyone he knows. He asked if there were any of us still at BYU. I told him about all the girls, since he doesn't know Ben and Joseph. I was really excited to see him. He is going to be around until early Monday morning and is even going to Church in the same building we have Church, but I probably won't see him again.

The dermatologist visit hopefully was useful, but we'll see. He told me that he wouldn't be surprised if it took six months for things to get completely better. Six months? I'll be home in six months! He gave me another prescription, and now I get to sleep with gloves on so that the ointment will absorb better into my skin. Yeah, we'll see how it works. It doesn't seem to be working like the other stuff. Oh well. I guess it is something that I'll have to deal with my whole life. Luckily, we had a recently returned hermana take us to the doctor. She told us fun mission stories and it was really good. She served in Rosario Argentina. Sister Summerhays is going to get me refunded for the visits. It should be about $140 that I'll be getting back.

Don't worry about my credit card. I don't need it. My new debit card will be coming in January though and I will need that one. But, that is in January so we won't have to worry about it. I had to buy some new shoes last week. The brown ones that I wear all the time have holes in the bottoms. We do so much walking. And, it was time for new ones. Whenever it would rain, the water would soak up into my shoes and I would end us walking around in wet shoes for the rest of the day. The shoe salesman we talked to was from Lima. He was really nice and told us the Mormons he always met were nice.

I heard that BYU lost. I was sad. A less-active here doesn't like BYU so he was really excited. Oh well. I'll have to take a picture of some graffiti that proves that even Florida State knows that BYU is better.

I was wondering if you could do something for me. I need some addresses of people. The first is my old roommate Lisa. She got married and is now Lisa Sledge. She is still going to school at BYU so she is on the directory. The other is Kent's. I know he is living in Springville, but I need his actual address.

I bet Stake Conference will be really good. It seems like we never had General Authorities come to Stake Conference when we were young. Maybe it's just that I don't remember it. I remember his talk from Conference last April and it was good.

Well, I think that is it. We are having Zone Conference again this week. I'm excited, as always. I'd love to see pictures from this weekend, especially of Afton. The last pictures I have are of her at three months, and if I am going to be her favorite aunt then I should be kept updated on her. :)

I love you all! Thank you for all of the love, support, and prayers.
Love, Joanna

2008-10-21T07:05:00.000-05:00

Hello family!
We are a little later today with our emailing, because we decided to spend the morning part of the day sleeping. It was so nice! By the time that y'all get this Joseph, Tracy, and Afton will probably be there. I'm sure it will be a fun weekend.
We had a pretty good week this week. We worked really hard this week, and it has paid off. The work is progressing. Finally! It still has its moments when it isn't quite as fun and slow, but we have people we are teaching and are coming along nicely. Lindsay and Melanie are both working towards their baptisms and don't have any concerns. I really love teaching them both. They have the greatest spirit about them. We had dinner with Lindsay this week, and we are having dinner with Melanie and her boyfriend and his dad tonight. They introduced her to the Church.
Oh, I'm still here in Tallahassee, just in case you were wondering. Sister Stowers and I will be together for another six glorious weeks here in our favorite area! We were both secretly hoping that we would be transferred, but apparently we haven't learned that things aren't always the way we want them to be. So, I'm going to smile and enjoy every minute of these next six weeks. At least I will try and smile. We'll see.

So, remember how I said the weather was nice and it was cooler? Yeah, well, I forgot that it is Florida and it is back to hot weather. It isn't humid which is good, and it isn't super hot which is good, but it is still hot and it's October! That was a really long run-on sentence, but I wish the weather would be like real weather.

Yes, Brother garr is here this weekend. We snuck in last night and I got to talk to him for just a coupl of minutes. We took the attached picture, as proof that he really was here. He remembered who I was and told all the people that were standing around us that I was his student and that my mom was a missionary when he was in Palmyra. He wanted me to say hi to everyone he knows. He asked if there were any of us still at BYU. I told him about all the girls, since he doesn't know Ben and Joseph. I was really excited to see him. He is going to be around until early Monday morning and is even going to Church in the same building we have Church, but I probably won't see him again.

The dermatologist visit hopefully was useful, but we'll see. He told me that he wouldn't be surprised if it took six months for things to get completely better. Six months? I'll be home in six months! He gave me another prescription, and now I get to sleep with gloves on so that the ointment will absorb better into my skin. Yeah, we'll see how it works. It doesn't seem to be working like the other stuff. Oh well. I guess it is something that I'll have to deal with my whole life. Luckily, we had a recently returned hermana take us to the doctor. She told us fun mission stories and it was really good. She served in Rosario Argentina. Sister Summerhays is going to get me refunded for the visits. It should be about $140 that I'll be getting back.

Don't worry about my credit card. I don't need it. My new debit card will be coming in January though and I will need that one. But, that is in January so we won't have to worry about it. I had to buy some new shoes last week. The brown ones that I wear all the time have holes in the bottoms. We do so much walking. And, it was time for new ones. Whenever it would rain, the water would soak up into my shoes and I would end us walking around in wet shoes for the rest of the day. The shoe salesman we talked to was from Lima. He was really nice and told us the Mormons he always met were nice.

I heard that BYU lost. I was sad. A less-active here doesn't like BYU so he was really excited. Oh well. I'll have to take a picture of some graffiti that proves that even Florida State knows that BYU is better.

I was wondering if you could do something for me. I need some addresses of people. The first is my old roommate Lisa. She got married and is now Lisa Sledge. She is still going to school at BYU so she is on the directory. The other is Kent's. I know he is living in Springville, but I need his actual address.

I bet Stake Conference will be really good. It seems like we never had General Authorities come to Stake Conference when we were young. Maybe it's just that I don't remember it. I remember his talk from Conference last April and it was good.

Well, I think that is it. We are having Zone Conference again this week. I'm excited, as always. I'd love to see pictures from this weekend, especially of Afton. The last pictures I have are of her at three months, and if I am going to be her favorite aunt then I should be kept updated on her. :)

I love you all! Thank you for all of the love, support, and prayers.
Love, Joanna

2008-10-11T13:09:00.000-05:00

Dear Family,

What a great day it is today! After the rain that we had earlier this week, we have had a couple of really beautiful days. I can't believe Dad was at the airport this week. We weren't sitting at a table due to the rain. Instead, we had two really good lessons with both of the girls that have baptismal dates. The thunderstorm hampered our evening of proselyting, so we had to find something to do inside. We made cookies for some of our investigators and the couple at the Institute.

Other exciting news of this past week is that we had a really good lesson with a man named Adam and his girlfriend, Madison, who we met earlier in the week while we were tracting. Madison told Adam that the Mormons were coming, and he was there wanting to talk to us. He says he can't belive in God because he has seen too many people suffer and die, and a loving God wouldn't allow that to happen. He told us he didn't have faith and he wished he could have any sort of faith in anything. I haven't met anyone who openly said that they couldn't belive in a God yet, so it was a really good experience. We were originally going to teach Madison about the Restoration, but it definitely was not what they needed right then. The Spirit really was strong in our lesson as we talked about how we can have faith and develop that faith. We read with Adam from the Book of Mormon Alma 32:27 and Alma 22:16-18. He said that if he could find the truth and be so sure about it as we were then he would do what it said.

It was just the lesson I needed, as well. The teaching pool isn't nearly as large as it was back in Andalusia and it has been hard adjusting to it. And, being there for so long I got to see the fruits of our work. We haven't had the visible results that come from a long time of toil, but we are slowly seeing the results of our work. Everyone tells us that we are doing such a great job and it is showing. Sometimes it is hard to see everything that you've done when you are right there in it, but taking a step back it is easier to see. This morning Sister Stowers and I both were led to study about patience (neither of us had planned to study patience last night, but we were lead by the Spirit to study it), and it helped me have a better outlook on things here.

This next week is transfers. I don't know what is going to happen at all. I guess we'll all find out next week! It would be sad to leave Tallahassee right when we are getting things happening, but whatever the Lord needs me to do I will do it. I would really miss Sister Stowers as well. I have loved serving with her and being her trainer. Plus, she doesn't want me to leave her here on campus with a companion that doesn't know where anything is.

Brother Garr is coming this next weekend. I will try to see him and even get a picture with him if I can. I am really excited to see him. I hope he remembers who I am.

I am going back to the Dermatologist on Monday. Hopefully, he can figure out what is wrong. I will be getting reimbursed for both visits. Sister Summerhays will send everything in after this visit, hopefully Monday when I give her the print out.

So, I forgot to write this. One of the recent converts here in Tallahassee is getting married May 1 in Manti. She really wants me to be there for it and to be her escort as she goes through the temple. I was really honored when she asked me because I didn't teach her or anything. I've continued to fellowship her and be her friend. So, I just thought I'd let you know. And, can you tell Sarah happy birthday for me? I sent her a letter last week, but she won't get it before her birthday. Thanks!

Well, I guess that is it. I love you all! Thanks for your love and support! Love, Joanna

2008-10-06T11:28:00.000-05:00

Dear Family,

Happy Monday Morning! After Conference this weekend, I feel so uplifted and ready to face the challenges that come with serving the Lord, especially here on campus. Hearing the words of counsel from the prophets and apostles was a great comfort and strength, especially after the trial of being here in Tallahassee.

This week was alright. After last weeks email about how it has cooled down, it decided to get hot again. But, there is still some coolness in the air. It isn't nearly as humid as it used to be, which I am definitely grateful for.

On Friday the LDSSA had a lecture on campus called "Understanding Mormonism". President Summerhays and one of his counselors came and spoke at it. Two of our investigators came to it. It was pretty good. One of them, who we have had a hard time setting appointments with and actually getting to teach her instead of answering her questions, really impressed President Summerhays. He said that she really is searching and has really good potential. We are teaching her this week. She said that she had a lot of questions, but we are going to make sure that we can teach her an actual lessons and then get to her questions.

Lindsay got into an accident this week, and so we had to drop one of our lessons with her. It was really sad, but she seemed to be alright, just a little shaken up.

This week we started a new finding method. It all started out of a simple little thing. On campus they have been pushing really hard to get everyone registered to vote. This past week they had a table set up along one of the main sidewalks. One evening we saw it and decided that we would sit at the table because it would be something new. And, it worked. We had a pros Book of Mormon and two pamphlets on the table. More people talked to us then than usually do in a day. And, we found a new investigator from it! He said he knows he needs to get baptized but hasn't done it yet. We are meeting with him this week. I am so excited about it! Because of the success that we had, we decided to use the same method the next night and ended up having really great conversations with three people. It was the highlight of my week!

So, Ben and Shannon finally announced they were having a baby publicly. I am so excited for it. I'm more excited because the due date is the week before I come home!

I'm glad to hear that things are good at home and with everyone. Thank you for your love and support. Knowing that I have family who is supporting me makes the hard days easy to get through. I love you all!

Love, Joanna

2008-09-27T10:38:00.001-05:00

Hello family and friends!

I can't believe it is time to write again this week as well! When I look back over the week and month, I realize that even though the days sometime seem to go by so slowly, they really go by quite fast.

This week was a normal missionary week. We had our Zone Conference yesterday. It was really good. I really needed it, too. Sister Stowers did a great job with her training. I love serving with her. We get along really well.

At our Zone Conference, we talked about the importance of the Book of Mormon in the conversion process of our investigators and also in our own personal conversion to help us stay holding on to the iron rod after our missions. I can always tell when I don't have a good study of the Book of Mormon. Missing out on learning about the truths of the gospel and of the Savior can really affect how the day goes. I love the Book of Mormon! It is the truth!

The excema on my finger isn't getting fixed with the stuff the doctor gave me, so I'm going to be going back in sooner than planned. I hope this doesn't end up being a huge ordeal.

I got a letter this week from the Murrays. I loved it and the pictures they sent from their trip to Nauvoo. It is strange thinking that there are sisters serving in Mount Vernon, though. I very vaguely remember there being sisters when I was really young.

I also really enjoyed my birthday package from Joseph and Tracy. I was thinking it was a happy one year thing (because that is my mission birthday). It really made my day. I wasn't expecting it at all, and it was a really happy surprise! I also got the hot cross bun recipe, and I think Sister Bowcutt will really appreciate it.

I went on my first splits this week. Sister Stowers went Visiting teaching with her companion and I went tracting with a ward missionary. It was fun! She really enjoyed tracting! We have some great ward missionaries to work with. The members are the key to successful missionary work. Sarah pointed that out in her email. When members don't have missionaries around they realize the importance of helping the missionaries and appreciate the work they do so much more. I would love to open another area again!

Lindsay, our investigator, is really excited about getting baptized. We met with her right before her institute class on Tuesday night and she said, "Can I tell people that I'm getting baptized?" We said, "Of course, tell everyone!" She is going to be here this weekend, so she gets to come to church here instead of in Jacksonville. She is excited to see what it is like.

I'm excited for the Relief Society broadcast tonight. I didn't get to see it last year because I was in the MTC, and I really missed it. President Summerhays gave us special permission to watch it.

The weather here is beautiful! There is a little bit of a chill (okay, it's only between 60 and 65, but here that is a chill) in the mornings when we go out to exercise. Then during the day we don't sweat buckets of sweat any more. In fact, we hardly sweat at all! It is so nice! I am really excited about this weather.

Well, I think that is about it. I don't have anymore pictures to send, but I'll probably take some later today for next week. I love you all!

Love, Joanna