Its been a long time...

Well, it's been a long time (2 months I think), but here I am. I haven't fallen off the face of the earth! So anyways, tonight I went with the sister missionaries to help teach two investigators, and I was just hit that, "Wow, in five months, this is going to be me." I'm really excited and scared at the same time. It was really good tonight. We were originally going to just teach a girl that the sisters tracked into a few days ago, but Kate (the investigator) brought a friend, and man! Did he come there with an arsenal of questions? I understand that that is going to happen, but to actually go there willingly and take those questions one after the other, Sister Rogers really handled it well. I don't know if I will be able to do that right away. But I know He will help me know what to say. And I am so grateful for the chance to teach Gospel Principles. It helped me so much tonight explain about the basic things about the Gospel. Like the Holy Ghost, faith, the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith. It's nice to have those defining moments that really help you to know you h ave a testimony. Sometimes I wonder, but tonight really helped. I'm especially grateful for the concept of faith. I never knew how much faith I have until I've met people that have none. It would be such a scary existence to think that you have no hope for something better. Thats what I thought about as Andrew (the other investigator) was firing off his questions. It seemed he wanted all facts, that he needed to be shown that the Bible and the Book of mormon are true. I love how people just believe what they hear and think its the truth about the Gospel and don't do any research. Sister Rogers was great, she just asked them to pray, research, read the sciptures, ask pray for themselves. Moroni is a great man. He spelled it out so plainly and so perfectly in Moroni 10. Well, thats my update. Missionary experiences are wonderful!

Oh, the pain...

I don't understand why one hurts more then the other? I got my wisdom teeth out on Monday, and three are doing pretty well. My jaw is really sore, but that's because they had to stretch it as far as it could go and then some. But explain to me. Why does my bottom right side hurt like the the dickens? And everything else is just sore. I feel like the stitches are coming out, so I called my oral surgeon and they said that they were dissolvable. I don't know. Whatever. It's just hard to sleep and recuperate if I'm in pain like this. I'm sorry I'm complaining. Thanks for reading my venting. :)

Just a little frustrating...

So at my job, I am a senior loan representative. Which means I process a junk load of paperwork, train people that just come onto the floor, and take supervisor calls. So today, what I call training, it is actually categorized as "shadowing." Where someone sits with me, observes what I'm doing, then slowly over the 4 days that they shadow, they get on the phone and the trainer (me) just gets to listen. And I completely understand that people who work in call centers before have previous training, but all call centers are different. Different procedures, policies, rules, etc. When I train, I try instill upon the people I train to be as kind and patient as possible, because these people call in to get help, not talked to like they are morons (even though there are times, that is exactly what the caller is). So this girl that was sitting with me today, I could tell when she got on the phone after our second break she definitely worked in a call center before. Because she had that "air" about her like, " I know what I'm talking about and you can give me guidance, but I'll choose to use it if I feel so inclined." *rolls my eyes* So when she got on the phone, she wouldn't let the borrower (that is what we call the person that calls in) finish their sentences, she wouldn't put them on hold to make sure what she was saying was correct (i.e. checking with me to make sure she didn't say something stupid), she just took off. And remember, this is her first time on the floor, and you would think she would want to check with me to make sure what she was saying was correct. Because, I don't want to seem all proud or what not, but I'm sorry, two years working for this company in the same position for almost a year and a half, I'd like to think I know what I'm talking about, but maybe I'm completely deluded and, in fact, I don't. We shall never know. Anyway, needless to say, at least every phone call I was listening to her give the borrower advice, I had to say "no" at least once, because what she said was wrong. I think she was getting frustrated with me, because then she would stop talking and look at me, and I mouth to her, "Put them on hold." I didn't know that was rocket science. But I totally understand she wants to do it on her own, and even I have a problem asking for help at times. But, this is her first day in the REAL situation, so you would think....

Oh well, thank you for letting me vent. I just had a little bit of a frustrating day. I never hate my job, because I could just as easily be unemployed. And I am sorry for the people that have been effected by this economy we are living in now.

So now I am sitting here, watching "Sleeping Beauty," and remembering how much I loved this movie growing up. Hope everyone has a great rest of your week!

My Birthday Suprise

It was my birthday yesterday! Even though I shouldn't be so excitied, because I'm just another year older. But I got to spend the weekend at the beach (as per the previous post) and then today out to dinner with my mom at Carrabba's (YUMMO!) and cake and ice cream later. Well, I got some gifts that I asked for and then a complete suprise gift from my father.

This is my new pearl necklace from Mountz Jewelers. My dad said, "I got your mom a nice pearl neckleace, and your sister. Well, I figured you were old enough that you can get one, too." My mouth dropped when I got this. What can I say? I love my bling! :)

A Weekend by the Sea

My friend, Missy, and I went to the Jersey Shore this weekend. It was so much fun! This is a picture from our second day there. Sunday turned out to be a BEAUTIFUL day! This is a picture of the "Funtown Peir." I have such a fear of heights, but I braved it and went up on that ferris wheel.

My feet after a wave from the Atlantic Ocean sunk me into the sand.

Missy and I were being retarded. We walked into a store where there were hermit crabs, and we saw al these plastic sea animals. This is me with the sting ray. I was feeling the love and getting a nice hug from the sting ray.

Missy with the Bud Man. He's holding up a beer (don't ask me why she wanted a picture with him?) and Missy is holding up the sign (not really, but looks like it, huh?)!

This is me with the new 2010 Camaro. One word comes to mind. B-E-A-UTIFUL!

Hello All! I thought I needed to upload some picture. My mom and I went to my grandparents house for Memorial Day weekend to see the air show on the Navy base. Below are pictures of the Blue Angels that flew. It was so awesome!


Below is a picture of my grandfather and Uncle Ken. It was nice to be able to see him and my other family members. Everyone that was there was my Uncle Ken (below, right), his two sons, Kyle and Kenneth, my Uncle Phil, his daughter, Haley, and Haley's boyfriend, Bryce. Then my mom and I and my grandparents. It was a lot of fun!


This is my grandmother (Janet). I thought this was hilarious. My mom and I were standing the field to tak pictures of the Blue Angels, and when we came back, this is what I saw. I love her. She always makes me smile.

This is a picture of the V-22 Osprey. My grandfather had a part in the project for this. I don't know exactly what he did, but it's still pretty cool. And then thats me.

This is a video of the Blue Angels flying. I don't know if you'll be too impressed, because its is WAY better in person, but it gives you some type of an idea.

This is Cala crawling for like the second time in her life! Its old since she is now walking and talking, but I just thought I would share.

When Cala and I were hanging out one day, this is also when she was younger, she had a fascination with blowing raspberries, so I just had to get a video of her. She startles herself at one point. Its pretty funny.

Enjoy!

The makings of my quilt

So my grandma is planning on making me a "mystery quilt." That just means that she gets one page at a time of the pattern for the quilt in an email from a friend every 2-3 months. So she won't even know what it looks like until she is practically done with it. I'm excited. These are the fabrics. Its going to be so pretty!

Easter

Hello everyone! I hope everyone had a fantastic Easter. I know I did. I went down to my grandparents house in Southern Maryland and it was a wonderful stay. I went down on Friday morning and got back Monday afternoon. It was a relaxing, much needed four day weekend. I love my grandparents house. Brings back a lot of fond, childhood memories. And the weather was so wonderful on Easter. Hardly any humidity. A little on the cooler side, but thats OK. Its only the middle of April.




After everyone left Sunday afternoon, my grandparents and I took a walk around Solomon's Island. This is a view of the harbor.

And its really hard to see, but beyond that little white house, is the Chesepeake Bay. And If you can see where the two land masses on either side of the picture ends, that is called, "A Gateway to the World." Because as long as you have some type of boat, you can get to the Atlantic Ocean fom there and go where ever your heart desires.

This is my cousin, Alice. Every year my grandparents treat us to dinner at the Officers Club at the Patuxent Navy Base in Lexington Park, MD. The food is yummy!

This is the view from the Officer's Club. My camera has REALLY good zoom on it. I think this is a cruise ship, but I don't know. It was just cool to see such a large ship in the Chesepeake.

So, I hope everyone has a great rest of the week!

An interesting way to drink water

Adrienne, Mark, and Cala got to come to Pennsylvania for Mark's spring break. It was so nice seeing them. I was just sad, I didn't get to spend more time with them. But thank you to Adrienne and Mark for letting me come over on Thursday to spend time and play with Cala while you guys got ready to go. But I just thought I would post this picture (sorry to Mark to have to make him lean back while I took this picture, I know you wanted to eat the yummy spagetti Dad made). But we gave Cala this spoon and she decides this is a better way to drink her water. I thought it was pretty cute. Hope everyone had a great March so far. Congrats to Mer with her new baby boy! He is such a cutie pututie! Until next month!

HERE IT IS!!

My new iHome. Isn't it pretty? lol

It's a radio and iPod holder, so it charges my iPod and plays the music.

So here it is. My attraction. I'm sorry I'm such a dork. Little things for simple minds, I guess. :P Have a great day!

Attraction soon to come...(part 2)

IT IS HERE! I just haven't gotten a picture of it yet. But I will. I'm SO excited about what I bought myself. How sad is that? lol

Attraction soon to come...

My cat keeping herself warm between me and the back of the chair. As you can see, I hardly have any room.

So, nothing really new to report for the month of February....yet. I've just been working. Oh, actually one exciting thing happened. There has been this guy at my work that I have been getting to know. We have been becoming good friends. So, the other day at work we parked close to each other in the garage, so we kind of walked out together. So as we were walking out "together" we were talking a little bit. And a couple of times we have stayed an hour and a half after work, just talking. Learning about each other. So let me give you the story from the beginning.

One day, I parked close to Andrew. So he saw me and says, "Have a good night, Amanda." And I'm thinking , "sure." Because I did not have a good day at work that day. So I kind of go, "Yea, thanks, you too." And I must have had a tone in my voice, because he is a very perceptive, very nice guy. So he asks me, "Whats wrong?" So, I let him know what is bothering me at work, and he listens, sympathizes, he was just really nice about it. But as we talked about that, we talked about our lives, our families, where he went to college, that I lived in Utah, etc, etc. That lasted about an hour and a half.



So, that was just a preface. It was a week later, and we were walking to our cars "together," again. And we begin talking, again. OK, backup. Earlier that day, at our last break around 7:00pm, I was sitting at one of the tables in the break area, reading. He comes up and sits with me, then another girl, that is also LDS that works in our department comes and sits with us as well. So she starts talking to us. Asks Andrew if he would be interested in coming to a casual single adult activity that her ward has. Its a Friday night game night at a girls house in her ward. He says he might be, then she turns to me and asks me about the Valentines Day dance that was coming up that weekend. I hmm and haa about it because I REALLY have no interest in going, just because it would mostly be girls. Fun times and great dating scene in good ol' PA. Anyways, cut back to us at our cars. For some reason, I thought Rebecca (that's the other LDS girls name) had asked Andrew if he wanted to come to that as well. So I ask him about that when we are at our cars. He goes, "Oh, did she ask me? I wasn't even paying attention to that part. Oh well, I can't really dance anyway." So we laughed about that. And so from there he asked, "Why do you call yourself LDS, is 'Mormon' a different religion?" Oh man, I was like, totally getting into "missionary mode" at that point. I explain to him the reason why people call us "Mormon" and that LDS is the same thing. So he asks about the Book of Mormon, and now my studying and lifetime of being in this church is starting to come out. He asks me all sorts of questions, about polygamy, if the Book of Mormon is suppose to replace the Bible, etc. Everything that you normally hear from someone who doesn't really know much about the LDS church. Plus, he is religious himself. He went to high school at a Christian high school in Harrisburg (not Bishop McDevitt), so he is Christian, so he whole-heartedly believes in the Bible. Which was nice. He has a lot of the same values as me (being LDS) has. And by this point, I have lightly touched on the Plan of Salvation, the Restoration, not everything, but enough that he said to me, "Maybe I could get a copy of the Book of Mormon sometime. I would be interested in reading it." OK, seriously, I was throwing a party in my head. It was all I could do, to keep myself from smiling from ear-to-ear and giving him a huge bear hug. He asked for a Book of Mormon. I'm studying to become a missionary. What missionary, even if they haven't been called yet, (or even a faithful member, at that) doesn't want to hear those words come out of a non-members mouth? So I swallowed big, so I wouldn't let that smile come out, and said, "Sure, I'll get you one. But make me a deal. Once you read it, I want to hear what you think." And he goes, "That's fair."



Well, I was able to get him a Book of Mormon. I also marked some scriptures that I liked, and gave him an "Articles of Faith" card with the Savior on the front. Because while we were talking, he just came out and asked me, "So what do you believe in?" And I thought that card would expain everything. So needless to say, it has been a good month. Plus, by the way, Andrew is REALLY cute. I have had this motto for quite some time. Here goes, "Flirt to convert." So, that is what I'm doing :). I'll give more updates as that progesses.



But back to the title of my post today. I ordered something that I'm very excited about, from online today. I will post a picture of it once it comes. This is the first time in a long time I have been able to spend money on myself and still have money left over. Blessed tax return.

So I said there would be pictures

Here is my niece, Cala, with my Grandmother. I really don't know what shes pointing at.

This is my grandfather with his new toilet seat. He is very happy about it. It was very funny when he opened it. His face was hilarious. I wish I'd have gotten a picture of it



And this is our Christmas tree pre-present opening.

So here are pictures from Christmas. No pictures from New Years. Like I said, I'm not that good at taking pictures like my mom and sister are. But I will try harder, now that I have somewhere to post them.

Hello for the month of January

Hello Again!

Well, I think its just going to be a monthly thing for me I guess, to update this blog. But thats quite alright. I don't have much to talk about anyway. So I've just been working and saving up the big bucks for the mish! I'm not that stressed out about it anymore, which is nice. Its because I know it will all work out. But I have to run off to work (story of my life...work, work, work! lol). I hope to write more later on tonight.