A new start, mission over view, and blessings!

My life has changed so much since I last posted. I have served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My mission was the Washington, Spokane mission and in that mission I served the Spanish community. What an experience that was! It all started when I entered the MTC (Missionary Training Center). My first day there as I entered what was to be my class room for the next few weeks all I heard was Spanish. I hardly knew anything of the language I had been called to serve in but there I was trying to understand all these strange words and learn how to teach in a language that seemed to want to trip over my tongue. At times it was frustrating but I fought for it. I knew why I was there but it was not until I had been left behind by my district (group of missionaries that shared the same classroom) and my companions (missionaries are put in companionships with either one or two other missionaries). That I started learning in my heart why I was there. I had been put on what is called a medical extension. I have what I thought were chronic hiccups, after many doctor appointments later (which included a neurologist, and throat and ear doctor, a psychologist, and a MRI) I was told that those pesky noises that according to the Elders (Male missionaries) in my district were awesome and there was a record of my having 80 in one hour; what I thought were chronic hiccups were actually the effect of a genetic tic. So my next question was, 'what on earth is a tic?' Well according to Dr. Grossman on childbrain.com 
 'Tics are involuntary twitches that may involve any voluntary muscle groups. Tics may be partially controlled, usually for a short duration during which a person makes a strong effort to control them. Later, however, the tics will reoccur and may be stronger due to the compensation attempt. Tics may consist of eye blinking, facial grimacing, nasal flaring, or mouth opening. To best understand how a person with a tic disorder feels, one may try to refrain from blinking his own eyes for a long period of time. This will be easy initially, but after about 30 seconds the blinking will occur almost automatically. This is how a person with a tic disorder feels constantly. Tics become worse when people are under stressful situations. Usually presenting for the first time when a family emergency or a move from a safe environment occurs.What are Tics?               
Tics usually fluctuate in intensity and if they occur only temporarily, they do not qualify for any specific tic disorder.
Tics may be motor or vocal; the vocal tics include humming, grunting, or saying actual words, usually in an explosive, spastic fashion, (the words may be curses).
Tics may be simple or complex. A simple tic is purposeless, such as an eye blink, any other muscle twitch, a grunt, or a production of a noise. A complex tic consists of a muscle movement with a purpose, such as scratching, throwing, or chewing. A vocal complex tic is one that actually produces a word, not just a sound. '
 To be honest I still tell people that I have chronic hiccups because it is easier for most people to understand.  I have had these ever changing sounds for coming on nine years now. So while I am accustomed to people asking about them or simply giving me strange looks, I have learned so much because of them.
 For example I was in the MTC an extra three weeks than the rest of my district. During that time I not only met some amazing people, or became more comfortable and proficient in Spanish,  but I also came to understand my purpose as a missionary to bring others to Christ.
 After the MTC my mission seemed to go by on hyper speed. There are moments and experiences that changed me, but I do not want to lessen their significance by sharing them in a way that they are not understood, or appreciated fully. I promise that I will share some of them as they are pertinent to what I share. For I truly desire to remember and continue allow my mission to change my life. For it truly has been the most life changing eighteen months of my life!
 Since I have been home it seems as if my life has been a constant round of work and sickness. But every time I become seriously ill there is something I learned that would not have other wise. Every day I thank God for the life he has given me.  Right now I may be looking for work due to my having a four week illness, but I am excited for what God has in store for me. Because since this illness has started I have been accepted into one of the colleges I was trying to transfer to, I am still waiting to hear from another, but I have truly come to realize how committed I am not only to the gospel but to my dreams. Let us go forth in faith and see what God has in store! 

Well Going to my Grandfathers funeral was an expeirence to remember. Thanksgiving involved whip cream fights and family. And now I am busy trying to sign up for classes and saving money! Hope everyone is enjoying their holiday season!


Christes maesse

Sad Family Happening!

My Dear Grandfather Passed in his sleep in the early hours of this Morning! He has suffered many years with the disease Alziemers and is now free from the pain and memory loss. I only wish for the his happiness as he is reunited with my Grandmother who loved him dearly. To all those who have family who have suffered from this disease know that all is not lost and in the end they know who love and care for them!

I love you Grandpa be at peace!




-Pax-

Long time, No speak!

Well many may wonder but at times I think that they do not see beyond that which they wish to see. I am now and forever proclaiming that I write these updates in a different manner. One which is truer to myself and, as close to my personality as is possible. Though that may be quite frightening at times! These past months I have learned more about myself and what I truly wish to be! Oh how these things seem fickle but truly show us our strengths. Family has become the most important thing to me, even more so than before. Helping my Mother dear with my Grandfather who suffers from Alziemers. To helping my brother in his story writing. Also Tests have been taken to help pave the road to greater knowledge. If that has succeeded is yet to be seen. But for now I leave you, As I must prepare myself for work this evening!



insana, insanus, insani

Oops!!! I totally forgot!!!

So... I have not been keeping this up as I should! School is almost over! Yeah!!! Test tests and more tests! Yeck! Oh well I am learning and enjoying it! Except the stress part anyway!!! Well I will try to keep this up better in the future!!

Sorry!!!!

I have totally not been on the ball this week! Okay my computer power cord stopped working so I have been using the School's computers. And I totally forgot to update! So horrible of me! Anyway I am doing pretty good! I really suck at the math, though I am getting better! Yeah! I am actually starting to understand algerbra! yes!!! One of my goals in life is being fulfilled!!!!! any way I will try to be better at doing this. I feel horrid about not updating in soooo.... Long!!! any way home work is calling!!!! Later!

Wisdom Tooth

I totally forgot again. Anyway! In the morning the whole school is going to particapate in the exodus reinactment. It is going to be cold. Brrrr! I am going to be busy tomorrow catching up on school work and getting ahead on some. (Cross your fingers!!!!) I found that i don't say much on these. Sorry for that! Had choir tonight it was fun but I was getting pretty tired towards the end. Oh guess what? I have a wisdom tooth coming in! Oh Joy!!!! I hope it is only the one! Its the only one I have room for!!! Right now it is kinda of irratating but luckily it is not to painfull right now! (Thank heavens) I have about forty pages of reading to do some I am going to try and get some headway in that! Night all! At least for now!