It's Snowing in Virginia Beach!

Sister Chelsea Snow ladies and gents.

For everyone who doesn't know, this lovely lady has made the decision to go on a mission and serve the Lord for 18 months. 

At college she opened her call to Richmond, Virginia and I cried.

In between my tears of joy and exclamations of "OHMYGOSH I LIVE THERE" we both got so excited for her new journey to the East Coast!

At the end of the semester our goodbyes weren't as teary because maybe JUST MAYBE I would be able to see her when she came to Virginia!

The odds were not in our favor, you see because the Richmond Virginia Mission is not a tiny mission area. 

So she went off the MTC and then flew to Virginia this past Wednesday!  

And it was a complete surprise to find out that her first are would be in the Norfolk Ward in the Virginia Beach Stake (a ward in my stake!)

So now we're in the same Stake and I get to see her a few times before I go back to college in April!

My sweet Mom and I made plans to go have lunch with the Sister missionaries and planned it so Sister Snow didn't know I was coming!

We showed up at her apartment and Sister Snow opened the door and well, here's the video:

So after we hugged and screamed and laughed and cried a little, we got to cook lunch together! Her companions are SO sweet and their little apartment is the cutest!

 

I just couldn't get enough photos with this gorgeous girl!

 

AMAZING MIRACLE MOMENT:

I got a letter from Sister Snow on Thursday and immediately wrote her a letter back and tried to send it on Friday but missed the mail truck (that thing zooms away so fast!) So I was bummed that I had her letter in my hand for a whole nother day but the Lord knew that she was coming to my stake and planned the whole thing. 

I am so grateful that I can see the Hand of the Lord working in my life! I was able to personally deliver my letter to Sister Snow AND have lunch together before she went of tracting!

What a wonderful world!

I am so glad that I met Sister Chelsea Snow all those years ago at the greatest EFY of our lives, we had the best week together and kept in touch since! She's is the most amazing missionary already and I can't wait to bump into her again! Love that girl

check out her journey on her Mission Blog! http://sisterchelseabaileysnow.blogspot.com

So much has changed! and yet...some things remain the same.

at EFY as adorable 15 year olds.           and here we are as stunning 19 year olds

My life's mission

 My entire life I've harbored a passion for art. As a two year old, the first words out of my mouth daily were, “Where’s my pencil?”  My parents supported my need to draw by supplying me with sketchbooks, pens, and inspiration. I began art classes very young and my work was proudly displayed in our home. I love all aspects of art whether it be drawing, creating, sculpting or painting. My role models are not Hollywood celebrities, but artists like Picasso, Leonardo and Mondrian. Everything in my world revolved around art. 

 Creating pictures and making people smile is what brings me happiness. I am pursuing a career in Art Education where I can help children develop their talents and express their creativity through art.  I have a passion for learning and a love for art. I love working with children of all ages and backgrounds. My life’s mission is to help children realize their artistic potential and inspire them to create what no one else has ever created.

 I have had specific experiences in my life that have led me to this decision to be an Art teacher. It is so rewarding to help children recognize their talent and see their excitement at their creations.

TGIF

Thank goodness it's February

--oh wait--

Exactly ten February's ago my family decided to take on the challenge of "No Electronics" for an entire month. So we gave up our television, turned off our Gameboys (remember those?) and resorted to candle light evenings while we churned butter and quilted.

(gotcha didn't I)

Ok so we don't shut off our electricity for an entire month, but we DO refrain from television, movies, Youtube, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and any social media really..

We are allowed to use our computers to draw, create books, and blog. but that's it.


This month is always an interesting month. We read and play outside more than other months, and we also go through with drawls on Friday nights when instead of watching a movie together we gather for a riveting game of chess...

My lovely Mother wrote a post about this month HERE if you would like to read it.

So here's to our Tenth Anniversary of our crazy family keeping this awesome/awful tradition alive.

so TGIF