Giving Thanks.

I had a very untraditional Thanksgiving this year. I had to work the day before and after Thanksgiving and could not afford to fly home for just ONE day. It would have been nice to be home but I'm actually really glad that I stayed. I became the "plus 1" at the Francois Thanksgiving dinner up north. I've never met a family filled with more love and humor! It was really nice to also meet Jackie's little niece and nephew. They were adorable! It made me wish that I had older siblings so I could bug them to have a few babes. But, as the oldest, I guess I just better hurry up, get married, and pop a few out myself!

Well, Jackie just decided that she is going back home to Chandler next semester and I am remaining here in Ephraim. I just paid the rent on an apartment for this next semester at Snow College. Its really really scary. Sometimes I think its too scary! I will have to change wards because I'm moving out of my boundaries. I really didn't want to leave because I LOVE my calling as a teacher in the Relief Society but... things happen for a reason. And there is always something to learn right? Well thats what I keep telling myself. This will be a good experience but very bitter sweet. I will miss having my best friend with me all the time. I have learned soooo much from Jackie in my time here in Manti. I am so thankful to have been blessed with such great friendships in my life. But its time to move on. I am just enjoying hanging out with her and the Manti locals for this last week and then... its home for the holidays and goodbye all over again. I'll miss you girrrrrrl!

Whew. Time flies tooooo fast. Friends leave. Missionaries depart. People get married. Have kids. It is so weird to see all of this happening to people my age but... As Blink 182 said, "I guess this is growing up."

I love you all and look forward to coming home for Christmas!!!!! 

Mrs. Mitchell

The school unfortunately forgot to inform me that I was to be included in picture day. So, just my luck, it was on the day I woke up extremely late and wore a T-shirt. When I got the pictures today it just brought a smile to my face because I really feel like I'm a part of Manti Elementary. I LOVE IT! Next to my name it says "Faculty." I love that! I am going to be in the yearbook haha. Yay! Well. Me and Jaclyn just got back from institute and I can't express how excited I always am to go to class. I am learning SOOOOO much about the gospel and how to better myself and I love it! I love constantly trying to make things better in my life and improve. Im so grateful for the ability we have to progress. Lately I have been feeling quite lonely. I love the people here. But I miss my missionary friends. There are lots of great people here and I love to get to know people but I still miss my T-Haws and Caldy babe. They are sincerely missed. I am so very proud of them both. But, I hope these two years go by fast so I can have my friends back.

Broken Down.

Our car is not working and we have had several people take a look at it with no avail. So, needless to say, today we were not able to make it to Ephraim for singles ward. So, when the car wouldn't start, we walked over to the home ward building. It was the primary program today and it was just so nice to be there. I miss the homeward with all the little babies! I realized a lot of things today that I need to change. I need to learn how to be a better friend. There is this adorable sister that taught the lesson in Relief Society today and her name is Sister Bruger. She is just such a sweet spirit. She has an interesting past that I have learned about recently and as I watched her teach all I could do was smile. I hope that someday I can be as humble, happy, and hilarious as she is. I have thought about going home and going to ASU but I haven't decided yet. The temple was beautiful today. Me and jackie made some stencils and it was just nice to be outside! Enjoy the pictures!

Piece.

This weekend we were FINALLY blessed with a visitor! Our good friend Meredith came down from BYU to visit. It was so much fun! Jaclyn and Meredith are the two funniest people I know. We cruised the streets of Manti and showed Meredith the sites. She stayed until Sunday and we had a nice little grill out and quite a pleasant day. While she was here I gave my first relief society lesson. I was really nervous and it didn't go as well as I had hoped. I went about 5 minutes over so.... maybe they will fire me. I'll cross my fingers. It was quite a splendid weekend except for I ended it with a fever. I think the kids at the school gave me a little something because I have been sick for the past couple days. Its kind of miserable and I feel bad for Jackie with me moping around the house but I think the end is in sight! I can't wait to go into Provo to visit friends once I'm better!

Settling In.

We have now been living in the beautiful town of Manti for over three weeks. I love it here! The spirit is so strong here, its impossible to escape (not that I would want to). My favorite part is when we are driving back from Ephraim at night and the temple is all light up. I don't think I could ever describe anything more beautiful. That long drive back home is just so peaceful, I love that you can see it from so far away. Its like it pulls you in. How great it is to be in a town where the temple is a beacon to the whole town. I am truly in love. Speaking of love, I have regrettably fallen deeply in love with Miller's Doughnuts. They are so good and it is so hard not to eat one when you smell them ALL day. I am getting soooo out of shape. But its time to get healthy again. I plan to go running at least every other night and... no matter how hard it is... resist the temptation to eat a custard filled chocolate bismark doughnut each morning.

I am LOVING my job at the school. Its amazing the difference you can have when you are working with the kids one-on-one. They gave me a key to the school! I feel so old and so much closer to my goal of someday become a teacher. I get to the school earlier than the other teachers (7:00) so that I can tutor this little girl named "Ashley" before school starts. Its really hard to get up that early but this is something I really believe in and enjoy. I love getting there early and setting up my stuff and my treat basket and reading and getting ready for the day. I can't wait to someday have a classroom of my OWN! I am so grateful for this experience because it give me a closer look at the school system and more importantly the KIDS! Oh how I love children. Every day before I leave I go either play a little four square or some jump rope just to see their smiling faces. Who wouldn't want to be around children all day!? Its the best job in the world! 

As you can tell by the pictures, Jackie's parents came to visit. They stayed the whole week and it was really fun. We always went on little walks around the neighborhood scoping out houses for Adam and Jessica (Jackie's older sister). We actually ate REAL food. (The kind that me and jackie can't afford!) It was scrumptious and I'm glad that jackie got to see her family. I know she misses them often. I just love this town! I don't think I could say it enough. I love the smell the sounds the people and my roommate! It is so much different from being at home. Im always HAPPY. And there is no bad things going on at home or around me. Mmm. Its just peaceful. I might stay here forever.

Manti Magic.

Well. Things have been moving really fast here. Jaclyn and I both started our cute little Manti jobs. I have been working at "Millers Bakery" and Jaclyn at the "Manti Market." Jaclyn is pretty cute in her apron and I have visited her a couple times in action. If you need anybody to bag your groceries, she's your girl. We really enjoy working in Manti at these cute little stores because EVERYONE comes in. Its nice to get to chat with the regulars and see how they are doing. Everyone is so caring and eager to share about their day, I love it! I will also be starting a second job at the Manti Elementary school as a reading tutor! I can't wait! The program is really interesting and I'm excited to get back working with the kids. We have both been really tired when we get home and cook dinner/do the dishes so we haven't had much time to do a lot of other things. But we were able to sneak in a little fun here and there. We rode our bikes to the rodeo a couple days ago and it was lots of fun to see all the little kids dressed in their cowboy outfits. It was fun to walk around with our cameras and take pictures of the horses and the cute small town rides. I really want to get a couple horses someday and let the kids (and myself of coarse) gallop around town. Just being in this town always makes me think of the future and raising my own cute little family ,maybe even in Manti!!! Oh! And I FINALLY got a letter from Taylor today. It was the first since we've been here. I was getting a little desperate. Pathetic, I know. Well, with everything thats been going on, I am happy to report that we HAVE had time for the most important thing of all... Fresh Prince. We are still working on season one but as long as I get to hear Will Smith's beautiful voice each day, I am content. 

The Big Move.

My freshman year of college I decided to stay at home and do my schooling in town. Partly because it was less expensive, and partly because the boy I was dating, Taylor, was going to ASU and I wanted to be near him. It was a fabulous freshman year and Taylor has now begun his two year mission in Montevideo Uruguay. After he left I felt like it was time to move on and get away somewhere. My dear friend Jaclyn's parents have a second house in Manti, Utah! Being the kind and generous people that they are... they are letting us stay here for the next semester. Jaclyn and I are roommates! It was a little hard to leave Chandler but mainly because I had to leave my friend Vanessa who is now attending U of A. I miss her dearly. But, things got better once we finally arrived in Manti. The weather is great and I love the small town atmosphere! I am applying for a job in the elementary school here and hope that it will pull through! Even if it doesn't I am just so excited to be here and meet new people. Its only been two days but its so nice to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city in Arizona. It gives me a chance to relax and think and have lots of fun bike rides wif my girl Jaclyn!!!!!