Emails & Letters :)

I always knew that Jared would most likely not be allowed to email me at all during his mission. At least, that's what I tried to prepare myself for. I didn't want to get my hopes up. Low and behold, I woke up on the morning of his first pday in the MTC and his name popped up with an email from him! I totally freaked out :D

How lucky am I that the week he entered the MTC is the week they changed the rules about emailing? I feel so blessed :) I'm so proud of Jared. He's been in the MTC for 3 weeks now and is working so hard on learning the language and how to be a missionary. He's one of the most dedicated and hard working people I know. He's so obedient and follows all the rules. I know that being an obedient missionary will bless him in ways I can't even describe. 

On his second pday, I got his email in the morning and was happy about it :) Little did I know that I'd receive another email from him at 5:00! I was so surprised :) It's little things like that just totally make my day. Apparently he didn't use up all of his time in the morning and got to use the rest of it at 5:00. 

I was super excited this past week to tell him that I'll be living in Italy this summer :) He had no idea that I applied or anything. I asked him in a Dear Elder how he would feel if I did apply, and this is what he said, 

"I think you should definitely go to Italy if that is what you want to do.  I mean, why not?!  How cool would it be if we both could at least speak some Italian when I got back?  And I know you love Italy and you love teaching...It's the perfect combination :D Just follow your dreams Desiree.  Although, I am so glad you still asked for my opinion. That makes me very happy to know that we are still that close and you still consider me your closest and best friend...because you are definitely mine! :D :D"

<3

Now I feel even better about spending my summer working in Italy. I love that he's supportive and wants me to follow my dreams no matter what. That's just one of the many things I love about him :) To sum things up, he's loving it in the MTC but can't wait to finally start teaching in Italy. We're both happy and we love receiving letters from each other :) 

One Week Down :)

What a crazy emotional week this has been. 

Honestly though, it's been easier than it was two years ago when I sent my first missionary out. Like I previously mentioned, everything is different this time. The goodbye was 1273855947 billion times harder, but the first week has been easier. I'll admit, I cried my eyes out the first day. And the second.. I was just so unproductive. I couldn't do anything. Eat, homework, or even watch movies. I was dead to the world. And I don't think I ate anything for the first 2 1/2 days. My appetite was completely gone. But then I went to my Heavenly Father in sincere prayer. Since then, I've felt nothing but peace and happiness. You probably don't believe me. But I honestly haven't felt sad since those first two days. I miss him like crazy, yes. But sad? Not so much :) 

Let me jump back for a second. Jared called me Wednesday morning to say a final "see you later" and that was it. I started driving the 3 1/2 hours back to school. When I finally got back I looked at my phone and saw this:

TEARS. Yes, lots of them. I love him so much :) 

I couldn't wait so I sent him a letter on Thursday. I seriously forgot how much I love writing letters.

I was only down at school for Wednesday and Thursday and went back home for the weekend on Friday. I had the awesome opportunity of going to my first MG party of this wait on Saturday! :) I don't have any pictures, but it was so fun. I loved being around other girls who felt the exact same way as me. For any of you girls who have never been to a party with MG's, GO! They really help :) 

On Sunday I was SO happy because Jared's mom sent me this!

The first picture of him! It totally made my day :)

It's always hard when they first go into the MTC because you don't know how well they're doing. This picture put some of my worries to ease. He looks so happy, and that makes me happy :) 

Alright, so this is when the best part happens. Yesterday (Tuesday) I was walking past the mailroom and I thought to myself, "Don't go check for a letter. You know there won't be one. He's only been in the MTC for 6 days and hasn't even had his first pday. There's no way there'd be a letter" But I decided to check anyway. I opened my little box, and to my utter surprise, I saw this!

My reaction:

Wanna know the dumbest part though? The date on this letter says it was sent out the 21st. Aka the day after Jared entered the MTC. Aka 5 days ago. Which means it'd been sitting in my mailbox for a few days. JUST SITTING THERE! I never checked the mail earlier cuz I knew nothing would be there. Just goes to show how wrong I was. He wrote this letter on his first day in the MTC and it was amazing :) He's doing great and loving the MTC. Although he's still getting used to being followed to the bathroom :) 

This first week has been crazy. But I'm glad and relieved to say the first/hardest week is over : ) 

Here's some of my advice: PRAY! Whenever you feel like things are so hard you can't handle it. Looks for ways to be happy :) For example, this Joshua Radin song came out yesterday and made me think, "Today is one of those days where nothing can go wrong" I am so blessed and am very excited to continue on this journey :) If Heavenly Father brings you to it, he'll bring you through it :) 

Quote for the Day: "Don't let Satan put a question mark where God has already put a period."

(now enjoy this awesome Joshua Radin song)

See You in 2 Years, My Love

I am happy to say that Jared is officially in the MTC as of 4 days ago :)

I don't even know where to start. Jared's farewell was a week ago today. I remember him telling me how nervous and scared he was to speak in front of so many people. He told me not to expect anything good. But of course, he totally surprised us all. His talk was absolutely amazing and I'm sure everyone in the congregation felt the spirit just as strong as I did. Afterwards, we all went to his house and he said goodbye to some friends. Oh also, the day of his farewell was also  
St. Patricks day :)

That day was wonderful and happy :) We hardly left each others sides. We both knew he was needing to get ready to enter the MTC, but at the same time, we continued to act completely normal around each other. I'd walk away for a minute to talk to someone and he'd come over and say, "Hey, you were too far away from me :)" 

Then we had our last day together on Tuesday. It was amazing to say the least. I went over to his house and helped him pack some last minute items. We then played pool and made some yummy food. The weather was nice (thankfully) so we decided to go on a walk at a park we'd always go to during the winter. We'd go at night and buy hot chocolate and then go walk around the park. As we were walking he started talking about leaving and I told him he needed to stop because I could feel the tears coming. I didn't want to talk about him being gone. All I wanted to do was focus on my time left with him. After our walk, we drove to my house :) We decided to watch The Best Two Years outside with blankets on my trampoline as the sun was setting. It was perfect :) 

After the movie we went inside and sat in my room. We knew we only had 45 minutes left together. Jared said, "Come here, let's just cuddle for a little while. I know it's your favorite" so we did :) We didn't really talk, we just sat there in each others arms. We eventually started talking about our future, me waiting, his mission, and old memories :) He wanted to see me smile so he kept bringing up old memories from us together in Hawaii. 

Eventually the time came. It was 8:00 and he needed to go home to get set apart. I started crying, and I didn't even know what to say. We were hugging for a while and I said, "Any final words?" Jared waited for a second and said, "I love you. There's nothing else I can say" and then he started to tear up and by that point I was completely bawling. We stood by my front door for what seemed like a lifetime.   We had one last kiss, well technically 3. We kiss in 3's :) And then I said, "Sweetheart, you need to go.." so we walked to the door and I double pinky promised him that I'd wait :) I hugged him one last time. It was hard to get the words out through my crying, but said "You're going to be an amazing missionary." He was so emotional which was making it harder for me. So then he walked outside but just stood there looking at me. So I ran out and hugged him one last time and then stood in the doorway as I watched him walk away, realizing I needed to capture this and remember it forever. We did the "I love you" sign before he started to drive away. I came inside with my hand over my mouth, trying to keep my crying and breathing under control. 

This goodbye was SO much harder than it was with my first missionary. It's crazy. But I couldn't be more proud of my sweetheart. I know we'll both be blessed. I've come to realize that we were seriously created for each other and I love him more than I ever thought I could. Plus, I'm happy to finally consider myself a missionary girlfriend again :) Wish me luck for the next two years! <3

Jared's Mission Call To.....

For those of you who asked to be invited to my other private blog, but haven't been invited yet (sorry about that) I'm posting Jared's call on here :) Sorry, my other one is saying I've added too many people :( So I might just have to make it public again. Well see. Until then, here's Jared's mission call :) 

All I will say is... I'M SO EXCITED FOR HIM!!!!!!! :D
He leaves January 16th :)

You Think Taylor Lautner is Hot???

First you think of hot guys as being tan, buff, nice hair, drives a sports car, etc...

But if you really think about it, You know what truly is the epitome of an attractive man? 

A man who goes on a mission :) a man called to serve :) These are our modern day stripling warriors, ladies! :) 

Me and my sister Paris have been up for the past 2 hours putting this together for ya'll.
Enjoy with an open mind :)

p.s. sorry for posting another video, yet again. 

Good Times in the MTC

I'm turning into a video blogger.... :/ but I can't help it!
Here's some of the crazy stuff that happens in the MTC with our boys :)

Welcome to Hungary!

Preston is officially in Hungary now :) WOW! The 10 1/2 weeks in the MTC went by fast :) I'm liking this :) But I really just want to use this post to brag about it :) He's one amazing missionary :)
Today was somewhat hard because I had the phone call yesterday, and I guess I'm experiencing the post phone call. I woke up sick this morning, and all day I've just felt, bleh. Also, knowing that I won't be getting a letter for a couple weeks doesn't help either. So here's the awesome part, my mom came in and told me there was letter from Preston in the mailbox! I thought she was joking. I received my last letter from Preston on Friday because Wednesday was his last Pday in the MTC. So how could I have another letter? But there it was!

He said he wrote this yesterday! He sent it out right before they got on the bus to go to the airport. He wasn't supposed to be writing that day, but he said he decided he must. I also love that he included the "kisses" For some reason it felt like a "P.S. I love You" moment :) I loved when he said,

"I really just want to tell you that I love you and that you mean the entire world to me! You have been the greatest blessing in my life! Honestly. You really have changed my life for the better"
and..
"So, right now (when you're reading this), which is probably Tuesday or Wednesday, I am halfway around the world! So we may not be close physically. We almost couldn't be any further away from each other. But at the same time, I feel right next to you. I'm always thinking about you and looking back at our memories. I hope that I can always keep you close mentally and emotionally. So that one day, we can be close to each other again physically. All you have to do........ is wait :)" 


I swear that sometimes our missionaries are prompted to say certain things. I'm just so happy :)

<3 <3 <3 So proud to call him mine <3 <3 <3

:D

he is SUCH a goofball :) I love it :) 

Lets hope the mail doesn't take toooooo long..

Go do the Lords work babe!!! :D

Letters & Sugar Make Me...

I just got a LETTER!!!! My last letter from Preston while he's in the MTC. He leaves for Hungary in 2 DAYS! I'm excited :) I'm in a good mood :) Plus, I have a ton of easter candy surrounding me. I've eaten probably waaaaay more calories today than I care to mention. This is me right about now:

.....................................................................................................................................................

Now on to more serious business, I love my missionary. More than I know how to say :) Being in the MTC has made him mature in the gospel, but he is still my same Preston :) 

Our men may be missionaries, but they can still be boys at heart :)

I'm just a super happy girl right now :) 

TWO ♥

I have officially lived through 2 months without the love of my life. (Technically it was 2 months 4 days ago..) So I have lived 2 months and 4 days without him :) I feel like I've really learned a lot these past two months, and my testimony has been strengthened beyond belief. Remember how I had a list of goals for last month? I accomplished probably 3/4 of them :) I finished D&C, I sent a letter every week and a Dear Elder everyday, I baked something new once a week, saw Never Say Never again, decided what job I want over the summer, blogged once a week and tried a new food :) (it was cuban food, super yummy!) The ones I didn't accomplish were: I didn't complete 10 volunteer hours (I only completed 4) I didn't work out three days a week, and I didn't watch Titanic... Although I did see Titanic the Musical :)

This month was easier but also still very hard. It seems to have gone by slower than the first month, but I know it'll speed up :) 

This month I have received:

• 4 letters
• 2 memory cards (videos!!) 
• 1 cassette 
• and 4 personal emails along with the family email :) 

I feel extremely lucky being able to get the stuff that I've been getting. I know some girls don't get near that much. I know that once he actually leaves for Hungary (in 12 days) the mail will probably get a little slower. But I seriously cannot WAIT until the call from the airport! I am counting down the days :) Probably because I've decided to do something this fall that involves leaving Utah and I haven't told Preston anything about it yet. So that's one of the main reasons I can't wait for the phone call :) But overall, this month has been really good :) I want to thank ALLLLLLL the MG's who talk to me on a daily basis to make this whole process 100x's easier. I really have come to love you girls :) You are all amazing and you mean more to me than you know. You guys are always there for me and always help pick me up when I'm feeling down. I really couldn't be doing this without you :) In conclusion, this is what 2 months down looks like:

Eh, I'm getting there :) 

I love you Elder Wright <3 <3 <3

I'm Just in Love :)

I cannot stop watching :) :)

JK

Just Kidding. 

Ya know my last post when I was frustrated about not getting a letter? Yeah.. I take that back :) I got the most amazing letter/cassette/MEMORY CARD today. I knew Preston would never not write unless it was basically an emergency. He just proved me right :) Looks like the postal system was just being stupid. So I just wanted to post because now looking back at what I said yesterday, it seems stupid. 

The memory card = The most amazing thing ever. I suggest every MG to try this :)

Hungarian is the craziest language. He just loves to make me translate :p 

<3