Missionary Moment Friday . . .

     I went visiting teaching today.  That doesn't sound like it would connect with my mission, but just hold on all of you . . . it does, it does.  My partner, Britney(yes, spelled like the famous Spears) and I were at the second home and I was turned to the side listening to her talk about the lesson and what was important to her and as I was totally feeling the spirit and all of the sudden it was like a punch in the stomach that I missed my mission so much.  I wasn't prepared for that, and I had to hold back the tears and sobs as I realized that I was feeling physical pain at missing that wonderfully hard part of my life that was the mission.  It was such a bittersweet moment that I am grateful for because it leads me to want to be better and closer to the Lord like I was as a missionary.  It got me to thinking about all the wonderful moments that helped me to grow in my testimony and as a daughter of God.  There are so many things that come to mind to share with you today but I think that I will tell you about someone I met named 

Cindy . . .

This is Cindy in the white and pink with her son AJ and her mother holding her newborn baby girl.  I was told about Cindy before I even met her.  My companion Hermana Guynn told me that she had been taught by every sister and elder since her parents baptism 3 years earlier.  She told me that she even kicked some sisters off her parents property and told them not to come back(which is something Cindy later told me is true:) and that she had never felt ready to be baptized but here we were driving out to the desert of Montana Vista, Texas to visit and teach her with an Elder that was going home in a matter of weeks that had taught Cindy when he first entered the mission field a short 2 years earlier.  Needless to say, I was intimidated.  Showing up and meeting only made my fear greater as she has a certain "gruff - gansta homie" exterior when you first meet her and I ended up saying the most random dumb things that halted conversation each time I spoke and made me hope I didn't look as dumb and awkward as I sounded.  Anyway, we began to teach her the lessons again and fast because for one she could basically teach them to us she had heard them so many times, and for another the Elder that had taught her wanted to baptize her but he was leaving in 3 weeks.  The more that we got to know her and feel of her immensely strong spirit the more I loved that home and never wanted to leave.  Her mom was a pillar of faith that has been through more than me in 10 lifetimes and continues to fight the tumor and cancer battle, the latest one in her brain and through it all she has a faith and testimony that can break any trial.  This photo was taken as she waited to get interviewed for baptism.  She was so happy and ready.  Sadly though, after the interview we found out that she was going to have to wait 6 months to be baptized.  It was one of the hardest things that I ever had to do to face that family and see their excited and eager faces drop when we told them that Cindy would have to wait and then try to explain to them why.  We cried together and Cindy took it alright till the next visit when she shocked us by saying that she would never get baptized because we(the church, the Lord) had rejected her.  She told us that we could come but it wouldn't make any difference.  We decided with Hna. Guynn that we would just go and visit and not try to talk about the gospel for awhile.  I kept that attitude through the 2 other companions that I had in the next 6 months and slowly with time and the Lord and her reading the Book of Mormon she realized that what she needed to do was get baptized.  I have to say that it was one of the happiest moments of my life and there really are no words to explain how my spirit felt the day that Cindy was baptized.  I came from the other area that I had been transferred to and they asked me to speak and it was my honor.  Nothing, though was as beautiful as watching Cindy's father as he lowered her into the waters of baptism and she came up out of the water with the biggest smile on her face.  It was pure joy and I realized today that that kind of joy only comes through the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I know that the gospel is true.  Lives are changed through Christ and he alone .  . .

4 generations - Cindy, daughter, grandmother, mother

(wow - sorry for the length of this gigantic post:)

I could be hated by the WHOLE world for this comment . . .

   Alright.  As many of you know I have shared from time to time Pet Peeves that I have and I have been debating whether to share this current one but sharing has won out so here goes . . .

I HATE music on people's blogs.

I will now duck as the tomatoes hit my blog and hope that we can all still be friends.  

Reasons: 

1 - Sometimes the volume is loud on my computer and it takes a minute to load the music section so I am scared 30 seconds into reading a post by the latest Celine Dion ballad or Kenny Chesney song . . .

2 - Many times I am surfing the good 'ol web with my own lovely songs, courtesy of my I-tunes, playing in the background and when I come to a blog that has music I am left with the unfortunate mix of songs and voices that makes me annoyed and makes me switch over to I-tunes to pause my music so that I can read the blog and then move on.

3 - i just am not a fan of music on blogs.

I know that many dear friends and family have music on their blogs and I love them and love reading their blogs and I'm not asking that you change what you like or x me from being your friend but I just had to throw out my opinion to all those that may care to know what goes on in the life and mind of me - Mia Chard . . .

For Wendy . . . .

Dearest Wendy . . . just a little something to bring you back  . . . .

Pumpkin Carving Madness . . .

We had the perfect fall day yesterday.  It was full of family, food, fun and pumpkin carving as well as singing and wrestling and so much more.  Gabby and Marcela and the kids came and we had what is probably the last barbeque of the season.  I also don't think that I have carved a pumpkin in maybe 10 years and I have to say it was well overdue and I might turn into a professional seeing as my scary faces are the hit of the Peterson town.  Rahndi was down and so she came over with Jamie's kids and they also partook of the pumpking madness. 

I love this shot of Samuel and Mason and the pure joy that balloons bring

getting into the Halloween spirit with orange eyeshadow:)

wow - there is nothing better for little boys than to be left to play in the dirt

the fierceness

a little retaliation.  you should have seen the other guy . . .

I'm right there with you - scariest halloween pumpkin ever, hand's down

Marcela rocks!

Missionary Moment Friday . . .

 I feel that it really is true when they say that there isn't a day that goes by that you don't think about your mission.  No one has really asked - and I haven't really offered, to hear about my mission stories.  Since stories and moments are often on my mind I have decided that every Friday I will share a little memory or story with you all.  Now, enjoy . . .

the 307th missionary for President and Sister Higham.

I remember the first time that I saw this bigger than life wall hanging on the wall of the mission home.  It was right after we had been taken to the Mormon Battalion Monument and I felt like I was sweating and melting into the ground because I had arrived in Tucson on August 8th and you never want that month of August to be your first introduction to Arizona weather.  I had arrived with 19 Elders and 1 sister and to let you know that was the biggest group to ever arrive at the mission home during the Higham's( pronounced High -am not Hig-ham, like Marcos always wants to say) 3 years.  The above wall hanging was about 3 ft. wide and 8 ft hide and I never thought that I would make it to having my name on it because when I stepped off the plane I was sure that I had made a mistake and wanted to turn my little self around and fly back to non-Hell temperatures and familiar people and places.  I'm glad that I didn't.  That 18 months changed my life.  If was harder than I ever imagined it would be but hopefully you will see in the experiences that I share with you how more than worth it I felt it really was. . . . 

Mission Reunions, Prophets and new determination . . .

(Me and 2 of my companions - Trisha and Alma)

     This past weekend was a great one.  My family has always geared up for a great time whenever it is conference season.  I remember my first conference on the mission and feeling such a sadness that I wouldn't be able to be with my family and partake of all the wonderful traditions that conference weekend brings.  I think, in fact, I missed them all more the 3 conferences that I spent away from them than the Christmas.  This past year has been a challenging one.  While I was on the mission I pictured the year after as a magical one that was free of problems and had me married within months with a million dollar job and a big house on the east bench of Salt Lake City( so . . I'm taking it a little far but you get the idea).  Well, that life didn't happen and real life came in and took it's place leaving me dazed and confused about who I am and where it is I am suppose to be going.  

    My mission president got home in July and so this was the first reunion for his missionaries and of course if had to be in the "Mecca" of Provo but I was very excited to see everyone.  It was an odd and interesting experience.  It was quite comical that no one really knew how to end a conversation so basically when you were done with the generic "what are you doing now?/How is school-work?what are you (oh wait you already asked that - darn)", the silence took over and one of you just walked away . . . there was no goodbye - just walking away.  A few time I tried to do the 'ol point across the room like you see someone else you know and head off hurrying in that direction - but then that got to be to much so I just walked away.  I had a really good time but it got me thinking about who I knew I was on the mission and how some of that person was gone now and how I want that spiritually strong me back.  That feeling was only intensified by conference and the counsel and direction from men that I truly know have been called of God.  That is where the determination comes in.  I know that I need to become a better person and a closer one to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  The wonderful thing about the gospel and His Atonement is that it is possible through repentance and faith and work.  

  It was a great weekend and I'm glad that I was blessed to see so many dear friends.

                                              Us again:)

My friend Harrison - He is crazy:)

Just doing what I'm asked . . .

Tagged by dear brother Marcos, hear goes . . .

High salary or job satisfaction?

 Salary, baby!!!!  It's all about the money in my book - have never had it and now I want it!!:)

Describe your self.  What do you think about yourself and do you think people perceive you in the same way?

I always hate these kind of questions.  I guess that I am a person that loves to have fun and laugh and that wants to see others happy.  I think that I am fun to be around(if after 30 mintues from when I woke up) and love to learn.  I think that others would agree with me, especially about the 30 minute grace period I need from when I wake up before other human beings can talk to me and expect me to be nice to them.

What is your most favorite book ever?

I also hate this question because I can't narrow that down.  I love to read and have many favorites - Harry Potter, To Kill a Mockingbird, the Kite Runner, The Boxcar Children . . .

Which is the one television character that you simply adore?

Steely Booth from Bones and Angel from Buffy (I know wendy will agree with me:)

What is your taste in music?

Everything from The Bee Gee's, Kenny Loggins, GLoria Estefan, Mana to The Rocket Summer, Cartel, Lionel Richie and everything in between.  Oh . . .and anything written by Billy Joel(musical genius as I call him)

Which is your favorite genre of movies?(Comedy, Romance, Suspense, Action, Horror)

Well, I am an odd duck in that I love the tragedy.  Anything that leaves you sobbing on your knees at the end and feeling as if you can't go in, is my kind of flick.  Now for me that could be Thirteen Going on 30 and Much Ado about nothing - -  - so really you find those kind in all genres.

What do you do when you are feeling sad or depressed?

Put on my favorite kind of movie(see above response:)

What makes you angry?  Do you get angry very soon?  What makes you over come that anger?

Interesting question . . . As my family would call me I am "the defender" - I hate injustice and will take the side and defend to the death anyone that I feel is being threatened.  I also get angry at things that I do at times.  I can be slow to anger but once I am watch out.  After that, though, I am quick to feel remorse.  That really is one part of me I wish to conqueror.

Which is the best vacation you have ever had in your life?

Argentina - hands down - no questions, the end.

If you could have a luncheon with any three people(real or ficticious/from any time period - dead or alive), which would you chose and why?

Well - Harry Potter for one . . . reason being - it's Harry freaking Potter - the second person would be Princess Anastasia because I would want to no if she was murdered with her family or if she survived and JM Barrie - his imagination would be something to hear about . . .

Which is your most treasured childhood memory?  How were you as a kid?

I'm not sure that I have one memory that I treasure above the rest but this one comes to mind as being a great one  - - It was my first day of kindergarden and I went on the bus that took us to school via the freeway.  It was a great day and all was well until the bus ride home when we didn't take the freeway but instead went the old Milton way, I was sure that I had gotten on the wrong bus and in pure Mia fashion new that I would never see my family again.  I can remember being scrunched down in my seat and crying all the way home until I saw in the distance Hinds and knew that maybe by some miracle I would make it home.  I remember the bus pulling up to my house and my dad standing at the door and feeling such a relief and love and a safety as I ran into his arms and burst into tears.  That feeling of childlike safety and innocence is one that I at times long for, but Dad is still my ever present hero:)

I was a self conscious kid at school but at home we were crazy and fun and as Gail always said - we never stopped running . . . 

If given a complete freedom to start afresh, which profession would you chose and why?

Well, it would have to be lion tamer - or professional horse looker after - I love those animals:)

What is your idea of fun?  If given a choice to skip work for the day, how would you spend the entire day?

My idea of fun is doing things that are fun.  So . . . an entire day off of work would begin with the typical sleep-in until my back hurts and makes me get up and then is filled with movies and TV shows like Buffy or Gilmore and a lot of nothing - I love relaxing days that are spent around the house.

Which is your favorite time of day?  Are you a morning person or a night person?

No question about it - night person.  I love sleeping away mornings and am not that happy when I wake up so your for sure want to see me at night . . .

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?

Ate a habanero chile(hottest in the world) and almost died doing it . . .

Name one person that you love the most and one that you hate the most?

There isn't one person that I just love the most but there are three that come in at a great tie - Mason, Ethan and Samuel . . .

In case you and I were going out and had a fight how would you try to patch things up?

Ummmmm . . . 

Which is the most fun prank you played or had one played on you?

I am way to serious for pranks.

If given a choice which animal would you be and why?

I would never really want to be an animal - sorry folks.

Who was your first crush?  DId you ever tell him or her about your feelings?

  Umm . . . a boy named Bryce and sadly I never did -  - - -

Which is your most favorite place in this earth?

anywhere with friends or family that I love.

If you were stranded on a lonely beach, what are the five things that you would want to survive?

gum

hacky sacks

a picture of Peter O'Toole

mangos

and silly putty.

The End .