4 Months

I simply cannot believe it's been 4 months since I returned home from Toronto. A mission is something you think about every day. The experiences, the people, the spirit, the aches of wanting to go back...it happens. Heck, i'm still a missionary in 90% of the dreams I have. It's awesome. But you know what? Life moves on. I've made it through my first week at BYUI and it was great. The things i've learned from the mission have made me a much better student. I'm actually ok with studying at the library. I must admit, that first few hours back on AutoCAD were crazy. It's a good thing I can laugh at myself. But the longer I sit and stew it over, it comes back. Key commands, measurements...who knew muscle memory even related to that. It's great. 

Ree-yoo-nahyt

I've opened the dreaded email. The one I found the week I returned home from my mission. It had been sitting there, in my inbox with all of the details of our fall semester project. The one I heard about from the moment I joined the Interior Design program at BYUI. The Junior year project that takes hundreds of hours leaving you without a social life, sleep and sanity. As i've begun researching solar, sustainability & barrier free design, I have to admit it's a bit exciting and a million percent overwhelming. I'm pretty sure the last time I felt this inadequate was when I got into the mission field! Or when I had to train a new missionary for the first time. So I resume my interest in design and architecture and i'm ready to tear this project to pieces. That is until I have to actually use CAD or design a floor plan. I swear i've forgotten everything. So I reunite myself with school, with homework, with design concepts and ideas running through my mind. 

re·u·nite

[ree-yoo-nahyt]  Show IPA

verb (used with object), verb (used without object),re·u·nit·ed, re·u·nit·ing.

to unite again, as after separation.

You'll also be happy to hear that I was reunited with more than just that.

About a week after I got home from my mission, I was sitting on the sofa when Mady and Taryn approached me with a secretive sort of smile on their face. They said, "we have a surprise for you!" Mady whipped out 4 tickets to the Jonas Brothers concert that they had bought months prior. It just happened to fall on Taryn's birthday! It was a day of reunitement and celebration. 

It's also been fun to be reunited with the EFY program as i've worked as a counselor this summer. The three weeks I worked for them was a great transition help for a returned missionary. The things I got to do (devotionals, talking to people, gospel stuff) was a way for me to remember the important things I learned in the field and to also get used the facts that I have to talk to boys now, and do laundry any day of the week, not just Pdays. 

But this summer i've also gotten to be with my family a lot, which has been a lot of fun. Mady is getting ready to go to Japan as a missionary. Our extended family was able to support her by going to the temple a couple of weeks ago. This week we'll all support her again...by going to Disneyland! Once last hip hurrah before we're separated just for a little awhile.