the past weekend was nothing short of a whirlwind. it usually is when we take a trip up to utah in 3 days. knowing it would be crazy as usual, we were debating whether to go at all. but i just really felt we should. so we did. and it was wonderful. for so many reasons.
i wish i had photographic proof of all those wonderful reasons but some [frantic and rushed to get out the door] lady managed to pack her camera but left the battery charging in the wall at home. nice. oh well.
one of the highlights of the weekend was being able to attend a mission reunion in celebration of the dedication of the spain madrid temple. i can't believe it has been 10 years since i was there. so many memories. it was an amazing experience to walk into a room of missionaries i served with and have those memories flood over me again as i saw their faces. there is just something about the relationships you create as a missionary. it is a connection different from any other. a connection that is bound by the spirit you felt together as you prayed, taught, laughed, cried, and loved. so grateful for these friends who made such an impact on my life.
i got all nostalgic again and started looking through old mission pictures. remembering people, places, and experiences.
like the temple dedication
and nights after working when we dressed up in old clothes left in the apartment by other missionaries, mixed up some kool-aid and shared our favorite scriptures. (i know this looks a bit crazy but these are a few sanity savers we used out there!)
and my mission president and his incredible wife, errr in-laws. just a funny side note about this picture…we had a zone conference around father's day when pres. & hna. mask were sharing about their family. if you notice, all of their children's families are displayed behind us except one–jeff, who was on a mission at the time. little did any of us know that i would soon be part of their family and in a way representing the missing jeff. i'll have to share how that all happened another day. 🙂
all in all it was a weekend packed full of goodness. so glad we braved the whirlwind. it was totally worth it.
8 Comments
sooo glad you made the trip! it was great to see you and the kiddos for a few hours. the thing that i think is the most fun part about you ‘representing’ jeff in that photo is that jeff’s picture hung on ‘your’ bedroom wall your entire mission…you guys have a great story, love you tons!
It’s true, the relationships you have with your mission companions are not comparable to any other. I recently blogged about it here: http://ashleyschultz.blogspot.com/2009/02/rachel.html
Your mission president and his wife are now your in-laws? I really want to hear that story.
you married your mission prez’s son?! that is crazy..now i must come back for that story! how does that happen?! lol
btw..i think you are insanely talented..i love to visit your blog and i always find inspiration.
thank you 🙂
Im so sad we didn’t go.
POST POST I want the details on your story.
It is so fun to see this side of you. I’m glad you guys had a good time. Hey I will call ya later, but what do you think about an Easter Egg hunt on Friday or Saturday?
Ah, Kool-aid, late nights and our Archie brew mugs! Those were fun times and I’m so glad that I got to experience such life changing moments with you in Barcelona! You have made such an impact on my life in ways you were probably never know…at least not in this earthly existence!
I love ya girl and I’m sad I wasn’t able to make it to the reunion! I was there in my thoughts…not nearly the same, but I was thinking of y’all!
Oh, guapa, I have been lamenting the fact that we did not have more time together last weekend! It all went by so quickly, but I agree with everything you said. It was SO amazing. You have the neatest, most inspiring in-laws in all the land! I love my Hermana Perez and her beautiful pregnant belly. I hope this Arizona summer will not be too hard on you. Alas, I do not have photos of our reunion either! What is up with that?
P.S. I loved your necklace and earrings! I did notice them. You looked FABULOSO!
aw, so cute. i loved hearing about mom & dad & SEEING those pix! we missed you!!! so sad we didn’t get to see you!
hopefully in the summer????
xox