the waiting game.

hey, its been awhile. :) Sorry for not keeping up with this like I promised. Things have been great and i'm finally down to the final month of my six month wait for Sao Paulo North, Brazil. (H O O R A Y!!)

I'm writing this blog post to admit this summer has been suuuuuper hard.

I decided to come back to TN for the four months wait before I left on my 18 month LDS mission trip to Brazil.

I had a couple good reasons to come home-- family, free rent, free food, a job already lined up, and seeing my brother return home from Argentina. Everything would be great and easy this summer, I thought.

I set some crazy goals after being super motivated from BYU Jerusalem. Some of which include: to be fluent in portuguese before I even entered the MTC, learn the piano hymns, earn enough money to pay for the rest of my college, excercise like crazy, maybe go on a couple dates.

Well, I'm here to tell you I haven't achieved any of those goals. And I'm finally ok with not being miss "perfect sister missionary ready". I'm reading my scriptures and spending time with my family and that's all that really matters.

After looking back on these 4 months, I just want to give some advice I wish I could have received: Just don't be so hard on yourself.

Continue to love life and to focus on the most important gift God gives us here on Earth, our families. Love your family. Work hard. And stay positive. :) Look on the bright side, always.

Without this summer, I wouldn't have been able to have sleepovers with my favorite 5 year old on the planet. :)

Life truly is wonderful and its important not to get so down on yourself for not doing something adventurous every second of life. All over social media we are blasted with cool things others are doing and sometimes it makes us feel very inadequate. I know I tend to get that way a lot. Just sit back and enjoy the little things every once and awhile. I know I need to focus on this aloooooot more often. :)

So here's to looking on the bright side of things! ;)

Little things I have enjoyed this week:

1)lightening bugs

2)Nasvhille Tribute band "My call to work" CD

3)listening to mission stories from Bryce

4)mulching plants together as a family

5)working at the pool with my sister, Kara. (Today was her 1st day!!)

Some suggestions to keep yourself busy before your LDS mission:

1)WORK!!! life is expensive, and it will keep you busy. get a job, and save some money!

2) go out with the sisters and hermanas. Help them and it will help you prepare :) remember you ALWAYS feel uplifted after being with them for the day. Book a date and get going! ;) 3)send packages to all your missionary friends. seriously, it makes them SO happy to know they're thought of :) It costs 5.00 to send a priority box. decorate it cute and write inspirational notes. They will love you for it. I know this has kept me busy and feeling appreciated.

4)Make memories with your siblings/family. Ask questions about their favorite hobby, book, state, etc. Learn about them :)

5)HOLD A BABY. ok, this is a must. you won't get to for 18 months and sooooooo. ;D haha

6)Don't get down on yourself. Life is hard for everyone, and it will be hard on your mission. But the growth you will experience will far outweigh the hard trials you will go through.

I love this gospel and I'm grateful to represent my Savior, Jesus Christ for 18 months. The waiting game is difficult and long, but make the most of your time. :) I keep learning this for myself. Stay positive and true.

Love to all!

Cheers,

Sister Caten