I mentioned Hannah Hoag in my last post but since then she has received her call and left on her mission. Hannah was called to serve in the Toronto Canada Mission. Oh where do I begin with Hannah? Hannah is the best! I met Hannah at a camp two years ago and since then she has become like a sister to me. She is always so happy and bright. It was so much fun watching her get ready for her mission because of how excited she was to spread the gospel to others.She is always so optimistic, fun-loving, and happy. Hannah's sense of humor is SO much fun and I love her to pieces! I could go on forever and how much I love her.
The next person I want to talk about is Brianna Johns. Brianna was called to Waukesha, Wisconsin mision, English speaking and left the same day as Hannah. (Fun Fact, Hannah and Brianna were in the same district in the MTC.) Brianna is amazing! She is so wise and literally drops knowledge with every word. She is so kind and sweet. Brianna makes sure no one feels left out and because of this I'm proud to call her my friend.
Next is Brandon Wilhelmsen. Brandon was assigned to serve at the Church History Center in Salt Lake City, Utah and has since been transferred to Arizona. Brandon is super awesome and really kind and loving. Brandon went to Ecuador a year before I did on the same trip, because of this he was super helpful and helped me prepare and know what to expect before I left. That was more helpful than he will ever know. Before I left he told me I had to get a llama blanket because they were so soft. I am really glad I followed his council and got a llama blanket and poncho. Brandon is so humble and I love getting his mission letters and hear what adventures he has been having. Even though Brandon hasn't been able to serve a full-time 2 yr. mission due to health reasons he still wants to serve the Lord through a service mission. It just goes to show that Brandon has a heart of gold.
The person I want to tell you about is Aaron Furman. Aaron was called to serve in the Atlanta Georgia mission. Aaron is really cool and outdoorsy. He is the king of slacklining and one time when we were hanging out with some friends we nearly got arrested for climbing trees.... (It's a long story). Aaron is always so kind and a lot of fun. One time Brianna, Aaron, and I pranked another friend's house by making smiley faces out of plastic silverware on the lawn because it was to expensive to buy plastic wrap to saran wrap her car. It was a good night and a lot of fun.
Now to tell you about Badi Quinteros. Badi was called to serve in the England Manchester mission I met Badi when I went to Ecuador last summer. He was a boy in the ward that we attended church with while in Cuenca. Badi is fluent in English and visited America to go to EFY (a youth camp the church puts on) and was one of our translators while at church and varies church activities. Badi is was always happy and willing to help. He was kind and inviting and I am super glad I was able to meet him. I am so grateful I got to know him. I probably won't ever get the chance to see him again since he lives in Ecuador but I am glad that I got the chance to met him.
Next up is Tallasse Crosby. Tallasse was called to serve in the Adriatic North Mission, Slovenian speaking. I also met Tallasse when I went to Ecuador but instead of her being a native she was in my work group. Not only that but she was my roommate twice, first on the Galapagos Islands and then at the hostel in Cuenca. I was so excited when I found out Tallasse is from Canada. I love Canadians and Tallasse is no exception. It was so much fun listening to her call sweatshirts-bunny hugs, beanies-tuks,, the bathroom-the washroom, when it's sprinkling outside it's spitting inside, and Volkswagen bugs were punch buggies (I call the slug buggies). While in Ecuador Tallasse affectionately earned the nickname Tally. She is so sweet and I love her lots.
Now to tell you about Olivia Jensen. Olivia has been called to serve in the Frankfurt Germany, German speaking. Oh my goodness, I love Olivia so much!!!! She is my top role model in this life next to Jesus Christ. I admire her so much! Her confidence is radiant and her joy and love is contagious. I don't think I've ever met anyone quite like Olivia. If I had a big sister I would want her to be Olivia. Not only is Olivia amazing but she is going to my favorite country and is speaking celestial language of German.. She is so much fun and always is inclusive of others. Oh and did I mention? She is gorgeous! She is always sharing bits and pieces of words of wisdom and I love her for it. She is also an outdoorsy kind of person and loves to have adventures. I am so excited for her to serve the people of Germany!!
Next is Doug Arner. Doug has been called to serve in the California Irvine Mission, English speaking. Doug is awesome! I met Doug at a camp called Elevation where he was a trail guide. Being a student I was a little surprised to find out that I'm older than him by a few months which I thought was pretty funny. Doug is a lot of fun and is a gentleman, at Elevation Doug and his twin brother Alex would literally run to help someone. Doug is also really good at koosh (it's like dodgeball but way cooler). Sorry I got you out so many times though. ;) Doug is also an example to me and I look forward to hearing all of his mission stories.
Ah Nathan Fales. This is going to be fun to write. Nathan Fales has been called to serve in the Budapest Hungary Mission and leaves at the end of the summer. I met Nathan through an online school I have attended. Nathan was the Student Body President this year (that has been an experience). Nathan is unique and a lot of fun, you'll probably never met a person quite like Nathan. He can be quite crazy but he also has a lot of wisdom to share. He is really good with megaphones and PDA oranges (again, another long story). Nathan always has something new and witty up his sleeve ready to whip out at the right moment. He is a really good story teller and he LOVES adventures so I think Hungary is going to be the perfect for him. ;)
And last but not least Anavey Dixion. Anavey has also been called to the Frankfurt, Germany mission, German speaking. Anavey is seriously the sweetest! One of the main reasons I started clogging was because of her. She was also one of the people I first heard about HEFY from. Because of her I was able to fulfill a life long dream and go to Ecuador and now this year I get to go to Belize. So for all of those reasons I owe you a big thank you Anavey. You opened the passage for me to fing my passion for clogging and serving others. Anavey is so kind and loving and the German people are so luckyto have her! Good luck and thanks again! Love you Anavey!
I also want to give a shout out to these amazing missionaries' mothers Cathy Wilhelmsen, Tamara Furman, Stephanie Hoag, Charity Johns, Marisabel Espinoza, Chenele Dixon, Lisa Arner, Tallasse's mom (Sorry I don't know your name), Christine Fales, and Debra Jensen who taught all these amazing teens the importance of serving missions. I am so excited for all of these missionaries!!
I also want to give a shoutout to all of my friends who are preparing for a mission now. You guys are great!!
I can't wait to serve a mission myself! I can't believe I have only about 9 more months before I can go!! I can't wait to serve my Father in Heaven and bless others with the gospel so they can return to him one day!
Just look at these guys' shining faces! They are going to change the world and I am so honored that I have gotten the chance to know them! <3 <3
