Called to Serve

Dear Sister Hillman,

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Ohio Cleveland Mission. In addition to your calling to share the gospel, you will be assigned to serve in the Historic Visitors' Center. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months.

You should report to the provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, February 1, 2012.

On October 20, 2011. I opened an envelope that will change my life. I am going to Ohio, I get to teach the gospel where so much of the restoration happened, I get to teach where Joseph Smith taught. I think it's the best mission out there.

The best part about this whole thing, my best friend Jenna Davis, received and opened her call the same day I did. She will be serving in the Los Angeles Temple Mission. We enter the MTC on the same day. How lucky am I? I feel like so many people are going on missions. It's a great thing.

I am excited for this adventure. 3 1/2 months. Let the count down begin.

They're Changing

And I couldn't be happier. Fall is the best and most beautiful time of year. Bring on football, scarves, hot chocolate, pumpkin patches, harvest, raking and jumping into piles of leafs. Glorious. Don't you just wish it looked liked this year round?

Temple to Temple 2011

37.5 miles. 8 Runners. How amazing is it that we have two temples close enough that we can run from one to the other? This year I ran on a coed team. 4 boys and 4 girls. I started the race this year, running a distance of 2.8 miles. I know, I know. I really pushed myself on that one. It was nice to get it out of the way, and be able to cheer on the rest of my teammates without worrrying about my upcoming leg of the race. It was a day full of loud music, cheering, food, heat and fun. Sometimes it amazes me how we work up to something for so long and then it's over. Just like that. It becomes part of our history, something we'll tell the kids about one day. I think my team was amazing, I like them all very much. We placed 17th overall and 11th in our division. I think we were nothing less than champions. I mean really, its us, what else do you expect?

Diving Through the Sky

I have a new obsession. Skydiving. I love the feling of free falling. Always have. So I figured to get the greatest rush I would have to just jump out of a plane. I was right. Last Saturday a roommated and a couple of friends from high school went down to Ogden to cross Skydiving off our bucket lists. It had been kind of cloudy last week so we were scared they wouldn't be able to take us up. If there was rain or wind there would be no jump. It cleared up for just the perfect amount. We didn't know exactly what to expect. When we walked in all of the instructors were either sleeping or just laying around, like it was a typical Saturday morning, and they weren't about to do anything crazy, like jump out of a plane. We figured there would be a training and then they would suit us up and prepare us for the jump. False. When we arrived they made us sign a waiver informing us that this was a dangerous sport. We had to promise that our ghosts wouldn't sue them if we died. Anyway. After we were checked in we met our tandems. The whole lot of them were HILARIOUS, we could not have had a better group. They suited us up, while they told us all we needed to know about exiting the plane safely in about 10 minutes. I think my tandem was a little anxious to jump because as soon as I had my harness on we were out the door and in the plane waiting for the others. The plane ride up was about 20 minutes. I don't think anyone can really be prepared for jumping out of a plane at 12, ooo ft. One would think that they would get you used to the idea by talking you through each step. Nope. Before we knew it we were high enough up, the red light came on, they opened the door and the first set had jumped. When it was my turn he rocked me out of the plane door, back in and then we dived into the sky. Amazing. I felt like I was floating in mid-air. It's hard to describe what it actually feels like. After about 60 second I felt the parachute catch our weight and slow our fall. It was cool. I could see everyone else in their descent as well. I saw a view of Ogden that was amazing. 7 minutes later we were back on the ground, I believe there was a lot of jumping and screaming involved. In less than an hour we became certified Tandem I skydivers. We have diplomas to prove it. It was so much fun, but mostly I am happy none of us died.

The Before

The After

Wilson. They a ton of random things in their shop.

Just so you know

At this very moment my mission papers are in Salt Lake City. Church Headquarters. Where President Monson is. Assigning me to a mission. Somewhere in this world. Ah. I'm peeing my pants I am so excited. If I am calculating right (don't be too hopeful I failed math...twice) my mission call will be here next Thursday. I can't belive it is actually happening. I want to sing, laugh, cry, scream, jump for joy, run away, ask for them back, and leave right now. All at the same time. Stayed tuned for the unveiling. I'll let you know as soon as I know.