Welcome Back... TO REALITY....

So I think I've now been back on Idaho soil for a grand total of 3.5 days... guess it means that I should update my blog.  Thankfully this still seems to be mostly the way I remember it.... Although I was somewhat surprised when I typed in my email and hoped to see my blog on my dashboard and discovered no blog... I apparently started this blog with my old email address.

So being that it's late I'm just going to do a quick bullet list of all the wonderful "joys" that come with a return to reality aka post mission life.

*Our plane flying out of Indianapolis was delayed an hour because one of the motors couldn't independently start. Took an hour for them to get the paperwork done and an external motor thing to start the motor so we could fly out.  Making everyone on the flight super delayed for their next flights.  I had 15 minutes to get to the next concourse (sp?) and catch my flight.

*Which was also delayed when they were about to take off when a warning came up on the computer inside the plane and computer tech people had to be called and figure out what the problem was.  We thankfully only got delayed 30 minutes and arrived actually pretty close to on time.  Apparently it's possible to take shortcuts and speed in airplanes.

*Technology has advanced a lot. Why can't you just pick up a cell phone and dial anymore? You have to go through menus, slide/swipe your finger, wiggle your nose, and say a prayer, and hope that the number you just clumsily dialed still belongs to the person you intended to dial.   (The result of also getting your contact info from  an ancient address book you saved in your computer 2 phones ago)

*Did I mention that sometime in the last 18 months my old cellphone went MIA?  It's also chosen to hold all of the numbers it's gained over the last 4-5 yrs hostage as well.

*I've gotten at least 1 nose bleed a day due to the lack of humidity...  Not to mention I now have skin that's starting to look like a Crocodiles!

*Getting back into the social swing of things... I did go to Institute this week... however awkward that may have been... Nothing like having a huge pause everytime you try to introduce yourself and having to rethink what your name is... (No, not Sister Taylor, Deanna or Dee, remember no more name tag) As well as Brother Toone addressing you in the middle of class and asking you how long you've been home for and your mind going blank for a second and then saying "Uhhh, 2 or 3 days..." These are probably going to be very minor in comparison to the rest of the fun that comes with coming back... the approaching 1st post mission date... (imagine being alone in a car with a boy... I haven't even been alone in a room with a boy for 18 months!)

*The reality that I'm going to have to get a car.  Which also means that you have to get a job to pay for the car.. or at least the gas etc. that goes into the car after you buy it.  ANd then there is the dilemma of do you wipe out your savings and pay for a car flat out or get a loan and get a better car and keep paying for it and still have some money to live off of in case of an emergency.

*AND the biggest Question of All... Now what??? What do you want to do with the rest of your life???? And where?  Just work? do prereqs for Grad School??? Idaho Falls??? Go somewhere else??? 



Thankfully as much "joy" as all of these things have been bringing me, they are all part of the opposition in all things that's mentioned in 2 Nephi 2:11.  There are good things I'm home, I'm with my family, and I have a testimony of the Gospel. So with those questions on my mind, boy am I excited to have General Conference this weekend!

Happy Birthday to Me in the City of Philedelphia

So as a Birthday gift to myself (a week early, but still a very good gift if I say so myself) I went on vacation one last time before I enter the MTC.

I went with my cousin Jennifer first to Philedelphia and then to Washington D.C. area to visit my cousin Derek and his family. (Washington D.C. pictures to follow in another post)

In Philedelphia we went to to Independence Hall

Birthplace of The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution

(The seat at the front of the room is the Sun Chair that George Washington sat in)

This room is also in Independence Hall and it's a courtroom and the iron barred area would be where the accused would "stand trial."

It was really an amazing feeling to be walking in the same rooms that so many "Greats"- Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, George Washington, had walked and where the documents that founded our nation were literally written.

Also following in the footsteps of these great men we went to Christ Church which was just amazing to consider the workmanship that went into this place.

This is an outside view

And a view of the interior

This is the symbol of the English King and it was hung over the pew that he used to sit in when he came to the Church. The pew below later became George Washington's.

Really this building was amazing. These pictures do not do the building justice and it's over 400 years old!

And of course we had to eat some Philly Cheese Steak since of course Philedelphia is home to the original.

But that was not the only good food we had. We also ate at

The City Tavern

a restaurant that still uses authentic Colonial recipes including those from Martha Washington and others

This was my yummy chicken!!

But we couldn't always be eating cause there wa a ton of stuff to see in and around Philly.

We also saw the Liberty Bell

And We visited Valley Forge the place where George Washington and his troops camped outside of Philedelphia during the winter of 1777-1778

This is a recreation of one of the cabins the troops would have built there. The picture on the right is an example of the beds they would have slept on. Notice there's 3 levels... I don't know about you, but I don't know many people skinny enough to sleep on the middle bunk, not to mention grown men!

A view of the area in Valley Forge, not a whole lot of trees, so not a lot of protection in the winter time, especially when you think about how many cabins they had to build.

This is a monument that Congress had built in honor of those who were at Valley Forge.
There were wreaths surrounding the monument, each representing the men who were there.

And a deer that we came acrossed while we were walking there.

Inside the Valley Forge Park was a Chapel dedicated to George Washington

There was beautiful woodwork and stained glass inside all in tribute to George Washington.

We also went to the Betsy Ross House where our first flag was created (and apparently a lot of musket balls!)

It was an awesome trip! And that's only what we saw in Philly! Hopefully I'll get D.C. pics up in the next week or so.

Announcement.... Announcement... Announcement

Sorry I've been really bad about keeping all of you my faithful readers up to date... The news I'm about to announce has probably already hit the rumor mill, but time wise I just haven't had the time to sit down and do a blog post... at least not a meaningful one. In fact I ran into someone the other day and we were talking about what was up in our lives and what we were doing and this coming announcement came up and she was like "Seriously??? How did I not know __________?" So don't feel alone it not knowing, I'm just a poor publicist... It's a good thing I didn't go into advertising because I wouldn't be very good at announcing my products.

But this goes out to all of my peeps that I haven't forgotten, I'm just really slow with updating my blog...



The following is a map...

A Map of the United States... go figure... I bet you never would have guessed that....

And I'm a going to tell you a fabulous story that is going to lead you to a place on that great big map of the good ol' United States. .... It will describe a place that's nestled below the Great Lakes and Michigan, To the East of Illinois, and to the West of Ohio and North of Kentucky.

Okay I'm going to give you a moment to scroll back up and look at that map and see where I'm talking about. Do not read ahead until you find the place on the map....

















Good job... I'm very proud of you! You survived the geography assignment. And I promise that is the only time I'm going to make you think that hard about United States geography.
Now that you've found this place you're probably going... ummm okay.... you've lead me to Indiana.... why am I looking at Indiana???

Because....


.....


.........



............



I want to make sure you know where you're going to be sending me letters for 18 months!! :0)

I've been called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Indianapolis Mission.





I will be entering the MTC on March 16, 2011.

My "farewell" will be in the St. Leon 2nd branch at 1 pm. on March 13, 2011.

I'm going to blame it on the Deacon Shuffle

So it's all Brent's fault!!! There I was at the New Year's Eve dance happily celebrating 2011 which of course will be the greatest year of my life this far. . . and mind you it will be hard to top 2010. 2010 was AMAZING!!! But anyway I decided that the best way to start the new year off was to make sure that I wasn't going to be a wall hugger on the first slow dance of 2011. So as Brent was smoothly trying to make his exit for the refreshment table where he'd hung out for every single slow dance that night I intercepted. And we danced. And as we danced we talked.... I know imagine that...
But I guess I should also mention that Brent (who is single, mind you) is also in our Branch Presidency. So he asks me how I was doing and what my thoughts were concerning Brandi coming back... REWIND.... I guess I should mention that Brandi was the chairperson of our activities commitee. And she's been on vacation to Hawaii since November. And I was was left in charge of the Branch Activities while she was away. .... And I was like I'm doing fantastic... I'm so happy it's over...
....FYI never plan a ward Christmas Party and a Ward Tithing Settlement Blowout with food in one week..... It tends to drive the person in charge of Activities a little crazy that week. And then we added a service project for a family in our stake into the mix and this yours truly became one BUSY chica...

Fast forward to Sunday now... I rejoice as I wake up at 10 am. Knowing that I don't have to go to Branch Council again at 11am. That Brandi is going once again! In fact I even end up making it late to the Activities meeting held just after 12pm. (it takes about 20 mins for me to drive to church and it took my roommate and I a little longer to get out of the apartment). So I'm late And then after I get there I go to hand Brandi her the stake calendar etc notes from meetings etc... And she's like go ahead and keep it... this should have been a clue to me that I should have quickly made my exit first after the meeting... but NO dumb me I linger... trying to stuff the calendar and other junk into my already full purse.

And then I realize that Brent (the 2nd Counselor in the Branch Pres.) is still holding onto his chair... he hasn't put it away. And as I stand up he's like can you wait for a minute I'd like to talk to you for a second. And of course he asks me if I'd be willing to take over as the Activities Chairperson. . . .

MAN!!! I totally thought I was off the hook when Brandi came back and was applying for a new job here in Idaho Falls. Of course I said yes, like I've basically been fulfilling my new calling for like the last 2 months... but still it maybe if I hadn't cornered him into the deacon shuffle I'd still happily be only the Institute Representative for our stake. Oh well I guess we both got cornered this week.

Go for 10 in 2010?

So amazingly enough I have been to 9 states so far this year, although some of them for longer amounts of time than others.

Since January 1st 2010 I've been to the following states:

Arizona- Phoenix and Mesa areas
Nevada- via I-80 and I-15
Utah- SLC and Northward
Idaho- IF, Rexburg, Crater's of the Moon, Twin Falls, Boise, Lava Hot Springs
Montana- West Yellowstone
Wyoming- Drove through the state to get to Casper and then back via Martin's Cove. Later Jackson Hole
California- LA and San Franciso and Healdsburg
Oregon- Portland and Salem areas
Washington (although it was only the Seattle airport...)

But still wouldn't it be wonderful to make it to one more state in 2010 and make it an even 10? I've still got 27 days left in 2010 so now I just need to find a place and someone to go with me.

Anyone want to tag along?

My Grandpa

My grandfather, Ralph William Kauer was remembered today for the great man that he was in funeral services held today at the Burton Churchbuilding and the cemetery.


He was born on January 12, 1918 out in Burton (just west of Rexburg). He was the fifth child of Ernest Ferdinand Kauer and Rosalie Karoline Beck, one of eleven children. He had five brothers and five sisters.

He was married to my grandmother, Bernice Hazel Clifford on August 17, 1942 in the Salt Lake Temple. And they enjoyed 68 wonderful years together. They had 4 wonderful children, 3 daughters and a son.



Grandpa worked hard for everything that he had in this life. He was a caring and supportive father, grandfather, and great grandfather. In his youth he worked on his parent's farm, and then served a mission to Germany just prior to WWII and then returned to the US and completed his mission in the Western States mission once the war heated up in Europe.

Both of his parents died by the time that he was 16 and he helped to support his younger siblings throughout their lives, as well as their children's lives. (He and my grandmother welcomed two of their nieces into their home and raised them with his own children at the death of his brother and his wife.) He ran his own farm out in Burton, Idaho, served in World War II in Europe, during which time he gained the rank of Captain, and taught 5th and 6th grades as a teacher.



Many of my favorite memories of my childhood all happened while visiting my grandparents at their farm in Burton. I remember sitting at a card table near his chair in his living room and playing Chinese Checkers on Sunday afternoons. Somehow I would always end up winning. Early summer mornings out picking raspberries with Lard cans hanging from belts around our waste, that started out empty and a couple hours later we would have crates overflowing with berries that would then be canned as yummy jam and bottled fruit. Sunday dinners that always ended with a bowl of bottled raspberries or peaches. Or french vanilla ice cream. BBQs on their back porch and splashing through their irrigated lawn on hot summer days.

And memories of scouring my grandparents' lawn on Easter afternoons finding the loot that the "Easter Bunny" had scattered across the lawns and hidden in the bushes, up trees and on the roof. And at Christmas time, our family FHEs at Grandpa and Grandma's house. That always ended with Grandpa reading the story of Christ's birth from the New Testament.

I also remember camping trips in Island Park, and fishing up by Medicine Lodge. And Grandpa's coat pockets always being full of peppermints from JJ Norths whenever he came to visit and McDonald's hamburgers after a long day of cleaning one of his rentals.



Grandpa and Grandma's headstone reads Families are Forever. I know that although my grandfather is no longer here with us physically in this life, I know that he will forever be a part of my life. He and Grandma have served our family past and present all of their lives. They have completed the temple work for the majority of my ancestors and they have set the example for our living generations with all of my married cousins being sealed for time and all eternity in the temple on their wedding day. I hope to continue that tradition.

If there was any one thing that I could say that my grandfather taught me, it would be to work. Work was and is expected in our family. We can have fun, but only after we had done all that we've promised to do. Whether it was on their farm, cleaning some of their rentals, or just doing your best in school or fulfilling your calling to the utmost of your ability. We were of steadfast German Swiss stock that did not shy away from hardwork.

I hope that when I find the man that I will someday marry that he can some day live up to be half the man my Grandpa Kauer is.

I know that Grandpa Kauer was greeted by a large gathering of relatives on the otherside when he passed away Thursday September 30, just after 12pm. And I know that he has now received a well deserved rest. Families are Forever and I know that I will see Grandpa on the other side. I am greatful for the example that he has set for me and the rest of our family.

"God saw he was getting tired

And a cure was not to be,

SO He put His arms around him

And whispered, "Come with Me."

"With tearful eyes we watched him suffer

And saw him fade away,

Although we loved him dearly

We could not make him stay.

"A golden heart stopped beating

Hard working hands to rest,

God broke our hearts to prove to us

He only takes the best."

The Power of God's Chosen Servant

The last few conference sessions I have always tried to prepare myself for the conference sessions and to pray during the week before and ask that I might be prepared for the messages and that the messages will contain guidance for my life today. Sadly I really hadn't had time to prepare this time. The last couple of weeks have been extremely busy. I had been home mostly during sleeping hours. I had been working 10-12hr days typically leaving before 8am if not 7:20, and then working all day and then running to whatever other commitment I had had. Then I would return home around 9 or 10pm. Then I would quickly get ready for bed, quickly pray and grab my scriptures and quickly read a few verses, perhaps a chapter, and tumble into bed. And in the prayer I would mumble some expression of "please bless me to learn from Conference" if I even remembered to think about upcoming conference.

I had really taken no thought of what to pray about. I was just too busy to really think about what I truly needed. Or at least I allowed myself to be that way.

This year my roommates and I and a few of our friends from our branch were able to get tickets to Saturday Morning Session. We drove down the night before around 9:30pm and arrived at our hotel about 1am. And crashed around 2am. And got to wake up around 4 hours later at 6am so that we could get ready and take the Trax up to downtown and make it to the morning session. Thankfully we got to conference about 9am so we had about an hour to wait for conference to begin. We were able to get seats in the 3rd row of our section of the upper balcony. It was so calming to just sit there, without something else to day while I waited. To just listen to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir warm up and feel the spirit that was there. This time I truely had time to ponder and wait for the messages to begin.

Conference began and President Monson gave an opening address like none other. We were excited at the temples, but it was the topic that he addressed after those announcements that I know I and a couple of the guys that I was with, needed to here.

President Monson always uses some story or experience to share to help get his point across. But this time, this address, he did not mix words in anyway. This is what he said.

"Now before we hear from our speakers this morning may I mention a matter close to my heart and which deserves our serious attention, I speak of missonary work. "... "I repeat what prophets have long taught" ... "Young men I admonish you to prepare for service as a missionary." At that moment there was no question that the prophet of the Lord had stated that it was the duty of each young man to serve a mission. Then he continued to say concerning sisters- "While you do not have the same priesthood you also make a valuable contribution as missionaries and we value your service. " Confirmation that I was making a wise decision to serve a mission. The song following that opening address was We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet I again had it confirmed to me that Thomas S. Monson is called as our modern day prophet and that he is our Father's chosen servant at this time.

There were so many amazing and powerful speakers in that session, and all of them seemed as if the topic was exactly what I needed. Especially President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's address about Simplicity and not adding business to our lives. A topic that I've greatly needed.

I am forever greatful for the tickets that we got to the Saturday Morning Session. This was the session that I and the others in my group needed to hear.