Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Good week!

  • Sunday, May 27
    • Marie's farewell! Who knew that when we became friends in preschool that we would remain so close throughout elementary school, middle school, high school, and three years of college (despite the rivalry!). I am so glad we are going to be serving missions at the same time. It was so great to have someone to discuss the stresses of mission preparing with. I will surely miss the sarcastic texts and nights by the fire, but Louisiana will be so happy to have her! It was also great to see old friends. I love that when we get together, its like we were never apart. 
    • The sad part of Sunday: Saying goodbye to my dearest Stephanie Bishoff :( She has moved to California for the summer and came home for her brother's homecoming. It was my first mission goodbye! I won't be able to see her again until I leave, but I know that not even 5,000 miles will keep us apart!
  • Monday, May 28
    • Memorial day-My favorite holiday! We spent the morning at the Monroe Cemetery for a memorial service. We visited a few other cemeteries and looked up a few ancestor's graves. It was a beautiful day and so nice to spend the day with the family. 
  • Tuesday, May 29
    • Uh... I don't remember what happened...
  • Wednesday, May 30
    • Abby and I decided to wake up early and spend the day in Provo shopping for mission clothes. Abby probably hated every second of it, but she had a good attitude anyway. I must admit, I can't blame her. I am SOOOO ready to be done shipping. I'm not much of a shopper to begin with, and with all the searching for wrinkle free, washable, warm, and matching clothes that don't look hideous is harder than you would think. But Cafe Rio made it better :) 
    • Lunch with Jenna (Oakley) @ Zupas. I just love that girl and wish we didn't live 3 hours apart.
    • He Is We Concert. After getting lost numerous times, trying to find parking, and waiting in line for an hour, we finally made it in! The first two opening bands weren't too bad. When the third got on, we just assumed it was He Is We (We've never seen them before, and have only listened to a view of their songs...). They were AWFUL! I was super disappointed... then we realized it was just another opening band. He Is We ended up being so great and we absolutely loved the concert. We were definitely tired after a long day, but it was worth it.
    • Thursday, May 31
      • We spent the night at Aunt Ginny's, and woke up to cinnamon banana french toast. Could you ask for anything better?? Nope
      • Mission Shower-My mom's dear friend threw me a surprise mission shower! It was honestly the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.  I know it took a lot of work and everyone was so willing to selflessly sacrifice to help me on my mission. I am so incredibly grateful for the women in my life that support me and love me, especially on this new adventure! A HUGE thanks to Janet Billingsley for organizing everything, and to everyone else for the wonderful gifts! Also, I embarrassed myself by putting socks on my hands because I thought they were gloves... oops! 
    • Friday, June 1
      • OAKCREST FRIENDS AND FAMILY DAY!!! Best day of my life! I never thought I'd love that drive, but I was just so excited to be at camp again. Everything looked and smelled so beautiful. I absolutely loved seeing all my old counselor friends again. The program with the new staff was great and I felt the Spirit flood me again, just like I had never left. I am so excited for all the new staff members and know they are going to have the best summer, changing thousands of lives. Preparing for a mission has been tough... I've been discouraged and second guessing myself. As soon as I was back at camp, I remember everything I had experienced last summer. My testimony was strengthened and I felt revived. I had forgotten how happy and friendly everyone is at Oakcrest  :) Going back  was an answer to prayers, just like it has been so many times before.
    • Saturday, June 2
      • Terry Family Reunion! We spent the day at the Hogle Zoo. The little kids are all so cute! And the new Rocky Shores exhibit was open with a polar bear and sea otters!  All of my family members were there at some point except for one (We missed you Michael!). It has been YEARS since all of us have been together. I realized that I really don't know when we'll all be together again...It was the perfect piece to my summer before I leave. I'm so grateful that we get to spend forever together. 

    Wednesday, May 23, 2012

    Sverige!!!

    In case anyone is wondering how I've been spending my five month wait until I leave on my mission...
    Facts about Sweden:
    • Population 9.3 million
    • # of LDS members: 10,000
    • Political system: Parliamentary democracy 
    • Area: 174,000 sq. mi. (About the size of CA)
    • Hours of Daylight in Stockholm:
      • January: 6
      • July: 19
    • In northern Sweden, the midnight sun is visable 24 hrs a day from June to the middle of July
    • The largest shopping mall of Europe is ‘Nordstan’, in Gothenburg.
    • The northern lights are viewable in northern Sweden. Every 11 years, the solar activity is higher and therefore they are visible farther south. Next year happens to be the eleventh year! (I'm crossing my fingers!)
    • Stockholm is known as one of the most beautiful cities of the world and is composed of 14 islands
    • The fertility rate is 1.94 children born/woman
    • Sweden has a large amount of immigrants, particularly from surrounding countries and the Middle East. 
    • On average, Swedish women have their first child at 30 years.
    • A popular souvenir is the road sign for moose-crossing. Every year a huge number of these signs are stolen from Swedish roads.
    • IKEA and H&M are both modern Swedish retail shops.
    • Sweden has the highest number of McDonald restaurants, per capita, in Europe.
    • The first ice hotel of the world was built near the village of Jukkasjärvi, in Kiruna district of Sweden.
    • Midsummer is one of the biggest celebrations in Sweden. It is held on the weekend closest to June 24 and is the longest day of the year. It includes dancing to folk music, traditional costumes, wreathes of flowers, eating herring, dancing around the maypole, and of course alcohol :)
    • Sweden is known for its progression in technology, fashion, design, and societal systems. 
    • On Easter, the children dress up as witches and hobos and go trick or treating
    • Taxes are about 50-70% of income, and the government fills out your tax forms
    • 53% of the land is forest, with lots of berries to eat!
    • The Nobel Prize Ceremonies are held in Sweden and Norway every year on December 10th.
    • The official church of Sweden is the Evangelical Lutheran Church. 
    • Sweden is known for their fresh, raw, canned, smoked, and pickled sea food (particularly herring, crayfish, salmon and eel, also elk and reindeer
    • Swedes have one of the longest life expectancy in the world-79-men and 83-women
    • Summers in Sweden rarely get warmer than 75 degrees
    • Sweden is known to have one of the highest standards of living in the world
    • The three most popular sports are football (soccer), ice hockey, and bandy (whatever that is...?)
    • Famous things/people from Sweden(ones I recognized at least)
      • Alfred Nobel (instituted the Nobel prize)
      • ABBA
      • Ace of Base
      • Pacemakers
      • Ingrid Bergman (starred in Casablanca)
      • Volvo
      • Zippers
      • Pippi Longstocking
      • A-Teens
      • Invention of dynamite
      • Play (Pop group)
      • IKEA
      • Niklas Zennström (founder of Skype)

    Friday, March 23, 2012

    Called to Serve!!!

    So maybe I'm really slow, but... I got my mission call!!! It was the best day of my entire life, literally. Shall we start from the beginning? Yes!
    After waiting two and a half weeks, Wednesday rolled around (and by rolled around, I mean: took 8 billion years to get here!) The Bishop had told me my call had been assigned, so there was no doubt! My dear friend Stephanie's Mom is our mail lady, so she got my cell number and told me she would call me when it got here. I slept surprisingly well, anticipating my phone call in the wee hours of the morning. Well, 9 am rolled around and I still hadn't heard a single thing. I sent her a text asking if she had heard anything. She informed me that she wasn't working that day, but would call in and check. She reported that they hadn't seen it, and maybe it would come Thursday. Immediately, I went into denial, then panic. I had been counting down the hours for an entire week! I did not think I could possibly wait for one more day, or however much longer it would take. I sat on the floor and began to cry, not knowing how I could possibly focus in class (A little dramatic? Maybe. But probably not). I decided to pray. I told Heavenly Father that I knew things would work out somehow. I truly did not know how I could wait any longer, but I knew His timing was right and it would come when it was supposed to. If it didn't come that day, I pleaded for the strength and patience to wait. I then headed off to class (which just so happened to be mission prep, where we just so happened to sing Called to Serve...). With high hopes, I asked the Bishop to check when it had been sent, so I would know if I had to wait one more day, or a week. He replied that they had not yet marked it as sent, and it would be another week. I slowly came to terms with the situation, realizing that for some reason I needed this trial of faith and patience. Everyone was texting me, asking if it came and what time I was opening it. I held back the tears, with silent pleas that somehow I could just endure that day. 

    In the middle of my second class, I received a text from my mom. IT WAS A MIRACLE!!! My mission call came!!! No, they weren't pulling a prank on me. The substitute at the post office didn't know what to look for, and the mission application hadn't been updated. I wanted to jump up and scream with excitement!!! When I returned home, I immediately knelt down and thanked Heavenly Father for this little mission miracle.While I don't necessarily believe the hand of God picked up the enveloped from Salt Lake and stuck it in my mailbox, I am incredibly grateful for the comfort and peace He gave me. That day was a spiritual high, just knowing that He was aware of me and my needsThe next 8 hours were the longest of my life!! I cleaned the entire apartment, paced my room, and had butterflies so bad I thought I could throw up. But the time finally came. My dear family came (my brother couldn't come because the weather in Salt Lake was awful) as well as my old roommates, Oakcrest friends, and even the girls down the hall. 

    Opening an envelope has never been so hard before! With shaking hands, I could hardly believe it was real life!!! I covered it up, so I wouldn't accidentally read it. As I read "Sister Chesley" I immediately was overwhelmed with Spirit. Tears quickly came, and I read that I had indeed been called to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Then I accidentally saw where I was called to... I thought I hid it so well, until I watched the video and realized I had gasped and covered my mouth. Real subtle, Bec. There it read, Sweden Stockholm mission!!! WHAT!?!?!?! I don't remember a single thing that happened after that. SWEDEN!? Why didn't I think of that?! Immediately, I KNEW that was where I was supposed to be called. It felt perfect the moment I read it. 

    I absolutely CANNOT wait to serve my mission in Sweden. I will be speaking Swedish, and report to the Provo MTC on July 18th. I know that this is where I am supposed to serve and I know the Lord trusts me to represent Him. As I read the rest of my call, I couldn't stop the tears from flowing. I have the opportunity to teach the gospel to those who literally have no idea that they can live with God again in perfect happiness. What a sacred and humbling opportunity this is going to be. Greater happiness than I have ever imagined awaits me. But most importantly, it awaits those who have will be accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thanks to EVERYONE for your love and support. All the texts, calls, and Facebook comments really do mean the world to me. Look out Sweden, here I come! Many exciting facts on Sweden to come :) Love always, Syster Chesley. 

    Wednesday, February 15, 2012

    Because I Have Been Given Much...

    As I'm sure all of you know, I have made the decision to serve a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!!! The question I frequently get is, "What made you want to serve?" there was no grand experience or life changing event that really made me want to serve. The desire to serve a mission is something I have always had. Even from the time I was in primary, I remember singing Called to Serve hoping some day I would have the unique opportunity of preaching the gospel to the world! There have been many experiences that have solidified my decision to serve. One-Church History Tour. Every second of that trip radiated the truthfulness of the gospel. When I bore my testimony at church in Palmyra, I looked down to find Brother Jenkins (my preschool teachers husband, previous seminary teacher, institute teacher, and Stake Patriarch who was our tour guide-and my favorite man in the world!) staring at me with a smile beaming from his face. After the meeting, he approached me and told me that when he looked up at me, he could see a missionary bearing her testimony. Two-working at Oakcrest. Having the opportunity to bask in the Spirit and teach the gospel every day only increased my craving for missionary work.

    Now, just because I've always wanted to serve, doesn't necessarily mean this decision has been easy.  Many have come into my life during my 20 years of riding the Earth around the Sun telling me I was going to get married first, get too far into my schooling, or that I just flat out didn't have what it takes. While my family has been 100% percent supportive, its clear they worry about missing me and me missing them. Then there are my own doubts I've had, which have far exceeded every one else. Question of whether or not I am going for the right reasons, if I know enough, if I can follow the Spirit enough. Worries about taking a break in the middle of my degree, coming back an old maid, getting homesick, all sorts of questions! But every time I sincerely pray, I have felt an overwhelming assurance, greater than I've ever had, that serving a mission is what I'm supposed to do.

    I've now come to the point where I think "How could I NOT serve a mission?" I have been blessed with a knowledge of one and only true gospel on the face of the earth!!! How could I pass up the opportunity to share that? While I still get worried about all the things that could go wrong and the sacrifices I will have to make, I try to keep in mind that I'm not going for me, or for anyone else. I'm going for the Lord, and with Him all things are possible. I started my papers a month before I could turn them in, thinking it would take a few weeks. It took three days... So since then, I have practiced pronouncing the names of all the missions (This is a strange fear I've developed... I dont want to embarrass myself...) spent many hours on Google maps, had many sleepless nights, and experienced full on anxiety attacks! I turned my papers into my Stake President two days before they could be submitted. He decided to wait a full week to submit them... BUT! They're finally in!!!!!!!! I feel like I'm the happiest girl in the world, knowing this is the right decision. So, let the waiting begin :) I'm hoping my call will be here on the 22nd or 29th. Pray that I actually live to see that glorious envelope! 

    Sunday, January 22, 2012

    75 Random Things

    Do you ever have those times in your life where you seem to have lost sight who you are? It seems as though there are those people who know everything about me, but sadly those people are now spread out across the world. To remind myself of who I really am, I made a list 75 of random facts about my life. Since I'm sure there isn't anyone reading this who knows all of these, I thought I'd share. Was it conceited of me to talk about myself this much? Probably, but this one is more for me. 

    1.      I have to sleep on my stomach.
    2.      I am terrified of dogs. Terrified. I was attacked as a child and have never been the same since.
    3.      Missionary letters are my favorite things in the whole world.
    4.      I lived in the same house my entire childhood. This year is its 102 birthday! 
    5.      I used to pretend to be a pilgrim and make my own stew out of rotting vegetables in the garden. Don’t worry, I never ate it.
    6.      I’ve never opened a single Harry Potter book.
    7.      I have a secret love for bruises.
    8.      I have probably seen 1% of the movies most people have seen, including Disney movies, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, etc. 
    9.      Once upon a time, I wanted to be a mortician.
    10.  I believe rain boots are heaven sent.
    11.  I have been to Nevada, California, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Maryland, New York, Washington D.C., Nebraska, and Wyoming.  
    12.  I have an extensive amount of nicknames: Becca, Becs, Bec, Bex, Becky, Rebecky, Rebexie, Scribbles, Sexy Bexy, Chelsea, Ches, Becfast, Bextreme,
    13.  I secretly tolerate Justin Bieber. Working at a girl’s camp all summer will do that to you.
    14.  I’ve never been north of Logan, UT.
    15.  I used to have an intense fear of taxidermied animals. 
    16.  Sometimes I fall asleep in the shower.
    17.  I have only spent 4 or 5 Christmases at home.
    18.  When I was still in a crib, I used to smooth out the wrinkles in my blankets.
    19.  I was once taught a Sunday School lesson by Stephanie Meyers mother-in-law.
    20.  I have an unhealthy obsession with John Allred.
    21.  Painting fingers nails is a weekly occurrence for me. That’s after toning it down… it used to be three times a week.
    22.  Planning events is one of my favorite past times. When I was in elementary school, I used to elaborately plan my sister’s birthday parties.
    23.  Life would be completely satisfying for me if I could wear ponytails, t-shirts, flip flops, and hoodies every day.
    24.  Sometimes I drool unconsciously…
    25.  I don’t think I’ve ever burped around someone outside than my family.
    26.  I was the type of child that practically sent herself to her room.
    27.  I fall asleep within 10 minutes of getting in the car, without fail-unless I’m driving.
    28.  Cherry cheesecake brings me to my knees.
    29.  I once had a talent of balancing 10 Smarties on my nose.
    30.  I used to check under my bed every night for the man who kidnapped Elizabeth Smart.
    31.  Organizing the cupboards used to be a favorite pastime of mine.
    32.  I have two webbed toes on my left foot.
    33.  I wrote a dramatic monologue about my sister’s accident for region drama. Miraculously, I placed.
    34.  My handwriting is similar to a 12 year old boys’.
    35.  I’m still afraid of the dark.
    36.  Shopping is one thing I’ve never grown to love.
    37.  I actually enjoy wearing dresses.
    38.  I chose to get braces… and waited til I was 18 years old. I was frequently mistaken for a high school freshman.
    39.  I’ve never colored my hair.
    40.  I used to help the scouts pass off the scout oath and law because I memorized it from tagging along with my dad a time or two.
    41.  I graduated high school with a class of 74 students.
    42.  My home town doesn’t have street lights, stop lights, sidewalks, or stores. And I LOVE IT!
    43.  I live for Sundays.
    44.  My favorite movie is Pride & Prejudice, with The Joseph Smith Movie, Elf and Sons of Provo following close behind.
    45.  I’ve never broken a single bone in my body.
    46.  I used to be TERRIFIED of needles. After watching my sister in the hospital, I somehow got over it. I’ve since given blood ten times!
    47.  I was Prom Queen at my junior prom.
    48.  In 5th grade, I stepped on a toothpick which broke off inside my foot. After a month I had to go to the doctor to have it removed.
    49.  I spent 11 weeks in the mountains with hundreds of 7th and 8th grade girls teaching them the gospel, having dance parties, hiking, playing games, and building eternal friendships.
    50.  My wisdom teeth starting coming in when I was 13. When I had them removed as a freshman in high school, two of them had completely grown in.
    51.  I tend to be a bit of a creeper…I’m an expert facebook stalker, peephole watcher, people observer. Hence being a psychology major.
    52.  Gagging used to be a bit of a problem for me… I once dropped an egg and started dry heaving.
    53.  I’ve had shingles before.
    54.  For being under 70, I have an abnormal love for family history.
    55.  I lived with 9 girls for 8 months and never had drama.
    56.  My favorite hymns are I Believe In Christ, Praise to the Man, The Spirit of God, Abide with Me; Tis Eventide, and I’ll Go Where You Want Me To Go.
    57.  I once witnessed a huge fight, called the police, went to my friends to tell them the story, and 10 minutes after getting there the fighters came to hide out from the police-shirts torn and covered in blood. That was probably the most culturing night of my life.
    58.  I am obsessed with houses (especially Victorian) and interior design.
    59.  Yes, I do prefer to watch documentaries over anything else.
    60.  Peas and cooked green beans make me gag. But bottled green beans are my favorite thing in the world.
    61.  It doesn’t take much to make feel awkward.
    62.  I’ve shot an M16 before.
    63.  I LOVE the smell of alfalfa.
    64.  I've never killed an animal.
    65.  I’ve performed in The Music Man, Beauty and the Best (Silly girl), High School Musical (Ms. Darbus), and Fiddler on the Roof (Grandma Tzeitel).
    66.  Making lists is how I function.
    67.  There is a mole on the bottom of my foot. I never noticed until my mom told me to clean the chocolate off my foot.
    68.  The smell and texture of canned pumpkin pie filling makes me want to vomit. Hence my disgust toward pumpkin pie.
    69.  Getting ready for bed is my favorite part of the day.
    70.   In my childhood I tried to make a cross stitch that said “I am a child of God”, but I ran out of room. It reads, “I am a child”.
    71.  I used to be obsessed with Hilary Duff.
    72.  I spent two years at Snow College before transferring to BYU. Snow was the LAST place in the world I wanted to go to school, but it just felt right. It was the BEST two years of my life and I can’t think of anything that would have been more perfect.
    73.  Palmyra, NY, Duck Creek, UT and Ouray, CO are three of my favorite places in the world.
    74.  I clogged for 7 years, which is why every joint in my body cracks with the slightest movement.
    75.  Rainy days are my favorite.

    Tuesday, January 17, 2012

    21 DAYS!

    February 7th, you cannot come fast enough!!! Until then, I may reach insanity...

    Friday, January 13, 2012

    No Sugar January

    What was I thinking??? I'm one of those people that sets goals, makes lists, and obsessively uses motivational quotes. Usually my motivation lasts long enough to push me to the end. No sugar January, on the other hand, is an exception. It wouldn't be nearly as difficult if I didnt work at a job that constantly surrounds me with cakes, breads, muffins, cookies, and any thing else with sugar that you can possibly think of. I didn't realize how bad it was, until I had a dream that I practically inhaled all the sweets I could get my eyes on and then after wanting to vomit, I remembered that I wasn't supposed to eat any of them.
     Even though I had to seat across the table from my two roommates as they enjoyed their Denny's cheesecake (my favorite!), I must admit that the adventure in the challenge makes it worth it! I definitely feel better!


     13 days down, 18 more to go! Piece of cake, right? Well, minus the cake part...