Would the real Miss Chester please stand up?

A couple weeks ago I had a bunch of great girls volunteer to come and model for me during my studio time as I gimped around in my ankle brace (this was pre-fracture knowledge) It was a ton of fun and I was glad they all came. I wanted to share some pictures from one person in particular, though, and that's Miss Chester-the-bester.

Chessie and I met through an online writing site and talked for ages via instant message before figuring out that her aunt and mine served as mission companions once upon a time. Every time she's down from Logan (just like said photoshoot weekend) we try to hang out with our other bud Bean (we're not sure what Bean's actual name is, we've been calling her that for so long). So here's a little spotlight and a shout out to real Chess that I know.

 

Chessie is ALWAYS on the move. Jumping, dancing, playing... you name it, she'll be doing it with enthusiasm!

 

The many faces of Chessie. She's not a good influence on Bean.

 

That's not Chessie! She's rarely grumpy! (Except over stupid boys, but who could blame her?)

 

She gets shy every now and again.

 

What a beautiful model though...

 

And an even better friend!

Service!

Yes, yes I know. I'm sure you're all going "AGAIN?!" Maybe it's just me but I always seem to be so stupidly amazed at how much acts of service helps out my day.

Lately I've been served a lot. I've been shown service by people from church (especially Sam and Theo), neighbors who run down and grab bags from my hand to carry up to my apartment (one girl even stopped a phone conversation with her sister), complete strangers, and roommates (who reprimanded me the other day for not asking them to do enough-- I thought I was asking a lot already!).

It's nice to be served. It really makes a difference when you're struggling to carry a food tray and the girl at the cash register demands that her co-worker help me out. Or when someone sees you coming behind them and waits, holding the door open so that you don't have to struggle to get through while not being squished. I'm really very grateful to all those who have been there for me.

But today I had my own chance to serve. There was another girl on crutches that left the same building just a little ahead of me. As I started driving down to my next building (which is literally across campus), I saw her walking (well crutching) down the sidewalk. I pulled into the middle lane and rolled down my window and asked where she was going. Turned out her class was BEYOND the other side of campus. We both end our first class about the same time, so I let her know I can give her a ride on those days.

It hasn't made my foot any less sore or my work load any less (if only), but getting the chance to do something for someone else has really lightened my spirit.

There is truly no circumstance or trial that won't be better when you add a little bit of service!

I HAVE A SECRET!

And I'm very excited about it... but I can't say anything!

Otherwise it wouldn't be called a secret!

Beautiful, no?

 

The other side of the foot is just as lovely. Who knew human skin could change so many colors eh?

Not how I planned to spend the weekend

I was coming down to Vegas to do some pictures for Mihkel we didn't get to do at Christmas because things got a bit busy. I've taken this route dozens and dozens of times. Usually on my own, like this time as well. Only this time was different... this time I crashed. Yes, not exactly what I'd hoped for. I was in St. George and just heading out of the city when my car veered (just a little) and when I went to correct it, I somehow lost complete control of the vehicle, spun, and crashed into the concrete median.

I'm alright, though a little shaken and I have a HUGE left foot right now. I was very blessed that our old family friends the Schmidts were nearby. While Mom and Dad made their way up from Vegas, Roberta came to be with me at the hospital and let us stay in their home until we could go get everything out of my car. Thank goodness for good friends!

Roberta also brought me my camera when the officer gave her all my things. Yes, I took pictures while being cared for at the hospital. And again today when checking out the car (I didn't get to see it until this morning since they moved me straight to the gurney). My sister said I'm weird. I call myself a photographer :)

 

No fractures! YAY! The foot IS rather swollen, though, and the heat from the airbag caused some cuts and a burn on my right arm.. It's a little hard to tell in this picture.

 

I'm sure the staff thought I was a bit odd, but I explained that I was a photo student and they were chill. Plus, I think they were just glad I wasn't freaking out. This guy is taking some x-rays.

 

It's a million times better to have a friendly face there. I think I could have handled things on my own alright, but I'm SO glad I didn't have to. Thank you Sister Schmidt!!!!

More from my bed in the ER.

 

And the car... it's not looking so good.

 

 

 

 

And the day after. I really am hoping I'm feeling up to going to the strip to do some pictures I wanted to do for assignments this next week... if not... I guess I could always use this blog to show why I don't have them!

Once Upon a Mission

Almost four years ago in a land far and foreign to this one, I came home from pretty much the best year and a half of my life.

It's odd to me that I ever questioned whether or not I should go. Now it seems so obvious that I couldn't have chosen better. I'm currently working on a project and trying to find other students to get involved and one wrote, saying that he will be leaving on a mission in the fall, but wants to be involved with anything before then. I can't even describe how ecstatic I got on his behalf! No matter how excited he may be, I don't think he can even start to consider quite how excited he should be.

When another girl I know talked to me today about how she's going to serve a mission, it really made me think about what my mission meant to me.


Missions are taxing, difficult, heart wrenching, exhilarating, exciting, hopeful, uplifting, and defining times. They're a million things that words will never be able to explain. My mission has not only made me who I am, it has brought me every good thing since that time--sometimes literally and others through the values and traits I gained being a missionary. There are many people to thank including parents to helped send me off and people who took care of me in the great (and warm) land of Florida! It was the place I never knew I wanted to serve :)

To the kiddos and friends I know out there, start looking forward to your chance to be a missionary. There is nothing greater than doing service on behalf of the Lord. For my friends who don't share my beliefs: I still promise that the moment you think outside yourself and serve others great things start to happen.

Here's to working towards a lifetime of sharing and giving back!

Me four years ago with my last two mission companions.