New Blog!

I haven't written here in a long time! I figured there was just too much for me to catch up on so, for those of you interested in reading more about my life, I started a new blog for my husband and I as a way to keep track of everything that goes on in our lives! If you are interested in reading here is the Link: nikandkyrst.blogspot.com

Thanks for sharing this adventure with me!

Cruising.

We went on a cruise. It was loads of fun. And because a picture's worth a thousand words I figured I'd throw in a few of those:

It was great to spend a week with this wonderful family of mine. I'm so grateful for the laughs we have shared and the good memories we made. 

Home

Well. After spending a year and a half in Santiago Chile, I now find myself in Lindon Utah. Im home!!!! 

I've actually been home for about three weeks now but I didn't get around to blogging (and a much needed blog makeover) till now.  Its been a wonderful three weeks and it sure is nice to be back.

As far as my future plans go, I start a new job as processing representative at Vivint Solar this Monday. I'm excited to get myself into a routine again. My family and I are also excitedly preparing for a cruise this upcoming April. And I am VERY excitedly waiting for the week after that cruise when this kid comes home:

It's been a long wait. And the end is finally in sight. That makes me VERY happy. 

Mission Blog

Alright, I know I've told lots of people that I'd post the link to my mission blog on here, so here it is!!

http://sisterkyrstinellenmillett.blogspot.com/

My mom will be posting my weekly email and any other updates at least once a week.  If you would like to send me and email letter or package my info can be found in the contact tab on my mission blog.

Well, this is it! I'm signing out of this blog for the next year and a half, but I'll be back with plenty of updates about life, college, cousins, boys, etc :) Thanks for following me through this past year of adventures, feel free to follow me through the next year and a half on my other blog!

Later!!

Goodbyes.

Have I ever told you how much I hate goodbyes? I think I have.  Yeah I hate them more than anything.  I like hellos.  But there aren't a whole lot of those happening right now because I am in a goodbye stage.  And sometimes thats not fun.

I gave my farewell talk today.  I cried A LOT.  I had to say goodbye today to people that I have never gone more than a month or two without seeing.  It was sad to watch each of my best friends and family members leave knowing that I won't be seeing them in a loooong time.

18 months is a long time, but at the same time its really short.  I guess it just depends on the day or how you look at it.

I feel like once I have adjusted, once I know what I'm doing its going to fly by.  Because 18 months of normal life as compared to the rest of your life isn't that long.  But when you take a year and a half out and look at it on standing on its own in front of you it seems like an incredibly long amount of time to leave one's friends, family, and loved ones.

It just takes faith I guess.  This is definitely one of those things that you just have to take a deep breath and step into the darkness of the unknown trusting in Heavenly Father.  So here goes.  I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous or a little afraid to take that step but its like what Nephi says when he goes to get the plates, "And I was led by the spirit not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.  Nevertheless I went forth." I don't really know whats in store.  I know it will be hard, I know it will be worth it, and I know its what the spirit has told me to do.  So its time to go forth.

Next Step

Well our wonderful girls trip to Cedar City has come and gone.


We ate giant scones....

We wore colored pants

We got Ice-cream at Bulloch's

We dressed up for plays

We stayed up till the wee hours of the morning

We took lots of pictures at Milt's Steakhouse

And we had an amazing time that we will never forget!

Lately I've been looking at the next few years as a series of steps.  Spring semester of BYU was a step, moving home was a step, New York was a step, and Cedar City was another step.

Up next: Mission.  Bring it.

2. Weeks.

I am freaking out.

2 WEEKS.  FREAK OUT.

In two weeks I will be on the plane heading to Chile for the next 18 months of my life.  FREAK OUT.

I've never been away from home longer than 3 weeks. FREAK OUT.

Me no speako español! FREAK OUT.

Its really weird going places and thinking "This is the last time I will be here in over 18 months" For example, "Grammy's" house has always been one of my favorite places in the world.  If I haven't been there in the past month or two its been far too long.  I need my monthly dose of family and chocolate chip cookies. The 24th of July was my last time there for a year and a half! STILL FREAKING OUT.

Its fine, sometimes I just sit in my room and cry.  And then I write my missionary a letter to make me feel better.

Don't get me wrong, I'm so so so very excited.  I guess it is just finally starting to hit me that this is for real! I'm actually doing this! And soon! Two weeks from yesterday I will be set apart as a missionary.  Two weeks from today I will board the plane to Chile.  Two weeks from tomorrow I will be in the Chile MTC eating different food, trying to understand a different language, in a different part of the world.  ...... YEP I'M FREAKING OUT

Last night as I got in bed and looked at the half-packed suitcases all over my room I sat there and cried.  I hopped on my computer to start typing an email when I saw "The Fourth Missionary" which was saved to my desktop.

I stayed up for another hour or so and read it.  So good.  For anyone planning on serving a mission you NEED TO READ THIS.

I took a good look at my attitude about a mission and found that for the most part I was headed into the mission with the right attitude, but there are a few things I need to do or change to be the best missionary I possibly can.  I want to be the right kind of missionary, with her head and heart in the right place.  Sometimes I don't adjust to change very well.  I can get really sentimental and I often think back on how life used to be and miss it.  This has been the case for most of my life, especially since Nikora left.  But now, its time to put my old life in a box to be opened only after I get home.  I'm not gonna miss life the way it was or the way it is right now before I leave, because its never coming back.  I'm just going to be happy with life the way it is.  I'm going to do my best to be happy with every part of my life as a missionary.  I'm going to do my best to look forward instead of backwards realizing that my mission is where I'm supposed to be.  So for now, there's no where else in the world I'd rather be than Santiago Chile.  I'm freaking out, but I'm ready.