The End

It might be weird to post on here.

My life is so different now.

I'm writing this, because sometimes people don't get it.

How we fell apart when we seemed so promising.

It didn't work out.

I'd love to vent it out and bash Gibson's

life

family

friends.

It was too much,

so I won't.

A lot happened when Gibson got home that I didn't expect.

Words had been said and letters sent

that turned out not to mean a thing.

Turns out I wasn't loved,

and it wasn't even that he wasn't ready.

I was never the plan,

from the beginning.

After being lead along for a few months I didn't even want to marry the guy,

I just wanted to see how it would go.

Then I was dropped.

I felt as if I would never be loved again.

I did everything I could and it hadn't mattered.

I stopped going to my ward activities and became "inactive".

After a time of depression I prayed,

"If the right guy is out there, please let him find me."

My answer came that I should start going to FHE and ward prayer again.

"Okay fine, but it better be worth it."

-I actually remember the words coming out like that-

The next day I went to FHE for my ward. 

We were playing kickball and having a BBQ.

I have to give my friend Tony credit, he immediately made friends with me

along with a guy named Jason.

All of the sudden I had a new group of friends!

It was the funnest FHE I'd ever been to,

until the next week.

I met David the next week.

We were playing a game called "murder in the dark" in the church gym.

I was the murderer. . .

David is tall, and when I went up behind him (to slit his throat) by the time I reached his throat I meant business.

Needless to say I won that round,

and we went on to play a card game, extreme spoons.

David got my number at church the following Sunday by "needing a haircut".

Now it's December and I am engaged to the best man on Earth.

He's going to take care of me,

and I'm going to take care of him.

We will be sealed in the Lord's temple for all time and eternity.

I am more happy than I've ever been in my whole life.

He treats me so well!

The Lord always follows through.

He takes care of me and knows what I go through.

I had faith, and was obedient to a prompting by the Holy Ghost and found my soul mate.

So many things have lead me to David.

I love him. 

A Warning. . .

This will be a hard post.

This is to all the girls who are waiting for a missionary.

I almost want to call it a warning.

When I was waiting for a missionary I thought

all the time

about what it was going to be like when he was home.

I admit that I thought of timelines and progess

 and thought

for sure

by now

I'd know 

at least

where we were going.

Truth of it all is

I still don't.

He's still not ready for that.

Who knows if he ever will be?

Girls,

when your missionary comes home

still have a life to your own.

Girls,

hang out with your own friends.

Girls,

stop waiting.

The problem is we wait two years,

and he comes home with honor

and missionary weirdness

and we still think we're waiting.

We think forward to the day he'll snap out of it.

He's home.

Stop waiting.

If he loves you the weirdness will stop.

He'll want it to stop.

Continue to pray about him,

because he does come back different.

Don't expect him to come home a 19 year old.

And don't expect everything to turn out

according to plan.

If it doesn't. . .

Don't you ever think you aren't ever to be loved.

There is a guy out there that knows you're a

daughter of God

and will treat you that way.

He'll take you to the temple

and marry you for time

and all eternity,

because he loves you that much.

Pray about it.

Not to leave ya hangin' but. . .

Hello!

I left you all hanging!

:)

He's home.

I'm happy.

I've seen him.

There you have it!

Sorry to leave you all hanging,

but I've had more important things to worry about

then my blog.

He knows about this blog,

which makes this post funny to me.

Hi Jeff!

:)

Waiting for a missionary. . .

The hardest thing I've ever done.

The greatest thing I ever done.

I'll never regret it.

It's been always worth it.

Love is mysterious.

I know I've grown the most in these last two years

than I've ever had the opportunity to grow.

Spiritually,

mentally,

and emotionally.

It's hard.

It really is!

Some moments traumatize you,

but nothing was in vain.

Everything was worth it.

Somethings are just worth waiting for.

Thanks Jeff,

for going on a mission.

 

Tomorrow

I don't know what to say,

but how I am feeling right now.

I'm going to say it's like

I'm little

and my parents just told me that I'm going to Disneyland tomorrow,

Or maybe the night right before Christmas Day

and Santa's coming.

I won't be sleeping tonight.

I feel like

dancing,

singing,

laughing,

crying,

and puking

all at the same time.

I'm nervous and excited.

Tomorrow is going to be unpredictable,

but everything is going to be okay.

The one thing I'm hoping not to be doing,

is winging it.

Any help is appreciated.

I don't want to be alone tomorrow.

Elder Gibson comes in at 4:30pm

and he will see his family

and it will be amazingly memorable

Elder Gibson,

call me!

One week from now!

One week from today

Jeff will be coming home.

Yes!

I've made it!

Two years!

Two years officially on Friday!

I made it.

Take a deep breath.

My friends and I have decided that I'm going a little bit crazy.

My nails are too short,

(and they keep breaking before I can get them long enough)

my hair isn't long enough,

(I need only another two inches)

my room isn't clean.

How am I going to do my hair when I see him?

(I've started to save my good conditioner for February 27)

What am I going to wear when I see him?

(Already have a dress, leggings, and boots. . .)

What am I going to say when I see him?

Most of which. . .

he isn't going to really care about.

Plus! He's not even allowed in my room!

So,

if you see me freaking out about something that

doesn't matter

it's because

Elder Gibson comes home in a week.

I've been trying my best to eliminate everything stressful in my life

to combat the craziness.

So many emotions have hit me in the last month

I feel emotional all the time.

Almost all of the time I'm happy.

I'm trying to prepare for something I'm already prepared for,

but that I feel unprepared for

because I don't know how it's going to go.

I do know it's going to be epic.

The Last Letter

So,

it's the last letter I'm going to get

last letter I'm going to post.

He's 8 days away.

I went to the mailbox with my friend, Chase

and low and behold was this:

We last the whole

TWO YEARS

without any mishaps!

And on the

LAST LETTER

someone drops it in a puddle,

or the rain.

They slipped it in a plastic bag,

but the damage was done.

Of course my first thought is,

"am I going to be able to read it?!"

Fortunately I can. :)

*whew!*

That's right, he's just that talented.

Here we go.

The last letter.

Nikki,

I was ever so pleased to receive more post from thee. I have begun to envy thee. . . It would please me, if this coming Christmastime, I could attend, with thee and thy family the Christmas Devotional in Salt Lake City. It seems as though the entry tickets are somewhat accessible to thy family. . . ;) Putting "Elder Gibbins" would most likely confuse my "mail guys" greatly. However, I am quite sure that the name "Elder Gibsonite" would be quite fine. ;) I believe I shall recieve thy package one week from tomorrow, and shall be everso pleased to open it and see all of the goodness that has been stored away to one day give joy unto two poor Elders who are found far from home this Christmas. I give thee thanks.

Ok, that was fun, but took for. . . e. . . ver! Looks cool, huh? I hope that you'll be able to read this through the bleeding ink. . . Anyway, my companion has a calligraphy pen and it's super coolio! He also has this book that show you how to write in all these different fonts and stuff. (sorry. . . I'm on a bus going back to my area about an hour away. . . and the road is bumpy. . . :/) I got two more letters AND :D your PACKAGE! Yes! I think it got to Guadalajara right after Cristmas, and I got it today! :) Today in the morning, we went and bought some soccer jerseys. I bought a black one and a green one. They're super awesome! Then we went as a Zone and played futbol and I wore the black jersey. I've decided that I like it a lot. ;) (Random though: If you have a way to comunicate with my brother Scott, you should send him a message that says ". . . The fat animal. . ." He'll get it, end of random thought. . . ;) ) Let's play soccer when I get back, ok? Do you like a specific soccer team? I didn't even know there were so many, but maybe you did. Manchester United, Pumas, Tigres, Cruz Azul, Atlas, Chivas, América, México. . . etc. . . Most of those are mexican actually. . . so who knows if you know them. I'm sure you've heard of Pumas. Even I had heard of them, . . . but only for the shoes. . . I didn't know it was a soccer team. . . Shhhhh! Don't tell anyone! ;) Jk. . . my companion just told me that appearently (spelling. . .) the soccer team and the clothes brand are seprate deals. . . I don't KNOW! I'm just an ignorant American lost in México! ;) Jk, I'm not lost! :D ¡Ja ja! I loved the letter in your package btw. Super funny! :) BUT. . . I'll get to that in a bit! We must go in order! I feel so bad for baby "Mister". . . That's super sad actually. . . but kind of funny [at the same time] (a la vez). .  do you realize how many times you've written me saying, "I almost DIED!!!"? actually I can only think of twice. . . but that's more that wanted! So don't die, ok? ;) (no, but really) Yes, I can teach you how to cook, and Spanish, and to play the cello. . . do you have time for all that? Those are somewhat time consuming activities. . . ¡Ja ja! people assume that I can play the other string instruments too (including guitar!) Ja ja! I tell them no as well, because I can't Good reason, huh? ;) ¡Ja ja! Packages to Elder Gibson! I started thing about that and got all excited. . . Ja ja! His B-day's in May (28th) that gives us plenty of time, unless you want to send him a Valentine's/St. Patrick's/Easter Package. . . then it's less time! :O but that still be ok! :D You stayed in church clothes all day?! Ja ja, I just realized I do that a lot. . . ;) Remember that one year that Elder Rough and I put up your Christmas lights? and he decided to come in shorts. . . and it was SUPER cold! Ja ja! Krazy kid. . . Krazy is not spelled with a "k," it's spelled with a "c". Crazy. That's better. ;) That's weird. . . he's going to be home by the time you get this. Whoa. Tell him to send me a DearElder. ;) Right now! as you read this! It's true about the "breads". Everyone makes them a little different, but however they make it it's always good!. . . Usually. ;) KRISTIN'S GETTING MARRIED?!?!?!?!?!?! What is this world coming to? How OLD is she?! Hhmmm. . . She can't be older than my sister when she got engaged. She was 3 months from being 19. . . She's too little and so I'm pretty sure that that's illegal. . . She'll just have to wait 'til she's older. You get carsick? . . . that's weird. Wanna know why? Because it just so happens that I do too! Yeah! Carsick party!. . . actually that's probably not a good idea. . . because no one would have fun. . . and it could get gross. . . Ewww. . . Hello, Nicole Procrastination Nebeker! Jk! :) Yes, I got both of

 

(I just suddenly felt very patriotic!) (. . . jk, I had already written it)

your packages. Thanks lots and lots! :D I Enjoyed them quite thoroughly! My companions enjoyed them as well. :) They say thanks too! :D ok, well, I'm sure the "mail lady" will be glad to know that you won't be stalking her anymore. . . alone. . . ;) now WE can stalk her, and send packages to my brother! ;) ¡Ja ja! Didn't you say you were going to introduce me to the post office ladies? (. . . sorry this is now week 3 of writing your letter. . . sorry. . . it's just because I run out of time, and then I get MORE letters from you (totally fine, btw) and it gets a little backed up. But I'm sending it TODAY! promise! 16/1/2012 there! there's the date!) Back to the letter! Isn't Mike going to be home like next week?!. . . or is he on the plane as I write? Ahhhh!!! Súper wierd. . . So Amber really IS going on a mission. . . she still hasn't written me. . . Morristown, eh? New Jóy-see! (but say it fast) Jóysee! ¡Ja ja! she should come back with a cool eastern accent!. . . not like me where I don't even know how to speak good English anymore! Ahhh! ;) When does she leave? So. . . ¿tú y Elder Rough son hermanos? ¡Y no me dijiste! ¡¿Por qué no?! ¡No tienes que guardar esto de mi! Ok, that's enough. . . ;) It's too bad that you're allergic to nuts. . . they make things super tasty! I'll become a scientist and create the antidote for nut allergy reactions! And we can inject you (under the fingernail ;) ) before you eat nuts! And the world will be feliz. . . happy. ;) . . . Actually, I'm sure it already exists. Oh well, easier that way! ;) . . . hmmmmm. . . so I've noticed that when you write "Elder ______" you put a "the" in front of it. Like: "the Elder _____." Are you copying my Spanish grammar? ;) Jk, lol! oh my FREAKIN' Lanta!!! Do you have ANY idea HOW LONG I went without losing the game!?!?!!?!!! almost 2 WHOLE YEARS! And you made me lose it in a split second!? Nooooo! I was winning! I told my comp about it (in spanish it would be: "Perdí el juego" [pear-DEE el HWAY-go] (that's the pronunciation) ;) ("i lost the game")) You got my letter! Yeah for the Mexican postal service! slow but sure. . . kind of. . . actually. Slow and unsure. . . ;) but you get it! we'll see about the marathon thing. . . ;) You're friends. . . with my dad. . . on Facebook. . . ? ¡Ja ja! (I'm going to eat a candy cane Oreo!) Yeah, that weirded me out just a little. . . (delicious! :D ) Although, that does make a lot more sense of how he saw your marathon and Lu pictures. . . connection section! ;) (these are addicting! I'm surprised that I still have some. I was planning on eating just 1 or 2 but I'm already at 3. . . I got off subjest. . . now 4!) My handwriting is SO BAD! :( (My comp is sweeping the countertop. . . ,':/) Nooooooooooooooooo!!!!!! Jony isn't as awesome anymore. . . ok, here's the dealio. . . his parents didn't let him go to church or get baptized, and pressured him a ton to be active in "their" church and to "support his dad in that, so that he wouldn't fall back into alcholism" :( So then one night, he had a dream where he showed the Book of Mormón to Christ, and he didn't accept it. So he took that to be an answer that the book isn't true. But I think, (just from the little psychology that I took), that his parents were making him feel guilty so he was looking for a way to "make things right" and had a dream. NOT all dreams are revelation! Even if it has to do with "heavenly things"! Ok, I'm done. Maybe sometime in the future he'll remember how he felt when he read the Book of Mormon and when he went to church and when he went to EFY and everything! :D Yeah! Iván's still kind of coolish, we just don't see them as often now. . . someday. . . :D I have some bad news. . . Remember the Pollo. . . a little DEMON chihuahua KILLED him! I'm pretty sure he was growing in his new feathers too! He would have been súper pretty! . . . demon chihuahua. . . ;( the Punkish children never made me pizza! But he did make some pan dulce, so he is forgiven. . . even though it was a little hard, and cold, oh well! ;) Thank you for everything you've done while I've been on my mission. :) You're Awesome! :) Down here in my México we only had sacrament meeting for Christmas day as well. I'm pretty sure that's what they always do on Christmas Sundays. :) Package letter! ¡Ja ja! You're freaking out because it was my last package. . . The suntran! How much does it cost? Here they cost $6 (pesos), so like 50ish ¢ They say in other cities it's just $2 or $3 so like 15¢ to 25¢. I think it's more expensive in the states. You'll have to teach me how to use it, because I never went in it. You'll also have to teach me how to do taxes. . . or I could just have Ariane do them. . . ;) jk, she does have her masters degree now though. Quarter pops! They're NOT gone?! YES! Quarter-Pop-Party Time! Tell Elder Rough that Memphis is much too far away and plane tickets are expensive. ;) Thanks for not letting the ants eat my letter. ¡Ja ja! This part of the letter makes me giggle. I'm glad that you don't eat ants. ¡Ja ja! I love your humor. . . :) Thanks for the pictures! ¡Ja ja! ok, there's me waving back. You're making Pan Dulce?! I'm so excited! Yes! I will definitely help you with the Spanish recipies! (spelling?) Do they really take long? I have no idea, I've never made them. Do you know how to pronounce it? If not: Pahn Dool-say. There. ¡Ja ja! I didn't even know about the flowers before, I just called them white, brown, and pink ones! ¡Ja ja! People invite us over sometimes, (5, 6, 7 oreos. . . fatness. . . or deliciousness. . . ;) ) and give us pan dulce with hot chocolate! or a cup of hot oatmeal! (I'll explain the oatmeal when I get home. They give us rice sometimes too! Yummy!) You're whent (?) to Denny's for New Years! So jealous! With everyone too! Amber still hasn't written me! ;) Your house smells like pan dulce! EAT ONE NOW! ;) Op! you ate one and you loved it. Told you they were amazing! I'm excited for this year as well. Yes! 2012! There, I got through all of your letters! Whell (?) (I'm putting an "h" after all "w"s, why?!) I hope you like this letter, it'll probably be the last one you get before I get home. . . maybe. Who knows. . .? (8 oreos. . .) (My comp fell asleep and is snoring. . . and I can hear him from across the apartment. . . he stopped.) Here are my 10!

1. Candy Cane Oreos!

2. Pelón Pelo Prico (a mexican candy)

3. Apple cider (non-alcoholic :) )

4. Mexicanos :)

5. Fireworks

6. the scriptures

7. Prayer

8. pen y paper

9. letters

10. Spanish

There they are! The 10 for this letter! So have Elder Rough write me! He never wrote me back, like a year, no. . . like 7/8 months ago. Maybe the letter got lost in the Mexican postal service. . .

 

 Cananadaaaa (don't ask. . . I don't know)

  

 

Happy Valentine's Day! :D . . . so, I can't, in any way, shape, or form, take the credit for making this. . . but I want to learn. Then I shall make you one! A kiss fits inside, but hershey's kisses don't go 2 dementional well. . . ;) You have to fold the read ones up.

Hello My Valentine. . . 1,000 miles away.

I don't really like Valentine's Day.

No. . .

That's wrong. . .

I'll reword that. . .

I've never had a good Valentine's Day.

That's better.

I actually love the idea of Valentine's Day.

But come now,

my Valentine is so far away.

Today I've be wearing Jeff's jacket,

carrying around letters,

and wearing the aquamarine necklace.

I've been trying to bring up his name

and think of what his laugh sounded like.

I've been looking at pictures and watching videos.

I've let myself go nuts,

because it's Valentine's Day.

I keep a little scrapbook of the cute

text messages

Jeff sent me before he left.

I've been reading that too.

Here's a little piece for you:

":) --> :* --> :D"

October 29, 2009

"Good morning! I love you! :*"

November 5, 2009

"You have been poked on Facebook by Jeffrey Curtis Gibson"

November 6, 2009

"Ha ha! You make me smile."

October 7, 2009

"You're beautiful. . ."

October 13, 2009

"Thanks, I love you too! Don't ever think that I don't."

November 24, 2009

Started writing: December 5, 2011 Sent: December 28, 2011 Recieved: February 7, 2012

This quite possibly will be the last letter I get from

Elder Gibson

before he comes home.

It's pretty much awesome. :)

Hey There Nicole!

Hey there, you! :) Well, I just wrote you last week. . . but then I recieved lots and lots of post from you! like 2 1/2 letters and a package! (2 of the letters were in the package and only 1/2 of the "2 page" letter has gottne here so far. . . and sorry that my handwritting is really bad. . . It's because I'm on a bus going to Morelia to drop off my companion, Èlder López, and pick up my new companion, Èlder Durney. It stopped for a second!) but yes, I'm getting ANOTHER companion! Ja ja! ever since July I've had a new companion every change. . . transfer. ;) È' Briz, È' Martínez, È' Tiscaréno, È' López, and now È' Durney! He's the first gringo companion that I've had since my trainer, Èlder Ashton. Pere bueno, to the letters! (From: Èlder López: Hola. Mucho Gusto y Muchos Saludos espero conoserle (conocerle) un dia ok y cuida mucho a elder Gibson que se porte bien!) He wanted to write you something. . . ;) I'll let you figure it out. ;)

 

To the letters! Ja ja! I'm glad I made your freaking day with my 14-page letter. And don't worry I'll be writing you a little more often until I get home. ;) I DO remember when we began writing the 10 things at the end of each letter. I still have that letter stored away with all the other letters that you've sent me. I think that I have three days more left than you think I do. I'll be home the 27th of February 2012. And why are you reminding me how may days I have left!? ;) Oh goodness! You're getting me all excited to go places! Cedar Mountain! Yeah! Let's GO! ;) . . . In a few months. . . ;) ¡Ja ja! I like the turkey. . . with makeup on. . . ;) Oh goodness again! LOVED the pictures! I'm so proud of you! You totally ran the marathon! . . . it almost made me want to do it next year. . . but I'll still have to think about it. It's just that right now, I'm pretty sure that if I run 1/2 a mile, I might pass out, roll into the gutter, and die. . . no joke. I'm SOOOOOO super out of shape right now. What I COULD do is ride a bike for 26.2 miles. . . does that count? ;) I don't know. . . we'll just have to see. :) You are thankful for: 1, 2, 3. . . 35, 36. . . 61. . . 89, 90, 91. . . 126, 127. . . 142. . . 159. . . 166. . . 177, 178, 179 things! Ja ja! No, I'm sure it's more than that. That's a pretty impressive list though. Sometimes it's hard for me to think of just 10. . . ;) . . . um, I have a question. . . um, in the picture of you and your Core Class at your school. . . um. . . is that a jar of pickles on the desk next to the iPhone/iTouch? ;) I couldn't quite make it out. . . ;) and that's quite the impressive head of hair you had there. ;) Think you'd be able to do it to MY head? Ja ja! Jk lol! ;) DearElder.com time! I'm glad you like the doodling :) I tried to make the letter a little more special than usual. . . because I hadn't sent on in a while. . . sorry again. . . I'll fix that. . . Actually I'm fixing it right this moment as I write! ;) Hope you like it! :D You went to DISNEYLAND! AGAIN!! and you sent me a shirt! and a sucker! I AGREE, let's go! and then to Little Rock and Guadalajara! Ja ja! Yes, I would love to bring you here, and be the translator, but we'll just have to see. . . You have your passport, don't you? Didn't you get it when we were GOING to México but then we didn't. . . :/ I LOVE México! Let's come back! Great idea! :D Ok, I'm asking for red dirt for Christmas or maybe a little red sandstone. . . either or. Come to think of it. . . you're probably going to get this letter around Cristmas time. . .

Ok, that was fun. ;) but seriously I wish you a very merry Christmas! :) Kirstie HAS been married for months now, hasn't she. . . I didn't get an invitation. . . Ja ja totally just a JK lol! ;) how was I supposed to go anyway? ;) You kill TREES too? We'll have to change that when I get home. for now, just try to stay away from all forms of plant life, and if you feel the urge to kill a plant, find a weed. ;) I don't know a TON about gardening, but sure, I'll help you out! :D That way you can have your oranges to feed your millions of kids or just eight. . . ;) The rainy season has ended. . . no more rain for me until I get to Utah. . . :'( oh well. I'll just take your advice and buy some hot chocolate. . . LOTS of it and be happy all winter long! :D I think they sell wassail in Walmart. . . not down here though. . . I'm not sure actually. Ask my mom, she knows, she buys it every year! :D Bread stuffs! There's an Hermano here that makes bread. . . maybe I'll ask him how. . . and I'll bring some home too! Amber STILL hasn't written me! Does she have her call yet? At this rate, I might be able to go to her farewell! Where does the spirit go right when it leaves the body. . .? that's a very good question. From what I've bee told, when we are passing away our loved ones come to lead us to where ever we're going. My mom wrote me and said that a few days before my grandma passed away she said that she said, "Mark (my grandpa) is here!" from what I understand, it's not anything scary or unnatural, we can be conscious the whole time. Someone comes to pick us up and we go with them. Like Brother King put it, " it's just like walking through that door." You'll learn more about it and probably understand it more when you go through the temple. :)  My mission was/is challenging then because they had given me a bunch of new responsibilities, and I wasn't sure if I was ready for them. . . but the Lord qualifies us for the work! ;) Èlder López was really excited that part of the package was for him, and he says gracias. ;) Well, I'll have to wait until "page 2" of this letter gets here so I can finish this letter. . .

Actually, before ending, I write you a little bit about Mexican culture. Today is December 12 (sorry, I didn't get this letter in the mail last week. . .) the day of the virgin of Guadalupe (Día de la Virgin de Guadalupe) It's. . . ok, I don't really understand it. . . Supposedly the virgin Mary and the virgen Guadalupe are the same person, just with different names. . . ¡BUT! supposedly the viren Guadalupe was a Mexican. . . but Jesus was born in Bethlehem wasn't he. . .? Doesn't really add up, does it? But they still have lots of "faith" in her (Alma 32:21 last sentence), and giver her holidays and everything. . . It's just as big as Christmas, or bigger. . . There are lots of pictures of her painted on the walls of peoples houses, and they put lights and flowers and fountains and whatever they can to make it super pretty. (candles) And yes, it is pretty. . . but it doesn't help them in any way to reach salvation. Oh, then they set up chairs around it and recite prayers to her. . . ¡Ja ja! it actually kind of scares me to hear them. . .  kinda freaky. . . ;) . . . Ok, actually, I think I'll write you another page. What do you think of that?! ;) ¡Ja ja! Ok, well that's pretty much everything about the 12th of December. . . oh! and they have fair type carnivals and lots of fireworks. Ok, I think that all about that. . . New topic! My dream a hours ago! So I was home (so was the other Elder Gibson -->

[That Elder Gibson ;)]) and all of our neighbors and we were all going to run the marathon. But then the day came and I realized that I was all sorts of out of shape and was going to die on mile 2. . . so they all piled into someones surburban and I watched them drive away. . . then I was in our food storage room, and it was kind of darkish because the light wasn't working very well. And then! . . . I woke up to Cathedral bells that didn't stop for 10-15 minutes. . . :( but yeah, that was my. ;) Know what I just realized? The farthest that I've ever run is just one mile. . . hmmm. . . so if I start training right when I get home, I'll have 7 months to get ready. . . and I'd have to add 2 miles per month pretty much to be able to be running +/- 14 miles by September. . . hmmm, is that enough? Is that even possible?! To go from nothing to 14 miles in 7 months? Who knows. . . you said the furthest that you had run was 12 miles, right? . . . slightly easier. . . ;) But Nikki!!! :O I'll lose ALL the fattness I've gained!! ;) I'll be a super-skinny again. . . :/ . . . ;) JK lol! hmmm. . . I'm kind of getting excited to see if I can do it. . . Ja ja! ;) Just look at what you're doing to me! ;) ¡Ja ja! Ok, here's the deal. I get home and you're my personal trainer, está bien? ok. ;) Maybe you'll be able to help me get this load of lard moving. . . ;) (. . . Ja ja, that was kind of harsh to myself. . . ;)  I'm not really THAT fat. . . I hope. . . ;) ) Ok, deal! ;)

And that's by the END of every month. . . not the beginning. . . ;) . . . an I hope I don't lose motivation between now and then. . . D: ;) Help! ;) Ok, now this letter really IS going to get to you AFTER Christmas. . . sorry 'bout that. . . Question! Which of these coins have I sent you 10¢, 20¢, 50¢, $1,$2, $5, $10 I know for sure the $10 and several 10¢, but I'm not really sure about what other ones. Ok, well, I guess I'll end THIS letter and now it really is:. . . To be Continued. . . ¡Ja ja! I might get the rest of the letter tomorrow, but then I'd have to wait longer to send this letter. . . 

TTFN ;)

1. Yoghurt

2. "Barritas"

3. Panqué con nuez

4. eggs w/cheese

5. gas for the water heater

6. Christmas music

7. "chosen" investigators

8. the church

9. being able to play the cello

10. ¡Tú!

There's my 10!

Um. . . ok, false alarm. . . I got 5 more pages of letter from you. . . so. . . I'm going to keep writing. ;) You're very welcome for the sacrament prays in Spanish. The other Elder Gibson's language is a whole lot more like jibberish than Spanish is!

 

What in the world. . . !? I don't know. The first one is a greeting, the 2nd one is a "see ya later" or something, and the third one is his name. . . can't make any sense of it. . . ;) oh well, I'll just have him tell me how to read it and stuff like that. . . and don't make fun of the brownies. It was the oven's fault! ;) Living in Draper does sound pretty awesome. You'll have to take me there. ;) So what are the "basics" of hair school? Now, now, you don't need to be freaking out about cutting peoples hair. I'm sure your great at it! :) . . . and what is barbered hair? . . . and what is "bic"? Oh the words that youth use nowadays. . . ;) Jk, I've just never heard them before. . . ;) . . . You're telling me how much time I have left again. . . why!? ;) ¡Ja ja! And when I actually GET your letters it's even LESS time than you say that I had! :O AHHH. . . Just tell Elder Rough. . . ja ja. Jk. ;) . . . did I say that I would WALK th marathon. . . ? I don't remember that. . . no, I'll TRY to run it. ;) St. George would be SUPER pretty with more rain. . .remember the year of the flood? . . . well, the flood wasn't pretty. . . well, kind of, but all the hills that are usually reddish-brownish-deadish were all green and pretty! Lot's of big clouds make wonderful sunsets. In my last area, I saw sunsets that were absolutely GORGEOUS! In La Piedad the sky is super open, and there was all sorts of clouds and when the sun went down. . .  super pretty! :) If we come down here we'll make a trip to La Piedad. ;) You went to Dixie Rock! Did we go that often? I remember going a few times, but I didn't think it was that much. I LOVE that place! The first time we all went. . . who all went? Do you remember? I remember you, Cory, and I, and Amber came later. Did Mike go? Who else. . .? I don't remember. Which "funny like house in the rocks" do you mean? The one that's actually was a house and has a fireplace with a chimney or the little hole in the narrows where you can crawl out of the top? But ¡SURE! Let's go! :D Don't worry you'll get a calling soon! Just be patient and , you could pray for one too. :) Thank you for being a faithful active member of the church. The world needs more of you! :) I'm glad you could have a good missionary experience and inform and make her pretty! :) Your 2 page letter turned into 3, eh? ;) Totally súper fine! ;) I'm glad that my letter made you feel better when you needed it. That made me feel less bad about not sending it for so long. . . but as for "growing up and changing" at least you're not fat and balding! ;) Like someone else you know! ;) and even if you were it'd be fine. :)

I think it'd be great if you cut the missionaries hair! Actually we're going to an Hermana's house today to get our hair cut. It's great because it's FREE! ;) She has an. . . estetica. . . hair salon? in front of her house. Yes, I like that idea, you're going to buy me some rogaine! ;) ¡Ja ja! Ok, well compared to how much hair I HAD when I left, and how much I have NOW, I'm SUPER bald! :O ;) You're almost 21! WHOA! I'll take you to buy some beer! Because you'll be able to! ¡Ja ja! Jk! LOL! Super Jk! ;) My four layer jello was Rasberry, orange, strawberry, and raspberry flavored! and it was awesome! ¡Ja ja! I just found 5 mins here and 5 mins there and made four layer! ¡Ja ja ja! Hmmm. . . does México have a sort of Thanksgiving holiday? . . . I don't think so. . . kinda depression, isn't it? ;) They have lots of other holidays though. ¡Ja ja! I'm glad that you're school and work are going well, and tht you got a 20¢ raise, ;) and a keychain!! :D ja ja Christmas in MY México? A few people put lights on their houses (not as many as in the states, but a few. . . like 1 out of 20-25 houses) what they DO have is nativity scenes. Now these aren't the nativities that you're used to, that just have Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, shepards, wisemen, and animals. These have the inn and inn keeper, his neighbors, the town square, and all the rest of Bethlehem! It's more of a Nativity. . . town! ;) It's pretty cool though, I like it. :D They put up Christmas trees too, but lots of the people here put them out on their front porches. . . it's rather interesting. . . it's not AS cold here. ;) They have what they call posadas here too. They go singing in the streets and end up at the house where the party is and they have food and piñatas, and ponche! (super awesome stewed fruity drink!) What does an elder do? Talks to their family! :D I'm going to use SKYPE! because we can! We also open presents. . . visit some people. . . maybe I'll try the doorbell ditching thing. . . ;) except that will be hard because people here don't have yards to hide in . . . :/ I'll figure something out! ;) I agree, take me to the Christmas Devotional, I've never been, but I have been to G.C. We'll got to that too. :) Almost all the apple cider here has alchohol in it. . . so I haven't really had it. . . here. The quarter pops are gone!? That's not EVEN allowed! They couldn't wait three months!? Hmmm, oh well, Martinelli's is better. . . but not as cheap. . . oh well. . . it'll have to do. . . You sure it's not just gone for matinence or something like that? Ok, well, here are some pogs. I don't know if you remember these. Your brothers probably will. And here's an oragami parrot. And here's a snowflake.I wish I could see your downstairs. . . ;) it sounds awesome! Ok, um. . . so I sort of have another question. . . so in my package that you sent me for Thanksgiving there are some mints that say "Baby Boy" on the wrappers. . . and so my question is. . . how far along are you? Who's the father? Are you married? You ran a marathon pregnant!? ¡Ja ja! Jk lol! Well, this is my letter. I Hope you enjoy it! with a capitol "H"! (I don't know why I put a capitol "h". . . oh well! ;) ) I hope you're doing wonderfully! . . . and sorry. . . this is going to get to you WAY after Christmas. . . sorry, sorry. ¡Te deseo un Feliz Navidad y un Feliz Ano Nuevo también! Te extrano y te quiero mucho!

Tu amigo,

Élder Gibson

De J'Vu

19 days!

Can you believe it!

19

I'm in the teens

finally!

Realize that I used to be at

730 days.

Comparability. . .

I'm very, very excited for Elder Gibson to come home! :)

I don't know what I can say that I haven't already said.

It's hard to put it into a blog post.

I dance,

I sing,

I laugh,

I smile,

I'm just a little bit happier

because there's only 19 days.

As always I want it to go

slow for him

and

fast for me,

though I have a feeling it will be vise versa.

Returning of Tears

Two years ago

my two best friends went on missions.

Two years ago I would cry

almost every night

because I was afraid to be

alone.

I remember getting

down

on my knees

and praying.

I made a deal.

"I will support them in every way I can

if you just don't let me be alone."

I felt reassurance.

It was a fair deal I'm guessing,

because Elder Gibson

and Elder Rough

left

and suddenly came Chase.

Chase has been my best friend through these two years.

I would cry to him.

I would vent to him.

He never let me fall on my face,

for two years.

I'm lucky to be best friends

with such a person as Chase.

My prayer was answered.

The deal was graciously kept between a daughter and a father.

I was never alone.

Two years are now over for my Elder Mike Rough.

He's home and awesome as ever

and his mission gave him a little more awesome.

Chase, Mike, and I have been hanging out every day for 12 days straight.

It's amazing that two years ago I was crying almost every night

because I felt so lonely,

but I knew I needed to support them.

Now I cry almost every night,

because I have two of the best men ever

as best friends.

Next to come is Elder Gibson.

I don't know how I could possibly be more happy with my life right now.

It's all been worth it.

"The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. Though it may not come at a time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude."
-Come What May, and Love It
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Time

Less than one month.

I've been counting down by months.

1 month gone

6 months gone

6 months to go

3 months to go

Now I count by days.

Elder Gibson comes home

February 27, 2012

29 days.

I'm in a little bit of denial.

Can it really be

that this is ending,

he's coming home,

I'm going to be seeing him soon.

Really soon. . .

29 days soon. . .

I can't wait to see him.

I can't wait to see how he's changed.

I can't wait to hear the stories.

I can't wait to hear him speak.

"Less than a month" keeps running through my head,

because maybe if I say it to myself enough times

maybe I'll believe it.

He's coming home.

29 days.

The most popular thing I hear is,

"didn't that go by fast?"

No,

it didn't.

It just the way things are.

The time that went the fastest was when I kept myself busy.

At times I overwhelmed myself to keep myself busy.

All those busy things I've done come down to one question

that some of you will be sad that I'm asking,

but I'm asking it.

Am I good enough?

Jeff's been gone for these two years,

he's going to come back the most awesome guy in the world.

He's going to be amazing.

I have to evaluate myself on what I've done

with the time I was given

to prepare myself for when he comes home.

Everything I think of  that I have done

doesn't seem to stand next to his mission.

Anything I could've done

it's too late now.

I am really scared

I won't measure up.

I know it's a sad thing to say,

but I have been thinking about it a lot.

I have a feeling that I won't be calmed

until he comes home

and I know it from him.

29 days. . .

If Only. . .

If only,

if only,

if only. . . 

I've gotten in the habit of saying

if only.

It's something I need to stop.

I think that if only

I had saved more money while he was gone.

If only

I could fix my car sooner

(it's currently in need).

If only

I had thought to do this

or that.

I NEED TO STOP.

Give me some credit!

I'm a girl waiting for a missionary,

who will soon be done,

that alone is a big deal.

If only, if only, if only. . .

Those don't won't do me anything good.

Oh Yeah! He's not. . . Here. . .

Sometimes I have moments where I

sit down on the couch to watch a movie,

or go out grocery shopping,

or start cooking dinner

and I think to myself,

"I wish Jeff were here."

I have to remember that he's not here yet.

When Jeff first left I would get aching reminders.

"I should call Jeff to hang out."

Oh yeah, he's not here. . .

"I should watch this movie with Jeff."

Oh yeah, he's not here. . .

No worries, I'm over that part of it,

but the feeling of wanting him there for certain events

never quite went away.

Birthdays,

holidays,

and just normal,

boring,

time passing

things.

It's almost like I love him.

Oh Kayla. . . Don't ever grow up. . .

I bought an outfit to see Jeff for the first time in.

I was going to post pictures of it,

but this is better.

My mom helped out and bought me boots.

They're super cute and I'm super excited to wear them,

but I'm not the only one.

One of those is my boot and the other is Grandma's slipper.

She came walking up to me while I was making breakfast and I had to take a picture.

Kayla,

please don't ever grow up.

Torture in the sweetest

I do it again and again.

In this point in time it makes me super happy so I can't stop

looking at pictures,

videos

of us.

The only thing I regret is not taking more videos.

His voice,

his laugh,

the way we were together.

I love the ways things have shifted!

I'm more happy than sad.

I used to miss now I look forward.

Watching videos used to be torture.

I did it to remember him in the moments I thought I was forgetting

his voice,

his laugh,

and the way we were together.

I'd cry, because I missed him so much.

NOW

I can look and smile.

I cry because I'm happy.

I love the way things have changed!

Which is ironic, because when he left I wanted to hold on

to

everything

and never change.

Even my favorite color wasn't safe.

NOW

I can understand that change is great

as long as it's a good change.

 I love it, I love it, I love it.

One thing will never change.

I love him, I love him, I love him.

Hmmm. . .

You see,

I would be posting a lot more

but I don't know how to put all the stuff that goes through my head

now-a-days

into a post.

It's hard because Jeff comes home

in a month and a half

and I'm

overly happy

and excited

and scared

and how on earth are you

supposed to know

what I mean.

I'm so happy I catch myself singing

and not caring who's listening.

Life just seems so right

as of now

and all that's missing is Jeff

and he comes home in almost a month.

He'll read this soon. . .

Hello Jeff! :)

I am not a Missionary Girlfriend

I would like to say it,

plain and simple.

I am NOT a missionary girlfriend.

I in fact absolutely hate this term.

I am not Elder Jeff Gibson's girlfriend.

I was,

but I am not.

I will be maybe soon,

but I am still not now.

There will be time to call myself girlfriend,

now is definitely not the time for that.

Elder Gibson is on a mission.

Elder Gibson shouldn't have a girlfriend right now.

Elder Gibson doesn't need a girlfriend right now.

I love him,

I'll love him forever

and ever,

but I will refuse to be called a missionary girlfriend.

To me it's an oxymoron.

I'm sorry I feel so strongly about this,

but I just don't like the term

and people won't stop calling me it.

Stop trying to give me a title.

I. . . Think. . . I'm a. . . Stalker. . .

This might be weird for some of you to read,

especially,

possibly,

Elder Jeff Gibson.

He will be reading this soon.

Anyway. . .

I'm becoming increasingly stalkerish

as the day comes closer.

I can't stop!

I write his name out every time I doodle,

or I do things

just because he likes them.

When someone asks me if I'd rather have blue or green of something

I say green

because that's his favorite color.

Not to mention I am constantly talking about him

and trying to bring him up in random conversation.

It's almost like when he had just left

only without the crying.

Okay, so maybe I've always been a little like this,

but now it's extreme.

Someone please tell me to calm down,

or I'm afraid I'll freak him out

when he comes home

in 50 days.

Resolutions?

This year I am stumped. . .

I could usually think up a pretty good resolution by now.

Problem is that everything will happen

whether I want it to or not,

which I do.

Jeff will come home.

Mike, my best friend, will come home.

I thought about running the marathon again,

but that one just seems too easy.

It was my resolution last year. . . 

Remember?

I was still new to the blogging scene,

new to this blog,

almost a year through Jeff's mission.

He comes home next month.

I guess I could make a resolution to not freak out.

I'm more calm since his last letter

Like always

and forever

Elder Gibson calms me down,

lets me be content,

slows the world down for me,

and he doesn't even have to be

face to face

to do it.

I think I will make a New Year's resolution to be more like that.

I'll try to reach out

without being asked

and try to be more aware of others feelings.

I'll try to make others lives easier,

more joyful,

and I'll try my best to be a positive influence.

Wish me luck. . .