tasty food

The falafel hut is now open again!!!!!

YA for delicious food!!!

Couldn't be any yummier!

I'm going on a Mission!

that's me! ^

My hair is growing out!

Hehe!

I like the length that it's at right now.

Only a few days to go until I report to the MTC!

(missionary training center)

: )

whoa there

Remember, one year ago...I graduated?

Crazy!

Time has flown by.

my papa and I

I know that I am not perfect, but I am trying to improve myself.

One thing that I will commit to doing better is waking up and being more greatful for all I have.

I will be excited to start the day!

I will savor every moment that I have.

Because...people, 

the good in the world is so

beautiful.

so simple.

so precious.

those little moments, where it's almost as if you can drink in the beauty of the moment,

and sip away at the cup of life's most cherished moments.

when a child goos and smiles, with his cheeks, his lips, and his eyes, gazing at his dear mother.

when the sun peeks out from behind cloudy skies.

when a child reaches for your hand.

when you feel the wind brushing hair into your face.

when you hear the chimes on your back porch twinkling as the wind rustles them.

when you feel as if Heavenly Father is warming your heart with peace and joy.

love love love

I love these cute little babes!

They are so precious.

Families can be together forever;

what a sweet truth!

I want to talk about something beautiful

Smiles.

Smiles all around!


My mother was talking about something specific the other day...but I will generalize it to "thirsting."

Thirsting.


Thirsting for what?

For knowledge.  For light.  For good.  For wonderful things.

For answers.  For reasons.  For questions.  For wondering.  For thinking.  For pondering.


For believing.  For knowing.  For smiling.

a smile in the heart and a smile on your lips.




Why do we search for things that we enjoy doing?

Why do we have passions?

Why do we look for "the one"?

Why do we wake up every morning?




Why do you wake up every morning?




God gives me these reasons.










Imagine waking up on a beach, feeling the soft sand support your body as if you were being rocked in a cradle.  You feel the sun gently beaming out from the horizon, waking the world up to another beautiful morning.  The ocean waves splash onto shore over and over, like the gentle beat to a well known and familiar song, one that you know of and exquisitely love, but can never remember the name of.

You turn over and lay with your back on the sand, looking up at the palm trees overhead.  The breeze sways them, rocking to the beat of the song that you are living in.  You breathe in deeply, savoring the tastes of the fresh air, a mango stand on the nearby street, and clean clothes hung on the laundry line in a neighbor's backyard.  You feel it all: the sun beginning to sparkle upon every inch of sand, of sea, of land, the birds soaring up in the ocean blue skies, people walking in sandals for their morning stroll, and the smiles in hearts off all those who surround you.

This is your Heavenly Father and Savior's love for you.




Whether or not you had a good day today, I hope and pray that you find solace in knowing that Jesus is the Christ.  And He loves you.

And if you had a bad day, pray to your Heavenly Father.

And if you had a good day, pray to your Heavenly Father.

He wants to hear from you!



Although I am not living in a tropical paradise right now (in fact...the opposite), I can still feel the peace and happiness as if I were lying on the beach.

It's all around me!  My family's love, seeing the snow slowly melt, making a child giggle, accomplishing great and small and big things, and waking up each morning.

I encourage you to look toward the light.

the light of Jesus Christ!

Photo taken and edited by me

What is an LDS mission?

I have realized over the past few days that many of you probably don't know what a mission is!

I am called to serve in Korea, but what does that mean??

Ever seen those guys (or girls) walking around in two's, dressed in church attire and wearing the name tags?  Those are missionaries.  And I will be one, soon!  As missionaries, we receive calls to serve in a specific place.  On our mission, we devote all of our time to teaching others about the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  We study the scriptures, teach lessons, and serve.  I will be serving for a year and a half in the Korea Daejeon Mission.

I will not be able to make phone calls, but you are welcome to write me letters!  I am making a blog to document my experiences (on which my mom will post emails I write to her), and on there you will find an address for where you can address your letters to.

You might be thinking...Ummm okay, why do you even want to do this, Mallory?


I made the decision to go on a mission because I know that it is what my Savior would want me to do, and I want to share the message of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ with others.  The reason I want to serve and teach others about the gospel of Jesus Christ is because I have felt such peace and joy from living as a member of this church and coming to know my Savior, Jesus Christ, and my Heavenly Father.  I want to help others recognize who we are and why we are here on earth.

There is one thing in the world that I can testify of with surety and all of my heart, and it is that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true gospel.


To learn more....go here: http://mormon.org/missionary-work

If you have any questions, ask away!  I am happy to speak with you.

hey you part two!

Hello, whoever you are!


I have been pretty absent the past several months...I have been at school in Idaho.

It's pretty cold there....but now it is way colder here in Alaska.

What the heck is all this snow doing here still?!?!?!  I built a snowman today....and it is the first of May.


I have been called to serve in the Korea Daejeon Mission!!  I will be serving as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for eighteen months!  I report to the MTC (Missionary Training Center) at the end of this month.


I am so excited!


Besides preparing for that, I have spent the past several months at school, studying and studying away! It is quite different now, being at home and not having something to do almost every minute.

Anyway, thought I'd drop by this place and give a shout out....


"HEY YOU!  LIFE IS SO GREAT!  I LIKE THE SUNSHINE AND ALSO I REALLY LOVE MY FAMILY.  AND I LOVE THE BOOK OF MORMON."


Catch ya latah :)

Snowman is in the background, wearing black gloves.

yup,

KOREA!

hey you!

it's hard to describe in a quick blog post about life for me right now.

i am growing.
i am being me.

i am being presented with new challenges everyday.

such as...SNOW.

and more SNOW
AND SNOW AND SNOW!

there is SO much snow here!
walking to class is sometimes a bit chilly, esp. if get a smoothie.

but...the good news is that it's cold for a few days, then the sun comes back out and melts much of it.

my roommates are so great!!
i love em!

and.....i'm engaged.









KIDDING!

I know my school is known for marriage....but I am not engaged at this point in my life.


I've got a big piece of news coming up VERY soon...and am so excited to share it!


my classes are great.  I love being at the same school as my brother.  it's so fun!  we always go to devotional together.

i used to wonder how I would ever remember where everything is on campus...but I sorta got it down now!

at least...where all my classes are.


i love learning and am so greatful to be at this wonderful school!

it's plenty of homework and studying..but I am absolutely positive it is well worth the time it is taking now.  I believe that what I sow is what I reap.

I love being a relief society teacher!  all the women in my ward are just so fabulous!  everyone is incredibly nice and are such nice friends!

ciao for now..

now?

i'm in love.

ugh, he is so awesome.

and now that I finished all four seasons of Merlin on netflix, I don't know what to do with my life.

-Mal