Day 7

DAY 7: A PICTURE OF SOMEONE/SOMETHING THAT HAS HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU

My mission goes here.  Tyson and Teryn could also go here, but if I hadn't served a mission, it would be safe to say I wouldn't have married Tyson- -and had I not married Tyson, of course Teryn wouldn't be here either.  So I say my mission has had the biggest impact on me.

It's amazing to compare the lives I lived before and after my mission.  Hilarious and somewhat unbelievable, actually.  Before the mission, I was a feisty one!  Feisty, fearless, proud, selfish, careless, rowdy, and  irreverent.  I cared too much about my appearance- -clothes, shoes, hair, make up, etc.  I enjoyed showing off and being the center of attention and I didn't really care what it took to get me there.  If something sounded fun, I did it- -regardless of whether it was life threatening or not.  I cared about other people, but mostly me.  Those are just a few things to help you paint my pre-mission self in your mind.

Now, by no means did I return glorified and perfect from my mission, but I sure discovered a new outlook on life.  That outlook changed everything about me.  I remember seeing my bedroom and closet for the first time when I got home and thinking, "I don't need all this stuff!!!!"  I gave away bags and bags of things I once thought were necessary for my existence.  I still care about my appearance, but in a more simple, sophisticated, womanly way.  I no longer care to be the center of attention.  In fact, it makes me uncomfortable.  I've come to realize that I am not, in fact, invincible and that I do, in fact, have the chance of dying if I make irresponsible choices.  I realize there is so much more than myself to care about- -so much joy in thinking about and serving others.  I've learned the real purpose of this life and what I'm here for.  You get the idea.  I could go on and on about the changes I experienced because of my mission.

In summary, I would say the 3 greatest changes I experienced were: Respect, Responsibility, and Reverence.

(I asked Tyson what he thought the greatest change is and he said, "me".  =0)  ha ha!)

Now you know why I talk about my mission so much.  And probably always will.