February 11, 2013 (first Letter from WV)

February 11, 2013

"I am now serving with Elder Proctor from Sandy Utah. He Went to Utah State as well. I think he is about 20 years old and I am the first person he has trained. He has so much knowledge I love learning as much as i can from him. Elder Proctor and I are serving in the Clifton Forge, Virginia area. The Town is small, and the Southern accent here is very strong. My first Sunday was really good, it was my first time in a branch in my life so i did not really know what to expect. On Sunday Elder Proctor confirmed the Holy Ghost to a sister. I got to be apart of the circle. The spirit was so strong during that and i know how important the Holy Ghost is for each of us in our lives. We currently have four people on date for baptisms in the next month and a half. I have been tracting and I love it."

GNO

This weekend was beyond perfect! I absolutely love spending time with Dillon's family! Especially his little sisters Aspen and Daisy! They are so cute and so happy all the time! Plus, their smiles melt my heart every time! (Just like Dill's does) after the basketball game I was lucky enough to take Aspen, Sidney (Aspens friend), Daisy, and her friend Kaitlin out for ice cream. I have grown so close with them and I wouldn't have it any other way! After we ate ice cream we went back to my house and played "SNORTA" and "Quelf" it was so much fun!! I love those girls with all my heart!

My Sweet Valentine.

Holy cow. That's all I can say right now. Holy cow. I can not believe that it has already been one month since I've seen my best friend. Time has literally flown by, I have been so busy with basketball every night and my Saturdays consist of basketball, basketball, and MORE basketball. Bear, Emile, Josh, and Aspen all have games..sometimes two.. and going to both the girls and boys College games! (I'm not complaining...Ball really is Life) and I try to squeeze going to the temple in to do baptisms every week! The trick is to stay busy, and don't dwell on the negatives. This month is February and I promised to send him a package a month including our countdown tie. Because this is the month of LOVE--A.K.A. Valentines Day. I decided to center his package around love and have everything pink/red! It turned out so cute! I wanted to incorporate the Valentines theme along with some scriptures because of coarse, he is MY missionary! Everything I included in the package was labeled with a scripture that hints to what is wrapped up. Some things I included are:

Kool-Aide packets-Exodus 15:25

Conversation Hearts-  
   Be Mine: John 3:16 
   All Mine: John 10:27-30 
   True Love: Luke 10:27 
   I'm Sure: John 14: 1-3
   Sweet Talk: Psamls 119:103 
   Be Good: John 14:15
   Fax Me: Jeremiah 33:3 

Pop Rocks- Helaman 5:12
Tie: Proverbs 3:3
Gum: Leviticus 11:26
Chap stick: 2 Nephi 16:5

Even though Dill is 2,140 Mikes away in Clifton Forge Virginia, he still managed to make me feel very special this Valentines Day! It caught me way by surprise! I wasn't expecting a thing! Right after I left my house from lunch, I received a picture of flowers from my mom with my name on them. I replied "who are these from" (Like I said before, I wasn't expecting a single thing) she said back "Who do you think?" I responded "Dillon?" And she replied with a frank "Duh." I also received two letters, and in one of them he asked "Meg, will you pretty please be my Valentine" It made my whole day and It has most definitely been the very best Valentines! When I got home the flowers were placed on the table next to two letters! My day was instantly made!! He is loving Clifton Forge and his trainer! He says "I have gotten a lot closer to Christ in the past month." Dillon also sent me music to "Come Thou Fount of Ever Blessing" and wants me to learn to play it on the piano. He, as well as everyone else who knows me, know very well that I do not have a musical bone in my body. This must be some kind of joke. Plus he is already using Y'all..I think West Virginia is swallowing him right up.

That night since my Valentine was obviously not a available to take me out, I went on a double date with my "other valentines" (Autumn, Hannah, and Janessa) We went and got sushi at Saukra along with the rest of the world. It was the best. Only one more to go. Oh, I do love my sweet Valentine.

He is seriously the sweetest! <3

Lasts.

Seniors?! na. this can not be real. This week has been bitter sweet. Mostly bitter though with a little bit of sweet. This Thursday was our last region home game. Thursday was our last time to wear dresses to school as a team. Last time to sleep in the team room. Last time to come together on the court. I never actually thought this day would ever come. I am not ready for high school basketball to be over. I love my team and my coaches. I wouldn't be who I am today without them and their great examples. This week we played Dixie on Tuesday and beat them in overtime. I was on the bench the whole game in foul trouble. I swear the refs have something against me!! Thursday I got to witness my best friend Autumn Shipp fulfill her dream--Earlier this season (the third day of practice) she tore her ACL, MCL, and Meniscus. It was devastating to our whole team on so many levels. She was a 3 year starter and played a HUGE roll in winning our state championship game last year against Desert Hills. We had played together since the beginning, and not having her out on the court with me was unimaginable. I was terrified, there was no way I could go on and play with out her. She ended up being the BEST assistant coach though, and on Thursday (Senior Night) she was able to start! Before the game the coaches came to the conclusion that they would allow her to shoot the first shot uncontested. (no one informed me what was going to happen if she missed) Unfortunately, she missed and being the best friend I am, I grabbed her rebound and put it back up... not knowing she was supposed to shoot until she made it. Thankfully I missed my wide open layup and she came and grabbed the rebound from me and made a  basket! I was so embarrassed. But that is what best friends are for right?! We ended up blowing Hurricane out of the water (56-14 in the first half) With a minute left in the game Hurricane's coach walked up to Wade and told him that Autumn could go back in and they wouldn't guard her. Us 5 girls (Me, Autumn, Maddi, Grace, and Amy) all went in for the last time together. We had been playing together since as long as I can remember, and I am so thankful for the opportunity we got to step onto that court together for the last time.

Last Time Sleeping in the Team Room.

Last Time Dressing up for School.

My Grandpa is my Number One Fan.                                                                         Me and Emilie

Grace and I.                                      Autty and I.                                  Me and Amy.

The Team.

Friday was the last region home game for our boys as well. They played Desert Hills and lost. It was a way good game though. They played their hearts out. I am so proud of them. Because it would be our last game cheering on our boys at home, the student section went HAM to say the least. In graphics..a couple of my buddies and I made over 300 shirts for our parents and student section that said "6th man" when the lights went out, everyone took off their jackets covering their 6th man shirts and the gym was a complete white out. It gave me chills it was so cool. I have never cheered so hard or yelled so loud before. I wouldn't have wanted to end my senior year of basketball any other way.

Warrior Nation.

I Have the Best Friends a Girl Could Ask For.

Taylor, Katelyn, Meghan, Mitzi, Kim, Kenzie, Callie, Macey, Kenzee, Autumn, Megan

West Virginia Bound.

This morning Dillon left to West Virginia!! Finally!! I am probably more excited than he is to have him out there. He is already such a great missionary, I can just tell. This morning Dillon was able to call his family from the air port, then he called me after. But it was way too early, I wish I could remember what he talked about. Our conversation was short, but it was so good to hear his voice! I missed it like crazy, more than I thought. He flies from Salt Lake, to Chicago, and then to West Virginia. He seemed so excited and so happy!

Surprise E-Mails & Surprise Visits to the Principles Office.

So today I was sitting in fourth period, and my phone buzzed and informed me I relieved an e-mail. I usually just ignore them, cause most of the time they are just junk. But today, for some reason I decided to check it..and IT WAS FROM DILL, just dropping in..saying hi and sending some pictures of him and his companion Elder Skelton. I was so lucky to have Aut sitting next to me to celebrate with me! Before we even knew it though our celebration was over and Mrs. Paterson had confiscated my phone. And within minutes me and Autumn found our selves headed down to the principles office. Yes, we legitimately got sent to the principles office. And the Principle is Mr.Hurt. DILLONS DAD!! I had never been so embarrassed!! I was dying. She sent Aut with me, because she was got a drink out of the wrong drinking fountain, and I was there because I had my phone out. NO, this is not a joke. But nothing could get in the way of my excitement!! Getting letters and pictures is so great! I get more and more excited each time. These are some pictures he included in his e-mail.

Weekend Retreat.

This weekend my team and I decided it would  be a good idea to get out of the real world and spend some time together before state. Which is creeping up so fast! Lauren Smith was nice enough to allow us to go up to Pine Valley to spend the night at her cabin. 12 girls. No adults. and not to mention it is us, our basketball team--oh dear. It turned out to be SO much fun. Exactly what we needed. We played games, made music videos, sang songs while Madie Gubler played her guitar (yes, we are a basketball team, but we sounded like an acapella group). We stayed up all night laughing and bonding. The thing with my team is every girl is so different, but yet we all get along so good. It is sad that my high school basketball career is coming to an end. I love basketball, but the thing that makes it so special it the girls. They are all amazing examples to me. I love my team.