When the Best Friend Returns. . .

We party.

My very best friend in the entire world got home from his mission on May 15th, 2014, and it was extraordinary. Zac Velarde, being the good friend he is, sent me snapchats of the entire airport meeting, because I threatened to hurt him if he didn't. Oddly enough, my heart was pounding when Velarde told me they were waiting for him, and then I was elated when I got these first two snaps.

But the burst of happiness came when I got the picture of the two best friends united after two long, hard years of separation. It was always hard to hear Velarde talk about how much he missed Zack because something about their friendship just sort of pulls at my heart- they really are the best of friends. It's like at our high school graduation, I only started crying when I saw the two of them hug and tear up.

Anyway. I got to go out ATVing with Zack's family the day after he got home. He taught me how to drive, and while I'm no expert, it was pretty darn fun. Personally, I think we really rock the helmets like nobody's business. #thuglife

Then, for Memorial Day, the Jarvis family was gracious enough to invite my roommates and myself down to their cabin in Munds Park for the extended weekend, and we had such a blast. It was the perfect weekend. We played a lot of Michigan Poker (and had a game where Zack lost ALL of his chips which I have never seen happen), rode around on the ATVs, played LOTS of volleyball, and told some pretty ridiculous jokes. Oh, and ate lots and lots of good food. Which is always a big plus in life. Also, can I take a moment to say how much I adore my roommates? There is never a dull moment in this apartment, and we all get along amazingly well. We're supportive of each other, we laugh, we cry, we party, it's just the best, and everyday I'm thankful. Also, we really missed Cicily on our trip, she went home for the weekend. 

So yes, life has been a party since Zachary William got home from his mission. It's still a bit unreal that I can just ring him on the telephone and talk to him whenever I want. It seems like eternity has passed, and at the same time, it seems like he never left- we're still that good of friends.

Friends are what make the world a better place. I'm convinced of that. Luckily, I've been blessed with some of the very best and everyday, I just wonder how I got so lucky- I guess God must really love me or something. #boohya. But in all serious, I'm so thankful for these people in my life. They make everyday better, brighter, funnier, and more exciting. I'd be pretty lost without them.

Life is good.

Love always,
Ems

Sister Jordynn Louise Alston

One would think that since I've sent off all my guy friends on missions, that I would be better at this. But I'm not.
The only redeeming quality of the month of August is that next August, I will get Jacob back.
As for now,
I hate August for always stealing my favorite people.

Tonight, Jordynn was set apart as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
We had a great drive to and from Casa Grande to talk, try not to cry, and discuss spiritual matters.
But it didn't change our goodbye.
We tried out hardest not to cry,
but just like the night of graduation,
the tears came, and we parted through our craffing tears (cry/laughing).

Jordynn and I were "sisters" on our stake Exodus trek my ninth grade year.
Since then, we've been pretty inseparable, and we've stuck to the title of sisters.
There are few who know and understand me better than Jordynn.
Few who care more about me.
Few who I care more about.
I love Jordynn for all that she's taught me.
She's one of the most Christ-like people I know and she has carefully focused her whole life on Christ.

I wish I could more adequately describe my love for her, but tonight, my heart is simply full and stretched taunt as I face the next 18 months without my sister/side-kick/best friend.
I know that she will be the most amazing missionary.
I know that there are people waiting for her who she will find, love, and bring to the gospel.
I know that she's chosen the best path for herself, and I could not be more excited for her.

But I will miss her so much.
I already feel the gap in my life.

But she'll be back.
Until then....

God speed, Sister Alston.
I'll love you forever.

Love always,
Ems

Sunday Thought.

Obviously, missions and missionaries are close to my heart right now.
So thankful for my many wonderful friends who have given up two years to serve;
they truly come back changed and better than they ever could have hoped to be before.

Love always,
Ems

Golly Gee.

As if the end of the Olympics weren't enough emotional sadness for the day, this wonderful boy was set apart for his mission today.

I'm so incredibly proud of him and cannot wait to hear of his success. Missions truly are an amazing blessing to all these boys; it's amazing to read their letters and see how much they've changed and matured. He will work miracles in the field, that I am sure of.

As for me, I think I'll snuggle up in bed and watch P.S. I Love You, because everyone needs a good cry now and again.

Here's to Elder  Jacob Colton Ladd! Take care of him, you Australians!

Love always,
Ems

This is Happiness.

I must admit, I never really understood the whole missionary letter thing. Then I got my first letters from my very best friend, Elder Zachary Jarvis, and I understood. How is it that his letters make me cry every time I get one? Actually, it's usually always a craf (cry/laughing) because he's still the same old dorky Zachary. The letter I received today was an attempt at old English- it was rather ridiculous. Considering the fact that I don't get his emails (why? who knows...) the letters mean all the more to me. It's just so wonderful to know that he's doing well and that the work is moving forward. Man do I miss that boy. Here's to the next missionary letter! (fingers crossed it's from Elder Eddington!) 

Love always, 

Ems

He's Home!

My brother got home on Wednesday! Even though I haven't seen him, it's great to know that he's home and to be able to text and talk to him! I was so happy I got to facetime him as he walked up the from the terminal. Even if it was 2 am here in Florida... I love my brother.
I cannot wait to see my entire family soon! Come to Florida faster, family!

I promise that I will update soon! I just haven't been able to be bothered with hooking up my phone to my computer to download pictures. 

Life is good, it is so very good. 

Love always,

Ems

Australia.

So the call came and he's going to....

Brisbane, Australia speaking Mandarin! 

Wait, what? 

Yup, Mandarin speaking.

I am so excited for him. 

He headed off to Morocco today 

and boy am I going to miss him. 

However, I'm not over it. Australia! 

That is seriously awesome. 

And pretty soon, thanks to Wikipedia, 

he will know everything you would ever want (or not want) to know about Australia.

Those lucky Australians don't know the goodness in store for them .  

Also, in other news, 

it is my best friend's birthday.

Her name is Naomi Billings and I love her. 

Since it's summer and all, 

I'll be posting more regularly. 

And I'll catch up on the ending of school. 

Crazy how fast my Freshman year went by!

Happy Friday!

Love always, 

Ems 

Blessed.

I was reading the blog of my good friend, Caroline, tonight.

She posted about the boy above, my dear friend Jonathan Lane, and how he's leaving on his mission.
All us BYU friends missed his farewell, and as I read her post, I couldn't help but cry.
She talked about how blessed we have been in not only our friends from home, but also in our friends up here at the Y.
And she's so right.

Recently, I've really been thinking about this.
 I honestly can not imagine a better group of guys and girls to go through high school with.
Those crazy boys that were my best friends mean more than the world to me, they really all do.
 As they've been getting calls and leaving to all the corners of the Earth, I've been realizing that life is changing so much, and I know I've talked about it a lot, but it's been consuming my life.

Yesterday night, the four of us girls spent the evening at Zack and Joey's talking and making food.
As Becca and I got ready for bed, we talked about how much those two boys mean to us.
We continued to talk about how grateful we are for all the boys we've left back home,
and we decided we couldn't ask for better boys.
Those boys are the kind of boys we're looking for.
Sure, they're not perfect, but they're all trying mighty hard, and we love them, we really do.

I just can't even express my full gratitude for all of them in my life.
As Lane leaves on his mission, I'll be praying for him, and for Aaron, and for Eric, and I'll remember to cherish all the moments I have with the boys that are left, because I know my time with them is going to slip away so quickly.

But life changes, and we all move on, and we keep growing and becoming better, and I think that's what's important to remember.

Life isn't supposed to stay the same, if it did, we would never learn anything and we would never grow.
So I'm grateful that the boys are leaving, and that we're all growing in our separate ways.
I'm grateful that I've been able to realize how much they mean to me.
I'm grateful that they've taught me what a true friend is.
I'm grateful that they've shown me what to look for in a husband.
I'm grateful that they're all going out to serve the Lord for two years.
But mostly, I'm just grateful for them.

And tonight, I am feeling so blessed. 


Love always,
Ems 

Mission Craziness.

 Scott Andrews: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

 Eric Hill: Leaving to Bulgaria next Wednesday

 Josh Coleman: Indonesia

Skyping with Adam Kent: Frankfurt, Germany
(please notice how many people are crammed in our tiny screen)

 Jace Bayles: Paraguay, Joey Eddington: Ogden, Utah,  

Zack Jarvis: Birmingham,  Alabama, Scott Carter: Japan

My Best Friend. 

The past few weeks have been filled with mission craziness. This means I attended six mission call openings and it was a bit of an overload. See, as a mormon girl attending BYU, you have a great freshman year and then, you have no friends because they all leave on missions. Which, don't get me wrong, is amazing and so good, but it's also kinda difficult.

The hardest mission opening for me was that of Zack Jarvis' last week. I told him I was going to cry and there were definitely a good amount of tears shed. It was an emotional night because I'm so proud of him and all he's done to get that call in his hands but, at the same time, I'm going to miss him like crazy. Few other people understand me in the way that Zack does. He knows every single side of me and has always been there for me and thinking about replacing him is an impossible thought. I don't think it can be done. 

At the same time, I can't fully express the gratitude and joy all these boys bring me. All the mission call craziness shows me how truly blessed I am. These boys are the boys that I went to high school with and they are some of the best boys that I know- if not the very best. They have all taught me so much and I can't imagine my life without them. I'm so proud of them and I know that they will all make amazing missionaries. I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for them. 

Love always,

Ems 

Ello World!

Wow, I've fallen off the face of the earth. My bad. Anyway, I  got our prom pictures! So I shall share! {yes, i realize it was forever ago, I'm slow at posting}

{LOVED} our group!

  Oh grand memories....

As for recently, Summer has come! Our last day of school was on Thursday and it has been a FABULOUS start to summer! Here is what has happened:

Thursday: Guac and Oreo party at Alex's {tradition among our friends}

Graduation fun with Dahlya:

(sorry it's sideways)

The very normal Girl pile of tiredness after graduation:

 and no, I did not graduate, but I helped for stuco and played for orchestra. :)

Friday: Cleaned out my backpack and read and played lots of piano. Then a temple trip with Ryan and then, Golfland with Namoi, Cuc, Zack, and Scott! Very fun! I ended up falling asleep on Namoi's lap while we watched Ms. Doubtfire and so Zack drove us home in my car- luckily we made it alive. haha. I only have one picture from the night because after I took this, I dropped my camera and it wouldn't turn on and then it got imersed in water by my leaking water bottle. Luckily, the Arizona sun is amazing and after my camera "tanned" in the sun on Saturday, it was fixed. :)

They're dorks.

Saturday: I did chores and played some more piano and then attended the burning of school papers at Josh's house. It was glorious. :) And we had some very funny talks between Alisha, Cuc, and I as the boys did boyish stuff. haha. And then Zack showed up at my house at like midnight and we talked till like one.... random? very.

But it's been fabulous! And today we attened Joe Udall's farwell then drove to Lucas' farwell then drove back to our building for Young Womens/Young Men's! Crazy! But Joe is going to Puerto Rico and Lucas is going to Canada! Their talks were fabulous, both were excellent and it proves that they're going to be wonderful missionaries! I'm so excited for both of them! :) Have a wonderful day! 

Love Always,

Ems

AND THE WINNER IS......

SCOTLAND, EDINBURGH MISSION!!!! :)

 

  

  

So here goes the story. My brother, Caleb, came home from BYU last weekend to open his mission call.... Which failed to come on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Tuesday. (Monday was a federal holiday so no mail). Needless to say there has been much anxiety and stress and worry in the Barton family for the past 2 weeks as we waited for his call. Today, the missionary people hand delivered it to his halls at BYU and we listened as he opened it. :) He reports to the England MTC on June 18th and our family is going to drop him off! I'm so excited and proud of him! He is the best big brother ever and I love him to death! He's going to be an amazing missionary! 

I LOVE YOU CALEB! :)

Love Always,

Ems

not sure what I'm talking about? 

Go {here}

Hello, my name is Behind the Times.

So, it's missionary week in seminary. Which is exciting! Kinda....I'm just more excited for Caleb's mission call to come on THURSDAY! :) Soooo very exciting. So would you like to know why I'm behind the times? Well, ya know this man?

Well of course you do, because he's like old bussiness, right? Well right! Unless you're me! So, since it is missionary week I decided to listen to my Josh Groban Pandora radio because it's Josh Groban, so totally missionary appropriate. Anyways, I'm listening to it and guess what song comes on?

This I Swear

by this lovely man. and kinda, my heart melted A LOT. Cause it was so incredible adorable! And then I realized it's like crazy old and I felt kinda lame. But I don't care cause I love it and it is going to be in my wedding video. Along with these:

Then by Brad Paisley

Not a Day Goes By by Lonestar

In Her Eyes by Josh Groban

Us by Regina Spektor 

I Just Love You by Five for Fighting

Comfortable by John Mayer

The Luckiest by Ben Folds

Lost by Faith Hill

Breathe by Faith Hill

Every Day by Rascal Flatts

Because of Your Love by Kenney Chesney 

and 

Thank You by Keith Urban

Ya, it's not a big deal that I have the playlist picked out, right?right. Also, I know what I want to do in college but that's a different post. :)

Love Always,

Ems