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

Thoughts on being a Nanny.

I finally started my nannying job this week and I'm in love- again.

To say the month of May has been difficult for me  would be a minor understatement. It was incredibly difficult for me to transition from Provo  to back home and while I'm so happy to be back home, I was feeling pretty lonely- until I started nannying.

All week, I've been thinking about that verse in Psalms that reads, "Children are an inheritance from the Lord" and realizing how incredibly true that is. I cannot even fully explain how greatly I have felt that children are such a blessing in life. Even though my little kidlets aren't my own, they are blessing my life.

Children have an undeniable love for everyone (it seems). They are quick to befriend you, love you, and call you the best. They are excited to be alive, to explore the world, and to say uncle whenever you start tickling them. There is an infinity of goodness in their world; their world stands untainted from the sorrow and misery of adulthood. It's refreshing and energizing.

I think one of the greatest things they have taught me in this single week is pure and simple: love. To them, love is simple, it's easy, and it's natural. I don't understand why, when you become an adult, love becomes so complicated. Why can't we just love everyone like kids do? I have a firm belief that we, as people need to say, "I love you" more because the more love we have in life, the happier we will be. Love every day you encounter. Love the time you have with your family. Love the people in your life because really, aren't we all the same- sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father.

Besides, if we're trying to become like Jesus, I think that first thing we all need to learn is to have more love in our lives.

Love always,
Ems

My Best Friend's Wedding.

Happiness in marriage and parenthood can exceed a thousand times any other happiness

-James E. Faust  

-----

And all at once, my best friend is married and off to start her new life with her wonderful husband. Yesterday, I was privileged to spend the day helping with my best friend's wedding. Ms. Naomi Billings became Mrs. Naomi Shumway and it was fabulous in every sense of the word. Never have I felt so much joy nor been so excited for a single event. You see, in high school, Nams and I liked to joke that we lead parallel lives. We would always line up our "cast of characters" and oddly enough, funny/sad/exciting things would always happen at the same time for us. That is, it all happened at the same time till I broke up with Dear Mr. Garrett and she got engaged to Peteypete. Then our lives went *bloop* and switched to different planes. But I've never been happier for her. I remember exactly where I was when my phone started ringing, "Pretty Young Thing" and I realized she was calling to tell me that her and Peter were engaged. I couldn't believe she was engaged, but now, after the blur of yesterday, I can't imagine her as anything but married to Peter. Peter is the perfect addition to Naomi- one of the few boys she dated that I actually liked (she'lll testify to that). He is kind beyond compare- the type of kindness where he paid for my Bahaman Bucks (and Nam's, and Ted's) the first time I hung out with him and Naomi (it's a big deal, ok?). He's weird just like Naomi and loves life just as much as Naomi.  I really have grown to love Peter so much even though I've hardly been able to spend any time with him because I've been at school. Peter treats Naomi like the amazing woman she is and I know that he loves her more than anything else in the world (even more than his brother Ted, which I thought might be impossible- even though we love Ted).

Their reception was perfectly Naomi. Jars, flowers, old cameras, and old suitcases- everything she'd been collecting for years put together for her perfect night. An abundance of people flooded her backyard, each genuinely happy for the couple and their happiness. The outpouring was amazing and really quite heart-warming. I think the number of people that showed up shows just how wide-spread Naomi's influence is in people's lives. You can't meet Naomi and dislike her; for, simply being with her, you feel that your life is better and that there is an infinite amount of joy to be found. That's part of my love for weddings- seeing everyone come in support of the bride and groom. People spill into to support their love, support their happiness, support their growth, support the life they'll live, rejoice in the lives they've lead, rejoice in their stalwartness to get to this point, rejoice in the beauty of friendship and family.

The best part of the night I couldn't name a best part of the night, but a part I will hold on to forever was the all fateful bouquet toss. I've never actually caught a bouquet and as Kyle said, "I knew you were serious when you handed your phone to me". I wasn't I'm-going-to-trample-the-child-in-front-of-me serious, but I was pretty darn determined to catch that thing. She tossed it back, and praise the bouquet toss gods, it landed in my out-stretched hands. Naomi turned around, we both screamed, then ran to hug each other. I dunno about her, but I oddly had tears in my eyes- excitement, joy, pure happiness? Regardless, it was everything I ever wanted a bouquet catch to be. Can't express how happy I am that it was at my best friend's wedding.


Mrs. Naomi Shumway, I will love you forever. You have made my life wonderful in more ways than I could possible ever say and I will forever be grateful for the memories we have – you best believe that I expect many more memories to come. I'm  so grateful your Darcy finally came and that the two of you were sealed for time and all eternity. I know that life will bring you every happiness and that you and Peter will never have a dull moment. You will always be an example to me in every way and I know that I'll be able to count on you whenever I need you. I expect that you, Peter, my future husband, and I will get along and spend time together laughing, chatting, and playing Mario Kart. I can't believe you're all grown up and married, but there's no one I would rather run around in the hundred degree heat for all day. ;) Best of luck to you and Peteypete- not that you need luck, for you already have happiness.

Love always,
Ems

Mindless Job Means Lots of Thinking Time

{Via}

So, considering I'm at work for a good 8 or 9 hours every day, and considering the fact that I do a lot of filing at work, and considering that filing does not take a lot of brain power, I have had a considerable amount of time to think about life. That was a very long sentence.

I was recently re-reading letters from a dear friend and he was giving me a few tips on how to figure out if I wanted to go on a mission. He noted that I spend a lot of my time thinking about marriage (truth) and romantic love (truth) and that it might help to stop doing that if I decided I wanted to serve. Anyway, I thought about that for a moment, realized how well he knew me, and then tried to remember a time when I didn't think about those two things. I couldn't really remember a time when I didn't think about them.

Mind you, I have a pretty awful memory, but regardless, for as long as I can remember, I've always dreamed about my wedding and the romantic way in which my husband and I would meet, fall in love, and be married. I'm a bit of an overdramatic hopeless romantic – I always have been. As I've been filing things away, I've obviously been thinking about these things. Especially since Sophia's and Karli's missionaries are returning, and Naomi is getting married, and Rylee is married, and Haylee is pregnant, and the list goes on and on. It's all really exciting, I think, and I'm really happy and excited for all these adorable girls, but it gives me cause to think and daydream. I've not got the slightest idea about what will happen in the upcoming year or months, but I do plan on enjoying whatever life throws at me.

All I really know, is that it is pretty much impossible for me to fall in love without the boy being romantic. And I'm ok with my obsession with romantic love. And I enjoy daydreaming.


Love always,
Ems

Connecting with the Cousins.

              I've  felt really cool recently because my younger cousins started following me on Instagram. Which to most people wouldn't be that cool, but since I don't see them all that often, I feel really cool and quickly follow them back and like all their pictures. (I may be overenthusiastic about this all and be an annoying older cousin who really wants to be their friend but that's a different story...)

Anyway, the point of this blog post is how much I love technology and how much fun it is for me to be a part of their lives through such a simple thing as Instagram. It's actually really crazy to me still because I feel like there's no way they're old enough to even be on Instagram and Facebook but, apparently, I'm older than I think I am because they are. 

I love that even though I haven't seen my Texan cousins for two years, I still feel like I am celebrating birthdays with them. I love seeing pictures of dance and remembering what a fun time of life that is; how exciting life is from their view. I love that I can like a picture and comment and show them that I love them, even if it's just in that small way. 

Also, they better watch out because goodness knows that I'll start calling them when they start thinking about boys. 

Have I ever said that I really love my family? Because I can't even express how much I adore them. 

Love always, 

Ems

New Favorite.

First Love

By John Clare

I ne'er was struck before that hour
With love so sudden and so sweet,
Her face it bloomed like a sweet flower
And stole my heart away complete.
My face turned pale as deadly pale.
My legs refused to walk away,
And when she looked, what could I ail?
My life and all seemed turned to clay.


And then my blood rushed to my face
And took my eyesight quite away,
The trees and bushes round the place
Seemed midnight at noonday.
I could not see a single thing,
Words from my eyes did start --
They spoke as chords do from the string,
And blood burnt round my heart.


Are flowers the winter's choice?
Is love's bed always snow?
She seemed to hear my silent voice,
Not love's appeals to know.
I never saw so sweet a face
As that I stood before.
My heart has left its dwelling-place
And can return no more 

-------

I found this poem last night.

Yes, this is what I do at one a.m.

I must thank my friend, Garrison Keillor, 

his book, Good Poems is my very favorite. 

Love always,

Ems

photo via

Arizona Statehood Day.

In the wake of all this love, people are forgetting something very important.
It is the 100th birthday of the beautiful state of Arizona.
Who needs Valentine's Day when you have an amazing state?

But in all reality, that's not what I am posting on today.
Because it is Valentine's Day, and I have a very special post today.
It's about these two people....

My parents.
The other night, as I sat in my bed thinking about love,
I immediately thought about these two, and the immense love they have for each other.

Growing up, I always knew my parents were in love, it was never a question.
My dad would bring home flowers for my mom,
my mom would be cooking dinner for my dad, and welcome him home with a "Hallelujah" just because he liked it.
There were always notes left for each other around the house,
and there was always kissing and hugging and Caleb saying they needed to get a room.

The thing is, that is still how they are.
They are still so in love, and it is such an amazing thing to me.
They have the kind of love that I want to find- a love that is enduring and constant.

I'm not saying they're perfect, heaven knows our entire family is far from that,
but they are in love, and that is what is important,
because with that love in their hearts,
they can go out into the world and accomplish anything together.

And that is truly what love is really about so,
Happy Valentine's Day to all you lovers.
May your love always endure life's crazies.

Love always,
Ems

Home.

There is no greater word to me right now than that simple word. I've been home since Thursday and it has been wonderful. First off, I have my family and I am so happy to be with them again. Secondly, I have my bed. Thirdly, I have weather that I can love without a down jacket on. God created a beautiful world when he created the state of Arizona.

While here, I've been able to catch up with friends, sleep in, and bake bake bake! All Saturday my mom and I made about 500 gingerbread men for our neighbors.

They were so delicious. Most of them looked like normal gingerbread men... Except for the obese ones and the ones that looked like they were running away from something like this one.....

I found him rather hilarious. They all looked gorgeous and ready to be frosted but then my mom decided to hand the frosting over to my dad..... bed idea. Frosting is an art, and my dad is no artist. It's no wonder we ended up with gingerbread men in whitey-tighties and skeleton costumes.... Oh, and as cyclopses. Ya know, the norm....

 

Other than that, I've been in my iMovie studio finishing my senior year video and summer video, starting my first semester video,  reading The Wednesday Wars, and shopping with my mom. It's been enjoyable. 

We have a reunion with my ELP teacher in Wednesday and it will be wonderful.

Love always,

Ems

These Two...

I love them.
Mr. and Mrs. Barton.
I love spending time with them
and helping them move in
and eating at Cafe Rio with them
and laughing at their weirdness
and talking with them about chemical weapons
(we're normal people)
and being energetically hugged by them
and rearranging couches with them
and finding bugs
and rolling my eyes at their pda
and seeing how in love they are.

So happy for them and to have them in my life-
in my life together.
Sarah makes Josh so happy,
and I like that a lot.

Ah, love is so happy.
Not always perfect,
but happy.

Love always,
Ems

Becoming a Jet-setter.

So, this has been a month of madness.

Exaggeration.

A week of madness.

But it will soon become a month of madness.

You see, 

I left Provo on Wednesday for Ogden so that my grandma and I could fly to DC.

Upon arrival in Ogden, I realized I left all forms of ID in Provo...

So, we drove all the way to Provo and back to Salt Lake Thursday morning so I could get on the plane.

It was a bit chaotic. 

BUT

I made it to DC! 

This weekend, I am heading home to Mesa,

which I am so very excited about.

Then back to Provo for the two days of classes 

and a wonderful thanksgiving with my Kendrick side. 

I will soon be an expert at the SLC airport.

Onto to the good stuff!

Last week....

What a fun week. 

I spent lots of time with my favorite ward boys. 

They like to cuddle with each other...

Odd?

I agree. 

But I still love 'em.

Here is Scotty's new favorite pastime-

taking pictures on my iPhone. 

Not just a few....

50-100.

Exhibit A. 

Scotty by Scotty.

Exhibit B.

Emma Cries for her Phone

(An excuse to hold a hand)

by Scotty.

Exhibit C.

An Experiment in Blurriness. 

(Emma and Jacob thumb waring)

By Scotty.

And what's even better, 

my little brother loves doing the same thing. 

Exhibit A. 

The many faces of Seth. 

Face number 586 

By Seth.

Don't worry, he really is a cute boy...

look!

In other news, we Mesa kids experienced a new thing....

SNOW.

You can't see it in this picture but I promise, it's there.

During the weekend, we celebrated this new white fluffy stuff with my beloved Mesa boys in Heritage.

I love those guys.

Now, a look at DC via Instagram. 

It was a blessing to be in DC on Veteran's day.

The men and women who those monuments are dedicated to mean so much to me.

Seeing the Veterans at the memorials was something I will never forget. 

Their faces full of sorrow, pride, and remembrance were truly humbling.

Everyday I thank God that I live in such a blessed country and that there are so many people who are willing to go and fight and die for my freedoms. 

I know that I will never be able to thank them enough. 

The whole reason for being in DC was for my oldest brother, Josh's wedding.

I love my brother.

He has always been the most caring and kind brother I could ask for.

I remember being about eleven when he would come in "late at night" and sit on the edge of my bed and just talk to me. 

He always took time out of his life to take care of me and make me feel extra special.  

I'm so thankful that he has finally found someone who is equally as wonderful.

Sarah is joy and happiness wrapped up in a person, and the way she looks at my brother shows me that she will always stand by his side, loving him and supporting him.

They will be a loving, kind, and exuberant couple together and I am so happy for them. 

I may have teared up during their first dance.

And while dancing with my dad...

And while dancing with my brother....

It was a beautiful night, 

brimming with love and happiness.

I'm so grateful to know that life and love will go on forever.

God's plan is wonderful, and so good. 

Through all the misery around us

and all the hard times people face,

if we but look around,

we will all see how wonderful life is.

This much, I am sure of. 

Love always,

Ems