I'm just blogging to say that I blogged and made some record of my life.
So, yes, I'm officially home. I have been since May 9th. Serving a mission was one of the best choices I've ever made in my life. I love and miss the people there, but I know the Lord still has more plans for me here! Some day, I'll have to add pictures or videos or something showing my mission. I really hope there are no viruses on my picture files, though...
Observations on life since coming home?
It's colder here than I expected ("You're taller than I thought -- 10 points). Or at least it was at first. Now I think I'm adjusted, but I fear the snow when it finally does come again.
Taking a nap is SO wonderful.
Sometimes it feels like my mission was just a blink of my eyes, and I wonder if the last 18 months really did happen.
Living with Mom is seriously like the best thing ever. 'Cause that lady is my good pal, I tell you. 'Ceptin', I never really had any other friends while I was still there living at home, so it's probably good for my social progression to have since moved away from home again. But I still miss living with Mama.
I moved back to Provo and I've immersed myself again in the lovely dramas of a singles' ward. In an odd way, I missed it all. In a lot of ways, I see why the goal is not to be single and in this stage forever. :) Super dramatic and comparison-y. But obviously I can be used as an instrument in this stage as my life just as much as if I were in any other stage of life. I better live that up and do all that I have been given the potential to do! And, by the way, I'm just as open to falling in love with a great guy as I ever have been. You out there, buddy? Come ask for my number! haha.
I really, really miss having a calling or some kind of a responsibility at church. I've not even been a visiting teacher since I've come home! I hope I get one of those soon.
Sundays are a bit less-stressful when I'm not a full-time missionary.
I love, love, love being an aunt with so many cute nieces and nephews!! It's so fun to finally be able to play with kids again, especially when they automatically love me because I'm related to them/their parents. Plus also, it's fun taking trips to see/meet more family! Vacations rock. Even when my whole life feels like a vacation right now, it's still fun to load up in a car and travel for a few days.
I miss speaking Ilongo. Like I miss it a LOT. It's kind of sad that there's not really many people here that can understand that language. (Secret fear that's not so secret because I'm writing it on my blog: What if I forget it?) Tagalog just isn't the same (though I do still love hearing that, too).
I've gotten so used to always sleeping for 8 hours and for getting up at good time such that it is actually hard for me to stay up late now. That never used to be such a big deal for me.
So, because it's late, I bid you adieu. Just like our friend Jacob in the Book of Mormon. (You studied that book yet today? You should.)
Love,
Heidi
(I sometimes still feel pangs of sadness because I no longer hear "Sister Blake".)
