A Great Week

The great week I am referring to occurred from January 18-25.  It was the week I spent in Virginia with my family.  I flew into D.C. super late at night.  My dad and Jessica picked me up.  I never mind the almost three hour drive when I get to be with some of my favorite people.  On Thursday I went dress shopping with my mom and Jessica.  I was in need of a pretty dress for a military ball (more on that to come).  I was so nervous that I wouldn't find anything that could be made modest, and that it would cost an arm and a leg.  The trip was a success though.  I found a very pretty dress, I was able to make it modest and it only cost $20!  It was fun to be able to shop with Jessica and my mom, I don't think I could have made a decision on my own!!

Friday was a very special day for Jessica.  She went through the temple and received her endowment.  I always think of Jessica as my little sister, emphasis on little, but being in the temple with her I could see how much she has grown up.  When we were growing up I always felt like she could conquer the world and it seems even more so now.  We forgot to take pictures at the temple, but we have so many I could probably have just put up an old one and no one ever would have suspected!  The other really cool thing from that day was that I got to see my "sister," Catherine!!  She drove down from Maryland to be there with us.  I wish we could have spent a lot more time together then we did, but I am grateful for what we got.  It was such a refreshing and uplifting day.

Saturday was also a special day for Jessica.  Her boyfriend, Andrew, was baptized into the church!  Andrew is just like another brother to me, he is very much a part of our family.  Jessica and Tyler both gave talks, my dad baptized him, I led the music, and my mom prayed.  It was very much a family event for us!  I was so proud of my younger siblings.  While Jessica was giving her talk I could just see her as a missionary, giving a similar lesson to someone in California.  I could also see Tyler as a missionary some day.  They both have such strong testimonies and are able to convey it through the spirit as they teach.  They're incredible.  I love attending baptisms and being reminded of my own baptismal covenants. I did take a few pictures that day.

We went out for frozen yogurt afterwards with a few of Andrew's friends that attended the baptism, my grandma, and the sister missionaries.

The rest of the week was very relaxing.  I just mostly hung out with Jessica and Tyler, we played video games and board games and just had a good time.

My plane left super early on Wednesday morning so we had to leave the house at 2 a.m.  Jessica and I decided it wasn't worth trying to sleep so we stayed up watching t.v. and doing nails and stuff.  It turns out having sing-a-longs on a long car ride is fun even at 2, 3, and 4 in the morning.  I would recommend "Wicked,"  "Phantom of the Opera," and Disney songs.  I was trying really hard not to cry during that drive and as I had to say good bye to Jessica.  I did a good job too, but the second after I hugged her and turned to walk away in the airport the tears just started rolling.  I'm sure it didn't help that I had been up all night!  I am so grateful for the decision that she has made to serve the Lord for the next 18 months and I know that it will bless her life eternally, but I am really going to miss my best friend!!  Lucky for her I'm a really good letter writer.