Sister Missionary

This little lady is serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Maryland. She will be spending her time serving, teaching, befriending people and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so proud, but I'll miss her for the next 18 months!

Farewell Treats!

 

 

 

Emily reading her goodbye notes after her farewell.

Never a straight face with these goofballs around.

 

The last supper.

Mom and Dad definitely had the better lighting... :) Poor Dad is sad!!

 

And now a million pics of me with Emily, because I'm self-centered.

 

It's okay, though. She'll be back soon :)

Leslie's Hoooome!!!!!

Sister Allen is BACK!  After 18 loooong months of waiting, she is finally home.

We were very excited as we went to the airport to meet her!

 Don't ask how, but we went to the wrong terminal!  We ran over to the correct one and seeing her standing there was such a sight for sore eyes!  It was heavenly to finally see her again and just hug her in real life. :)

Poor Les was a little sick. We're glad she made it home okay!

Reunited at laaaast!

I love my beautiful little sis. So happy to have her home:)

Things feel right again:)

Mocktails

We went to a mocktail party, which is a cocktail party sans alcohol.:) It was really fun, we were outside for most of the night, which means SUMMER IS COMING!!! 

Me, Molly and Em with our pina co-nadas :) Because there's nada alcoholic in them. 

Eric's the best. 

Lent

In 2014, lent begins Wednesday, March 5 and ends Thursday April 17.

I'm a Mormon, and won't attempt to describe lent to you, so here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lent

Essentially, it's a period of time before Easter during which the faithful show increased faith, penitence, and self-denial.  It's not traditionally observed by Mormons, but every year when it comes around, I get inspired by my friends who do observe it as part of their religion.  I think it's something everyone can learn from.

So this year, I'm making a concentrated effort to give up a couple things "for lent" and be a little more generous.

The Resurrection of Christ, Carl Bloc

What about you?  Can you make a commitment to give up something to be a little closer to God over the next few weeks?
One thing I like about lent is that it doesn't last forever.  Because some things are impractical to live without forever, but they can be sacrificed for a few short weeks. Like buying clothes.  But for other things, it's a doorway into giving it up forever, like road rage or swearing.
It's just something interesting to think about.  It's like the "Christmas Spirit," but for Easter. And instead of overloading our lives with stress and buying presents, it's about simplifying and purifying our lives and hearts.

Grandma Allen's Funeral