Almost There :)

So my mom, JoLyn, will keep you all updated on my most current mailing address. If for some reason you can't find it in a blog, look on the right and there's an address you can use and the letter will get to me eventually.

MTC Address (Use this until approximately January 16th):

Sister Trisha Lynn Cornelsen
MTC Mailbox # 89
NV-LVW 0121
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

When I'm in Vegas, use this address for Packages (I'd love you forever!):

Sister Trisha Lynn Cornelsen
Nevada Las Vegas West Mission
4455 Allen Ln Ste 140
North Las Vegas, NV 89031-2229
United States

You can use that same address if you can't find my most current mailing address and it'll get to me. 

Guys, I leave on Wednesday.... WEDNESDAY!!! I thought it'd never come but it's here and I'm itching to be out there. I still have a ton to learn but I guess that's what all of life is for. yay learning!

I feel really good about this choice. 

Ezra Taft Benson said "When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives". I know I'm putting God first, I'm looking forward to how my life will unfold. I want the life God wants for me because I know it'll bring me the most happiness. 

One thing that I know I'm going to have withdrawals from is dancing. As a missionary, one of the rules is no dancing. And when I think about not dancing because I'm working, I think of this beautiful Disney  gem: 

Letter Writing

If you want to keep in contact with me, the best way would be to write a good old-fashioned letter to me. :)

Aren't letters wonderful? You can take the time to think about how to say what you want to communicate and make it meaningful. They're old and wonderful.

I love seeing super old letters from my grandparents. I'm excited to start writing letters so that my grandchildren can carefully unfold a yellowed parchment with my own handwriting. And they'll say "Grandma's handwriting was so bad!!!" And I'll look down from heaven and say "It's cause I had so much to say to your Grandpa". Wouldn't that be romantic? To have the love of your husband summed up in a letter that says nothing of consequence and to have your lineage recognize that because they've seen that love as you've aged and grown together.

I don't know if I'll be writing that man while I'm on my mission. And I suppose it doesn't really matter right now. Because I'm going to knock the socks off of Las Vegas. They won't know how to take all of my invitations to read the scriptures and pray and come to church. I guess they'll just have to do it. ;)

While in the MTC, the best way to send me a letter is to do it for FREE! Through this website:

WRITE A LETTER TO TRISHA!!!

While I'm in Vegas, my mom will be updating my blog with my most current mailing address and perhaps a wonderful story now and then. So keep posted!

Happy Shenanegans

A wonderful, kindhearted person ding dong ditched our home tonight with a gift card to Safeway.

It reminds me that there are amazing people all around me. It makes me want to be in a position where I can do the same thing.

I suppose we give with what we have. I may not have a lot of money to give, but I have my time and talents and love.

How can I show God's love tonight?

Christ allows me to live... right now

We all have a desire to be close to people, physically, emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. I believe God designed us that way so that we can learn from each other and have the support we need as we go through this crazy life.

In general, I have a fantastic support system. My family and close friends have brought me a sense of security that I've been lacking for quite some time. There are those moments, in groups or by myself, that I feel alone or unwanted.

I've realized that when I have those moments it's me looking for approval from people other than God. I'm learning to turn to my Savior. I let Him wrap His arms around me and let His love and acceptance just course through my soul.

It only takes a moment for that scene to play in my mind and I really do feel His love for me. I feel wanted and whole. When I open my eyes, the feelings of being unwanted are gone, even though it was exactly the same situation.

Now, a little disclaimer needs to go here. If you want to try this little meditation of sorts, remember that feeling God's love is not going to take you out of an actual hurtful situation because, ultimately, it was your little choices that got you there. The wonderful thing about being able to choose is that you can now choose something else. If you are feeling alone because you are currently being hurt, do something to get out. Please. It's difficult for Christ to heal you when you are constantly being hurt either by yourself or someone else.

I, myself, have gotten myself out of that hurtful situation. I'm working on placing my trust in good hands and realizing that there are good hands to place it in. I can count those people on one hand right now. But the most important and powerful one is Jesus Christ.

I've had moments that I didn't trust a living soul. Those are the darkest moments of my life. I'm so grateful for the Atonement of Christ. That makes those moments small compared to the great blessings He is preparing for me.

Christ lives so that when a piece of us dies, He can make us live life again -- to the fullest.

The Intuition of a Scorpio

I am quite intuitive.

I feel like I can see right through people.

In judging if I want to be around someone, I trust my gut.

I don't know if my intuitive opinions are always right... or if they're ever right.

But if I don't trust them, my life goes skiwampy. (My mother would be proud that I used that made up word.)

I actually had a friend say something to the effect of, "Trisha, you just seem to be able to tell if a guy is a good man or not."

I think that might have been one of the best compliments I've ever received.

Here are some of the things I ask myself when I'm around someone:

• How do I feel around this person?
• What are their eyes saying?
• Is what they're doing in line with their own personal beliefs? Are they being genuine?
• Is what they're doing in line with the teachings of Christ?
• Do they ever let their guard down? Are they willing to be vulnerable?

Maybe it's not a perfect system but I think it's been working pretty well recently. 

I'm not an avid follower of horoscopes, but every once in a while I see something that nails me on the head. Like this:

Source: zodiaccity.tumblr.com via Alexis on Pinterest

I guess my intuition can be a little intimidating if you have something to hide.

Some people think a woman shouldn't come across as intense or intimidating. But I've been told I sent that vibe frequently. I think it's okay. It's just the nature of a Type 3. 

"INTRODUCING....!!!"

This last semester I was on the BYU Swing Kids Intermediate Team. We were called the Toms and Tabbies. Choreagraphed and coached by Elise Biancardi and Stephen "Phish" Holder. IT WAS FREAKING AWESOME!!!

I messed up on the best part.... but it was still good. and it was so much fun! Dancing has a therapeutic effect. Sometimes I would go to practice not wanting to be there at all because I was in a bad mood. But by the end, I was glad I went. I guess just moving does the same thing -- releases endorphins or some good feeling chemical in your body. Dancing and rock climbing are just my preferred method of feeling better.

I LOVE SWING!!!

Begin Again?

I only have two weeks til I'm in the Missionary Training Center, learning how to be a missionary and such. It's still not real to me. I'm getting all of these skirts and shoes but I don't know what it's new so I don't know what to expect and I can't envision it yet.

But I'm living in the present. My mom is really into Christmas movies on TV. And I must admit that... a little sheepishly... that I enjoy them too. It's a little holiday tradition to watch terribly cheesy movies that warm your heart. You know exactly what's going to happen and yet you can't go away until you know that everything turns out right in the end... even when you know it will. It's wonderful. (Awwww! he's going to prove he loves her to save her life!) My favorite part are the angels. You can discern them by hearing the sparkle noise or the bells when you first see them. These movies really are magical. Give it a try.

This has been on my mind...


...a mission really makes you a heart breaker. It's only 18 months right? 

Mission to Romance to Mission... Again!

In 8 months I went from Pre-missionary to Fiance of Will to Pre-missionary.

WHAT?!

I'm sure that's what you were thinking. Because almost everyone I've told has had that reaction. So here's the brief version.

Will and I quickly became best friends in March. I was able to be very open with him and we had a lot of fun together. The end of April we made a very quick decision to start dating... per my request. That choice meant that I wouldn't go home to prepare for a mission. I would date Will and prepare for a mission at the same time, with the intent of making a decision about a mission closer to my report date, June 6th. Sister missionaries are allowed to postpone their mission for up to 6 months for situations just like these, where a choice between missionary service and marriage need to be made.

Two weeks after we started dating we started talking about marriage. With a fast approaching dead line for my decision, the need to talk about it was big. At the end of May Will put a ring on my finger and I was a happy camper :)

Now is where I don't know how much to tell.

It's not like every part of our engaged relationship was horrific. Calm down your imaginations. But some parts bring up some hurt emotions on both ends and I don't want to air dirty laundry. Please be okay with my vagueness.

We had our things to work out just like every couple. The hurdles came. (Wow, I really like metaphors.) But we were working them out. For lots of reasons, we stopped talking. We were scared to open up again. With a lack of communication we couldn't work out those knots. And I couldn't fix it. It wasn't just me. With no communication, I didn't feel close to him, even though he was right next to me.

I started realizing that I still had a desire to serve a full-time mission. So I made the choice. We both had growing to do. Especially healing. I knew time would help. But the ultimate healer is Christ. What better way to heal than to represent Him and have the time away? I can't think of one.

So by October I had my mission call reinstated to serve in the Las Vegas West mission to report January 2nd.

Will and I still talk as friends. I really don't know what's going to happen in a year and a half about my feelings towards him... or his towards me.... or my feelings towards anyone else. But I do know that I am headed in a right direction and it feels good. I have a certain comfort in this choice that I didn't have with choosing to stay. That comfort is the Holy Ghost, the 3rd member of the Godhead. I'm very grateful for my communication with Him.

I'm now 2 weeks and a day from reporting to the Missionary Training Center in Provo, UT. It's a bit unreal still. But I'm getting more and more prepared with temporal things. I don't know if I'll ever be ready with spirituality. I guess that's why the Holy Ghost is the teacher and I'm just the conductor.

Anywho, other random things I should have told you all:
 - I GRADUATED!!!!

Erik and Kristen and the kids came to see! Aren't they sweet?!

 - I got into rock climbing. I'm loving how I feel and that I look forward to it every time.
 - I worked 6 weeks of EFY this summer in Provo. 2 weeks in particular stand out as miraculous... even by EFY standards ;)

The Chosen. First week of the summer. They hold a special place in my heart. :)

 - I worked in a warehouse this winter. I started working with one defined calf muscle on my legs... and now I have two. It feels great!
 - I thoroughly enjoy Christmas... and the last two weeks I have with my family before I leave.

MTC OR BUST!!!

Old Thoughts and a New Promise

Sometimes we go through really hard things. Those hard things are different for every person. Sometimes they're emotional things and sometimes they're physical hardships and sometimes it's just a problem a loved one is going through that you want to help with.

I've had my fair share of trials. Ranging from my own insecurities to my mom being so sick she didn't want to live anymore.

But looking back, I wouldn't trade them for anything. It's because of my trials that I've learned compassion for other people and I've learned more about myself.

As I continue to deal with my messed up and beautiful life, I've been learning to rely on the Atonement for strength.

The Atonement is the redeeming power that comes from Jesus Christ's suffering in Gethsemane, on the Cross, and from Christ rising on the 3rd day, conquering death and sin. (If you want some fantastic reading, check out these articles. <a href="http://www.lds.org/study/topics/atonement-of-jesus-christ/what-the-church-teaches?lang=eng&amp;query=atonement"></a>

The Atonement has the power to clean us of our sins and mistakes so that God doesn't condemn us anymore; He doesn't even remember them. But the Atonement also has the power to strengthen us to deal with the challenges we face.

Right now, I have a challenge in the form of fear. I am scared of



...Insert 8 months of time...



Okay, so I realized that I left this blog rather lonely. I found this draft of a post and I have no idea what I was scared of. But as I was reading the draft... I couldn't delete it. I can think of many things that I would have been scared of... and several things that I'm scared of now. This whole thing actually fits really well with what we talked about in Relief Society on Sunday. (Relief Society is the church's organization of women that... well... provides relief.) Because it coincided with what we talked about in church, I thought it'd show what we do in our meetings. We talk about Jesus! And it's great :)

I'll start working on another post so you can get updated on my life.

"I'd give her a HYA! and a HIIIIIIYA! and I'd kick her, sir"

...I don't really know where that came from.