First Letter from Cody!

I got my first letter from Elder Pike (hehe!) today. He says that he misses home a little bit, but he knows that it's where he needs to be right now. He got super sick on the plane ride over but after taking a nap when he got there he felt better. The MTC and the Buenos Aires temple sit on the exact same property but the temple is closed right now. He says the MTC is kinda small but it serves a great purpose, one that will serve him well. He told me what days his P-Days are and gave me his email address so I can email him. The letter was short, but it's ok because not much has happened to him yet... I didn't expect him to write me a ten page letter haha!
I miss him tons! But I'm coping with his being gone a lot better so I'm doing tons better!

My Realization

Well my lesson went pretty well today. It was on the Creation... I didn't know how much material I was gonna be able to find about it besides what I already know. It went really well though. The girls were great and started a discussion that went really well. Two of the girls made comments that really struck me.

The first comment was that the Lord made this earth first and then man second. The earth is such a beautiful thing and some of the creations on it are unfathomable. But God saved man for last and we are his greatest creation. If we are the greatest creation of all and if the earth is so beautiful, imagine how much more beautiful we are in God's eyes. So we all should be beyond beautiful in each other's eyes.

The second comment was that the Lord loves us. And some people don't understand that "if the Lord loves us, then why does he put people in states of poverty and give them nothing at all?" The girl went on to explain that the Lord put things on this earth to help us get along and have things to eat, have things to make shelter and such. He put those kinds of things on this earth because He loves us. And if we don't use those things to get along, then we are the ones putting ourselves into poverty. People got along for thousands and thousands of years without the technology we have today, and the money we have today. So we shouldn't take the earth and everything on it that it has to offer for granted.

Those statements really struck me. And I felt the spirit when those comments were made. I'm so greatful for comments like those. They help me in my life and they put everything into a greater perspective.

I had a realization today after church... I've had a greater perspective on lots of things in the past few months. I've felt my testimony of the gospel grow so much in the last few months, and I know it's only going to get stronger. I love the spirit that I feel when I listen to talks in sacrament meeting, or singing the hymns, or hearing comments made by people in Sunday School and Relief Society. I'm getting better at reading the Ensign for extra insight, as well as praying and reading my scriptures. I'm greatful for the spirit that I've gained lately. It's helped me grow so much and I know that I can no where from here but upwards and forwards just because of the spirit and testimony that I've gained. I know my life is heading right where it needs to be, and that makes me so happy to know that.

I love my Daddy!

My dad is hilarious! I love when he says funny things and does funny things! This is what happened at our house last night:


This is the Valentine Sombrero!

My mom bought him Valentine Balloons and last night he decided to put the one on his head. (It's shaped like a heart with a hole in the middle of it.) He walked around the house like that for a few minutes. HAHAHAHA! The back of the balloon looked like a butt... Mom said it I didn't! haha!



Life is never boring at the Stringfellow house! I love it!

Christ Tile Board

So a few months ago I learned how to make tile boards... and I love doing em! I made some for Whitney with pictures of Everett on it, Lindsey with pictures of her and I on it, Kenz with pictures of her and I on it, and Erika with pictures of her and I on it for Christmas. I've been wanting to make one for my room but I couldn't decide what I wanted on it, if I wanted a few pictures or if I wanted just one. I decided I wanted to make one with several of my favorite Greg Olsen paintings of Christ on it.



This is the scripture that I put in one of the squares. I absolutely love this scripture.



I want to make one sometime of my favorite temple on it... once I decide which temple is my favorite because I love like 5 of them hehe! Or I might just wait until I get married and make one with the temple that I get married in.

4 things tag... (Thanks Lacey!)

I'm bored... have no updates really. I don't work today. Cody got to the MTC today. I went out to lunch with Grandma Kendall. Going to get a gym pass today and go work my bum off! Ok so I had more updates then I thought haha. Here's 4 things tag... thanks to Lacey ;)

4 things I like to watch:

1: One Tree Hill
2: Everybody Loves Raymond
3: Vampire Diaries
4: People. haha people are so hilarious sometimes... ok all the time!

4 Things I am passionate about:

1: My family
2: Standing up for what you know is right
3: The Gospel
4: Continual learning. Whether it's career wise or just in general life.

4 Words or phrases I say alot:

1: No Bueno.
2: I know, right?
3: For real!
4: Hahaha

4: Things I learned from the past:

1: The past is the past. Look towards your future.
2: Things that matter and things that don't.
3: As long as you try no one should give you crap about it.
4: I'm not worried about myself. I put others before myself.

4 Places I like to go:

1: MOAB!
2: Mountains
3: Anywhere just having fun with my friends.
4: Temple grounds (since I can't really go to it yet hehe)

4: Things I did yesterday

1: Cried when I saw Cody's last text to me for two years. :(
2: Showered.
3: Got my nails filled and redone with Kenzie. Then we walked around the mall.
4: Went to work.

4 Things I am looking forward to:

1: Cody coming home.
2: Getting a dental job
3: Summer
4: Get my hair cut and colored

4 Things I love about winter:

1: Snow (when I'm inside)
2: Time to break out the jackets!
3: Hot chocolate!
4: Sledding!

4 Things on my wish list:

1: Marry in the temple to a worthy holder of the priesthood.
2: Become and mom, and be the best mom that I can be.
3: Get a good job that's stable where I can provide for myself.
4: Move out.

4 people tag

1: Whitney
2: Holly
3: .... Anyone else?
4: .... Anyone? Anyone?

I don't know what to name this post.

Well this weekend was pretty crazy.



Cody's farewell was yesterday. I can't believe that he's leaving on Wednesday. He arrives at the Buenos Aires, Argentina MTC on Thursday. I'm gonna miss him a lot! But I know that this is where he needs to be right now in his life. I also know that the Lord and the people of Uruguay need him more then me or his family right now. I'm so glad that he has made the decision to give himself to the Lord for two years. It will help him grow and progress so much! I am so excited for him, even though I'm sad he's going. I cried a lot yesterday when I was leaving because I knew that's the last time I'll see him for two years.


Me and Cody at Winger's when we went to dinner with his Grandma and Grandpa Pike.


Cody and his cute family. (Coders, Momma Julie, Poppa Shawn and Holls)

Today we had lunch at Grandma Kendall's with all the aunts and cousin's. It was fun! Everett and Camden played so well together and they had tons of fun. Everett had fun following the kids around the house (now that he can walk).


Me and my Grandpa Kendall! I love this man!


Me and my cute Grandma Kendall


Me and Linds... you know you want some of this! haha!


Camden with the bucket on his head with his green lips from his green sucker

Anyways... I'm teaching my first lesson in Relief Society next Sunday. I'm kinda nervous! I'll let you know how it goes! But for now... Adios!

From your amiga bonita! :)

Wii, Erika and Competition... Whew!

So about a week ago... Cody came over and we played Wii for a little bit (which was so much fun!) and then we watched "Never Back Down" with the oh so fabulously yummy Sean Faris in it.

Then Erika and I hung out the next day cause I didn't have to work. We were bored so we drove down to Payson cause she wanted to attack her boyfriend's truck while he was at work. And then she got a hold of my camera and started taking funky pictures of random stuff hehe :)




Parker had the Provo High Ballroom Competition yesterday and Friday. I had to work most of the time but I did get to see him dance a few times both days. Louie Van Amsdel was at the competition yesterday. I didn't get to meet him but I saw him and Lindsey got a picture with him before I even got off work. That was exciting! I only have pictures from Friday (which was all the team matches) but I've got a few of the good pics up!



It was a good and crazy week and weekend! But very fun!