More updates

Let's see. First, my mission papers. We found out that the Stake pres didn't inform the 1st pres. SO now it is being transferred home to AK. So I have to wait about a week or so to do that. Pretty much that means I get to re-do my Stake president interview! woo hoo. In all I've had 2 bishop interviews (by 2 different bishops) and now 2 STAKE interviews! Pretty crazy. So now my papers will be a mix of Hawaii, Virginia, Florida and Alaska! pretty intense, right?
Second, my birthday. I came home from Florida a week earlier than my parents so that i could drive up to Fairbanks and see Kelsey and Jacob for my birthday. Plus I just REALLY wanted to be home for my birthday. It was about a 7 hr drive up since the pass (near Denali) was really snowing hard and the plows had just come out. Yes. I drove by myself. no it wasn't scary and YES it was COLD. So i arrived in Fairbanks on the 10th and Kels and I just hung out, and on Monday the 13th (my birthday) Jacob took me shooting for my birthday and we went out to eat and then went back to Kelsey's apartment for cake (she made me one with purple frosting!) and ROOT BEER!!! yeeeah.
Thirdly, ALANNA GOT A JOB! I will be working at GAP Kids at the Dimond mall. I'm very blessed because I will never ever have to work on the Sabbath. Why? Because the manager's husband is LDS. :) I KNEW I liked the manager (she isn't LDS, but she goes with her husband). The people there are REALLY nice and fun and I am just so happy with it! Also, Sis. Clerc asked me to babysit her kids tomorrow night. 4 kids. 4pm-11pm. 12yo, 8yo, 3yo and 9mo. I sure will have a HANDFULL!!!! I guess it's just practice for the future :)

Oh, and I started a family blog (we will see how successful that is) it's www.thehollandexperience.blogspot.com (I thought the name was pretty cool haha)

I must be bad at this

So I haven't posted for... a while. Life has been pretty crazy! After visiting Katie mom and I headed to Florida to stay with dad. He ended up being extended to the 15th of October, so we were there longer than expected. We had a lot of fun though. Jonathan came to visit us for the first week and we went to Busch Gardens and Disney World. Then Jeremy visited and we took him to Downtown Disney since it was TOO MUCH to visit the Parks.
After they left I started to get used to life (but never used to the heat) mom and I went exploring around Tampa. We really enjoyed staying there, but it is nice to FINALLY be home! The ward members in Tampa were sad to see us go, but it was time to go. Looking back I think that Tampa was a good thing for the family. Mom was able to get medical help, and dad was able to help out a ward and I was able to have a Bishop and Stake President that would help me with my mission paperwork.
Now, as far as my mission paperwork is concerned it's all on hold. I've already done everything I can do. We have to wait for the First presidency to OK my application and then submit it. Apparently we don't even know if the Stake Pres has informed the 1st presidency or not... Sooooooo that's just complicated in and of itself. So now I am at home, probably going to go work, and if I don't get a call until the end of the year I might go back to school for a semester.
I also think that there are other reasons why my paperwork is not going through. I did get the impression that I needed to do my paperwork right away, and I did. But now, it's all just in La La land (as I feel) and I'm still just going and doing what i gotta do. So now I am wondering if Heavenly father is giving me a chance for something other than a mission.
I'll have to put more later and catch up, especially since I just had my 21st birthday!!

Katie

I went to visit Katie and decided to post some pictures! :)

Mission Papers

Today is Friday and I finished my Mission papers YESTERDAY!! I am really excited! I am hoping to get my papers turned in by Tuesday. All I have left are my interviews! I'm doing it by paper though, so I don't know if they can fax it or if they have to mail it. I'm half ready to mail it myself super priority overnight haha. I don't think they'll let me though :) I'm just really anxious to get them in in case I need to drop out of the semester.
I know some people are curious as to how I came to the decision to go on a Mission. So Here is my story:
I was sitting in Relief Society and the woman who was teaching mentioned her mission. When she said that I started thinking about my birthday, and I realized that I turned 21 in two months and that I could go on a mission. Then it hit me. The Spirit came so strongly that I started to cry. My impression was that I needed to do my mission paperwork NOW. I was still crying through relief society, and I wrote my mom a note saying that I wanted to do my paperwork. So after RS I went to the Bishop and he gave my the papers to fill out.

The next day (Monday) I called my doctor and dentist to get appointments, and they both scheduled me in for the next day (Tuesday). Mom had a dental appointment Monday, so I just went with her and they ended up having a free spot so I got my dental cleared on Monday. This was very fortunate because it gave me the time I needed after the doctor to do my lab work and immunizations (PPD). Also, my Army doctor ended up being LDS! So he was really helpful and willing to help :) So yesterday I went back to get my lab results and my PPD checked out. I also got my insurance figured out, so my paperwork is COMPLETE!

Now it's just a matter of having my interviews ASAP :)

Pura Vida

Pura Vida is Costa Rica's "motto." It means "Pure Life." It has stuck with me ever since I visited in the summer of 2004. I think that living a righteous or pure life is important. When we strive to live righteously we strengthen ourselves and the people around us. So "Pura Vida" is my little reminder.
I hope you enjoy my blog! I thought it would be a good way to stay in contact with everyone! Feel free to leave comments etc.