Called to Serve

It's here!!!!!

Sister Crandall,
You are hereby called as a Missionary for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Finland Helsinki Mission.

Yes folks, this really happened. I was shaking before I opened it and I'm still shaking a couple days later just from the thought.

I will be speaking the Finnish language. Which, of course, is the hardest language to learn. Literally. Ever. On the entire planet. Well at least that's what I've heard. And this is seriously the scariest part of the entire experience. I type in simple words into Google Translate everyday and then stare in awe at the fact that I'm supposed to (and eventually will) be able to understand that.

And of course I already feel like I know everything there is to know about Finland just from reading blogs and talking to people/former missionaries, but if anyone knows ANYTHING, seriously anything, that would help me, let me know!! I'd love to talk/hear experiences!
Here's a great Finnish blog my sister showed me:
http://ourfinnishmission.blogspot.com/

And here's a list of sister missionary blogs that I read for fun/advice:
http://hermana-alvarado.tumblr.com/post/40750747538/sister-missionary-blogs

Well, I would just like to thank all of my family, friends, bishops, leaders, and EVERYONE for being such a great support for me and at my opening and just through this entire process!

Guys, this is crazy. Just from some of my best friends/family from high school/college, the gospel is being spread to Chile, Korea, Sierra Leone, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Italy, Argentina, Philippines, Paraguay, Japan, Ukraine, Columbia, Brazil, and of course FINLAND!

In the words of my roommate Caroline, "The Church is TRUE!" I can't wait to serve!!

This is really happening!

Well, despite all the craziness and apparent bandwagon of girls suddenly going on missions after the big announcement, I've decided that it's the choice for me! So guys, here it is! My part of the papers are done and they go in next month! Can't wait!

Life Lately

Well life lately has been crazy but oh so fun! Here are some things that I've been up to recently (Yes, they are very stereotypical BYU activities. Deal with it)

Hiking Mt. Timpanogas

 Going to True Blue!

FHE Group

My niece was born!

Hanging with my Roomies!!

 Hiking the Y!

Going to General Conference!

Byu Football Games

Rapping at the Ward Talent Show

Temple Square Lights

 Wedding Receptions!

So basically BYU is great and I love all the great friends I've made up here and I'm looking forward to another great semester!

What Happens at Ward Prayer

Well, as I stated in a previous post, every Sunday is ward prayer. And, every Sunday, one lucky dorm gets to do some sort of introduction. Well my roomie Caroline happens to be one of the students in charge of ward prayer so, of course, we got to go first. We each decided to make an online dating video using some stereotypical BYU sayings. Here's what we came up with...

No explanation needed...

Found posted on the bulletin board in my hallway.

The start of my BYU Experience

Well I did it. I broke down and started a blog. Here, I will be posting mainly about BYU and the extremely stereotypical things that go on. So, to begin, here are some stereotypes that are 100% true at BYU.

1. BYU is EFY, in every way imaginable. You are put into groups for EVERY activity. Games such as Ninja, The Knot Game, Giant Twister, and yes, even Duck Duck Goose are played on a daily basis. Everyone is constantly asking you your name, where you're from, and what color your toothbrush is... Seriously, If you didn't like EFY you better apply elsewhere because this is exactly it...
2. Ultimate Frisbee is the Holy Sport. Every person here plays it. On every open field at any time of the day there is a game going on. So, if you don't play, you'll learn pretty darn fast.
3. The "Ring Check" is a real thing. Even in Freshman classes I have married guys and guys with kids. You can (and I have) been paired up with a RM who has kids while I'm still trying to figure out my major... Always check for the ring so you don't get the dumbfounded look when you hear your partner mention his wife.
4. Babies are everywhere. Students with strollers have cut me off between classes and it's ridiculous.
5. Dating is STRONGLY encouraged (actually it's forced...) Each Sunday there is a thing called Ward Prayer where everyone in the same ward gets together to socialize. Part of this socialization is "Date Minute". Date Minute is where any guy can get up in front of the entire ward and ask a girl on a date. The girl then has to stand up, accept the invitation, and hug the guy. So, this does guarantee that the girl can never say no, however, it's still a pretty weird ritual... Also, quote from our Bishop (who I love by the way) "Our ward will be the ward that dates the most" Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing but it happens.

Well, as with every stereotypes, there are also some things that aren't true. Such as,
1. You don't have to be Mormon (nor are you guaranteed to be baptized) if you come to BYU. I have met multiple undergraduate, graduate, and even Teaching Assistants who are not Mormon and have been here for many years. It's just a great atmosphere and they like it.
2. Not every Freshman girl here is itching to get married. Many (as in the majority I've talked to) are pretty focused on school and aren't baby hungry.

So, even though a lot of things about BYU are crazy stereotypical and thus sometimes annoying, I love it here and can't wait for the rest of the year!