Warning: Lots of Pictures Posted; Halloween!

Wow! I love October/Fall. Mainly just how you can literally feel the seasons changing. Now I hate the cold.

Mom and I dug out this cute M&M costume she made for Jeremy forever ago. When he was 2! This is what Luke was supposed to be for Halloween but never really dressed up.

Danielle came home for a visit and we hung out a bit after I was done working. We looked at the walmart costume and she put a couple of masks on. She also decided to buy a fish! Topher is his name. (I think he's still alive) Then we just hung out at her house messing around. ha. we found random things to wear and were talking to people on Skype! Oh and Got Topher all settled in his new home! :)

The next night we were going to try for fall pictures but really failed. Got there too late and my batteries died. oh well.
Then on the 23rd. It was ZOMBIE PROM. haha. It was just a Halloween themed Dance in Iowa City. I didn't go as a Zombie though I went as Kirby! We learned the thriller and just danced the night away! It was awesome! Damion and Preston (below) dressed up as Fat/huge Siamese twins. Wow. That was GREAT!
One Huge pair of pants a couple of shirt and jacket, plus lots of stuff. There that's all it took. well, and some ingenious thinking. They were like that ALL night we were there. I helped a lot. Everything kept falling out and what not. But on the bright side they got Zombie King!
So something fun I noticed is that people who grew together at youth dances and such have a thing for staying together as we all get older. Here at Zombie Prom I hung out with Damion, Preston, Tiffany Zach, Brett, Heaven and Carol. All of them being from the Nauvoo Stake. Love it!

Later on, (the next weekend, 29th) I went over to Kansas City for the YSA dance there. No one really came with me though. I picked up my friend Madison who goes to school in Maryville, and she met me in St. Joe. Which was crazy. Surprisingly I found my way around it, and she got a little lost. Met up with her grabbed dinner, from Taco Bell, and headed off for KC.

WOW! Can I just say I HATE HATE HATE KC traffic. Ugh! I am so not meant for the big city haah. I did well though, for a small town girl. We made it safely, after jumping the gun and taking a turn into Edwardsville, KS. haha. We were looking for Woodland. and Turned on Woodend. There is a difference a big difference! lol But we got there! and alive! Yipppeee! Got all dressed up, I was a painter/work in progress person and she really didn't know what she was. lol I told her she should be a Mormon for the night hahah

Now, this dance was awesome! Everyone was dressed up and ready to have a good time! I hopped in the dance group I met at the YSA conference, and Madison joined me. And soon enough, a swing song came on, and Josh grabbed me and led the way.

So Josh and I literally have an awesome Candlestick. When it gets all the way vertical. Which sadly didn't really happen this time, I think my clothes were a bit slippery.
Josh and I tried something new, for us too! We did the Pop up (to shoulders) then He pops me to his arms and I do a somersault/flip out and land on my feet. We did it pretty well when I flipped out I landed on my feet hard. and Got some bruises from them. Not a huge deal. just kinda fun to tell how I got this battle scar. haha Someone saw all the aerial type of stuff I was doing with Josh, and told me I was really brave/gutsy for doing it. Which never had occurred to me, and made me really happy. Especially with how afraid of heights I am.
Hyrum here makes me looks like a midget. I don't even know how tall he is, but he decided at the end of the dance to draw a goatee on my. haha. it was nice. I decided to wash it off though. :) But I totally wrote on him a couple times so It's pretty legit.

Bruise on my left foot, right in the middle of my sole. lol

Bruises on my Right foot.

But all in all the KC dance was definitely my favorite of the two. I got to swing dance, and I just guess I had more fun at this one for some odd reason! :) Plus Madison even enjoyed it! which made it even better than if she had hated it.

We left around midnight and I got Madison back to her car around 1am...maybe... and she took a couple wrong turns and got a little lost. Luckily though she did make it back to Maryville safe and sound. My drive was a bit longer. I think I made it home around 4:30am, and slept 'til noon. that was nice. Then I got up go dressed (as Kirby) and went to the store with Mom and the Kids. I help pick out accessories for Sarah's outfit and stuff. That was good, then we all got ready, and I took a nap. Then went to the Trunk-Or-Treat Halloween/Fall Festival at the church which was good! The YSA had our own little corner where there was a spider toss and a mummy wrap hahaa fun stuff! I even ended up convincing Brandon to let me wrap him up

Bryan was a cowboy, and I drew a 'stache on him. Matthew was Paul Bunyan. His big blue ox, was left at home because it was allowed at the church. haha. Oh and Dad was the 18th Minor they pulled out in Chilie. (right?) Sarah was Cinderella, and Mom was The Original Krabby Pattie.

There's really not been much going on right now. I've been working and that's about it. I need to pay more my deposit, buy a car, save money, work on finding a job out in Utah, buy a camera, and find out what's up with my school! I know nothing about signing up for classes or transfer stuff, or anything. But on the Bright side I did get my FASA completed. :)

Oh I also now have Skype! and my webcam should come in a couple of days. Dear family and friends add me! ---->>> sunshine.ward22

Confusion.

I feel like I should clear somethings up.
I may have starting dating a bit because I have/need to, but I also go on these dates because I like the person. (I said person, because there was another date over the summer with my friend Marty) I knew that I was going to be attracted to other guys when the Elder was away. I'm not oblivious.
That said, I'm also not oblivious to what could happen either. Being a missionary's girl is harder than you think. I know all the endings of this story, some being harder than others.

yeahh.. That's it.
Loving is never a waste of time.
~Astrid Alauda

WOW It's October!

Have I ever mentioned I LOVE FALL!?!??

Well, I do. Especially in towns like Kirksville, because everything evolves around Homecoming(s), arts and crafts festivals, football games, and little festivals like the corn, soybean, grape, etc. Not to mention the weather, and how the leaves are changing, and Halloweeen!! beautiful. I must admit though it's a bit too cold for my taste.

So much has gone in the past month/ 3weeks I just don't know what to say. Heck or even how to say it with out offending people.

Okay, here goes nothing.....

Remember that guy from YSA Conference I was swinging with? (Josh) Well I totally went on a date with him. yes. I know a date. (No worries though he totally knows all about Rick/Elder Jensen) You have no idea how hard it was to actually say that. But one of the main reasons I'm dating again is because dating is one of those things I have to do. Especially now, locking me up in my room for two years wouldn't not work out. Dating now is one of things I have to do to be able to grow. One of my leaders my last year of Girl's camp told me: "You need to date while he's gone that way you know all the different type of men that are out there, so that you will really love and appreciate your eternal companion." But please don't get me wrong here, I love Rick Jensen with all my heart, and I have no plan on leaving him at all, I'm not. Just while on this tender subject of mine, I also changed my facebook relationship status so that only I can see it. There had been a lot of criticism from some people about that, and really has nothing to do with Josh. I just feel like if you really need to know I'll tell you or you already know, and that's that. I feel like I'm defending myself, but I know critics will come and not agree with my choices. Plus I am myself's worst critic.

Whew... now I can honestly go about telling you of my last few weeks. That date, was a good simple one, we went to the Nelson Adkins Museum, which was awesome, visited Liz at work (Olive Garden, YUM) made sure she was our waitress (it was also my first time there), played some laser tag, and went to a bookstore. 'Twas an overall good date. Then I had a mini sleepover with Liz. Which was WONDERFUL! I mean I hadn't seen her since she left Northwest, and we just talked and talked and caught up with each other, which was awesome! Liz definitely is like my sister. She's having some health problems and I hope the stupid doctors find something and soon.

Since then I've worked and worked and worked. I have a full time job at McDonald's and a part time job at Martiz. I've worked like crazy these last few weeks. Got a warning about always coming in late to martiz. (got that fixed). I must say though I really like working at McDonald's I don't know if it's how the system is set up or the people. I just like it though. But me on fries is bad... I just can't keep up. I'm good at Back booth, and front counter, and okay at running, and I can do alright for present, as long as it doesn't get busy. But hey, I'm just getting a hang of things.

I've also been trying to find a car. Oh My Goodness!!!! That's soooo freakin' hard. I really need one for when I go out to Utah, One it'd give me more motivation to get a job there, and instead of having to rely on public transportation, I could take care of it myself. No worries about missing the bus or anything. But my Dad is pretty picky about the engine, actually really picky, I understand though, it just makes it harder. OHHHHH Speaking of Utah stuff. I GOT AN APARTMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I need to send back the transfer contract though, and also pay first and lasts months rent. But IT'S MINE! AND it's in RAINTREE!!! what a blessing! I mean I was really looking into that place, because there are a good amount of UVU students there, Courtney's apartment complex is catty-corner from mine. My bank is down the street and hopefully I can just transfer the McDonald's I work at, because there's one right down the street too! PERFECT!

A couple weeks ago Kelli and I went and walked around the Red Barn festival. It's grown but there wasn't really anything that caught my eye there. (except for the HUGE flowers you stick on little baby girl's head)

Now, last weekend I got to visit Danielle, at college! Thanks to Josh, he came and got me (right after work), and took me on another date. The first thing we did when we got to CoMo was see Danielle. And she wanted some just Heather time, and she got a bit too, Josh went and did some of his own things. Danielle and I walked around MU. Sad to say, but I still get lost on that campus. haha. We walked downtown to Yogo Luv. Mmmm. It's a frozen yogurt bar. It was SUPER GOOD! walked back to campus, went into the Emporium (i think) which is like a C-Store or a mini convenient store for college kids. Turns out we ran into a bunch of Danielle's friends there. After that Josh rejoined us, and we all hung out in one of the lounges of the dorms. Haha. Man that was great, it was just entertaining. Then everyone disappeared, and it was Danielle, Me, Josh, Jake, and Jacob. Then Danielle and I decided we should do some stunting, yes with the boys. MAN! it was AWESOME!

Look!

Get Ready.

Up to Prep. Danielle's flying. I'm Back. Josh and Jake are bases, and Jacob was the photographer.

EXTENSION! YEAH! They even Cradled down. Scary. But Danielle did land on me a few times, and I did give her a bruise. P.s. It's 2am, and they'd only been doing this for like an hour. Talk about B.A.M.F.

Wow. That was a long but good night! Josh has this thing were he tries to figure out what I'm thinking and it never works, but it's fun to watch him guess lol.

This week I worked, had Tuesday and today off. Tuesday I put away most of my clothes, because Mom attempted to partially clean the room. It's better now, but I'm missing things. >:(

I also was able to curl my hair, and dress myself. Instead of wearing the McDonald's Uniform I wear just about everyday. Oh and I looked cute! and I really wanted a fall themed picture. So I made my mom take a couple :)

My Baby.

I am REALLY excited for Halloween this year. There's the Iowa City dance the 23rd. And I'm either going to go as Kirby, a work in progress, a masquerade lady, football player, Minnie Mouse, Okay I just have LOTS of Ideas. There's also another dance in KC area the 29th. Kirby fer sure there, and Dear brother Ian better be there! Then of course activities at the church the 30th, and after that there's a Midnight Massacre dance at the arts center. I'm hoping that's going to be as awesome as it sounds. I LOVE OCTOBER! <3

Sad Note: There have been soooooo many people within my 6 degrees of separation who have moved on to the next life and some of them have been a good handful of suicides. sad right?

Well here's some cute pictures of Luke I've took. He's getting such a funny personality.

Cutie.

Okay, I have to say this. THANK YOU STEPHEN KRUSE I FREAKIN' LOVE YOU!

He's awesome, and wonderful for talking to, for Anything.

Elder Jensen.

So I said I'd do a 6 month update. It's been six and a half months since he left. Wow. I'm a slacker, kinda. The real reason it's been taking me so long is because I was waiting for another letter. But hey, Missionary life is busy.

Now where to start, what to say, how to write it out... dang. That's hard

It was a big transition, as for all missionaries. He did well and picked up on the Spanish language pretty fast too. It's fun getting a letter all scribble out, because he forgot the english word for something. lol Fun story, he would sing songs on the way to class in the MTC, and people starting calling him the pop singer. While at the MTC he ended up going to the doctor because his ankle had been hurting a bit, turns out he had a fracture that healed wrong and had to wear a brace for a bit, and also went to some physical therapy. As far as I know it's doing much better now.

End of May, June-ish he was sent out to the field. Something I think is really cool is that he said it's exactly like being in a different country, even though he's just a days drive away. Elder said, the days go by a lot faster now than the MTC. The Elders do a lot of biking, teaching, and get to go to the Temple EVERY week! How amazing! They've taught many people (as I know I've already said) and even baptized a family.

So, I feel like I'm rambling, a lot. But long story short, Elder Jensen is doing good, and enjoying the work. I wish I could write more because there is so much more, but they're not my experiences to share. So enjoy! :)