I'm going on a mission

SO... I am going on a mission.
A mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
I'll be gone for 18 months.
I'll miss out on my nephews 1st birthday.
Possibly his first steps and probably his first word.
I'll miss my siblings birthdays and I'll turn 20 while on the mission.
I'll miss any family gatherings they plan.
I'll miss out on all the music that will be made.
I'll miss out on new upcoming movies that are far to pricey to watch.
I'll miss out from being apart of this world.

But for once, I can't wait to out of the world.
I can't wait to be somewhere I don't know.
I can't wait to see a new culture that knows nothing of Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, You-tube, Snapchat, Instagram, and what ever social media people use on a unhealthy irregular basis.
I can't wait to work on building an even bigger wall to protect my testimony of this gospel.
I can't wait to go and do work.
I can't wait to see the smile on their face when they realize what the spirit is, and that they have felt it before.
But.
It'll be hard. It'll be really hard. ... And then it'll be very very very hard. But it's something I know that I should be doing.
----  -----  -----
Whenever someone would ask me where my parents were from I'd tell them, without a shadow of a doubt, "Puerto Rico and Guatemala." BUT.. I was SSOOOOOO wrong. My Mama is Puerto Rican. But my Papa is from Guadalajara, Mexico. Two completely different countries.

It's no coincidence that I got called to serve in Guatemala. I  know there are people there waiting for me. Whether or not they know it yet, they are waiting. It's just up to me now to get there, learn how to teach in Spanish, and teach everyday I am there.

So.. this is one of the last things I'll post.

I love this Gospel.
I know this Church is the only true Church.
I love my family and am thankful for the blessings of the Temple that allow families to be together forever.
I love the scriptures.
I love the power I get from saying my prayers.
I love the comfort I get knowing that my prayers are always heard.
I know Jesus Christ suffered for me in order to create a path back to our Father in Heaven. A path that does not include the pain and discomfort He felt.
         ---These things are but a small amount from my testimony. These things I know to be true.

So here's something I totally forgot about

Hellllllloooooo internet world. I seriously forgot about having an online journal. Its been fun reading old entries.

So anyways. Update.
 As of April, since thats the last time i posted, i have:

• Worked as a cashier for Sprouts more than a year
• Did not go back to a school this fall
• Enjoyed an extra long summer
• Am enjoying the change of fall to winter
• Broke up with my boyfriend of 8 months
• After that, i went through a lot of personal turmoil and sadness and pain
• Ex boyfriend causing a lot of that turmoil, sadness, and pain.
• Gained a 0.45 cent raise at my job.
• Made new friends with the members of the YSA 220 ward AKA the POLY WARD
• Been called to serve as a Primary Teacher in the home ward. Specifically the Sunbeams.
• Played in an adult co-ed volleyball league with members of my ward.
• Had my first injury due to a longboard
• Had my first Starbucks iced coffee
• Didn't like first iced coffee :(
• Had my first customer compliment!
• Had my first customer complaint too :/ ... Whoops... Bad day.
• My brother had a baby boy named Torrin Flynn Ibarra.
• John doesn't know that Flynn, is in reference to a movie character.
• Ha. Ha. Ha. :) 
• I have grown very close to the members of my family.
• My cousin gabe is serving a full time mission in Kobe Japan.
• I. Am. Next in line for serving a mission. IN GUATEMALA.
• Went to see Thriller at Kingsbury Hall in SLC with someone, it was put up by Odessy Dance Theatre
• Went a second time to see Thriller, this time with Mariah, to make better memories from the first show.
• I did voice lessons for the first time ever.
• My voice teacher became one of the coooooolest people ever and I love her so so much.
• My voice teacher and mariah are friends so we had a gooood conversation all together.
• A few of my friends passed away.... That was sad... It made me very sad.. But.. You know.. Plan of Salvation. We are all going to pass away some day. And we will be able to return to Heavenly Father. So. There's comfort.
• Made a better relationship with my savior.
• Read and finished the Book Of Mormon for the 3rd time in my life.
• Got a mini preach my gospel
• IN LOVE with my mini preach my gospel
• Had to use my emergency medical response knowledge to do cpr on someone.
• I almost got into an accident because the other driver was on the phone.
• I almost got hit by an older person in a chevy.
• I have had to pay for groceries at home because family times have gotten hard.
• My sister went into remission 
• My sister also has to diet in order to decrease inflammation.
• My mom has an infected jaw.
• I have a fake tooth in my mouth.
• Also, not going to the dentist for 4 years because family is poor equals Amanda having 10 cavities spread out on all 4 sides of my mouth :( 
• Go to the dentist kids. Also floss. Everyday.
• I cant stop watching you-tubers.

That's really all I can think of right now.

Everything was in order by time up until I mention getting a raise. Then its just what ever comes to my mind that's news worthy, or update sounding.

College? Almost over. Summer? So close I can taste it.

College is almost coming to a close.
It is insane how fast time goes now.
I'm only 18 years old and finished with my first year of college.
That's pretty fantastic, if I do say so myself.

College has taught me a lot about myself.
I know that I am very good at justifying procrastination.
I know that if I am motivated, I'll push myself.
I know that I suck at planning.
I learned how to study. Properly.

College also brought to light things I already knew.
You don't wear high heals 1st day of school.
Sitting next to the class clown has it's advantages.
Hot boys aren't necessarily cocky.
Girls who dress in typical White Girl Fashion are still annoying.
Starbucks is a wonderful addition to the school.
The library will be my study room for days.

All in all, college has been an amazing experience.
I can miss a class and not have my parents excuse me.
I can be late and not miss that much because the teacher is still prepping the over-head projector.
Making friends isn't as hard or scary as you'd think.
Just because they aren't religious, or Mormon, doesn't make them a terrible person.
I actually made really good friends with an atheist.
 How I came to find out this information was rather interesting... but.. No judgement. Still a child of God, they just need some help finding a light that shows them the right path.

I don't know what else to tell you. "You" being the random person reading this, and if there is no one, then hello oblivion. It's been a really, really long time.

Only 3 weeks left of school. Then I am free for the summer. :)

PLUS, this whole "College" thing got me a boyfriend in the process..

SO ... I guess it's a win-win situation with school ending and having a boy to spend it with. :)

Man... It's been a while.

Oh well..'

Stay true, Stay you.
-Amanda 

I Needed Time Not Space, There Is A Difference

I dont post on it as usual as I did... But if you do..

Hi ... Um.. I miss talking to you.. I hope you are doing okay in school and I hope your life is giving opportunities to shine because.. I know you can. I know you have it in you. I hope boys are treating you with the respect you deserve. I hope other girls aren't trying to change who you are as a person..
I just want to make sure you're okay.

I don't know how to not be your friend.. I just know that you will always be my friend.. And if that's not okay then.. I'm sorry for that too.. I'll trying to remember that the next time I see you.. I wont be too eager to say hello, or give you a hug because I don't know where we are..

I think i'll wave from a far and hope that you give me some sort of signal that it's okay.. That we are okay.
Well anyways... Have a good life.. I'll see you when I see you I guess...