Mission Reunion

Yesterday we had the first mission reunion with President and Sister Cotterell and it was amazing. I was not exactly dreading attending, but I wasn't exactly excited either. I didn't really feel like I earned it since I wasn't able to serve the full 18 months. But then I got there and started seeing people that I had heard about (I really only knew a handful of missionaries, but you hear a lot about previous missionaries or see their names on paperwork). And then President Cotterell came up to me and gave me a big hug and said that he was so glad that I came and I just felt so welcome. After the first little opening gathering, we had a little program. There were some testimonies shared and songs and photos. We did an insta-choir and sang "Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd," which has become one of my favorite hymns. But my favorite part was hearing and learning from the Cotterells. What amazing people with such strong testimonies. He posed the question "what does it mean to you to leave the ninty and nine?" referring to the lost sheep parable. To me, it means to get out of my comfort zone and to figure out what is missing in my life and to find it. Interesting personal revelation. He also reminded and re-extended the invitation given at our exit interviews. He told all 509 missionaries that he interviewed as they left the mission field to "Maintain the daily practice of scripture study with an emphasis on the Book of Mormon and to keep a study journal." Most mission presidents that I've heard of tell their missionaries to get married - this is the difference between most people and the Cotterells. Anyone who does that for 100 days he will buy a lunch for two - just send him the receipt. As a mission, we are all going to do this for the next 100 days and then have a gathering in January. The most important thing that I got out of this reunion was to remember what it felt like to be a part of something amazing and important. I finally feel at peace with the whole coming home early thing.

Musings of the Day

So last night I had a friend over and made dinner and then we made cookies with his roommate. It was super fun. I glanced a FaceBook at one point and noticed that my sister was doing basically the same thing. Watching a form of Sherlock Holmes and baking something wonderful. I think we have spent way too much time together. This and other recent experiences with my sister made me wonder about what has rubbed off on me from my lovely sister. I mean, I'm basically doing exactly the same thing that she did. One day I might have to do something without watching her try first and that will be so weird! I am very grateful for my amazing sister. In other news, we have a friend who lives in our cupboard, her name is Delilah.

My Perfect Date

No, this will not be a post about a perfect date that I've experienced, but rather what I would consider to be a perfect *first* date. That first is very important. Once the awkwardness and obligation of the first date are over, then you can find your relationship groove, but until then, I have some suggestions. Some of these are universal, but they all apply to me specifically. [For this post, "you" generally refers to the males doing the dating] First dates should only be one activity. Either dinner OR the corn maze OR bowling. I will allow that movies or a quick snack/dessert may be tagged on to any of these purely because it doesn't require much effort on either part. It is tiring to be on a first date and the longer it goes on, the harder it is. And the girl should ALWAYS know what is going on. Do not try to surprise her because then she will show up in a skirt and flip-flops when you planned to hike the Y for a picnic. This also goes along with the dread thing. I like to get hyped up over what is going on and if I don't know, I just dread it all together. Girls are generally polite and so the little clues are important. I know it can feel like she is playing a game, but it is just because she doesn't want to hurt your feelings. So if you ever hear a semi-enthusiastic "sure" or "if you want to" back up and try again. If she gives any suggestions, listen and do it. When your first plan for dinner goes through and she rattles off a few options, feel free to add to the options, but if she is suggesting a certain type of place, don't change directions entirely. If she says "Well we could do CPK or PF Changes or Cheesecake Factory" don't go and say "Hey, let's go to Golden Coral" and then, when she says "sure, if you want to" drive and pig out. No! First of all, she said "sure" and "if you want to" in one sentence! Major red flag. Second of all, Golden Coral is nothing like any of her suggestions and she obviously isn't in the mood for that kind of thing or she would have said "well, there is Chuck a Rama, and Golden Coral, or Hometown Buffet..." Impress me. Take me to SLC for dinner or to a show, I don't mind a bit of a ride if it means there is something amazing at the end. But don't impress me with your skills that I don't want to partake in. For example, if you are a superb bike rider, don't try to take me through the canyon. In fact, avoid sweaty activities all together for that first date. I may have said yes to the first date, but unless you impress me, there won't be a second.

The Call

Two days ago I opened the most important piece of mail I think I'll ever receive. Indulge me while I tell the story.

I was starting to get depressed. As I walked in from my car, the mail key (which I had abducted from it's home on the key rack by the door) warming in my hand, I was getting scared of opening that little, inoffensive door. For what felt like forever I had been checking the mail, just waiting for the big, white envelope from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The rejection the empty mailbox presented was getting old and I didn't think I could handle it again. I almost just passed it by, but at the last minute I turned to check. I turned the key and a bunch of weekly ads began to spill out. Hidden among the colorful discounts was my call!

I grabbed everything and attempted to run up the stairs and down the hallway to my apartment, but things kept falling out of pockets and hands and it was much slower than walking would have been. Then I had to deal with the lock. I got inside, dropped everything and said, very loudly, 'IT'S HERE!'

I put it on the couch and called home. Quite honestly the last thing I wanted to do was to figure out how to get everyone who wanted to watch it happen on skype, but we did. Then I had to text/call people and tell them to come over. I wanted lots of people around me.

If I were to do it again, I would only have my parents and sister on skype. Then it wouldn't have been such a big deal that my computer decided it was a good time to break and have to use my friend's ipad. It was more stressful than helpful and I didn't get to talk to any of them anyway. I would have much rather individually called each person who was on skype and told them, but it all worked out.

Once people started arriving, I went to pick up the envelope - even though there was still time to wait. At one point, I threw it across the room because it was tempting me too much.

Then the moment finally came. I can't describe that feeling - this was mail from God in a way. I spewed out the first sentance "Sister Laura Lindsey Benning, You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." (the title of the Church has never felt so long in my life). I just wanted to get to the where and when. Let me tell you, it was a surprise. I was sure I was going to Europe, but no, North Carolina, February 15th.

Every time I think about it, I get a little smile on my face. I never would have guessed it, but it feels so right.

My work partner and I had decided that when the call came, we were going to have a guessing game over our radios with the rest of the BYU vending staff. So about an hour into our route, I called out "Welcome to Friday's question of the day, hosted by route 93. Laura's mission call arrived on Wednesday and I'm curious where you all think I am going." It took a few seconds, but everyone started responding with out of country answers. 'London, England,' 'Germany,' 'Fiji,' I responded that they were all incorrect, they kept going and I finally said, "wow, you guys are off, think state-side" they were still way off, and then it turned into a geography quiz. Warmer, more east, more south, more north. My boss finally guessed North Carolina. And then I was informed that I got to pick out some ice cream for the whole staff. I picked the cookies and cream bar :)

Going on a Mission

I've just completed my papers to serve a mission :)

That means that in about two weeks, I'll receive a call in the mail telling me where I'm going and when I need to report. Then the next 18 months will be spent sharing my religion with any and all who will hear. It is going to be hard work. I will not be able to call home except on Christmas and Mothers' Day. I will be working from 6am to 10pm. I am very excited!

Made Cookies

I had to return some tupperware and I only believe in returning things like that full. So I made cookies. Now, most people make the pumpkin cookies with pumpkin and a spice cake mix - I do it with a chocolate cake mix and white chocolate chips. Sooo yummy!!!

I made the cookies, eating dough along the way (to make sure it tasted good...right?) and I had some leftover. I left them in the kitchen with a note for my roommates to "eat me!" I followed my own advice...my tummy regrets this choice, my tongue doesn't.

In other news. School is a pain. It is going to snow this weekend. I love having fresh sheets on my bed.

Yummy Breakfast

So zucchini was on sale the other day, and I bought a lot of it. So this morning, while I was running, I was planning out meals/recipes as I tend to do and I came up with a really good food. Zucchini matzo brei. I will put up a picture next time I make it.

Here's how:
-Shred about 1/2 zucchini
-Mix zucchini, 1 egg (or two egg whites), a bit of the cheese of your liking (I used a shredded Gouda), seasonings (I used the Garlic & Herb Mrs. Dash - no salt), and about a half a crushed matzo.
-pour and spread out on a non-stick or greased pan (there is cheese in this, so keep that in mind).
-cook for about three minutes on each side, depending on how thick you made it.
-Enjoy!

Note: If you don't have matzo, any cracker or bread product will work, but I would suggest toasting bread before using it and something that absorbs will is best.