"Dear Sister Shoop,

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the El Salvador Santa Ana/Belize Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months. You should report to the Guatemala Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, March 6. 2013. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language."

Operation 54

For Dad's birthday this year I thought it would be fun to suprise him at work with some balloons and goodies. Ben and I called it "Operation 54" because it was a suprise for his 54th birthday so OBVIOUSLY it needed a code name. It was a huge success! Ben came home from school at lunch and we went to Dad's work while he was out to lunch. We set everything up and then waited for him to get there. He was so suprised and loved it! Some of his coworkers even came over and said they were glad we came or they would not have known it was his birthday (which is true and that's part of why we did it). He showed us around the office and then we left so he could get back to work.

 

(He had no pictures of us in his office, just a few on his computer.)

 

Doesn't he look happy??

 

I love my Dad and am so grateful to have him in my life. I don't know what my life would be like without him and never want to find out. He is the best dad a girl could ask for and I love him so much.

Happy Birthday Dad!

General Conference With Rilee!

WAY back in October, Rilee and I scored highly coveted tickets to General Conference (the only two our ward received!). We were excited, and I was even more excited since I had heard about the age change for missionaries. I saw the trip up to Salt Lake for the session as the first thing I would do to celebrate my decision to serve a full time mission for the church.

Rilee and I left about 30 minutes before the Sunday morning session let out and made it to the Conference Center just after they opened the doors for the afternoon session. Seeing as the seats were first come first serve (in each section) we scored some GREAT seats.

 

(I left the bar in the picture so you could see it exactly how I saw it.)

 

Rilee and I had a wonderful time listening to the prophets and apostles speak and teach us. I felt truly blessed to be able to sit in a room with such amazing people and feel the powerful spirit that was in the room. It was especially amazing because Rilee had never been to the Conference Center before.

 

 

 

As we were leaving we stopped for a few pictures on the balcony with the temple in the background, and Rilee suddenly perked up when she heard someone speaking Japanese over a microphone. Looking over the balcony, we saw a group of sister missionaries speaking all different languages offering to teach people.

 

 

It was an amazing day and I spent it with one of my best friends. I hope that someday each of my family members will be able to go to the Conference Center and listen to the prophet lead and teach us. I am so happy to have the gospel in my life and am so happy to be getting ready to serve a full time mission.

President Monson's Announcement

On October 6th, 2012 I was at a debate tournament. It was the first one of the season and I was enjoying judging and getting to know my debators (I am the assistant debate coach for Westlake High School). Everything was going great and I had a little break around 10 am to sit in the coach/judges room and chat with my dad (who was kind enough to be one of my judges). After a few minutes I walked over to the printer and as I was walking back to the table I had been sitting at, my dad stood up, came over, and shoved a phone into my face. I read the tiny screen, showing a text message that said that the age requirement for missionaries had changed. It said that men can leave at age 18 and women at age 19.

I burst into tears of pure joy.

President Monson's announcement made me happier than I could ever imagine I would be. I have spent countless hours thinking about the possibility of my mission. I had wanted to go SO BADLY when Rilee left for Japan, but because I am only 19, I struggled with the thought of waiting around for two more years. The age change is so amazingly perfect and I cannot wait to start the process of filling out my papers and getting my mission call.

 

 

 

Baby Kaido!!!

This is my new baby hedgehog named Kaido! She is a sweetheart! Listening to her chewing and scurrying around in her box is so fun. I love her!

IT'S STUCK IN MY HEAD!!

This song has been stuck in my head for the past four days! Everytime someone says "We are-" I start singing. It has become a real problem. Fortunately it is a fun song, and I love the bear dude!

In other news, I am now the Assistant Debate Coach for West Lake Thunder. (Ah I can hear the booing and hissing from my Lehi friends now. )  The only reason I am doing this is because I need money and Coach Mansfield offered me the job. It should be a very fun year for me.

Also, last night one of my "sisters" came home from her mission to heal a bit. She has been in Japan for almost 2 months, but because of her vertigo, a bike crash (not serious just bruising everywhere), and depression (who wouldn't be depressed with vertigo and bruises, causing you to not be able to do the Lord's work to the best of your abilities??)  she came home for a while. We love being able to see her and hear her stories, but I am praying that she will heal enough to go back out to Japan and spread the gospel. I love  having her around but I know she wants to go back out. We'll see what happens. <3  

Aladdin at Tuacahn!

Last night, my mom and I went to see Aladdin at Tuacahn.

While we were there, my mom spotted her cousin John and we talked to him for a few minutes. Then we went in and found out we were sitting straight across the aisle from him! He even brought us some ice cream. It was very nice.

There were new songs, new characters, but the same wonderful story that everyone loves! It was such an amazing performance, with live camels, chickens, peacocks, dogs, and horses. It was so worth the trip!

One Last Hurrah in AZ

Today was my last full day in Arizona with my Grandma.

So we decided to go to the movies and see the new Bourne movie.

It was a really good, suspenceful movie!

After the movie, we went to Red Lobster for dinner.

I got the Honey BBQ Glazed Shrimp Skewers. It was seriously delicious.

I had an amazing time here, and I loved every minute I got to spend with my Grandma!

Thanks to my parents for sending me down here!

Blowing Bubbles in Arizona

Today in Arizona I played in the pool with two adorable little kids from Hawaii. They loved watching me juggle and blow bubbles in the water. It was so funny to watch them laugh and blow bubbles too. We swam and played for soooo long that I left the pool exhausted! It's definately time to sleep.. Goodnight world.

It's Sunny In Arizona

Well, the sun works. Here I am in Arizona visiting my favorite Grandma, and we're swimming everyday. Let me tell you the sun works. Thank heavens I have my dad's skin and don't burn very much, if at all.

Happy Birthday Emily!

It's Emily's Birthday today and I wanted to make sure she felt the love, even though I am away on vacation. So here are 14 things I love about Emily!

1- I love how Emily makes me feel like her sister and lets me tease and play with her, just like any sister would do.

2- I love how mature Emily is. Even being 4 1/2 years younger than me, she makes me forget how big of an age difference that is and makes it seem like we are the same age.

3- I love how Emily hugs me EVERY TIME she see's me.

4- I love how Emily will do stuff with me like go laser tagging, go shopping, or just go play at a park.

5- I love how Emily will talk to me about anything. And I love that she knows she can talk to me about anything.

6- I love how patient Emily is. I can be so annoying sometimes but she always puts up with me, and forgives me when I go too far.

7- I love how Emily will let me do her hair... if I can find the hairbands.


8- I love how Emily will play Mario Kart with me, and not laugh too hard when I fall off the edge a bajillion times and come in dead last.


9- I love how Emily and I love the same K-Pop group, and we both swoon over them.


10- I love Emily's sense of humor! She is a funny girl!


11- I love Emily's willingness to help me with anything. When I was sick, she brought me yummy rolls that her mom made. And when I was washing the cars, she came out and helped.


12- I love how strong Emily is.


13- I love how happy Emily is.


14- I love that there is no other person like Emily. She is the coolest "little sister" in the whole wide world!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SQUIRT!!!

Stadium of Fire 2012

This year's Stadium of Fire featured a performance from American Idol winner Scotty McCreery. (Look how good those stars are! I helped make those pretty and move them around!)

My DREAM CONCERT happend at SoF this year. The Beach Boys made a stop here on their 50th Anniversary tour. They sounded as good as ever and the energy in the arena was electric! Everyone was on their feet dancing and singing around as much as they could. It was an AMAZING concert.

Once the fireworks and everything was done I ran into Mike Love backstage and had a great few minutes talking to him. He said he was happy to meet me and then kissed me on the cheek before he left and I went back to work. I was in awe of how nice he was and how happy he was.

It was truely an amazing experience in my life.

Florida 2012

Day 1: Epcot!

Favorite Ride of the Day: Soarin'

Favorite thing that happened: Ilene jumped when a firework went off on the Soarin' screen. It shook the whole ride!

Still at Epcot, enjoyed turtle talk with Crush.

Awesome ride! Love smelling the oranges :)

Day 2: Magic Kingdom

Favorite Ride: Space Mountain

Favorite thing that happened: We went on Splash Mountain and everyone was making fun of me because I am afraid of water. It's a good thing I have a sense of humor because I can laugh about it.

We got a smoked turkey leg to share in Magic Kingdom while we watched the parade go by.

Day 3: Animal Kingdom

Favorite Ride: Expedition Everest

Favorite thing that happened: The rain came pouring down and so while we sat down for lunch, most people left the park. The rain stopped and we had a great time in a nearly empty park!

On the safari; we got stuck in a herd of giraffes! Cute!

This guy is a stud!

Favorite! Rode 5 times this day.

Day 4: Temple and rest day!

Favorite thing: getting to do 10 baptisms and 5 confirmations.

Day 5: Back to Epcot!

Favorite ride now: Mission to Mars! (Everyone was telling me how sick they got on it but I was not even fazed by it. I could have gone a few times.)

Favorite thing that happened: We spent about an hour in Japan, just looking at the shop. It was a nerd fest in there and we all loved it!

Canada! (We forgot there was a Canada until we walked past it.)

Japan! In the pouring rain!

Day 6: Hollywood Studios- Star Wars Weekend

Favorite Ride(s): Star Tours, Rock'n'Rollercoaster, Hollywood Tower Hotel (AKA Tower of Terror)

Favorite thing that happened: Dawniel and I went on Hollywood Tower Hotel three times when Joe, Ilene and Emily left the park for a while.

 

"Volunteer" they said. "It'll be fun" they said.

I HATE WATER!!!

LOVED being there for Star Wars weekend. LOVED Star Tours. LOVED all the characters.

Once again, pouring rain, but this time we were okay with it!

Day 7: Back to Magic Kingdom

Favorite Ride: Still Space Mountain (Ended up riding it 7 times, this picture was taken right before the 5th time)

Favorite thing that happened: We went to the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor and they put Emily and I up on the screen with the caption that said "Loving all the attention!"

Day 8: Back to Animal Kingdom

Favorite Ride: Still Expedition Everest!

Favorite thing that happened: Joe went to see Finding Nemo the Musical and Dawniel and I rode Expedition Everest SEVEN TIMES IN A ROW. This picture was taken just before the tenth time (I rode it 12 times total)  

Day 9: Universal Studios Islands of Adventure

Favorite Rides: The Hulk, Dueling Dragons, and Spiderman!

Favorite thing that happened: After a huge drama involving getting on the Dueling Dragons, I got to go on it, but I didn't want to go alone. So I convinced Joe to go with me. We got on and I asked him, "Do you hate me now?" and he said, "Absolutely". It was a really fun ride but I think what made it more fun was looking at Joe at the end of it and seeing the hatred in his eyes.

I love Spiderman with all my heart, and this ride was really cool!

The Hulk goes upside down 7 times. I went on it three times in a row!

Back in April... A Disney Adventure!

Back in April I was blessed to be taken on a Disney Cruise with my old high school AP Biology teacher. I was to help with some of her grandkids while the adults did something fun alone. I was so excited to be able to go. We drove 12 hours to Los Angeles and stayed in a hotel for a night. The next day, we boarded the Disney Wonder for a seven day cruise to Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas.

We ate delicious food, got plenty of sun, and had fun non-stop! I even got to enjoy Cabo all by myself while the rest of the group went on a port adventure.

Here are some pictures from the adventure:

Aboard the Disney Wonder

Escargot! Yum!!!

Welcome to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico!!

The view of our ship from the streets of Puerto Vallarta.

I rented a wave-runner for a few hours in Cabo and had a blast!

It was one of the best experiences of my life!  

Only One Week Left Until...

FLORIDA!!!

I am so stinking excited for my trip to Disney World next week. I can't believe it is only a week a way! I will be flying to Orlando with my bestest friends, Emily and Dawniel, and their parent's to spend TEN DAYS in Florida. We will be going to all the parks at Disney World, the Orlando LDS Temple, and Islands of Adventure in Universal Studios! This is the trip of a lifetime and to be able to do take it with two of my best friends is like a dream come true!

I will blog all about it and hopefully get around to catching you all up on the cruise I went on last month.... I need to catch up on the blog. :)

May's New Adventures

May 2nd, 2012

Rilee left on her mission. She is going to the Kobe Japan mission for 18 months. Rilee is like my big sister. She has been there for me a ton and I am so proud of her for going on a mission.

(Please excuse the red faces, tears fell during her setting apart)

It's going to be a wonderful year and a half for her. It was amazing for me too, because within hours of her being gone I began to see a bunch of blessings in my life. Everything has been so wonderful since she left, I miss her but the blessings are awesome! I love experiencing the blessings of supporting a missionary!

It's been so long!

New resolution: be a better blogger.

I haven't posted since NOVEMBER.

It's now April. I am 19 years old. I painted my bedroom. I bought a bed. One of my best friends is out on his mission. Another one of my best friends is leaving on her mission next month. Life is pretty good.

School at UVU is much better than it was at the U. I am doing much better and am studying for finals now. Which is why it's a perfect time to write on my blog... so I can put off studying for an hour.

Church is great. I have joined the singles ward and am loving being around my good friends in the ward.

I've done a lot since November. Here are some pictures for your enjoyment.

This is my friend Adam and his dog Scotty. He's on a mission right now.

I got to go to Disney On Ice: Toy Story 3 this year. The aliens were my favorite part!

Buzz, Woody, and Jesse were pretty good skaters.

I decorated these white canvas shoes myself!

I crochetted these Tink slippers myself! I just barely learned how to crochet and haven't been able to stop yet! I absolutely love being able to crochet.