New Beginnings

So. Hey.

I'd just like to explain some things first off, particularly concerning this blog and myself.

I'm in the middle of my third semester here at BYU and a lot has been changing in my life. I moved out again after spending this past summer at home with my family. I'm living in a new apartment complex which means new roommates, a new ward, a new neighborhood, and new surroundings.t  Lots of other things in my life have been changing, particularly concerning my relationships with other people. Some have ended, some have been put on hold as loved ones leave on LDS missions, and new ones have begun. President Thomas S. Monson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made the announcement that the minimum age requirement for lds missionaries was lowered, particularly that women could choose to serve starting at age 19 (follow the link here). I made the decision to apply to serve my own full-time mission, a decision that has already changed my life completely.  Finals are approaching, I'm already getting ready to pack my things and move back home after only 3 1/2 short months spent at this apartment complex. I won't be attending school next semester like the rest of my friends, which will be interesting... So many things are new and unfamiliar and changing in my life and it's been the cause of a lot of reflection.

I'm facing a lot of new beginnings and I'm hoping to write them down and share my experiences with others. Once finals are over, I'm moving home to Salt Lake, hopefully starting a new job, looking at a new social scene since most of my friends now live in Provo, and facing the biggest change of all, leaving my home and family for 18 months to share the wonderful message of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints, a message which means the world to me. I'll be heading to the Missionary Training Center back in Provo on March 20th for a few weeks before departing to my mission up in Quebec. Once there I will devote my life to serving God, becoming an instrument in his hands and helping those that he wishes I help. A lot is changing. I can feel it already. This blog is just another new thing, a new addition to my life that I believe will be helpful in my daily struggle to be a better friend, daughter, sister, disciple and human being.

It's gonna be great. :)

Love,
Celina

Introductions

Well, hello there.

First off, I would just like to thank you for being here, and reading this. I don't know how much more you're going to decide to read... but thanks regardless!

Second, I've read a lot of blogs and I feel that the first post is always awkward and there's nothing for it. So let's just sit here and accept that is awkward. ;)

Third, I'm not entirely sure where this blog is heading, so that's exciting. Probably it'll be a place to record my thoughts as I prepare to leave on an LDS mission and then it'll be a place where hopefully I can round someone up to post my letters that I send home once I leave! Expect to see posts including daily insights, musings, advice, my testimony, and thoughts in general.

Anyway. You're great. :) Have a wonderful day.

Love,
Celina