i love keith

It all started with Becca.

And a surprise birthday party.

I was helping a friend's parents plan a surprise party for their daughter and I was in the process of inviting our mutual friends. I was trying to get in touch with my friend Becca, but had two numbers in my phone. One was under the name "Becca" and one under "Becca Spear." Thinking I had pretty good odds at guessing which number was really hers, I took my chances.

It started off as nothing more than a casual, "hey, are you going to be able to make it to the party tomorrow?"

the response: whos dis?

Almost certain that I couldn't have made a mistake, I innocently asked, "Isn't this Becca?"

the answer: No

With that, I left it alone, thinking it was just a friendly accident. I deleted the number as a way to protect myself from any future phone mishaps, never thinking that I would hear from this person ever again. Minutes later, I had a new text.

It was a message from the wonderful stranger formerly known as Becca. The message was simple: "this is Keith."

Attached was this lovely picture:


My first thought? "Gosh I wish I wasn't in class right now, because I really want to laugh."

And my second thought? I couldn't help but wonder if this was just some practical joke. I thought for sure that this phone belonged to someone just hoping for a good laugh, sending prank texts to anyone whose number they didn't recognize.

Not wanting to get in over my head, or make a complete fool of myself, I ignored the texts, hoping the prankster would let me live a few moments longer without adding to the overwhelming amounts of awkward moments that define my life.

My wish was not granted.

He continued: How old r u?

I continued to ignore the texts, silently masking a laugh every time.

Another text: I'm 11.

And with that, I couldn't help myself. I responded. "Sorry buddy but I think I'm a little too old for you."

His reply: I aint askin u out.

Thanks goodness, I thought! I didn't respond, and as the day continued, I couldn't keep the smile off my face. I willingly retold the story over and over to anyone who would listen, sure that I had heard from Keith for the last time. A few hours later, after I had long forgotten about my dear, soul-mate, Keith, he sent me another text:

The threat: anwser me!! (spelled just like that, by the way).

As I looked back on that experience for the rest of the day, I couldn't help but think that Heavenly Father really does look out for us. How does Keith prove that God loves me, you ask? Well, Keith came to me at the perfect time: Things weren't really working out for me and I wasn't sure I was going to be able to get through the day. I knew that what I was going through was all part of the plan, and I knew these experiences were only going to make me stronger, continue molding me into the girl that Heavenly Father needed me to be. I put all my trust in God but things were still hard. I couldn't find very many reasons to smile. Then, all because of Becca and a birthday party, I couldn't stop laughing for days - literally. Heavenly Father was kind and loving enough to send me Keith that day. And that's just one of the many reasons why I know God loves me.

Thank you, Keith.

my top 22

I got the chance to go home for Memorial Day weekend and it was wonderful!! I absolutely love being home. There's just something about going back home that no words can explain. As a tribute to my most perfect home, I made a list of my favorite things. It's my top 22 things (in no particular order) that I love about being home. And I couldn't narrow it down to anything less than 22. Haha.

Home is where:

1- everything feels the same even if you haven’t been there in a while
2- chocolate cake shakes and chopped salads are a weekly (if not daily) ritual
3- eating is considered a social gathering, not something you do to survive
4- N.E.R.T.Z. is a must
5- your one-eyed dog still runs to see you whenever she hears the door open
6- swimming in the moldy lake isn't something you think about - you.just.do.it
7- the mating frogs come out every night
8- you roast marshmallows in the backyard
9- your mom knows (and makes) your favorite foods
10- it takes only a 50 minute train ride to get to the CITY
11- a day at Independence Grove and a night at Lake Michigan beach is the perfect combination
12- your bed still feels like your bed
13- you b-r-e-a-k even at the horse races
14- you catch up with friends you haven’t seen in months and it only feels like it’s been a few days
15- playing with wiki sticks at Grand Lux makes you feel like a kid
16- both kids lose their license only hours before their plane leaves
17- you drink hot chocolate on memorial day
18- there's always enough toilet paper
19- the piano keys still feel good under your fingers
20- you come home to family
21- the cookie jar is ALWAYS full
22- you’re LOVED no matter what

remembering a year ago

I got home from Zambia a year ago yesterday. I went with a group called Mothers without Borders.(http://www.motherswithoutborders.org/)
It's been on my mind a lot lately: the people I met, the kids I helped, the experiences I had, and all the sorrow and the happiness that I witnessed. For the past few weeks, I've been re-reading the journal that I took with me. Each day, I've been reading what I wrote a year ago that day, helping me to remember the feelings I had and the things I went through.

The two and a half weeks that I spent in Africa were the best days that I've ever spent anywhere with anyone. My world changed when I stepped off that plane in Lusaka. My eyes and heart were opened to a whole new world around me. The people that I met will probably never know how much they truly changed me. Here are just a few pictures and videos that continue to touch my heart and bring back beautiful memories:

Carol:
My hero and one of the most amazing people I've ever met. She has every reason to be bitter and hate life, but there she smiles, close to death, day after day.



Reading with Tabu



I never found out the names of these kids, but they hold a special place in my heart

Baby Moureen:
From Julius Village. Earlier this year, for one of my classes, I wrote a story about my experience with her.

Moureen peed on me later that day. Haha.

playing with chickens!

Dani and Chiloba:
Some of the best friends I've made. Chiloba is serving a mission now in Congo. He's AMAZING!

Leaving our mark on the doors of the warehouse that we helped build.





One day we were there, the kids at the orphanage put on a show for us. They sang the primary song, Love is Spoken Here. If you're familiar with the song, listen to what happens at about 1 minute when they try to combine the verses. Haha.

The kids from the CRC (orphanage) singing Mwamba mwamba, a traditional African song.

procrastination is a killer. . .

I recently (as in about 8 hours ago) gave up facebook. I have so much school stuff to do in the next 4 and a half weeks, so I decided to take a facebook fast. I had my roommate change the password so that I can't get on unless I ask permission. Haha. It's sad that this is what my life has come to. I shouldn't be so obsessed with something that I have to block myself from it. Oh well - 36 days and counting. Haha. But yet here I am, still finding ways to procrastinate.

I found this and thought it was cool. I thought I would fill it out. Enjoy and do the same!

A - AVAILABLE: duh!

B - BIRTHDAY: The best

C - CRUSHING ON: a few people :)

D - DRINK YOU LAST HAD: Water!

E - EASIEST PERSON TO TALK TO: Amanda, Alanna or Kylee

F - FAVORITE SONG: at the moment? Unstoppable by Rascal Flatts

G - GUMMY BEARS OR GUMMY WORMS: Bears. worms only if in dirt cups

H - HOMETOWN: Can’t decide - Plano . Berwyn . Libertyville

I - IN LOVE WITH: Life!

J - JUGGLE: Only with scarves in my el ed P.E. class with Heidi

K - KILLED SOMEONE: if it were legal, I'd contemplate a few

L - LONGEST CAR RIDE: After the b.r.e.a.k.u.p.

M- MILKSHAKE FLAVOR: Chocolate. With cookie dough chunks

N - NUMBER OF SIBLINGS: 3 - LOVE my brothers

O - ONE WISH: Uganda

P - PERSON YOU CALLED LAST: is one of my heros

Q - QUICKIE: Nope

R- REASON TO SMILE: Oh so many reasons: life, in general.
Family. Friends. Food. Faith. Fun.

S - SONG YOU LAST HEARD: Holdin’ on - Rascal Flatts

T - TIME YOU WOKE UP: was way too early for how late I stayed up

U - UNDERWEAR COLOR: BLACK!! “Like the color of my heart and soul”

V - VEGETABLE(S): wish I liked more of them

W - WORST HABIT: Nail biting. Currently in the process of trying to quit for the millionth time.

X - X-RAYS YOU'VE HAD: Too many. Most recent was on my broken foot

Y - YOYOS: Love them. Miss them. Want one.

Z - ZODIAC SIGN: Aries - the RAM

what would I do without my mom?

A n n - M c A l l i s t e r - H e r l i n

Oh, how I love her.

My mom has always been there for me whenever I need it. Like any other mom and daughter pair (hopefully), we have had our share of disagreements and most of the time, I let my temper and major moodiness get the best of me. And despite everything, she loves me through it all! But we always come around and she is who I look to whenever I need any kind of advice.

She is my rock and one of my best friends.

I know that she always wants the best for me and how grateful I am for that. She helps me to see the best in any situation that I'm faced with. Everything important and worthwhile in this life, I've learned from my mother.

I have had so many crazy dreams in my life and she has supported me through it all. For five years, it was my ultimate dream to make it to Africa, and last year, my mom helped me to achieve that goal. She introduced me to the program, supported my decision to apply, and willingly paid for me to be there. Lately, I've had tons of other crazy dream and she is there to support me through it all (although, I'm pretty convinced that she's just humoring me for the moment because she doesn't think they'll last very long - haha)

I swear that there's got to be a secret mother handbook that gets passed down from generation to generation. And I just really hope that my mom gives it to me when my time comes. She knows it all and I need her little secrets :)

We have had a ton of good times together and hopefully many more to come.

Mom, I love you tons!

Thanks for everything you've ever done and ever will do for me!

it's wedding time!

Clark and Alicia got MARRIED on Thursday. The whole day was just a blast, to be with the people who I love the most. Everything was beautiful: the weather, the decorations at the reception and the lunch, the flowers, the dresses, everything. I loved being able to be with my family.

I took a million pictures. Here are my favorites:

Clark and Alicia right after the temple

Best picture ever. Steve and his new sister-in-law

The 4 siblings.

My studs for brothers: Todd, Clark, and Steven

Todd and cute Roo

Me and Todd.

Such a good brother! He carried me so I wouldn't have to walk...then put me down but forgot to let go of my dress. You guys do the math on that one :)

Me and Steven

cutting the cake.

Me and my new sister!

Me with the newly married brother. Love him.