I'm going back!

I got the call this morning!

Spanish Speaking (of course)

A few weeks before I entered the MTC, I was in a car accident in Tooele on my way to be a counselor at Camp Kesem. I didn't ever see a doctor or report it to the police because the guy that hit me sped off, and I needed to be up at the camp pretty soon. A week into my stay at the MTC, I started getting progressively worse migraines, that eventually confined me to bed during the two weeks I was able to serve in México. After spending some time in the Juárez ER, seeing a few doctors there in México (and being diagnosed with an ear infection...), it was decided that I would return home. But we didn't know what was causing the headaches until about two months later, after seeing several doctors (all with different diagnoses), when we made the connection between the car accident and the migraines. I started seeing a chiropractor at the end of November, and I've improved remarkably- as in, night and day difference between now and when I came home. I resubmitted my paperwork on December 30th, after being medically cleared and finally heard back from Missionary Medical and the First Presidency today, where they reassigned me to California, so that I can continue to see a chiropractor one to two times or more per month. The funny thing is, a few weeks after I got home, I had a dream that California was where I would be reassigned to. And apparently, my sweet MTC companion had a similar dream while she was serving in México about my reassignment as well. 

While I will miss México sooooooo much, I know I'm supposed to be headed to California. I'm so grateful for the time I was able to spend in México, for the people I met in the MTC that I wouldn't have met had I originally been called to California,  for the time I've been able to spend with my wonderful family, and for the experiences that I have had leading up to this point. I know that I'm needed in California and I'm excited to be a missionary again!

I leave on Jan 26th, which is one day after my four month mark of being home.

I'm so excited!!!!!!!

Rocky Top Christmas

We had the opportunity this year to visit my Dad's family in Tennessee. They all come from Georgia, Ohio, or of course, 'ole Rocky Top, so we don't get to see them very often. We were lucky enough to have almost everyone there, except for (of course) Cassidy and Cody & Rachelle, who were in Louisiana and Arizona respectively. 

Of course, before we even opened presents, we got Skype with SISTER STEELE who is finishing her last transfer and heading back to Utah in February. She has a Southern drawl, so we still felt a little out of place with the rest of our southeastern cousins... 

After finishing presents at about three pm (yes... three pm... that's what you get when you don't start opening them until ONE THIRTY and you have all your cousins and aunts and uncles over to open presents with you) we figured we should try and get a nice little family photo with all of us together.

We struggled just a little bit.... 

And of course, Christmas night is the perfect time for a nice little family round of gambling....

and Cards Against Humanity, obviously.

Which, as you know, is about as family oriented as Las Vegas. 

It was nice to go hiking in the Smoky Mountains the next day though. The original trail we wanted to go was a little crowded (pretty weird for the day after Christmas if you ask me), so we found another trail that followed the river. Only it didn't end.....

Overall... it was a lovely Christmas. Even if I currently have a carsick hangover from all those curvy Tennessee backroads... 

A little (but exciting) announcement!

Hi everyone! 

I HAVE WONDERFUL NEWS

AHHHHHHHH I am SO SO SO excited right now!

(ok first of all, no... I'm still working on the return mission paperwork! that's coming at the end of December or beginning of January... I'm hoping! Just gotta finish my chiropractor treatments!)

BUT!

I'm excited to announce.... 

that I've been approved as a vendor for Groopdealz! 

If anybody is wondering what Groopdealz is, it's a boutique, groupon type site where they sell all sorts of clothes, jewelry, little gadgets, home decor, kids items, and art for a discounted price.

I'll be selling items from my Etsy shop, Subway Art Nouveau. I've had this shop open for over three years and it's done really well! Since I've been home from my mission, I've been keeping myself busy until I can go back out by expanding my shop and creating new designs! All of my items are digital downloads, so most of the work after I do the designs is already done! And now I'll be able to sell my hard work on a larger scale!

Check out a few of my designs!

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Needless to say, I am STOKED! I've been waiting to get my little business off the ground, and this is going to help so so so much. I also love love love to do custom pieces, especially missionary art, so if you would like me to do a custom piece, just ask!! And if you're interested in any of these prints below, check out Groopdealz every once in a while for a great steal.... 

OR use the code " happyholidays2014 " for 50% any item in my shop, through December 31, 2014.

Just enter the code at checkout. 

Merry Christmas, everyone!