Elder Wood

I am so proud of my missionary. He is absolutely incredible, and is serving the Lord with all his heart, might, mind, and strength. He is doing his absolute best, and doing all that he can to serve the people of Canada. I love him more and more each and every single day, and I know that he loves me also. He continues to be the best, and puts his whole heart into what he is doing. And that is especially true with missionary work. Isaac doesn't do anything half way. Always 150%. And that is one of the many things I love about him. He is such a hard worker. He loves Heavenly Father more than anything else, and his testimony shines right through him. In the way he behaves and carries himself, and the way he treats others. Isaac is one of the most Christ-like people I know. He is always thinking of others and their needs, and always puts other people first. He would do anything for everyone that he loves. He may be small in stature, but he is not a small man. His personality, testimony, and faith are enough to fill an entire room. He has so many talents, and so many amazing things about him. I am so extremely grateful that I have had the opportunity to have him in my life, and so glad that I continue to be blessed with his presence. I am also grateful that he is serving the Lord, and that has always been one of his main goals in life. To follow the commandments. I love him with all of my heart, and look forward to the day when I get to see him again.

6.5 months people. Only 6.5 more months! :)

I'm investing in my forever.

Skype

Elder Wood has an incredible mother. She is one of the sweetest women I have ever met. She invited me over to Skype with him on Mother's Day, even though she didn't have to. She also raised an incredible young man. One unlike any others I have ever met. I love him. Seeing his face today on the screen just made my heart smile. The second he called on skype, and the second I saw his face, my face was an instant smile. Bigger than it has been in awhile. A smile that big can only be brought by that boy. I love him. More than I ever thought possible with him being so far away. He has been gone for just over 16 months, and that leaves just under 8 to go. ONE THIRD! I can do that. Especially when he is on the other end of that 8 months. He has grown up quite a bit, but is still that same old Isaac that I love. He seems to have grown more attractive than he was (which was already very attractive). Two years, yeah, it has been hard, but so incredible. Worth every tear and every day of longing. At least this far. We'll see how the rest of the time goes.
I stole some pictures from his sister Cassie's facebook, hope she doesn't mind! :)

Alberta, Canada :)

Classic Isaac pose.

He is the one on the right.

He is the farthest left.

This is funny to me. He can't get letters from me if he doesn't write me ;)

He said I should be getting a "novel" letter sometime in the next two weeks. Talking to him today, made up for not getting a letter the past three and a half months. So worth it. Good thing he is so darn cute and that I can't be mad at him! :) Oh how I love this boy.

One of the girls on the MG page posted this Carrie Underwood song, and so I listened to it a few times and fell in love with it. I listened to the other songs on this album and had to buy it. So the next day, I bought it. I have listened to these two songs about a billion times since then. And each time, I think about Isaac, with a huge smile across my face as I sing the lyrics.

 

I'm not even trying.

But, I can't stop smiling.

Do you think about me

Like I think about you

I moved on to another town

Wrote you letters until the ink ran out

When the clouds rolled in, I'd grab the keys

And play that song that we used to sing

I met a boy a lot like you

It's funny how we used to sing it too

But he was always just a little out of key

So much different than you and me

It's funny how sometimes song lyrics are so relate-able.

I used to not believe in love...

But then. I met this boy. His name is Isaac. And he turned my whole world upside down.

PS. This might be a mushy gushy lovey dovey post. If you don't wanna hear it, then don't read it.


He is better than I ever would've imagined. Perfect for me in every way. There are so many things I could say about him, but, there isn't words enough to express every feeling I have for him. He is my dream come true. He made me believe in love to the biggest capacity. He is the sweetest, most caring, most loving person I have ever met. He is my other half.

Most days, he knew me better than I knew myself. He knew what I wanted before I wanted it. He could read me like a book. He knows me better than any other soul on this Earth. I love him with all my heart.

Yesterday was the 6th month mark of his mission. Six months ago, I thought I was going to die when he left, but I've gotten so much stronger from this experience. Our love has been strengthened from the time away from each other. I wouldn't change the past few months for anything. I know he is where he is supposed to be. He is amazing, and is learning to become more perfect and more like Christ.

I love getting his letters and hearing all about what he is doing. It is a very courageous thing, and I am so proud of him for making the decision to go. He is changing peoples lives up there in Canada, and I know they need him more than I do right now. I know that this two years is the best yet hardest thing he could be doing right now. It is such a relief to know that he is in the hands of the Lord.

Someday I hope to be married to him. It would make my life everything I ever hoped. To be able to call him mine for eternity. It brings a smile to my face just thinking about it. He is the greatest example to me. He is the most optimistic person I have ever met. He always looked at the glass half full. He has made such an impact on my life, and I hope he is always there to do so.

Ah. I love that kid. He is my very best friend. He made me a cd last Christmas, and I listen to it a lot. Either when I really miss him, or when I just think about how much I love him. It is called "I love you" and is as follows:

1. A Million Ways- Voice Male
2. Perfect two- Auburn
3. Must Have Done Something Right- Relient K
4. Airliner- Julia Sheer
5. Vanilla Twilight- Owl City
6. Stuck Like Glue- Sugarland
7. Rhythm of Love- Plain White T's
8. She is Love- Parachute
9. Photograph- Julia Sheer
10. Out of My League- Stephen Speaks
11. Lullaby- Chase Coy
12. Picturesque- Chase Coy
13. The Best Thing- Relient K
14. Seriously- Katy McAllister
15. Dream Big- Ryan Shupe & and Rubberband
16. Check Yes Juliet- We the Kings
17. She is Love (Acoustic)- Parachute
18. The Hardest Thing- Julia Sheer
19. Just the Way You Are- Bruno Mars
20. If it's love- Train

It's my favorite CD.
ps. Did I mention that yesterday was SIX MONTHS!!!! :) Yeah, I'm excited.

pss. I'll tell the story of us in a month. On the day I met him, three years ago.

Gratitude

Wow. It has been a very long, yet fast as I look back, week. Lately days take forever to go by, but weeks, just fly right on by. 7 weeks from now, I'll be officially in college. Weird. Anyways.

This week was filled with some of the biggest struggles in all my 18 years. I hadn't received a letter in 5 weeks, almost 6. Which, for those of you that don't have a missionary, is a big deal. And downright hard. All week I was thinking about how selfish the Canadian postal workers were when they went on strike. But, how selfish was I to want a letter so badly. But enough about that, its over ;)

1. One thing I'm not grateful for, is Satan. But at the same time, I am. He makes me realize the good things, by throwing bad things at me. It has never been truer that you can't have good without bad. Which leads me to the second one.
2. I'm so extremely grateful for all the hard things that I've been through. Each one has taught me a valuable life lesson, through my Heavenly Father. It may not seem hard to you, but it has been for me. Being away from my best friend for these 6 months, has been one of the hardest challenges of my little life. But, we'll get to him in a different post, yes, he gets his own.
3. My Heavenly Father. (ps, this list is in no particular order, cuz otherwise He would be at the top) I was talking to a great friend this past week, and she said a few things that really hit me. One thing she always asks when I'm having a hard time, is if I have prayed recently. And it was then that I had remembered I had been praying way more than the usual twice a day. I didn't realize that I had been. And then she went on to tell me that I just needed to continue doing all the right things and that everything would be alright, in his time. She told me that I needed to continue to trust in Him. To REALLY trust in Him. I hadn't quite thought about it. She said, "But sometimes, doing all the right things can help but it won't fix everything. Unless you let the Atonement do it's work and help you get through.... The Atonement's not just for sinners anymore. It's for pains and infirmities and sickness and exhaustion." I've always been taught this, and knew to some extent that it was true. But not until this week. This past week, I discovered just how real it is and how it truly works. I prayed harder, longer, and more thoughtfully than I ever have. I communicated better than ever before with my Father in Heaven. I learned that My Heavenly Father loves me, and is mindful of me. He wants me, and you, to be happy. That is what the Plan of Salvation is all about. I am grateful that I was sent to this Earth to go through these trials so that I can become like Him. He is the most amazing Father to all of us, and wants everything for us.
4. I am so grateful for the Atonement, and for The Savior for being willing to atone for my sins and sorrows. I cannot even express with words how this makes me feel. He knows how I feel when I am at my deepest despair, and my greatest joy. He is my elder brother, and absolute best friend.
5. I am grateful for the most amazing family I could ever ask for. They are absolutely, totally, and completely perfect for me. I couldn't ask for greater parents. They are so understanding, and so willing to help me out when I need it. My mom is amazing. She is everything I want to be in a mother, and I hope I can be as great as her.
6. I am so grateful for the best friends a girl could ask for. They listen to me complain and they still love me. They try to make me happy, and are successful for the most part. They give me the best advice, and are willing to help me out. And. They are always there for me.
7. I am grateful for the freedom I have in this beautiful country. It means the world to me. I am grateful for all the brave soldiers who have given their lives so that I can live mine the way that I want. With religious freedom. And so many other things I take for granted daily.
8. I am grateful for missionaries. Who are willing to give up two years of their life, for other people to be able to have the faith and religion that I have. So that they can find and have the true happiness that I have found.
9. And finally. I am grateful for a special boy who is serving a mission, but, he will come in a later post. Shorter, but all about him :)

Sorry for this stinkin long post. It just had to be said :)

Canada. Oh Canada.

Dear Canada.

Although in the past, you haven't been my favorite country. And you still aren't my favorite. But. My favorite person currently resides within your borders. I would appreciate it if you would be ever so kind as to resume your mail system. This would make my life a lot better, easier, and less stressful. You see. Every day I go and take a trip to my mailbox. Sometimes multiple times a day. Waiting. Waiting. Ever waiting for the day that I might get a letter. Also, I've been thinking. You could maybe move up to my favorite country if you would be willing to send a letter or two my way. But that is a big maybe. Thanks Canada. Take care of my boy. He sure is a great guy. Send a few investigators his way. I would appreciate it. He is so excited to be serving his Heavenly Father in your land. The day he got his mission call. OH BOY. He was sooo excited. He talked about it for MONTHS. He loves you Canada. You'd better treat him well.

Much loves,
Mariah


PS. Here are a couple mission pictures I found blog stalking his mission president's wife's blog. Confusing, yes.


This one is the most recent. He is on the back row. 2nd from the left. Wearing a red looking tie.

I love this. His very first day in Canada. He just looks so excited to be there :) He is the fourth from the right. Dang cute too.