Welcome 2013!!!

As this is my first post of 2013 I find it appropriate to do a reflection on the past year. A way to say "Hey 2012, you were pretty good". And so here it is, month by month. I don't plan on making it super detailed though, just a couple highlights. And seeing how it is my New Years resolution to make a blog entry every week, this seems like a good way to start it. In regards to said resolution, I figure if I can make it an entire year and don't like it then I never have to blog again. And I will be able to say from personal experience that I fought a good battle, and just don't like blogging. Or maybe I will love it and never want to stop. This may prove to be the ultimate experiment.

January
I rung in 2012 in Ventura, California as a missionary. I had been out for just over 13 months and was working with Sis. Lillywhite. We celebrated the occasion by counting down in other time zones and making a snow man out of fake snow one of my friends sent me. I love Ventura so much, and it makes me smile to think I got to spend the first part of my year there. If I were to live in America for good, it would be there. The month was filled with lots of wonderful people, and being able to serve happily. Lots of great teaching opportunities, fish tacos, tutti frutti runs. It was a nice conclusion to my 9 month stay in Ventura.

February
My final week in Ventura involved lots of the people I had grown to love. I had a pretty good feeling that I was going to be transferred out, so I planned accordingly. My last night was a very memorable night put on by the O'Conner family. it was amazing. A full Italian restaurant they created in their home. The kids were in their very best and acted as perfect hosts. Seriously, it was legit. There was even menus, candles, gifts, delicious food, and an excellent poem written in my honor. What more could a girl want? Maybe to stay longer in Ventura, but we knew that wasn't going to happen.

I headed North to Bakersfield to work with Sis. Cooper in the Brimhall and Stockdale wards. She was awesome, and not to mention made my hair looks a billion times better. Its nice living with a hair dresser. We had many good times, lots of which involved knocking on doors. Definitely did a lot of that there. Luckily the heat held off for the first little bit. I certainly appreciated that. I got to meet some wonderful people here as well. Natalia Davis being one of them, she is from Russia and had recently moved to Bakersfield with her husband Ben. It was a pleasure teaching her, and eating her delicious food.

March
This month provided a life experience check off my checklist. Our mission was lucky enough to have Elder L. Tom Perry, one of the twelve Apostles come and speak to us. This was a fun day, we got to wake up early and drive to Ventura. woohoo road trip! Also I was asked to accompany the meeting, so I played the piano for an Apostle. Nerve wrecking? Yes. Awesome? YES! Totally worth the nerves. He complimented me, and all I could think was how grateful I was to have been the ward organist in church for years. Giving me the ability to master the hymns. He also apparently knows Lybberts from Canada, and that's a good thing. Listening to him speak was very uplifting and I learned so much to incorporate into my life.

March also brought in a new missionary I got to work with. Sis. Putnam came to Bakes having just been with Sis.Kalilimoku, my longest missionary companion and friend on the mish. So she was well trained. We had good times as well. Still lots of knocking on doors, but lots of adventures too. This month is when it started to get hot.

April
Easter came, and we made the most of it. Using spare time to decorate eggs and eat more food. It got hotter too. There was one day where I literally thought I was going to melt into the pavement. No joke. And people kept telling me that it just gets hotter. I honestly don't know how Bakersfield people do it. Probably swim a lot. It sufficeth me to say that I sweat a lot. I won't go any further into detail.

May
Last transfer of my mission and I get moved to South Bakersfield, Sis.Lillywhite and I were put back together to open a new area for English sisters. I love going to new areas. People are always so willing to help. Believe it or not, it did get hotter. Luckily we were able to make more appointments, so inside time was a more regular occurance. There was a Sonic Drive-in very close to us, and we went there many a time. Oh how I love the slushes and grilled cheese. All their food really. Yum. If only I could get someone to open a Sonic in Edmonton. Then everything would be right with the world. May saw my mission coming to a close. I worked harder than ever and was determined to finish strong. It was great fun to be able to serve with Sis. Lillywhite again. We had a good time. We even went to a seminary class. Good times!

June
The last Friday of my mission we got to go to the Temple in Los Angeles for Sis.LW's birthday. That was a treat, a nice way to say 'see ya later California'. I was very sad to see my mission end, it did not seem like had really been out there for nearly 19 months. Hands down, the best thing I have ever done with my life. And also the most hard thing I have ever done, but hard work brings great blessing. And I took so much away from it, it almost doesn't seem fair. I met so many wonderful people, and was welcomed into so mayn families. Best experience ever!! I headed back to Ventura one last time as a missionary for a final transfer meeting before I flew home. It was a great party seeing everyone again. Lots of my Ventura people came to say goodbye, and I was so happy to see them. They really had become family. Sis.K and I were spoiled our last night after our final meetings and interviews. We had a little mini celebration that our hosts for the night put on for us. So many happy memories. And the next morning it was time to leave. I was lucky to have an amazing Mission President, along with his wonderful family. President and Sister Castro helped me so much and I learned so much from them. It was a joy.

Home I flew, not without shedding a few tears. But I was happy to see my family again. My Grandma Allen even surprised me by being at the airport in Montreal with my family. They honored my return by building me a snowman, seeing it appropriate that I had missed two Canadian winters. Clever. Very clever. I guess not everyone gets to have a snow fight in June.

July
Back into the swing of real life. And trying to figure out who 'Natasha' was again. My Mom, sister, and I drove out to Alberta for a Lybbert family reunion. That was a perfect way to come back, so nice to see so much family I had missed in years. I have such a great extended family. I also got to spend time with many old friends. It was a happy month. Thinking about it just makes me smile. I moved back to Edmonton and started working at Kids Korner, the same place I was at before I left. It was almost like deja vu seeing all the kids I had worked with before. I am very grateful for this opportunity.

August
Was much the same. Except I got to go on the wonderful trip that Sis.K (now Riena) and I had been planning since we first got to Ventura. We headed back to the mission, and we did all those things you can't do as a missionary. First and foremost was the beach. Lots of well spent time there. It was so nice to see everyone again. Probably the best trip ever. We had so much fun. And definitely did not sleep very much at all. Beach, sailing, surfing, DISNEYLAND (thanks Landys!!), beach, Bakersfield, Simi Valley, Magic Mountain, and beach. Great trip. I even had a dolphin jump out of the water 4 feet from me while I was surfing, how cool is that?? Needless to say I was sad to see it end. But I am determined to make sure this trip is not a once in a lifetime sort of trip. It will be repeated.

September
I got moved to be in the Baby room full time at work. It was absolutely the best thing that could have happened at work. I love it so much! The kids are so beautiful and loving and just so fun to watch them learn. I just love being able to play all day with these perfect little munchkins. And I am getting paid for this, can life get any better? I also started volunteering with two choirs. Kikimasu (gr. 3-6) and Shumayela (gr.6-10). Both have proved to be a wonderful addition to my schedule. I am learning so much from them and especially from their conductors. On top of this I started singing with Oran. Its nice to sing with such a talented group, along with some old friends from Kokopelli. I adore singing, and this is such a great group of people. Though with three choirs my life is very busy.

October
I've had the chance to visit my Allen grandparents up in Whitecourt fairly frequently. This is a blast, because I just have so much fun there. And it's nice having a family home close than Ottawa. My Aunt Francine and her family are frequently there or go with me, and we know how to have a good time. Man, my family is awesome. Sorry to make you all jealous.

November
First concerts of the year. I love performing. In fact its one of my most favorite things ever. Few things beat it. Everything went well and afterwards I even got to spend some time with my close friends I have made through choir. Happy days.

December
More concerts! And wonderful Christmas fun. I love this season!! Finally the rest of the world was on board with me, and it was time to celebrate. Full schedule of Christmas-y events. Lots and lots of candy and good food. I flew out to Ottawa on my birthday, Dec.20, and spent some incredible fun filled days with almost my entire family. What a great way to end the year. We saw Colm Wilkinson in concert, which by the way, if you ever get the chance go see him. Its worth it. We also had my brother Stage and his wife Amelia's wedding reception. Also fun. My Dad built a giant rocking horse, how cool is that? Stage pranked me more times than I care to admit. But I still had some good comebacks for him. It was a perfect holiday. My family means the world to me, and I am just so lucky to have them in my life. Best way to end out a great year. One of my best in fact. And so I pose the question, "Isn't life great?". Why yes, yes it is.

Great year! Here's to another wonderful year. Happy New Years everybody!!