old friends :)

After a couple of weeks in New Zealand, one of my favorite missionaries of all times that I served with contacted me on facebook and told me that he would soon move to New Zealand for work. I was happy, but not as happy as I was when it actually became real and I saw him for the first time in almost two years :) Meet my friend Elder Kuliha'apai.. or should I say, Roger

We had heaps of fun together. We just lived the ysa life hard out and went to dances, had scripture study, visited members, hung out, visited our old friends, had long talks, laughed, cried.. and teh fun things you could do with your best friend once you have all the time in the world. it was a blast. I am so grateful we were able to reconnect and bond :)

ofa atu e. 

In my 1st area of Beautiful Otahuhu, lives one of my all time favorite families. As yound missionaries the Pauli Family completley took us under their wings and took care of us. We loved them so mucha nd they loved us. Pauli's neice Christine came to live with them while we were serving back in 2012 and we taught and baptized ehr. She was so shy and timid. Seeing how much she has grown as a beautiful yound woman is so humbling. I love this family with all of my heart!

Pauli Family

Sister Tonumaipe'a and Sister Kamaleti, who I previously met at the Provo MTC

Two beautiful Sisters from Samoa, we had a great p-day w/them :)

One of my besties Morgan returned with honor from teh Samoa Apia mission :)We had heaps of fun with him before we left (Ssiter Phillips and I)

Our old friend Goldie from Mangere. His dad would bring us a box of braed each Wednesday night when we were serving in Mangere Bridge. Really kept us going sometimes :)

Life is so beautiful! I loved reconnecting with so many loved ones!

Faka Lofa Lahi Atu

Within the first week or two upon returning abck to teh beautiful Aotearoa; I had the cahnce to reunite with my dear MTC companion Sister Tiakia :) We had some super amazing fun times a the MTC as full time missionaries. I had missed her so much and we had a blast!

One of the most incredible blessings I was able to witness was being reunited with my Niuean Brother, Siligi.

Siligi was one of our very first investigators. He changed our lives. (Sister Phillips and I) He is still going super strong in the gospel. While visiting the Niuean ward I was blessed to hear him speak in sacrament. He is so powerful. It brought me to tears. I know that I was blessed to be His sister. <3

While in New Zealand; I was blessed to board at one of my favorite family's homes.

Famili Lehapoto

Paulo age 5

Etuate 5 months

Seleti and Lata

While serving in the Waterview area as a full time missionary. The Lehapoto Famili really took us under their wing. They cared for us, the nurtured us. They fed us. They cried with us when times were hard. They laughed with us. They found people for us to teach. They were the closest thing we had to family. And I will ever be grateful to them. I love them so much.

The opportunity to be an MTC instructor has blessed my life. I was able to meet so many amazing missionaries who truly helped me to experience a deeper sence of humility. As we give of ourselves in service we are better enabled to know Christ better. He is the perfect example of love and service. Having the opportunity to be in New Zealand and still teaching these principles even after my mission has increased my ability to love. It has motivated me to try harder. I am grateful for the lessons this experience has provided me with. At the end of the day God teaches us a little more about our selves and somehow; we are able to understand a little more about His children.

goodbye twenty fourteen

Celebrating 2014! An interesting year to say the least. Though there were a lot of things I look back at and wonder, "Brittany, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!!" haha ...I am THANKFUL for the obstacles and lessons I was able to learn. I'm thankful God has allowed me to reach so many of my dreams from keeping my Dream Job as an MTC instructor, to realizing where I am with my lack of desire to date as an awkward RM, to even being able to take a semester off and come home for a season. :) Life is looking up as I look forward to being able to leave next week for New Zealand for a semester on assignment at the MTC there, and to also spend time with so many loved ones. :)
          Here's to TWENTY FIFTEEN, and to new dreams! Here's to committing to living a healthier life, and to everything that lies ahead! Happy 2015!

Rang in the New Year by counting down last night, with one of my favorites :) Paulzy and I on the Dance Floor! Happy New Year!

This morning at 6:30 my cousin Rocky and I hiked to the top of Mission Peak, and I was able to cross #46 off my bucket list! #CatchingDreams

While hiking Mission Peak for my first time, there were many surprises along the way. Though the hike itself was only a little over 3 miles, I found it very difficult and intense. It is no secret that 2014 was not my year of fitness and healthy living. Recently I have made a commitment to a healthy life style. Today was a challenge. There were times on the hike that I wanted to seriously give up. There were times when i doubted if I would see the end. There were times when I was distracted from my goal because I was cold, hungry, and tired. At the last 0.5 miles left of our upward climb, a scripture entered my mind as I struggled to breathe. When Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane where He took upon himself all of the pains and sins of the world, his disciples waited a distance off. He asked them to watch and pray. Though I'm sure they wanted to but were subject to the weakness of mortality, the Savior returned to find them asleep. The scripture says, "Surely the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." I found this absolutely true in my case. Just as the hike came with unexpected difficulties, twists, turns, and rocky climbs, this life is likewise filled with obstacles and adversity. There will be times in this life where we may have reason to question what it is we are doing. There may be times where we may be distracted from our goals. There may likewise be times where we find ourselves exhausted and robbed of the will power and optimism we may have once possessed. At these times I feel it is crucial to remember to breathe, take a look at how far you've already come, and remember your "WHY". For example "Why am I here?" "Why am I going through with this?" "How will this benefit me in the long run?" "Is this worth it?" If so... "What will I do to obtain it." 

I am grateful to an eternal God, who's love is perfect, and for the gift of prayer in which source I have found strength at times of weakness and exhaustion. Godis love. He is merciful and kind, and omnipotent. He is all knowing. He knows the intensity of the hike, and the condition of our bodies; but he is also the maker of the mountain. In Him we can find stability and the ability to endure. 

To a new Year...And great times ahead!

BUCKET LIST

1. marry in the oakland temple :)

2 serve a full time mission

3. disneyland with a best friend

4. plan a wedding

5. go to ROME with LARA.

6. take a train and get lost somewhere

7. spend the night on the beach

8. make a masterpiece

9. dance on a balcony under a full moon with an amzing guy

10. produce/direct a musical

11. fall in love with the man of my dreams

12. write a song for my mama

13. try out for american idol

14. walk through the sacred grove

15. complete a marathon

16. drive down the 101 to LA

17. girl power / burn party!

18. have a super harry potter marathon/party that is amazing!

19. make a three story ginger bread house

20. dance like no ones watching; when they are indeed =]

21. make the perfect thanksgiving turkey*

22. perform an original before a live audience*

23. perform a salsa dance =]*

24. live in hawaii for a year

25. meet my brother Lester*

26. meet my brother Hanley

27. live in Utah for a year

28. befriend someone i didn't like*

29. become fluent in Samoan

30. complete a crocheted headband

31. go horseback riding in Oregon

32. skydiving

33. night swimming in the ocean

34. disneyland with ezra

35. ride in a ship

36. swim in the pacific ocean with a best friend*

37. photograph a wedding*

38. tai chi*

39. make a music video*

40. roller blade at night

41. pet a butterfly

42. write an inspirational piece*

43. perform spoken word

44. shake the hand of an apostle of the lord.*

45. sew a tie for a friend

46. bake cupcakes for strangers =]

47. be a mommy =]

48. SLC temple square tour

49. tour polynesia

50. english major

51. publish a novel

52. invent something amazing

53. hang gliding

54. kiss a goat*

55. climb a cactus*

56. dance in the rain with my best friend...when it's not raining*

57. learn the guitar

58. start a non profit organization

59. make a difference in the world

60. sailing

61. New Zealand

62. England

63. Teach in the Missionary Training Center

64. write a children's book

65. make something awesome from pottery

66. Australia

67. buy a cute hippi van =]

68. Have an all day CHOCOLATE FEAST w/ rhonda!

69. play rugby without dying

70. learn self defence

71. ride an elephant with katrina!

72. Samoa

73. have lunch with a  stranger

75. sisteen chapel

76. meet oprah

77. make a differnce in the world

78. HARRY POTTER WORLD!

79. go to a thanksgiving macy's parade

80. time square

81. san diego zoo

82. hike up a mountain w/a watermellon

83. work on a farm

84. eat alligator
85 cut my hair "Halley Berry short
86. Yosemite
87. Drink a coconut
88. Hobbiton
89. Ginger Beer
90. Milk a Cow
91. Hug a Lamb
92. Swim in the Ocean of New Zealand
93. Tour NZ w/ my bestie Sister Phillips
94. Whangarei Falls
95. Waitangi Marae
96. Sydney Opera House
97. wake up in Savai'i
98. swim with sea turtles
99. see my biological father again
100. try out for American Idol
101. Oakland Zoo Lights
102. catch a wedding bouquette
103. make a romantic picnic
104. get a teaching job at the MTC
105. Get a waitressing job
106. Twilight Marathon
107. Play in autumn leaves
108. Find a BIG wishy
109. let a cat tail free

Twenty Five. Tonight sleep escapes me as I Reflect on all that I have been blessed with, I am filled with gratitude to know a mothers love and the unconditional care of grandparents. I'm grateful to have been given a second chance at life. I feel blessed to know who I am, to know that God loves me and that I am His daughter. I am my mothers labor, my brothers keeper and my sisters best friend. I have known some of the truest friendships and lost a few times too. I have felt the joy within family and the sting of abandonment as well as the deep sorrow that comes from death of a loved one.. I've tasted the purest love of a companion, and have felt the void of his absence. I've felt the warmth of acceptance and the pierce of rejection. To all who have impacted my life in anyway, Thank You! I love you, and am grateful for you. 
     And above all, THANK YOU LORD, for the blessing of these past twenty five years. Here's to catching dreams and Marching to my own drum! My God is Good! #MyLife