too much free time

What have I been doing with all my free time now that I don't have a job/school, you ask? Well my days usually consist the following:

1. Waking up too early to make dad breakfast (I know right)

2. Going running in the forests of NC (which brings me great joy as I listen to the crickets and drink in the wildflowers all the while listening to General Conference talks in Chinese)

3. Going to DYSA activities. In the span of one week, I have done the following things with the single's ward: Fireside, FHE, ward volleyball, temple trip/treat night, another volleyball night, institute, ultimate frisbee night, dance party. Overboard much? Possibly. I have at times questioned whether attending this number of activities is productive and a good use of my time. However, I was reminded by Sister Oaks last Sunday at the CES Fireside that we are not saved in isolation. Going to activities is one way to build people. People are important.

And, let's be honest, since I don't have anything else to do and am usually starved of any social interaction all day, there's really no reason not to go. Especially when I remember that life will not always be this slow-paced, even starting in a week or so.

4. Working on my mission book. I have spent probably 20 hours this week reading through my mission journals, pulling quotes and experiences to include in a book I am creating on my mac. It's been a "neat" experience (look, I'm picking up dad's lingo, too) to read them; I have found myself desiring to be more valiant and to pray more fervently as I think back on the power, revelation, and happiness that results as I do so. This has been the first time that I have had the time and energy to reflect back on my mission since I came home 2 1/2 years ago. (Yes, I'm old. Thank you.) I was thrown into BYU schooling/social life 1 week after coming home from Taiwan and haven't had a "break" since. So I think this is good for me to stop and reflect. In fact, I think it's been the only thing that has kept me remotely sane this past week.

Here is a teaser experience from my mission album that I thought was quite entertaining (written one week after going to Taiwan):

“Tonight we taught the Xu family. The mother is searching for a church and both are really smart. I can’t understand a thing they say. It’s so humbling. And the father said I look like I understand 10%. Anyway, tonight he was talking about prayer. He said how the first time he saw someone pray there was no feeling. Then he saw me pray. He said there was feeling and sincerity and that he hasn’t seen anyone pray like that. He then commented on the fact that maybe it was because I was trying to think of all the Chinese I knew...I don't really know which of those is more true.”

Sending the best from Pa Ma and L. xoxo