Effie & Ollie Elephants

Before I knew I was going to be able to put in my papers, I had asked Elder Hammer what he wanted for Christmas this year. He said something small that would remind him of me.

And then he said: "I'm going to be hauling a lot of stuff home so don't send me an elephant or something."

Yep. I'm gonna do it. Before I even knew I was going to Thailand, I considered sending him a tiny little elephant in his present as a joke. But now I'm going to THAILAND! Elephants abounding! How can that NOT remind him of me???

So I bought the Effie & Ollie Elephants pattern by Heather Bailey, and I'll be making him a little tiny elephant (they really are pretty small!) for Christmas.

I think I'm funny. But hey, these are too cute NOT to sew. I'm a Family and Consumer Science major afterall.

Remember Buddha

So I remembered something Jared had said from his earliest letter in the MTC (very first one!)

I looked it up and sure enough... "Our teacher told us of a story about a missionary in the far east who sat on the belly of a Buddah statue for a picture of himself. He was arrested and subsequentially received criminal charges, and was sent home. So everytime one of us is about to do something stupid, we say "Remember Buddah!"

I was looking at all the culture awareness rules of my mission, and like, rule NUMBER ONE is to NOT SIT ON BUDDHA!! :p Basically, Jared knew from the first week of his mission where I was going! ;)

Like Father like Daughter

Sawat dee kah!

Mr. Painter in 1982

My dad took a trip around the world and just so happened to visit Thailand in 1982.

I've always wanted to be like my dad.

Dad with the Elephants

I had no idea elephants would be involved, but boy am I excited. One of my goals? Touch an elephant on my mission.

1982 in Thailand

So excited to experience this beautiful country!

Grandpa and Grandma Painter

Love,

Sister Painter

Thailand, Bangkok Mission!!

I think it's about time you guys know where I'm going on my mission.
Fair enough? :)

Dear Sister Painter,
You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the.... THAILAND, BANGKOK MISSION!
I enter February 6th, 2013-- preparing to serve in the THAI language!

 

IT'S HERE!

Mailman, oh Mailman

To the tune of "Matchmaker Matchmaker" from Fiddler on the Roof. ... Sort of.

Mailman, oh Mailman, bring me a call.
Bring me a call from the good Lord of all.
Have it say, "Sister Painter, I need you,
to teach in a I've prepared you to do." 

Mailman, oh Mailman, where is your van?
Bring me a envelope-- fast as you can!
Have it be white and say, "1st Presidency,"
This is the way that I want it to be! 

Mailman, oh Mailman, I'm stalking you here,
Sitting at the window with excitement and fear
that you won't come and I'll wait seven more days,
Bring me a call-- and please don't delay! 

Mission call, Mission call-- the voice of a trump!
Don't care where I'm sent, even to a dump!
Just tell me I can serve and find God's children,
and stay away from those flirty men! 

Mailman, oh Mailman, I'm going crazy,
Within an hour: it's you and it's me.
I'm diving in front of your van like a kook,
It's okay, cause my mission call I just took 

when you weren't looking I snatched it from you,
That's what a crazy girl, yes, would do.
Luckily I haven't done that quite just yet,
but make me wait thirty more minutes and I would-- I bet! 

Love,
Future Sister Painter

Elder & Sister

Elder Hammer is in Armenia, but where will I go?

Waiting on word of what my flag will be- Sister Painter's anxiously waiting for tomorrow!

Serving for the God we love, even across oceans, we're still best friends.

Where oh where am I going?

My side is to be filled in later!

Love,

Future Sister Painter

Assignment Made!

My call is officially assigned and being mailed to me as we speak. I'm freaking out, I'm a bundle of emotions, I'm going crazy. Get here!

So excited.

In the mean time, Happy Birthday to one of my dearest and best friends, Emilie.

I just want to draw.... all the time. Apparently anxious waiting brings out my creative juices and all of a sudden all my pieces look exactly as I would like them to look. It's a miracle.

Happy Birthday Emilie!

My call is coming on WEDNESDAY!

Impatience Leads to Illustrations

(click to see the big version.)

When a girl is impatient, she will avoid every needful thing (like school) and will do everything else.

In my case, I draw. I started this little gem when I was at home and could not get it to look how my brain saw it.

I sketched, I doodled, I tried out some colors, I hated them ALL!

I finally opened it back up today and decided I would finish what I started, and it CAME TO ME!

So this is for my illustration portfolio I guess. Elcie, the little garden elf.

Love,

The Impatient Future Sister Painter

My Nephew Brekken

This is Brekken.

We haven't met yet, but I'm his Aunt, and he's my very first nephew.

I already love him.

Welcome to the world little guy.

Amongst my waiting anxiously for a mission call, there has been loads of excitement surrounding our first born kiddo in the family! What a cute little gnome-face.

Born: November 12, 2012 @ 11:11pm

Weighing in @ 7 lbs 3 oz, 21 inches long.

Awaiting My Call!

ONLINE COUNTDOWNS

My papers were submitted to Salt Lake City on November 6, 2012: exactly one month's worth of paperwork and craziness.

I've been deemed "worthy and able" (clean and healthy) and my call is "ready for assignment"!

No but really. I'm ready for my assignment. I am beyond anxious for it to arrive. Longest days ever! But full of joy. I'm so excited, so nervous, and ready to read that letter from President Thomas S. Monson, the voice-piece prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I don't care where I'm going. I heard the call of the master and I'm taking His hand--full trust and full faith, send me where I'm supposed to be!

We've had a guessing map going too! It has filled up more now, but this was it the other day. So pumped!

With Love,
Future Sister Painter