happy christmas.

I could not have asked for a better time to come home from my mission. Right at Christmas time. So many friends and family to see and so much to be grateful for.

I love Christmas.

Serving a mission has changed my out look on Christmas.

I love my Savior.

I love His Gospel.

I am eternally grateful for the redemption that he brings me through his infinite sacrifice, the Atonement.

What greater reason to celebrate than the birth of our Savior?!

myth: busted.

Here it is. I'm about to bust every myth about sister missionaries. But I'll start with this disclaimer: I know that not everyone thinks these things about sister missionaries, but they are common myths that are out there. And I may or may not have thought these exact same things at one point.

1. Sister missionaries are frumpzillas.

Sister missionaries have ample space to express their personal style. Our mission president's wife told us to wear COLOR. Now, for those of you that have received that lovely mission prep pamphlet that came with your mission call, pictures would prove otherwise. But we're keeping up with the times. And rumor has it that they are even recreating that pamphlet that they send. Or it's already in circulation. I'm not sure. I haven't seen it, but I've heard about it and heard others talking about it.

2. Sister missionaries are on their mission because they had "nothing better to do".

I had plenty of companions that were at a stable point in their life. Working, going to school, about to graduate, etc.

3. Sister missionaries are on missions because they couldn't get married.

Now, although I wasn't dating anybody before I left on my mission, it doesn't mean that other sisters weren't. I have known several sisters that were in perfectly happy, healthy, functioning relationships before they left on their mission.

I would say that those are the top three. If you've heard any others, send em my way. And I'll be more than happy to bust them.

pictures.

I thought I had more pictures than this on my computer. I am having a TIME trying to get my pictures to upload from my camera to computer. I'll figure it out one of these days. But for now...here are these.

Enjoy.

if she wants to rock she rocks if she wants to roll she rolls she can roll with the punches as long as she feels like she's in control.

My dad is in this thing called Rotary club.

Heard of it?

I'm not sure what exactly it is. Some group of business types. I think it helps get your name and your company out there. Or something.

Anyway.

He was in charge of arranging for the guest speaker today. He set up with a doctor that my mom works for to come talk about stress management.

Can I get an AMEN?

If you were to look up stressed in the dictionary you would see a picture of me and then a foot note that said "see Christine Leigh Fleming".

I tend to be stressed. A lot. And it stems from me being a perpetual worrier.

I know it's my own fault. But we all have things that we are working on, right?

Dr. Amit Sood talked about a lot of really interesting concepts.

How we can de-stress.

And it all starts with perception. And being in control of your life.

Afterall, we generally can't change what's happening around us, but we sure can change how we react to it.

Virginia is for LOVERS (and missionaries)

So.

After EIGHTEEN months, how do you even begin to update?!

I can start by saying this. That the past 18 months were the

hardest

saddest

happiest

most frustrating

most enjoyable

BEST

18 months of my LIFE.

Hands down.

More to follow. Including pictures.

ps. I mentioned in an earlier post that the mission boundaries included Maryland. And it sure didn't. I thought that the Eastern Shore, that little part under MD was part of MD.

Fun fact for ya: IT'S NOT. Shows how much I paid attention in Geography.