One big, fat, gushy, in love blog post. Yeppp. Enjoy.

I'm the type of girl who HATES gushy, love posts, but ya know what? Today, I'm making an exception.  My missionary rocks my socks, and I just can't help but brag on him.  Yesterday, obviously, was Christmas.  Best. Christmas. EVER. I'm really close with Elder Huntington's family, so they invited me over for the Christmas call.  Chance actually got to Skype, though! I can't even express how happy I was to see him.  The guy I've been writing, and that has only existed in emails and letters, is REAL! I mean, that probably sounds silly, but that's how it was.  It's been six months since I've seen him, so I start to forget things about him.  It was SO good to hear his voice and that laugh of his.  He's still the same ole Chance, and I'm so happy.  I didn't know how it was going to go; I was quite nervous.  What if we were both so different that it was awkward? Or what if he had changed his mind about me? Or what if I wasn't good enough for him? These types of questions kept me awake all Monday night.  Right when his face appeared on the screen though, all the doubts were gone.  It was like we had never been apart.  Nerves were gone, and I just wanted to talk to him for forever.  The grin on his face was priceless when he saw I was there.  That alone will keep me waiting the rest of the two years.  He was so happy, and just glowed the entire time! He was still the same sarcastic, handsome, sweet guy I fell in love with almost five years ago. :) So throughout the whole conversation I couldn't stop staring at him.  That was enough.  I just loved seeing his face.  I held in the tears until the end.  Right before he got off his dad had him bare his testimony.  Have I mentioned I love him?  Or that I'm the luckiest girl EVER?  His testimony was SO strong.  He has so much confidence in this gospel.  "He lets us experience misery, so that we can experience joy... Because he loves us, and I know that to be true.  I know this gospel is true with my whole heart." It doesn't get much better than that.  Told you he rocks.  He's mine, though, sorry. :) 

I love my Elder Huntington! <3

Just call me Sister Roper!

I, Whitney Roper, am going to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!!! Big news? Yup, I know.
Pretty much my life plans drastically changed one week ago.  When President Monson announced the mission ages had changed, I could not have been more excited. I had never thought about a mission before. Heck, I don't even know my major in college! But this announcement changed everything. I went from a girl who was trying to adjust to college, trying to figure out her major, and just kind of drifting through life not knowing what was next to a girl who is going to leave everything behind for eighteen months.. Say whaaaat?! I don't even know how this happened!
I've really been trying to figure out if this is what I'm supposed to do.. I've kind of had the yes answer in the back of my head this past week, but I wasn't completely sure.. Until today.  This weekend is stake conference and tonight we had a meeting completely focused on missionary work.  Coincidence? I think not.  Two sister missionaries in our stake talked to us.  It was amazing! I don't even know how to describe the spirit these two ladies brought.  I wish I could take everyone I know back and make them listen to these two! I can never thank them enough for giving me my answer.
A highlight of the night was a convert that spoke.  The two sisters had converted her.  It was so amazing to listen to her story and know that I could be changing people's lives like that.  Tonight honestly made me soooo excited for this opportunity! I know I can't possibly regret going, but I know if I didn't go then that is something I would regret.. Especially after tonight. There's no denying the answer.. YES I am supposed to go on a mission!

So much to be thankful for. ♥

Well.. I've kinda had a rough, confusing couple days. I just feel like nothing's ever going to go right! This girl in testimony meeting yesterday shared something though that really just hit me like it was meant for me.  She said she writes down every day ten new things she's thankful for.  When she said this, me, being grumpy, was thinkin uhhh I don't think I could do that right now. But ya know what? I was so wrong! There's so much to be thankful for every day, even if it's little things we never show any recognition to.  So here's to ten things I'm thankful for! :)

1. I am soooo indescribably thankful for my family.  I have amazing parents who have raised me so good, and I couldn't have asked for any better. I also love my amazing, annoying at times, little brother and sister.  They make life exciting and I love them. :) My family is the best.

2. I am thankful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. What a blessing! Being born in this gospel I find myself taking it for granted too often.  When I take a step back and look at all it brings me, I realize I would be no where without it.  I love my Heavenly Father and Savior with all my heart and am thankful for all they did for me. <3

3. I am so grateful to be writing an amazing missionary.  Elder Chance Lamar Huntington never fails to make my week every Monday! Writing a missionary can be so challenging at times, but watching him grow and develop a deeper love for the gospel makes everything so worth it.  I love him more than I can even say. :) He still seems to make me smile more than anyone and he's clear across the country in Florida.  Now that's when you know you've got a keeper! :) He's the best, and I'm so grateful to have him in my life!

4. I'm thankful, of course, for the close friends I have, especially Tennyson! She's the best roommate and I'm so glad I moved in with her.  She makes being away from home easy peasy lemon squeezy. :) I feel like we have some amazing memories to be made this year! LOVE my friends.

5. I'm thankful to be a Thunderbird! I love SUU. I know this is the place I'm meant to be.. It just feels right. :) I'm just lovin' college so far, and know it's cause I'm here at SUU! Such a fun experience ahead of me. :)

6.  I'm thankful to have grown up in my small town. :) People might think it would be an awful place to live, but I love it! 4 more days till I get to go home to it! :) Sooo excited.  I just love knowing there's a place I have to go back to. <3

7. Oh I've got a good one! I'm so thankful for chocolate milk, TruMoo to be specific. :) I've drank two gallons in the almost three weeks I've been here! I'm officially a TruMoo addict. Yup.

8. I'm thankful for my new addiction, One Tree Hill. Oh and Vampire Diaries.  Whoever came up with these shows, I owe them.. Big time.  Pretty sure I would die of boredom without them! I love Lucas, Nathan, Stephan, and Damon.  Stephan will always be my #1. <3

9.  Ok another serious one! I'm extremely grateful for temples.  Holy cow.  I don't know what I'd do without 'em.  The temple is my #1 goal! I won't be settling for anything less, no matter what. I love knowing that the temple will give me the ability to be with my family forever.  Not for just a long time.. FOREVER. <3 I can't wait to go to the temple. :) Salt Lake to be exact!

10. Ok last one.. I am just thankful for my life in general.  Like why am I so blessed?? I feel so extremely lucky, and at times I feel I don't deserve it! I have so much to be thankful for, and need to start realizing that each day. I love this crazy life I live. <3

Dancin' time!

First official weekend of college was a success! Oh my gosh.. So fun. It was a paint dance! Never in my life have I been to such a fun dance. :) Ahhh.. Pretty much I'm never going to get to sleep tonight because of the excitement! Haha.. If college stays this fun, my grades might be in a wee bit of trouble! I love college.

College time for this small town girl!

Guess who's a big girl now?! That would be me! Moved down to Cedar on the 15th and have been absolutely loving it!  I love where I live, I have thee best roommate out there (don't argue with me on this one), and so far I'm lovin' school.  I have it good for sure.  I'm so blessed! It's still kind of weird that I'm on my own.. But I've been starting to get used to it. :) Each day brings something new.. For instance, learning to do laundry.  Ehh, not so fun.. But there's been more good than bad.  So excited to see what this year brings! :)

All ready to go! :)

 Miss Regan && Miss Tenny (The roommate)
Did I mention she cooks me delicious food??

First college dance.. Sooo much fun! 

Lovin' me some sunsets. :)

Ok.. I seriously live in thee most beautiful place. Two absolutely AMAZING sunsets in one week! I could seriously sit and stare at 'em all day.. LOVE! :) 

One happy girl. :)

I got my first letter from Elder Huntington! I officially LOVE letters. I never knew getting letters could be so exciting, but it is.  I've stalked the post office for two days now, and it has finally paid off. :)  He just sounds so happy, so I'm happy for him. He's gonna be the best missionary! I can't wait for more letters!

Bring it on.

I'm ready to try this blogging thing out... I guess!  We'll see how it goes. :) My life up to this point has been amazing. I'm so blessed, and couldn't ask for any more! I'm a new high school graduate (It's been a month... but still!), and getting ready to start a new adventure at Southern Utah University. :) I'm excited, nervous, scared.. but definitely ready. I'm ready for change. :) But as for now, I'm going to enjoy the time I still have left in good ole Emery County, Utah.  Can't let a single minute go to waste! Summer 2012... Bring it on.