Forever & Always a Part of Home

Five years! It’s been five years since I’ve come home from my mission and I don’t know where the time has gone! 

Five years ago today when I arrived at the airport and saw my parents at the bottom of the escalator and I 

remember I just started bawling 😭 Not because I was excited to be home but because when I saw my family it hit 

me that my mission was over and I wasn’t ready for that. I stayed at the top of those stairs for 15 minutes trying 

to get myself together as I saw other missionaries reunite with their families. I finally made it down the stairs and 

hugged my mom and I started crying all over again because I was so sad to be home. (Please tell me I’m not the only one!) ⁣
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My mission was an unforgettable 18 months where I deeply connected with my God and his Son. That year and 

a half is where I greater understood how important it is to act on the things I believe. When I acted my faith grew. 

When I acted, my love for others around me grew. When I acted, I grew. ⁣
⁣
The Anaheim, California area will always have a very special place in my heart and it will always be a piece of my home. ❤️🏠⁣
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(And yes, I cried writing this. My memories of my mission are so special, that it’s impossible not to reflect on 

those experiences with with so much joy. And sometimes I want more of that 24/7 missionary work back in 

my life because it sure created some unforgettable moments.)

Life 5 Years Later

Enjoying: 

Being done with school! No more homework. It's beautiful! 

Living:

Utah 

Looking Forward To: 

Walking for graduation in May

Reading:

Not really anything right now. Loosely, Harry Potter #1 

Job: 

Special Education Teacher!

Working On:

Putting my classroom together. 

Current Church Calling:

Compassionate Service Leader

How My Testimony Has Grown:

One thing that I have really grown to realize more this past year is how much God cares about me and my life plans. When I started my first year of college, special education was not on my radar. A friend had suggested it to me and I said, "Not happening." I don't know how but before fall semester ended, I was full speed ahead with special ed, and I felt very strongly that it was the correct career choice for me. Many obstacles came into my life that made it difficult to pursue my major, but time after time, my Heavenly Father was there to make sure I could overcome the barriers, or in some cases they would be completely removed.  I prayed so many times for things to work out. 

One major thing that I prayed for was to pass my Praxis test in Math and Science- my two worst subjects. I had avoided taking it because I was so stressed about it, I didn't even want to think about it. But the time came where I needed to take both sections of the test if I wanted to student teach that fall. Without passing them, I would not be able to move forward in my schooling and would have to hold of student teaching. I know it was my fault, and my poor planning. I studied so much for those sections and poured over study guides the praxis test provided. I spent hours a day studying and tears came. I finally booked my test dates at the beginning of August (student teaching started 3 weeks later) and it came to the point where the only thing I could do was pray. I went to my first test, science. I looked at the first question, and I was like, "How in the world does this even relate to what I studied for?" And that is how it was for the majority of the test. I was simply guessing. The next day, I took the math test. Same thing. I had not even done some of that stuff in college. It was not even close to the elementary math that they gave on the study material. Some answers were fill in  the blank and I had no idea, so I could not even guess. When I walked out I knew I did the best I could and I hoped it would be enough. When I got my results back I found out that I had passed both sections on my test and not just barely, but well over the minimum mark! There is NO WAY I could have done that on my own. Prayer is real! God listens. I was able to student teach, get my degree, and find a job. Miracles happen!

There have been a few times during the year with other things where I prayed for something to happen. These were things that were completely out of my control. I could do nothing to make it happen. In that week, my prayer was not answered once, but twice! And it happened a few other times through out the year as well. Prayer is real! God listens.

I know that every time I pray, things won't always happen the way I wish. I just feel with the first experience I shared with special education, my want was aligned with God and He fought with me to make it happen. With my second experience, I feel it was something that was simple and not too life altering, but just a simple desire that was hard for me to not receive. I still struggle with it to this day, and I do all I can to make it better, but usually it's out of my own power and I just have to hope everything works out. But what I do know is that prayer is real. God listens to me and He loves me more than I understand. And miracles happen daily. 

And here's past blog posts about marking my return home:

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Called to the Work

I can’t believe it’s been four years since I came home from my mission! ✈️  
The time has gone by so fast and a lot has happened but it feels only like last year... at the most! 
My mission was a life changing experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything. My mission brought me closer to my Savior. 
It allowed me to see thousands of people the way Christ sees them- even if only for a moment. It taught me about Christlike love. 
I loved sharing the of gospel with others. I loved seeing others change their lives as they became closer to Christ. 
My mission brought so much goodness to my life and I am grateful for it everyday (not exaggerating). 
I will forever love My California ❤

Life 4 Years Later

Enjoying: 

Our clean and organized apartment. 

We moved back in August and I'm constantly telling Andrew how much I

love it! We have more living and storage space and a washer and dryer!

Living:

Utah 

Looking Forward To: 

Starting a new eating plan next week! 

Reading:

Crossed (Matched series) 

Job: 

Part time school in Special Education at the USU Orem Campus. 

Also working as a Special Education para educator at an elementary school.

Working On:

 Making a recipe binder. 

Actually I already made it, it's just putting all the recipes inside! 

aaaannnnnd training for a half marathon. 

Current Church Calling:

Compassionate Service Leader

How My Testimony Has Grown:

I hate to admit it but my scripture study had really fallen off the band wagon. 
I knew of the power, peace, and revelation it has previously brought to my life, but I was still struggling to 
dedicate the time to study them- not just read. When I was on my mission one thing I was looking forward to 
about coming was was spending more time reading the scriptures. But real life kicked in and it became hard! 
Without reading my scriptures I noticed a huge change in my life. 
I was more ornery and unhappy. That is not what I wanted for my life. 
I started making a bigger priority of reading the scriptures on my own and with Andrew. The difference that has made! 
Our marriage became stronger, we share more spiritual things together, I was happier and less likely to 
rash out irrationally (name the movie). 

The scriptures are really powerful as the words come from God. I need God in my life and without reading His word, 
it makes it difficult to receive revelation. I know the scriptures have been written for us and I needed them more than I realized. 
When I set aside time to read the scriptures there is a feeling that comes to our lives that cannot be duplicated by the world. 
I gave gained revelation for my live and have gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of the gospel. 
And the new Come Follow Me program that we have been doing this past month has only enhanced my scripture study time. 
I love it. It has brought me so me so much peace, joy, comfort, revelation, growth, love for others and my Savior. 
The power of the scriptures are unreal. 

I also want to share about how much I love President Nelson and how I know that he is the prophet on the earth today.
Not for one minute have I felt unsure (like I did when President Monson became the prophet).
I have felt so much power from President Nelson and I know there have been some changes but it's amazing how
those changes have changed my life for better, even in such a short amount of time. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior
and that He leads His church by giving us President Nelson to guide and help us grow.
I absolutely love this gospel. I love the growth it brings to my life and the fact that I can try again, over and over.
"Living after the manner of happiness," is the best way to grow closer to the Savior because
if there is no righteousness there is no happiness. 

The Mile High City

One of my absolute favorite things about our trip to Colorado was going to the Denver temple. 

All growing up I heard the stories about events that happened at this temple.

Clifton family history time: 

(1) My parents got engaged here. Part of a threat. haha. My mom and dad had been friends for YEARS

(i'm talking around 12 years here) and my dad had asked my mom several times to marry him but she always said no. 

She liked dating and he was just her friend. 

Well he surprised my mom at the temple one day and said if she didn't say yes this time he was leaving 

and would be gone forever. Well, she thought about it and 2 hours later in the temple she said yes. 

(2) Two months later they were married in this temple. 

So I really wanted to come and see the place where their forever began.

It was special. 

And I am so grateful for my parents and all the sacrifices they went through to make sure 

that getting married in the temple happened. 

I loved every minute. 

^28 years ago^

I love them so much! 

We went out to eat after our trip to the temple and funny story (and totally me): 

We brought clothes to change into that were a bit more casual. I went to change and I packed everything but a
shirt. Well, guess that I meant I was staying in my dress for the rest of the day. So glad I packed a pair of flats.
Or that would have been killer! haha. 

The Hayes took us to the cutest ice cream shop that I've ever seen in my entire life.
And it was all decorated for fall as a pumpkin patch with hay and pumpkins.
I almost died.
Not only was it cute but it was delicious and they had some of the funnest flavors.

Such as french toast, pb&j, ginger snap, horchata, salted oreo, lemon lavender. 

We tried quite a few before settling on which ones we wanted. 

 ^We all got smalls which come with 2 scoops. pb&j and space junkie were my favorite.^ 

We toured Denver and it was funny. It was a Saturday night and hardly anyone was out. The city was almost dead.
I said they were all camping. Colorado is an outdoor kind of people place.
We had a lot of fun being in the city and saw a lot of people were high, and not just in the elevation,
if you know what i mean.... 

Denver was such a fun place to be. It was a city inside an outdoor town. 

Wish I was back there because there homework doesn't exist! ha! that would be great. 

Only a month and a half left of the semester and then I can breathe a bit! 

Willkommen Zuhause!

Or in English, Welcome Home!

Last week my brother-in-law came home from his LDS mission.
We have not seen him for 2 years except for skype calls home on Mother's Day and Christmas.
His plane landed around 12:00am so we got to the airport around 10:00pm to make sure we got a prime spot.

He left shortly after Andrew and I were married and I feel the time went by so fast!
A lot of things have happened but not much has changed.

Here are some of the many pictures that we took + a video that I put together to capture the moments.

California Love

Three years ago I came home from my mission in Anaheim, California with the most life changing experience. My mission changed me in so many ways. I have learned how to deeply study the scriptures and I came to realize how much I depend on those words from God. I learned that prayer is something that truly brings me closer to my Father. I saw how miracles still happen and how much God is involved in the details. I learned how to exercise and sleep at the same time. I learned that Christmas is still Christmas without snow and I that I loved it! I learned to try new foods, and that Disneyland has the best fireworks. I learned about other's, their testimonies and how they know there is our Savior, Jesus Christ. I learned how exciting it is to share the gospel. I learned what obedience means and about consecration. I learned that service brings happiness. I learned to love it all and be so, so happy! 

Life 3 Years Later

Enjoying: 

Exercising and bettering myself
(and I'm actually awake for it now)

Living:

Utah 

Looking Forward To: 

Using our new camera

Reading:

Work and the Glory #9

Job: 

Part time school in Special Education at the USU Orem Campus. 

Also working as a Special Education para educator at an elementary school.

Working On:

 Homework and fine tune organizing our apartment

Current Church Calling:

Recently released from the Relief Society Presidency

and waiting for my new calling.

How My Testimony Has Grown:

This past year I have truly seen and realized that God wants me to succeed! There have been so many instances where I do not want to even start my day because I am sure to fail. Somehow, literally through miracles, I am able to accomplish the things I needed to and not even half way, but better than I could have ever expected. God has a plan for my life and it amazes me how everything turns out. I have always loved attending the temple but this past year the temple really became a necessity in my life. I was able to go to the temple every month last year and every time I went I was brought so much peace, even though beforehand I didn't realize how much I needed to feel that. By going to the temple I have also found a greater love for family history work for some of my own family names as well as for a friend. Death is not the end. With the passing of President Monson my testimony of living prophets increased and I took time to think of him and his sacred calling. I know that he was a prophet of God and that President Nelson is God's prophet today "for by their fruits ye shall know them." I am so grateful for the continual guidance from God that comes from His prophet and apostles today.  God is so real and his love is something I depend on. This church is true and I am so grateful that I am apart of it and I had the chance to share it everyday 18 months. 

We ♥ NY!!!

This was our last official day in NY and we made sure that we packed as much in as we could! 

We started our day out bright and early and we drove to Niagara Falls. It's never really been a thing on my bucket list 

but I since going there, I have added it to my list just to check it off because I loved it that much. 

We bought the pass for everything to do while we were there, but we think only 2 things are actually worth doing. When 

we go back to the falls (because we are going back someday!) I would only do Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds. 

Maid of the Mist was incredible because they took you to the base of the biggest falls. We stayed on the United States side 

the whole time for time issues (we did not want to wait in lines for customs) and Maid of the Mist defiantly showed us 

the falls in all their glory- up close and personal. 

After the boat ride there is a walk that you can do near some of the smaller falls. 

And funny story. 

Dennis was our photographer for a lot of the pictures and he wanted us to have some good pictures with the least amount of people 

in the background and sidelines as possible so he loudly announced that the "newlyweds" wanted a picture and we were on our honeymoon! " haha. What a hoot! And I think his plan worked! People were more willing to move and hardly any people are 

in the sidelines. We got a lot of words of congratulations that day. 

^I look great here (not) but we just loved the rainbow behind us^

Our favorite thing ever of Niagara was Cave of the Winds. We loved this one because we were able to walk in a different area 

near the smaller falls and we literally were able to feel the power of the water! It is described as the "hurricane." It's an incredible 

experience that cannot be put into words. We literally had a BLAST! (pun totally intend.) And we got matching sandals.

 ^We did a live photo and this is the result we got.^

 The water would cover the camera and sometimes it would even change what we wanted such as a photo or video. 

The water was that strong!

Andrew and I did a small walk to Canada on the bridge. We got to the Canada side took a few pictures then walked 

back. We did not wait in that customs line. Now I have been to Canada. Kinda, if only being on a bridge counts. 

^Andrew is in the USA and I am in Canada.^

Our relationship can last even when we are in separate countries.

^As far into Canada as we got^

We went to the aquarium that was on our pass and that was lame. I would not recommend it because it was so small. 

The best thing there were the seals that you can see from the outside and the rest were basic fish and some penguins. 

Someday we are going back and I want to spend an entire day at the falls. It was so beautiful and then at night they do 

a color water show. I want to go to Canada and see them from that view and then explore the area a bit. Next time 

we will tour the area more! 

We drove back to Palmyra and had dinner at this popular place. Totally recommend. 

Good food and ice cream. It's impossible to go wrong! 

Shortly after we got to Palmyra we went to the Hill Cumorah which was a good call because it was closing soon before the 

pageant started. Guys, knowing what happened on this hill and knowing who walked this area was such an incredible feeling! 

To learn about the Hill Cumorah CLICK HERE.

We went to the Visitor's Center and we found the missionaries that had been helping Dennis learn more about the church. 

These two sisters were amazing for him. We loved them! 

 We tried to visit as many church sites as possible and we got most of them in.

^This is the stone that the house is made of. So unique^

To learn more about Martin Harris CLICK HERE.

To learn more about the Book of Mormon CLICK HERE.

This is the Palmyra Temple and it's so beautiful. When we come back to upstate I want to go inside. Back when the 

church was getting organized in the 1800's who would have imagined that a temple would be built here? This gospel is amazing.

To learn more about temples and why we have them CLICK HERE.

We went to the pageant and I always love getting pictures with the cast. Dennis thought so too. He went up the man 

on the right (in the red and yellow outfit) and loudly says, "Hello ladies! Will you take a picture for us?" We about died! 

It was a man! It's not normal to see men in old fashioned biblical clothes, so you can see how he made the mistake. 

And as you can see we got our picture. 

^I was walking around and I realized I knew her! She watched me grow up. 

What are the odds to see here there? ^

^One of the wise men who brought gifts to Christ^

The Hill Cumorah Pageant and it was excellent! 

One of the church history sites that we were not able to see was Alvin Smith's grave. Alvin Smith was a brother of 

Joseph Smith who died in his mid twenties. Since we were in Palmyra I really wanted to go and see it even in the dark 

because we were leaving the next day. We climbed up the steps to the cemetery and we had our phone flashlights on looking 

for a headstone and we had no clue where it was. 

Andrew found it and just so you know when you walk up the stairs it will be on your left side.  

This is the original headstone and they placed it in a new one to perserve it.

This is the other side and here they copied what it says on the original. 

We walked through the Sacred Grove a little bit and it was neat to go back at night. I wish we had more time to walk 

through it in the daytime. Once again, next time we travel to upstate New York I have a whole lot of things we are doing! 

We did most of the church sites and there were only 2 things we missed on the Smith family farm but we saw the two 

homes and the Sacred Grove and those are the best things there! 

The next day Andrew and I said goodbye to New York and caught our flight to Utah. We absolutely loved our NY adventure 

and both of us cannot wait to do it again! The city was incredible because things like that are just not in Utah and then 

to end it in the beauty of upstate NY with included church history sites was perfect. 

There you have it, 4102 pictures later, condensed as much as possible for blog posting from our NY trip. 

I totally recommend every part of NY but upstate was probably my favorite!