Caitlin Fran

Kissed.....

2012-02-02T16:28:00.000-08:00

Well here is my new love & obsession.....Just let it melt your heart like it has melted mine!!

In all honestly I don't really like Gloriana all that much, but this song is my new favorite!

One day I might just get around to giving a real update on my life up here in Logan.....but I have mostly just been working at the hospital quite a bit, which is great! I have started dating one of my best guys friends, hang in there, there may be a post shortly. Due to this new activity I find myself in the SLC more than I am in Logan sometimes, which really I don't mind, I love the SLC!!

Droppin a Trannie!

2012-01-09T13:41:00.000-08:00

Well what an eventful day hahaha! Thursday night I am driving home from Walgreens with my roommates when we hear this horrible grinding sound & my car is having a hard time shifting itself. We make it home safe & sound. I send out a little request to the ward & get a number of responses. What a great ward I have. Well they all told me it was the transmission. So I talked to my good ole father & told him the bad news, then I was planning on driving Friday, but then I didn't get off work early like I had planned & my dad said NO driving at night, the last thing he wanted was for me to be broken down on the side of the road at night. Saturday morning rolls around & I get rocking & rolling in the snow down to Provo to this transmission place that my auto body repairman cousin does business with all the time. Things are going quite well & I am feeling great about my little foci. Then I just passed the University Pkwy exit in Orem & THUD, the loudest noise I have ever heard from a car & my car goes from 70-0 mph fast!!!! I quickly pulled off the road right in between these construction cones, put my car in park then back in drive & it goes nowhere. So I called my dad to tell him I am 4.3 miles from the transmission place. I get off the phone & burst out in laughter. What else is a girl to do?? My uncle shows up a few minutes later & hadcalled a tow truck to get me. I must tell you what a miracle of how all these events played out.....

I was a nervous wreck driving my broken car from Logan to Provo. I couldn't tell if some of the noises & smells were my imagination, or for real, but I just prayed & prayed for safety. Right before the big thud I had moved over to the far right lane since I knew I would be exiting shortly, it died 20 ft before the big cement barriers started which gave me an opportunity to get off the road so I didn't end up getting rear ended. My instincts kicked right in, I actually signaled to get off the road. It just went so smoothly, I just knew someone was watching out for me & that my prayer of safety was answered.

So here is little foci being unloaded off the tow truck. I called the transmission place this morning & they reported that I had an internal transmission problem & they have to put in a new transmission. Here is the next greatest blessing, usually this kind of repair can be up to $2000, but my cousin has rebuilt a lot of focuses & so he has a couple for scraps & happened to have one with a transmission in it, that he sold to us for cheap, so I should be able to get away with only having to pay $600-700. Blessing I think so!

It is better to look up!

2012-01-06T21:43:00.000-08:00

Today I am grateful for a Mother who is so full of wisdom! I remember hearing by Elder Ballard on my mission that a mother is the closest thing to the Savior, I know that to be true. I think a lot, I have been told that I think in a day what the average person thinks in 4 days....Anyway lately, today in particular was just one of those days! Last night my car that I have had for 4 months decides that it wants to start falling apart, I can just hear my brothers word's "american made, I told you so" ring in my head. But I try to keep my hopes high. I reached a point today while at work where I became really overwhelmed with life & what I feel has been thrown at me & how sometimes it makes me dislike Logan haha! I am on the verge of tears so I text my mom so I can get it out to keep my composure. Anyway she gives me the realistic answers then comes my drama & she says, "when it rains, it pours, it could be worse, think of something positive." I reply working on it & she returns, "I mean once you get a new transmission, you will nearly have a new car!!" Sometimes her comments just make me mad, then I get a text a little while later saying, "Jesus & I love you!!!!!!" Texting her just really helped me today, she sent me a scripture about having strength, something I feel like I could really use & as I was thinking about it before I am heading to bed. I decided to read a conference talk. I opened up to the web page with all the talks & read the titles to see which one stood out & "It's always better to look up" by Elder Cook stuck out to me. I knew it was just rubbing how I need to be positive in my face, however I almost feel like the many bumps I have had since coming home from my mission all I can do is laugh....But here are some things that just hit me so hard while reading this.....

"Experience has taught me that if we, like President Monson, exercise our faith and look to God for help, we will not be overwhelmed with the burdens of life. We will not feel incapable of doing what we are called to do or need to do. We will be strengthened, and our lives will be filled with peace and joy.³ We will come to realize that most of what we worry about is not of eternal significance—and if it is, the Lord will help us. But we must have the faith to look up and the courage to follow His direction."

I then thought back to my reading in the Book of Mormon last night, I am in Mosiah where it is talking about the story if Alma the Younger, one of my favorite stories, but how he was at the lowest low & through Christ he was brought to the greatest Joy! We can feel that same way, I can feel that same way as I look up towards my Savior instead of down at the floor feeling sorry for myself. All I want to do is what the Lord wants me to do & I feel so SO much opposition in trying to accomplish His will, however He is there to help lift the "overwhelming burdens of life."

It is time I am more grateful for the little blessings & tender mercies that He sends my way!

Called to Serve!

2011-12-01T14:47:00.000-08:00

Sister Jessie Linford has been CALLED TO SERVE the wonderful people of BERLIN, GERMANY!!! I don't know that they know what they are about to get.....But what lucky people to have Jessie come teach them of the Truthfulness of the Restored Gospel!

Here is my perspective of watching Jessie get to this point....

I have been waiting for this moment for quite sometime. Before I left for my mission Jessie would tell me that she may be gone before I get back, which of course is heart wrenching....3 years! But as we wrote back & forth she would go back & forth on the idea of serving a mission & every time I would just tell her she needed to do it! I don't know why?? I didn't ever tell anyone else as frequent or as bold as I would with her. Well I then arrive home to find my dear sweet Jessie still here, still going back & forth. We would talk occasionally about it. Then one day.... I will never forget the conversation we had. I am driving not sure where to, but I was in the canyon leaving Logan & Jessie & I were talking once again about her serving a mission. I knew that she knew she needed to go, but in all honesty sometimes that answer is a hard one to face. I remember telling her to just go forward, don't fear! Do it & you would never regret it! You have your answer it is now time for you to be acting upon it before you can receive more revelation. We laughed & talked like we usually did. I didn't think too much about it, we have had that talk many times. But this time it was different. I got a call a few days later, she had an appointment with the Bishop, the next thing I know she is calling me telling me how different she feels, a feeling I remember well. We would talk about it often. Then before I know it my dear Jessie has submitted her papers. I couldn't believe it! I have been so overly excited about this whole situation. The next thing I know her call will be here on Wednesday! She is opening it at 6 that night!

Wednesday comes & I ended up coming down to SLC with a friend of mine & Jessie was going to come pick me up (don't ask why I would ask her to come do this for me, she had enough going on) However I am grateful I did because I was able to share such a special moment with her! Needless to say the girl was freaking out. I was dying of laughter in all honesty. I remember her asking if I had ever seen her like this, she quickly recovered with don't answer that! We got off the freeway & were minutes from her house & she turns to me & says Caitlin I need you to say a prayer!!! I answered like out loud or in my head? What do you want? She said out loud now!! So I began to say a prayer for my dear Jessie & that her nerves would calm. That she could feel the love He had for her. Thanking Heavenly Father for the opportunity Jessie has for the opportunity to serve the Lord full-time & what a blessing it is! I ended my prayer to find Jessie a bit of a different person, a little calmer. There was the sweetest spirit in that car! It is an experience that I will always treasure sharing with her!!

We arrived at her house & all her family & friends were there! You could see the nervousness on her face that comes from opening a mission call, but as soon as she began ripping open the envelope all you can see is pure JOY!!! Naturally when you are holding that paper in your hand you jump down & read where you are going & show your excitement then read it to everyone!

She did just that & finally read, "labor in the Berlin Germany Mission!!!"

Who would have thought?? She reports on a special day...Leap day Feb 29, 2012!! I couldn't be more excited for her! A mission is hard, but I know Jessie is a tough cookie that will tackle that challenge! Germany just fits her! I love Jessie with all my heart & the girl she is & I can't wait to see how much her mission will change her life!

Dear Berlin,

One of my best friends is bringing you the greatest message you will ever hear in your life! Please take the time to listen to her! Please love her & take care of her like I do!

Love, Caitlin

Jessie girl, I love you with all my heart! I am proud of you for

making this decision & I know it will be one you will never regret! Go get 'em girl!......&

Welcome to God's Army!!!

P.S. I will be here when you get back...hahaha!

Surgery!

2011-10-31T16:12:00.000-07:00

3 Applications, 3 Interviews, 1 JOB....The best of them all!!

Since I have been up in Logan I have been watching the postings on IHC Logan Regional Hospitals faithfully. I had a job at this assisted living & it was doing it's job by bringing me in a little cash to support myself, but it just really wasn't working out & I was CRAVING the hospital. I wanted in SO bad! I had a week where I had 2 interviews in 1 day & was feeling great, one was a group interview, which I later was called back for an individual. Unfortunately I didn't get either one of them.....So I waited & watched & waited & watched for more postings.....NOTHING. I think I ended up going a week without checking, then I opened up to find a posting for Same Day Surgery. I applied & didn't think much of it, a week or so later I received a phone call about an interview. I actually was planning on being out of town, but decided to come back for this interview. Thursday was the day, I go in bright & early, did my best, feeling like I had nothing to lose. Left the interview & by the time I got to the elevator I wasn't feeling so great. You see they asked this question, "are you currently employed as a CNA?" I was at the time, but planned on quitting as soon as another job came along so I told them no. Why? Who knows? I had all these reasons for doing it, but for some reason it ate at me all morning. I lied! I couldn't get it out of my mind. I left for Manti & it was still just eating at me.....So the thought came to me to call back the manager & tell her. You guessed it....I called her back. She just laughed which made me feel so much better. Told me that they really enjoyed me in my interview which I thought was code for thanks, but we went with another candidate. The days go on, then the following week I get this call from Human Resources asking me who my current employer was. This is great news I am down to the bottom 2-3! Then a couple days later I get a call from the manager who interviewed me asking my for sure availability. An even better sign!! Then a few hours later the recruiter......She OFFERED ME THE THE JOB!! Don't worry it gets even better.....It is M-F 8am-8pm or close...NO WEEKENDS.....NO HOLIDAYS!!!! Are you kidding me?!?! That doesn't happen in hospitals! They train me to phlebotomy. They start my pay where it left off before I left for my mission. It is only PRN, until the new year! The manager is the best I could have ever asked for, she is taking me to lunch on Thursday! I start tomorrow!
This came at the most perfect time in my life, what a blessing! I went in this morning to pick up my new badge & tour the unit. I left & nearly cried at how blessed I am to be working there!!

A Country Girls Dream!

2011-10-26T09:59:00.000-07:00

Ok I can't get over how much this song makes my little heart melt!!

AND to make it even better this young boy (he is 18!!) is on tour with THE Brad Paisley! Who will be here Jan. 27, 2010! Maverick Center! Let's get tickets!! He is also bringing The Band Perry! Honestly this concert will be the concert of a lifetime!

Today as I was driving my day got even better when I heard that......

Are coming to Utah on Valentine's Day! Seriously! This is a dream come true! Let's bring in the new year! I can hardly wait!!

Reunion Dinner

2011-10-13T20:19:00.000-07:00

I think it is finally time that I post an update on my life.....
This last week I felt like taking a little break, why not right, I have been studying hard, staying in Logan when so many others have been taking off. It's is my turn to take off. So my little sister's 21 birthday was Monday, so I thought what better way to start my week then go down & spend some time with her, we used to hang out all the time pre-mission & since I have been home, I feel like I have hardly seen her. So we had a delicious dinner at Macaroni Grill with the Parents & Tia. We had the darn cutest waiter ever, his personality just killed me! They had the a server come sing opera Happy Birthday. Then back to the condo to hang out & laugh. Which I just loved! The next morning I was in a desperate need of some new clothes & TaeCee being the expert I had her take me, goodness that girl is good!! She found me a new dress for $7.oo, new pants for $17.00 & some cute new shirts to dress up my wardrobe a bit! Such a good time! I love that no matter what in life, you always have family!!Now my next family.....haha! We finally got a few of the Kenwood day's group together. Oh my goodness, I about died of laughter! Gosh it was SO, SO good to be with them all again! It was so funny to me how all of our lives have changed so much, but we get together & our relationship is still the same!
Jocelyn-has been through the temple & running marathons like crazy!
Hailey-Pregnant & bought a house like a real grown up!
Leah-She is married & in nursing school!
Jessie-Getting ready to serving a mission....FINALLY! Gotta love that girl!
Me-home from my mission & loving life in good ole Logan.
It was the fasted 2 hours of my life! We just laughed & laughed (water almost came out of my nose at one point) catching up on life, sharing awkward dating experiences, trips taken, how different life is now, garments & eating tons & tons of bread! I can't wait until we get together for dinner again! Too good to be true!
LOVE them ALL!!
While up in the SLC I was out & about with my dearest JW when I decided it was time to clean up the eyebrows that were over growing on my face! I was going to get it done earlier in the day, but for some reason just didn't feel like it was a priority??? Now I know why....We were cruising & I saw this super cuts & knew they had to do eyebrows & they will take walk-ins. So I pulled up & only saw a man working, thinking to myself well maybe it will be ok, we walk in & the entire time I just knew this was going to be a missionary opportunity, one I had been praying for....am I ready?? Thinking this might get awkward, I mean he is going to wax my eyebrows! He is the friendliest guy ever, I noticed he had a set of earrings, so thinking he may not be a member, wondering how in the world this is going to come back to the gospel, trying not to be scared of what he could do to my face. In talking about different places I live, he asks if I ever lived out of the state, PERFECT! Just have to say the mission, so I told him about going to WA, come to find out he served a mission, he joined the church 7 years ago & served a mission after only being a member for 1 year! We talked a little about our missions, then I wanted to bring up going to church, see if he is active, it seriously just flowed! The next thing I know I am asking if he attended a YSA ward, he told me he wasn't active, C-Do you want to come back, EG-(eyebrow guy) I am not sure, I keep running into the missionaries & it always seems to come up. C- don't you think that is a sign? & I mean here we are talking about it. EG-maybe, I just don't know at this point C-well there are many blessings in store for you as you attend church! EG-yeah I know, I still have my scriptures & pictures & things though. C-do you read them? EG-Sometimes....C-Well keep doing that!! Then he finished & we talked some more about missions. It was the greatest ever!! I love sharing the gospel! I love the feeling that comes once I do it! I hope & pray for the best with him!
I just can't give it up.....

I am beyond grateful for who my mission taught me to be, regardless of how hard is was, I seem to be forgetting some of those hard times & have really been seeing SO many blessings that have come! I sometimes even wish I could go back......

Bummed out....

2011-08-24T13:27:00.000-07:00

This is a special week here in Sanpete County, its the FAIR!! Now I personally don't love the fair rides or the carni's, however I LOVE 2 special events. The annual Sanpete County Rodeo & Demolition Derby! I couldn't go last year since I was on my mission & the year before that I couldn't get it off work. I remember my mom texting me, "Are you ok?" Honestly I was a little puzzled so I called her & she said the derby is tonight & you are not here....are you sick? Yes I felt like I was! Ha ha!
As I drove passed the fair grounds last night to see the stadium lights on & trucks with horse trailers attached it pains my heart to think I won't be going for the 3rd year in a row!

These events are what I have called "the redneck convention" I tell you, there are rednecks that you had no idea that even existed show up to these events! They are too good to be true, prime people watching time!! The rodeo clown has always had a special little thing for one of my good high school friends. 2 years in a row he jumped the fence to come sit by her & tell her how much he loves her! Good times! One year we had a huge group of about 25 or so Snow College girls & we rocked & cheered & danced like no one has ever seen at a rodeo! When I was a sophomore in high school one of my buddies was going to be in the derby, but he couldn't come up with a number. So my best friend & I both played volleyball so we combined our jersey numbers & that became his number & it still is his number! I just feel like these events are a part of who I am as silly as it may sound. So I am bummed out to be missing them again!
I suppose I will eventually get over it....but mark my words I will be there next year!!!
& I must fine a demolition derby asap to attend!

BANGS!

2011-08-16T20:32:00.000-07:00

Well it's official....I got bangs!

I have been told so many times that my hair can't do bangs, your callic (spelling??) gets in the way, it won't work with your face, or they will just be too much work!!
However I needed a CHANGE!! I have had the same haircut & color for over a year now and I have really liked it, but it is just time to spice it up a little bit. Look at something different in the mirror. I mean I am getting ready to make a big change in my life, why not change the hair too???
(don't mind my eyes popping out of my head)

ABC's of Caitlin Fran

2011-08-11T21:57:00.000-07:00

So I stole this from Hailey! But I am not sure if I have to use the same words with the abc's so I am just creating my own.....basically these are my 1st thoughts when this letter enters my mind.

Arranging flowers is getting better....

Baseball.....I love watching it & the players aren't half bad to look at either!

Cats, mark my words I will NEVER own one!

Dreams of marrying a cowboy.

Exercise, I should do it more!

French fries are my favorite! Maybe why I should do a little more of E.

Grateful for Diet Coke.

Heights, I hate them!

Ice cream it just never gets old!

Jason Aldean is great but I wish he was better looking.

Keith Urban....LOVE HIM!

Laughing is my favorite hobby!

Miller time!

Nose came from my dad!

October reminds me of my favorite season which is Fall!

People watching never gets old!

Q-tips are essential

Reading is not my favorite thing to do......

Snakes, when I was little I loved them, but now I am scared to death of them!

Teeth, I have good ones!

Utah State University here I come!

Vegtables are really growing on me as I have gotten older.

Washington Kennewick Mission is the best mission!

X-rays I have had...wrist and teeth

Yacolt Washington was a strange town!

Zone Conferences....so spiritually enlightening! LOVED THEM!

Love it! For some reason on every letter an animal came to mind so I had to take the 2nd thought that came to my mind!

Missionary moment!

2011-08-01T22:20:00.001-07:00

Ok one day I might stop writing about mission related things, but I just can't stop.....
Today I went to SLC to meet up with the ward mission leader & his family from my very first area. I loved them so much & they really helped me a lot in the early days of my mission. I loved seeing them! I love how many friends that I have made from my mission!
Then I met up with my dear friend Jessie for some Chipotle & we just had a great visit! Then I decided to finally head back home, but not before stopping at my most favorite maverick convenience store to fill up on gas! I was a frequent flier there before my mission. The roommates & I became great friends with many of the employees, however there was this one that I just loved! He was so nice all the time, there were times when I would talk to him for 10-15 min in the morning his name was Ruberto. Well I went in this evening to find him working! I wasn't sure if he recognized me.....he did! He asked how I have been? We had a little small talk & he said I haven't seen you in a really long time in his spanish accent, did you start working some where else? I had an immediate feeling that I needed to bring up my mission. So I told him I left for a LDS mission & just returned a few weeks ago. He asked where I went, then proceeded to say so you are Mormon? I said Yes! Are you? He replied no I am Catholic. I then asked if he was born and raised Catholic, he told me that he was & that he now teaches at a church out in Kearns. I asked him if he had heard much about the Mormon faith? He said no & since there were a few people behind me now, I remembered my stash of mormon.org pass-a-long cards. I pulled one out & said on the back here is a website, mormon.org, there are a bunch of really neat videos and it teaches what we believe & I would love for you to look at it! Then he read the question, Where do I go when I die? On the front and turned it over. Then said, for you I will look at it! Thank you!
I then left Maverick beaming! My first real missionary opportunity since I have been home from my mission and it felt SO good! And it was so easy!! I am so grateful for that simple little opportunity to share something that means so much to me with another! AAH! I am still so excited about it! We just never know who we touch and how it will affect that person! But we get to feel the joy that comes from sharing!

Transfer goals!

2011-07-26T20:55:00.000-07:00

6 weeks ago I got off a plane from Washington and my life was completely different! However I didn't realize how different it was, I kept thinking I have just fallen back into life & I have, but I had a realization this week that has taken me 6 weeks to come to grips with...if you will.
6 weeks ago around this time my stake president said to me, "Sister Miller you can't go back to the Caitlin you were before your mission, and it wasn't a bad Caitlin by any means, but you cannot go back!!!" Well I thought about that and was like I am sure I will be fine, my mission changed me. Well reflecting on these last 6 weeks I have started to slip back into old habits. The last couple weeks I have really noticed a difference in me, a very distracted & not very happy Caitlin, finding myself in places & situations I don't want to be in & shouldn't be in. I was talking to a member of my bishopric here at home and told him I am trying to figure out who I am now that I am home and he said to me, don't do that! You take the you on your mission and you keep that you up and growing. I was so confused, how do you do that? But I finally got it today! & I am finally ok with letting go of the old Caitlin & bringing in the new one & letting her continue to grow! The mission was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, however it provided me with experience that helped draw me closer to my Savior & learn about who I am & what I have potential to be. Looking back on these 6 weeks I have lost sight quite a bit of who I am, what I have potential to be & how the Savior can truly help me. That results in my lack of happiness and my many distractions.
I always loved transfers on the mission, it meant time to re-evaluate, get out of old habits, recommit to working harder, serving better & set goals. As I got the e-mails today of previous companions and hearing about transfers I couldn't help but be so excited! I talked to a sister I came home with & before we hung up she said well I am off to make transfer goals!
So I thought I should write mine down......
*20 min scripture study everyday
*Weekly temple attendance
*Daily act of Service.....This has been so hard since I have been home...
*Relying more on the Lord with my life, my life is up in the air a bit at this time and I have struggled relying on the Lord with it.
*Keep a clean room
*Exercise daily
*Write letters to my sisters (I have neglected them!)
*Seek opportunities to share the gospel
*Spend money wisely!
This will be a good list to work on, some I have done pretty good at, others not so much. If I can do this then by the time school starts in Aug it will be habit!
I mean it is a new transfer.....fresh clean slate, why not treat it like it is?? Be the Sister Miller that walked off that plane & keep learning & growing!

LOGAN!

2011-07-07T15:01:00.000-07:00

So it is official....I am going to school in Logan this fall!
Honestly I can hardly believe it, on my mission everyone always asked oh where did you go to school? Where are you going after the mission? I hated this question, I would just say I was at the U before I came on my mission. Those that knew me well I could tell them everywhere I have been.
I feel as though my influence has just been needed throughout the state and so why not move a little farther north so they can enjoy me too!! hahaha! That's what I tell myself to feel better.
Anyway, so my 4th of July weekend was spent with my wonderful sister, Chelsey and her family, they took time off of work to take me to Logan, show me around and find a place to live. Which is not the most enjoyable activity! Especially since I am late with housing anyway.
But I feel like since I got the answer to be in Logan, then things would be provided, i.e. housing, classes....job (I am still working on that!)
Well we had looked all morning on Tuesday, called all around I was lucky if they said we only have 1 opening! While we were out, we decided to just pop into a couple of them and the one my sister said was the place to live, everyone wants to live there, well they had 1 opening! So I looked at it, but was supposed to look at another right after. I didn't love the place, but thought I should just be ok with it. Well we left for 20 min and came back to sign the contract and come to find out....it was filled! In 20 min! I couldn't believe it! So we went back to look online and to break for lunch, I found online a girl trying to sell a contract, so I called. We went to look at it after lunch and I loved it. I felt like it was just where I needed to be and the manager went to my mission before it was split into the Washington Kennewick, we left to look at another one and I just kept feeling like I should go sign a contract. So we called the manager back up and went and filled out an application, paid the deposit and first installment of rent! I couldn't even believe it!
I found a place to live! I move in Aug 25th.......

June 14th.....I'm home!

2011-07-02T13:16:00.001-07:00

As a missionary there were days that I could not wait for this day to come, however there were days that I prayed it wouldn't come. But I found myself feeling as if I just woke up and only had 1 week left on my mission! I could hardly believe it!
June 13th we report to the Mission Home, where we have a delicious dinner, a touching testimony meeting, laugh and cry!

Here are all the elders and sisters that departed the same day! They usually stick the sisters on the bottom, we felt as though we should be at the top.
As soon as the elders left we had a special surprise for my mission president's wife, Sister Greer.
When I was really struggling on my mission, S Greer was always there to comfort my weary heart! I LOVE this woman, but this one day I was not feeling well and was just really struggling, so I laid down for a quick nap during lunch when I began to dream. My dream consisted of S Greer consoling me in a yellow moo moo and telling me I could do it, I can keep going! I will make it! I then told her this and she died, "yellow is not my color, I have pride, good pride!" It became this big joke between us all, so I decided I would get her a moo moo for my last night in the mission home! I got me a yellow one and she told me that blue, red and black are more her colors. She ran in her room and changed and made President come take pictures. Then we did the dishes all together and she told us her and presidents story!
President had said something really funny here....I can't remember it now.
I LOVE THE GREERS!
Then next morning they took us to the temple and then to the airport! I bawled like a baby saying goodbye to S Greer, I felt like I was leaving my mother all over again!
I then boarded my plane in Pasco, WA and headed straight for Salt Lake City, UT. The plane ride was rather surreal it didn't feel like I was headed home, I was just on an airplane with a bunch of other missionaries. Then we started descending into Salt Lake, we all started looking at the mountains, the U on the hill and ALL the churches. We were back in Utah! S Kendell and I got off and headed straight to see our families, we then decided we better wait for everyone else to get their carry ons and come out in our big group. They said Sisters 1st. I was SO nervous, I thought my family isn't going to be there,they are going to be late, they didn't make it. Then I got to the corner of the escalator and I peaked around the corner and saw all these people and I couldn't see mine and I turned a little more and right below the escalator they were! So I headed down.....

S Greer hinted to us all the night before that the 1st person we are to hug is our mother!
I already was planning on that...It was a long awaited hug!

The whole family (-1)

It was one of the greatest moments of my life! To see all my family after 18 months!
The mission was the hardest 18 months of my life, however I could never, ever trade those 18 months for anything else! The Lord has truly blessed me!

11.months 9.days

2010-12-15T15:37:00.000-08:00

Well as her mother I have to say I know. . . I am behind! But I will share a few most amazing snipits from her last couple of letters. Just so you know Sis. Caitlin Fran is doing SO well! She is in tri-cities right now and she is a trainer, and has been opening a new area the past several weeks. She is seeing miracles every day, well let me share it in her own words!

Oh last tuesday I felt as though we experienced another miracle! There is a
PMF that I believe I heard the elders recently stopped by and they said
don't come back. But I go back anyway. We got in and the husband who isn't a
member was loving everything we said. It was like a light bulb kept turning
on. I just kept teaching and testifying of the BofM and we committed him to
start reading it again and he said he would! AAH!! It was so great. I think
he really enjoyed Sisters.
I think this may be a long e mail about all the miracles of this week.

We showed up to dinner the other night and I had this feeling that a friend
they had was a non member. They didn't tell us they were going to have one.
I like when they tell us. But the spirit was really working on me to ask him
if he was? I was stressing out he grew up with this LDS family I was certain
he has probably had the lessons a million times, maybe he was LA and I
didn't want to offend him. But the spirit was very persistent. I finally
just blurted out...Are you a member? he said no. I said do you want to be? I
mean we could make that happen. He just laughed the family went silent and
we started talking about taking the missionary lessons and he completely
agreed to it! Then there was a Christmas Concert that we were heading to so
we invited him and he came! It was so neat! The next day at church the dad
of where we had dinner told our WML that Marvin is his name has had the
lesson many times but it just has gone no where, but there was the biggest
difference last night and the whole family was so impressed. It made us feel
great! So we are so excited for Marvin!!

This Christmas Season is so full of Miracles!! I have always heard rm's talk
about how much they loved the holidays on their mission and I was just so
nervous and worried, but the Lord always provides and never ceases to bless
his children! I am thrilled to be serving the Lord during the Christmas
Season! It has really allowed me to reflect on the wonderful things the
Savior has given to each of us! Without Him we could not return home. I
would not survive lets be honest! I love sharing this JOY with all those
around me! It has been so fun to talk to those in the streets about Christ.
Hearts are open!
I LOVE you all and pray you also can remember the reason for the season!!
Have a great week!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Cait~

There it is my amazing girl, she is happy and healthy doing the work of the Lord. I can just feel the strength in her letters. She makes me proud!

month 7 TODAY!!

2010-08-06T13:21:00.000-07:00

I thought I would do a little catching up since I am way behind on Caitlin's blog! She is now in Yakima, with Sister Hart. They have been together for 3 transfers, I think they are excited to move on to new companions! Grandma Ora always said a change is as good as a rest! So August 25th is the new transfer date we shall see. Caitlin has grown so much and learned amazing things about herself and the gospel. Her Love for the Savior is evident in her letters. Her mission is challenging, but it is certainly a blessing to her and to us. So a few excerpts from recent letters!!

During district mtg we watch on the Lord's errand the life of Pres Monson. Holy Moly what an amazing man we have for a prophet!! But he said something that was profound he said if the Lord ever needed an errand ran he knew who to ask. So I decided to pray and tell Heavenly Father the same thing. I love running errands for real! Well that day we were running out of our plans with all of them not working and so I said a pray and asked what errand needed to be ran. Well I felt like going to this potentials house that has canceled every appointment since we met her. She let us in!! We taught her a bit about the restortation, she loved it! Knew all of it was all true and was so greatful for us stopping by! It felt so good!

Wonderful news of the week! Britteny who I told you about last week is on date for baptism! Best lesson I have ever been apart of! I tell you what! She has no idea who we are and so we really focused on her being a daughter of God. I have also been working on asking more questions to have the investigator talking more than me! And wow miracles happen! I taught the lesson with all questions and she testified of the gospel in answering and I was astonished! Then the spirit said put her on date! I thought oh it has been so long since I have done this, she will say no. Then the thought came you miss 100% of the shots you don't take. So I said ok! Your right, when? Then the 21st popped into my head! So I prayed for the time to do it! I felt that if I didn't do it in that lesson it wasn't going to come up for a very long time! So I did it and she tearfully accepted! Then we got down on our knees and she prayed and I was bawling by the end! The spirit was SO SO strong!! This was another time in my life where I realized how much HF is aware of me! The last few weeks have been so rough with the work and I have been getting discouraged which I know that I shouldn't but I did nonetheless and I was really wondering what I was doing here in the mission and then that happened that night! I just cried and cried because I remember why I am really here! To help wonderful daughters of God like Britteny come closer to the Savior!

Happy SEVEN Months SISTER CAITLIN FRAN MILLER!!! I love my missionary!!!

notes from the letters of Sister Miller

2010-05-15T14:39:00.000-07:00

We had read Moroni 10:3-5 and we told him he needs to ask HF with a sincere heart and real intent to know if Joseph Smith was a prophet and if the BofM is true! So he is praying and he was like "HF I have a sincere heart so will you tell me these things are true?" bah it was so funny! He said other things I can't remember but it is so neat cause we are kneeling and then we ask so how do you feel and he seriously sits there astonished like holy moly this is true! BAH it was epic!! He just sat on his knees for 5 min and I think just trying to take it all in!

I tell you what that is the power of the Book of Mormon. I have always known that it was true but I love experiences like that where you know with all your heart it is true! It was the most epic experience! The spirit was SO strong, Then of course we invited her to pray and man I almost lost it in hers to! She is so funny! And her prayers are so amazing!

4 months out

2010-05-15T14:29:00.000-07:00

Well Sister Miller is no longer in Battle Ground, she is in Yakima. She describes it as a redneck area very similar to home, where the sun never stops shining! Her new companion is Sister Hart. It sounds to me like the name fits her well. Caitlin says she has a heart of gold and truly loves the people in her area. They get along great! They have a few investigators and are working hard to find more.
Sacrament meetings have been different on her mission than at home, she has spoken several times, witnessed the older man blessing the sacrament have a heart attack, and watched a 14 year old recite witch spells in testimony meeting. She's not in Utah anymore.
She hates tracting, loves teaching and is starting to preach the gospel wherever she is, most recently to the boy fixing her Subway sandwich. She loves her mission even tho she says at times it is the hardest thing she has ever done. To me, her mother, the things in my life that have been the hardest have without a doubt been the most worthwhile. I am so proud of her! You go girl!!!

Photo descriptions

2010-04-09T18:11:00.000-07:00

Ok, the first one she is pointing at Mt. St. Helens. Then she is with her new companion, and biking and hiking, with her old companion. She is eating Indian food, Caitlin?? Wow I am so impressed,

Mission Photos

2010-04-09T18:05:00.000-07:00

3 Months out!!

2010-04-09T17:51:00.000-07:00

Well Sister Miller has been out for 3 months. She has had a wonderful experience watching a non-member take the plunge into the waters of baptism. She lives with an older couple which she loves. She has been embraced, loved, and cared for by the amazing people of Washington. She LOVED her trainer Sister Hendricks from Salt Lake, and now she is enjoying the challenges of a new companion who tries her patience. If you know Caitlin, you know she is kind and loving and generous, and compassionate, and organized, and hard working. . . . but she is NOT patient. So she has had a few weeks of increasing her patience!!! She can do it I know she can!! Surprisingly, she LOVES the Elders! I was worried she would chew them up and spit them out, but she loves the Elders!!! She loves the area, the members, the less actives, especially the 80 year old man who used to be a stripper! She loves being a missionary, she Loves the Savior and the gospel. Her mission so far is amazing for her and for us, (her family). So here are a few new pictures to share with you all!!!

MTC photos

2010-01-22T18:25:00.001-08:00

January 4 2010

2010-01-22T18:22:00.001-08:00

The drop off day. Good-byes!

Sister Miller in the MTC!

2010-01-22T18:18:00.001-08:00

Just a few lines from her e-mail yesterday and a few of my favorite photos! Hey she is not here to complain so I can post what ever I want! Yea!!!

ok so funny story...my fav elder. e zollinger the other day we are eating
and he is getting up to put his tray away and in his high pitch female
english accent he is like."well sisters i am off to the common room" of
course right as i am taking a drink! and you guessed it it went out of my
nose and mouth all over my tray!! bah it was kinda funny at least 2 tables
saw it and they got a kick out of it!! then the obnoxious e streuling aka
the witch dr. he has all these alternative medicine things and has been
testing them out on all the elders and it is so funny!!! then the 2 that
tried it ended up sick the next 2 days!! it was hilarious i told them not to
do it and they were like oh sister miller you are to paranoid

oh another spiritual note on sundays in
relief society we have a sister tell her conversion story! and i loved what
this sister this week said. "never feel inadequate because the Lord has
called you so he has prepared you!" it gave me such a feeling of relief so i
decided i needed to trust in the lord have more faith because he is there to
help me and he believes i can do it!!

so every tues and fri we have a teaching appoint with a fake investigator
and let me tell you about tues!! i have really been struggling i fell like
sis garrett and i don't teach very unified so i have been prayin that we
would and sure enough we taught very unified i even teared up as i bore my
testimony on the atonement! the spirit was so strong and i could understand
what He was telling me to tell my investigator! it was the neatest
experience! I loved it!! I can't wait to get out to a real investigator even
though that guy is really good at pretending like he doesn't know about the
gospel!!

I am not sure how many get her e-mails but this one was so sweet, I hope you enjoyed!!!

I thought this day would never come....

2010-01-05T09:38:00.001-08:00

& now it is here!!!! TOMORROW I will wake up, get ready for the day, put on an awful pair of nylons, a mid-calf skirt, & carnigan! Finish packing my bags & head to provo with my family for lunch! Then I am off to the MTC!!! Say goodbye to my family for 18 months & try not to look back or cry!! Which we will all know I will do!! I am about to enter an unknown world & I am nervous, anxious & probably a bit scared!! You hear about mission stories, how much people love them & how hard they are, but its not something you necessarily grasp until you get out there & you are one!!! I am about to understand what all return missionaries say!! It is a long, slighty rough road getting there. You sacrifice A LOT!! School, alone time, your car, boys, staying out late, sleeping in, not wearing nylons, not wearing skirts all day everyday, facebook, CELL PHONE, COUNTRY MUSIC!!!

WORK

AMAZING FRIENDS!!

MORE AMAZING FRIENDS!

& the hardest FAMILY!!!

I will miss all these things so very much, but the hardest will be the family!!! I really should be ok considering I have lived out of the house for 2 1/2 years & I don't really get homesick! But not being able to call my mom everyday & tell her how hard it is & how much I really can't stand my companion/how much I love my companion! How I met this amazing family & they are going to accept the gospel, how the elders drive me right up the wall & are all so immature, how they remind me of Colton & then I start missing all his annoying little things he does! Oh how I will miss my speed dial #2!!! Oh how I will miss TaeCee who I have grown so close to in the last few months & her silly humor & EXTREME blonde moments that occur multiple times everyday!! The little neices who are so funny & entertaining!!! & how I tell Sophie my name is Cait & she says meow back to me thinking I said Cat!! I will miss EVERYONE in my family OH SO MUCH!!! I have said my goodbyes to almost everyone I need to except my family!! The ones I really don't want to say goodbye to & leave for 18 months!!! TOMORROW that happens!! I am not ready for it!! I am crying as I type this & TOMORROW it is going to be even worse!!! But alas I must do it, I must leave this all behind & serve the Lord because he has asked me to & I love Him & trust Him! Although I may be trusting him a little too much, oh well it is happening TOMORROW I am leaving to serve the Lord whether I am ready or not!! I will go in with and open mind & heart & just try to love it!!! So farewell EVERYONE I will see you in 18 months!!!

PS my mom will be posting time to time so be looking for updates!!!

Long post about my last week in Utah

2010-01-01T21:52:00.000-08:00

Well....I survived my farewell!! Barely!! I have never been so nervous in my entire life!!! NO JOKE!!! I remember sitting on the stand seriously thinking I was going to pass out/vomit!!! I felt like I couldn't breathe!! It was horrible!!! But as I looked out at the congregation to see an ENTIRE row of dear friends from Gamma, friends from high school, friends I don't know all that well & a TON of family what a great feeling that was!! To see the love & support poured out upon me!! I managed to look at the congregation roughly 5 times, then losing my place decided to not do that again!! But did manage to finish my talk without breaking down and bawling on the stand!!We then all headed to my home in for a delicious luncheon!! I have such a great family who put so so much work into that luncheon!!

Later that day we had our family pictures taken in the freezing cold! But since I was leaving I really wanted new pictures to take on the mish!! Hopefully I will see them before I leave!!!

Then Tuesday I headed back up north to spend some time with my dear friends in the SLC!!! oh how I wish I would have remembered to take pictures! I am so bad at that!!! That evening we went bowling at Fatcat's then headed back to Jessica's for the beginning of many slumber parties!! The next morning we got up early & headed to the old KENWOOD RESIDENCE to do the final cleaning since we have all moved out!!

Here are the Kenwood Girls at my farewell!!

Jessica, Me, Hailey & Kate

Oh how I love these girls with all of my heart!!! Living with them has been the greatest ever!! I couldn't have asked for better roommates!!! What great adventures we have had!! Long live JC III!! You will always be near & dear to my heart! Please look for 'How much your neighbors do watch you inspired by JC III' on the book shelf in the near future!! But our late night chats, our monthly eat outs & our sweet dance parties that ALL the neighbors envied I will never forget!!! These girls will always be near & dear to my heart as well as Kenwood Street!! I see myself 10 years from now driving down that road & tearing up as I think of the wonderful memories that took place there!!

Now Jessie & Jessica were so good to me, I had many errands that I needed to run & they tagged along just like little children!! haha! But they blocked out their week so that they could spend as much time with me as possible!! What great friends!!!
That same day I traveled down to Orem to meet up with one of my besties from high school, that was unable to attend my farewell, for a little lunch date!! oh how I love Kelsie!! There were 4 of us in high school that were the best of friends! Well Kels & I are the only single ladies left so we relate oh so very well!! It is always so fun to get together with her!! Thanks for lunch Kels!!

Later that night we did what we do best....put on our pjs, veg out, make embarrassing videos, listening to music & falling asleep watching movies!! The next morning we woke up, watched the same movie we fell asleep to that night & chilled in our pjs until at least 12:30! Living the life is what I like to call it!!! But we decided to clean up & head out for another lunch date! (my 4th in 1 week!! oh how I love lunch dates!!!)

Hailey, Jess,Me & Leah

At my favorite place....Macaroni Grill!!! & yes that is cup #3 of Diet Coke in front of me!!!

LOVE these girls!!!

Well that night being New Year's Eve & me going on a mission felt it was appropriate to spend it with a member of the opposite gender, Jordan!! We began the evening by doing a little sledding up at Mtn Dell ( I think) up Parley's canyon! So much fun!! I LOVE sledding so much!! Then went to dinner at this Thai restaurant.....well any of you who really knows me knows that I am the PICKIEST eater on the face of this earth!!! I usually am good at trying new things but if I don't like it I will NOT continue to eat it!! Well since the restaurant was near closing they just started bringing us out these random dishes of food! One of which tasted awful, but Jordan force fed it to me!! GAG!! The rest was ok, super spicy, but I survived!! Then we headed off to the party at the U of U institute!! WOW was that a party!! There were a million people there!! It was the place to be I tell you what!! It also smelled awful, the gym was so humid from all the people that my hair seriously started to curl by just walking in it!! NASTY!! But we danced a bit & chatted with some friends!! Well midnight was fast approaching & I knew a certain something was going to happen & me being me began to panic!!! So after a bit of awkwardness brought on by me & a few minutes after midnight I received a little New Year's Kiss!! (the timing at midnight just wasn't working for me!!) We then watched a movie & I went back to Jessie's for my final night in the SLC!! Which I basically pulled an all nighter 5 am is long enough right?? minus the fact I did fall asleep through most of the movie!! meh oh well it was an all nighter!!

Then I got ready to head back to Manti! I decided that it is easier to just not say goodbye, so I didn't say goodbye to any of my friends, just see ya later & catch ya on the flip side sort of deals!!

Oh how I will miss my life in the SLC/801!! Never ever did I see myself where I am today!! I have had the best group of friends anyone could have ever asked for! I learned to truly rely on my Heavenly Father & on myself!! I have become someone I never thought I could be!! I am the happiest I have ever been!!

I have loved the idea of a mission & it has felt so surreal, but today it hit me pretty hard that I am in fact am leaving for 18 months! I am venturing into the unknown, Caitlin Fran Miller, serving a mission!!! WOW!! But I am so grateful for the wonderful opportunities I have had in SLC for the last 20 months!! I believe I will return! Who really knows my plan for once I return....I hope it is back to SLC!!!

Thank you to Jessica & Jessie for being the bestest friends ever & making my last few days before the mission so GREAT!!! I LOVE you both so very dearly!!! & will miss you with all my heart! Maybe even Jessie playing with my blinds in my bedroom may be missed a tiny bit!!

SINGLE DIGITS!!

2009-12-28T18:16:00.001-08:00

I am officially on the SINGLE DIGIT COUNTDOWN!!!!
9 DAYS!!!!

I missed it 3 times!!!

2009-12-25T22:56:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Christmas as of 7 min ago!!! Now something special happens on Christmas for all missioniares....they get to call home!!! Well it just so happens that my nearest & dearest friend from Snow College is serving a mission in West Virginia, she has been out for 13 months & is a major inspiration in my life, truly!! Well because of my decision to serve a mission it means that we will not see each other for 2 years & 8 months which truly breaks my heart!!! This girl is like my other half! As cheesy as this is I call her peanut butter & she calls me strawberry jam! Because we go together like peanut butter & strawberry jam on white bread!! Here she is!!!

Bobbi, Dave, Dallin, Me, Jessica

She is the kinda girl that will curl her hair, put on a fancy dress & heels to go eat dinner at THE PIE!!!! & not care one bit!!

Graduation Day!! Worst day ever....the day we parted!!!

Bobbi, Dallin & I were what we liked to call the 3 AMIGOS, well this one time Bobbi stole Dallin's car keys & it started a huge escapade of pranks.....here we are removing Dallin's tire at 2 am!! Mind you Bobbi remained the middle mad through the entire escapade & I was the only one that didn't know! However she is impossible to be angry with so I quickly forgave her!! Plus her & I totally dominated the prank war!!!

She LOVES small towns as much as I do!!

Sorry to get off on that random tangent, but now you understand this girl a little bit & why I love her with all my heart!! Well because we will not be seeing each other in so long she had this brilliant idea to call me on Christmas after she talked to her family!! Well I kept my phone next to me all morning awaiting this phone call because the last time she called me a year ago from the airport i missed her call by 8 min & still to this day I get angry with myself when I think about it!! Well the morning passes on & my family always goes snowboarding on Christmas day so I got ready for that & we left. Well I have no service where we go so when I get home & turn my phone on I have 3 voicemails!! I seriously almost cried!!! ALL of them were from Sister Clement!!! I found out that I received the message at 12:35 pm, I arrived up the mountain at 12:30 pm....meaning if we would have waited 10 more min at my house I would have been able to talk to my Dearest Sister Clement!!! She called 2 other times & left one random message that I don't think she knew she left & then another one an hour or so later!!!

Although she is going to give me her phone number as soon as she is transfered so when I fly to Washington at the end of January & I get a phone call at the airport you better believe I will be calling her!!!
So now I have hanging over my head that she has called me a total of 4 times & not once have I answered!! Can we call me the worst friend in the world?? I think so!!!

Oh how I miss my dearest BOBBI!! I can't wait to see her again!! I LOVE her with all my HEART & SOUL!!!

Dear Sister Clement,

Please oh please forgive me for not answering when you called me on Christmas, for I was up a mtn with no service, almost dying!! I wish with all my heart we could have talked today & you could have given me all the great tips on being an amazing missionary!!! Please don't treat me the way I have treated you when you have called! Answer your phone pretty please!!

Love,

Caitlin

Farewell talk

2009-12-25T20:41:00.001-08:00

You could consider my farewell talk WRITTEN!!! Yes you are reading this correct it is written & ready to be given!! Consider #1 stress gone, so face can you let up a little now! This is extremely surprising considering I usually write the talk the morning before church! but with 9 am church & a ton of other things to do I buckled right on down & just did it!!! YAY!!!

Dear Stress in my life,

2009-12-21T21:59:00.001-08:00

I would greatly appreciate it if you would let up a little bit! My poor face seems to have taken the brunt of it. Please don't continue to do this to me, as much as I love Dr. Hansen I don't want to pay him a visit before the mission.
Love,
Poor broken out Caitlin

Last day in the NICU....

2009-12-16T18:35:00.000-08:00

Today was my last day in the Newborn ICU, where I have worked for the past 20 months & where I have met some of the greatest people EVER!!! In celebration of my leaving the WONDERFUL Kari & Donna put together an AMAZING "Waffle Wednesday" in my honor!!

I walked into the break room to find TONS of delicious breakfast food! (my favorite meal) The break room has never looked so good!! Table clothes & centerpieces!! They truly went above & beyond!!! I love them so very dearly!!! So many people came in to wish me well & of course eat some delicious food!! I really wish I would have taken more pictures!!! bah...

I love this girl!! She is a total crack up!! oh my! Everything she says I laugh at!! I wish she would have come to the unit a year ago so I could have gotten to know her better!!! Along with many of the other new nurses!! I wish I could have gotten to know many others better!!

Me, Amber & Donna! I love Amber to death! One of the housekeepers asked our clerk if her & I were sisters....YES!! I would claim Amber as my sister any day!! She is the greatest EVER!! I just love her & will miss her oh so very much....except she told me that she is going to write me everyday so that way I will never miss her!!!

Now Kari!! I love her with all of my heart!! She has been like my mom away from my mom!!! She has always been there for me & is the greatest support EVER!!! I always loved coming in to see her name on the long sheet because it always comforted me to know she was there if I needed her!! I love her to pieces!!!

They gave me a Willow Tree angel, the Angel of Remembrance, I will always remember my time in the NICU! Thank you all so very much!!

I really wish I had a picture with many of my other friends in the NICU! I just love them all & will miss all of them so very much!!! Along with the 25 cent refill of diet coke, snuggling with the babies, being made fun of for not liking to read, making fun of strange baby names, having wonderful nurses always willing to listen to my strange stories & laugh as stupid as they always are, many hours of conscious sedation....NOT & oh so many other things!!!

Even though I don't think I will ever be a NICU nurse the NICU will always be near & dear to my heart! So thank you staff of the NICU at IMC for all you love, support, knowledge & laughter that we have shared!!!

Addictions

2009-12-14T18:55:00.001-08:00

Ok confession time....I have 2 horrible addictions. Both of which I was going to try & kick before I entered the MTC....um probably not going to happen!!! So addiction #1 is coloring my hair!!

I LOVE it!!! I love that the color looks so much richer, I love the scent & I love the way it feels! So this last week I realized that my roots have not looked so bad & that they sorta match my color...so I took a moment & thought about maybe taking the mission as an opportunity to grow out my natrual hair color. Then saturday rolled around.....I walk into the bathroom, looked in the mirror & saw a shiny white hair. Yes WHITE hair. I am only 21 years old!!! How in the world is this happening to me???? As I look through my hair I proceed to find 3 more!!! Are you kidding me?? I immediately got into my car, drove to sally's & bought new hair dye! I guess that conquering that addiction has now failed!!! I CANNOT be a white haired sister missionary!!! Now for addiction #2.....I LOVE diet coke oh so very much!!!!

I have also considered giving up on this guilty pleasure in life. I actually may still be able to do it! Bah it is just oh so very difficult!!! I LOVE it with all my heart & soul! Time will tell. They do not offer it in the MTC which may or may not be the end of my life! I do have great friends & family who are willing to help me with my addiction & sent me DC packages! But a year & a half without might be a good thing. As I said before, we shall see.....

LDS Hospital & Gamma Christmas Party

2009-12-11T09:54:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I experienced a couple lasts that were rather difficult.....My last shift at LDS hospital. I was rather excited about it being my last, I feel as though I don't know the staff all that well so it wasn't hard to leave, until the CNA that I always work with showed up to replace me that day! She is so so nice & has been so fun to work with! She gave me a hug & told me how I will be an amazing missionary & how a mission is going to change my life & be the best part of my life so far!! I held back tears until I walked out of the hospital & I lost it!!! I cried until I went to pick up my friend to shop for some fantastic Christmas attire!! Thank you staff at LDS Labor & Delivery! It has been such a great experience to work there!!!

Here are my wonderful GAMMA GIRLS!!! I LOVE them with all of my heart & soul!!! Every Thursday night I will think of what my wonderful Gamma girls are doing & wish I was there! They are the sweetest bunch of girls ever!! This is where I have met some of my very best friends & this is what has made me love living in the city!! Each one has touched my heart in numerous ways!

Dear Gamma Girls,

You will always be near & dear to my heart! I will think of you always & the fun time that we shared together!!! I will miss you more than you will ever know! Thank you for all being you & being such great friends!!! I love you all so much!!

Love,

Sister Caitlin Miller

26 more days!!!

Final Countdown

2009-12-07T18:29:00.000-08:00

I guess you could say I am on the FINAL COUNTDOWN!!!
30 DAYS!!!!!!

Happy Drugs!

2009-12-02T16:05:00.001-08:00

I am just sitting here in the delightful living room of the Kenwood Residence thinking about my day. Kinda feeling a little weird, more tired. I went in for a scope this morning & got what I like to call happy drugs....or as the nurse called in the Michael Jackson drug. Well Michael I don't really like you but apparently we both have a similar love in life! It was the best sleep I have ever had!! My memory still feels rather foggy of what really happened this morning, but I remember being very happy! Plus I am just generally happy that there really is nothing wrong with me!!! (beside being delusional half the time in my life!) Received a delightful FREE caramel apple from the wonderful Candies on Main!!!! Then for lunch I went to my favorite mexican restaurant ever Los Amigos with my wonderful mom & headed back to the 801. Came in the door & as far as I got was the couch, called my mom to tell her I didn't die on the way home & had her tell me what to write for my 2 weeks notice e-mail, then hit sent! Yep thats right 2 weeks from today I will no longer be employed. I will be like most of the population & will probably begin begging for food on the street! So if you see me put a quarter in my cup & maybe give me a little smile, possibly a wink! hahaha! JK!
I really just can't believe how fast time is flying these days!! Here is the finally countdown
*2 more weeks of work approx 7 more shifts!
*15-17 more nights to sleep at the Kenwood Residence!
*25 days until my non farewell!
*5 weeks until I enter the MTC!!!

Things left to do....
*shop
*pack
*read the rest of the BOM
*get all of my playing out
*attend the Oquirrah Mtn, Timpanogos & Manti Temple
*write another talk

I hope that is everything, probably not but its the just!
This is really happening! I can't even wait! I am stoked to go play in Washington/Oregon maybe become a little more green friendly/granola like (actually that would kill my father) so maybe not! haha! Last night however I decided a goal I have while on my mission! Here it is....Change the mindset that elders have about sister missionaries. I hate it, it is a horrible stereotype & mark my words Sister Caitlin Fran Miller will change their minds!!!
Now that this post is totally & completely odd I shall end it. You can all probably tell I was given some sort of drug today!! bah hahaha!!

until 2011

2009-11-20T09:04:00.001-08:00

Alright so I report to the MTC in approx 47 days! That is not far off at all....but at the same time it is. This last week I have began to see all these changes coming forward, while exciting, at the same time hard to believe!!! I went to the premiere of NEW MOON last night & as I was watching the previews I realized I will not see any of these movies until 2011!!! Every Thursday the Kenwood Residence is all about watching the latest GREY'S ANATOMY episode & after last nights episode I realized it was my last one until 2011!!!! I am moving in 31 days!!! I have already started packing some things up to help with the efforts so I don't have as much to do when Dec. 21st comes around!! Then everything will remained packed up until 2011!!! I feel like time is flying by & not showing any sign of stopping or as Dierks Bentley put it... settling for a slowdown! I will miss country music so much. I have always been so up to date on it & now I won't know which artist is coming out with great new songs until 2011!!! The mission has been so surreal! I feel like it isn't really happening & now it is! I am realizing many little things I will not do until 2011!!! All of these are definitely just the dumb little thing I will be missing & not the big things I know I will miss more than anything else!! I just try not to think about those!!! But this is what the Lord needs me to do & has asked me to do. So I will give up these little things until 2011 because I know the Lord knows what's best for my life right now & right now my life is to be spent in Washington/Oregon. In a recent letter from my mission president it said there are people here that we know only YOU can reach. So I will give up these little things until 2011 so that I can be an instrument in the Lord's hands & find those people who have been searching & desiring the gospel in their lives!! Even though this is the hardest decision I have EVER made & I cry multiple times a day thinking of how hard it has been & how hard it is going to be. But at the same time I will make it!! The Lord doesn't give us anything we can't handle so I know I can make the neccessary sacrifices!! If he trusts me enough to go find my brothers & sisters in Washington/Oregon & bring/teach them the truth, then I trust him that I can do this!!!

The BIG 21

2009-11-12T20:11:00.000-08:00

I guess this means I am now considered an adult! What a frightful thought!! But it was a good day all in all! I started the morning by dismissing my alarm thinking it was text messages I was ignoring & I woke up at 6:36 & raced to work! WHY?? Not really sure considering I only have 14 more shifts so why worry about being tardy? Sleeping in is just a horrible feeling! So I worked until approx 3 pm & then I headed home, hung out, then got ready for the evening! Which was going to be spent at the 1 & only TEXAS ROADHOUSE!!!!!! Greatest night of my life!!! I could not even wait to sit on that saddle!!!!

My dearest friends Leah, Jess & Me!

My other dear friend found these rockin' cow balloons which they have not sold since 1992 which was the greatest gift EVER!!! I have such great friend!!!

I LOVE TEXAS ROADHOUSE with all of my HEART, especially the saddle they let me sit on!!!!

It's My Birthday!

2009-11-11T18:33:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Caitlin! You are a great sister and aunt, we love you!
Ricky, Chelsey & Sophie

I woke up this morning....

2009-10-30T08:50:00.001-07:00

.....& saw how much laundry I desperately need to do, so I began to sort it. While sorting it I realized today is the last day to wear my cute underwear!!! For tomorrow I will be going to through the temple to receive what some people call, "magic underwear or Jesus jamies." What is a girl to do with the large amounts of cute underwear now that she can't wear it??? I am at a loss, but I need to do something because come tues my underwear drawer is going to have some new occupants!! (sorry if this grosses some of you out) Anyway the moral of this story is that my whole life I sang a song that went a little something like this, "I love to see the temple, I am going there someday." Considering the fact that I lived in Manti & saw the temple on a daily occurence, I have always dreamed of entering that beautiful, white, sacred castle!! & today I can sing the song with a few different lyrics, "I love to see the temple, I am going there TOMORROW!!!!!" I am so so excited!!! This is something I have waited my whole life for & now I just can't believe I am already here!!!

Grey's Anatomy

2009-10-27T17:26:00.000-07:00

Yes I am blogging about Grey's Anatomy!!! I love it!!! One of the reasons why I love it so so much is that they manage to come up with the absolute best songs to add that extra emotional connection!! If any of you fellow Grey's lovers recall the scene where Alex is talking to Izzy on the phone & he has to hang up on her to go save that women's life....aah! The song is called 'Out of the Dark' by Matt Hire. Listen to it! Love it!! Embrace it!!! Watch Grey's!!!!!

Car SOLD!!!

2009-10-23T20:27:00.000-07:00

Ok I am still in complete shock about this!!! So in preparation for my mission I thought it would be appropriate to put my car up for sale, thinking it will probably take a month or so to sell it. I have been thinking about it for a couple weeks & for some reason I just started getting it ready to be listed today. Went to the car wash, cleaned it all out & took some pictures. Came in the house, put it on KSL & put a couple FOR SALE signs in my windows!! Well before I left to a baby shower this evening I checked my e-mail & found someone who was very intersted!! Very excited about it, I gave them a call & they wanted to see it tonight. I made some arrangements & went to meet them & they want it as soon as possible!!! WHAT!?!?! They actually wanted it tonight, but I could really swing that, plus I don't have the title! A total of 4 hours on KSL & my car is sold for the exact price I listed it at!! I seriously can't believe it!! It's so crazy how all these things keep working out, I must really be supposed to serve a misison! I keep getting told I will be extremely blessed for serving the Lord, but I haven't even began my mission & I have already been blessed so much!!! My car is SOLD, which really helps out the mission fund!!!!! Only 75 more days!!!!

How did I forget to blog about the OH SO AMAZING BRAD PAISLEY!?!?!?

2009-10-15T09:53:00.001-07:00

9*19*09 Was the day that I saw Brad Paisley and fell even more in LOVE with that man!!! The evening started by getting dressed up as cowgirls & me singing 'I got my boots on' to Jessica. We then jumped in the car & headed to the oh so wonderful Usana Ampatheatre. On the way out we decided we better get something to eat, so we went to 5 guys burgers and fries! While there I experienced one of my most embarassing moments of my life! So we all know I lOVE Brad Paisley & could not even wait to go to his show! I am standing in the line at 5 guys, I finish my order & turn around to see this couple DECKED out in cowboy attire: wranglers, belt buckle, hat, button up shirt & boots, the whole 9 yards!! So very enthusiastically I ask, "Are you guys going to Brad Paisley?!?!?!" They both kind of laugh & said no!! Oh my did I feel like a fool? YES!!! Then they ended up sitting on a table next to us! Seriously!! I was humilaited!! Well we leave & finally arrive at our destination, park and go stand in line! There were so many people there, well randomly I turn around to see guess who?? The freaking couple from 5 guys!!!! Seriously they made me feel like a fool in front of a lot of people! So my dear friend Leah waves to them and the lady comes over to explain herself, apparently they were surprising their son with tickets & they hadn't told him yet, hence that is why they LIED!!!! oh well I was about to see Brad Paisley himself!!! We just had lawn seats, they were alright, but next time I will be sitting as close as possible!!!!

He whispered in my ear,
"hold my hand & rest your head on my shoulder."
So I did!!

I think that JIMMY WAYNE is ADORABLE!! LOVE HIM!!

We got our boots' on

I stongely feel like Dierks Bently should perform more acoustic songs!!
He is AMAZING acoustic!!

Waiting for the 1 & only BRAD PAISLEY to hit the stage!

Rochelle & Leah & Jessica & Me

I could stare at that face ALL day!!

Waitin' on a Woman, I LOVE this picture!!

OH MY! This is him performing 'THEN' Greatest song ever, I will dance to this at my wedding!

Alcohol anyone?

Mud on the tires

9*19*09 What an AMAZING night, it even started to rain a little bit, which of course made it even better!!! AAH!! I can't wait till summer 2011 so that I can see this man again!!!

Finally when & where!!!

2009-10-13T12:23:00.000-07:00

Approximately 6 days after my call letter was sent it arrived in Manti, Utah, with 1 little problem.....I was in Mesa, AZ!!! Not good! My wonderful neighbor checked our mail for us that day, because I didn't feel comfortable keeping it in the mailbox all weekend! She also came up with this brilliant idea to have it faxed to the hotel we were staying at! My mom of course was all about having her fax it! The great thing about this day was that my mom was going absolutely crazy!! She couldn't handle it & it was so so fun to tease! I knew as soon as faxing it was suggested I would have Jeri (the wonderful neighbor) fax it!! But torturing my mom for a good 5 hours was so great so I kept telling her I was going to be the 1st to open in the envelope, so faxing it was not going to happen! Once we arrived at our hotel, I quickly got ready & called Jeri and told her to fax it but keep it a secret because I wanted to surprise my family! Well I didn't give it enough time because after I told her to do it, my mom was like we are leaving for the viewing!!! NO!!! I had gotten in the car & we were pulling away from the hotel, I get a text, I did it!!! So there my mission call sits at the hotel while I am across town!! & then I realize that my sister was not going to be coming back to the hotel with us that night!! NO!! I finally decided to ruin the surprise and tell my mom that it was at the hotel. After much deliberation we decided to just go meet my sister where she was staying!

This is the parking lot, right under that light, that I open my faxed copy of my mission call!! With my ENTIRE FAMILY!! Late at night as this gangsta, low rider, drives by!!!

I opened up the paper and quickly glanced & saw where I was going, then I began to read aloud:

Dear Sister Miller:

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

Washington Kennewick Mission.

You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on

Wednesday, January 6, 2010.

At the bottom of this letter it read Sincerely, Thomas S Monson The prophet touched this paper & signed it, well not this paper exactly, but you get the idea!! I had a good friend tell me, once you open it pay close attention to what it feels like!! So after all of the excitement of me announcing it & I was walking back to the car I remembered that I was supposed to pay attention to the feeling, but no worries it was still there!! It is the feeling like yep this is right, that is exactly where I am supposed to go, burning in my heart with the feeling of peace!!! Even though it is only 11 hours from Manti & 9 from Salt Lake, it is where the Lord knows I will do the best & where he wants me to be!!! So I couldn't be more excited & I can't wait to go!!!

Now if you were like me at all, I had NO idea where Kennewick was. It is the southeastern part of Washington & my mission includes some of Oregon.

Here is where I will spend the next 18 months of my life!

& some random facts about the wonderful Kennewick!!

*Population:65,680

*It is part of the tri-cities, which include Pasco and Richland.

*The name "Kennewick" is believed to be a native word meaning "grassy place." It has also been called "winter paradise," mostly because of the mild winters in the area. In the past, Kennewick has also been known by other names. Arguably the strangest was "Tehe" which was allegedly attributed to the reaction from a native girl's laughter when asked the name of the region.

*Every year during the summer, hydroplane racing takes place at the Water Follies event on the Columbia River.

*They have been aspiring to be the slurpee capitol of the world!!!

I can't wait to serve the fine, outstanding people Washington/Oregon!!! I leave in approx 85 days!!!!

CALL LETTER SENT!!!!!!

2009-09-26T09:53:00.000-07:00

This is a true statement!!!! While I was in Manti yesterday I thought it would be appropriate for me to stop in & see my Bishop, considering he told me they mail mission calls on Fridays........& mine has been mailed!!!! AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!! I had a dream about it last night, it cost $2.53 to mail so I figured I had to be going out of the country & speaking a foreign language! Well I didn't get as far as opening it!! TOO BAD!!!! Although it is is only 4 DAYS until it should be in MANTI, then I can really open it!!!!! I haven't really felt like this is really happening until I woke up this morning & now I am all sorts of anxious!! I am dying to know where I am going & also when I am going so I can start planning for it!!! Well I shall keep you all posted!!!!

Life is too short & fragile

2009-09-22T10:48:00.000-07:00

The Lord's timing has never been something that I have understood, but I believe he needs some great people in heaven right now! All of which will be missed greatly down on earth, although it leaves many of us grieving! I have always known that life is fragile, but sometimes it takes something like this to remind you what really matters in life! Your family, what would I do without my family?? I wouldn't be able to do anything! Your friends, the family that you choose!!! I am so greatful for these people in my life!!! We need to find "Joy in the Journey", not worry about all the little things in life & most importantly LOVE ALL! All weekend I have wondered why some people have to suffer so much, compared to them my life is so easy! I know we are not given anything that we can not handle, it truly amazes me what people can handle!!! My heart has ached for them, because I don't know how they go on with life! I am so greatful that families can be together forever!! & all those that have passed on this week and in the near future I will be able to see again!!

MY MISSION PAPERS ARE IN!!!!

2009-09-19T12:33:00.000-07:00

Really they are!! The day has finally come!!! I got up made a fantastic breakfast for myself, talked to my Stake President and they are going in!!!!! YAY!!!! Took a nap and now am getting ready to go to BRAD PAISLEY!!!! What a day!!! September 19th....a great day to remember!!!!

Where oh where will Caitlin go????

2009-09-15T11:59:00.001-07:00

Yes it is finally within reach!! 4 whole days until my mission papers go in!!! HOLY MOLY!!! I can't even believe it is here!! So here is the deal....there is a huge map in my living room for everyone to put up a guess of where oh where they think I will go!! You can guess as many times as you would like & the WINNER, whoever guesses the closest to where I really go, are you ready for this??? Gets to take me to dinner!!! YAY!!! GOOD LUCK to all!!!!

The night I saw Keith Urban

2009-09-13T20:14:00.000-07:00

Was the greatest night of my life!!! Keith Urban is the greatest man ever brought into this world!!! It started out getting all our cowgirl gear on!!

Heading to the ESA, where we would find the sexy man!

Found him & decided to just have a small cookout before the show!! Such a nice guy!

I then found this make your own video with Keith! Here I am getting ready to perform!!

Then the show began!!! I had goosebumps when he came out!!! I LOVE HIM!!!
Greatest show EVER!

He came to a smaller stage and performed a few songs for us!!! I wish I had a word to describe how great the night was, but I just don't!! It was AMAZING & UNFORGETABLE!!! I sang my little heart out & wish it went on all night long!

Then it ended & I wanted to cry!! Keith Urban 09*09*09!! The night I will never forget!

Frannie Foo Foo

2009-09-10T20:29:00.001-07:00

If you didn't already know, Caity poo prefers to be called Frannie Foo Foo by all who know her. Even better sometimes is Foofie. She loves the name so much she insisted we name a large male cat after her, Francis. That is the cat that came years after she murdered our beloved family cat June by "playing" "hide and seek" and shoving her in a cooler in the summer heat. What a sweet girl our Foofie.

p.s. Thanks Cait, for making me an admin on your blog!

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Look son! Its Joe Dirt!!

2009-09-08T09:07:00.000-07:00

So this wonderful labor day weekend I somehow ended up in DENVER!!! I had 2 other trips planned for the weekend but by friday night they were all no go! & I worked way too hard to get work off to not be going anywhere as well as my dear friend Jessica did!! At approximately 9:30pm Friday night we decide we should go to DENVER, why?? we have no idea? So we booked a hotel, went and hung out with some friends, got up early the next morning & began our adventure to DENVER! Not having any idea what we were going to do when we got there, flying by the seat of our pants I guess you could say! We drove up into Wyoming which has nothing but Little America hotels that serve $.50 ice cream cones....so we stopped! While driving in Wyoming we came across a delightful highway patrol with absolutely no sympathy on us! Nailed us with a $120 speeding ticket and told us we could go to court and fight it! Yes lets just drive to Rawlins again!!! As we continued on our scenic drive of Wyoming sage brush we finally made it to DENVER!!! As Jess checked us in I made sure to grab one of every brochure they had, we went up to our room to plan our weekend! That night we decided to go to the heart of DENVER.....WOW is the only words that explains DOWNTOWN DENVER! There were so so many homeless people, but also many many firefighters!! sexiest men alive!!! They have been doing fill the boot for muscular dystrophy! So we followed down the 16th street mall just to look at them! Then we started getting scared by all the strange strange people we decided to leave! We get back to our car & back it out of the smallest car stall you have ever seen in your life and find a $70 parking ticket!!! Which we will not pay! They gave us the ticket 6 min after we paid for the parking!! Great day ending it with a total of $190 in traffic citations! We are truly outstanding citizens!

Sunday someone was feeling bad for us and we ended up finding $15 tickets to Elitch Gardens aka the old 6 Flags! Steal of a deal! Beautiful day to be in an amusement park with the strange strange people of DENVER!!! Played in the hat store, fought the children for a picture with Bob the Builder, spun in the tea cups, & saw some people rocking bump its!

Monday we woke up at wanted to tour this candy factory but got there a realized they were closed for Labor Day! So we went shopping! I wasn't in the best shopping mood, but it was still very fun! Then we decided to take the scenic route home that my father said would be faster well 10 hours later we pull into Salt Lake City!!! This route was definitely more scenic than Wyoming, however we did make plenty of stops, like in Edwards where we made friends with some more firefighters!! Then in Eagle where we stopped for lunch and received the worst service from our pregnant waitress!! Driving through many many tunnels!! All in all it was a GREAT weekend filled with many adventures!! LOVE IT!!!!

How many days???

2009-08-31T16:23:00.000-07:00

Just so you are all aware....

*9 days till Keith Urban!

**18 days till mission papers go in!

***19 days till Brad Paisley!

****24 days till Grey's Anatomy!

Someone please explain how September could get any better? Is till a word??? meh oh well!

I told myself I wasn't going to count......

2009-08-29T12:26:00.001-07:00

But only 20 more days!!!!! Until the mission papers FINALLY go in!!! my oh my!! It has been a LONG 4 months!! Long & Hard! You hear how hard satan works on you while you are getting ready, but until you experience it, reach your lowest low & plan to give up. You don't really understand. We all have our own trials & weaknesses & satan knows them & he hits them all very hard!! Going on a mission has probably been the hardest decision I have ever made, however I know it won't be one I will ever ever regret!!! I am going to be a little missionary here & share a scripture its one I have read probably 33 times in the last 2 weeks!!! A friend on a mission shared this with me, it's one I have always known & loved but it definitely has taken different meaning in my life now!! Isaiah 41:10 "Fear thou not, for I am with thee be not dismayed for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee, yea I will help the, yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Now jump down to 13 "For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." He is always there to hold our hand, I know this because he has been holding mine very tightly lately!!
oh I will be getting a map & putting everyone's guesses of where they think I will be going. Who ever guesess the closest gets to take me to dinner!! YAY!!!!

I have ANOTHER date.....with a sexy Australian!!!!!

2009-08-26T21:12:00.000-07:00

I know I know how can 1 girl have SO many dates with these BEAUTIFUL men??? I really don't know how I have become so lucky!!! Today I bought tickets for the 1 & only KEITH URBAN. Sept 9th is the big day!!!! I can't even wait!!!!

And.......

Summer is now coming to an end, which means my favorite seasons are on their way in!!! I LOVE fall and winter!!!! School has started, although I am not in school (feels so so wierd), but along with school means a new season of television! However I am not a huge fan of tv I have an addiction and that is........ GREY'S ANATOMY!! Season premiere tomorrow night!!!!! Are Izzy and George coming back?? I just don't know! The season finale had me on edge and I have been dying to see what happens this season!!! Oh how I love GREY'S!!! and FALL AND WINTER!!!!

I have a date....with BRAD PAISLEY!!!!

2009-08-23T19:08:00.000-07:00

Yes, the rumor is true!!! I have a date with Brad Paisley!!!! Sept 19th @ 7:30 pm we will begin our evening together!!! I can hardle believe it!!!

He also asked me to bring some friends along so they can meet up with his! So we have Leah & Jimmy Wayne, Jessica & Dierks Bentley!! It is going to be the best night of my life!

We can hardly wait!!!!!!

HELP!!!!

2009-08-19T22:12:00.000-07:00

SERIOUSLY?!?! SERIOUSLY!?!?! I feel like it takes a rocket science to figure this blogging thing out!! Why is my picture the size of TEXAS???? The next thing I know I am following all these blogs.....I have no idea what this even means!!! I am totally stuck. SERIOUSLY!!!!

I have NO idea what I have just done!!!

2009-08-18T23:37:00.000-07:00

Hey hey!!! Well I have decided to join the blogging world, don't really know why?? Possibly because I frequently find myself stalking blogs!! Maybe more than I should......what can I say I LOVE THEM!! It's like people watching without them knowing and you feeling all awkward for watching them!!! I apologize if I sound all sorts a creepy saying that. Well basically I have no idea how to do this, wing it I guess??? Work in 6 hours!!! I just love it when your mind is just so so busy when your laying in bed that you just can't manage to fall asleep even though your body is completely exhausted!!! And then it says,"hey why don't you create a blog??" even though its not the time to be making decisions like this (not that it is that big of a decision.) Anyway time to play with this and work on going to sleep!!!