Old Mission Companion

Finally got back to Provo super late last night, and crashed. Then I took a four hour nap - thank heaven my sister offered to make dinner! Although when I got over there to help her I made the dessert - cream cheese filled pumpkin muffins! Yep, I am pretty amazing! Both, Ashley and Heidi, were quite surprised that I actually cooked something - and frankly I was too! As a quick note, I began teaching temple prep, I have a co-teacher, Eric, who is awesome and I am super excited to teach with him. The class was very ready to learn and we had a great spirit in the class! I reckon i am going to learn so much in that class!
Back to dinner - my MTC companion came, Sis. Meredith Walch! It was so fun - and we talked forever! I really haven't seen too many people from the mission since most of my companions are still on the mission and I am not really big into the whole reunion thing, although it looks like a bunch of us are going to get together this weekend so that will definitely be interesting. While me and Sis. Walch were only companions in the MTC we actually served in several of the same areas which was so cool to hear what happened there after I left - there is no doubt the Lord has poured out blessings on so many people I was able to have contact with and teach. This picture is for Bro. (Tom - he wants me to call him Tom, but I still find it very difficult) Pottorff - he would wear this shirt all the time. Every time we went over to his house he had it on! Well, thankfully he had two, because there is no way it could have been clean that often! Well, out of love - which some may question - he gave me one! I pretty much love it. And think it is awesome! And he has been wanting me to send him a picture with me in the shirt since I got home, so this week you are likely to see more of these pictures as I will be taking one everyday in a variety of activities with different people - the best part of the shirt is seeing people's reactions!

The Calverts

Well, the greatest part about coming to Arizona was that I was able to see my cousins Chris & Camille! Camille picked me up this am at my hotel and we went to her house - which is beautiful! Their neighborhood is how you picture Arizona - desert, in fact Camille told me they are not allowed to have grass in their yards, it has to be natural desert landscape - which is actually quite lush, not lush like you think of a jungle - but there are lots of desert plant everywhere and the way that the houses are designed it blends right in and you really feel somewhat secluded which I reckon is a plus!
Their kids are adorable! Calahan is two and full of energy! I don't know how kids have so much energy, I really wish I could capture that in a bottle and drink it every morning! It would be so helpful - and would certainly help the mid afternoon drag, which currently requires a little diet coke! And Crewe - this was the first time I was abel to meet him. We walked into the room where he was sleeping, and he woke up when we came in. He was adorable! And played shy - he's a little flirt! He is adorable and so cute! You just want to squeeze him! It was such a joy to see them and get caught up on their life - I feel like it has been forever since I have seen them!

It is so wonderful and such a blessing to have an incredible family! I wouldn't change it for the world!

Direct Mail

I know it's a dirty word. I spent all day learning about it, talking about it, and understanding more of how to do and why we do it. I wish I would of had more of a discussion about direct mail and what we are looking at exactly what plans have been made as of now to do it. I definitely have a lot to do when I get back. Which is overwhelming, but also very exciting! I like to be busy! There are so many pieces of direct mail that I never thought about - like simply tracking the success and knowing what works - wether it is an envelope, a signer, a stamp, a premium, a list... and on and on. There are so many different things you have to think about and consider it is incredible!

I am so glad I was able to come here and get a big birds eye view of the whole process, mostly because I don't think I could have gotten it any other place. And now I have a good idea of what a successful direct mail program needs to look like. Prospecting mail seems complicated enough, I am afraid keeping up with House file mailings will be hard enough - so we will start out one piece at a time and grow from there. I do like that I am fairly certain I will be over this, which is nice to have a project for me to do and pretty much start from scratch. I am a bit worried about suggesting a new database - but I just don't think that the one we are using is going to work...

'Sunny' Arizona

Well, I got up 4 am this morning to go to Arizona - beautiful,sunny Arizona. Well, it has been anything but. In fact today and tomorrow they are supposed to get more rain than they typically get in a year! This is typically how my life goes! But other than the weather - it has been great to be down here. I came for a State Policy Network Direct Mail conference, as I will be over most of the direct mail at Sutherland. It is quite the process and project! Yes, all those annoying mailers you get in the mail asking for money, petitions, etc. - I will be sending them to you! I never thought that I would get in to this type of fundraising, but as I have learned more about it and been here it is actually quite exciting and I think I could be pretty good at it! Noted - I have yet to actually see a direct mail piece through start to finish, but I think my writing style, attention to detail and no pre-conceived notions of what I feel it should be, along with some experience with our Family Foundation giving money it make take some time, but I am determined to be good at it!

Viewmont Hockey

Well, I am still reveling in a win in Massachusettes - I was told today, the two most beautiful sounds in the world: A child laughing and a Democrat conceding. DREAM! Now, the process begins and we will see what happens with Healthcare - I would not put it past Congress to ram it through the House with the reasoning of its this or nothing.

But tonight we had another victory to celebrate - almost as intense and important as the race in Massachusetts.

This is my amazing brother! I am seriously going to miss watching him play when they move to Detroit!

Viewmont v. Davis battling it out!

Viewmont Victory!

The final score

And why I love hockey so much, okay one of the reasons - after hitting each other, and throwing each other against the boards, shaking hands.

The People's Seat

Massachusetts actually elected a Republican! It is absolutely amazing! I got from work - after tentatively watching the news all day - and turned on the TV to see... and there is was Sen. Scott Brown giving his victory speech! I was jumping up and down - and celebrating, and a few of my roommates got home about that time - yes they thought I was completely crazy! But, they aren't the first to be exposed to my obsessive political behavior! It's amazing, and a great blessing. I don't know that one man will be able to derail Healthcare or the Socialist agenda of our current leaders, but it will certainly put a cog in the well oiled machine! From what I have seen of Sen. Brown he seems like a good down to earth man, even commenting that both his daughters were single and available during his acceptance speech on Tuesday night! I would no doubt kill my father for saying such things - but it shows a side of him that I appreciate in a politician. And he is no doubt quick on his feet! From his comment about the People's seat, comments on his possibility of running in 2012, etc. He will no doubt be one to watch for a good sound bite!

Jack Bauer

Yes, it is that time of year again - the air is fresh, crisp, with a bit of a chill - and season 8 of 24 begins! I watched the first two hours tonight, yes I am a day behind. But, I did not want to watch it on Sunday and the fact that you can watch pretty much any television show online now is awesome! And I spent the money on all the cables to be able to hook up my computer to the television, so I better get good use out of them! I reckon I may always be a day behind given that I need to go to FHE - as I made a commitment to always go after having the calling and realizing how hard it is!

So, I am excited for another season! And I do have to say up to this point, including season 7, I am proud to share the name of Allison with the current President Taylor. It is looking like it will be another action packed and suspense filled season! I get way too into this - but I really only follow one television series, so I reckon its okay!