!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If anyone has any questions about my Texas trip; visit my new blog at:
http://davidandshina.blogspot.com


:)

75 QUESTIONS YOU'VE PROBABLY NEVER BEEN ASKED BEFORE

1. First thing you wash in the shower? My Hair
2. What color is your favorite hoodie? Pink
3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again? DEFINATLY!!!!!!!
4.Do you plan outfits? Yeah, I set them out the night before.
5. How are you feeling RIGHT now? Excellent!!!!
6. Whats the closest thing to you that's red? a Christmas decoration... still out... yep
7. Do you say aim or a-i-m? nope
8. Tell me about the last dream you remember having? It had to do with David and it was wonderful!
9. Did you meet anybody new today? I meet new people everyday! That's the glorious thing about working in a doctors office!
10. What are you craving right now? My man.
11. Do you floss? Every night!
12. What comes to mind when I say cabbage? Lumpia!!!! My Favorite Filipino Dish!
13. When was the last time you talked on aim?Never
14. Are you emotional?Yes, I can be very emotional.
15. Would you dance to the taco song? haha sure
16. Have you ever counted to 1,000??No... I have a short attention span
17. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it?Both
18. Do you like your hair? Sometimes. It is so thin that sometimes I am tempted to shave it and buy a wig
19. Do you like yourself? I love myself:)
20. Have you ever met a celebrity? Yes, LeAnn Rimes
21. Do you like cottage cheese?Espcially with Doritos!
22. What are you listening to right now? The sounds of a doctors office
23. How many countries have you visited? just he one.
24. Are your parents strict? at times, but I am an adult now and I make my own decisions... they let me do my own thing
25. Would you go sky diving?YES!
26. Would you go out to eat with George W. Bush? probably not. the man annoys the crap out of me.
27. Would you throw potatoes at him? If it was in the mashed form
28. Is there anything sparkly in the room you're in?nope.
29. Have you ever been in a castle? Yes
30. Do you rent movies often? I Love renting movies!
31. Who sits in behind you in your math class? some girl I don't know
32. Have you made a prank phone call? :0) Yep
33. Do you own a gun? no!!
34. Can you count backwards from 74? yes.
35. Who are you going to be with tonight? My math book
36. Brown or white eggs? both
37. Do you own something from Hot Topic?no
38. Ever been on a train? YES
39. Like the person your dating? I am not only dating him-- I AM GOING TO MARRY HIM! I not only like him-- I LOVE HIM SO MUCH THE ANGELS IN HEAVEN CAN HEAR THE SONG IN MY HEART!!!
40. Do you have a cell-phone? Don't know where I would be without it.
41. Are you too forgiving? Sometimes
42. Do you use chap stick? YES!
43. What is your best friend doing tomorrow? He is working.. getting off work at 1400 and then talking to me on the phone at 2100. ( I am trying to get this military time thing down)
44. Can you use chop sticks? Yes-- Thanks to my amazing Fiance and his Filipino family!
45. Ever have cream puffs? oh I LOVE THEM!
46. Have you ever seen The Butterfly Effect? yes-- It is a trippy movie
47. What was the last question you asked? I don't remember.
48. What was the last CD you bought? "Tea for two Love songs"
49. Boys or girls? Definatly boys! Girls are too dramatic!
50. What is your bus number for school? 634... I think. it has been a LONG time!
51. Is your hair curly? Only when I spend hours on it
52. Last time you cried? Yesterday....
53. Ever walked into a wall? Um... yeah...
54. Do looks matter? Yes-- but I am more attracted to personalities
55. Have you ever bought anything from Pac Sun? yes!
56. Have you ever slapped someone? No... Not on purpose at least
57. Favorite time of the year? spring and fall
58. Favorite color?Lime green
59. Are you sarcastic?sometimes
60. Do you have any tattoos? Nope-- I will never have one!
61. The last person you held hands with? David :)
62. Do you sleep with the TV on? Sometimes. Usually I have to have it completely silent though.
63. Where was your default picture taken at? ???? WHAT?????
64. Do you hate or dislike more than 3 people? No- it takes too much energy
65. Do you like your life right now? I love my life!
66. How often do you talk on the phone? not a lot, but when I do it is for a long time!
67. What is your favorite animal? Dog!
68. What was the most recent thing you bought? a Valentines card for david:)
69. Do you have good vision? no....
70. Can you hula hoop? Yes!
71. Could you ever forgive a cheater?Yes if they are truly repentant... it takes a lot though....
72. Do you have a job? yes
73. Can you handle the truth? yes :)
74. What are you wearing? gray slacks, orange shirt and a white jacket
75. Have you ever crawled through a window? Yes

My bragging moment

I leave tomorrow night at 12:50 AM for Texas.

I cannot explain how excited I am to see David!! He has given great updates in each of his letters and I cannot wait to meet all of the guys he is working with! He was given a promotion (in a way) his first or second week of BMT. He is the epitome of what a zone leader would be in an LDS mission. He is over a flight of guys and has to make sure they are doing everything they need to, to pass the tests. He has found this tast difficult, but worth while. He has learned MANY great qualities and has grown a lot from being a leader and example.

He has had the opportunity to attend a church service held on Sundays by a missionary couple on the base. He has brought many of his flight members to the service and many have asked him questions about the church and why he gets to wear special boxers. :)
He is a great example to these men and I am so proud of him!

Although he is in a stressful environment, his letters are full of positive things that he is learning from being at Basic training.

Before he left for Basic, I gave him a pocket sized Book of Mormon for him to read. (I bought one for myself and we call it our "Marriage Handbook") He reads from it every night before going to bed and relates the gospel teachings that he learns in his letters to me. He is such a spiritual giant and I have learned so much from him by reading his annotations (as he calls it :))

I cannot wait to support him at his graduation and spend time with him this weekend! There are so many things I want to say to him that I cannot write in letters or say in our short 15 minute converstions, via phone, once a week.

Once graduation is over, he's off to Mississippi for Tech school, but:

March 23rd is a day to mark- The day my latter day Nephi returns home to Utah.

The love of my life!

Dave and I posing before working out at WSU

99 Things

Highlight the things that you have done!
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo-- in my car- does that count?
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant...
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class-- KICKBOXING
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating?- my dad has and I watched...
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life-- im sure we all have and don't even know it
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person-- I will next month!
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Things I am grateful for in my life.

I was raised in a loving home, with two parents who understood the importance of teaching and living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They placed the foundation under my feet that I now stand on as a faithful member of the LDS church.

As I look back on the year 2008, and I recognize the many changes that have affected me personally, I look in awe at the grace of our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ.

I have struggled with depression for a couple of years, but I didn't do anything for it until May when I reached a breaking point; I realized I couldn't handle the inner sadness anymore. Those closest to me saw the transformation that took place. I became the "Shina" that everyone remembered! Sure, I was always happy and giddy around people, but on the inside I was a raging tornado of emotions and feelings.

For those who suffer from depression, a lot of the healing process has to come from within. You can't rely on the workings of men alone to help you. I realized this early on when I began my treatment through medication. I had to change my thought process comepletely. By doing this I realized why I am here on this earth, why I was placed here at this time, who I am, what I believe in and why things work out the way that they do. It was a glorious day when I realized that I would be OK. The depressive thoughts subsided and I was able to focus, more clearly, on the positive things in my life.

I have found the last year that I have a great love for serving those around me. There is no greater sense of satisfaction than when you can see the look of overwhelming gratefulness on the face of someone you have served. I have had many experiences the last year that have humbled me and reminded me of the true purpose of our existance on this earth.

My faith in my Savior has grown so much this year. I have had two very profound experiences where I have felt completely enveloped in his love.

There was a time that I wandered in the darkness of the world like a lost sheep, enjoying my time spent in the dreary promises of what Satan has to offer. It did not take long for me to realize what I was doing and I quickly did all that I could to run from my sins. The day I got my temple recommend renewed was one of the greatest days of my life! As my bishop signed my recommend he asked me if everything was okay because I had started crying. The only emotion I felt when he asked this question was pure bliss! Knowing that I had come a long way and could once again enter the House of the Lord was all that I needed at that moment. I could feel the love of my Savior and the words, "Well done my daughter" kept ringing in my ears. Words cannot fully explain the joy I felt!

Family issues have been a recent dilema in the Hicks household. While I was on vacation in Minnesota I received some very suprising news that shook my whole frame and tore my heart out from my chest. The tears that streamed down my face burned hot with anger and feelings of betrayal. I have never cried so hard.. or so long in my life. I called my amazing bishop and received words of councel and compassion from him. He told me to request a priesthood blessing from a worthy male that I was staying with. I did just that, from a complete stranger... but the priesthood is the same everywhere. Although the man who blessed me had no idea what my situation was, the Spirit directed him in saying all of the right things. My heart burned like fire as soon as the blessing was over... I felt arms encircle me... my tears stopped and I felt the comfort of my Savior holding me. Once again, words cannot explain how I felt.

If it had not been for my parents and the lessons they taught me at an early age, I would not be where I am today. If it was not for my Father in Heaven and his son Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Ghost, I would still be a wandering sheep... lost in the world, dwelling on the sad things in life, wallowing in my sin and feeling sad about my current family situation.

I love those individuals who have changed me. I love the strength that I have found in myself to prevail and overcome hard things.

Like Sister Dalton said on the Oct 2008 Conference:

I can do hard things, but in the strength of the Lord, I can do ALL things!

My life has taken some very interesting twists and turns recently that have left me dumbfounded and a little surprised! I have been preparing to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. When I got my confirmation that, that was what I needed to do I became very excited to serve the Lord! I met with my bishop and then with my stake president and I started my mission papers all in the time frame of two-in-a-half weeks. I know that when we are following the promptings of the spirit things seem to work out. I attended my first Mission Prep course and I know that at this time in my life I am supposed to be preparing to serve the Lord.
I was re-united recently with a very good friend who has changed me. There are parts of me that have been hurt and knocked around in the past; I was beginning to think that I would never be able to recover because of the way I felt inside about myself and how I looked at others. The pre-conceived notions that I had about marriage and dating have been changed. My life has been greatly blessed because of who this friend is and who he represents.
David Owen and I met Fall 2006 while serving in leadership positions at Weber State University through our shared scholarship, WildCat Scholars. It had been two years since Dave and I talked when he bumped into me at the Weber State Institute Halloween Dance this October. The next day, he sent me a message on Facebook … and the rest is history.
Our first date comprised of us becoming members of the Polar Bear Club- We jumped into Pine View at 8:00 PM when the water was FrEeZiNg!-, we went to my apartment and colored in my Ninja Turtle Coloring book and then watched Flyboys. Our date started at 7 and didn’t end until 3AM because we were talking. In all my years of dating, I have never had a first date that went as smoothly as this one! I think that because we were friends before it was very easy to be myself and not feel like I had to put on a show. The conversation was good, the company was excellent and things went really well!
I have had an internal struggle raging inside of me since Dave walked back into my life. I have found myself falling very hard for him and the manner and pace in which things are going surprises me. I thought I was done giving guys a chance. My ability to trust was depleted and I told myself I would never let my feelings show for another individual… that has changed drastically. My plans for a mission have not changed. I am still pressing forward with that goal in mind, but I know that chances are my mission will be to marry Dave and start a family with him.
Dave leaves for Basic Training in Texas on November 24th. He is going into the Air National Guard and will graduate from tech school April 13th. He and I have decided to see what happens in April when he returns. If things are still great and we still feel good about things, we will begin the preparations to enter the temple together. I cannot tell you the feelings of elation and excitement this brings me. I have struggled in the past with finding guys who share my sense of humor, thought processes, ideas and goals. It is crazy how many times I have been explaining something to Dave and he totally knows what I am talking about. Usually people look at me like I am crazy when I say certain things… I love that I can talk to him and not have to explain everything to him!!
I love that I am myself when I am with him. I love spending time with him and getting to know him better. I love the strength he has within himself to prevail and stand up for what he believes in and does what he knows is right. He has a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and knows the power of the Atonement. He has goals and is very ambitious in making sure those are accomplished. He is very respectful and knows his boundaries, as do I. We know what we need to do to get us where we want to someday be. We don’t want to mess that up for each other.
Life is very good. I can feel the promptings of the Spirit in my life. I know that things will work out how they are supposed to. I look forward to my future with enthusiasm and excitement!!