I'm Going There Someday

Saturday, August 31, 2013
"As a result of the sacred ordinances performed in the holy house of God, no light need be permanently extinguished, no voice permanently stilled, no place in our heart permanently left vacant."
—Thomas S. Monson

Sometimes life gets to be a little more than we can take on.
Sometimes stress and change create uneasiness.
The Lord has promised us that he will bear all of our burdens.
We can't always do it alone, we need to allow him to help us along. 
I feel so close to my Savior as I enter the temple.
I know I am doing the Lord's work. 
I had the most fabulous Friday.
It started off by doing baptisms. It was so peaceful going by myself.
August has been an interesting month I guess you could say... but the second I walked into the temple I had the most comforting feeling.
 I felt at home.
When I walked in to 2 men and one woman dressed in all white I seriously thought I was going to start crying. The temple is heaven on earth.
 Then I spoke with the missionaries, and then I remembered a request to make a video of the San Diego Temple grounds.
So, I did just that :)
I love the temple and I love the peace and joy it brings me.
I felt so incredibly happy all day long on Friday.
I really love my church :)
By the way, this video explains that all Latter Day Saints feel the same way :)



0

Fresh.

Thursday, August 29, 2013
I GOT A HAIRCUT!
Can't ya tell?
ha.


I've had at least 3 people this week ask me what my secret is to having long hair.
Wanna know?
Just don't cut it.
Yep. Simple as that. haha.
Your hairstylist might hate you, but whatev.
I decided I was due for my yearly (wait what?) haircut. 
Good 'ol Karen knows I have separation anxiety when it comes to my hair.
But, I actually chopped off a very good amount.
I promise. 
Feels good to have fresh ends and healthy locks.
See ya next year Karen! (slight sarcasm...kinda)

All my love,
Aleigh Joy 

0

I scored big time.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Elder Moore has about 4 month left. 
Well who actually really knows how long he has left...
I don't.
I sure can't wait until we finally know a release date. 
Anyhow, he doesn't have very much time left.
That being said I decided I wanted to send a package for just about every reason my little mind can think up. 
Because well, he deserves it :)
Football season, as I have mentioned quite a few times before, has always been quite an exciting time in our relationship. 
He played football in high school, I was a cheerleader.
Whenever this time of year comes around we both get so excited and a rush of memories quickly come back to us. 
Hunter is really quite an amazing athlete. Football being his specialty.
We have hopes and dreams of seeing him in a cougar uniform playing in LaVell Edwards Stadium. 
The odds are looking to be in our favor :)
So, here's to football season!
The best season. 

I'm running out of cheesy sayings.
Side story: Sunflower seeds will always remind me of Hunter and Friday game days. Back in the day he used to always wait for me to get out of class. I don't have any idea how he was always the first one out, but he always managed to be there waiting for me. On Fridays I would see him standing there with his game day jersey on with one hand on his hip and the other on his backpack strap pretending to stare off in the distance. Ohh Hunter. I would play along and prance over in my little cheer uniform with my pony tail swaying from side to side. He would look at me and say in that tough guy voice: "sup baby girl" with one cheek stuffed with sunflower seeds. He would then wrap his arm around me and we would walk away together giggling. Oh game days... I sure do miss them :)

CougarADE!

If you know Hunter's family at all, you would know they are die hard Raiders fans.
Yes, Raiders fans.
A sweet, Mormon, practically perfect family of Raider's fans.
I love it. 

A Nike sweatshirt and this year's BYU game day shirt :) 

All things spiritual.
The stripling warriors thing is a temple recommend holder.
The standard of truth is quite incredible.
And the two talks can be found here and here

The Miscellaneous fillers.
The notepad had some cool encouraging quote on it.
A hacky sack.
That card is the best. "Who's counting?" Me! I Am!
Pictures in my matching BYU shirt and the shirt he gave me for my birthday :)

All put together :)

And of course, the decorated flaps :)


And there you have it!
This package is currently on its way to Ohio for my sweet Hunter :)
Feel free to use any of the ideas you please!

All my love,
Aleigh Joy
1

Coming Soon...

Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Cooking healthily seems to be so very dreaded by so many people.
It does take a little extra time and thought, but really the rewards are fab.
Although I crave warm cookies, frozen yogurt, and gooey brownies on the daily, I've been enjoying creating a few healthy recipes that particularly tickle my fancy. 
I still need to work out some exact measurements for both of these but I just wanted to show you what you have to look forward to :)



All my love,
Aleigh Joy

0

MIA... and sick

I'm alive.
Hardly.
Without fail, I am sick at then end of August. 
But it's okay because that means I have an excuse to take naps. 
Win.
Life gets busy every now and again.
So, here's all the random thoughts you have missed since I wrote last. 

I didn't get stranded on a deserted island, I promise.
I've just been busy. And sick.

Taylor Swift was incredible.
Like I cried tears of joy about 5 times.
Oh, and my voice is still recovering.

I can't believe how many times I have blown my nose in the past 2 days.
Ew.
Thank you CVS for the kleenex coupons.

I always wonder why people grafitti bathroom stalls with random letters.
Like no one even knows what that means!
Just stop.


You know it's fall (or close to it) when all things pumpkin have filled pinterest.
Ahhh I sure do love this season :)

It's just sad that I go to the gym and spend about 5 minutes driving up and down the rows looking for the best spot.
At the gym.
Ha, I kill myself.

High school football games start on Friday and I am beyond pumped.
Football season is the best season.  
It also makes me miss my quarterback.
Oh, what I would do to cheer for him in just one more game. 

Isn't it funny how our great big plans sometimes don't match up with the man upstairs'
That moment when it slaps you in the face is comical.
And comforting. 
And spiritual. 

We still don't have an exact return date for Elder Moore.
However, we know it is nearing closer.
And somehow, the butterflies know too.

Ps.
For your viewing pleasure:
(I thoroughly enjoy when all of the Moore's are reunited)











This is my personal fave, I must day.

Well that's a wrap!

All my love,
Aleigh Joy

ps. a t-swifty post will be arriving shortly







0

I'm Near, You're Far.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013
"I hear them say that what we have may fade away, but I refuse. We'll never lose."

With 150 days left I have completely lost my marbles... 
but I have also fallen in love harder than I thought possible.
How on earth is it possible to love someone this much when you can only hear their voice twice a year and communicate through letters and emails?
It's beyond me, but I'm guilty as charged.
This whole journey is crazy, and long, but mostly crazy.
I don't know how we make it work, but we do. 
So, to those of you that think I'm absolutely crazy 1) I forgive you because 2) you're right. I am. But I wouldn't have it any other way. 
I realized that there really isn't a word, or even a sentence to explain what it is like to be away from your love for 2 entire years.
It's a roller coaster of emotions and even though I couldn't be any happier that he is out doing the Lord's work, it is still hard.
I figured I would try to make a video to somewhat explain what this is all about and what better time to post it than when we hit 150 days remaining?
It's completely cheesy and I try not to laugh at myself every time I watch it, but it is also my life right now.
I remember those snobby little high school girls that would whisper about how Hunter and I would never be able to make this work. 
Well, I only have 150 days left and despite the fact that my heart aches every. single. day. I have never been more in love and I plan to only grow deeper in love with him for the rest of my life. 
We're only just beginning.



                                                                                         a day in the life from Aleigh Mellinger on Vimeo.

All my love,
Aleigh Joy
0

The Last of The Teens.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Yesterday I cut myself pretty badly at work.
Blood was dripping down my thumb and onto the desk and pretty much everywhere else. 
It looked like a horror film.
It was great.
So where am I going with this and how on earth does it even relate to the fact that we have reached the 19th month you ask?
Well because the first thing I thought of right as I saw blood, was my sweet Hunter.
Hunter and I were talking one day back in high school about how I get really weak around the sight of blood. He was laughing at how crazy I sounded and looking at me with his little smirk like "what am I getting myself into?" 
He then began to tell me that it is just a little blood and that I would need to be strong when our crazy little ones are running around and get cuts and scrapes. 
So, as I cut myself last night I thought of that story. 
I heard Hunter's voice and felt his warm embrace and decided "hey, I'm gonna be strong for the children I don't yet have" haha.
 Anyhow, that story right there explains my state of mind at the nineteenth month mark.
My brain is scattered... like it's practically gone.
I stop at green lights.
I wait for stop signs to turn green (yeah, really.)
I check the weather in Cincinnati more than I do in San Diego.
Somehow, every song can be related to him. It's almost embarrassing when I'm singing a Rihanna song in the car and start getting all teary eyed. 
In my spare time I spend an unhealthy amount of time judging wedding colors, dresses, venues, cakes, flowers, and photography.
I practice smiling in the mirror because it has to be perfect when I see him for the first time again.
I day dream about the moment he is actually real again constantly and usually I end up crying. And usually, it's at work. Lovely. 



Anyhow, now that you can see that I'm all over the place can you hardly even wait for the next five months??
Haha this should be fun.
Can you even believe it though?
5 short months are left. And then, we're done with this.
I'm through the roof excited :)
I can't begin to explain how close I feel to him right now.
So close, yet so far.
It's an odd concept.
I constantly have this aching empty heart, yet it also feels so full of love for my sweetheart.
I don't understand how that works, but I'm living with it every single day. 
I live for his emails, pictures, and letters. 
I look for every way to bring him up in a conversation.
He's the love of my life.
And, I haven't even seen him in 19 months.
He's amazing.
I think I would like to keep him around forever :)



In the last post I talked about how our best friendship was quickly beginning to escalate and how we practically began to spend every waking moment together. I have been kinda delaying this portion of our love story, it can get kinda awkward when you talk about mushy things haha. But... here goes nothing! Hunter and I ending up being together every single night over summer started to become expected. It just didn't feel right when we weren't together. One night I was over at my friend's house and she told me to invite him over because a bunch of other football guys were coming. I gladly did and he showed up in a matter of minutes. We all went in the jacuzzi and were having a ton of fun. I decided to go on the trampoline and Hunter came along because he thought he could beat me in doing "cool tricks." As we were giggling at all the strange flips we were doing everyone walked back inside to pick the movie without telling us. It was a set up. And, we didn't even notice. The next flip Hunt did knocked us both over and we ended up laying next to each other looking at the stars, talking, and laughing. It wasn't until about 10 minutes later that we realized we were alone, and so we went inside to go watch the movie with everyone else. They chose the movie Taken. Perfect! I sat right next to him and at each scary part I made sure to latch on even tighter. Being next to him felt so right, so simple, and so perfect. My heart was beating 100 miles per hour. Not just because the movie was scary, but because I was close to him and in that moment I knew he was all I would ever want in my life. The movie was still on but Hunter needed to leave so that he could get home before midnight. I walked him out to his car and we made small talk between the smiles. Although I didn't want him to leave, we both knew it was time for him to get going so he reached out for a hug and I fit perfectly into his arms. It was one of those hugs where you kinda just forget that you're even hugging because it feels so perfect and you could just stay there forever. Now this next part we still disagree about to this day haha. I looked up and as cliche as it sounds I promise you it was to look at the stars because they were extra bright that night. As i looked up, he looked down. And the next thing we knew, we were lip locked. So he still thinks I had planned the whole thing out, I still try to tell him that I'm too short to even reach his lips and he clearly took part in this haha. After that, it's all a blurr. All I remember is watching his car drive away as I skipped to the door. I waited about 5 minutes before I even walked back inside because I couldn't seem to 1) wipe the smile off my face and I didn't want anyone to know and 2) I couldn't catch my breath because I was in such shock. Finally I walked in and everyone's eyes were glued on me as I sat down. I finally exclaimed "what?" and they all began asking "are you gonna get married??" "What are you gonna name your first kid?" "Do you love him?" My face was red. But I was also on cloud nine. I texted him about half an hour later, thinking he wouldn't be awake but I still wanted to say goodnight. He replied in about 30 seconds and said "we can't do that again." Oh, he is such an amazing man. Like really, what boy would kiss a girl then feel so guilty that he tells her it can't happen again. Amazing. We set our first set of rules for ourselves right then and there. But we both also agreed, that was one heck of a first kiss. The next weekend we both went to the stake dance. I felt pretty special when he danced with me and when he took my hair tie off my wrist and said he would keep it on his always and forever. That night we were texting once we both got home. Just before we decided to call it a night he sent a text saying "Aleigh, I can really see myself marrying you one day. I think we would have a blast together." My heart skipped a thousand beats and I probably reworded my response a trillion times. I knew he was the one, and he was starting to see it himself. Once again, what guy talks about marriage when he is only 16 years old AND treats a girl right? He won my heart instantly. The day I had to leave for Europe came far too quickly. He came over to my house with another friend so we could spend some time together. I cherished every minute until finally it was time to say goodbye. As you can see, our relationship has been built off of goodbyes. It's pretty amazing that we survived each of them. While I was in Europe I couldn't stop thinking about him. We had no way to communicate. I didn't even have internet access. I was dying. I spent most of the long car rides from country to country day dreaming of our future and thinking about the memories we shared that summer. We had come so far and gotten so close and I was terrified that me being gone for an entire month would completely change everything. And... it did. I came home and the first thing I did was text him in all caps exclaiming how excited I was to be home. His response was something along the lines of "yay! welcome home" Really? That's all I get? Not even a simple I missed you? I didn't understand what had changed, but now my heart hurt more than it did while I was gone. I had gotten so attached and it all seemed like it was coming to an end. We had about 2 weeks before school started up again. I spent those two weeks extremely hurt and confused. But, I secretly needed that little amount of time because in the mean time my testimony for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was growing like a weed. And here's the thing, I wasn't even speaking to Hunter at the time. Clearly I wasn't doing it for him. I was experiencing my own conversion and I turned to the gospel for peace. Looks as if everything really does happen for a reason. Once I had found my own way on this spiritual journey the Lord allowed Hunter back into my life. That, is where I should pick up next month :)

I am so grateful for the time that Hunter and I have apart.
He is doing amazing things on his mission and I absolutely adore hearing about all of the happiness he is experiencing on a daily basis.
I have chosen my love, and I absolutely love my choice :)

Oh nineteen, please be good to me. 

All my love,
 Aleigh Joy


\




2

A Seriously Happy Friday!

Friday, August 9, 2013
I have a very special story to share with all of you today!
Meet Morgan Rupp: 
(aka my long lost twin, soul sister, best friend)


So once upon a time Elder Hunter Miles Moore wrote an email that said something along the lines of this: "Morgan is doing really well! She is 18 and her friend Emily is in our ward. She has come to church twice and she is doing awesome. She has a preach my gospel and she has been studying it. Hopefully she gets baptized :)"
So, I pray for every single one of Hunter's investigator's, and especially 18 year old girls because I was once that 18 year old girl that was being talked about in a missionary's email home haha. But, I never knew how much this sweet girl would end up meaning to me.
Now, not too long after this email was sent (and Morgan, I actually haven't even told you this part yet so this is for you too!) I was feeling slightly stuck in life and needed some inspiration. That tends to happen when life gets repetitive I've noticed. I learned something in the past: when this happens, trust in the Lord and seek direction through him. So, I read my patriarchal blessing. I love those pieces of paper. My goodness, they have helped me through thick and thin. As I was reading I came across a paragraph that has stuck out to me before, a paragraph that has both scared me half to death into thinking I need to go on a mission, and a paragraph that has lead me to where this story really begins. 
Without going into too much detail, I read it and felt the spirit witness to me that I would need to be prepared to talk about the gospel whenever necessary but in all reality very soon. 
I got pumped and prayed for missionary experiences every day after that and for ways that I could share my happiness that I have found in my church. 
I truly believe that I have been through several trials to become a member of this church so that I can share my story with others. 
In those few days I had a coworker ask me about modesty, I had a friend ask me about the temple, and I had more questions on my Q&A section of this blog about my faith.
Those ya see, were just the build up though because then on Sunday August 4th I received a call from Cincinnati, Ohio.
That call was from the sweetest, strongest, most precious girl. 
That girl was Morgan Rupp :)
Between the tears we were both able to share our stories, and talking to her was as if I had known her my entire life.
Morgan had been meeting with Elder Moore and he noticed some similarities in our conversions. He felt prompted to give Morgan my phone number when everyone around her was tearing her down. And let me tell you, they were tearing her down. 
The entire time we spoke, the spirit was with us both. We clicked instantly, I still can't believe that we only "met" less than a week ago. I loved her instantly.
It truly is crazy how much love I developed for this precious girl. I wanted her to be baptized more than anything in the entire world. I wanted her to have a lifetime of the happiness she truly deserves. I want that for everybody, but for Morgan, it was different.
She has a testimony like you wouldn't believe. Her faith shines so incredibly bright. The light of Christ shines from within her and her sweet spirit can fill anybody with happiness. 
Sunday to Friday felt like an eternity as each day I prayed my heart out to Heavenly Father in hopes that she would be comforted through the week. I went on temple grounds one night and prayed in the parking lot in hopes that she would send me a picture of her in white. 
And today, she did :)
Today our Father in Heaven looked down at one of his precious and beautiful daughters being baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and I have no doubt that he is smiling and so pleased with her decision. 
Morgan, you are amazing. The Lord has wonderful things in store for your life. You have joined the Lord's army and you will be so greatly blessed for it. You have helped increase my testimony and you have helped me discover a yearning to share the gospel with all who will listen. I can't wait to see the wonderful woman you turn out to be as you follow God's plan for you. I love you Morgan! Best Friends For Eternity!

Ya'll this church is true, my favorite book is blue, and I love being Mormon. 
Amen.
All my love,
Aleigh Joy

P.S. Read all about her beautiful story right here! She is such an amazing girl!

3

In one week...

Thursday, August 8, 2013
I will be having the time of my life with this girl:

AND I AM SO EXCITED!!!
I feel like Auds and I have been waiting an eternity for this concert, and it is almost here!
Taylor sent us packages the other day.
That was pretty much the coolest thing ever.
Thank you thank you Thank You! To Audrey's sweet father for our amazing tickets.
Taylor sent us: bracelets, guitar picks, concert pictures, a blanket, a tote, phone cases, posters, stationary... you name it.
It was like Christmas.
We got our shirts made today, and we did a silly little dance in the parking lot.
The excitement is through the roof :)
My coworkers put together a list of the top 5 things that I say while working.
Wanna know what number one is??
TAYLOR TIME!
Hahaha yes, and this will be the best Taylor Time there ever once was.
And other than that, today was nothing but an average Thursday :)

All my love,
Aleigh Joy


0

A Belated Birthday Post

Monday, August 5, 2013
My father had a birthday on Saturday!
I still can't seem to grasp that I'm getting older, let alone my dad who has always been the playful, exciting dad that rides roller coasters, climbs mountains, and snowboards. 
I wrote in my dad's card that I don't think I will ever grow tired of bragging about how I have one of the coolest dads that ever existed. 
I know that every child feels this way, but don't burst my bubble because I really truly believe it :)
There is so much to love about my dad...
Like the fact that he will stay up all night watching the Discovery Channel because he has some strange fascination with animals hahaha. 
Or that he adores watching cooking shows and pretends he is Emeril when he does cook. Oh, and might I add that everything he creates is SO good!
He also seeks out an adventure. That is something I will cherish from my childhood and all of growing up. The cool vacations he took the whole family on are endless and the exciting places we were able to visit were all because he had a vision of having our entire family there with him. 
He is crazy about cycling. We went to Europe for a month twice during the month of July so that he could follow the Tour De France. Haha he was like a kid in a candy store watching all the bikes ride by.
He is a crazy hard worker. He started working at REI fresh out of high school when he was all on his own. He worked his way up in the company staying loyal and true the entire time. He is truly amazing.

I cherish my dad and the amazing relationship we have.
We have such a special bond that will never be replaced. 
He melts my heart when he calls me his little doll and walks me out to my car as I leave.
I have a mushy spot in my heart for him and I always will.
I'm a daddy's girl beyond belief and I love my dad more than I thought possible. 
Thank you dad for being the amazing man you are but even more importantly, thank you for being the best father this little girl could ever ask for :)

I forgot to bring my nice camera (which is so not normal I don't know what was wrong with me) so you are going to have to endure the iphone pics :)





Still keeping up with his daughters? haha


Don't worry, they don't just do this haha they were making fun of me :)


Side story... The oven decided to freak out on us and turn to broil instead of just baking the cake. Therefore it caught on fire and there was smoke everywhere. So, I created a different version of pineapple upside down cake haha.

0