2 Months Left!!

I haven't done a super amazing job of keeping this blog updated. To be honest, we don't hear a ton from Becs. She is really enjoying her mission and meeting tons of amazing people. She has had a lot of success in Spain.
She gets released on September 21st, but my parents are going to pick her up so she won't be home for a few weeks after that. She has said many times that she has had such a great time that having to come home will be bittersweet.
She does have a new address, but the mission home address will always work, it just takes longer to get things to her that way. If you want her new address, email me or leave a comment and I will get it to you.

Sorry for the neglect

It has been quite a while since I have taken the time to update Bec's blog for her. She has been in Zaragoza, Spain for the last 3 or 4 transfers and is having a great time! She says that Zaragoza is really beautiful. There are lots of amazing shops there, she said, but she hasn't had a chance to peruse any of them yet, unfortunately. The highlight for her so far has been a bus driver that has become interested in what they are teaching. She sees him almost everyday and is really hoping he wants to learn more about their message.
I haven't wanted to put her apartment address on here, but you can still write her at the mission office (it just takes longer for her to get those letters) or I would be happy to email it to you. Just email me and let me know you want it.
I would also love to post some pictures, but Becca hasn't sent me any since July, 2010. Hopefully I can get some soon!

Finally in her mission!!!!

Hi Everyone. It's Jill again, of course. Becca is finally in Spain and in her mission! In July the Bilbao mission (Bec's origional mission call) was combined with the Barcelona mission. So she is now in the Barcelona mission, but Bilbao is also a part of it. She may or may not even make it as far north as Bilbao. She is currently serving in downtown Barcelona. We just got an email yesterday and she sounds great! She was so super excited to tell us that she lives in an apartment and she feels a lot like she is in NYC, except for the fact that everyone speaks Spanish. She loves her area and her companion. Her mission president is President Hinckley's son and Becca said he is wonderful. So after almost a year of delays she is finally in Spain and is thrilled about it.
Her new address is:
Hermana Becca Henderson
C Calatrava 10-12 Bajos
Barcelona 08017
Spain

Going to Spain!!

It's Jill, Bec's sister again. I have great news!! Becca is on her way to Spain today. We have no idea what her address will be there, but as soon as I get it I will post it. She is super excited that her visa finally came. I will get to talk to her on the phone sometime today-during one of her layovers, so I am super excited! She is doing great and is so happy to be going to Spain, even though she has absolutely loved Washington DC.

Update

Hi Everyone!
I don't know how many people actually follow Bec's blog, but she asked me to update it for her with her address, just in case anyone wants to write her a letter. She is in Washington D.C. right now. Her visa still is in process so we don't know how long it will be until she gets to Spain. She is doing great and is really enjoying her mission!
Her address is:
5242 Lyngate Court
Burke, VA 22015
She says that she is super busy and hardly has time to write letters, but she will try her hardest to write anyone back that writes her. Adios for now.....Jill, her sister

TOMORROW

Going to the MTC tomorrow.

There for 3 weeks, then off to Spain.

Adios.

patience.

its something that i have had to work very hard at the past 4, going on 5, months. add one more month on top of that and you have a whopping

6 MONTHS

that have required and will continue to require more patience than..... something. not sure what. just think of something that requires lots and lots of forced patience.

thanks to really really great friends (one in particular and I think you know who you are, and selah! to you),

running,

a few journals,

the temple,

the beautiful literature contained in old books,

an edited copy of "love actually",

a wicked sewing machine,

music (especially you Damien),

sporadic improv and gaga in the basement,

and a few other simple blessings

i'm going to make it and will be more anxious than ever to serve the Lord.

i think he's trying to see how badly i really want to go on this mission.

well, it's going to take a whole lot more than a measly little 6 week delay and the worry of a denied visa to stop me.

i'm praying for softened hearts of those stubborn spanish government officials, and anyone is welcome to join in.

for now, i'm trying to learn to appreciate small towns (it's not working very well) and the simple life that doesn't include a raging schedule. and although i can feel my tendu slipping away as the minutes tick, its okay because i know i'm supposed to make this sacrifice for the one who gave everything to me.

so it's with patience that i will continue until that blessed day when i am finally walking the stunning streets of spain,wearing a mid-calf length skirt and shoes exclusively manufactured for comfort, and doing the hard work that i have waited so long to do.

a MUST see

The best film of the year, hands down.

Actually, perhaps the best film of ALL TIME.

I have always had a slight obsession with MJ and this film topped it off.

He is, without a doubt in my mind, the best entertainer to have ever lived.

And the best mover.

Ah, brilliance.

Currently All Smiles

My new home in about 4 months. Too bad I have to wait so long.

You are so beautiful and I cannot wait to meet you,

Bilbao, Spain.

A Dedication

I have to dedicate my post to a true original in every single sense of the word. I freaking love this gal for many reasons, such as these:

A. She loves to be upside down, which is one of my all time favorite orientations.

B. She shares my dreams for Beckon. Most may think I'm silly, but she understands and dreams big too.

C. She is the ONLY person I think I will ever know that fully understands what I'm thinking when I get dressed. (Why not dress in a "costume" when you go out?)

D. AND she agrees with me when I say that matching is lame and boring.

E. I appreciate her appreciation for my need to splurge on Marc Jacobs.

F. She loves San Francisco as much as me.

G. She also feels that searching for the perfect park is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

H. The dance parties in her room are killer.

I. She's a graphic designer and adores letterpress, which pretty much automatically makes her rad.

J. She was totally cavalier and cracking jokes as we searched for her stolen car.

K. She owns a pair of Louboutin's.

L. Her hair. I think I need not expound.

M. Patty Griffin has also captured her heart.

N. It's because of her that I find posters in my bed and taped to my sunroof. Oh Edward...

O. She has a skull on her dresser.

P. She can always find a time and a place to wear a cat/giraffe on her anterior.

Q. She's honest. No unneccessary fluff ever creeps out of her mouth.

R. She too must make frequent stops at Anthro.

S. She has a moustache ring.

T. She does things like this.

U. She shares my daily desire to eat Mexican food.

V. She knows what it feels like to have massive armloads of ugly sweaters and vintage shirts at Thriftown.

W. When she teaches in Relief Society everyone lets out a sigh of relief because we all know that we finally get a decent lesson.

X. She also prefers San Fran's chilly weather. You can't wear scarves in warm weather.

Y. She loves my lemon cake!

Z. If I were to pan out awards to people that I know, she would recieve the "coolest person ever" award.

Happy Birthday Aar. You rock my world.

Pleasure

One word for the most incredible thing I have ever done:

Gaga

I think it's safe to say that I had never truly danced before I did Gaga. It's amazing how much you think you know until you do something and you realize you really don't know anything at all. Something as simple as "pulling your bones" makes so much sense. Separating your flesh from your bones brings about sensations that aren't felt by moving your muscles. It's astonishing how much you can discover if you think about something in a different way. If you understand what I mean when I say

"float"

"quake"

"find curves"

"slap"

then you are one of the incredibly lucky ones who has experienced the movement language called Gaga. If not then you must seek it out... even if you've never danced a step in your life. You will actually probably understand Gaga beter than I can when I have danced hardcore my entire life.

Thank you, sincerely, Ohad. You are brilliant.

Some may think this post is pure gibberish, but for me it is quite profound.

look for a little something plaid

A sample of what will soon be my new collection.

And perhaps these as well, just because they make me happy.

A Must See

I cannot get enough of this video and it has been this way for months. Perhaps my favorite youtube video of all time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlfKdbWwruY

I love this demonstration of the universality of dance and movement. Literally nothing brings people together the way dance can. Regardless of it's simplicity, Matt's dance was brilliant and brought smiles to many. I only wish I would have thought of this first!

Kudos, Matt!

A few San Fran faves

The largest and most magnificent thrift store I've experienced. My ugly sweater and plaid button-up collection is swiftly growing, thanks to this gem of a store. What can beat a vintage blouse for $2.99? I rest my case.

Vegan cuisine makes me quite happy, especially at this fatastic dive. Rarely can I order more than a few things on most menus, but here I will most likely taste everything before I die. I hope you're ready for some great vegan this summer, Mare.

The yoga studio that rocks harder than any other yoga studio. Flow yoga, pink walls, and my kind of music. Perfection? I think so.

I can't live without my frequent visits to local used bookstores. Bird & Beckett is the bomb. Bonus: They also sell vinyls.

A short walk from my house ending in a long walk on Ocean Beach. My afternoons with seagulls, sand dollars, and sea shells are surely some of my favorite.

So many favorites in this beloved city. This measly post doesn't even scratch the surface.

Auntie Becca

My lovely new niece is here! Beautiful little Ivy Valoie Yost.

I went home last weekend to go to Jill's baby shower and the day before the shower, the little bun decided to come out instead! It worked out perfectly for me- I got there on Thursday night and she arrived on Friday. I'm telling myself that she came out 3 weeks early because she knew I was in town. You had better believe that I am going to be the raddest aunt there ever was.

"Whacky" Valentines Day

I'm sure that all of you young marrieds had a lovely Valentines Day evening with your spouse, but I am absolutely convinced that none of you had a Valentines Day evening as exciting and entirely rad as mine. I participated in the 4th annual Great San Francisco Valentines Day Pillow Fight!Yes, it is exactly as it sounds... Hundreds of San Franciscans gathered together, whacking one another with pillows. We were all smashed together in a massive group and when the clock struck 6:00 PM, pillows and feathers began to fly like mad. I am almost positive I swallowed enough feathers to equal an entire goose. My favorite pillow fight confrontation was when I would turn to a complete stranger, look them square in the eyeballs, flash a sneaky smile, then whack them with my pillow. What a way to meet your neighbors, right? After a half an hour the entire plaza was filled with feathers and cotton. It was amusing to see people all over the city, on trains, in restaurants, in stores, etc., carrying pillows around prior to and following "the fight." I strongly believe that this is one of those instances in which I can slowly shake my head and proudly say, "only in San Francisco."

Aaren and I made our pillows symbols of love before we used them to beat the tar out of one another!


Oh, what a fantastic and original Valentines night.

Truly an "elect lady"

I just finished reading "Beloved Emma" which is a life story of Emma Smith. I was humbled as I read about the quality of woman she was.

About Emma, Lucy Smith, Joseph's mother said, "I have never seen a woman in my life, who would endure every species of fatigue and hardship, from month to month, and from year to year, with that unflinching courage, zeal, and patience, which she has ever done."

I can hardly fathom the incredibility of all that she endured, yet I have rarely heard of such charitable acts done by a single person. I deeply admire her strength and I am grateful to her for showing me the divine potential I have as a woman and a daughter of God.

Home Sweet Home

I'm home for the Holidays and spending quality time with my family. It's a stretch to keep myself busy in Rexburg so I have a feeling that I will be discovering lots of new books within the next few weeks, as I am already on my third. It is nice to have a break from the chaos of the world, and it's especially lovely to be with those I love most!
I'm obviously no longer accustomed to this extreme Idaho cold!

Heavenly

I feel the need to express the gratitude I have for this beautiful temple in Oakland. Every Thursday night is Young Single Adult baptism night. Perhaps my favorite night of each week.
Sheesh.... Talk about stunning!

Curtain Call

As requested by Marilee Jean here is a display of my project from the weekend: full length curtains! They have been greatly needed for a good two months now because my neighbors in the rear can see directly into my window whenever they are enjoying a meal in their kitchen. It makes the whole privacy situation rather annoying, so curtains are a fine solution. The fabric is a little loud, but with everything that's going on in my room, it's expected. Britex Fabrics is now one of my new favorite places. Five floors full of all the fabric you can imagine.