Time for the MTC

Well. The time has come! I can't believe it is already here. I will fly out early Wednesday morning to Salt Lake City, and will head to the Provo Missionary Training Center (MTC) around 12pm. I will spend about 7 weeks there, learning Spanish and tours for the Mesa Visitor's Center. Then.. it's off to Mesa!! 

I am beyond excited for this new adventure in my life, and I can't wait to see what the Lord has planned for me. Thank you so much for all the love and support so many of you have given me and my family.

If you would like to stay in touch, I have put all my contact info riiight here --> 

As I said, Dear Elder is AWESOME for the MTC. I get it right away.. and it's free :) I am hoping that I will have Megan, or someone in my family updating my blog with my e-mails. 

Till we meet again,

Hermana Orr

Tornado Probs

As most of you know, an F5 tornado came racing through Moore on Monday, May 20th. It came through around 2:40pm. I actually had gone to get Austin from the Jr. High around 1:15 because he didn't finish a project for one of his classes. (blessing in disguise) After I picked him up, I checked Sydney out of school as well. Megan came home right around 2:15 because she didn't have a 6th hour, so me and the kids were all at home. My parents were at a funeral at the church building, and my grandpa, Brandon, and Jaree were at the farm. In Oklahoma.. there always seems like there is a tornado warning/watch but.. it rarely turns into a huge threat in your area. I have always loved watching them, and still think they are pretty amazing..haha I mean it's crazy what strong wind can do so.. when the sirens went off, it seemed like no big deal. We went across the street to our neighbors because they have a shelter and we watched the news. We watched as the tornado set down in Newcastle. Austin and I ran outside and watched the tornado as it headed east in our direction. At this point it wasn't all that big, but it was still amazing to see. The family we were with made us get in the shelter and we watched on an iPad as the storm went through Moore. It stayed about a mile north of my house. I was really worried about my parents at the church building, but it didn't even dawn on me until I got out of the shelter that it could have hit the farm. 

The next hour was awful trying to get ahold of my family and having no idea if they were okay. I couldn't drive anywhere because the roads were blocked off, and cell phone lines were down. I just listened as they said over and over on the news that "Orr Family Farm was gone." and that my elementary school was gone. My aunt teaches there and so I was worried about her as well. Ah.. it was crazy! I would never wish that on anyone! I was overall pretty calm... I just knew that my family had to be okay. It's one of those things where you don't let yourself think otherwise. Plus I didn't want to freak because the kids were all with me. FINALLY we talked to my mom. She was pretty upset on the phone. I've never heard her like that, so I thought the worst. But THANKFULLY the entire family was safe and sound. The farm... was another story. (My house was okay and miraculously my grandpas house was too. Trust me.. the power of prayer is real. There was a barn hit north and south of his house but right in the middle... my grandpas house was missed. It's amazing.)

My grandparents opened Celestial Acres, a horse training center, 36 years a go. My dad has lived and worked there since he was 12. There were many barns, a huge arena, a hay barn, and many horses. Not all ours.. most belonged to trainers that rented out the stalls. That is just what we owned.. About 12 years ago we sold a large part of the farm, but that is where my parents first house was, the house I grew up in, and so many other places. All of it.. was in rubble. It was awful. When you look east all you saw was destruction. All of it was destroyed. The Orr family farm part of things was very damaged. Most buildings were still standing, some were completely gone, but we were very blessed that it wasn't worse. 

Since Monday.. I have worked all day, everyday. I have quite the farmer's tan (or burn..)Oh yeah, and... I'm going on a mission Wednesday. How bout that. :) It was the last thing on my mind for most of this week, but the last couple days I've realized I need to start focusing on it again. It's been really tough with all that is going on, but I'm doing the best I can. I am still speaking this Sunday. Church will definitely be an unusual Sunday. It is going to be casual dress. Jeans, and t-shirts so everyone can go out to work in the community afterwards. In all of my 20 years, I have never seen our entire building in casual clothing.. it's always Sunday best. I'm actually pretty excited about that.  So.. life has been crazy. I think I have all the stuff I need.. it's just a matter of packing it, and preparing mentally. 

But even though it has been crazy.. so much good has come out of this week. I cannot express to you in words the amount of help we have received. Throughout this entire week we have easily had over 1000 volunteers on our property helping us pick up debris. In addition to those, we have had lunch, dinner, snacks, and plenty of water and supplies provided for us. My faith in humanity has definitely been restored. There have been so many people that have dropped everything and driven thousands of miles to come and help the people of Oklahoma. I have just been in shock at everything that happened, but at the same time I'm in shock of everything that has been done since. I feel like my mind has been going a million miles a second. There have been CNN reporters, Anderson Cooper, The Today Show, KSL, LDS Church News... you name it.. they've been here. It has been stressful, but overall really good. It has really changed my perspective on so many things, and has made me look at myself and my priorities. It has been an emotional week, but I've been pretty proud of myself for not shedding any tears, though I've had a lump in my throat countless times. The generosity of this community... there just aren't any words. There really aren't. I love Oklahoma. I love it so much. There are not better people anywhere in the country. We are very resilient, and that's one thing that has become more and more clear as each day passes. 

Here are some pics of the farm.. They show it more than I can say.

If you see that big circle.. that is the training track. To the right of the parking lot that is where all the barns were. Below that is where the houses I grew up in were. By the parking lot you can see where the Orr Family Farm part of things is. 

This is the Before and After of the Train Station.

 This is a before and after of the carousel.

This is where the horse barns and indoor arena once stood.

 The Beast of a Tornado

This is a photo of where the last 3 huge tornadoes through Moore have gone. Red is May 3, 1999, Blue is May of 2003, and Green is May 20, 2013. Pretty crazy stuff.

This is where the equipment barn once stood.

My family has been very blessed. We have each other and that's what matters most! The rest.. is just stuff. :)

Home again!

I have been home for 2 weeks!! Where has the time gone? 

I'm loving the time with the family. The parents have been out of town this week, so I have had mommy duty. I have enjoyed it, but am also ready for my parents to be back. I think they like to leave us every now and then just so we have a greater appreciation for them... and it works. Every time. :) 

So I leave in less than 20 days. I'm not really counting down the days.. It just makes me realize all that I still need to do before then. I have been going back and forth about whether or not I want to put my letters on my blog, or if I just want to e-mail them to those that want it. There are pros and cons to each, but I think I've decided that I will have my family put my e-mails on here each week. 

So I think it's time for a blog make-over. 

Education.

WATCH THIS VIDEO.

I have discussed this topic with friends many times. Especially as finals are starting tomorrow, I find myself memorizing information so that I can pass a test. A test that measures how much I have learned. A test that is strategically made so that a certain number of students will get A's, B's, C's, and/or D's. I once heard a professor say, "The average was too high. The test must have been too easy." He didn't think that perhaps, the students just performed well. I study for tests. I don't study to remember. I have spent the last two days studying in the library hoping I can regurgitate the information on a test so that I can forget it as I leave the Testing Center. Those tests determine my grades, and those grades determine my future plans.

I understand that this is how the education system works; however, I find myself learning and remembering more in the classes where my grade isn't solely based on 3 midterms and a final. I am not a good test taker. I talk myself out of the multiple choice answers and spend way too long trying to decipher the questions, as one wrong word can completely change the question. 

I love this video because it made me think. What is education to me? What do I want to achieve with my education? I know I'm not necessarily going for a career so that I will make x amount of money. So... if that's not the reason that I am in school, than what is? I went to college to gain an education, but that's not what I'm doing right now. Right now... I am trying to pass tests. Tests that will determine my final grade in the class, tests that determine whether I graduate, and tests that decide which PA School I will get into. 

It looks like I have some reassessing to do on how I'm going to spend the rest of my time in college. I can't change the system, but I can change how I educate myself and redefine my personal view on education. 

I Love Music

If you know me... you know that I love music. I can't sing or play an instrument well; however, that doesn't matter. I still love it. One of my favorite things to do is look for new songs. I love finding those hidden gems that you'll probably never hear on the radio. 

In preparing to leave for my mission, I have been trying to find more gospel/religious songs. There are some great songs in that genre; however, I am really going to miss the rest of my music library. Today, I took a break from looking up songs for my "Mission Playlist" and went back to my "Be Chill" playlist which has some of my very favorite artists that I hadn't listened to in awhile. I thought I'd compile a list (for myself, and for anyone wanting some new music). These songs are all very.. "chill" :) haha.. which is my favorite kind!

Ben Rector: His "Into the Morning" album is fantastic. Favorites are "She is", "When a Heart Breaks", "Without You" and "Loving You is Easy"

Elle Mae Bowen: "Holding Out For a Hero"

Tyrone Wells: "All I'm Thinking of" "Happy As the Sun" & "Give Me on Reason"

He Is We: I'm obsessed with this band. Different style, but I love all of their songs. Check out "All About Us" & "Happily Ever After".. then all of them..

Tim Halperin: "The Last Song"

Steve Moakler: "Thing About Us" & "Hesitate"

Andrew Ripp: "You Will Find Me"

Parachute: "The Way It Was" Album is all really good. 

Mat Kearney: "Count on Me", "Where We Gonna Go From Here" & "Ships in the Night" Saw him in concert. Love his songs.

Jon McLaughlin: "Beautiful Disaster", "Maybe It's Over" & "Human" Looove him.

Boyce Avenue: "Dare to Believe" & "On My Way"

Cam Nacson: "The Words I Couldn't Say" & "Crazy Kids"

Ed Sheeran: "Kiss Me" & "Give Me Love"

Gavin DeGraw: His new song "You Know Where I'm At" along with many others

The Maine: "Thinking of You" & "Whoever She Is"

Graham Colton: "Hold onto my Heart" &"Love Comes Back Around"

Matt Nathanson: "Still", "Bent" "I Saw"

Jason Reeves: "Reaching" & "To This Day"

Joshua Radin: "Paperweight", "Brand New Day"  & "The Fear You Won't Fall"

Holiday Parade: "Driving Away" & "Look out Below"

Lindsey Ray: "You Make Me Happy"

Andy Grammer: "Miss Me" & "Fine By Me"

Ron Pope: "A Drop in the Ocean" & "Our Song"

The Script: Their popular ones, but also "Science & Faith" It's great.

Stephen Speaks: "Out of My League"

Icarus Account: "Unpredictable".. and others 

Maybe you've heard of some of them. These are just some favorites of mine that aren't very popular, I have many more but I think this is a good list. I, of course, love all my country and other popular music, but... there's a lot more out there besides what the radio plays. :)

I suppose I should get back to my Physics homework now.. 

Cowntdowns

4 days until Mom and Megan come to Utah.

24 days until I get home. 

57 days until I leave on my mission.

Today I realized I have been looking forward to these things a lot more than I should be. It's that whole "enjoy where you are" saying that I often overlook. 

As the weeks are winding down with school (right before they pick up again with finals), I have realized how much I'm actually going to miss this place. Sure, Utah isn't Oklahoma, but it's become my home away from home. When I drive into Utah Valley and see the big Y on the mountain.. I feel like I'm coming home. It's the same feeling I get when I look out the window of the airplane as it touches down in Oklahoma and I see miles and miles of flat land. I really have grown to love Utah for the friends I've made, the school I attend, the gorgeous mountains, and even the culture that sometimes drives me crazy. Sure, it doesn't compare to Oklahoma, but I'll miss it all the same. 

I'm really going to miss my roommates. There have been days where I've wanted to duct tape their mouths shut and put them in the trunk of a car... but besides those days.. I've loved the last 2 years we've had together. :) A lot of us are going different directions after this year, but nothing can truly break us up.

As much as I'm going to miss BYU, the roomies, and other friends.. It doesn't come close to the amount of excitement I have towards serving a mission. I've been reining it in as I finish up school, but once those finals are over... :) Let's just say it will be a great feeling. 

Something to Ponder on...

So I originally had posted a quote, but I found out that it wasn't legit. Sorry about that. But here's another one

"I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed.  The dye has been cast.  The decision has been made.  I have stepped over the line.  I won't look back, let up, slow down, or back away.  My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure.  I'm finished with low living, sight walkin, small planning, smooth knees, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals.  I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.  I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, rewarded.  I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, live by prayer and labor with power.  My face is set, my gait is fast and my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear.  I can not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed.  I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.  I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, spoken for the case of Christ.  I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.  I must go 'till He comes, give 'til I drop, preach 'till all know, and work 'till He stops me.  My banner is clear.  I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed."

I can't wait to be a missionary.