Hello February!

So now it is February, not sure when it snuck up on me but it is here none the less. From today there are 50 days until I enter the MTC. Yes I am counting down, and yes preparing and going on my mission is pretty much all I think about. I am getting really excited and a little nervous. Recently I have done some shopping, gotten some shots, read/studied preparing to go to the temple book, already been assigned to speak in church before I leave, and other odds and ends here and there.

Other than mission stuff I have been working at the preschool that I worked at before. I am so grateful that they let me work there again knowing I wouldn't be here for very long. They have been great to give me a many hours as possible. It has been so much fun working with kids again, also to see all my two year olds from my class before growing taller and talking a whole lot more. They look at me and think they know me but they can't remember why they know me. A few of them remember me though so it has been fun.

So a really cool coincidence at work is that a little by from my class last year started at the preschool without speaking any English. I spent a lot of time with him and trying to make him feel comfortable and safe in a new strange environment. So once he was at school he was attached to me for several weeks before he was really comfortable. I also talked with his parents a lot and well the cool part is that they are from ROMANIA! I was so excited when I remembered that. When I was working in my old classroom the other day his mom dropped him off and it was the first time I had seen her since being back and she got so excited when I told her how I was going to Romania. She has offered to help me and said that she will answer any questions I have. It is very comforting that the only Romanians I know just happen to be some of the nicest people I know.

I'm so excited for my opportunity to go on a mission and serve the Lord. I am really blessed to have so much support and encouragement from everyone around me! Thanks

The Mail Came with a Big Envelope!

So today I walked to the mail box thinking to myself... I at least hope the mail is here so then even if my call isn't here I don't have to worry about it for two more days... well so much for that thought! There was a big envelope addressed to Sister Amanda Dawn Holman. So I will be serving in the Romania Bucharest Mission. I Report to the MTC in Provo, UT on March 24th! The mission is Romanian Speaking and here is a map for you viewing pleasure.



From the look on the map that I got in my little mission book it, the mission includes Moldova also.

So now I have a whole lot of preparation to get going on because I only have about 2 months! I'm not sure when it will really sink in because right now Romania doesn't quite seem real to me.

Baby Evelyn!

Here are a few pictures from my visit up to my brother's. This is my niece Evelyn she is 10 months old now, and the cutest little thing ever! She is a very smiley baby and can really turn it on for a camera.

Sorry... Finally an Update!

So I don't do very well with keeping up with this blog. So here is a quick update on where my life is right now. Since my last post quite a bit has been going on. So here is a list of some of the things that have gone on...

~Came back from Japan (went through withdrawal)
~Started my 6th Semester at BYU-Idaho
~Worked at the Copy Spot on Campus
~Went to class and did lots of homework
~Lived in a house this semester instead of an apartment (had a yard and everything)
~Went to Oregon for the first time
~Performed Japanese Traditional Puppets with our teachers from Japan in Oregon
~Hung out with friends and had lots of fun
~Went to Princeton, New Jersey to perform puppets
~Visited my cousin Jenna (in NJ) and met her baby Carter (who was absolutely adorable)
~Went to class and did lots homework
~Practiced making new Japanese foods from this summer
~Went to Utah for Thanksgiving and stayed with family and ate lots of wonderful food
~Submitted my MISSION PAPERS!
~Survived finals and projects
~Finished my 6th semester at BYU-Idaho
~Visited family in Utah for a few days
~Flew home to Missouri
~Shopped for last minute Christmas presents
~Put up and decorated a Christmas tree on Christmas Eve (in true Holman fashion)
~Had Christmas with my mom, dad and lil' brother
~Flew to Massachusetts and visited friends
~Drove up to New Hampshire to stay with my older brother and meet my niece Evelyn
~Flew to Kentucky and stayed one night with my sister and her family
~Drove home with my mom to Missouri

... and that brings us to now I am back in Missouri hoping to start work soon and waiting for my mission call to come in the mail. I promise I will post where I am going when I get it. I will try hard to keep this more up to date.

Japan - Part One

So because of the lack of computer and internet I unfortunately could not update my blog while I was in Japan. So I will try to go back and fill in from the beginning but it is never as good if it isn't fresh. This is sort of the out line for my trip to Japan though.

The first week I spent with 6 other students, we went early and decided to explore on our own a little bit before the program started. We started in Osaka and spent two days exploring the big city. Then we moved to Nara where we spent three days exploring more historical type places including a ninja village! Then we went to Kyoto where we relaxed a little bit before we started the program there. So for some pictures because those are always the best part!


Osaka
We went to the huge aquarium because they have whale sharks...


We rode the Largest Ferris in the World (Me and my friend Jordi)


We went to Osaka Castle (this is my friend Cody posed in front of it)


Also we enjoyed the Night Lights and walking around the big City


Nara
We went to Temples





Played in the Deer Park


Went to Iga Ueno (an old ninja village with a castle and ninja house)





Rode the Train alot




Kyoto
Walked the Imperial Grounds


Visited My Old House


Played in The River



I will try to keep this more up to date now... and Get caught up on Japan as I go. Right now I am back in Missouri and I head back out to school in about 5 days! So everyone out in Utah and Idaho direction I hope I see you soon!