Airport and MTC Pictures !!!

Chico Airport
Saying goodbye before the waterworks started

Rhandi dropping off Melissa at the MTC

And she's off !!!

Doesn't she look beautiful?? Ready to serve

the Lord!

She Made It!

Melissa (Hermana Passantino) entered the Missionary Training Center today at 1:15 .... she made it, safe and sound. Her cousin Rhandi dropped her off and said that it was a quick but happy goodbye but Melissa was ready to start her grand adventure ... let the fun begin. Weekly letters will be posted as soon as we get them.. pictures coming. Please leave comments, we will send them in our weekly letters to Melissa, just another way to show her your love. But PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't forget to write her, addresses posted on the sidebar!

My Backyard

In anticipation of everything getting moved out of our house I've been taking many pictures to try to capture the place I've called home since 3rd grade. I love this house and I love all the memories that I've had here. As I've thought about it, I've decided that my backyard is my favorite place in Chico. It's my favorite because of all the memories that I've had in my backyard. Here are some of those memories that come to mind....

1. When we first moved into our house our backyard was just an acre of weeds and dirt. I used to think it was fun to go out into the weeds and pick "flowers" for my mom. She was so kind and always accepted my gift with such love.

2. My dad was involved with the young men program in our ward and our backyard was a perfect place to hold a mud football game. My mom, sister, and I did some shopping while the boys were playing. We came home and opened the garage and there were all the young men changing! I was in 3rd grade! (so that memory was more of the garage but the mud football game that caused them to change took place in the backyard)

3. We planted fruit trees in the back of our backyard which were great. One evening we were having a bbq with the Ysasagas and Ashley and I were out exploring the backyard. We walked by one and almost stepped on a snake. I know this might seem silly but we were so scared! It was HUGE! By the time our dads heard us yelling and came running to us, it had slithered away so Ash and I really the only ones that know how BIG it was!

4. I loved when our pool was built. It was finished while we were in Alaska over summer break. We got back to Chico around midnight but we wanted to have a first swim in our pool, so our whole family jumped in! We had no lights so we really couldn't see what we were doing but it was so fun to have that family moment.

5. Growing up we always were playing with our neighbors, the DeLeos. My favorite thing to do was play wiffle ball in the backyard. Our yard was a perfect set up for a game! Whenever someone hit the ball in the pool it was a home run!

6. The first (and only) time I ran away, I ran away to a corner of my backyard.

7. I loved sitting on a ladder, picking cherries off the tree and eating them.

8. I'm pretty sure almost every birthday dinner of mine was a bbq in the backyard

9. The first time I held hands with a boy was in my backyard

10. The first time I kissed a boy was in my backyard (and yes, the hand holder was also my first kiss)

11. In the winter we used to sit in the spa and see who could run and jump in the pool and swim around the longest

12. I helped my dad build Sadies dog run that's in the backyard

13. We used to sleep out on the trampoline all the time.

14. My high school graduation party was in my backyard.

15. Even though at the time I wasn't the biggest fan of yard work, I love how beautiful our backyard always is.

16. Playing basketball with my family was so fun. We used to go out and play H.O.R.S.E. all the time, the boys would usually win but it was so fun!

17. Just sitting outside after having Sunday dinner with the family and chatting

I've loved this house and loved living in Chico. It still doesn't feel real that soon I won't be coming home to it. It will always be my favorite place in Chico.

I Love New York!

New York here I come! I got my mission call! I'm going to New York, New York North and I'll be a Spanish speaking missionary! I couldn't be more excited! I'll be going into the MTC October 21, 2009. I'll be in the MTC for 2 months and then I'll be off to New York. One more piece of good news is that one of my best friends is also in that mission and she is Spanish speaking too! I can't wait to go!

They're Gonna Call Me On A Mission!

That's right.... I'm going on a mission! Pretty crazy right? Well some of you already know about it but I haven't told tons of people so don't feel bad if you feel out of the loop. I have decided that serving a full time mission for my church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) is not only what is best for me right now but it's what I want to do! I can't wait to go and serve for 18 months. This decision has been a long time coming and it came down to me just making the decision to do it and then just going for it! Last fall is when a mission first started making little appearances in my thoughts. Come February/March of this year I decided to put a mission in the back of my mind and think that finding a job was the choice for me. In June I started my summer job as an EFY counselor. As a counselor we get to give nightly devotionals and one of them was on learning to recognize the promptings of the spirit. I would tell the girls that anything good comes from God so if you feel like you should do something, and it's good, then just do it! In my mind I'm thinking little things like, smiling at someone, saying hello, etc. But as I pondered this concept I realized that once we get a hold on doing those little things we need to realize that the big things can be good too, even if they are scary, like going on a mission. I had been having promptings about a mission for almost a year now, perhaps it's time to practice what I preach and following the promptings of the spirit. So I did and here I am! I know that this is the right choice for me and I am so excited. Of course, I'm scared! There is a lot of unknown but the one thing that I do know without a doubt is that my Heavenly Father loves me, He knows what is best for me and He'll always be by my side so no matter what everything will work out great! My papers went to Salt Lake today so within two to three weeks we'll know know where I'm going! Woo Hoo!!!!!!!!!

EFY: Verily, Verily Provo 7A

Well my last week of EFY was just great. It was such a stress free week. My girls were fantastic and really helped me have a good week. My roommates were amazing and we just had so much fun! I was back to the 14-15 year olds this week which turned out great. At the end of EFY I am amazed at how strong the youth of the church are. I seriously love them. EFY was great this year! I already miss it so much!

Two of my most favorite people in the whole world! I miss them!

We find things to do to enjoy ourselves during lunch

Me and my co counselors with our company flag on games night. Notice how verily is spelled with two "r's"... fantastic!

I love Britt! And our dog breeding pens!

EFY: Perish Not Provo 6A

After a fantastic two week vacation home I came back to EFY for my last two weeks. This week was most commonly known as Jo Bro week because the Jonas Brothers were coming to Provo for Stadium of Fire on the 4th. We sure do love the Jo Bros at EFY. This was a week of firsts for me. I had the 16-18 year old group for the first time this summer and I also had the joy of living in the Riv. Our company spot (where you meet your whole group for just about everything) was up in Heritage Halls so we got A LOT of exercise! It was probably the hardest week I've had at EFY but it still turned out good (for details just ask me :) At least I was able to become best friends with all the BC's! Our group was big and we had fun (even when mice run through our scripture study) This will be a week to remember forever!

I swear he is Jacob Black and just didn't feel like telling us.

I finally had some fellow Laker fans in my group... boy was I happy about that!

Me and my girls... all 12 of them. It was a pretty big group

Me and the co counselors! We are still having No Touch EFY so this is our way to post for a pic without actually touching each other