"Be Up and Doing"

Last night I happened upon this poem in a book I am reading. I found myself dwelling on it's words, and thought perhaps you would also enjoy it. 

I especially like the last stanza in foresight of my mission.

 

A Psalm of Life

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow-

 

Tell me not in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou are, to dust thou returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each tomorrow
Find us farther than today.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.

In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!

Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act, - act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o'erhead!

Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sand of time;

Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us then be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait. 

(emphasis added)

One Fine D-eh

When I graduated I thought it meant the end of slaving over papers. Unfortunately, when I am assigned to speak in church, my brain autopilots to the only way it knows how to prepare such things. 

Exhibit A:

Nine Page Outline of Mission Decision History

The truth is, the last week or so has been pretty crazy in preparing to leave. No joke, I got an hour and 40 minutes of sleep the night before I gave my talk. That's pretty lousy. I was up all night writing this bad boy. Did I mention I spoke for half an hour? After I spoke the Landeen Brethren sang, "Lord I Would Follow Thee," leaving the high counselor with only eight minutes... whoops!

With the exception of a few people, most everyone I cared to have there came. As I looked over the pulpit I was overwhelmed by the amount of people who came to support me. By the end of the day my shoulders were sore from all of the hugging I did. 

After I spoke we had a farewell party at the Warburton home. Complete with waffles, crepes, toppings and "Canadian bacon," I'd say we know how to through a party. 

One of my Hidden Talents is Cutting Strawberries. Lots of Them.

We've Been Eating Breakfast All Week.

Cookies were reserved for the after-party at our house. My mom has developed an ultra cutsie imagination lately and decided we needed to make Canadian Flag cookies. 

Exhibit B:

Thanks to Lauren and Aly it Happened.

I was ultimately exhausted by the end of the day. I talked Scott and Jo into staying an extra night, and they were kind enough to tolerate my fatigue as we hung out. And of course I had changed into my pajamas and was washing my face when the Stake President and his wife stopped by... I think they understood. 

All in all it was a very delightful day being surrounded by my family, friends, and ward. My one regret is that I didn't take pictures with all of my guests... (Some took them on their phones or cameras, if it was you, please send them my way)!

Dad Snapped This One...

Also, this is a noteworthy photo:

Official Missionary Plaque. Look For It In A Church Near You.

(that is, if you are standing at 673 East 300 North in AF).

Two weeks from this moment I will be getting ready for bed in the MTC.

It's gonna be great. 

Cheers,

Sydnie Juniper

Countdown to Blastoff

Let the countdown begin! Today, the sixth of January, means that I have exactly one month until I report to the Missionary Training Center. To commemorate this monumental day I am going to break ground on my blog redesign. Yes, this will be transformed into "one of those mission blogs." Though, I hope it won't be mundane- I'll try to keep it interesting, writing specifically for the blog rather than posting my weekly family emails. I'll just send them to my sister and have her slap 'em up here for your viewing pleasure.

If you know me at all, you know that I love plays on words, witty remarks and strive to be considered clever. Thus, I will be renaming my blog in regards to this part of my personality. Feel free to like it as much as I do, those of you who don't... well, it has nothing to do with your eternal salvation. For the 19 months hereafter this blog will be branded, "Sydster Landeen." Wait, I hope I didn't make you expect anything elaborate... Anyhow, it the spirit of brevity (which is something I am striving to improve upon) I'll leave it at that.

Cheers,
Sydnie Juniper