Life as an RM: Episode 1

Firstly, I'd just like to say, leaving my blog in the hands of my father was poor planning on my part. Bless his heart. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for those two posts he did put up when I was in the MTC...18 months ago... but, let's face it: it's a good thing I'm back. My blog was suffering from neglect. ;)

Well....being a returned missionary is quite honestly the weirdest feeling there ever was. There's nothing I want more than to just talk about my mission. All day. Every day.

And so, I will! Through this blog! :) Let's be real. There are stories to tell, pictures to be shared, and... who wants to miss out on all my awkward, entertaining adventures as an RM adjusting back into non-missionary life?

So let's start on page one: getting released

My plane was an hour late. When I came down the escalator stairs at the Great Falls airport and rounded the corner, there was my lifelong comrade and little brother, Michael, holding a colorful sign that said: Returning with honor: My Sister Anne Olson.  I gave him a large hug and...that was the beginning of the end. 

My dad and Amy were there as well, flowers and camera in hand.  It was a sweet moment to see and hug them again.  We snapped some pictures, grabbed my bags and made our way out to the car.  And where did we drive to straight from the airport you ask? That's right, the stake center. Right to the Stake President's office. It was a unavoidable.  It was daunting. It was time to be released. And yet, it was somehow okay.  

You know, I feel like every RM I've ever talked to has told me stories of how they sobbed and sobbed when they got released and had to take their tag off.  It was a difficult and strange thing to do when the time came, but... no tears. I just had this overwhelming feeling that this was not the end, that my life of sharing the Gospel, being dedicated to the Lord, and representing the Savior has only just begun.  

And so, here I am.  Suddenly I've been thrust back into a phase of life that I'm not quite used too. I never imagined feeling like a stranger at home, but that's kind of what it's like.  But, I just know I've got forever and a half to figure it out and find out how this new and improved me can fit into this puzzle that is life after the mission.  I'm excited. I'm anxious. I'm all of the above. But mostly, I'm just really happy.  And really grateful.  

So yeah. Stay tuned for Episode 2: Top 25 things I learned in Canada.