And So It Begins: The Disclaimer

So I'm finally sitting down to create the long-promised, probably not so much long-awaited, blog with less than a week of pre-mission life left to live. Nothing like cutting it close! And per normal Clare nerdiness, I am rather fond and proud of the blog name I came up with. Although I was sorely tempted to find a way to tie in something like "Frodo Bloggins," I think this says it all without overdoing the snarkiness.

Starting six days from now on August 31st, I will be a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in the Spain Barcelona Mission for the next 18 months. Instead of messing with a lengthy email forwarding list, my wonderful Mom will be posting my emails and letters here for all those who wish to read them and share this journey with me. I'm afraid I won't be spending much time blogging before I leave so I will have to hope that my personality and flavor comes across with some clare-ity through the written word. (You have no idea how long I've been itching to use that one!hehe)

So here's the disclaimer part: It is my personal goal to avoid the standard, cookie-cutter missionary letters that basically tell your family that you are still alive, struggling with the language, working hard, seeing miracles, and being blessed. I want my family and friends to experience this with me, to some extent. I especially want my younger siblings to know what a mission is like-the struggles, the awkward moments, the funny stories, the frustrating companion(s)-all of it. I want people to know the days when I feel on top of the world or learn something new that changes the way I see life or cry because I can't read the street sign and am lost. Because, well, that's life. That's how we learn. And that's what I want to know about all the people I love. That's you! And I want you to know me :-)

And since we are on my favorite topic, yours truly, listen up because this next part is VERY important! I can't give anyone my mailing address at the MTC yet because they won't give me my P.O. Box number until I get there(according to the booklet they sent me). So you will have to wait on pins and needles and check back in next week. My Mom will then post it for me, for you.