Wednesday, February 4, 2009

rachel


Surprise, Rach. This post is about you! Hope you're reading.

I was writing in my gratitude journal tonight (which I haven't done since October...good thing I have 90-Day Goals to keep me on track) and as I flipped through the pages, browsing through past entries, I found this picture tucked in the back. W took it in 2002. We were in Jackson Hole, WY, staying in Nedra Roney's amazing cabin (she is the founder of Nuskin, and one of W's friends had a connection). W and I were dating at the time, and he invited me to join him and his friends to spend a weekend at her cabin. I brought Rachel and my brother, Levi, along with me. Good times.

Rachel and I have been friends for eight years. She was my one of my mission companions. The transfer that brought us together was so much needed for me, just because I had experienced many trials and difficult companionships in previous areas on my mission, and she was such a breath of fresh air. We got along so well, she helped me lose weight, and we had fun together. (I actually think the way I eat now was strongly influenced by her, for which I am very grateful.) People thought we were sisters all the time. We served together for 7 1/2 months in Toronto, NSW, Australia, and I'm so grateful that we did. After our missions, we both attended school at Utah State in Logan. We later went back to Australia together right before W and I got married. She was one of my bridesmaids, and flew to Utah from Colorado for my wedding. I haven't seen her since 2004, but we still keep in touch. She is a great friend and I'm lucky to know her. Just wanted to get those thoughts down that came flooding back when I saw this picture. Love ya Rach!

P.S. You didn't think I would end without sharing some good old mission pictures, did you? Don't hate me.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

You guys really could be sisters. I'm grateful to have met one of my best friends on my mission, too. What a gift!

Jocelyn said...

When I first looked at that picture I thought you two were sisters! You ladies are both beautiful!!!

Unknown said...

Oh, how wonderful to have found a great friend while serving! I have a great friend who was a companion of mine too, but she's from the Marshall Islands, so needless to say, we're limited to emails and chats. I thought our time as companions was long (6 months), you've got us beat with a 7.5 month companionship!

Mana said...

oh i spent 6 months in that ward. it was my second area. good times!! except when i got the speeding ticket and lost my driving privileges....that was not so good :)

Brandon, Emily & Sydney Wilson said...

ashley...I love this post! How great to see pics of you and Rachel "Sis. Robinson" whom I also loved serving with. She was my last comp and got me to lose weight as well before heading back home...thank goodness for her kick boxing skills and willingness to run slow with me in the mornings. I had no idea you both stayed together that long in Toronto. Or maybe I just forgot. It's been a long time. I love seeing the pictures of those families. Brings back so many memories. Where is Rachel now? Is she a personal trainer? Living in Colorado? Now you've got me going through mission withdrawls. :)

dylan & lindsey said...

Oh I love rachel! What a sweet post.. She will love it

cherie said...

you do look so much alike! great post. thanks for sharing it!