Road Trip! +details

Well all I'll say about our first date was that it was great. We watched a BYU Basketball game, went to dinner, and then just sat on his couch and talked for like 3-4 hours... that was Saturday, I made an excuse to see him Sunday, and then Monday he asked when he could take me out again. I said "Whenever you would like too!" haha I've seen him almost everyday since.

Things about Ray:

• Ray is 28. I about crapped my pants when I found that out the first time I facebook stalked him. I thought he was MAYBE 26. sheesh! haha so yes we are 7 years apart, but I don't really notice to be honest... our age difference has been more of a joke than an issue.
• Ray is going to be a Seminary Teacher (but he has to be married before they'll hire him to teach.. no pressure. ha)
• Ray is a photographer... which is fun! He does a lot of weddings/engagements, but I think his best pictures are of landscapes, old buildings, etc.
• Ray is a scriptorian unlike anyone I've ever met around his/my age.
• Ray served his mission in Billings, Montana... everyone gives him the pity look when he says that, but like every other missionary, he thinks Montana is the bomb-- who knew! ha he especially loves it because he has been able to visit his mission at least once a year since he came home.
• Ray LOVES to go jeeping... He drives a large green jeep. It's a blast.
• Ray plays the guitar and the banjo.

That's pretty much his story! He invited me about 2 weeks ago to come with him, his best friend, and his best friend's little sister on a road trip to Palmyra, New York! At 10pm tonight the four of us will be getting in the car and driving straight to Missouri. yuck. haha the agenda is Adam-Ondi-Ahman, Nauvoo, Carthage, Kirtland, Niagra Falls, Palmyra (sacred grove & hill cumorah), Harmony, Missouri, then home. It's going to be a PACKED 10 days, but I'm excited :D I went to Nauvoo almost exactly one year ago and I am STOKED to go back. I love that place.

We're staying with people all along the way... so I'm not sure if I'll have wifi, but I'll update when/if I can!

PEACE OUT.

ps Lakyn moved out a week ago. I am LOST without her.

but we talk on the phone almost everyday :D love her so much!

{Part DOS}

I couldn't even believe HE was in my class. I called Lakyn immediately after class to tell her the great news :) Our class was Mon Wed, and that first week we spent a couple minutes during each class to learn everyone's names (there were only about 10 kids in the class). We played a bunch of name games, yada, yada, anyway, so by the end of that first week everyone in the class was reciting each other's names no problem. I was stoked that he knew my name :)

That Friday after our first classes I got a text that said that there was a stake fireside that night at 7 and Jay E Jensen was speaking. I was excited to go hear him speak, but even more I was excited because I knew RAY would be there! Lakyn and I got all dolled up and within 2 seconds of walking in the room Lakyn had spotted him and we were already analyzing the situation. He was with a girl who gave the opening prayer, and even though she was cute Lakyn reassured me that I looked better ;) (what are girlfriends for right!?) Ray said the closing prayer and after the meeting the game plan was to be around him, but not to directly confront him... The purpose being that he sees me and thinks 'wait isn't that the girl from my institute class??' That's it. Just get me going through his mind.

Lakyn and I did everything in our power to stand out. We collected the hymn books, we purposely had conversations near him, I talked to people that I knew and laughed a little louder than normal to draw attention, pretty much anything to be recognized. haha but the entire time I didn't make eye contact and just kind of walked right past him. Lakyn was like he had to have seen you.. we're golden. (sidenote: from the moment I dubsed him in church it has been Lakyn's ultimate goal to hook us up)

Monday comes around and I was excited beyond measure to go to class because now I had something to talk to him about!! I got to class and he was talking to our teacher...

RAY how was your weekend??

It was amazing! Elder Jay E Jensen came and spoke to our Stake Friday night!

Really?? He gives amazing discourses about the power of the word...

(this is my chance to chime in!)

Ya, that's exactly what he spoke about!

(Ray slowly turns to me and says with an tone of confusion....)

You're in my stake??

... He broke my heart. HE HAD NO CLUE WHO I WAS. I am a showstopper... obviously. haha I think the best part of the story is that I was SO sure that he saw me picking up hymn books, etc. but in reality I was doing service in VAIN. I only did it for the praise of man or for the praise of Ray. I guess that's what I get! lol

When I told Ray this story he was like "Kaylen I am SO SORRY! I really didn't know who you were and after I asked you if you were in my stake I realized that was the wrong thing to say... I felt TERRIBLE! I didn't know what to even say!" (as you can imagine I throughly enjoy telling this story ANY chance I get because he feels so bad about it, but I think it's quite funny :)

That was my first real conversation with Ray...

Stay tuned for part 3: First Date.