blessed.

So, in the midst of midterms and papers and projects and lots of performances and even more practicing and memorizing and German and piano playing and all that jazz, I thought I would take a moment to write down some thoughts.

I've been thinking about it lately, and it's SOOO easy to complain. Like ridiculously easy. I sometimes feel like I'm always complaining, about the big things worth complaining about like 4 hour dress rehearsals, to the little things, like not having enough time for everything and being exhausted ALL THE TIME. Sure, it may seem like some of these things justify a little whining, but really, in the grand scheme of things, they do nottt. Not even a little bit.

Cause I was pondering a few mornings ago at work, which happens to be where I do my scripture study every morning. (BEST JOB EVER.) And I was just thinking about how so very blessed I am.

I mean check it out, just to list a few:

1.) I got to serve a mission among these AMAZING people, which, although is over has changed me and will continue to change me for the better throughout my entire life. I am eternally grateful.


2.) I get to play in this orchestra:

And it's such a blast. Like so fun. I love rehearsing and performing again. I missed it so much! And it's so good to be back.

And sometimes we even getta jam out with men's chorus. Which ya know, is fantastic :]

3.) I get to sing in this choir:

It's sooo great!! Like seriously, I know that this is my last year, but one day this week was just a soprano sectional and I didn't go to women's chorus and I didn't even like it. I missed it. It's incredible and it lifts my spirits being just being there. I love cello, don't get me wrong, but words are so powerful.

4.) I get to study at this wonderful university again! Which, even though is a bit colder than my natural habitat, is so incredible!

It's so great and I love it. Sometimes when I'm complaining I forget that in the beginning I had to try two or three times to get where I am today, and then I remember to be grateful.

5.) The Lord is SERIOUSLY divinely intervening in my school work. So even though most Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays I am sitting in Form and Analysis feeling pretty dumb cause I can't remember what a neapolitan chord is, the Lord helps me understand, slowly, but surely. This was made evident when we got back our first projects in f&a. 96%. I cannot even explain how much of a miracle that is. That was NOT me. That was divine help.

6.) Being able to speak this gorgeous language!

But seriously. So blessed! J'aime bieeeennnn. And my french 321 class is going surprisingly well. Another miracle story from about a week ago, I was in the french writing lab, working with this French lady in there, and after we had finished going over my paper, she said something like, "you're really just in 321?" MIRACLES EVERYWHERE. Seriously guys. This is not me and my skills. The Lord's hand is in our everyday lives. It's a miracle to see. And humbling to be apart of.

7.) My family close by!
J.J.- I seriously bug this guy ALL THE TIME for priesthood blessings. And he's the best and always agrees to them. I'm so grateful that he is a worthy priesthood holder that can bless and help me in times of need. He also always sends me funny stuff that he finds.


Megs and I got so close this summer especially when I stayed with them over my week of homelessness. We would talk into the night and it is so fun! She also lets me come ver all the time and do my laundry. She is so patient and kind!


Kalei and Elaine! I love hanging with this dynamic duo. Both my brothers and sister-in-laws are examples of what marriage should be. And I'm so grateful to them for that. I love playing frisbee with these two and just being with them! Kalei and Elaine are so charitable and I love being with them. They are examples to me.


And these cuties. Are they not totally and completely adorable?!


8.) The thousands of temples that are within an hour of where I live. Ok, that's an exaggeration. But really. In New Cal, all the members would save up all year long to go to the temple once a year in New Zealand. More than 1,000 miles away over the ocean. And here they are just everywhere. It's incredible. Specifically, I am grateful for the sealing ordinance that can be performed in this sacred house of the Lord. About a week ago, I had the opportunity to go do sealings with a few people in my ward, and it literally changed me. I learned so much!


9.) This is gonna have to be the last one, cause I'm almost off work, but being able to play cello ALL THE TIME. I didn't realize that I missed it on my mission, but I think I did. And I get to play so much cello! It's THE BEST. And I'm so grateful to be able to study something that I love and adore. It makes me happy!

(Also, I just remembered that I had this picture and had to use it cause it was too funny not to... This was the day after I got my wisdom teeth out 13 days before I went into the MTC.)

Anyways, I guess the point that I wanted to get across was just that I am so blessed, we are all so blessed! And I hope that we can remember these bountiful and infinite blessings even when life feels hard and practically impossible.

L'evangile est vraie!

Love, Pono Santos

The Book of Mormon in 60 days!

So, for those of you who followed my mission emails slash blog, you may have heard me talk about this Book of Mormon chalenge! Reading the Book of Mormon in 60 days. This all started because we did it as a mission to really focus on the Book of Mormon, it's truthfulness, and being able to testify powerfully of it! And I liked it so much that I did it twice more before I came home.

Now I definitely don't think that this is the only way to read and study this book, but I like it because it fortifies my testimony of this amazing book of scripture as well as my testimony that Jesus is the Christ and that only through Him and His Atonement can we be saved.

And! I decided to do this Book of Mormon in 60 days challenge again! I'm starting on the Monday the 23 of June and this one will go til the 21 of August. I thought it'd be a nice little summer time activity! But, I wanted to invite anyone who'd like to do it to do it with me!

So here's the schedule. (And I have the pdf version too. Which is clearer. Just contact me if you want that!)

Anyways, je vous invite, I invite you to join me if you would like to do this Book of Mormon reading simultaneously! I know that in doing so, your testimony of this book will be strengthenedand you will have a greater desire to live and share the principles and eternal truths that are found therein!

I love you all!

L'évangile est vraie!

Love, Pono

Jacob 6:12

I'm sitting in front of my work computer staring at this schedule:


And just wondering if it's a good idea. Two language classes, two ensembles, learning to play piano (ish), etc. I mean it looks like fun! It's just that I'll have to think and pray about it to choose what exactly I want to do.

I was reading this morning President Uchtdorf's priesthood session talk, and he talked about three things that we had to be careful of so that we don't sleep through the Restoration. The first two things that he talked about were 1. selfishness, and 2. addictions, and though I have some problems with those, the one that slapped me in the face (in a good way), was most definitely number 3. competing priorities.

This has always been a problem, especially before my mission, but if there's one thing that I want to change and keep changed, it is that my priorities are always aligned. And going along with that, not biting off more than I can chew so that I have time for the things that really matter most. Daily scripture study and prayer, weekly temple attendance, family history, service both planned and unplanned, visiting teaching, etc.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I want to be WISE. So that is what I am working on. So far, it's going well. With spring and summer. Fall is when I'm starting to worry about it. But! I know that the Lord will help me and that as I make decisions and pray to know if they are right, I will be led and guided. Thank goodness for personal revelation.

Well! That's all for now. I am so grateful to be here and do the Lord's work here where I am.

L'evangile est vraie!

Love, Pono

And She's Off!

Well, Sister Santos officially reported to the MTC this morning. I am Megan, her sister-in-law, and I will be in charge of keeping everyone updated on Pono's mission while she is away. Visit her blog to see her latest emails, pictures, and to find her current address. For those who may not follow her on facebook here was her final message (via her brother):

"The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished,

 and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done."

I'm (Not me. Of course this isn't actually Pono. That would be against the rules.) off!!

Sister Pono Santos
MTC Mailbox #219
VAN-PV 1113
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

This is also in my info, and I'll (not me, see above) put my mission field address up later.

Write me (her)!! Thanks for all your love and support.
The Church is True!

Pono was beyond excited to leave today. She actually squeaked in the car as we got close to the MTC because she couldn't hold it in. I was so amazed at the fact that she honestly wasn't nervous at all. She will be an amazing missionary and we look forward to hearing all of her experiences. I will post an announcement on her facebook page whenever there is something new to read.

well, see ya!

Today, I needa pack like a crazy. But, I just thought I'd post one more time to say, "see ya later." because TONIGHT. I will be getting set apart as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, (see also, L'eglise de Jésus-Christ des Saints des Derniers Jours!) And oh man. I'm excited. I dunno if there's an opposite of getting trunky... Like just being done with being home and needing to go on a mission, but if there is, I have that.

Yesterday, I gave my final farewell! (Of 3.) Which was great! And I got the opportunity to play a musical number with pup! We sang/played, "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul." And I've played it and performed it lots of times. But THIS was the performance I've been waiting for. It was beautiful, and the Spirit was there so strong! It was great. I love cello. And music. After, Uncle Kenny, Aunty Nettie, and Megan came over for lunch, which was waaay fun! We ate, talked, took pics, laughed. It was great.

Also! After much stress and freaking out. (Ok, minor stress and no freaking out...) I figured out what my mission scripture is gonna be!! 2Nephi 2:6-9. The whole thing is a bit long, so I'll bold the part that's going on my plaque. But oh I love this scripture!

"6 Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.

7 Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.

8 Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.

9 Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved."

But I just love this scripture! This work is IMPORTANT!! It's amazing and exciting, but more than that, it is necessary! I'm so blessed to have this opportunity for the next 18 months, and I cannot WAIT to get going.

The Church is True!

Love, Soeur Pono Santos

my day in sanfran.

Today! I flew to San Francisco and back again. And I did some pretty cool stuff in between :]

The reason I was in SanFran today is cause I had to appear at the French Consulate to apply for my visa. So, I was there from this morning til late afternoon. And the fun thing was, applying for visas only took like 15, maybs 20 minutes. So, the rest of the time was free!

I got there and met up with Laurel and Katrina (who are both going to the same mish as me AND report the same day as me.) SO COOL! And then we caught a taxi to the consulate. We got there super early though, so we had some time to kill before. We spent it in a little shopping gallery (that reminded me of Covent Garden in London) and on the roof terrace which was GORGEOUS. Oh man I am in love with that place. The roof. It had flowers and plants all over and it was all landscaped and nice with benches and sunshine and yah. It was great.

We then went to the consulate and I got to speak a bit of french with the guy which was fun. Mostly though, he was just giving me directions in french cause he knew that I understood. SO FUN. I LOVE FRENCH. And I'm soooo excited to speak it ALL THE TIME.

After that, we started walking towards the pier. We walked through Chinatown and bought $3 memorabilia t-shirts and then got some delicious gelato in the Italian part of town. C'était delicieux! And, eventually, we made it down to the wharf and piers, which was fun! I gotta eat clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. OH SO GOOD. And we walked to the water and such. It was such a fun day!

And, it was great getting to know these girls that I will become so close to! They are soooo excited! Just like me! And it will be great working with them and getting to know them in the MTC.

Laurel (middle) and Katrina (right)

8 days. Word.

The Church is True!

my 4(ish) month wait.

On May 20th, 2012, I opened a large white envelope that would change my life forever. I know. I'm being dramatic. But it kinda already has, and I haven't even started yet.

I struggled through reading my mission name, immediately hopped on google maps to see where I was going, and then proceeded to have THE meltdown of the century. If you don't believe me, you can ask my witnesses that were there live. (J.J., Megs, Kalei, Elaine, Pup, Elise, or Ben.)

That was the middle of May. It is now September. September 2nd. And I have 10 MORE DAYS. And it's starting to feel real :]

I am oh so excited!! I just watched "Best Two Years," and on Tuesday, I fly to SanFran to apply for my visa at the French Consulate with two of my future mish buddies who are going to the same mission and enter the exact same day!

10 more days! I can hardly wait.
I may just be skipping into the MTC.

The Church is True!!

My current fave pic:

Sophie and I pointing to our missions!