Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Feeding the Missionaries

So I left work this evening and headed home.  I dropped some things off, loved the kitty a bit, then headed back out.  I was meeting the missionaries at Subway for dinner.  It was a good dinner.  I talked with them about their current work, who they were teaching, what their favorite moments from the mission were so far.  I got to share some of my favorite moments from my mission too.  It was great.  The elders are very enthusiastic about the work they are doing and it was fun to hear about the efforts they are putting forth, and the progress they are seeing in those they are teaching.  It made me think back to my experiences in New York, and all the people I was blessed to have the opportunity to teach.  I think I shocked the missionaries when I asked them what they thought I could do to help the work.  One of the elders told me it was the first time he had been asked that question.  They gave me a list of the people they are currently teaching so that I can remember them in my prayers.  I also volunteered to be available to provide rides to church or church activities.  I am happy to do whatever I can to move the work forward. The missionaries then shared a story entitled "the bridge".  It was very moving.  I am thankful everyday for the sacrifice of my Savior Jesus Christ and for a loving Heavenly Father.  Dinner with the missionaries was uplifting and helped make my day brighter.

Monday, February 20, 2012

roller coaster weekend

Friday I had class and we talked a lot about community organizers, community health assessment, and what that all means.  For part of the class we watched a documentary called "The Garden".  It was about the citizens (mostly of hispanic ethnicity) in South Central Los Angeles and a Community Garden that they had been working for years, which was sold out from under them by the City.  It documents the struggle they went through to try and keep their community garden.  I was so touched by their struggle and the gross injustice they faced, that I was brought to tears.  I don't think I've ever watched anything quite so moving.  I was surprised at the events that occurred and truly felt for the members of the community garden.  I would highly recommend this documentary to anyone, just be prepared with a box of tissues. 

Saturday was biostatistics.  My classmates and I have spent so many hours studying for this class.  We had a quiz to start off the day and I don't think I did very well.  I had a tough time focusing the rest of the day because I was so dissappointed with my quiz.  I have a strong desire to do well in all that I work at and feeling that my quiz didn't turn out well, did not sit well with me.  I need to get over it and realize that I may not be able to get a's 100% of the time.  I'll still try though.  Needless to say, I was so excited to spend some time with Carie, James, and the boys.  We had an excellent dinner made by Carie, then we made sugar cookies and decorated them.  It is our Valentine's Day tradition, but it got pushed back this week as I had other plans on Valentine's Day :)  We made ghost cookies, christmas trees, pumpkins, hearts, cats, snowflakes, flowers, and gingerbread people.  My dear four year old nephew had eaten his one cookie for the evening, and after he finished decorating a second one, he lifted it to his mouth to eat it.  I turned to him and said hey I thought you were only supposed to eat one.  He broke down into tears and sobbed, not the reaction I expected.  I felt so awful.  I hadn't raised my voice, I was making an observation, but it sure affected him.  Let's just say I was no longer the favorite aunt for the rest of the evening, although I did get to read the good night story.  Note to self, just don't say anything the next time the little one goes to eat a second cookie.  Making and decorating cookies, and spending time with good friends really made my day so much better.

Church was Sunday, filled with great talks, and lessons.  I drove out to Dixon after to visit my Aunt and Uncle.  We talked about life, played a game of Qwirkle, and had some delicious dinner.  Then it was time for me to head to Davis.  I was attending a fireside on Patriarchal blessings.  It was interesting to hear some of the history of patriarchal blessings, and some information on the early church patriarchs.  I think the comment that the Patriarch shared that touched me the most was "Faith and prayers do not override the will of the Lord or the timing of the Lord."  I think it was a good reminder to me that I just need to have Faith and trust in the Lord and he will provide me with the comfort and guidance I need in order to make it through anything, including stress at work, stress of school, and other stress in general.  It was a much needed message for me and I am so thankful that I attended the fireside.

This morning I slept in.  Something that normally doesn't happen because toothless (my kitty) decides that I need to be up just before dawn.  It felt so nice to sleep in.  I got up, went to work organizing files, and cleaning up the house.  Then it was off to grocery shopping.  I got back and my neighbor and I went out for a walk which was great fun.  We watched her son run around the park.  He is way cute.  Now I'm relaxing, thinking about what to make for dinner, and thinking it would be a good evening to go to bed early.  It has been a good weekend. 

Thursday, February 9, 2012

dinner delivery and choir practice

My best friend brought me dinner tonight.  She knew I was having a rough week so she packed up the car with her kids, some kids she watches, and drove all the way out to my house during peak traffic hour to bring me dinner.  It was so much fun to see my nephews.  The kids enjoyed playing with my kitty "toothless" and I got a chance to visit with my friend.  It was so nice to debrief about good times and rough times.  My nephews made me smile and laugh.  They are so darn sweet.  I felt so loved tonight.  The turkey alfredo was excellent, and the chocolate volcano cake was even better. 

Then it was time to head over to the church for ward choir practice.  We are singing a pretty complex piece for an Easter fireside in March.  This was going to be my first practice.  It was fun.   I got to try doing some sight reading......I need more practice.  When we switched from the chapel with the organ to the relief society room with the piano......I got selected to sit at the piano and play parts for us to practice.  I need more practice doing that too.  Not too bad considering I rarely play anything with four sharps.  I brought the music home so I could practice playing the parts so I can do better next week if called upon to help at the piano.  Overall the day ended so much better than it started, and I hope time at work flies by tomorrow.  I need a weekend. 

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Singing in the rain.....oh, correction, jogging in the rain :)

I've been trying to exercise more regularly and did pretty well with an hour of walk/jogging yesterday.  When I woke up this morning, I wasn't sure that jogging outside would be on the agenda as it looked rather cloudy and it was raining.  The weather didn't improve as the day wore on and when I left work, it was drizzling.  I got home and changed into my workout clothes and let the house to brave the weather.  I figured that if it started raining too hard that I'd be able to turn around and head home.  Luckily for me, it never poured.  I headed out and decided that I'd go for the 2 min walk, 2 min jog circuit again today.  Through the neighborhood I ran.  40 minutes later I returned home.  I must say it has been nice to be out and exercising again......even if it means a little less sleep each day in order to fit it in around homework.  The only thing I was missing today were little wipers on my glasses to wipe the mist away on my outing.  Hooray for exercise.