Good friends

I decided that I would take yesterday off from homework and housework and go visit some friends I hadn't seen in a very long time because I've been so caught up with school and other work.  I drove out to visit with one of my favorite families, the Padilla family.  Even though it had been many months since I'd had the chance to stop in and visit and play/work on the farm, it was as if no time had passed at all. 

I visited, caught up on all the family news, helped vaccinate the horses, did some other work, and had a fabulous time.  It was the best way to spend my free Saturday.  As an extra bonus I got to bring home some farm fresh eggs.  I love farm fresh eggs, they taste so much better than what you buy at the store.  Farm fresh is the best. 

You know you have friendship that will stand the test of time when you can pick up as if there had never been a break in seeing one another.  :)

I love trips to the temple

Things in life have been a bit busy of late.  Work is crazy, school is keeping me hopping, and time has been in short supply.  I made the decision last week that I needed to make a better effort to attend the temple more often.  I only live about 25 minutes away, and you'd think that being so close it would be easy to "find" the time to go.  So instead of finding the time to go, and thinking about going, I went.  I asked my friend if she wanted to come with me, so we left straight from work and headed over to the Sacramento Temple.  Temple work always makes me smile.  Add to that the peace I always feel while at the temple and it was the perfect way to end the day.  Another thing I love about the temple is that it is a quiet place, perfect for thinking.  I'm so glad that I went to the temple. 

Sacramento, CA temple

(picture from www.lds.org temple gallery)

 

Thankful for Exercise

The last couple of weeks I've been struggling with a tough cold.  I am not a great sick person, I hate not feeling up to par, and not having the energy I'm used to having.  I especially hate that being sick interferes with my exercise routine.  Tonight I rebelled against being sick.  I decided that I'd go play some volleyball.  It was fantastic.  I still didn't have quite the energy I normally do but it felt so good to go out and play.  I'm thankful for exercise.  I know tonight's volleyball will help me feel better in the long run.  Although trying to talk a lot to rally the team probably didn't do much for my already hoarse voice. 

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.

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.