Thanksgiving Break 2014

I can't believe Thanksgiving Break is already finished? Where did my 7 days of freedom go? Oh well, its back to the grindstone again tomorrow.

This break was much more eventful then I would have liked. The first weekend of break, I attempted to go to Utah to see my talented sister Ashley star in the musical 'The Drowsy Chaperone'. She is a senior this year and I really wanted to see her last high school show. I drove up to Spokane Saturday afternoon knowing there were plenty of seats on the plane only to arrive to find out that weather changes caused a bunch of people to be switched to my flight and alas I did not get on. I was disappointed I didn't get to see Ashley perform.

Monday it started to rain and it just wouldn't quit. Tuesday we woke up to more rain and water dripping from the ceiling in the kitchen. I had decided to study that morning but once we noticed the leaky ceiling that plan was moved the very back burner. I spent several hours trying to find a solution.  I was able to get a hold of a roofer who took a look and said the best and permeant fix would be very expensive. Needless to say this was not welcome news. I felt I could not handle another major thing going wrong.

My wonderful dad was able to find a solution and ordered the material that night. My parents and brother came for Thanksgiving and to fix the roof, but the material did not arrive while they were here.

Now for the Blessings

Before I headed home from the airport that Saturday, I went to World Market and picked up some delicious sparkling fruit juices for Thanksgiving dinner and some yummy scone mixes. That night our friend Bryan came over for a game night.

We had lunch with our friends Becky and Brandon on Tuesday. They have the coolest one-eyed snuggly cat whom I got to care for this last weekend.

I studied for a grand total of 5 hours (maybe)

My parents and brother came up here for Thanksgiving!!!! We carried on last year's tradition of stir fry and pumpkin pie. My dad is just incredible. While he was here he installed a fan in the bathroom, replaced both rear brakes on my car, patched the roof to hold out the water until the new roof arrives, and prepped the house to put on the new roof. Another blessing is it was supposed to rain or snow Thursday night until Saturday night, but the moisture didn't come until 15 minutes after my dad and Randy patched the roof Friday afternoon! We played board games, watched 'Interstellar' and 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels', ate lots of good food, watch Winter and Mitch be their goofy selves, took Mitch on a walk, and I got to visit with my incredible mother who also brought her video camera so I was able to watch a few scenes of Ashley's play. It was so nice to have our home full of family.

My family's flight got delayed out of Spokane so we got to spend 2 extra hours with them- lunch at Red Robin and exploring the Riverfront Mall. After we dropped off my family at the airport Randy and I headed to the Spokane Temple. I know I have said this before, but I just love going to the temple. I love the feeling of peace that enters my heart and calms my inter storms. My thinking is much clearer and the important things in life are obvious. Answers to questions come and assurance that God cares is evident.

The sun came out for the first time all weekend = squinty eyes

I love serving the children at church in Primary. They are so full of goodness and joy. Right now I am waiting for dough to rise (I meant to make rolls Friday, but forgot) and later tonight Bryan and Rebecca are coming over to play games.

Life is far from perfect, and some days are painful, but life is good.

Break Time

I survived 15 exams in 10 weeks! I am proud of myself for sticking with school. This semester has been a beast. This is the hardest thing I have ever done school wise. Fall semester second year was hard but the constant rate of exams took vet school to an entire new level. It feels so good knowing what I accomplished and even better to know I have 2 weeks without and exam! I congratulated myself with working out for the first time in a long time, getting little projects accomplished and catching up on all the classes I have missed from studying for exams. I can't believe after Thanksgiving break there is only 2 weeks until finals! 

In Times of Trouble

A scripture story that I cling to in times of trouble comes from Mosiah 23 and 24  in the Book of Mormon.  The story is about a group of people have joined the church of God and had to flee from their homes or be killed.  They are doing their best to start a new city to build a life for themselves. 

Mosiah 23:21 "Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people: yea, he trieth their patience and their faith"

Then their long time enemies who are called the Lamanities come to their new city. "But Alma went forth and stood among them, and exhorted them that they should not be frightened but that they should remember the Lord their God and he would deliver them. Therefore they hushed their fears, and began to cry unto the Lord that he would soften the hearts of the Lamanites, and they would spare them, and their wives, and their children." (Mosiah 23:27-28) The Christian people have not done anything wrong, but yet God wanted to try their faith and see if they would be faithful in the face of trial.

The Lamanites enslave the Christians and give them heavy burdens to carry. They also threaten to kill anyone who prayed vocally. The faithful people prayed within their hearts. God heard and answered their prayer. (Mosiah 24:13) "And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage. And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God do visit my people in their afflictions". 

My faith is strengthened by the people's response to the Lord and that the Lord kept His promise. "And now it came to pass that the burdens which which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bare up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord" (Mosiah 24:15).

Later the people are freed. 

From this story I learn that sometimes trials come not because I have done anything wrong, but that I need learn something and strengthen my faith. The Lamanites that enslaved the Christians can represent a wide variety of things- loss of a job, sickness, depression, or lost opportunities. God did not immediately save them from their trial, instead He gave them the strength to bear it. I have felt strengthened by God while Randy was away. Its difficult to describe the feeling, it felt as if someone was helping me carry all the responsibility and loneliness that came with Randy being away.
As with the Christians in the story, God always provides a way to escape trials. Sometimes it can take a long time to appear, but it always comes. I can follow the example of those faithful Christians and turn to God in times of trouble instead of turning away. 

Chantel Came Home!

Last weekend Randy and I flew down to Utah to spend some much needed time with my sister Chantel who just returned from serving a mission in Peru for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Friday night my family spent together bowling, playing mini golf, and driving bumper cars. It was wonderful to be all together again for the first time in 18 months. Spending time with family is refreshing for the tired soul.

First hug!

Saturday, Mom, Dad, Chantel, Randy and I went to the Bountiful temple to perform sealings. It was special to be able spend time in that holy house with my family serving as proxies to bind families together forever and for all eternity who have already passed. I was able to reflect on our wedding day and the promises we made and the blessings that God promises us in return if we keep the commandments. It was another reminder that very little actually matters in the grand scheme, but family, love, service, and obedience to God are the things that do.

Afterwards Randy and I headed down to Salt Lake City to visit with Zane, one of Randy's old roommates. That evening we took family pictures and my best friend Brittany was the photographer! I am so excited to see how they turned out!!! There are some silly ones for sure. That evening was a cousin party for my mom's side. We had some good laughs and ate a lot of yummy food.

Cousins! 

Sunday Chantel gave her homecoming talk in church. She did a beautiful job describing and sharing experiences she had that have touched her life for good and things she has learned. Afterwards family and friends meet at my parents house for food and visiting. I was able to see another best friend Maria.
Some how a lot of friends from Florida have ended up in Utah. It was strange having a Florida reunion in Hooper Utah.

People we love from Florida

That night Chantel shared more of her stories and pictures. The love she has for the people of Peru is overflowing. We also convinced my dad to read part of the book he wrote on his time in the Air Force. My dad doesn't share much about what went on during the first 20 years of my life so it was special to hear him share those experiences. I wish we could have stayed longer, but alas our life in Pullman was beckoning to come back to take exams, to go to work, and continue to live life.

Sisters reunited