Ringing in the new year

Celebrating the new year with the Smith Family! Hope your celebrations were as great as mine!

Goodbye 2011 ~

Dear 2011 -

I don't know how to say this, so I am just going to come right out and say it.

I am breaking up with you. 

That sounds so immature, like what I did with my junior high boyfriend. But it just has to happen.  

2011, you took a lot from me. You took some good relationships, a job, but my greatest heartache was when you took my Dad.  I don't know if I will ever forgive you for that.  

But in all fairness, you did give me a lot.  A lot of learning, a lot of growing, a lot of fun, and a lot of happiness.  You allowed me to have some great relationships that changed my life.  You allowed me to create some memories that I will never forget.  You allowed me to exercise my faith like I never have before.  

Some of the experiences we shared together:

I have always considered myself to be fair, so in that spirit I have to say Goodbye.  I will try not to focus on all of our bad times, but please forgive me if for a little while I still have a hard time with you.  

In a few hours I will meet a new friend, his name is 2012.  I feel really good about our relationship.  I am looking forward to all of the growing that will continue with 2012.  I know it is going to be my best year yet, not perfect (because lets be honest nobody is) but it's going to be great.  Why...Because if I have learned nothing else from this year I have learned this...Everything I have gone through or will go through is for a purpose.  Nothing is by accident, and while some of those experiences are very painful they are helping to shape me into the person I am supposed to be.  It's going to be great because I have finally realized that I am not in control and someone greater than me has all of the plans laid out perfectly, even when I don't see them.  

So Goodbye 2011. I don't think I will miss you. 

A good day

Christmas Eve we went sledding with my Uncle Kim & his Family.  It was a good day, a very good day.  I love my cousin and her sweet little kids who we have adopted as our nieces and nephew. We only had two major wipe outs, one was my sweet niece Shaina (Sorry I wasn't there to see it) and the other was me and little Miss B (little girls with me in the top picture).  She trusted me to get her down the big hill safely.  I failed. But she has one smart Momma who picked her up, cleared the snow off her face and put her back on the sled and took her down the little hill to let her know it was okay.  A good day. 

First Christmas in Heaven

I had a post all typed out, but sometimes it's too hard to share whats going on in my head and heart. I will sum it all up with this.

Dear Dad -

Today I miss you. A whole lot. I hope it's okay that today I am not okay with everything and sometimes its hard.  Thanks for the camouflage moment this morning.  Hope you are enjoying your first Christmas in Heaven. Save me a seat.

Love
Noel (what my dad used to call me when I was a little girl)

Thanks Beth Ann for letting me steal your picture. 

With a baby

"Shepherds would soon arrive and, later, wise men would follow from the East. But first and forever there was just a little family, without toys or trees or tinsel. With a baby - that's how Christmas began."

Jeffrey R. Holland

PS....I found this blog. It has helped me to remember some of those important things that I far too often overlook.  Maybe it will help you.  http://www.ashadowcanyonchristmas.blogspot.com/. It is a Christmas Advent Blog.  Enjoy.

And those who've been in darkness for a while...

Some days I don't get it. This week I have had several of those. I know, I know. I.KNOW. They won't last forever. They might not even last all day. But sometimes in those terribly hard moments I just don't think they will ever go away.

I had a couple of those moments last week too.  The first came when I was told I was over qualified for a position that I would have loved. Another came as I cried like a baby all the way through one of my favorite Christmas traditions "The Forgotten Carols".  I heard a little Amen in my heart when as part of the script Uncle John was talking about his beloved Sarah said something like "As much as I know that I will be with Sarah forever someday, I am often reminded that today is not that day" (At least that is what I heard...I have been wrong before).  That's how I feel on those "Some days". Full of hope for forever, but heart broke that it isn't is today.

This week I had so much hope to start the week.  It was going to be a great week!  It was going to be a week where I accomplished something great. A week I could be proud of myself. A week where my Dad could be proud. Monday was pretty amazing!  I even pretended to have the desire to decorate for Christmas...something I had to talk myself into for a bit. Sadly though, the rest of the week has been filled with more of those "Some day" moments.

Can I dodge the real responsibility that needs to be placed on me for those reasons and blame something else.  Thanks!  You may or may not know...I don't do medication. Not at all.  Well at least not for the most part.  There are some medications that I take (and looks like I will be on for the rest of my life) that I am okay with, they don't have to much of an effect on me.  But if you ever want to laugh so hard tears run down your legs (saw it on pintrest...chuckled a little) slip me a Tylenol. I will provide you with hours of entertainment. Back to the reason...On Tuesday morning I decided to start taking a new medication that my Dr. prescribed back in November but because I was scared how I would react I hadn't started taking yet.  Let's just say it's a good thing I waited.  Some of the side affects included: Hives (my neck broke out like crazy), extreme nausea, and sleep....Like 15 hours of it. Straight. Not a light, "I should wake up but I would rather not" sleep, but a cold, dead to the world, you're not waking me up if you try sleep.  With that sleep came some TERRIBLE TERRIBLE TERRIBLE nightmares.  Yes there were spiders dreams, but I had a couple that were even worse than that (Let's just say when I did wake up I had to check my phone to make sure I didn't make or receive the calls I dreamed about).

After cutting the dose in half, and then in half again, and then in half again (it was a pediatric dose to begin with). I am still struggling with the side affects.  Struggling is kind of an understatement.  I down right hate the stuff.  I am hoping it starts doing what it is supposed to REALLY REALLY SOON.

Anyway...I am blaming this for the majority of my "some day" moments this week.  But....Like usual, or rather always, this afternoon I stand corrected...well maybe not corrected, but humbled. Humbled that I do know that Forever will come some day, Humbled that I know that the darkness won't last forever, Humbled that sometimes I just need/have to hold on. Humbled that I have a loving Father in Heaven who loves me enough to allow me to struggle so that I can grow.

So today...I will wait for the light and enjoy it when it comes. I know it will, even if it is for just a moment.

   

Another Wordless Wednesday

...An understanding of God’s great plan of happiness, however, fortifies our faith in the future. His plan provides answers to ageless questions: Are all our sympathies and love for each other only temporary—to be lost in death? No! Can family life endure beyond this period of mortal probation? Yes! God has revealed the eternal nature of celestial marriage and the family as the source of our greatest joy.

Brethren and sisters, material possessions and honors of the world do not endure. But your union as wife, husband, and family can. The only duration of family life that satisfies the loftiest longings of the human soul is forever. No sacrifice is too great to have the blessings of an eternal marriage. To qualify, one needs only to deny oneself of ungodliness and honor the ordinances of the temple. By making and keeping sacred temple covenants, we evidence our love for God, for our companion, and our real regard for our posterity—even those yet unborn. Our family is the focus of our greatest work and joy in this life; so will it be throughout all eternity, when we can “inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, … powers, dominions, … exaltation and glory.”

Russel M. Nelson, Oct 2001

Starting our first Christmas season without Dad.  We took a Charlie Brown Christmas tree to his grave.  He always liked those kind of trees.  Too bad it wasn't a blue spruce.  Those were his favorite.  Miss you Dad!

For Every Situation...

Tonight I did something that was hard. Something I didn't realize I hadn't done. Something that brought tears.  Tonight I sang. Odd you might think, but let me explain. (go ahead and put your feet up, you know how long it takes me to get to the point sometimes.)

I grew up with music in my home. Thankfully I was raised with a love for music, and from the time I was very young I was singing.  As a family we sing on car rides, while cleaning, while doing homework, riding on a float in a parade, doing our chores, camping, you name it we sing at it. We even had a very special experience of singing "Dad's Songs" - songs that he taught us, in the back of the "old chev" during his last ride (on our way to the cemetery)

Dad's Last Ride - we ALWAYS sign "I Love You" to each other, never more fitting than that day. 

Singing: It is something we do in our family.  

Kind of a crazy fact about me, I always have a song in my head (Not always or even usually a hymn) and I spend so much of my time relating my life to the songs in my vast library of music. I loved this when I saw it:

because I totally feel this 99.2% of the time.

(back to tonight)

So because I grew up singing and because I always have music in my head, and because I feel like every situation in life can be related to a song, VERY OFTEN that is how I get my feelings out.  Now don't get me wrong, my poor piano has taken the beatings of my foul moods a lot in the last little bit, and I have sung at church and in the car, but  in the last 10 weeks and 5 days I haven't had any of those quiet moments where I set down in front of my piano and just sing my heart out. 

I guess I lost my voice. 

I know I lost my desire.

I think I am still a little lost on my way.

But tonight I needed to. I needed to sing. I needed to be able to hear and speak those thoughts and feelings of my heart.

So I tried. 

It was ugly. 

It was a mess. 

It was frustrating. 

As I had decided that there was a reason I wasn't singing anymore I pulled out one of my favorite books, by my favorite Alto, (by the way I have a terrible range, when I used to sing a lot it was decent, but now it is pathetic so I am always glad when there are female artists who are alto's who publish music), actually by one of my favorite artists period, Hilary Weeks. I was going to give it one more try, and if it sounded like a pack of wild dogs outside I was going to put away my books and vow to never sing again (Okay maybe not that dramatic). Actually deep down I was going to be extremely disappointed and down in the dumps because I really needed to let go of some thoughts in my head. 

I guess you could say the Heavens parted (not literally) because what happened next was a small blessing, a tender mercy moment for me.  I am not saying that I sang the best I have ever sung, because I probably didn't, but the spirit of the song allowed me to give my feelings a voice.  I got lost in the message that I was singing, and had several small "amens" to the words coming out of my mouth. I didn't care that I was in tears and had mascara dripping down my face, I didn't even care that I wasn't hitting every note perfectly. It was just a moment where I could be reassured that  I am not alone.  Here is the song:  

And in the moments when no earthly words can take away your sorrow,

And no human eyes can see what you're going through

When you've taken your last step and done all that you can do

He will lift your heavy load and carry you. 

After I was done singing that song I closed the book. That was enough. I just sat there for a minute hoping that the windows in heaven were open so that my Dad could hear me sing. I think it would have made him smile. 

Inch by Inch

Fabulous Happenings


Half Marathon

I would love to say I ran the whole thing, because I could have in the past.  

But I didn't.

(I haven't been running much at all since I lost my Dad)

But my feet did carry me 13.1 miles.

I got to dress up with one of my besties, Myndi 

I got to be scared and have great nightmares thanks to Lee. 

And I got to spend a lot of time talking about something someone who is giving me lots of reasons to smile these days. 

Becca & Myndi,
Ready to go at 5 am - We had been awake since 3:30 am!

Me trying to remember that running is fun!

Not what you want to see in your backseat at 5 am!

Yep, you better believe I had nightmares from this one!

Some of my favorite people!  On the bus, headed up to the start of the run

Myndi & I, Finished...Finally!

 If you have seen me "hobbling" this week, I think it was well deserved.  That is what happens when you run down hill right?  

Thanks Lee & Myndi for letting me do this with you!  

Not being able to walk

It reminds me that I never want to get old, and that I am a big baby!  I cried when I had to walk up the 4 steps to get into my house on Sunday after the run. 

Halloween

confession...this is probably my least favorite holiday of them all, and I think I am justified in having that opinion.  I don't have a good history of halloweens past.  But, with that being said.... this year was actually pretty fun.  I got to spend the morning getting my friend Amy and her kids ready to go. 

 Amy was Cruella De Ville, Averi was the Corpse Bride, Briggs was Frankenstien & 

Maggie was Glenda, The Good Witch. 

Maggie & spent most of the day together, I got to see some of my Pinnacle Friends, and then we got ready for our wards "Trunk or Treat" that night.  I was DONE by the time 3pm came around so I was a party pooper and didn't dress up.  

(I figure I had already dressed up twice for the month, I didn't need to do it again)

At the ward Trunk or Treat...Recognize the clown??? You  should!  (see above Pictures)
I might have kicked the 4 year old out of her stroller because I COULD NOT WALK ANYMORE.
Go ahead sing it "Fat girl in a little stroller" you know you want to :)

Getting Briggs Franky ready to go

Frankenstein

Corpse Bride

Glenda, The Good Witch

Thanks guys for letting me spend the day with you, and for letting me help you get ready to go!  Can't wait for the Pippy Long Stockings, Zombie, & Pink Puppy next year! 

P.S. (Isn't Amy SO STINKIN CREATIVE....Yep, she came up with all of these costumes...Pretty Fabulous!)

Being without Power
Someone didn't consult me before a landslide happened taking out power from Provo to Manti.
I was just getting ready to blow dry my hair, and so I decided to take my mothers advice and "get GLAD in the same shoes I was mad in" and take a little bit longer to read and study my scriptures.  Had some fabulous insight because of it.
(PS - I am okay to be without power, just not on a morning when I have 90 million things to do and I need to look cute doing them)

Trip to AZ
Wonderful trip to Arizona with a lot of really fun sights:
FABULOUSLY BEAUTIFUL Sunrise
Snow on the hills in Moab
Gas station in Holbrook (Sometimes it is a long ways from Ganado to Holbrook)
Spending time visiting with my sweet cousin Jen Ray

Mesa Temple
Talk about a crazy afternoon...left me feeling not so fabulous (could be from running on 2 hours of sleep, but.....
I got to spend some time with my sweet sister Heather & of course she tried to make the best of the situation.  We ended up spending some great time in the Mesa Temple.
It was great to be there with her.
It was great to be in the Mesa temple, I haven't been back to do a session there since I got my endowments there....a REALLY long time ago.
They have made the whole headphone translator thing a lot easier than it used to be.
(we went to the last session of the day, which happened to be the Spanish Session)

Sweet Reminders 
I have so many wonderful people in my life, and every day when I count my blessings I am amazed at all of the sweet reminders of the goodness of my life.  Sometimes it comes through random text messages, some times through crazy conversations after a knock on my door.  Sometimes it comes from a line in a song, a picture, a memory, a laugh, a smile, or even a tear.  Sometimes it comes from RANDOMLY running into an old friend (it was so fun to see you Tommy)

I used to laugh when people would say:
Inch by Inch its a cinch
Yard by Yard it's hard
( Confession: there have been times when I have spouted this off to try and cure the woes of the world)

by this week I have thought a lot about it.
There are days - Mostly just the ones that end in "y" that the over all circumstances of my life are not the ones that I would have chose (as if I had the choice right) but still...sometimes I get overwhelmed.

BUT...
When I try and take it "inch by inch" and find the goodness of life,
which usually helps when I focus on smaller blocks of time it becomes easier to deal with.

Clear as Mud?

Have a fabulous week!

Wordless Wednesday

Thanks Kaleb 

for helping me to see this more clearly 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 

to my sweet youngest sister

KRISTIN HANNAH

I know it has been a difficult year for you, 

BUT...

Thank you for the blessing that you are in my life.  

You make me want to be a better person!

Love You Long Time 

Monday Memories

A memory shared by Stef.  I loved this! 

One Sunday we were driving from home and there was an elderly couple had a flat at the turn off into Shone's dam. We drove by and then suddenly without saying anything Dad turned around and pulled up next to their car. As we watched and chatted with the couple Dad changed the tire in his white shirt and dress pants...he could have gone home and dropped us off and changed his clothes and then come back but instead he stopped to help immediately

...you know Dad he could never turn down someone in need. 

Christmas 2009
Troy, Toni, Kris, Justin, Heather, Stef
Grandma, Mom, Dad
Shell, Bec

Because We Have Today...(Nothing Wordless About it)

Can I tell you a secret...Okay it's not really a secret, especially if you know me.  I LOVE MUSIC. Tonight I had a particularly amazing musical experience, one that I plan on talking about for a long while, but I it brought some thoughts that I just feel like need to be shared.  With that said...YOU NEED TO GO BUY HILARY WEEKS NEW CD!!! Buy it now, it will make more sense when I talk about it later.  And if you buy it before October 29th you save some $$.  Who doesn't love that!  Back to the post:

8 weeks ago my life changed. 

It changed completely.

It changed Forever.

It has been the most difficult change I have ever faced.  

I was in the second week of my fall semester, sitting in the middle of an institute class, talking about how the gospel of Jesus Christ gives us the strength to endure to the end, when my phone buzzed letting me know I had a new text message. Of course I ignored it and thought it was no big deal, the class was almost over.

As I stood up to leave the Institute building and head back up the hill to my next class I started reading the message. Honestly I didn't get it. I couldn't comprehend it.

Accident

Dad

Helicopter

CPR

I immediately called my sister Heather who had sent the text, both she and I were in tears and then came the uncontrollable screams. My Dad was gone.

Over the last 8 weeks there have been many miracles and tender mercies in our family, but there have also been some extremely hard challenges that we have been faced with.

One of the hardest of those challenges for me was realizing that I didn't get to tell my Dad goodbye.  I took for granted the fact that He would always be there, anytime I needed Him.  Almost daily I realize yet another area where I counted on my Dad, where I needed his opinion, where I depended on His inspiration.  Again, almost daily I have the thought to call Dad, but making that call isn't possible now.  Every day I still miss Him, I still cry, and it's still hard.  I know that my life is never going to be the same.

When I was on my way to Arizona the night I lost my Dad I remember sending a text message to my friend Drew, asking him how I was supposed to get through this.  His response is something that I have to remind myself on an almost daily basis "Take deep breaths, be thankful for the family that you do have, and spend time serving them"  Honestly, one of the best tidbits of advice I have received, something that it brought to mind A LOT. Of course, I am a pro at the deep breaths at this point, but still struggling with the gratitude and serving, but something I am working at.  (Thanks again Drew)

Back to Tonight... I went to the release concert for Hilary Weeks new cd "Every Step". (THANK YOU KALEB)  In the middle of all of her FABULOUS new stuff she pulled out this "oldy but goody" as she called it.  "If I Only Had Today", (you can listen to it by clicking on the music player on my sidebar on the left - it's the first song). Of course my first thought was that sad rememberence that I didn't get to say goodbye to Dad, but as Hilary continued to sing my heart was softened a bit. Instead of thinking "wo is me" I was filled with a sweet comfort and the thoughts Drew shared with me came back into my head...."spend time serving them".

Because of the experiences of the last 8 weeks my today's mean so much more.  I am trying not to take the people who I hold dear for granted.  I would like to think I am more patient, more forgiving, more loving.  More eager to serve those around me, and slower in making rash judgments. I am trying to be more grateful for the small blessings in my life-the hugs, the smiles, the simple hello's. Because of the last 8 weeks I am trying to be more prayerful and spend more "knee time" asking how I can be an instrument in the Lord's hands and then following the promptings given. Because I have today, I am trying to be more like my Dad, more tenderhearted, more Christlike. Because I have today, I am trying to live the kind of life he would want me to live.

So can you do me a favor? 

 Because you have today... 

take that few minutes and tell your Dad you love him, do something kind for your Mom, spend some time with your kids, call that sister, text that nephew.  Let someone know how much you appreciate them in your life.  Do those things that you have on your "someday list"

  Remember that today is our gift and we never know when we won't have them anymore. 

“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”

Forest E. Witcraft

I think that can be said if we are important in the life of anyone. 

 If I Only Had Today

Hilary Weeks

It seems like I've watched a million sunsets

and stared at a thousand full moons

Sometimes it feels like I've been here forever

and sometimes it all feels brand new.

I could never count the heartbeats

from the day I was born until now

But not a single one goes unnoticed 

by Him who breaths life in me somehow.  

But If there were no more tomorrows

I knew that I could not stay

I know how I'd spend every minute,

If I only Had today.

I'd hold you and listen 

I'd let the dishes set in the sink.

I'd tell you I love you over and over

and for once I'd just let the phone ring. 

Then I'd remind you of forever 

and how our love would never change

If I only had today.

I'd wake up before the sun did

and I'd watch as you quietly sleep

I'd pray for time to move slowly

knowing the moment won't keep

All the gifts that heaven has given

every blessing that's come my way

Wouldn't mean anything without you

So if I only had today...

I'd hold you and listen 

I'd memorize every detail of your face

I'd tell you I loved you over and over

I wouldn't let excuses get in the way.

Then I'd remind you of forever 

and how our love would never change

If I only had today.

There's no time like the present

Life doesn't come with any guaranties

The sun will set, time won't wait

so while I have today...

I'll hold you and listen

I'll let the dishes set in the sink.

I'll tell you I love you over and over

For once I'd just let the phone ring. 

I'll remind you of forever 

and how our love will never change

Because I have today.

Because I have today. 

How thankful I am for all of the WONDERFUL Memories of yesterday's that help me get through the Today's without my Dad.  

I Love You Dad. 

Monday Memory - Shared by Heather

Today's Memory is one from my sister, Heather - the only one who has contributed to my "Monday Memory" of my Dad, Kenneth Penrod so far.  I hate to sound desperate, but please, anyone who reads this...If you have a memory of my Dad, please, Please, PLEASE....Please share it with us.  I really would like to be able to have these written down so that we (his family, HE STILL HAS MANY TO COME) can enjoy them.  You can e-mail them to me at becca.boo82@yahoo.com or leave a comment here.

One time we were driving down the highway by the junior high and this dog runs out into the road and dad hits him. The dog was hurt pretty badly so dad thought he better just shoot him. I am crying and begging him not to do it and dad is saying he is just going to suffer, and at some point dad is crying about it to. We ended up loading the dog up and finding someone in Snowflake who offered to take care of the dog and got it back to its owner after it recovered, I don't remember if it was a vet or just someone dad knew but it was important to me that the dog be ok so it was important to dad to.

This is a picture of Specks - My Parents current Dog.

I think my Dad named him Specks because he looked like he had glasses on 

because of the rings around his eyes

This is my Dad & Missy (my Dog)

When I moved to Utah I couldn't bring her with me so my parents took her.

I think my Dad really enjoyed having her around. He spoiled her ALOT.  

I think I might have had to fight with him to get her back. 

My Dad always had a huge heart when it came to Animals.  He didn't like to hunt because he hated to kill the animals. 

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you deal with it (or something like that)

Fabulous Happenings of the Week:

My Mom 

came to see me, and she brought Kristin.  Yay for people coming, especially Mom!  Sometimes I pretend to be a strong and confident person who doesn't need to cry to Mom anymore, but it's not true.  I wish I lived closer on most days, and I miss them so much when they leave. 

Cars 2

I went to see this with Mom and Kris on Friday night.  

I LOVED the first Cars, and really enjoyed the 2nd one as well

It made me feel closer to Dad for the night, He too loved Cars, and was a huge fan of Mater.

Spending an afternoon with Friends and people I love

On Saturday I got to spend a few hours being crafty and domestic with some of the best people I know.  

We had a Poppy Seed Project craft day, and made some pretty amazing pictures.  Thanks everyone for coming and spending the afternoon with me.  

Witches Night Out

TALK ABOUT FUN.  Because the Temple class took so long Kris and I didn't have time to do our makeup, but my cousins K,J, & C went all out and looked FABULOUS!!!! It was really fun spending time with them.  My favorite part of the night was desert (of course) at Olive Garden.  We all got a good laugh out of watching the girls try and eat with their noses on.  

 I have been struggling with posing lately..

The Whole Group 

A Sunday Afternoon Drive - Fall Version

After fixing us a Scrumptious Dinner Mathew and Heidi took us for a BEAUTIFULLY FABULOUS afternoon drive.  It was SO PRETTY!   

Spending some quiet time with Kris

Kristin found out on Monday morning that someone that she was very close to passed away.  This woman was a young mother of Kris's adopted nieces and nephews and one of her baptisms.   My Heart goes out to this family.  It is hard to feel so helpless knowing that there isn't a thing you can do other than pray for them.  It brought me closer to those wonderful people who have been praying for me and my family. Since Kris obviously couldn't go to Chile to comfort the family we decided to make a little video to send them.  THANK HEAVENS for facebook!  

Luckily the programs all worked out well, and we were able to make this quickly.  

NOT SO FAB:  Mom and Kris Leaving (I hate that part)

Back to Fabulous:

Jamba Juice with Stacy

It was really good to see Stacy, always FABULOUS.  She treated me to a lovely Jamba Juice, and I even splurged and got the Smoothy with icecream or sherbert or whatever they make it with.  Normally I try and stick with the healthy all fruit one.  It was a nice change.  We Giggled ALOT (It might have been because of our background music, straight up Disney), and she just let me whine about my life, which was not my plan that day.  She is one of those AMAZINGLY FABULOUS people who have faith in me right now, when I struggle with having faith in myself.  This reminded me of her.  

Dinner with a friend

Fabulous Mexican Food

Fabulous Dinner Conversation

Fabulous Company

Fabulous Honesty
Fabulous Start of Something FABULOUS

Institute

It made my heart happy that someone else asked a question that I was to chicken to ask.  We were talking about Elder Ballards talk "Finding Joy through Loving Service" and the question was asked:

How can we free ourselves from this tangled web of challenges and uncertainties to find peace of mind and happiness?

Well, of course we decided that it was to serve others.  At this point my brave friend (whose name I don't know) raised his hand and asked "and what about when you serve all you can, and you still feel unhappy and uncertain about the world".  Yep, he might have just stole the words right out of my mouth.  

His question led to some great discussion which has lead to some really great study time for me.  I am still working on coming up with an answer, but in the meantime I loved this quote from the talk:

“… Unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives” ( Pres. Monson, “What Have I Done for Someone Today?” Liahona andEnsign, Nov. 2009, 85).

Spending time in the GILES home

Stacey and James are FABULOUS.  It was so great to spend some time with them. (Sorry it was so late guys).  I felt like I could be 110% honest, and I knew that they didn't care.  I really appreciate their comforting and encouraging influence in my life.  

As a highlight, I was apparently at the right place at the right time, thanks Brother Shelley for the FABULOUS bread.  It was so yummy!  

Temple with Amy

Have I ever expressed that I have FABULOUS friends.  There you have it, I just did.  By the way, my friends are some of the most kind and unselfish people in the world. Amy was kind enough to take time out of her crazy life and go the temple with me.  

It was really hard, but where I needed to be.  


Bunco
Did I mention I have amazing friends. No but really I do!
We started a monthly Bunco group and it has been so much fun. 
This month was no exception at all.  Thank you Jana and Lorri for hosting A FABULOUS evening.  
It was just what I needed.  In the spirit of Halloween we all dressed up.  

Marshmallow Sunday's
Stacey Giles is FABULOUS.  Even though she may not think so she is a SAINT. I am so grateful that she is willing to listen to me whine and complain about my life.  We had a fabulous visit  this week while eating Dairy Queen.  She helped me feel confident about dealing with some contention in my life.  Bless Her!  


Flannel Sheets & Electric Blankets
I LOVE my flannel sheets and electric blanket.  It makes going to bed at night a lot nicer when you get into a nice warm bed, and can stay that way all night!  

Hope your week was as FABULOUS as mine.