how do those of you who can do this, post up one picture that is a layout of multiple, clear, visible pictures? Cali, I know you've mentioned picassa before. Any more details? I have lots of pictures to put up and I don't want to wait for each one to load.
Thanks!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
To Give and Be Given Much
Today was a very long Sunday, but a fantastic one. First, Joe went home teaching then came home to pick me up to go to the church. We headed out the door feeling somewhat overwhelmed at our schedule for the day. We arrived 1 ½ hours before our meetings so Joe could attend a song practice for a few numbers that he was going to be performing in the Sacrament meeting Christmas program. He has become very well known in our ward for his musical abilities and has been asked to share them quite frequently. Today alone, Joe lead the music in sacrament meeting, performed in an octet, sang two musical numbers with the ward choir, and played the piano for my young women’s program! He performed very well in all of them, but especially received many compliments on the octet performance. It was a very neat song. I’m grateful for Joe’s musical talents.
As I listened to the many musical numbers which were performed in sacrament meeting, I began to contemplate on the number of people who had participated that day. It must have been nearly 50 people between the bishopric, those who distributed the sacrament, those who gave the prayers, played the organ/piano, lead the music, spoke, and those who sang in the 5 musical numbers. It took a huge team effort from people who were all willing to prepare for this meeting on their own time outside of church prior to the meeting. The Church of Jesus Christ is a church which asks much of its members, but God gives much when we do what is asked of us. We are blessed with the spirit, peace, good experiences, personal growth, friendship, and love. I felt truly grateful for the dozens of people who had made sacrifices and also shared a part of themselves so I could enjoy a wonderful Sabbath day.
I gave the opening prayer in sacrament meeting and conducted a program called, Young Women (YW) in Excellence after the three hour block. During church, we squeezed tithing settlement with the bishop in between Sunday school and the third hour. Finally, after being at the church for 6 hours, we went to have dinner with the Heidrick family. Elias Heidrick is in Joe’s medical school class and is an older man with four kids. It was so nice to have dinner with a family. I loved being with their children and being in their home. They were very kind to us and great conversationalists. Immediately following the dinner, we rushed home to meet our home teachers that were waiting outside our door for us. Brother Jeremy Johnson gave a Christmas message about giving, during which he relayed a personal experience which almost brought tears to my eyes. He said that when he was in physical therapy school, he had 3 small children and was struggling to budget the small amount of money they had to cover all their expenses each month. One night, someone knocked on their door and left before they could answer, leaving behind a large box of food items with a note that said, “I know what it’s like to go through school with a small family. I hope this helps.” I felt so inspired to remember that and perform acts of kindness like that when Joe and I are more financially stable ourselves.
I feel as though I have truly felt the spirit of Christmas and giving both today and throughout the events over the month of December. In the past two weeks I have participated in many Christmas social events, volunteered in the community, and have also been the receiver of many gifts. It has been a wonderful Christmas season.
As I listened to the many musical numbers which were performed in sacrament meeting, I began to contemplate on the number of people who had participated that day. It must have been nearly 50 people between the bishopric, those who distributed the sacrament, those who gave the prayers, played the organ/piano, lead the music, spoke, and those who sang in the 5 musical numbers. It took a huge team effort from people who were all willing to prepare for this meeting on their own time outside of church prior to the meeting. The Church of Jesus Christ is a church which asks much of its members, but God gives much when we do what is asked of us. We are blessed with the spirit, peace, good experiences, personal growth, friendship, and love. I felt truly grateful for the dozens of people who had made sacrifices and also shared a part of themselves so I could enjoy a wonderful Sabbath day.
I gave the opening prayer in sacrament meeting and conducted a program called, Young Women (YW) in Excellence after the three hour block. During church, we squeezed tithing settlement with the bishop in between Sunday school and the third hour. Finally, after being at the church for 6 hours, we went to have dinner with the Heidrick family. Elias Heidrick is in Joe’s medical school class and is an older man with four kids. It was so nice to have dinner with a family. I loved being with their children and being in their home. They were very kind to us and great conversationalists. Immediately following the dinner, we rushed home to meet our home teachers that were waiting outside our door for us. Brother Jeremy Johnson gave a Christmas message about giving, during which he relayed a personal experience which almost brought tears to my eyes. He said that when he was in physical therapy school, he had 3 small children and was struggling to budget the small amount of money they had to cover all their expenses each month. One night, someone knocked on their door and left before they could answer, leaving behind a large box of food items with a note that said, “I know what it’s like to go through school with a small family. I hope this helps.” I felt so inspired to remember that and perform acts of kindness like that when Joe and I are more financially stable ourselves.
I feel as though I have truly felt the spirit of Christmas and giving both today and throughout the events over the month of December. In the past two weeks I have participated in many Christmas social events, volunteered in the community, and have also been the receiver of many gifts. It has been a wonderful Christmas season.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
MO-IA-NE-WY-UT and Back
Joe and I decided (kind of last minute) that we wanted to drive home for Thanksgiving break. We only told my Dad that we were coming so someone would know we were on the road, but we wanted to surprise everyone else. Boy, was it a surprise! After 19 hours of driving, we arrived at my parent’s house on Sunday evening and my Mom just could not believe it. She kept shrieking, “Oh my gosh! What are you doing here? How did you get here? What a surprise! No wonder your Dad has been a little overly excited about this Thanksgiving.” Jared was asleep, but woke up in a hurry and gave me a long awaited for hug! It felt so good to be home. We were spoiled rotten the whole week. We saw two movies at the theatre, decorated the house for Christmas, ate out at half a dozen restaurants, bumped into a few cousins, celebrated Ryan’s 19th birthday, played a Turkey bowl Thanksgiving morning, had Thanksgiving dinner with my Dad’s side of the family, got all our Christmas shopping done and wrapped, went running in Provo, and performed sealings in the new Oquirrh Mountain temple with my parents. All these events together= one fantastic week in Utah!
The Traditional Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowl. Yes, I am the only girl that ever plays. My sister, Megan and her husband, Brandon bought a dog this weekend and named it Charley!
Ah, the Gateway Mall! My brother Ryan, Joe, and I (Above). My sister Megan and I (Below).
We surprised Joe’s family on Tuesday night at his brother Adam’s wrestling match. Joe and I walked into the dimmed high school gymnasium, went over to where his family was sitting, and sat down right next to Joe’s father, Kelly. Joe wrapped his arm around Kelly and asked if he could sit there. Kelly’s face was priceless. He stared at Joe as if he were a ghost and uttered, “You look a lot like my son, but I know you can’t be!” He said it was when he saw me there at Joe’s side that he finally believed it was us. Joe’s Mom too began to shriek and yell in excitement! It was such a fun family moment! Like I said, it was well worth the long hours of driving. We stayed at Joe’s family’s house that evening and I knew that Joe would be up late to hang out with his brother Ben, who he had not seen since he left for his mission in October of 2007. We played cards, Text twist, looked at photo albums, and ate yummy treats. The next morning was when we went running in Provo (a request of mine) and it actually turned into a family run. Joe, Ben, Adam, and I all went out for about 4 miles and it felt glorious to run along side my favorite stretch of mountain peaks that I have been missing.
And the best part is, we get to go back for Christmas!! Thanks for a good time family!
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