Day 471 Way 471

Yesterday a friend reminded me that I hadn't been working on this blog at all in a long time. I didn't cry. Today I talked to my dad on skype, I didn't cry. Tonight, I looked at a picture of my parents in Japan, smiling with a group of young missionaries and Japanese young adults, and I cried. About a year and a half ago someone told me that it would take a few months, but eventually the crying would stop. I guess she was mostly right, because it isn't every time that I think about them that I cry, but I do still cry. It just takes something like this picture to make me realize how lucky the people in Japan are to have them around all the time. On a daily basis my mommy and daddy are smiling at people, and with people, and I can only imagine the feeling those people must feel when my parents smile. It could be one of my most favorite things to see on this earth. Their real genuine and sincere smiles are full of love for every Child of God. I pray that the people in Japan....missionaries, members, investigators and friends can feel that love.

Day 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162 - Way 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162

I must start this post by saying that the following days were very emotional for me. Many of the things that happened in these few days were very personal to me, so I will not go into much detail. I apologize for the short descriptions.

Thursday (151) Today I visited a couple doctors offices to try to get some understanding about why I have been sick the last three months. Although they were not able to answer all of my questions, I have faith that if I will put my trust in my Savior, I will find peace and comfort.

Friday (152) I got to spend a little time with a friend today for his birthday. I took him a birthday cake and that made him pretty happy! I also got to continue the tradition of volunteering at my high school with my brother as spotters for the home football games. I'm grateful that my parents taught us the importance of volunteerism.

Saturday (153) Thank heavens for the miracle of my BYU football team. Although my mommy and daddy weren't physically at the game, I felt like they were there in spirit. I also got to take a couple pictures with me to the game, as I will for all of the games. These pictures were taken at the very last home game that my parents went to before their mission. Although to some it may not make much sense, I feel so close to my parents when I am at these games, because my parents made sure that for MY ENTIRE LIFE, literally from the year I was born until now, I was able to go to ALL the BYU football home games. I am grateful for my parents for giving me this great tradition!


Sunday (154)In Sunday school today we learned about the things we must do to keep the spirit with us in our lives. Our Sunday School teacher asked us to contemplate the question: How safe am I? We were asked to think about the things that we do in our lives and decide if those things are helping us to grow or if they are harming us. I really liked that question How safe am I? I hope to ask myself that each day as I make decisions that will have an effect on my future.

Monday (155)Labor Day. I really could have made better use of this free day. Oops.

Tuesday (156)A new employee started at my office today. I got to train her on all the important things to remember in our office. It was a little bit bitter sweet to train her though, because I realized that meant I wouldn't be doing all the things that I was training her to do. I only cried once though, and luckily not in front of her! I am grateful that my Heavenly Father has given me the peace and comfort I needed to be able to accept this change in my life.

Wednesday (157)I trained our new employee some more today. I also got to go to a movie in the evening with my roommate Mandy. We saw Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. I really enjoyed the movie and want to read the books now. I was grateful to be able to spend time with Mandy. It really helped me and cheered me up after my day of farewells to more of my old job.

Thursday (158)Got a lot of reading done at work today. I feel more prepared to build the website for my work now. I am grateful for this opportunity because I know it will help me to develop my resume and help me to know what I want to do with my new skills!

Friday (159) I took the day off today. Didn't do really much of anything! In the evening I went with my friends to a German restaurant to celebrate Germany Day! Then I went to my friend Tim's house so he could show me pictures from his trip to Peru. It was really awesome to see the places he visited and the mountains he climbed. I would love to visit those places some day. He also brought me back a rock from the top of an active volcano that he climbed in Peru. It is really awesome!

Saturday (160) I went to my friends soccer game today, then my best friend Beezer and I got to get her wedding pictures printed for her wedding album. Then I went to the state fair with my roommmate Mandy. It was really fun to look at my brothers pictures and then we watched for a few minutes to listen to the comments of people that noticed his pictures. I love my brother and am proud of him for finding something he loves and working hard to develop his talents.

Sunday (161)We had a family get together this evening. Each month our extended family on my moms side gets together to have family home evening. This month the theme of the evening was "getting to know Robby" Robby is my cousin Erin's fiance. We were all so very excited to meet him and visit with him. I had not made a decision about how I felt about Erin marrying him, but after meeting with him and being able to talk with him for a while, I felt an instant connection with him. I know he is supposed to be the man my cousin marries. He is not anything like the guy I would have guessed she would eventually marry, but he is soooo perfect for her. I am so excited to have him as a cousin! Also at the family home evening, I brought along a man that blessed our families lives a few months ago. I asked that Jay, the Elder that baptized my brother-in-law Tony, come to meet our extended family. I know that he means a lot to this family, so I wanted to make sure that the family could get to know him better.

Monday (162) Today I mailed the tape of the BYU vs. Washington game to my parents. This game was really intense, down to the last second! Then I took Doug to the bank so he could cash a check and pay his rent. When I got home, I spent the afternoon typing this blog post! I am grateful for the opportunity I have to reflect on the blessings in my life each day.

Day 147, 148, 149, 150 - Way 147, 148, 149, 150

Sunday (147) Today I witnessed the miracle of the restored organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Today I was given a calling, which in this church means that I have been asked to fulfill a necessary role in establishing and improving the Lords kingdom on earth. The calling which I have been given, I believe is meant specifically for me at this time, because of faith and prayers and communication I have had with my Heavenly Father the last few weeks and months. I truly believe it to be an inspired call. Boyd K. Packer gave an address on callings. I have included it as a link within this post.

Monday (148) I was able to apply for and get a job today that will help me as I prepare to further my career. I believe it is the perfect job for me at this time and I am so excited to get started. I will be substitute teaching! YEAH!

Tuesday (149) I am grateful for family. Isn't it great! I think I've used this blessing at least 2 times a month, since I started this blog. But it is so true. I can't think of anything more perfect than that. I just love all of them and today I got to talk to each of them for a minute and that was great!

Wednesday (150) Can you believe it 150 days since my parents left! Just about 5 months ago! I do not know how time can fly so fast. Every day, has been a struggle, but every day I hope I have been growing stronger. I have learned to do a lot of things for myself that I wasn't expecting. I have also learned to take care of others in a way that I was not expecting. Today, for just a brief moment, I got to talk to a cousin whose parents served in the same mission that my parents are currently serving in. I asked her how she and her siblings did it. She (thankfully) admitted that it was HARD. That it took a toll on her family. Her sister especially. But they made it. She told me that she would have her sister call me once she gets out of the hospital! She just had a baby!!! I can't wait! Hopefully I can go visit with her and her new baby and chat about the stresses of having parents on a mission and the joys and blessings that inevitably come! I know that I have been blessed, and I am soooooo very grateful for Elder Ballard's challenge to share the gospel by "joining the conversation" about the church and the blessings we receive as we live faithful to the Lords commandments. Whether or not anyone ever reads these words, I will have a wonderful record of the blessings I receive from living faithful and allowing my parents the opportunity to go and serve the Lord and his children in Japan.

Day 145, 146 -Way 145, 146

Friday (145) Today I am again grateful for my friends in the geography department at the University of Utah. I am proud to say that I am a geography department Alum. I know that I learned so much there and I am grateful for everyone in the department that had some kind of influence on me. I went to our department fall picnic today and just felt so at home with everyone there. Throughout the picnic many people encouraged me to start grad school at the U, so now I've got that on my plate to consider!

Saturday (146) Good friends, good roommates, good uncles, good pets. I am grateful for all of them. I am also grateful for my parents and their encouragement and advice. I wish they could see my perspective more often, but I know there will always be a blur between what I see and what my parents see.

Day 143, 144 - Way 143, 144

Wednesday (143) Wow, I can't believe I am about to say this, but today I am grateful for the University of Utah. Let me quickly clarify. I am grateful for the University of Utah Geography Department. I feel like I am part of a family of geographers whenever I am around anyone from the department and I feel so blessed to be part of that family. Today I went shopping with the geography department secretary and the student president of geography club. There is a picnic in the park on Friday and I volunteered to go with them to do shopping for the picnic. It was a lot of fun and I was very happy to do it, even at 8:30 in the morning! I am also grateful for Beezer, Bryce, pirates and wheelchairs!

Thursday (144) I feel so blessed to have a safe and well built home to come home to. I got a sign at the thrift store yesterday that I put on the front door of my house. It reads "My house is clean enough to be healthy and dirty enough to be happy!" Although, it would be cool to have a room or two that look like Better Homes and Gardens rooms, I am so grateful that I don't feel pressure to make this house like that. I am grateful that my house can look and feel like a home! I am also grateful for prayers, humility, patience and forgiveness.

Day 141, 142 - Way 141, 142

Monday (141) I am grateful for inspiration. I wish I could be more in tune and listen more intently to the inspiration I receive, however. I want to be more aware of what the Lord would have me do and not do, so that I don't have to make mistakes to find out I was wrong.

Tuesday (142) Today more than ever, I am grateful for my roommate Mandy. She is in my house for a reason. She is a strong rock to hold me steady and remind me where my focus should be. I am grateful for our friendship. She has given me hope when I need it the most. She reminds me daily of the strength I can have and need to have to get through this life.

Day 138, 139 - Way 138, 139

Friday (138)
The most important and significant thing that happened today is the simple inspiration I received so that I could find my scriptures, which had been missing for a few months. I was just about to go buy new ones, but I prayed about it one last time, and immediately knew where to look to find them. I am grateful for that miracle in my life.

Saturday (139)
Today I was able to spend time with my roommates from college. I love these girls and their spouses and children. We will be friends forever, because we have been with each other through ups and downs. I am so glad we got to spend time together!

Sunday (140)
If I could rewind today, I probably would have made more of an effort to see that miracles could happen. As it was, I woke up very sick and stayed in bed late intot he morning. Then I sat at home for the remainder of the day doing things of little significance. I will try to sleep well tonight, so that I can go to work refreshed tomorrow.