Day 91 - Way 91

It’s not that usual when everything is beautiful
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

The sky knows when its time to snow
You don’t need to teach a seed to grow
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

Life is like a gift they say
Wrapped up for you everyday
Open up and find a way
To give some of your own

Isn’t it remarkable?
Like every time a raindrop falls
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

Birds in winter have their fling
And always make it home by spring
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

When you wake up everyday
Please don’t throw your dreams away
Hold them close to your heart
Cause we are all a part
Of the ordinary miracle

Ordinary miracle
Do you want to see a miracle?

It seems so exceptional
Things just work out after all
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

The sun comes up and shines so bright
It disappears again at night
It’s just another ordinary miracle today

It’s just another ordinary miracle today

(Sarah Mclachlan, Ordinary Miracle)

I have included a video with this song, at the bottom of this post. Tonight I went to a benefit concert for a loving couple in our neighborhood who is facing cancer head on. One of the men from my singles ward sitting next to me said, "I'm amazed by this community. I haven't lived here very long, but this community just does so much for each other, its amazing." I couldn't be more proud of my neighbors and friends that really are there to support one another, especially in the tough times. One of the performances was a dance by a group of 7 sisters and it was to this song. Somehow in the last few months, this song has come back to me over and over, reminding me that there are miracles occurring everyday. Ordinary miracles that make life extraordinary. I love the line in this song, " Life is like a gift they say, Wrapped up for you everyday, Open up and find a way, To give some of your own."

Today's miracle is this, over 200 people, most of whom had never met this sweet and cherished couple, came to a park on a hot Monday evening and donated hundreds if not thousands of dollars to a loving family, because......it was the right and better thing to do. Isn't it a miracle that so many people can see, that among all the good things to do, there is a better part, we just have to choose it.

Although most of these people that gathered together will never read this, I want to "publicly" thank them for giving away their ordinary miracle today.

Day 76, 77, 78, 79,80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85,86, 87,88, 89, 90 - Way 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85,86, 87,88, 89, 90

Day 76- My cousin Josh had on opportunity to speak in church today before leaving for his mission. Although I was unable to attend because I was sick, we did go visit his family afterward to express our support for him.

Day 77- I got to spend all day with my bosses kids today. We spent the morning at the house just playing and doing artwork and practicing letters and numbers. Then in the afternoon we went to Lagoon. I love Lagoon. I especially love going to Lagoon with kids that still find joy and happiness in the little things. I really had a ton of fun and we were only there for the afternoon.

Day 78- Not really sure what i did on June 17th. Either I spent time with an old friend today, or it was the next day, whichever, I was grateful to have time with her.

Day 79- Today I got to experience the miracle of sibling love. A good friend of mine Aaron Conder had his birthday party today. He had music and dancing and tons of food, but the best part of the whole night was when his brother, my good friend Clay got up and proposed a toast to his brother. He was so sincere and honest about the great qualities he can see in his brother. I cried because I felt so honored not only to be friends with both of these amazing guys, but especially to be there when they demonstrated true brotherly love.

Day 80- I went hiking up near Brighton ski resort with a great guy. This guy has been around the world climbing mountains wherever he goes, so I asked him to please help me get in shape so I could do more hiking this summer. We had so much fun. I really enjoyed our conversations. We have so much to talk about, it was just awesome. Of course, I didn't think to put sunblock on my legs and arms, so I was burnt to a crisp. Somehow especially around my ankles. Anyway, it was a great day, that I won't soon forget.

Day 81- Today I just kept ice and aloe on my burns, otherwise I was so tired, I forget what else I did.

Day 82- On Saturday, I was able to go on another date with another guy! Yikes two dates in one week! We went to breakfast and to the farmers market! It was great. This was really only the second time I had met this guy, so it was good to go out and do things together that allowed us to talk and get to know each other better. It will be great to get to know him better.
This afternoon, I threw a Bridal Shower for my best friend Beezer. It turned out pretty good. I had help from Beezer's parents and sister as well as Bryce's sister. I had fun seeing her being celebrated. It was great to see her so happy. After the shower I went with my roommate Sarah and her parents to the Manti Pageant. We were really late, but we got to see the end of it. After the pageant we stayed in Ephraim at the Willow Creek Inn.

Day 83- We got back to Salt Lake just before church was about to start, but my ankles hurt real bad from my burns, so I didn't go. I just spent the whole day at home.

Day 84- Another one of those days, where I just don't remember what I did. Mostly I was in pain from my ankles.

Day 85- Today was election day. I served as a poll manager in West Valley City. I love the opportunity to serve my country in this capacity. I prefer doing it in my own area though. I need to try to get assigned to my neighborhood. I like seeing people I know.

Day 86-Just went to school today.

Day 87- Today I ran a lot of errands. I am trying to get caught up on all the things I've been falling behind on.

Day 88- I went to my bosses house to create layouts for our website that I will be working on for the next month. It was great to finally get it all down on paper. The rest of the day I worked on a paper for one of my classes.

Day 89- I got to babysit for my neighbors today, with my roommate Mandy. It was a lot of fun. After babysitting I talked with my neighbor for about an hour or two. I am so grateful that I have friends that I can talk to and be able to spend time with.

Day 90- Sunday, June 29th I went to church today. While I was at church, I came to an understanding, I was blessed to have a paradigm shift in my thinking about life and I feel like this change in thought is a real miracle. I have had this realization that although I am an adult, I can and must ask for help. I can not be expected to face all of my problems and struggles and trials alone. The Lord will continue to bless me, but I must be willing to accept the blessings however they come.

Often time in life, we are asked to be the instruments in the Lords hands, so that he might provide blessings to others. I am frequently trying to be that instrument. I never realized that I would need to learn to accept that other people will need to be the instruments blessing my life. I must accept the miracles that will come into my life, and sometimes I'm going to have to ask for them. I know I need help. Today, I finally took the first step toward asking for help. I am still an adult and I am still capable of doing things independently, but as an adult, I am also accepting the reality that I CAN"T DO EVERYTHING ON MY OWN. I am so grateful for this miracle.

Day 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66,67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75 - Way 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75

OK, I apologize again, I would like to get better at this...

Here we go, let's get started!

Saturday (61)May 31- We flew to Florida today! In Mini Soda we were delayed due to lightning on the airstrip. We arrived safely in Florida around 11:30pm. It was great to have all of my siblings together! It's interesting how well we can get along as adults!

Sunday (62) June 1- Today DeLacy, my oldest sister and Tony's wife bore her testimony in sacrament meeting. She bore witness that there is safety and happiness in the gospel. After church, we went to the primary room for Tony's baptism program. The program included an opening hymn and prayer. Then I spoke on baptism and the covenants that are made at baptism. I based this talk off of the article on baptism in True to the Faith. Following my talk a friend of Tony's spoke on the Holy Ghost. Afterward, Tony was baptized by Elder Holloway. Then we heard a musical number that had been tape recorded by Grandma Maxwell. The closing hymn was "How Great Thou Art" which is one of Tony's favorite hymns. After the closing prayer, we visited with a few members of the ward. Then we went to a members home for dinner with the missionaries. After dinner, we spent the evening with the missionaries. It was a really nice way to end the day.
I am so very grateful that we were able to show Tony support and love this day as a family. I am grateful to our loving Heavenly Father for giving Tony the spiritual guidance he needed to make this decision. I am grateful that my parents are setting the example of making the gospel their number one priority, as that is a true testament of the significance of the gospel in their lives.

Monday (63) Today we all flew back home from Florida, it was the shortest trip we will probably ever take to Florida, but definitely the most important and meaningful trip.

Days 64-75 Although a lot happened during these days, I didn't really keep track of what happened on each day, so I will not be writing these things here. What I do want to mention is attitude. A young women's president from when I was younger, used to always say ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING!
I couldn't agree more. Let's discuss this here.

What has happened the past 2 months while my parents have been serving their mission:
Arthur Jr. and Douglass (my siblings) separated their shoulders
Douglass and Tony (also siblings) got HIT BY TWO SEPARATE VEHICLES while riding their bikes on two separate days in two separate states
Tony discovered he likely has diabetes
Douglass was fired for missing work, due to being HIT BY A CAR
Arthur Jr. had a MAJOR change in one of his important personal relationships that he could not do anything to improve the situation.


And yet:
My family is stronger, more united, more humble, more grateful, more prayerful, and truly more blessed! None of the things that have happened to us that might be considered negative have changed our commitment and love for our Savior Jesus Christ. I believe we know now, more than ever before how much our Savior loves us. We are grateful for the support that we receive from those around us that have buoyed us up and helped us to see the positive in all the opportunities and challenges that we have faced.




Monday (63)