Am I My Sister's Keeper?

Since my post was for last week, I will write another one as my break today! Sometimes I wish mom and I were not on the same page all the time cause we were both sick this weekend :( It sounds like she got it worse than me. I tried to still make the most of my weekend but still take it easy. So here is the logistics of  the weekend and then Ill end with some thoughts...
Friday, Amy and I took out Madison for her Birthday dinner and then came home got in my pjs and Amy walks in my room and asks if I want to go on a double date with her in 15 minutes. Um... do I have to? Yes, I went and it was really fun. The guy I went with, his date backed out at the last minute. They are boys from the ward, we have played ping-pong with them a few times and then they came over on Monday to watch the Ducks vs Buckeyes game. They really enjoyed trying to enlighten me on actors and actresses and different tv shows. I think nothing stuck- I really dont mind being naive when it comes to world facts haha. So, I went with this guy and he is really nice, we played krokee (spelling?) and then got really yummy hot chocolate. I had a lot of fun and I hope that Amy did too. (I am making more friends in the ward). Saturday, I cleaned the church and then tried to get out of a soccer game because I was feeling worse. Yep, they needed me so I played- we won I struggled breathing half the time. I am NOT in sprinting condition- it is now tuesday and I am still sore! Sunday- church, it was warm so I went on my walk, met every new person that came to ward prayer and then stopped by a few apartments to get to know them better which was really good. Monday- NO School! slept in and made a dutch oven lunch with Eden and Dakota and then took to attempting to understanding my Organic Chemistry class. I think I got it- but it sure took me awhile. I got in touch with my hippie side and looked in my Natural Medicine Encyclopedia and found a root that helps with the common cold-  I found a herbal tea that contained this root and is supposed to help so I have been drinking it and have been feeling a lot better. (not sure if its placebo or not but heck Im just glad that I can breath and hear again with just an occasional cough).
    Ok some thoughts that I am going to continue to study this week is the question, "Am I my Sister's Keeper?" Last thursday I was getting ready for the day after swimming and I ended up talking with another RM- we talked about different companions and she somehow ended up telling me that she had had a companion that struggled with depression/bipolar and ended up going home from the mission. She talked about how now she realizes that that companion is no longer her responsibility- she doesn't have to solve her problems any more and thats okay. I agreed ( and I still do to some extent). Well, Saturday I get a text from a previous comp that says, "I think I am ugly." That was it- the conversation I had on Thursday came to my mind and to be honest I was a little irritated by the text thinking really, you have learned nothing. I reacted (when I should have acted) and replied, "What? Why?" I ended up sending her a few more texts asking her who made her? Heavenly Father. If Heavenly Father made you then you are beautiful because He does not mess up. I told her that we are all different and that even though it is hard to put aside the worlds opinions, it is Heavenly Father's opinion that matters the most. We will be attracted to different things and we are not going to fit everyone's type of attraction and if they dont think we are pretty then we should look for someone that does. I told her of one of my favorite songs, "Beautiful for Me" that I found on my mission when I was just having a day where I was down on myself. It was few texts from me that I responded to in between sections of my reading- not much time sacrificed. Then Monday, she texts me again to thank me for what I had said because it meant a lot to her. FB today, "I am beginning to feel that I am beautiful." I didn't really do much- I could have followed the thursday conversation and brushed her off thinking, "She is no longer my responsibility; someone else can help." I am so glad that I did not do that. That is when I started thinking of what it means to be my sisters keeper. I have been placed in peoples lives to be an angel for them- to say what they needed to hear not because I know what needs to be said; because I allow the Lord to work through me. There was no preemptive thinking just what came to mind. I know  I cannot spend all of my time just catering my time to a single individual but I am glad that she felt comfortable to text me and that I did not pass the opportunity to serve. So for now, being my sister's keeper means allowing the Lord to work through me to help anyone that I have come in contact with (people in high shcool, Tal or Raghad in Israel, all the people from the mission, and so many more) Its those spiritual moments that give me perspective again; give me a rejuvenation to work hard and gain my education to be able to help even more people. I love the gospel. I love being one of Heavenly Father's angels. I love you all! And I LOVE the Lord! 

Sick...but still a couple thoughts

How can I be sick so long? I had a cold, no big deal, for 3 weeks during the holiday. The cough never went away. I then do a 5 day liquid cleanse and on the 4th day, get  a fever that seems to last forever. I was pretty much in bed over the weekend. Yesterday is a wash. Now it's Tuesday. I know I'm feeling better because I'm not so achey, but I still feel crappy. And the cough is still there. I laugh because even though I'm  doing nothing I still make chips and guacamole for a birthday party, sit in the car so Julie can drive and get things done, feed the missionaries, make Sunday dinner, feed the missionaries, did the wash and make a few phone calls. I am so done with this. I think Nyquil for a couple days is too much for me. Just can't focus.

Anyways, thoughts? I can do anything. I don't work. I like to get things done and like to see things accomplished, but it's really nice to have a nice home and the ability to take it easy. I see you kids growing up and starting your own lives. It makes me happy and I'm proud of you. I see Jamie with George and how much fun she is having being a new mom - I hope all of you get a baby like George (at least for your first one).

I don't know how we're going to keep together and keep things going over the years. I do my best, but I realize that not everyone will be happy. I need to figure out Peru in May and then see if we can get together before Katie leaves on a mission. Everyone's got priorities which are important and it will only get more complicated. Life is full of so many possibilities and because of Dad we have so many possibilities. (And maybe even more because of me because I am not a woman who needs to spend lots of money on me or my clothes or on my home). Be good stewards of the opportunities you have.

God is Good Always. (as Cass always says). LISTEN.

xo Mommy

Missionary Work and George

Alright, so this past week. George is more mobile. He can turn like a clock and face any direction he wants. He likes rolling onto his side and is getting close to rolling from his back to his stomach and vice versa. He will be rolling all over the room soon. He likes being scared. The more he jumps the more he laughs. He is also very vocal- not necessarily unhappy but just loud sometimes. He gets distracted while eating too. He'll stop and look up, kinda like a child peeking around the corner and then when he gets caught, turns abruptly and acts shy. He likes songs more now. He especially likes Raffi and Disney songs. Jon even got the guitar out and sang a live version of Raffi's 'Bananaphone' that George especially liked.

I've been helping the missionaries out a lot. The sisters were without a car and I had an investigator over to our house who came to church. The sisters taught her the Word of Wisdom and then committed her to live it, without telling her the blessings. They emphasized that it was a revelation from our prophets and that prophets are the mouthpiece of the Lord and she committed to give up her coffee- just like that. No questions asked. Then I gave them a ride on P-day from a Drs appointment, to the library and back home. Then I took them out to Greene County- about 20-30 minutes away to a member's house (a man) whose brother lives with him and is investigating the church. Then I went with the elders to a lesson with a member- an inactive member who doesn't remember the last ward that had her records (because she's been inactive for that long). It went really well. They were teaching Alma 32 on faith and asked me to share a testimony on how it's helped me. After, she just up and says, "I'd like to come to church on Sunday". Sadly she didn't come. She had forgotten that she had offered to babysit for someone.

We recently got a membership to the YMCA. Saturday we went and Jon took George to the pool while I worked out, then we were going to switch. I could see them from the elliptical machine upstairs through a window, so that was fun. When I was heading down the stairs I was careless for just a moment and took a longer stride than the stair. By so doing, I missed the next step and when I landed my ankle twisted and I collapsed. It seemed alright- a little sore, but just like it had been twisted. About 6 hours later my ankle decided to become stiff and swell like a golf ball was in there. So I have a sprained ankle. Fun stuff.

Also, Friday night we had our married student institute class. Saturday Jon had a friend over, and Sunday was church and we had choir afterwards and that evening I talked with Jim and Janet Danials. For those of you who don't know, I contacted them after finding that they had done some work on the Davis side. Janet is our 4th cousin twice removed and Mom's 4th cousin once removed. I forgot to ask if they had kids but they joined the church back in the 70s and I know they have one son (at least) who would be Mom's 5th cousin. So I feel like things have been busy.

I'm trying to think of where my thoughts have been and I'm not entirely sure. I miss George pulling his hair and looking at me with this look of "This hurts Mom. Why are you doing this to me?" Such a sad look but funny at the same time. I miss his hair sticking up- it still does sometimes but it lays down more. And spiritually I've been thinking about my testimony. The experience I shared with Alma 32 was when I first started gaining my own personal testimony. We were raised with good parents who taught us well and I don't feel I ever really doubted much, but there was a time I consider the turning point in forming my own testimony- knowing it was true for myself. Mom had me talk to Sister Barrus and ask how I could best prepare for seminary (she was going to be my Freshmen teacher). She told me to read the Book of Mormon. It was the first time I read it on my own and when I got to Moroni it tells us to reflect and ponder and pray if these things are not true. I started thinking about everything we're taught. Then I started imagining a world with no Book of Mormon. No God who loves His children. No prophets. No Jesus Christ. The picture was very hopeless. In coordination with Alma 32 I decided I WANTED to believe. That desire was all I needed. Then I felt a peace as I started to accept the things I had been taught and things I've learned since then have only strengthened my testimony. But for me, it started with a choice. A choice based on a desire to believe. This church is good soil and the desire was all that was needed for the seed to grow.

Roadblocks Build Character

Week one is past and done- week two is going a bit smoother. I came into the semester with lots of questions- so far no answers just fingers pointing in a different direction- go talk to this person or that one or my favorite, "You will just have to research that." Well no duh, how much are you getting paid to tell me nothing? Obviously, I have not been as patient or understanding as Heavenly Father would prefer, Im sure I will let it go eventually ;) All I know is I know that I have never looked back and told Him that I didn't like the results- so I know that once I look back on this I won't be disappointed. So I must continue to walk until I know exactly what needs to be done. I liked the recent post (I think by mom- that talked about realizing all the things we have done and how much good we do) I am trying to do that right now as I become frustrated to realize that I have found what I want to do with my life and so what if it takes a little bit longer to finish school to get there- why did I expect that there would suddenly be no more road blocks. Silly me, road blocks build character! It is not all smooth but I know the direction and the place I am trying to get there, now its just being creative, happy and getting there.
Spiritual thought- so I really enjoyed this sunday's talks, my writings of Isaiah class and then studying the visiting teaching message while working at the temple. This morning was early- I am not a fan of waking up at 5 but I really like working at the temple so it stays. I was actually given study time and it was great because I read the visiting message about obedience and was able to just think about how that principle has really blessed my life. I thought of the woman in Nain in Kings somewhere, when Elijha goes to the woman and asks for water and food and she says she is gathering sticks to make the last food for her and her son and then to die. He still asks that she feed him first and then make for her family. She trusts, obeys and is blessed to make it through the famine. We have been asked to do a lot of different things, sometimes we don't know the blessings that will follow, sometimes it is so hard to be obedient when it would be easily rationalized to do the opposite; but we have to trust the Lord's commandments and trust that it will all work out. I thought of how this relates to college kids- we often become complacent or upset about rules and try to not follow them. One of late that I see, is this fight to have beards, I think it is so dumb. If you want a beard go to a different school- you signed up for BYU and all the rules that apply, if you do not like them leave. Its simple things like that; no their salvation is not on the line but I would rather just be obedient than go through life fighting where the line should be.
Lifes Facts: School is hard. One of my teachers is extremely picky with his words which makes his quizzes hard! My intro to organic chemistry is a struggle to remember what I learned 2 years ago- aka nothing! And its a new topic everyday! But hey there is a good looking guy that I sit with; so I am trying to count my blessings haha! Well, I wrote this last week and then forgot to finish it; but, I love you lots and miss Christmas break already!