Domingo en Puerto Maldonado - May 17, 2015

It's almost 5pm and I'm sitting in the hotel. Katie got a sharp pain in "her lower area" so we are resting a bit. It's a nice "r" hotel, actually nicer than the one in Lima. So I thought I'd spend a little time and write.

We expected Puerto Maldonado to be hot and humid. It usually is. It really hasn't been too bad. It's rained quite a bit and it seems that rainy season is lasting longer this year. It's obviously been humid, but not overly hot and actually nice. (I'm wearing jeans at the moment). 

My first impression of Puerto was "wow, this is really poor". Everything looks old and dirty and almost falling down. The moto cars are run down and dirty too. People didn't seem to be smiling much. Kind of depressing and thinking, "What did Carly think when she was sent here for her first area? She was expecting a quaint, old, historical city with the temperatures around 70. She must have been in shock and I didn't even know. All I remember is Dad telling me everyday what the "real" temperature was and that her goal of being the cute missionary was out the window and the new goal was drink lots of water." I felt bad.

Now after being in the jungle a couple days and seeing things and learning things it's different. There's a respect for things. Like Monkey Island - it's a natural reserve, but the guides take you there and you feed the monkeys bananas. It's pretty awesome. Then some monkeys are more aggressive and you have to be careful. Now the monkeys know that when the people are there they will be fed. More monkeys are coming and they are staying in that area. They are interbreeding and when that happens they become extinct. And we were at an ecolodge. I'm sure there are other places that don't respect nature as much. I know there are many wonders of the Amazon. Trees that need sunlight to survive. Walking trees that form roots to move and let others die, trying to get to the sunlight. Only the strong survives. There are many uses and natural medicines that come from the jungle. We ate suri last night. They are a thick worm that grows in decomposing aguaje palms. Dad and I only ate one - gooey and when I got to the crunch I knew what that was. Carly and Cassie ate five or six. They are suppose to be good for everything respiratory. There are similar plants and flowers and trees and density like Hawaii. 

We spend most of the day yesterday with the Condori Family. Carly lived there as an Hermana. Sis. Condori, "Mamacita" has a little market and then a family room with a long table like ours. The chairs and couch aren't really comfortable and are closer to the ground. Then there's a kitchen area and then a patio/hallway area. Beyond that it is rooms and the missionaries live in one of the rooms. One of the first things I noticed was on the wall was a picture of her and her husband. To the left is a picture of the First Presidency and to the right, the picture of Christ knocking on the  door. Good people and great family. I felt love for each other, for the missionaries, for their friends that stopped by and for us. We laughed and had fun as we went in the back of a truck to a reserve area where there is a lookout tower and ate lunch. It was really quite beautiful and a resort area feel. In the evening we watched the finale of a show called Yo Soy. I guess like American Idol, but they impersonate famous singers. It was quite funny and very melodramatic. We've rode moto cars and walked a lot. Some paved streets and lots of gravel muddy streets. I'm sure we stand out. We get lots of stares and smiles. We look odd I'm sure. I seemed to get more out of church today, wrote in my journal and read the lessons during Sunday School and RS. In RS at the beginning everyone stood up and raised their hand and recited "Charity Never Faileth". It never does. Everyone is so friendly and of course expressed how wonderful Carly was. To think after 3 years (she's been home a year and a half and this was her first area so she came here almost 3 years ago - in August) everyone still greets her and remembers her. Everyone comes and greets us too. I wonder, "Why don't we do that in our wards back home?" I think we do to a small degree. One man who spoke was a drunk three years ago and was going to leave his pregnant wife. He spoke of having fhe with his family. The change that the gospel brings into our lives! There are five branches here. There's not enough worthy priesthood although it seemed there were at church. Carly says that tithing is a hard thing here. There are really good people here. Good families that need the ordinances of the temple. I found myself crying during the sacrament (surprised huh:) ). I want the Lord to bless them, but then a peace came over me when I realized he already is. And some of those blessings came through the service of my daughter, Carly. I feel humbled and honored and grateful. 

I'm so grateful to have this experience where we can meet the people that live here. That changes everything. Instead of thinking Puerto Maldonado is poor and dirty I think "This is really a cute, little town. I would like it here." 

When I think of what a couple days has done and meeting a few people, it gives me hope. The Lord judges us by our hearts. HIs perspective is already changed and he sees us differently. I am not poor and dirty. I am loving and strong and serving. 

Sent from my iPad

Miracle

So, instead of recounting last week I'm going to share one experience and highlights on George. George does this crawl thing where he is on one knee and one foot and he can go a few inches forward and kind of crawl, but he doesn't think he can, so if he looks up and sees me he gives up and starts crying. He is also gaining a LOT more balance as far as walking goes. He has stood by himself (for a very short amount of time) with no help from Jon or I or furniture. He can also walk along the edge of the couch and can sometimes walk with only holding onto one hand of ours for help. He may have a breakthrough with walking and crawling on the same day! We'll see though. He can also get from his tummy to a sitting position- and from a sitting position he can pull up on things- so we had to lower the mattress in his crib so he doesn't tumble out. (When I went to get him one morning he was sitting up- facing the wall luckily, but that was the day we lowered the mattress).

Experience: I woke up Friday morning with extreme back pain. I've never struggled with back pain until I was pregnant and this was different. It was more painful than gall stones and recovery and C-section recovery. It was the worst pain I've experienced and it was hard to move. It hurt to breathe, it hurt to stretch, I don't think I could lift above chest height and it was extremely painful lifting anything. I nursed George lying down and then when he was awake I kinda helped him drop to the ground. I let him play right next to me on the ground and I tried using these tennis balls that I have to stretch and possibly crack my back. It didn't help much but I knew I had to do something. I felt like if I moved too quick that I would end up paralyzed (which is a foolish explanation, because obviously I have no idea what kind of pain may lead up to being paralyzed). I had Jon crack my back twice and I tried multiple stretches. We went to Sam's Club and the car ride hurt. Normal turns, small rocks/pebbles/bumps hurt. Everything hurt. My laptop is very lightweight and it hurt to carry that and nothing else. I think George knew something was up because he was a little cranky. I still held him a lot, which hurt, but I needed help to pick him up if I was going to walk with him. The walking hurt too, but I can't just ignore George. So I put up with more pain than I would've normally but still wasn't functioning very well. After trying various stretches and trying to crack my back I told Jon I needed a blessing and then if things didn't start improving I didn't think I'd be able to make the 2 hr drive to the temple. So I got a blessing. It told me that I would receive immediate relief from my temple service and was blessed that I would be able to do the necessary things in my life. Well, from that, I felt like the pain would not go away UNTIL I either reached the temple, sometime in the temple or shortly after but that I would notice the immediate relief. And by relief I felt impressed that it was not a fix but just that the pain would be lessened.

Well, we drove to the temple and we hit an awful bump in the road. The bump would've hurt just by itself but I rammed my head into the ceiling of the car (and yes my seat belt was on) and I was in extreme pain for the next half hour. It was hard to feed George (I was spoon feeding him yogurt). Anyways, we got to the temple and dropped George off (babysitting was being provided for the 10 o'clock session). I grabbed a family name for Bishop's family and then went in. Since the temple is far away and we have George now, I have not been often enough to see all the new videos. I think I've seen one of them 3 times and then I saw a new one on Saturday which I really liked. It was a good experience and I felt like I received insights for myself. I was one of the slower people dressing with my back and there wasn't any relief yet. I got to the Celestial room and I felt relief. There was still a pain. It still hurt to move, but it didn't hurt to breathe. It didn't hurt to stay still. And the moving pain was lessened. When I went to pick up George it didn't hurt nearly as much and I carried the diaper bag (Jon carried George out) with very little pain. It still hurts now as I'm typing this but I can't tell you how much of a difference I noticed. It's hard to turn at night and I feel pains here and there, but more just like a backache or like it's recovering from being pulled. And, most importantly, I can pick up and lay George down in his crib.

I also want to quickly say Happy Mother's Day to Mom! I am very glad for her example and for her selfless service to us. I know she loves us and would do anything for us.

Breadcrumbs

Alright, so this week. George is trying to walk and crawl but is unsuccessful at both. He is great at scooting backwards though and has scooted himself under the coffee table and then cries because he can't lift up his head (it's cute and almost makes you want to laugh, except he's crying). I went visiting teaching this last week. My companion lost her husband in February and is still a newer member but she's doing so much better! She seems happier and stronger and is being a faithful visiting teacher.

 

Friday night jon drove out to Illinois for his children's choir concert. George and I went to institute graduation and sang with the choir. It turned out really well, and two people fought over holding George. :-) jon did a few Raffi songs with the kids and it turned out really well. He actually wrote music for three poems and wrote another song for them as well. One of the songs is called Banana phone and he brought bananas for props. He did another song where there's a musical break and they told Laffy taffy jokes for it. Oh, also, something happened to the accompanist earlier in the semester, so we invested in a guitar and Jon accompanied all the children's songs. Jon really enjoys it and he's putting  together a routine for kids. He plans to try it out on his nieces and nephews this summer. If you hear any song that you think might be good for a children's concert, let us know. We'll have to look into copyright stuff if he goes into it officially.

 

Saturday, I went to a baby shower for a friend. George picked out the dress I got for her little girl. I was holding up options when shopping and George got all excited and practically pounced on this one. It was a hot pink dress with a Navy blue elephant embroidered on it.

 

Spiritual thought comes from the Sunday school lesson today which I really liked. The teacher started off asking how we can make the most of our lessons and how can we know we're applying it. I started thinking that I should go into a lesson looking for something to impress me and then make a goal, whether it's to spend more time on my scripture study that week or something. Well I don't know of I made a goal yet but I was impressed with the lesson.

 

So, first I want to write the scriptural account, and then I'll follow with some of my varied thoughts. Matthew 15: 21-28, "Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord; yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour."

 

First we were asked to envision this in our minds. At first the Savior ignores her, but the disciples hear her and tell Christ to send her away. We speculated that Christ probably knew what was going on, yet still he ignored her. He says He came for the lost sheep of the house of Israel (and this woman is not of Israel, but Canaan). Then the woman comes and worships Him. And his response we discussed as being harsh. He basically called her a dog. We discussed what it meant to be "chosen" and what being of Israel meant. But in the Old Testament there was still missionary work done. And God is no respecter of persons. In Christ's time, the Jews saw Samaritans and Gentiles as unclean, not merely 'not chosen'. The teacher asked why Christ would appear to agree with the stereotypes of the time, when we know He loves ALL? I'm going to veer off and some of what I will say is my own thoughts and some of it came from others' thoughts from the lesson. I raised my hand and commented that Christ's ministry was a very short amount of time- just three years. He did not have time to visit every person. It did not mean He didn't love others, but He had to prioritize. This to me gives me an example, that sometimes we can't do everything. It is alright to prioritize. Christ needed to come unto the Jews to fulfill prophecy and also because there was an order to things. I wonder if Christ ignored her to test his disciples to see if any would see the need and take care of it without being told. We are told to be anxiously engaged and to not sit idly. We are told to not have to be told to do every little thing. Christ only addresses the woman after the disciples beg him to tell her to go away and then she comes forward and worships Him and THEN He addresses her. We know Christ did not consider her unclean or unworthy, because that would mean His love wasn't perfect. But yet his statement was so harsh, referring to her as a dog. Yet I think He knew what would be said. He knew what would happen. I think He meant this to be a teaching moment, even though part of it comes from the woman. Even the dogs get crumbs. Just because the children eat first doesn't mean the dogs do not. The Gospel is meant for all. Just because it went to the Jews first, doesn't mean it isn't meant for everyone. Being chosen means they were called to eat bread at the head table. It is then the chosen's job to share the bread, with others at other tables perhaps, or it becomes their responsibility to feed others. Being chosen means it is your responsibility to share the gospel and what you have. The teacher brought up how there is no explanation on this story, nor is it mentioned again. But I think it was important. I think it was helping prepare them to teach the Gentiles. Christ was not called to minister to the Gentiles but his apostles were sent out. When Peter has his dream about unclean foods and told that he shouldn't declare something unclean that the Lord has declared clean, Peter realizes this is meant to mean the Gentiles. They are not unclean and to preach the gospel to them. I wonder if this experience with the woman was preparing him for that though. A stereotype that you were raised with is hard to change in just one moment. We are taught to shampoo our hair and clean ourselves. If one day, in adulthood, we were all of a sudden told that it hurts us more than it helps, it would probably take us a little while to make the change. With this statement, Christ establishes an order of things. That order is still in effect today. The Prophet is the Prophet of the WORLD. But the Prophet, even with more than 3 years and airplanes and cars that make travel much faster, does not have time to minister to every person individually. There are Apostles, and Seventies, and Stake Presidents, and Bishops, and Home Teachers and Visiting Teachers that help divide the load and minister to every individual. Christ came FOR the whole world but came TO the Jews. The Bishop is in charge of his whole ward, yet Home Teachers are asked to serve their families when they can. In reality, it doesn't matter if we get the bread at the table or the crumbs. And in reality, crumbs are not a smaller amount, it just denotes we get it second. The blessings of the gospel do not come in smaller amounts to those who receive it second. All the blessings of the gospel can be anyone's, whether in this life or the next. I think this concludes my thoughts for now on this subject. I hope you all have a great week!

7 months and the Holy Ghost

So this last week- I feel like it was busy but I can't remember everything. Saturday we had a baptism and Jon did the baptism and confirmation. It was a very nice baptism and there were some very good talks. Earlier on Saturday Jon went to help a family move/clean and then went to another service project. Then I went to a baby shower. Then we had the baptism and then we had people over for Nintendo.

Sunday we had a Regional Conference broadcast from Salt Lake. There were problems with the audio and it was VERY hard to hear. I gave up on the woman speaker (she was pretty much inaudible- even when straining to hear) and didn't really get much out of any of the other talks. The whole time they were trying different things to try to solve the problem. I guess like 110 other locations were also having problems with the audio. We got the audio on in time for the last 10 minutes of the last speaker.



We still haven't heard about Jon's test- they still have another week to get back to us. But George is now 7 months and wants to walk (with help) and wants to move everywhere. He can scoot very well backwards but doesn't understand crawling forward (though at times I think he's close). We heard from the complex we will be moving into and they think they can get us in May 28th- which would be great!

George and I went to the library without Jon last week because Jon went out to Illinois for a make-up lesson day. George really likes playing with this one activity cube with a bead maze on top (the things with the wooden beads that are on metal wires that swirl around and such), and then has different things on the sides. One side has some gears glued on and George REALLY likes those.




At the baptism I was thinking about the Holy Ghost. I subbed for a Primary class back in the Westlake Ward and they had an analogy that I really liked. Imagine a boom box (with a analog radio dial). You have to be really careful to make sure you have the right station, if you go a little too far, you could miss the channel you're looking for. When you get the Gift of the Holy Ghost, you not only are told which channel the Holy Ghost speaks on, but you get a boom box- so you can take it with you wherever you go. I don't know that I believe that the Holy Ghost ever leaves you, even if you go to that party. I think sometimes when we know we are not doing something right, we choose to leave our boom box behind- but I feel it is us who chooses to do the leaving. Sometimes we choose to leave the boom box at home when we go to some party we feel isn't right, or do something we know to be wrong. Or sometimes we take the boom box with us but we turn it off. In the blessing we are told to "receive" the Holy Ghost. We have to be in tune to hear the Spirit and we have to make sure that any extra noise doesn't keep us from listening to the whisperings of the Holy Ghost.

Plan of Happiness

I read a good talk this week from Pres. Uchtdorf in 2008. It was "A Matter of a Few Degrees". I really liked it and I think it's one of those that you should keep and reread every now and then. http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/04/a-matter-of-a-few-degrees?lang=eng

"Remember: the heavens will not be filled with those who never made mistakes but with those who recognized that they were off course and who corrected their ways to get back in the light of gospel truth."

In Young Women's we've been talking about the Apostasy and the Restoration. God has a plan for all His children as a whole and for us individually. WE have the opportunity of basking in the light in the fullness of times. The priesthood of God is back on the earth, the same power by which the universe was created, and the only thing which limits our ability to exercise that power is the sanctity of our lives.

And Emma Homan gave her homecoming talk today. I think I cried more than I do at my own children's talks. This sweet girl, who many of us loved dearly, couldn't see her worth two years ago. No matter how much we loved her we couldn't make her feel it. I cried out of love and joy that our Father in Heaven has for all of us. I cried because she can finally see and feel His love. And oh, what joy that brings. What joy the gospel brings into our lives. She talked about how reading at least 10 minutes a day, praying and attending Church makes all the difference. She ended with a scripture in Alma that she said kind of described her life, and then her testimony in word and sign language.

Alma 26:15-
Yea, they were encircled about with everlasting darkness and destruction; but behold, he has brought them into his everlasting light, yea, into everlasting salvation; and they are encircled about with the matchless bounty of his love; yea, and we have been instruments in his hands of doing this great and marvelous work.

She also said that her mission was the hardest thing she's loved to do!

My message this week is that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the Plan of Happiness. It requires prayer and humility. It requires change. We live in the fulness of times and where much is given, much IS required. It is hard and we will love doing it. God loves us. We are continually encircled about with the matchless bounty of his love. We are to be instruments in his hands.

This I know.

With love,
Mommy

Stay in the boat and my first paid singing gig

This last week felt really busy to me. I had rehearsals every night and a performance Saturday. My first paid gig! If any are interested, it's,  "On the Transmigration of Souls" by John Adams. It's considered to be "minimalism"- I don't really know what that means but it's supposed to be about 9/11 and two climaxes, one when each tower is hit. There are times when the instruments sound like traffic and cars honking and it was REALLY hard to sing. Most of the times our notes were not played by any instrument and often clashed with what others were singing/playing. I was not part of the main chorus but a small children's chorus that's almost inaudible on some YouTube recordings. Anyways, it's a weird piece. It was moving, live. If you want to look it up I would recommend just jumping around and not listening to the whole thing. The last 5 minutes is after the choir is done singing. I think it was the most challenging piece I've ever sang, especially since I was a first alto and had weird jumps. My part went from an a below middle c to a g- the one just above the staff.

We had a few babysitters throughout the week and George seemed to have fun.

In other news, George got shots and we got a new (to us) toy. He's banging stuff so I got a drum thing with some attachments for $3.50.

I don't remember much else from the week.

Sunday, I fed Georgeat the end of sacrament, I went to the bathroom, then got settled in Sunday school and then realized George needed a diaper change and a change of clothes. So I missed Sunday school. I helped jon out in nursery the third hour. He has the best behaved nursery class I've ever seen. They have three nurseries and Jon is in the middle one. The door was opened and no one tried to escape. They sat for snack, listened to a lesson, no hitting or pushing, everyone helped clean up... anyways, I was impressed.

Jon had meetings after church, he didn't remember about one, that went til one, so we didn't plan to drive separately, but George was pretty good and he made friends with two twins in the other ward. They're a few months older than George, 2 or 3 months older and we know the parents and George has seen the parents but their twins have either been at home or sleeping when we've seen the parents. Last night we went to a fireside where a recent convert gave her conversion story and then we had an impromptu game night.

Oh, Jon had his retake exam on Friday and felt much better about things.

Spiritual thought- for Friday forum we listened to the talk that says to "stay in the boat". Because of George, I don't remember all of it but I started thinking of the Titanic. No boat is immune to sinking. We all can hit an iceberg. So we need to continue to make repairs when needed by going to church, reading scriptures, praying, going to the temple, etc. We need to be spiritually prepared for emergencies and make sure we have enough life boats. Plans may change but we need to stay afloat and keep heading towards our destination. Just because our mode of transportation may change temporarily doesn't mean we give up on our destination.

I am grateful for the Lord's hand in our Lives - April 19, 2015

So I haven't blogged for awhile - I don't know - just got out of the habit and fell into the pit of Danny, Carly, Cassie, Katie and Julie (don't know if we included Michelle, Jon and Dad). Some have written some and others none. Jamie has been the only consistent one.

I makes me think of the Old Testament when you'd get to the parts and So-and-So begat So-and-So, who begat So-and-So.... It's like catching up. Haha

I'm not going to do that. I'm just going to go from here.

So grateful for the Lord's hand in our lives so much lately. So grateful for the gospel and His blessings.

So happy Michelle and Danny's baby is doing well. Grateful that we could fast as a family and have a part in that blessing. With that, always grateful for George and how cute and wonderful he is! A week doesn't go by that someone doesn't say something about him (and he doesn't even live here and I'm not even social).

Happy that Julie is doing well and does well with me gone. It makes me sad sometimes that she doesn't seem to need me. Every weekend she has friends that she is hanging out with. It allows me to go and help Cassie with her kidney stone or go this past week when Carly graduated. AND with that, grateful that Dad supports me so I can do those things and helps out (or Danny and Michelle).

Carly is the first college grad. It was so intense and stressful her last week of school and the competition in Boise. She can handle stress, but when hours after her first thoughts were something about the competition - she just couldn't get her mind to stop.

Somehow we got through graduation and opened Katie's call - Piura, Peru. Still wake up and  have to say that to myself. It seems unreal, but so happy for that little tender mercy that will connect her and Carly. (In a way, a lot of Louisiana and Houston were a like too). I really didn't think Katie would wait a week to open her call - she did it!!! A mission in hard, but Katie will be a great missionary.

Cassie is getting through this semester. I know there were many times when she thought it wasn't possible, but she's got to feel proud of all the things she's accomplished and survived. Now the question will be, "Can she allow herself to slow down?"

So I'm in the process of planning the time left with Katie. I'm trying to consider everyone's demands and schedules. I wish life was more simple, but I'm good at trying to fit in as much as we can. I realize that life is changing and feel a little torn with my family (those not married) and those that are married and moving on with their family. I know things won't always seem fair or the way we would want them to be. (If everyone would just commit to live in the same place, but everyone needs to follow where the Lord wants them). This next Christmas Jon and Jamie will be in Utah (?) and Danny and Michelle will be in GA (?). Carly's program is 16 months, pretty much straight through, Cassie won't want to be home...and I still have Julie home. Next summer - it will probably be Danny and Michelle and Julie. I don't know how everything will work out, but please know that even if someone's not happy with how things work out, I love you and wish things could be different. I wish everyone could go to Peru, but I'm more happy that we have George. I am happy that Michelle is pregnant and doing well. I am proud of the decisions they have made to start their families and their families are important.

And I'll end with just a few thoughts that I had written just before Easter.

I haven't written in a couple weeks. An unexpected trip to Utah. Thinking about the Last Week of the Savior's life. Oddly the part that stood out to me this year was Peter. When the Apostles and the Savior are all together and the Savior tells them that one will betray him. and Peter announces that he is ready to follow Jesus anywhere, even to death. The Savior says, "Really??? Cause before this night is over you will deny me, not one, not two, but three times". A couple times the next couple days I realized that I too, was denying Christ. One time was when a friend who is Christian, but married a Jewish man told me his parents were coming for Passover from Jerusalem. I was more concerned with respecting and listening to her. I did take time to visit with a Muslim man, tell him I was Mormon and made a new friend at the same time. But I should do more. Oh yeah, most people who know me, know that I am Mormon, they know my values and they know I live my values. But I need to be more active in sharing how the gospel blesses my life, how the atonement works in my life, how the Holy Ghost guides and comforts me.

I am grateful for the Lord's hand in our lives.

Frustrations, new place, George and random spiritual thoughts

Alright so this week I've been frustrated a few times. Twice had to do with the same basic story. Family W- 4 kids, mom is dying of cancer and family C- has been in charge of renting their place out (since they're with family until she passes). Family c rented out their place but the deposit check bounced and the girl has not paid rent in 4 months. They started seeing lawyers and it's been a headache. They got called over for a maintenance request and found the toilet and sink cracked (most likely from a huge fight)and water damage and the locked room downstairs had been broken into and stuff had been stolen. Almost everything of value  (bikes, wii, and other stuff) is gone. I heard the story and was like even if this girl is getting evicted, you can't trust her with the rest of their stuff. I offered to store stuff during the eviction process in George's room and the downstairs room that we are allowed to use and since family c and family w are friends with my landlord I said, I'm sure we can ask her about storing more stuff here temporarily. Anyways, this made me frustrated at the girl that I don't know for stealing from this family that is already going through an awful time. Well this leads into situation 2. My landlord heard about the story via Facebook (the RS got involved and helped catalog stuff for a police report and move stuff out). She offered to store stuff at her house. (So obviously she doesn't mind helping out. ) family c said, yeah I talked to Jamie and she said she would ask you if we needed it and were willing to store stuff in their bedroom. But they didn't need it, they had already rented a storage unit. Anyways, landlord got mad at me, but didn't call me, called jon and chewed him out because apparently I'm not allowed to talk to others about asking my landlord or talk at all. I guess she doesn't want stuff stored there, even though she obviously doesn't care if she was offering herself (which she actually can't do workout consulting us first to have someone move it into the house while we're renting here.) I guess I should tell her we bought a $5 little basketball hoop that we're storing in her house (albeit in a room we're paying to use) because George can't use it yet. I was really mad when it happened and not in a good mood to text or call her. Number one, I have every right to bring anything into the rooms we're using in the house, so long as it doesn't damage the house or isn't against any part of our contract. Number two, I'm going to use an analogy. If her oldest child does something you don't chew out the youngest and expect results. She has my number unless she deleted it. If she's mad at me for talking to someone then she shouldn't chew out jon. Anyways, those were two things from this week. The third time I got frustrated was in Jon's behalf and I won't get into details here.

On a happier note. We found a place to live. It's a nice place and we thought it was expensive but it includes most utilities (water, sewer, trash recycling, Internet, and cable-though we haven't really used cable). We pay electric. So it'll be very close to what we were paying at our first place and it has an indoor pool and a gym and practice rooms and other stuff that we probably won't use.

George still has a cough and Jon has been sick but is getting better. Friday I sang "he came for me" at institute. That night we had our married institute class. Saturday Jon's students in Bedford had a recital and that night we fed the missionaries and then I went to a lesson with the sisters. Today we had church which was good. I got to stay in for almost all of the classes. Then we drove out to Illinois where half of Jon's students there were in Peter pan, the musical. George liked it when they started "flying". He like perked up and leaned forward. He also really liked the green light for tinker bell.

George has slept through the night 3 times this week! His new trick is shaking his head no (there was a little girl doing it at church today).George looks a little drunk doing it but has picked it up quickly. He has gotten on his knees two or three times but won't crawl. He did try to pull himself up and stand but couldn't quite get it.

Spiritual thoughts: from institute on Friday there was a quote that said something like, just because there is something worse doesn't make something bad, right. Like just because there are r-rated movies doesn't make a pg-13 movie good (not that they're necessarily bad, that's just my example. I think he had a better one).

From the missionary lesson, “no habit, no addiction, no rebellion, no transgression, no offense exempted from the promise of complete forgiveness” (Boyd K. Packer, in Conference Report, Oct. 1995, 22; or Ensign, Nov. 1995, 19). This statement is very full of hope.

From sacrament meeting today a 4 year old boy got up and said
"I believe in Jesus Christ
And you should too
He is our Savior
And He'll save you". Then he sat down on the stand and waited for his dad to bear a testimony.

In Sunday school we were talking about parables and someone brought up how being born again is a mini parable because he didn't mean to climb back into our mother's womb and be born again. I started thinking about birth. At our birth we take on the name of our parents. We start fresh. It is a beginning. We are clean. (If we really consider this a parable it is another testimony of how children are born free of sin and are innocent until the age of accountability- if they weren't then it wouldn't be a good parable for how baptism cleanses us.)

And from Relief society we were talking about the importance of the First Vision. The teacher asked why it could be considered the most important event after Jesus Christ's life, ministry, Atonement, death and resurrection. It made me think of my own answer. Jesus Christ is the most important but if He is not on the earth, the most important person would be His mouthpiece- our Prophet. But we would not have a prophet today if it were not for Joseph smith's vision. Sure, there were many miracles in the old Testament but the most important prophet is whichever one is living and telling us what we need to know now. In the old Testament that would've been those prophets, but now it's Thomas s Monson who is only a prophet because of Joseph smith's First Vision.