Time doesn't change things, does it?

Today is my first official day of summer break :) It feels like such a relief to be finished with teaching, and able to focus more upon my thesis and getting graduate school done with. Here is a picture of two of my most favorite people in the world-my roommates from Ricks college. Here we were, last August---Joanna (in the middle) and I drove to see Amanda (on the right) and stay with her after she had her 2nd cute baby, Kaila. Tomorrow, I'll be tending that cute baby and her brother Kuhio in Salt Lake while they are here in Utah to attend a wedding sealing. I can't wait to see them! It's interesting, how even though we first met about 14 years ago, we still are just as close now as we were then. Joanna and I took the drive out there after having not seen each other for over 10 years--and yet we didn't stop talking the whole way, and still have that same bond. That's how it is, I think, with good, good friends...times don't change, feelings don't change...and it's as if time has never even passed. Taking time to catch up with all of you, my dear friends, has been such a joy for me...for it truly is, as if time hasn't passed. I love you, my friends. Thank you for being a part of my life and making it possible for me to experience the 'blogs' of your little lives.

Final field trip....ah...

Being from Utah, you would think that I have visited every historical site...but, surprise...I haven't! In fact, there are a ton of places that I haven't been! It's been a good change to go from teaching 5th grade for 5 years, to 4th...I've liked the change in that I am learning tons about where I am from--all about Utah history. This is the Place Monument--Wow-this field trip definately was a good one...I thought for sure the kids weren't going to enjoy it--learning about the pioneers, etc...but I was surprised at how many kids said 'this is the best field trip I've ever been on!' We even got the toughest of my students to square dance,...with a girl--and he actually laughed the whole time and had fun! The kids got to see so many things that the early pioneers did as they came here--even got to push/pull a handcart! I can't believe the year is coming to an end this week--and it feels like it just began. I look forward to having the summer to work on my thesis--and a fresh start in August with a whole new bunch of kids. That is the best thing---knowing you can start fresh with new goals and visions of what the year will be. My first summer off of 'classes' from the graduate program...ahh. I don't even think I know what that is like...although, I will be heavily into finishing my thesis, I am glad to have a break from the rigor of being a student. Finally, I'm done!!

Happy Anniversary to me...

Not only is this a special day for many mothers, it's a special day for me. Today, May 11th, 2008, is the anniversary of my return home from my mission, 9 YEARS AGO! As I thought about what I could post today, and sorted through my many pictures trying to decide what single picture could capture my feelings and be worthy of a blog post, I just couldn't choose. I think anniversary's are meant to be. If it weren't for this anniversary for me today, I don't think I would have looked through all of these pictures--and had the good memories and feelings I am having at this moment. And so, despite the plethora of pictures I chose to post--nothing could really express the feelings I have for what I experienced as a missionary in Taiwan. By far, my decision to serve is at the top of my "I made a good choice" list for my life. Everything I know to be true in this gospel reminds me of being a missionary. Everything that I have learned about what is important in this life rooted from that 1 1/2 years serving the Lord. I love those people. I love this gospel. And so, happy anniversary...to me. Wow time flies.

Distraction...maybe...but fun

This is my first attempt at a digital scrapbook page that I did a while ago...and starting a blog has somehow been a 5 minute break reward to work on when my fingers are sick of typing and my eyes are sick of reading research...let's just hope that this new habit doesn't overshadow the importance of the thesis! But..it's oh so fun...

Thanks, prophet.

Things like this picture of my scriptures make me glad to know the truth. Glad that God knows me. Glad that I remember when times are tough. Glad that He knows just what I need, when I need it, and all that good stuff. I've been thinking about my necessity of buying new scriptures...you know, a turn of the new leaf thing-leaving the college days and onto the grown up days, however, I don't think I can part, just yet. I read something I wrote who-knows-how-long-ago-at the top of a good scripture. And it touched me just as much as it did who-knows-how-long-ago. It read, "Morality and other virtues no longer seem important when a belief in God is taken away". Don't know where I got that from. But in my thesis-writing days lately when I feel it's all I know, I frequently forget God and all that He is to me-don't know why that happens, but it does. When I start feeling like He doesn't care, He doesn't know I'm here...reading something I had written and pondered from so long ago reassured me that I do start to lose sight of important virtues when I feel Him away from me-but it's because I stop believing...not Him. It's a good thing that Joseph Smith was so good and so inspired and so faithful--that at times like these, my reflections of what he translated for me is ever so important at this time of my life. Thanks, prophet.

Talk to Jesus about it...

Handsome, handsome man. Wow. This little nephew of mine seriously looks like a little man. Here we are today at another nephew's baptism. I love getting together with all of these kids and loving them, hugging them, and just being with them. I asked little 'Coda' (Dakota) today to take a picture with me from my camera phone because he just is so dang handsome! Funny story--a while ago my sister Joni (this little man's mom) was feeling really sad. He was talking to her and said, "Mom, you should go and talk to Jesus about it". Isn't that just how it is though-sometimes these little ones teach us more than we or someone else can ever teach us. This story hit home today as I looked at this picture of Coda--it's exactly what I needed to hear because today was a needed "talk to Jesus day". The thesis date-goal of May 28th is going to have to be postponed...but just as I said before---the date was never a priority--just that I would work hard to the bone to get it done. So thanks, Coda--you reminded me of the importance of Jesus in my life--just by your cuteness and goodness.