Missionary Announcement

Wow! My heart is so completely full right now. When President Monson started speaking on Saturday morning, my heart filled with peace. It was a peace that I had been lacking for a little while. Then came the big announcement.

Young men who have graduated high school (or its equivalent) can now serve a mission at 18 year of age. That was an amazing announcement. To see the faces of the young men in the congregation was so moving. Some could not wipe smiles off of their faces. Then came the announcement that young women could serve at the age of 19. At first, a twinge of jealousy hit. However, I would not have changed anything with my process or when I served. Honestly, I needed the experiences that I had before the mission to put my life where it is now.

Sister missionaries are amazing and with them able to serve at younger ages, I believe more young women will serve missions. Sister missionaries have a wonderful way of touching people and bringing people to the truth. This is going to make a wonderful advancement in missionary work. I believe the force will be larger, stronger and more humble. I believe more young men will serve missions now. They will be able to leave right after high school and not get focused in the drive of schooling, careers, sports, etc. This is huge!

I was elated with this announcement and my dear, sweet young women came to mind. Some of these girls could be serving missions in the next couple years and we have the responsibility for preparing them. One in particular came to mind. I have been so impressed with her testimony and her example to the other young women and how well she relates to others, both old and young. She, along with others, has a testimony that needs to be heard. During the rest of President Monson's talk, I could see her as a missionary teaching, serving, helping and loving others.

The mission was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. There have been wonderful experiences since. The mission helped to mold me into who I am now, as each new experience has since. It took a quiet, insecure, and somewhat hesitant girl and gave her more confidence in her testimony and more faith in the love of her Heavenly Father. It has given me more compassion to other and more love for my Savior. It has made him a more central figure in my life.

Since this announcement, my heart has been full and the rest of the session was amazing. I am anxiously awaiting the rest of the session to get the rest of this spiritual uplift.

Once Again

About a week ago, I noticed a scratchy throat but didn't think much of it. I kept running with the crazy, crazy life that I lead. So, after all that running my body decided it needed to take action to make sure I rested. I wasn't feeling to great on Thursday but I figured it was because Wednesday has been a super-stressful day. However, when I woke up on Friday, I knew that wasn't the case. I had a cold. I went to work thinking that keeping busy would make things better. Nope! I ended up leaving early and resting the rest of the day.

I was pretty determined to make it to the temple the next morning, which wasn't the greatest idea. I didn't make it the whole time there. Under instruction from a co-worker there, who is a nurse, I went home and tried to stay down as much as possible. I even canceled the plans that I had. Sunday was very similar. Needless to say, this has yet to go away and it seems to be getting a little worse each day. 

I tried to work this morning for a couple hours, but not was I tired but in some pain. Basically without all the details that I am sure would bore you all to death, it was time to go to the doctor and get some help so I can feel better and get back to normal, especially before conference.

So, I just got back and was told I have bronchitis and laryngitis. Oh fun. He said that it is not to the pneumonia stage, which is a huge relief. I will take some steroids to get my voice back and the will be taking the Z-Pac (I think that is how it is spelled but not sure). I was told to rest my voice for the next couple days and get some rest too.

The problem is, I'm not sure what rest is. Ha Ha. Here it goes! 

What is Fun??? Oh What Fun!!!

The past couple of weeks or possibly even the past month, my life has consisted of constant craziness.I've been working tons, attending meetings, going to Young Women activities, temple, and trying to have a social life, on top of all of that. There has been some crazy situations and lots of stress. Oh man! 

Within the past week or so, I have had a couple of people ask me what I've done lately that has been fun. That has been a little difficult to answer because of everything I've been doing and all that. However, according to one definition, fun is anything amusing, entertaining or enjoyable. As I have thought about it though, I've realized that you can have fun or do something fun everyday. It doesn't have to be anything major or cost a ton of money. Too bad it took me this long to figure it out. 

In my room, there is a calendar handing from my closet door. On it, I usually put all the tasks that I have to do. I am beginning to wonder if I should separate those squares in two sections: To-Do & Fun. This would help me see the fun in each day. 

So, as a back track, starting with today and going back to whenever I feel (we'll see what I can remember), I want to share some of the fun things I have been doing.

Brigham City Temple dedication, laughing as I thought how jealous my young women would be because the missionaries sat right in front of me, volleyball games, temple, teasing times with co-workers, more volleyball,  ran three miles, visited a great friend, mutual, got free food, met some great new friends, campfire, sidewalk chalk pictures, trip to Poky, time with old friends, gift shopping (not the shopping part but the finding good gift part), Brigham City Open House, Family Home Evening with friends, having friends come to church with me, and I'm sure there are a lot more fun times. 

Each day is a new adventure and even those things that could be the most crazy or stressful or whatever, can have fun moments. I can honestly say that I am so grateful that I have been SO busy. That alone, is a blessing in and of itself. 

So, what is fun? Anything that brings a smile to your face and gives a moment (even if it be just a brief moment) of enjoyment or happiness. That is fun.  I'm betting you can find something "fun" in each day. Give it try! Honestly, looking back, some of the days when I struggled the most or was too busy to think, I could still find something fun that happened. With that in mind, what fun have you done lately?

Goals & Awareness

Recently, I liked a page on Facebook about Gastroparesis. It is so interesting to hear about all of the other experiences that people are having and to see how far I have come since my initial diagnosis. One thing that has become evident is that there is not enough known about this condition and there is such a need for a cure or methods to deal with this condition. So many people have it a lot worse than I do. 

Anyway, back to the real reason for this post. One day, someone posted something about a GP Awareness Walk day and I was immediately intrigued. You see, I have made a bucket list of things to do before my next birthday and run a 10K is on that list. The thoughts began to flow. I want to do this! I want to raise awareness! I want to meet my goal! So, I followed the link.

Here is what I found. http://gpawarenessfund.com/id32.html

It is set for Sunday, October 21st. That doesn't work so well for me so I would like to do this on Saturday, October 20th. I have mentioned my idea to a few friends here and there are some people interested in doing this walk/run with me. Right now I am just brainstorming and tossing ideas around to see if this is something that is possible. It would be neat to do this with some of my amazing friends and family 

There are so many thoughts in my head about this that it could end up being pretty fun. You don't have to live near here to participate. You can do this from wherever you live or wherever you happen to be on that day. If you do live close, we could get a group together and do it all together. 

 According to a schedule I checked, there are no other runs or walks that day, that I am aware of. Though I am not sure of details, but those could all get figured out but it would be awesome to find more people than me to do this. Any thoughts??? I would love some feedback on this.

I'm a Traveling Girl (Kind of)

About twice a year, I have the opportunity to travel a little bit. Why twice a year? That would be because the rest of the year, I work every Saturday morning and it is just not worth it to leave town unless I have the following Monday off. Anyways, those months are usually January and July. Seeing as July is almost over, I thought that I might update you on the happenings of my life during the month.

July consisted of a couple trips up to Pocatello. Real exciting, I know. Each trip had a purpose and was much needed. The first full weekend of July, I spent some time here doing some fun things with my amazing friends. It was so nice! I even got to spend some time with my amazing married friends, Robert & Andrea. We went and watched Brave and went to dinner. That night was spent with a newer friend that is just so much fun. Sunday, after church, I loaded up my car and headed to Poky for some much needed time with the padres. Thanks guys! That was the best Sunday afternoon! It was so hard to come back so I ended up leaving Monday morning, early, so I could get to work on time.

The next weekend, I headed up there again. This time, I was able to spend some time with one of my amazingly great friends. We had a Girls Night with her nieces for a little bit and then went and got ice cream and talked for a while. So grateful that her husband was totally cool with us hanging out for a while. There is nothing like a good friend. The next morning, I woke and headed up to Rexburg to see my brother and his girlfriend. We ended up spending a little time there and in Idaho Falls and getting new phones. After that, we did a little shopping and went to lunch. That night, I went to dinner with the padres and spent the rest of the night relaxing. I ended up going to church there on Sunday and spending the rest of the day there, because I had forgotten to get gas and, once again, ended up driving home on Monday morning.

Needless to say, I had to start working the next Saturday, so this should be where the travel saga ends. However, the 24th is a State holiday here so I had that day off work and it just so happened that Heather and her family were in Pocatello during that time. Fortunately, I was able to head up there right after work on  Monday and spend that night and the next day with them. It consisted of frozen yogurt, little people, good conversations, a run for me, playing at the park, reading, the zoo and a pancake dinner. So much fun! It was great spending time with them. I left shortly after dinner, because there were fireworks down here and if possible, I don't miss fireworks ever. I was able to watch those with some great friends.

Thus ends the tale of the traveling girl. Ha Ha. Oh wait. It may not end there. There still may be a few more trips to take before the summer ends.

People and Connections

Have you ever met someone and felt like you have known them forever, or at least a lot longer than you have. In a strange but good way, it just fits. These are the people that you just seem to click with. It is amazing who these people are and the impact that they have in your life. Stop for a minute. Think about some of these people in your life. Let me share a few examples.

As a missionary, I remember a lesson with one lady. My companion and I showed up at her house and she excitedly let us in. At this time I was a newer missionary and the language was not quite in my grasp. My companion started teaching this lady but she kept looking at me. As we got to a certain point, it was my turn to teach. I'm not sure that anything I said really made sense but it was a neat experience. After the lesson was over, we talked with her. She and I quickly felt like we had known and seen each other before and she soon shared that she felt like she had seen and known me before. The feeling was mutual. Maria was a very special woman.

One girl has had a major impact on my life. She was definitely amazing. Shortly after her graduating from high school, she became my visiting teacher, and probably one of the best ones that I've had. She came in and we talked. We hit it off immediately. She has been there for me ever since and has been a major blessing in my life. Even when we weren't in the same place, she would have contact with me in one way or another when I needed it.

About a month or so ago, I met another one of those great people. She and I were put together at the temple. When we met, it was like we were not only immediate friends, but sisters too. We talked and laughed and got a lot done. She is incredible. After that we didn't see each other for a month. We saw each other for the first time again this morning and it was like nothing had changed. She is honestly like one of the greatest people that I have ever met.

Now, this does not discount all of the wonderful friends that I have. Not going to lie, there are some amazing people in my life. With some, I have developed that connection. It may not have come naturally, but it quickly stuck. Each of my friends has been put in my life for a specific reason. It has been interesting to see the hows and whys. Like the one friend I really got to know well and she ended up being one of the greatest supports for me. Or another from my ward who has seriously been a tender mercy to me.

It is incredible how people come and people go, but the impact they leave, changes your life forever. When I moved away from Pocatello, it was hard to imagine making friends and creating friendships that would last like the ones that I had. However, it was very possible. The people here have molded and shaped me into a different me, and that's not different in a bad way. It makes me excited for whatever changes are still to come and many more wonderful people that I will meet. Each one of you have made a difference in my life. Thanks!!!

My Condition Does Not Define Me

Just a warning, this is going to be a more contemplative and serious post. It is also all about me, which does make me a little uncomfortable, but it needs to be written. You don't have to read it. You don't have to leave comments. Those both would be appreciated. Honestly, this is a way to express some things that are weighing on my mind.

For some reason the following words have been running through my mind all day: "My condition does not define me". That does not mean that it is not a part of me, but it is not who I am. Yes, it has become a daily part of my life, that I struggle with at times, but there is more to me than that.

I'm a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a friend, a co-worker and most importantly a child of God. I'm a person who listens, cares and loves. I have dreams and passions. I love having fun and finding joy in the things around me. Seeing me at first glance, I may appear a little shy or I may appear a happy person. Either way, that is all a part of me.

Like everyone else, I have my struggles. It seems rather interesting that people tend to focus on the struggles and set those and defining or deciding factors. Ok. My stomach doesn't work. So what. That doesn't mean I can't cook meals with foods I can't eat or that it hampers my everyday life or that I am depressed and discouraged about it. Honestly, that ship set sail a long time ago. Granted there are some things that it limits but I've learned to adapt.

This has made me a stronger person. It has taught me to take care of myself and still allow others to live their own lives the way they are. I will not condemn someone for living a "normal life" or eating foods around me that I cannot eat. Please do those things. By not doing those things, you make me feel guilty and uncomfortable. I don't want to make people change who they are for me. Yes, some days smells will bother me. Yes, some days I just can't do as much, but please respect that and know that I am not doing it because you have offended me.

Above all, just like everyone else, I need friends and supports. We all struggle. Don't be scared to be my friend because of my condition. Friends make this seem non-existent at times, because it is the last thing on my mind when I am out and having fun. Just because I have this condition does not mean that I'll have it for life but I promise you it will effect the rest of my life, and not necessarily in the way you think.

I will always look for ways to help those who are struggling and try to become a friend and support system to them. I will be more aware of the blessings that I have been given and know that many of those blessings come through trials.It will not necessarily stop me from living a full and fulfilled life and enjoying all the opportunities that are given to me and that most people enjoy.

It may be a part of who I am but, My Condition Does Not Define Me.