A Running Start

I learned to love running as a missionary. We were given some time in the morning for exercise and my preferred exercise quickly became running because it gave me a chance to think, reflect, and plan. Plus, it made for an excellent start to the day. When I got home, I had to stop running because of health and weight concerns. As mentioned in the previous post, I recently got clearance from a doctor to start working out and it has been fabulous!
First, I am so out of shape. The first couple of workouts were really tough. The second day, I was pretty sore. However, I have kept working out. Now I have a new goal for myself. I want to run a 5K by the end of the year. There are two that I am interested in running. One is in Idaho and the other in Utah and they are both in September. Hopefully I can be ready by then. My ultimate goal is to run a half-marathon, but that one is going to take more preparation so I am aiming for next May.
I have started "training". In fact, yesterday was supposed to be my first day of working out somewhere other than the basement. However, as I got into the workout clothes and set the pedometer, I heard thunder. One of my biggest fears in the world is thunder and lightning. I decided that if I heard another one, I would stay inside and workout in the basement. That is exactly what happened.
Needless to say, I decided to test my endurance and focus. I made it running a mile yesterday (maybe more, but I am not sure I set the pedometer right and that it was working correctly). It took longer than I wanted it too and I realized that I have a long ways to go. If I keep training and working hard, I should be able to do it.
It feels so good to be running again. I will try to keep this updated with my progress.

Life is Good!

It is time to update the blog again. However, this time, there is not one subject that seems to stand out that I want to blog about, so this is just going to be a random update on life.

UPDATE 1 - JOB
I am still working at a local law office. Things were pretty busy the past couple of weeks and my boss told me yesterday that we could potentially be picking up some more new clients, which should increase the workload more. That makes me happy because I love being busy and learning new things in this field.

UPDATE 2 - HEALTH
This is the one where a lot has been happening lately. I have been going to a couple of doctors lately to get some help with the gastroparesis and figure out how to deal with the neuropathy type issue. One week, I had GI appointment Monday, and Neurologist appointment on Tuesday, phone calls from both on Wednesday, an EKG on Thursday and more calls on Friday. Needless to say, the GI wants to try a new med and the Neuro found one small thing, not nerve related, that has been taken care of. I am doing better than I was, which is always good.

UPDATE 3 - EXERCISE
Because of my health, exercise has not been something that I have been able to do for a while and I miss it. At one of my appointments, the doctor mention some exercise could be helpful, so I have began to exercise again. I Love It!!! I can tell it has been a while, because my stamina is not there. It feels so good! There have been some sore days, but it feels so good and makes me happy. The best part is, I think that it may be helping the nerve issues too!

UPDATE 4 - TEMPLE
I love being in the temple and have been there at least once a week. It totally makes my day. There is a story with this one. There have been some interesting things happening lately and I have learned that I am not so good at being blunt. Well, Friday night, I was super frustrated because I was confused about a bunch of different things that were going on. I even spent some time with some friends trying to talk it out. The next morning, I went to the temple with my friend Stacey. While we were waiting, I picked up a The Book of Mormon and opened up to the Doctrine and Covenants. As I read, I just about busted up laughing, but controlled myself because I was in the temple. I continued reading that section and there was a lot in there for me. I learned that when we are doing what we should be, we will be given an answer and that the answer can appear funny, but there is usually a lot more truth to it than we realize at first.

UPDATE 5 -
A trip to Pocatello was inevitable this weekend and I decided to make it a longer one than I had originally planned. I had originally though about going there Sunday, after my meetings, so I could be there for my appointment on Monday morning to make sure the retainer was working right. Instead, I ended up going down Saturday afternoon and got to spend some time talking with my parents, hanging out with some good friends, and more. It was a needed break and I had so much fun watching movies, catching up with friends, going to church and spending lots of time talking.

That is my life of updates for right now. I am not sure what else people want to know about me. Life is Good!!!!

FaBuLoUs FiEsTa!

Gone are the days of being sung to at church (not that I really miss that)and getting special privileges on your birthday like being line leader or other "important" tasks. However, birthdays can still be very special and fun times, no matter what age you are. This year was great!

On Wednesday, my parent came down to see me. They surprised with a cheesecake and some presents. They also took me out to dinner. We had a good dinner at a local Grill and talked a lot. Unfortunately we all forgot cameras so there are no pictures to document this part. Thanks for the food, gifts and fun Mom & Dad! That same night I received a gift from my Pocatello friends (via a nephew who lives here). It was a good night and I was able to talk to my sister and some good friends.

Thursday brought more fun. That night I had some friends over for cake and ice cream, because what birthday is seriously complete with them. It was a good time and I, once again, did not take pictures there. However, a friend took some pics, but I have yet to see them. That night I got a couple of great presents too. Below is a picture of all my gifts!



One of those gifts is no other than a "Dating Kit". It made me laugh so hard and I loved it. Here is a closer up view of the contents!



All in all, it was a fabulous birthday!!! This is not a great picture of me, but it shows that I was "present" at the party!



THANKS TO ALL!!!!!

Love of Trials

So many people I know, myself included, have gone through some trying times lately. It is interesting to see the way that people react to the trials that they are given whether it be the death of a loved one, a sickness, a hard decision or anything else. My sister and I were talking about this the other day and she sent me this poem. As I read it, my thoughts turned to some of my many friends who have been struggling.

The Monument

God,
Before He Sent His children to earth
Gave each of them
A very carefully selected package of problems.

These,
He promised, smiling,
Are yours alone. No one
Else may have the blessings
These problems will bring you.

And only you
Have the special talents and abilities
That will be needed
To make these problems
Your servants.

Now go down to your birth and to your forgetfulness.
Know that I love you beyond measure.
These problems that I give you
Are a symbol of the love.

The monument you make of your life
With the help of your problems
Will be a symbol of your Love for me,
Your Father. "
- Blaine Yorgason

He loves us and knows what is best for us! Sometimes we do not understand why we are going through what we are going through, but their is a reason. If we respond with faith and love, we will be strengthened. I can see how trials of the past have shaped who I am today. Though I am unsure why I must go through some struggles, one thing I do know is that He loves me and will be there for me always! My thoughts and prayers are with those of you who are struggling.

A Night in Virgina.....

that is, a night in Virgina, Idaho!!!

Here is the story. After high school ends you always hear stories of people growing apart, or lives changing soooooo much, or whatever. A group of friends, some whom I have known since elementary school and others since high school, decided that we needed to have one of our famous "Girl's Nights". We have been trying to plan one for quite a while, but it finally came to fruition.



It was interesting trying to plan around the schedules of six girls in four different places, with interesting things in their lives. Needless to say, we met on middle ground in Virgina, Idaho. For those who don't know, that is around the Downey area. Here is a small play-by-play about what happened that night.

ARRIVAL: Two showed up around 6ish, and ended up waiting for the other three to get there. Turns out that they got lost and phone calls were made to help them find the house, as well as a welcoming dance.



MENU: There was some good food there. We started out eating as soon as everyone was there. The menu consisted of Pizza, vegatables, fruit, Little Debbies snacks, cookies and Cheesy Bread. That last one was exciting for me because it was first time ever making it and it turned out super good and it was really easy!!!



After the food, there was good times outside, lots of great conversation, and some good laughs!!! Below are some pics!
Jenny pretending to be at a Port-o-Potty (really a root cellar)


Lisa's kids joined us for a little bit and her son and I had a good time. Apparently, I am just as funny looking as always because all I had to do was look at him and he started laughing. Then, he started imitating me and my laughing, which explains the next two pictures.


I would love to share all the pics and stories, but there were too many!!! It was so much fun and I am so glad that even though some are married with kids, others are single, we are all in different places and having different experiences in our lives, we are still able to maintain our friendships and have a good time.!!! Thanks girls for one fun and crazy night!

A New Addiction!!!

Nobody get scared, this is me we are talking about. I have found a new addiction and it is just what I need in my life right now. When I was living in Pocatello and trying to decide what to do with my life and where to go, there was one thing that coming to mind. I wanted to live in a place where there was a temple, so that I could try and make it to the temple more than once a month. When I moved here, my goal was to try and go once a week. I did not do so great with that one, but I did make sure that I went often. At the end of November, I had some interesting health issues and it was hard for me to go for a while.
I have been taking an institute class on the Pearl of Great Price which is amazing. I have learned so much and had some amazing experiences. It has encouraged me and inspired me to be a better person. The class has helped me to really focus how grateful I am for the opportunity to go to the temple.



A couple of weeks ago, I went and got a new recommend and really felt like I wanted and needed to be there. My ward had a temple night that Thursday and I cannot even begin to express how happy I was to be there and what a great experience it was. I left there feeling like I was glowing and I was so happy. This past week, I was not necessarily struggling, but lacking the patience and wanting some answers. As I sat in my room Tuesday night, a friend sent me a text and told me she was going to the temple. As much as my body wanted me to say no, I felt the need to go; and now I am addicted. That one night in the temple has helped me to really feel the peace and serenity that is present there. I went again Thursday night and received even more help and comfort. Saturday, I will probably go again to the temple, because I cannot seem to get enough of going there. What a special place.
So while the rest of the world is battling their addictions of whatever they may be, I encourage everyone who reads this, though I am not sure how many do, to become a little more addicted to the temple. It truly is the House of the Lord and a place where we can slow down and feel peace.

Unwired

Gone are the days of being a "metal mouth" or "brace face" (not that anyone was mean enough to call me that to my face). That is right. I am now BRACE FREE!!!!!

Needless to say, it made today exciting for me. My mom loves taking pictures, and since my Orthodontist is in Pocatello, she insisted on taking pictures of my post-braces.

Here is the new smile :)