Tender Mercies

I learned a perspective lesson last weekend. 
       All of the week before last was pretty miserable for me.  I had a cough that ended up turning into a sinus infection, I've been feeling really behind in my RS duties, and I am at Deaconess working evenings the entire month of April.  Boo April.  Basically it all added up to a horrible day. Wednesday, at clinicals, everything went wrong. I felt like a horrible person, and I was completely unprepared for the skull anatomy test the next day at 7:30am. Then I came home and there was a mini-party in my living room, that I not only couldn't participate in because I had to cram before the test, but I even with earplugs and a humidifier going I couldn't mask the noise and couldn't concentrate. 
       All in all, I was pretty proud of myself for the way I handled everything on the surface, my problems are my problems and I have thick skin, but deep down, I was frustrated and hurt. 
       I called in sick on Friday for clinical, which I consider a blessing since going back to Deaconess was not sounding fun, even if I was feeling well.  Work was pretty average, but I came home early every day.  Sunday morning I woke up for PEC and decided it wasn't going to happen for me.  I started to send a text to the Bishop to let him know, and to tell him what I would have reported on, but the list was too long, and I realized that I really needed to be there.  So I got up and went.  It was the hardest PEC I've ever sat through.  It wasn't even PEC I don't think.  And I once again, felt about 2-feet tall just like on Wednesday. I ended up just staying for the passing of the sacrament and then going home to rest.
      That's when everything changed.  I rested well, I took some more drugs and neti-potted ;), I ate food, and tidied up a little. By the end of the day, a handful of people had checked in on me to make sure I was doing OK, I got to talk to 3 of my 4 brothers, one of them offered to fly me to Hawaii this summer, a trip to Costa Rica got reinstated for June, and I studied some great church material.  Besides that, Jonny-bob was on his way up to visit me the next day!  I didn't feel much better physically that night, but my spirits were lifted tremendously. 
   Then this week, I got to see the little bro and hang out with him for a couple days (I didn't play hookie, I really was sick when I called in sick....who cares if I spend my sick day in bed or with family?) and then I went to Wenatchee for an x-ray conference, which wasn't the greatest thing ever, but it was one less week at Deaconess.....so it was wonderful ;)
     This experience It reminded me of this talk President Eyring gave a few years ago. The biggest lesson I got out of this talk is being grateful and expressing it.  You can bet I was on my knees that night in supreme gratitude to my Heavenly Father for knowing so intimately what I was going through, and knowing my needs.  My trials were not taken away, but I was reminded of the blessings I have and through His tender mercies I was given the strength to persevere.  I am not currently keeping a blessing journal, but I consider this my medium for that right now.  On the mission I made miracle walls with a couple of my companions, showcasing the miracles we saw every day for that transfer.  Taking that wall down each transfer was difficult, but inspiring.  And I testify that when I focused on the miracles and blessings I received during those times, I received the most blessings. 

HERE'S TO POSITIVE ATTITUDES!

New Favorites

Yesterday I went over to visit Shawsh for lunch to prove to her I love her and am not avoiding her.  Big surprise huh? She gets that feeling of being unloved from Mom..... I swear I'd make it there more if I had the kind of time I have during Spring Break! 

Well, I volunteered to watch the kids for a bit while she ran errands (I really just wanted to use her kitchen and stones to make some cookies) and while she was gone, P-Jo showed me these videos on YouTube.  Episode 3 and 4 are my favorites so far, but it looks like this may be an ongoing series.  Hooray for cute kids!

But!  If you buy 13 completos....It's only 13 dollars!

It Runs in the Family

You can pick your friends,

And you can pick your nose

But you can't pick the habits your kids pick up from you.