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.

Spring is in the Air

Today I wore flip flops, ate frozen yogurt and hammered nails into a fence.

  

Thanks Mai Nails!!  

UGLI?

Ugli fruit can make you beautiful

 

Hello Seattle

So my friend Rachie is getting married.  I love her a lot.  So I went this last weekend to see her go through the temple for the first time with her fiance, who I like a lot too.  They make a super cute couple.  I don't have the pictures from the temple, hopefully I'll get those from her soon.  But I decided to go see Ellen and her fam since I'd be out that way, and since it was spring break, Smiley came with me. It was a quick road trip, but fun times.

We took the kids to OMSI and had VooDoo Doughnuts for the first time.  Not super kid friendly (my doughnut was the dirty bastard) But a fun Portland-y type thing to do.

Ellen's fetus really wanted a maple Bacon bar....
probably cuz he already
knows that aunt bacon is the coolest!

Good things come in Pink Boxes

Smiley is confused...

But the kids know what to do with Doughnuts!

Don't worry, I didn't leave Vancouver without doing the most important thing...Sheridan's Frozen Custard!!  The Closest thing we can get to a Culver's out here.  Oh bliss!

We went got up super early for the endowment session in Seattle, and then spent the rest of the day playing in the city. We explored Pike's Place:

Paying for parking first

So we can enjoy the water

Obligatory pike's place pig....

I was inspired by tangled

And so excited that LA called me to get a phone number while I was in the hat shop

Don't be jealous because you've never been to the SUPERMALL!!!

Then we met up with a Spokanite friend...And went to the cheapest entertainment we could find. Green River
Community College Presents:

And this was how excited we were about it!

Thanks Seattle for another great adventure.  Till next time....

Winter Fun Part Two

LA also wanted to celebrate her birthday by going to a Chief's hockey game.  It was on our winter bucket list after all! Someone in this part stole my camera....so all the pictures are not getting posted, but here's a few.

Smiley, Me, and LA

Space Case and Smiley

Tacoma and Kern-is....I love this picture.  Seriously. 

LA and Lexus

 The game went into a shoot-out....so I was late for work that night.  But it was worth getting to witness it.  And winning!  Woot! Go Chiefs!

And then the really big sporting event of the year....March Madness!  Before I get into this, let me just say that even though I didn't joint he competition, I think my bracket has done the best so far. What a year to not compete.  Anyways, so BYU is joining the West Coast Conference next year, the same conference as Gonzaga.  Now, I've always been a Gonzaga fan, but I am a True Blue Cougar through and through.  LA....is the biggest Gonzaga fan I have ever met.  So next year is going to be interesting.  Well, we got a taste of our future 2 weeks ago when BYU and Gonzaga played each other in the tournament.  We had a little party/BBQ at our house, the BYU fans on one couch and the Gonzaga fans on the other.  BYU pretty much killed them, we were mature and didn't rub it in too much, and I'll admit, Gonzaga's team is probably going to be much better than BYU's next year, but let us live it up a little huh?  It was a good win!  And Jimmer was a big deal when I was still at the Y....Go Jimmer!

Here's our pre-game "war" picture

Don't worry, we still love each other!