Moving On...Once Again

Well, it's hard to believe our time in Springfield has come to an end already. I definitely have mixed emotions about leaving. It's exciting to think that Bryant's first 10 week internship is behind him. I am so ready to be moved into an apartment with our own stuff and be settled for a while, that's for sure! We are also very happy to know we will be close to family for a while. But leaving Springfield brings a lot of sadness for me as well. I never would have thought I'd feel so attached to people after just three short months. This has been a wonderful experience for us.
This ward has been so very kind and accepting of us from the very beginning. I had so many people offer to take Gracie if I had a Dr appointment and especially if I went into labor with Kate. It was so nice to know I wouldn't have to take Gracie to the hospital with us! When I went to Time Out for Women a few weeks ago, all the ladies I was with treated me like an old friend. And they all took their turn with Kate as well. It was such a nice weekend! Thanks Ladies!
It has also been so fun to see Bryant doing this internship. He is truly in his element! I feel so lucky that he picked a career that he will love. He has especially loved working with children. He is a very patient and gentle man, which is important when working with kids...especially with kids who are disabled in some way. The therapists he has worked with LOVE him--who wouldn't?! Seeing him in a working environment has made the past 2 1/2 years of intense, stressful schooling totally worth it!

I have learned a lot the past few months. My Mom has always said "You find what you're looking for wherever you go." I've learned that this is so so true. I suppose if I wanted to be miserable her in Springfield, I definitely could have found enough things to feel that way. You make your own happiness, and I can be happy anywhere--as long as I have my family with me! I am going to try and remember that as we move from this wonderful place and these wonderful people to Boise. I am sure there will be wonderful people there too! Well, my in-laws are there, so we are already off to a good start!

I've learned that one person really does make a difference. There is a young guy in the ward here, I'll call him John, (I think he's Bryant's age) who has a wife and four young kids, and he is dying. He has pancreatic cancer. I didn't get the opportunity to know him very well--but he has made a HUGE difference in so many peoples lives, He is all about service. I asked a friend in the ward what made this ward so friendly. I mean, there are no clicks, everyone participates in ward activities, there is a good spirit in this ward. One of my friends told me, "you know the ward hasn't always been like this." I asked what changed to make it like this and she said "You know, it's a lot of things, but I think John had a lot to do with it!"
I can make a difference. I can serve better, I can be a better friend, a better visiting teacher, a better example of Jesus Christ. I plan to make a difference wherever I go from now on!

I've also learned again, or at least my testimony has been strengthened, I know that God is truly in the details of our lives. This year has been difficult for my family. We sent three missionaries off this year (Kristin, My Mom and My Dad) only to get them all back home with serious medical problems. My pregnancy with Kate was really hard for me. Moving with a toddler and 7 months pregnant was also extremely difficult. Wondering if I would get medical insurance before I had Kate was very stressful. But, I've seen the hand of the Lord in my life so much through all of these trials. Things have worked out. Life is good.

I appreciate all I've learned here in Oregon. I'm sad to move on. Sad to say goodbye to these wonderful people. But I'm ready to make a difference and find happiness in Boise---at least for the next 7 months:)

One of the Greatest Days in History

At least it is for me, and for my family. You see, it's my Mom's Birthday. That's right, she was born November 16, 1948--a day that I will always be grateful for! My Mom is the greatest woman I know. She has has influence for the good on more lives than she will ever know.
My Mom spent her career as an elementary school teacher. I have always said, it takes a very special person to work with children in any setting. She LOVED the kids she worked with, and she wanted nothing more than to see them succeed in school and in life. I could write a book with all kinds of little stories I know had an impact on the youngsters she taught, but I will share just one right now.

There was a boy in her class (I forget his name), that was being raised by his single father. His Mom had died of drug overdose, and his Dad was trying to get back on his feet, trying to get off drugs himself. This boy had major behavior problems in his previous class, and was constantly in detention, etc for one thing or another. I think he even got suspended at one point.
Well, he had my Mom for his teacher the next year. She REFUSES to give up on kids. She loved them. And you could tell that they knew that they were loved by her. That makes such a difference to kids---especially when they come from such horrible circumstances, as many of them did. Well, my mom worked with this boy, and he loved her. He came to school with his homework done and with a desire to be good. He was doing so well, the first month of school he got "Student of the Month" in fact. A great accomplishment for a kid who was constantly in detention the year before. With the Student of the Month award also came a gift certificate for dinner at Sizzler. A few weeks later, my mom was getting ready to leave and said she would be bringing this boy home with her after school. (Yes, she had permission). She said she was taking him to Sizzler. I remember asking "Why are YOU taking him to Sizzler Mom?" And her response is one I will never forget, and made me realize how important these kids were to her. She said "Because if I don't take him, he'll never get to go."

Now, that's just one little thing that she did for one kids, but there are hundreds of stories just like this I could share about her. My Mom taught us (my siblings and I) the gospel, not just with her words, but with her actions. I have NEVER wondered if my mom had a testimony. I would often wake up for work early and find my mom already awake reading her scriptures. She always made sure we had family prayer, and she and my Dad went to the temple as often as possible. Our family is not perfect by any means, but I think I have a pretty close to perfect Mom. What a great example she has been and continues to be to me!

This whole ordeal with my Dad has been so hard. I can't imagine watching my husband, the person I love more than anything go through what my Dad has been through. Yet my Mom has been such a rock through it all.

I feel so lucky to have been given such a wonderful woman as my Mother, and as a grandmother to my kids!

We Love You Mom! Happy Birthday!

Do You Need A Time Out?

I sure did! So, thanks to Bryant, my good friend Danae, along with several other ladies in our ward, I went to Time Out for Women that was in Portland this past Friday and Saturday. It was just what I needed! I knew it was coming to Portland, and I would have loved to plan on going since I had never been to one, but I hadn't had Kate yet, I didn't know exactly when I would have her, and I didn't know what kind of a baby she would be. So, I didn't give it a second thought about going. Last week however, Danae said, "hey do you want to go to Time Out for Women?" We have extra room at our hotel and I know a few people who can't make it who would love to sell you their ticket.

Bryant was such a sweetheart and encouraged me to go, reassuring me that he would be fine with Gracie while I was away. I talked to my Mom as well who has been to several TOFW events and was so excited that I had the opportunity to go. In fact, she told me she would be mad at me if I didn't go!

So, Friday at about 1:30 Danae, her baby Elli, Kate and I headed up to Portland. We met the other ladies from our ward at Red Robin for Dinner and then headed over to the Friday night session. Michael McLean presented as well as Ardeth Kapp and Mark Maybry that night.
Saturday the presenters included: Hilary Weeks, Emily Watts, Michael Wilcox, Merrilee Boyack, Mariama Kallon, and Kris Belcher. It is amazing how every single presenter could have us laughing hysterically one minute, and have us in tears the next. They were all absolutely fabulous!

Since I had Kate (who by the way is still my little angel baby and was wonderful for me the entire time), it was kind of hard to take notes. However, I will always look back at my first "Time Out" experience and remember what a great feeling I had.

There are some things that stuck with me for sure. The theme was INFINITE HOPE, and here are a few things I learned during my "Time Out":

*The word "Mom" kills more brain cells than just about any other word!
* "Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."
*Know that answers come in the Lords time..
*"The Lord will give us more than we can bare, because those are the time we turn to him."
*Think of Christ as your sighted guide.
*Romans 8:24-25--my new favorite scripture this week! "For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it."

Thanks to all who helped me remember to have Hope this weekend! Can't wait for my next Time Out--and I'm hoping my mother in law, sisters in law, my mom and my sister will join me next year as well--hint hint!