Wow, it was a year ago today that we left Spokane and began our adventures of moving from place to place in anticipation of Bryant's final year of grad school to conclude. SO much has happened in the past 12 months, it seems like a million years ago in so many ways.
This past year has been the most trying and stressful of my life that I can remember. I has been filled with wonderful new friends, and life changing events and experiences as well, that's for sure, but to be completely honest, I'm glad this past year is over! Stress and Anxiety have been such a constant in my life this past year, that I'm having a hard time snapping out of it. I feel so uptight and on edge all the time, and to be honest I don't really know why.
However...
We just had a WONDERFUL Stake Conference this weekend. By far the best I have ever attended. Elder Jeffrey R Holland was here--a real treat for the Saints here in the little towns of South East Texas, and not something that happens all that often! We got a new Stake Presidency today, which was a very spiritual event in and of itself, as we got to hear the words of the out-going Stake President who has served for 10 1/2 years in that calling, and who is so obviously loved, admired and respected by the people in this Stake; and the words of the new Stake President who is absolutely the man the Lord has called to fulfill this assignment.
Elder Holland spoke to us about Trials. I felt like he was talking just to me. I do feel I have done the absolute best I could possibly have done dealing with the difficulties, craziness, and down right hard things that have come up this past year. However, I NEEDED to hear what Elder Holland said. I NEEDED to understand the Atonement is something I need to use more in my life. The Atonement is NOT just to be used when you've sinned. It's to be used in all aspects of life--especially our trials! I hope I can put his counsel into action more in my life.
So--as glad as I am that the past 12 months are "past" I am grateful so much for the things I have learned. The growth that has come, and the the strengthening of my faith and testimony. My trials are not over. Like I said, I feel like I'm having a hard time snapping out of my constant state of stress and anxiety. However, I know I'm suppose to learn something from this. And as Elder Holland said in his talk Saturday night:
"Endure, and look forward to Days of Happiness ahead!" These are definitely words for us all to live by!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Happy Birthday Gracie Girl!
Well, our little Gracie finally turned 3! I've been saying that she's 3 for a while, but now it's official! Bryant and I waited for her to join our family for so long, and it seems like the last three years have gone by in a flash in some ways! On the other hand, I almost can't remember life without her.
Gracie has been SO SO SO excited for her birthday, She got really into birthdays about 4 or 5 months ago, and the reality of HER having her own birthday was just so wonderful to her! She's been talking about what she wanted to do for her birthday for over a month now, and the last week or so, she's gotten up in the middle of the night to ask if it was her birthday yet. It was nice for her to plan her own birthday really....All we had to do was what she wanted...which was all very doable, so it worked out great, and she had a fabulous birthday weekend!
On Saturday we left early to go to the Houston Zoo. She's been wanted to go to the zoo since we got here. We had so much fun, especially because one of my very favorite mission companions and her husband and two very cute little boys just moved to the Houston area, and they met us as the zoo! Gracie LOVED having friends with her, and I loved catching up with my old blast from the past! I'm so excited they live so close now!
Anyway, we spent over 4 hours at the zoo. Here are some of the fun pictures Bryant took with his fancy new camera!
Brushing the goat at the petting zoo area. A miracle--she usually freaks out if they get too close to her!
Playing the Drums with Spencer and Josh
Could it be a match made in heaven? I'd totally be okay with that!
My sweet little Kate! She was such a trooper!
The Birthday Girl! Isn't she Cute?!
The Chimps
I just thought this was funny! She didn't get just putting her face in the hole!
Thanks Shauna, Richard, Spencer and Josh for coming to the zoo with us!
After the zoo, we went to our hotel. And we all took showers, because we were literally drenched from the hot humid SouthEast Texas weather! And the girls took a much needed nap!
And THEN...we went to a pre-season football game! Something else Gracie really wanted to do (as long as popcorn was involved at the game) and something Bryant was more than happy to make happen for her! We saw the Texans and the Saints play. It was fun!
A picture of the field!
Gracie and her Daddy
Gracie and her Mommy
We were all EXHAUSTED once the days was over. But it was a dream come true for the Birthday Girl, and it was worth every minute of it!
We drove back early Sunday morning in time for (most of) church. And then we had homemade cupcakes decorated with sprinkles and Cinderella toys, and she got to open her presents.
Ready to Blow out the Candles
Opening Presents with her friend Aubrey
Her new bike! She's been asking for a bike for a while now. She's excited to go ride it tonight! (It's gonna be our FHE activity!)
I think Gracie had a very memorable, fun, wonderful 3rd Birthday!
We sure love you Gracie Girl! I just don't know how we ever lived without you! Happy Birthday!
Gracie has been SO SO SO excited for her birthday, She got really into birthdays about 4 or 5 months ago, and the reality of HER having her own birthday was just so wonderful to her! She's been talking about what she wanted to do for her birthday for over a month now, and the last week or so, she's gotten up in the middle of the night to ask if it was her birthday yet. It was nice for her to plan her own birthday really....All we had to do was what she wanted...which was all very doable, so it worked out great, and she had a fabulous birthday weekend!
On Saturday we left early to go to the Houston Zoo. She's been wanted to go to the zoo since we got here. We had so much fun, especially because one of my very favorite mission companions and her husband and two very cute little boys just moved to the Houston area, and they met us as the zoo! Gracie LOVED having friends with her, and I loved catching up with my old blast from the past! I'm so excited they live so close now!
Anyway, we spent over 4 hours at the zoo. Here are some of the fun pictures Bryant took with his fancy new camera!
Brushing the goat at the petting zoo area. A miracle--she usually freaks out if they get too close to her!
Playing the Drums with Spencer and Josh
Could it be a match made in heaven? I'd totally be okay with that!
My sweet little Kate! She was such a trooper!
The Birthday Girl! Isn't she Cute?!
The Chimps
I just thought this was funny! She didn't get just putting her face in the hole!
Thanks Shauna, Richard, Spencer and Josh for coming to the zoo with us!
After the zoo, we went to our hotel. And we all took showers, because we were literally drenched from the hot humid SouthEast Texas weather! And the girls took a much needed nap!
And THEN...we went to a pre-season football game! Something else Gracie really wanted to do (as long as popcorn was involved at the game) and something Bryant was more than happy to make happen for her! We saw the Texans and the Saints play. It was fun!
A picture of the field!
Gracie and her Daddy
Gracie and her Mommy
We were all EXHAUSTED once the days was over. But it was a dream come true for the Birthday Girl, and it was worth every minute of it!
We drove back early Sunday morning in time for (most of) church. And then we had homemade cupcakes decorated with sprinkles and Cinderella toys, and she got to open her presents.
Ready to Blow out the Candles
Opening Presents with her friend Aubrey
Her new bike! She's been asking for a bike for a while now. She's excited to go ride it tonight! (It's gonna be our FHE activity!)
I think Gracie had a very memorable, fun, wonderful 3rd Birthday!
We sure love you Gracie Girl! I just don't know how we ever lived without you! Happy Birthday!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
I Love to See the Temple...
This past Saturday, Bryant and I had the opportunity to go to the Houston Temple and do a session for the first time. It was really nice to go, and it's always fun to visit a new Temple! The High Priest Group in our ward "sponsored" this temple trip. We all met at the Temple and they had people there to watch our kids while we did a session. What a nice service! I really appreciated it, and I'm glad so many families took advantage of the opportunity.
After the session as I was in the Celestial Room waiting for Bryant, I noticed a young man who had just taken out his own endowments. There were TONS of people there in support of him, and he had the biggest smile on his face. It was obvious that he was loved by his ward family. I wondered what this man's story was. He was there without family (he was the only black man in the session), and he was not old, but not 19 either. I wondered if he was perhaps a convert to the church who was ready to leave on a mission himself.
Seeing him made me think of the first time I went through the Temple. It was a little over 9 years ago for me. It was a little overwhelming for sure, but as I've gone back to the Temple over these past 9 years, I've come to have a deep love and appreciation for the covenants and promises made there. It's because of the Temple marriage that Bryant and I have that allows our family to be together for eternity. I went through the Temple in preparation to serving a mission of course. I also had a lot of supporters from my home ward attend with me, as well as my parents of course. Living in Southern California, we were assigned to the San Diego Temple--one of the most beautiful in my opinion. I vividly recall a sweet worker coming and speaking to me and telling me how grateful she was for my desire and willingness to serve the Lord as a missionary. She shared her own conversion story and was so very grateful for the missionaries that brought the gospel to her. She then turned to my Mom and said she was equally grateful for the Mothers that raised these young men and women that would be missionaries all over the world, and who were willing to send them off for 18 months to 2 years. It's a sweet memory for me.
I learned that this young man was not going on a mission, but had joined the church about a year ago and was simply going through the Temple to further his progression in the church. What a fantastic conversion story!
Afterwards, we picked the girls up, and walked around the Temple with them for a few minutes, and Bryant got to try out his new camera! We then headed straight to Minute Maid Park to watch the Astros and Brewers play. It was a really wonderful Saturday!
After the session as I was in the Celestial Room waiting for Bryant, I noticed a young man who had just taken out his own endowments. There were TONS of people there in support of him, and he had the biggest smile on his face. It was obvious that he was loved by his ward family. I wondered what this man's story was. He was there without family (he was the only black man in the session), and he was not old, but not 19 either. I wondered if he was perhaps a convert to the church who was ready to leave on a mission himself.
Seeing him made me think of the first time I went through the Temple. It was a little over 9 years ago for me. It was a little overwhelming for sure, but as I've gone back to the Temple over these past 9 years, I've come to have a deep love and appreciation for the covenants and promises made there. It's because of the Temple marriage that Bryant and I have that allows our family to be together for eternity. I went through the Temple in preparation to serving a mission of course. I also had a lot of supporters from my home ward attend with me, as well as my parents of course. Living in Southern California, we were assigned to the San Diego Temple--one of the most beautiful in my opinion. I vividly recall a sweet worker coming and speaking to me and telling me how grateful she was for my desire and willingness to serve the Lord as a missionary. She shared her own conversion story and was so very grateful for the missionaries that brought the gospel to her. She then turned to my Mom and said she was equally grateful for the Mothers that raised these young men and women that would be missionaries all over the world, and who were willing to send them off for 18 months to 2 years. It's a sweet memory for me.
I learned that this young man was not going on a mission, but had joined the church about a year ago and was simply going through the Temple to further his progression in the church. What a fantastic conversion story!
Afterwards, we picked the girls up, and walked around the Temple with them for a few minutes, and Bryant got to try out his new camera! We then headed straight to Minute Maid Park to watch the Astros and Brewers play. It was a really wonderful Saturday!
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