Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Agency

Boy, is agency a killer ! It's been this huge tough principle I've been learning about for years ! Countless experiences that I won't bore you with. But, I think I can say I've learned that everyone has their agency. We can't get mad at them for using it. I don't want people to get mad at me for using mine. It's controlling those emotions, the disappointment, the anger and frustration, that's the part that gets to me. But then again, I have to use my agency. Do I go crazy and spin out of control giving into those emotions, or do I try to cope, deal and apply the Atonement and make it through with my head above water? Oh agency, the center of Christ's Plan. I really don't think I'll ever fully understand it.

Speaking of decisions. There are so many circling around. Still. Everyday is something new. Everyday I remember something I wanted to figure out. Delaware, the Bledsoe's house, my job, Disney, there's too much ! And then little things. That really aren't that little because they are affecting way too much and having a huge impact on my personality, on my marriage. I wish I had a huge eraser so I could just take it back, make things disappear from my memory. Or maybe a remote to fastforward to the part where I've learned my lesson. A sister at church this past Sunday said something about trials. She said either way we are going to go through them; we can't ever change that fact, no matter what we do. But we can change our attitude. We can say, "Ok, what I am I supposed to learn from this" and do it. Then it seems the trial is over, or goes that much quicker. It's when we fight what's happening, and "kick against the pricks" and complain, cry, that it seems to take so much longer. But once we get the message, that burden seems to lighten.

Sometimes I can see so much that the Lord is taking care of me. This months Ensign [Sarah: the Ensign is a monthly magazine the Church puts out, messages from the Prophet & Authorities, stories from members, pretty neat stuff], but this months I'm sure wasn't written just for me, but boy was someone inspired. It's all about forgiveness, of ourselves, others, using the Atonement. And then there's so many articles on Marriage, and just different principles to strengthen and grow. And I'm not saying my marriage is failing or I need some huge help from above to save it, we just keep finding new things out about eachother, and we hit a roadblock every now and then, and it's good to have others' experiences, counsel from our Leaders to help aid us. Like I said, it's good to see the Lord taking care of me.

What else... I started Indexing. Can I tell you how amazing easy this is ! I wish I had known this. I'm not trying to put this on any certain members, but when I was a YSA and couldn't go to the temple for work there, Hello ! I could have been Indexing. https://www.familysearch.org/volunteer/indexing   Check it out. But it's so simple. [Sarah :p We are HUGE on family history for temple work and even just for the genealogy factor, knowing where we can from and such.] But indexing is taking images of old records the computer can't recognize handwriting and stuff and we type in the information manually. It really takes hardly any time. Just yesterday evening, I started and have already done 78 names. I set a goal to do 10 by Friday. I ramped it up. So my new goal is 1000 names by the end of the year. Which is only 8 per day. I think I can handle it. Hopefully I can help our goal of 5000 names a year. I think I can help ! It was even nifty that I got an email from the Stake President saying thanks :] I love little things like that. And I love wondering about these people. What their story was. Seeing all the names, dates and then wondering about them. It's really interesting. I make up my own stories because I have such a crazy imagination. It's fun.

That's it for now. I'll keep ya updated on my decisions. If I ever make any. Hopefully soon-ish because it's killing me slowly. Other than that, I think I'm pushing forward, enduring...

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Thank you google !

My life is sad and I googled what can I do in 15 minutes. It had a bunch of pages with a bunch of suggestions. But I liked the one that said Blog. So here I am !

Can't say much has happened. I feel like I totally failed as an awesome wife on Chris' bday. He did wear his Disney shirt I got him, that was fashionably wrapped in the Disney bag I left the store with. I wanted to get him a collared Marshall shirt, but they have this new kelly green and some of them looked horrible. So I ruined that surprise and just asked him which one, and we went and got one later. Went to dinner at Outback. Yum. Love me some bloomin' onion ! I had prime rib, eh, he had the NY strip. Whats new ! I had the people sing to him. Fun fun. Found out right after we sat down that I forgot about feeding the missionaries. Oops ! I meant to drop of pizzas before we went to dinner. I felt horrible. Talk about awkward when we ran into them at Wal-Mart right after dinner. Sorry guys ! He said he has fun. I still think I fail. Goal: Next year will be epic !

So we're trying to figure out this whole future-moving-job-school thing. I keep going back and forth. I don't know if I'm serious about moving or if I just get excited about the idea of it. I seriously get happier after I look at apts and schools and everything. But then I stop and wonder, would I really want to go? Hm... I don't know. I think we'll go visit. School is the biggest concern. And money. But I have to find a not taboo way to ask how much money I'll be making. Arg, political correctness ! AND Chris won't help me make this decision. Whatever happened to "family counsel" ?? I don't want to make this alone. It's not just my life. I'll get him to help !

I have my first RS meeting tonight. I was reading over the handbook after I got mine Sunday, and I'm like goooodness ! Talk about pressure. All the goals they say for RS and being able to go above and beyond sets a really high bar, at least to me. Since I'm so little and feel so inexperienced. I was reading something last night though that perked me up in this regard. I knew this before, but now its got a new meaning. So Pres Monson, called to be Bishop at 22 (?) Apostle at 36... Stake Presidency and Mission Pres in between. And here I am getting down about being the 2nd Counselor in RS. I'm sure he had feelings of inadequecy, I can totally see why. I'd die if that happened to me [too bad I'm a chick and it won't !] But it gave me a little perspective. Everyone writes about his preparation to spend his whole life serving, even starting at such a young age. But the Lord was right there. So... why am I any different? No, I'm not in a higher calling, like Bishop, or Apostle, but each calling is important for its own purposes. So I need to stop being fearful and be faithful ! Well that got me excited to get to work ! And it all starts with this meeting. Woo ! I also made a funny little not I like, but next to the motto in the handbook "Charity Never Faileth" I wrote in big letters [to my self] Prove it ! I need to be so charitable everyone can see that it won't fail. I need to serve and love and serve some more.

I'm excited. For life, for hopefully coming to a decision. We shall see.

Monday, August 22, 2011

While I have some time !

Oh life ! You never cease to amaze me. So much has been happening, if its only in my head. Crazy-ness !!

Found out that my boss is leaving, taking his research with him. I'm not losing my job, but it does create a lot of uncertainty that no one really likes. Chris mentioned going to away to work, but... that quickly disappeared on Thursday. Met with Bishop, he's been a busy guy, getting all these open callings filled. Arg.. Anyways, I'm now the 2nd Counselor in the RS Presidency. I'm serving with 3 wonderful women that I can't wait to learn from. They are so amazing. And I already adore them ! I'm excited to get to know the women better and serve them and learn to love them. It should be a really great experience for me. I wanted to learn about Christ-like love and seeing through the muck of choices people make, and loving them, and I think this is just what the doctor (Or the Lord) ordered.

It's Chris' bday today. I wish we had something huge planned. But we don't. I keep thinking I want to come up with something. But I only have the time I'm at work, and unfortunately, I've got to work. I hate just doing dinner, and home watching a movie. That's boring ! We shall see. Probably won't be more than that.

I've discovered Photoshop Actions. LOVE THEM ! I like taking pictures, but don't know anything about editing them, which is like 70% of photography (I think, you can get horrible pictures, but with some editing magic, they are wonderful!) So I had fun editing a couple's pictures Angel and I took the other day. Tracy loves them. It makes me happy. I like to pretend I have some type of talent. I'm wondering if she's going to get a photographer for the wedding @ the DC Temple. Too much pressure. But I'd love to follow someone around. I keep thinking Chris likes pictures too. Maybe I can pose/take, he can take/edit. Tada. Family business.

And I decided to come up with my fake LDS book store I want to open one day. I'd love to do it. But unless a temple gets built here soon, I don't see it being very profitable. But we're waiting until the day, and then will snatch up property and build. I've already looked into it. But I thought of the name "Words of Wisdom" How awesome ! I thought it was pretty sweet. But Chris isn't a fan. Oh well !

We went to the Columbus Temple Saturday. It was nice. I love being there with my husband. Even walked the grounds for a little bit. Found a cute little area for picnics and games and stuff. I love my husband and how much fun we have :]

And I don't know if we have anything else. I keep waiting for him to get a calling. Someday. Maybe he'll be in the YM's Presidency. He got a tip that his name was tossed around ! Hehe

Friday, August 12, 2011

Oops ! Been a while

Sorry ! Every time I'd remember to update, it was in the middle of something else. And then life is just too busy to do anything !

So, it's already halfway through August. What is that ! I want summer back. Summers don't feel like summers when you're a grown up. I don't even think we have done much, which is depressing.

Lets see, after Chris was done with school we went to Utah for a funeral, Madison graduated, Brenda and the kids and eventually Anthony came out to visit. We had Girls Camp in there. Chris hates when I go because its a week of paid time off and we don't use it on some cute little romantic get a way. I was in charge of the counselors and the camp devotionals with Angel. It was intense. I kept thinking Chris was going to jump up and surprise me again like he did last year. But he didn't. And the week went wonderful too.  Then Hill Cumorah and more work. Pretty much hasn't been a super eventful summer ! I'd like to see the beach again someday. My insides die from being away for so many years !

So now its August. Back to school, Maddie and Chris' bdays. We blew up tons of balloons and put them in her yard. It was fun. And got her a piggy bank of sorts :] Madison leaves soon too. It's not fun to think about. Chris talked about her so much when we lived in Utah that I don't know what he's going to do or what I'm going to do. She's amazing and I adore her. She's my BFF out here and she's leaving me !! However, I have probably looked into moving out to Utah more than people know. Checked out jobs, schools for Chris... If only...

But in the mean time, we still have a joint bday party Monday ! Should be fun. My hubby's growing up ! He'll be a big 2-3. Oh boy ! haha He's so little. I hope I can find him a present, even though his iPad was supposed to cover a few years of that. I wonder if school supplies count. His birthday is one day before he starts classes. I'm excited because year 2 will be underway. He hates school.  RIght now his hobby is teaching Daisy tricks. SHe's getting the hang of heading to the door to go outside to potty, but he can teach her like 6 tricks in one day. Really..? So I know she's smart.  We made a video of her skills last night: http://youtu.be/l6chaaoGCFY

And as far as church goes, it's the same old. We finally got a Bishop ! Only about two months I think. So now empty callings will get filled. I only have one technically, so I cringe. Chris doesn't have any, so anytime the 2nd counselor calls, he dreads answering. I can hear the change in his voice once he realizes the call isn't about getting a calling. It's amusing. And a family moved into the ward, and the wife plays piano ! Yay ! They finally have a person that can be the Primary Pianist ! Or any of the other pianist :] I'm afraid they'll call me to ward choir director and make her play. Our last choir director is in the Bishopric. Yay Robert !

So that's all in the life of us right now. But it's Friday ! TGoshIF. I wish weekends wouldn't go by so fast. Dang you time !

Us decorating the yard at 7am for Maddie !


Her loving her yard full of balloons at 730am :]


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