10 Year Anniversary of 9/11

On this day 10 years ago, I was a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That morning we woke up and did our scripture study and got ready to meet the English speaking elders to teach a discussion to a single woman. Right before we started teaching the discussion, the Elders said that one of the members of their ward said that a plane hit the world trade center. I seriously laughed and said that could not be possible. We left the discussion and went to our next appointment. Our investigator opened the door. The TV was on and they were sitting there watching in disbelief. We sat there and watched the 2nd plane hit the tower and the tower collapse. Afterwards we asked them to mute the tv. We sang Nearer my God to Thee and said a prayer with them and left.

I must back track a little bit. I was serving in Freeport, TX, which is an island on the Gulf of Mexico, where the refineries are massive cities. We had to take a bridge in between the refinery to get to our apartment. We went home for lunch and had several messages from the rest of our appointments for the day saying they were evacuating the island. Panic started to set in and we called our mission president to see what we should do. He said to pack several items and if a mandatory evacuation was asked of us to head to Austin. Also, he told us to always have a full tank of gas.

We had no more appointments, so we decided to go tracting through the streets. As we got out and walked down the street there was not one person on the streets and it was eerily quiet.

After I came home from my mission in 2002, I had so many questions. I had to ask my dad who Bin Laden was. It was hard not being able to use the internet, tv or read newspaper, when such a huge event in American History took place. At college, I was part of a play that was written about the events of 9/11. We posted newspaper articles all over the building from the events of 9/11. I remember spending hours reading about the events that occurred, because I felt disconnected from that day.

I am so thankful for those who have sacrificed everything to defend our country.

I will never forget.

Back to the Grind

I can't believe it's Tuesday and that it's September. It was so nice to have a lonnng 4 day weekend. The weather was gorgeous. It was in the 80s on Saturday and we were able to open up the windows in the apartment for the first time since April.

Work was ok today, but I'm sure it will be even busier tomorrow, as quite a few people took today off. During my lunch, I went and worked out. After work, I went to get the oil changed, did a little shopping for an outfit for my mother in law's wedding. Now it's off to get gas and go grocery shopping. We went through the Barefoot Contessa cookbooks this weekend and picked out several recipes to try. We are opening up our repertoire of dinner menu items. I'm excited to make new things. I'll definitely take some pictures of the new menu items as I make them and post them on the blog.

Breast Cancer Awareness Chain Game

One of my husband's cousin's wife's posted a link to a Blog post by C.G. Ward about the game that started this week and clogged the status update on Facebook as things like, "I'm 10 weeks and I'm craving..." I loved her article. Apparently, faking that you are expecting a baby was supposed to raise awareness for Breast Cancer. I really don't see the connection of the two. She had some great points. If you'd like to read her full post, here's a link to her blog: cgwardphotography.blogspot.com Being a huge supporter of Breast Cancer Awareness this game is completely offensive. There are many ways to raise awareness. One is to support a Breast Cancer Charity. There are so many different non-profit organizations. For several years I raised money and walked every mother's day for the Beverly Breast Cancer 5k walk. One of my friend's friend had Type IV Breast Cancer at age 32. She fought a huge fight, but lost her battle at age 35. She would come in her wheelchair and participate in the walk with us. How sad it was that she left 2 young daughters and a husband. Also, she touched on infertility in her blog post. There are so many women in this world who yearn to have a baby of their own, but have difficulty conceiving. Many people feel isolated and bear their pain in silence. I know that once I started seeing people post this on their boards it made really sad, even though I was excited that they were having a baby. We want a baby, but have not been fortunate enough to have one of our own. I would just ask that if you're going to play a silly, thoughtless game, think about the consequences of what you are doing, before posting it for the whole world to see. Also, ask yourself, is this really going to bring "awareness" to the cause.

Accountability

Ok...so It might get a bit boring, but I have to do this, because if I'm accountable, I will actually follow through. Today I could not wake up at 6am. I laid in bed wayyyy too long and had to get up to walk to work (aka the second bedroom). Instead of putting on some pj's, I ended up putting on my work out clothes. I wore them the entire day. When I got off work, I put my gym shoes on and went to the gym. YAY!!! Wearing my workout clothes all day really worked. It was a constant reminder of the commitment I have made to get fit and healthy.

Back On Track

After a rocky summer of very little exercise the last few months, I'm back on track. Saturday I started working out at the gym and doing my floor exercises at home. I was quite sore in my legs the next day. Today the alarm went off at 6am and I got up, got dressed and headed to the gym. I love when working out starts to get easier and the distance can get longer. I got home, got showered and I had a spring in my step all day long. Tomorrow I start all over again. My mother in law is getting married in a month and I hope to have shed some more weight before then... And so the journey begins...

It's July! Where has the time gone?

Well, Ben and I have been in Texas for the past 3 months and we love it here! Our ward is fabulous and we both have callings. Ben is the Ward Clerk and I'm the Mia Maid Advisor. I haven't been in Young Women in 13 years and so much has changed. I'm looking forward to this new adventure.

Right now, we are on the house hunt, but finding one in our ward boundaries is proving to be impossible as it is 2 blocks deep and 6 blocks wide. It makes for slim pickings, so we've had to start looking outside the boundaries.

I love the 4th of July! It is one of my favorite holidays. One thing I will miss this year are the fireworks in Chicago. They are always
so spectacular. I did however hear that one of the neighboring towns in Dallas has the number 3 ranking for best fireworks, so after I pick up Ben from the airport, hopefully we can go watch them.

We are so blessed to live in a country where we can choose our own destiny. We have so many freedoms, because of the sacrifice of those before us.

I'm so thankful to be an American.

Charity

This past year has had sooo many ups and downs. I feel like I've been on a roller coaster ride. Moving to Texas has been such a blessing for us. Ben is my rock and I'm so glad to have a wonderful, supportive husband.

I'm not going to lie. I've cried a ton this past year feeling sorry for myself about loosing our first baby. Emotionally, I think that is the toughest thing that I've ever had to experience in my life so far.

Finally I think I have gotten some answers... Moroni 7:40-48 struck my heart today. Below are a couple of the versus that popped out.

42 Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope: for without faith there cannot be any hope.

43 And again, behold I say unto you that he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart.

44 If so, his faith and hope is vain, for none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart; and if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity.

45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."

I know I've read these scriptures a hundred times, but today they have offerred me guidance and direction.

There is a line in my patriarchal blessing that also has shed new light about developing the quality of charity.

I really need to work on developing charity, especially all of the qualities that are present in verse 45.

I feel so blessed to have the knowledge, that my Heavenly Father loves me and is mindful of my needs.