Okay, its not so much about the food, its always about who you share it with! Last night, after work, Natalie and I got together. Although she moved back to Utah a couple months ago, we haven't gotten to play as we would like! Every adventure starts better when you get to see your favorite little people and when one gets sneaky in his scheming to make you stay and keep you in the house. We then found the waffle love truck where we enjoyed delicious liege waffles that make me want to go right back to Brugge and stay a while. Needless to say, eating them with your friends is always fun! I then introduced Nat to Hobby Lobby!! Still in shock she had never been there. We searched for wooden circle tags in just the right size and then found roundy, the cutest "dump" table there ever could be.
Finally, we roamed Downeast to see if we could find something comparable to roundy but instead we just discovered we know one another's style SO well that we can tell in an instant if its something the other would go for. Being friends since first grade kind of helps that right along!
It was just one of those completely delightful nights which was then topped off by snuggling a clean baby and him making sure I get one more snuggle before I left.
As I drove home, I phoned another friend, Mary. Although we haven't been friends quite as long, we're going on 11 years which is so happy! We have only known each other as adults (all be it, young and single ones) but still, its lovely that someone who knew you from the first time you moved out of your parents house and still knows you as someone who owns their own house with a couple degrees and a mission inbetween exists and gets you because their experiences have been very similar in life and your brains are friends.
As we discussed life, tinder, choosing to be happy, general conference, work, friends, housing and family, I just thought to myself, how did I get so blessed in the friend department? I am so grateful for people who just stand as stalwart friends and examples throughout your life. And when you can resume whatever you were talking about the night before at 6:00 am, you know that friendship is real! So abundantly blessed!
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Friday, November 6, 2015
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
I delight in remembering and being remembered.
One of the cognitive functions I think I appreciate most (however, I must say that as a SLP who does cognitive therapy...I really appreciate every cognitive function I have!) is the ability to remember.
I love being able to recall life events. Today I've thought about my mission, driving in freezing rain storms, cuddling babies, every time I have moved, gross things I have eaten, interesting dates I've been on, every time and person I've eaten at Red Iguana with, my month of mono back in high school and so so many other things. I looked back on these and so many other memories with depth and all the feelings come right back. I love that.
At the end of work today, suddenly I got a burst of text messages from a variety of friends. It filled my heart with such happiness! Each name made me think of how much I love them, how much I appreciate them, and how grateful I was for them thinking of me, for remembering me.
I hope that I can be a better rememberer and sharer of the things that I remember. It is one of the most simple ways we can serve one another, is to remember them.
I love being able to recall life events. Today I've thought about my mission, driving in freezing rain storms, cuddling babies, every time I have moved, gross things I have eaten, interesting dates I've been on, every time and person I've eaten at Red Iguana with, my month of mono back in high school and so so many other things. I looked back on these and so many other memories with depth and all the feelings come right back. I love that.
At the end of work today, suddenly I got a burst of text messages from a variety of friends. It filled my heart with such happiness! Each name made me think of how much I love them, how much I appreciate them, and how grateful I was for them thinking of me, for remembering me.
I hope that I can be a better rememberer and sharer of the things that I remember. It is one of the most simple ways we can serve one another, is to remember them.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
I delight in the spontaneous.
Did a weekend just happen because I think I missed it. This week was work x5 days then a packed day of play! Craig and I headed south after LEND on Friday and landed in happy valley. Seeing my sweet grandpa is my favorite! Friday night I ate delicious food (thank goodness someone cancelled their reservation at the black sheep cafe) with my favorite aussie and mission companion. It was delightful to catch up on life and hear about the love of her life. We topped off the night at the creamery. I get so nostalgic on that campus. It seems like my BYU experience was a whole other life ago.
Saturday morning I woke up on my favorite couch in the world. The special of the morning was waffles which I only ever have at Grandpa's because he is the only one who has a belgian waffle maker. They were delicious as always. Then the three of us set out on an adventure. First to the barber, then around BYU, the cemetery, springville, salem and finally payson. The temple is looking SO much more like a temple now! It was fantastic! On the way back, we drove past the "provo city temple" (I think that's what they're calling it). So crazy as the entire structure is jacked up while they dig two stories below. I know right?
The afternoon brought a drive to Eagle Mountain visiting my best friend from my undergrad days and lifesaver time and time again. She has the sweetest children (which is to be anticipated considering she is so sweet and constantly Christ-like herself) and we had a delightful time decorating sugar cookies. My only regrets are that I couldn't stay longer and that I didn't take any pictures. The most precious memory I walked away with is the one of her sweetest little one falling asleep with his head snuggled on my chest. Precious and so so delightful!
Then the whirlwind began...Draper and visiting a dear old roommate and friend and meeting her adorable baby! My friends have the cutest children! Anyway, it was so wonderful to catch up and go to another roommates bridal shower. It is so fantastic to get to hang out with people who you just love and who you just have a history with that makes you go...wow...being friends with you has been awesome! I love love love it. The night ended with a drive back to Provo, seeing my cousins, grandpa, picking up Craig and heading north with a diet coke in hand.
I'm sad the weekend is over and I've only really recounted Saturday, mostly because I never want to forget it and because I really delighted in all of it. On the drive home, I enjoyed listening to general conference addresses from October 2010 from President Monson, President Eyring and President Uctodorf. The line that stuck me the most was this, "...diligently doing the things that matter most will lead us to the Savior of the World..." (President Uctodorf). One of the things that matters the most to me is my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It shapes my life and I pray it continues to define and refine my life.
-----
Monday, August 6, 2012
I delight in a week of delightful moments.
Since my daily delighting just isn't in the cards at the moment...I've decided to give a run down of some of of the past week's delights:
- Finally seeing Wicked, loving Wicked as much as I always hoped I would, loving that my Mom and LB loved Wicked too. And now, I really love that Wicked is Christin's CD of choice in the car (since it has been Taylor Swift for the past 2 years, it was time for a change!)
- Saying good-bye to Nat and JD. This is only half a delight because I miss them terribly and Utah won't be the same without them, but I am SO excited for their adventures in the northwest, and I'm so excited I now have a fantastic excuse to visit the northwest!
- Attending my 'Cuz's' sealing in the Timpanogos Temple on Saturday! I am so happy for Breanne and Mark! He is one lucky man because Breanne is amazing! Attending the dinner that night and seeing how much everyone there loved and supported them was so great! Pictures to come!
- Being in the temple with my Grandpa! Grandpa B attended Breanne's wedding too and he and I have never been in the temple at the same time. It was such a special moment for me to be there with family as that was a first for me! I'm so grateful for such wonderful events to bring the family together.
- Spending time with Mom. Its always a rare occasion so I always enjoy it when it happens...even though I am the worst passenger side driver ever.
- Teaching the 7-8 year olds in Primary on Sunday! I haven't been in Primary since I was in Primary so I wasn't sure what to expect. But boy, the girls and boys of my ward don't disappoint! They are SO smart! We talked about the importance of being kind and the scripture story of the Good Samaritan. Possibly my favorite part was hearing them recount the story after the lesson...I love hearing what parts of the story they remember and how they interpret it. Classic quotes from my experience in primary to come...and believe you me, they are classic!
- Playing memory with LB, we started playing a game of memory every night when I get home from work. It's great!
- I ordered some new books off Amazon. I sold a few of my grad school text books in the previous couple of weeks, only the ones I never liked anyway and wouldn't use ever, mostly because I never used them even when I had them. So I decided to take the money I got from selling them and put it into books I would actually use. I'm excited!
Just a few little delightful delights! :)
Sunday, July 29, 2012
I delight in wise words and best friends.
I have the world's best friends. I am so blessed. One of my best friends, just happened (For the record, I don't believe in coincidences) to be so timely in sending me the following quote. It couldn't have come at a better time.
"My dear sisters, do not pray for tasks equal to your abilities, but pray for abilities equal to your tasks. Then the performance of your tasks will be no miracle, but you will be the miracle."
Monday, July 23, 2012
I delight in when my Mission President came home!
Last weekend was a BLAST!
I always delight in my mission, but really, today I'm so nostalgic about it! Sunday I got to hear my mission president (technically my second mission president) report on his mission! The last time I saw President and Sister Simpson was two years ago when my mom and I went back to visit my mission, it was such a happy and incredible day. See picture below.
And this (on the right) is from soon after they arrived in the mission, okay, the second time I got to see them at a zone conference in Annapolis Royal.
And so, this weekend Cherilyn, Katie, Ashley and I took a little roadtrip north where we met up with Jen and Heather and had a super Saturday adventure in Idaho Falls (or "IF" as the locals call it).
First stop: Idaho Falls Temple!
The Idaho Falls Temple was the 8th operating temple in the Church. So, that makes it unique because of some of its features that other/newer temples don't have (four-stage progressive). It was dedicated by President David O. McKay in October 1940. It was so beautiful and having the opportunity to be surrounded by mission sisters was fantastic. As a missionary, the temple was always home. When I returned from my mission, I felt the same way about the temple. No matter where we are in the world, no matter how far from our families, the Lord's House/Temple is always home.
After the temple, we wandered along the greenway of the Snake River--it has beautiful gardens!
(borrowed this one from Jen's facebook--love this picture)
After lunch, and a walk, it was time for ice cream! What a colorful selection!
Finally, we went back to Jen's family's house--is this not the most awesome barn? And I'm SO glad we didn't break their trampoline while trying to capture this awesome shot below (also via Jen, thank you!)
How to cross the ditch to get to the daisy's? Hum, such deep thought. :)
I wish this photo captured the lighting a little better, but alas, my iphone has its limits. But just imagine the glow, it was SO beautiful!
1. Will you just trust Jesus?
2. Will you just submit your will to his now and do whatever is necessary?
Both the questions struck me to the core. First of all, I was reminded of the conversation I had just been having with a good friend earlier in the week. Plus I have recently been pondering such things as I have been studying a talk by Elder Neal A. Maxwell, "Swallowed Up in the Will of the Father." It is a really great talk I was given at institute one evening, definitely a recommended read.
The other thing President reminded us of, which was a reminder I needed was this: "You don't have to be perfect, you only have to be worthy." I am so grateful for the opportunity of a mission, for the opportunity to have come to know so many great and wonderful people and for the opportunity to know how much Heavenly Father loves all his children.
The Simpsons and Sisters!
Thank you to these girls for a great time and great memories!
Thank you to the Simpson's for their ever great example, love, and kindness!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
i delight in family and history.
pearls of history
(grandpa on the left, grandparents engagement photo in the middle and grandma on her tricycle on the right)
taken in the 1920s and 1940s
scanned by erin
Today was a really great day. I put life together again in my room so I can stand living in it for however long I'm going to be here. :) I live so much better in clean, tidy and organized space. Now to keep it that way...again :) I spent time with my Mom. Revision: I spent a lot of time laughing with my Mom. We laughed a lot today at my house: this morning at breakfast, this afternoon about "Mary Problems" and tonight about the funny things people say when they're in denial about their life and circumstance (thank you dad, for sharing your experiences and for not making us share it firsthand with you). I got to go bowling with my friends for the last time for a while (hello work starting next week!) It's always entertaining. And it always reminds me that one day I will learn why people with down syndrome stutter so much more frequently than the general population. I voted. I went to institute with katie, who always makes me smile and who i am so grateful we served in the same mission, even though we were both there together at the same time for a day but it has bonded us for life. Talking with her always seems to make life manageable and happy, and of course, full of laughter. Institute however was not a laughing matter but it was beautiful. We talked about the atonement of Jesus Christ and watched this video. It is the first depiction of Christ's suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane that does not have any music or commentary or anything going on simultaneously, except the sound of crickets. I realized how much background influences my emotions. The gravity of the 'aloneness' set in, and my heart was and still is so full. It was so personal. Please take 8:30 minutes to watch it. The conversation that ensued afterwards was uplifting and powerful. I am so grateful for the opportunity to gather with hundreds of other young single members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on a weekly basis, to feel of their strength and hear their experiences and testimonies. I am always uplifted. Finally, I got to spend time scanning pictures of my family. I am always intimidated by family history. My brother Craig knows it all and he is the family history guru. He has our history memorized--dates, names, cities, relations, EVERYTHING. He informs us of birth dates and death dates of loved ones who have passed on. He notifies family members when he learns of the passing of a family member that was related to them. He puts information on our family and other families on the church's family history site. He gets phone calls and emails with questions, and thank you's regarding information he has provided. Craig searches hundreds of newspapers everyday to see if in the obituaries, there is a relative that has passed away. If there is he prints it out and keeps a record of it. See where my intimidation comes in? I know nothing. He knows everything. At the beginning of the year though, I was determined to do something more than indexing so, I decided I was going to learn what my ancestors looked like. Now that may sound strange so let me explain. It is so much more powerful to me when I am hearing a story about a person to have a face pictured in my mind to whom I can attach the story to. I am blessed to have known all 4 of my grandparents very well (and still have 3 living) and to have known 3 of 8 great grandparents. But I have no visual image of any other family members. So, I am collecting pictures of relatives. The goal is 4 generations but really, there is no limit. My goal is to organize them into a visual family tree (but really, I'm up for gathering as many pictures as possible and the stories to go with) so I can understand and know what they looked like so I can think of their picture in my mind when I hear something about them or about their posterity. A visit to my Grandpa this weekend made at least he and my grandma's portion of that rather easy. It has been a special experience to look at each picture one at a time and think about how it must have been. There are stories I know, stories I want to know and stories to be recorded. But starting with pictures, is my first step. The day is now over, and this is probably as recorded as it is going to get. It has been a delightful day that is ending right where it started, in my bed. Good night.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
A Vacation in Selfies.
It is not hard to know that I delight in vacations. I especially delight in vacations in Island Park. Add in best friend Natalie and I've got lots of delights going on. (Add in sickness and well...that's minus one, but let's look past that shall we?) Nat and I have gone adventuring in Island Park in the past, but this time was particularly historic as we are both done with school and she and her husband JD are about to move to Oregon for school. We had to have one last hoorah! And so...our trip in self portraits--thank you iphone.
That's Henry's Lake in the background
My favorite place ever is in the background. Its BEAUTIFUL!
Random beaver ponds in Montana!
Traditional Pictures: Welcome to Island Park, Idaho, Montana, and a new one, West Yellowstone!
Yellowstone: Firehole Drive (oh hello wind!)
Waiting on Old Faithful and fateful looking storms
The new Old Faithful Visitors Center--our reflection is in the middle left window
The best lounging/people watching/people listening/snoozing spot in Old Faithful Lodge
Leaving the Park
Church at Mack's Inn, in the snow
Johnny Sacks Cabin, in the snow
Leaving the Cabin
Mesa Falls: The Upper Falls
Mesa Falls: The Lower Falls
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)