Why Being an Aunt is Wonderful

Tonight I babysat my sister's kids. When I got there, my little niece had just gone to bed. Since she and I have a special bond, I went in and said good-night to her. She seemed unusually quiet. I asked her if she was sad and in her little voice whimpered, "Yes." I asked her if she wanted me to sing her songs and again she said, "Yes." I asked what she wanted. Her response, "Snow White." After Snow White, I sang Sleeping Beauty. When I finished with that she asked, "Belle?" I just smiled and began singing Beauty and the Beast. Then, I finished with Aladdin. Love that my niece knows and loves to sing the Disney princess songs.

Happy Easter!

About a month ago I was introduced to Rob Gardner's Lamb of God. My interactions consisted of one minute segments on iTunes and those brief segments flooded my soul with peace. Then a couple of weeks ago, I was able to hear this oratorio in the Tabernacle on Temple Square. Once again, I felt the undeniable testimony of the Spirit.

Saturday evening, I decided I needed to buy the soundtrack. As soon as the music started playing, a smile spread across my face as I remembered why I had to have this music. I found that the intimacy of my car brought a whole new level of understanding to the message of the words and music. I have a deep and abiding love for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I find myself stumbling to say what I want but words cannot adequately express what I feel. Know that I have a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. To echo the words of Job spoken long ago, I know that my Redeemer lives!




Our Hope and Deliverer promised of old,
For whom we have waited e’er long,
Hath come to redeem us from slavery’s yoke
And deliver His people back home.
Come, Israel, come and see He who shall reign,
In whom we will ever rejoice,
We hear the sound of the glorious refrain
And it echoeth back in our voice:
Hosanna! Hosanna! Thy Savior hath come, O Israel,
And blessed He’ll ever be called!
Hosanna! Hosanna! Sing praises to God,
For our Hope, our Deliv’rer, our All!
Oh, why should we wander as strangers from Thee
And turn from Thy bounteous hand?
Restore and defend us, oh, set us free,
That beside Thee we ever may stand!

He looks, and ten thousands of angels rejoice,
And myriads wait for His word;
He speaks, and eternity, filled with His voice,
Re-echoes the praise of her Lord:

Hosanna! Hosanna! Thy Savior hath come,
Our Hope, our Salvation, our All!

Almost There…

Two Saturdays ago, I had my longest run (12 miles) in my half-marathon training schedule. Two problems existed. One was General Conference and the other was weather. I needed to find a time that was a good balance between sessions, weather, and food. The morning was still pretty chilly but rain was predicted for the evening. I finally decided to squeeze it in between the morning and afternoon session. If I ran at a consistent pace, I knew I could make it.

When I did my 10 and 11-mile runs, I planned a route near a grocery store so I could buy water and keep myself hydrated. This time, I didn’t have that luxury. I was visiting my parents and no grocery store existed along my route. Gratefully, my dad came to my rescue. I asked him to bring food and water an hour into my run and showed him on a map about where I would be. He dropped me off at the post office and I was on my way.

The hard part about this run was the wind. For the first five to six miles, I was running into the wind. I was tired and discouraged. I found a way to keep going because I knew I had to be at a certain point when I met up with my dad and that became my focus. My whole body rejoiced when I saw his car driving down the road. That bit of food and water was enough to get me through the next three miles, which is where the care facility and a drinking fountain was.

Refreshed again, I began the last stretch home. I was 1½ miles away when my dad surprised me! He brought more water! That helped me finish running my miles. I even made it in time for the first speaker! I am so grateful for my dad’s help because I don’t think I could have made it without him. Also, I have literally run around Gunnison and Centerfield. Life is complete! ;)

Last week I did a “short” 9-mile run. Unlike two weeks ago, this Saturday was marred with snow, rain, and cold. I decided to go to the indoor track but groaned just thinking about it. Being Saturday, I knew half of it would be closed and I was doomed to run around and around and around and around. I decided to plan ahead and using gmap-pedometer, I charted a mile course near the Smith Fieldhouse. Half way through my run, I saw a break in the weather and was able to finish outside!

I’m excited for this weekend. I have no idea what my time will be because I haven’t really worried about time but focused more on running each mile. What I do know is I am much stronger and have better stamina than last time. Here’s hoping for a personal best.

Why I Love My New Job!

Being told, “We are so glad you are here” multiple times by multiple people my first day.

My boss telling me, “We fought to hire you.” (Hiring engineers has been a top priority.)

Given responsibility immediately. On my first day, I was handed a project and was asked to figure out a solution.

People reaching out introducing themselves to me.

The CMO calling me into his office just to see how I am doing and to let me know his door is always open to me. It really is. I sit ten feet away. :)

Benefits are amazing! Seriously! My laptop, my two screens, my iPhone, etc. Working in a technology company is nice!

Receiving positive feedback along with constructive feedback.

Company culture! I never understood how valuable cultural fit was until I started this job.

Feeling like I am adding to the company, and at the same time, feeling like the company is adding value to me.

Realizing the amazing blessing of working here and feeling tremendous gratitude to the Lord for guiding my path.