Longest Month Ever

Though shortest in days, February feels like the longest month and this year proved no exception. Cold and snow and cold and snow and more cold and more snow. I'm a Utah girl so I should be prepared for winters like this but this year was pound you into the ground until you're bruised and bloodied and forgotten what warmth feels like. It didn't help that I had to travel to Toronto twice. Yes I may be being a bit dramatic but I don't care. This year's winter tested all my sanity.

A few highlights:

Captured a perfect sunset at the temple

Visited Lincoln's Cottage (missed the tour though)

Found 1st National Cemetery (aka Arlington Light)

Additionally my friend Mel came to town for a week so I spent a few days driving to Leesburg after work to play with her and Cheryl. One night we went to Cheryl's gym and did pilates. I wish someone had a camera as we looked quite uncoordinated at times.

The biggest news that happened in February started from a Sunday morning message from my boss's boss asking if I'd seen his email the day before. I hadn't since I don't check my emails on the weekend. Quickly looked and he asked if I would come up to Toronto for leadership meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday. Having no idea why I was singled out but also knowing I'd miss an important opportunity at work, I logged onto my company's travel site and booked a trip the next day. My boss chatted with me the next day and mentioned that the org changes that we all thought were going to happen were tossed aside for a new plan from the VP. After two days of meetings, I still had no idea why I had been asked to join. An hour before leaving for the airport, the VP pulled me into his office to chat. What he suggested was exactly what I had been hoping for and immediately accepted a new role. The catch: I had to fly to Toronto more often. Gratefully it's such a quick flight that going once or twice a month wouldn't be too problematic and the weather is getting warmer so here's hoping to better things.

Día Seis

Last full day in the city was great. We stopped to see Templo Mayor which was an ancient temple built by the Aztecs, then covered by the Spanish, then uncovered by the modern Mexican people. Very impressive.

After visiting the Zocolo and Templo Mayor, we stopped at a permanent flea market. It has a name, but I can't remember the name right now. This place reminded me of my grandparents. I saw so many things at the market that I found in their home. I bought a doll that reminded me of the doll my grandparents brought my two sisters thirty years ago.

Then we finished the day doing a session in the Mexican temple. I liked to think that my grandparents were there with us as they had served there as missionaries almost 30+ years ago when it first opened. Spending time in the temple with my parents was the best way to finish this vacation.

Día Cuatro

Today was church and sleep and more sleep. Gratefully, the first Sunday of the month the English speaking missionaries combine for Sunday School and Relief Society so I at least understood that part of church. I did enjoy the testimonies in sacrament meeting. Though their words had no meaning for me, their voices invited a powerful spirit. What an amazing group of people!

Later in the evening, we went to family home evening with the senior missionary couples serving in the area office, mission office, and temple. I struggled physically. Finally, as we were walking home, I asked my dad to amuse me and check my ears. He smiled with a "okay but we probably won't find anything and you just need to rest to get better" look. Lo and behold! Double ear infection. My dad commented after that now he understood my grumpiness. I immediately started antibiotics and went to bed hoping for relief.

I love to see the temple

He Hears Me

Today I had the sweetest experience. I attended the wedding of a good friend and was overcome with emotion when the sealer walked into the room. Years ago, this sealer Elder Dennis E. Simmons gave a talk titled "But If Not..." in general conference and it has become my foundation for life, especially when I'm approaching a difficult decision or being bombarded with adversity.

I've been so busy with work lately. Since my boss left in June, I average 10-12 hour work days. I usually work late on Friday evenings and most Saturdays. I struggle to not work on Sunday because I have a meeting first thing Monday morning, my new boss wants the presentation Sunday evenings (she isn't LDS) to review, and I usually don't get the numbers I need from people until Saturday evening if not Sunday morning. On Wednesday at 5:30, a bunch of assignments were piled on my plate even though I had already scheduled to have Thursday and Friday off. So, I worked until 1am until I was too tired to think, then got up the next day and worked another four hours, barely having enough time to help my parents which is why I took the time off in the first place. I worked everyday of my family's yearly vacation; my brother invited me to California with his family at the end of July and I felt I could only take two days off if I wanted a real vacation; and today I received a notice from my boss telling me I couldn't take any more time off until I had two people trained on our marketing automation system (something I've spent more than 100+ hours learning) because a catastrophe happened today and I wasn't around to fix it. And if I'm honest in this confession, the person who emailed the rant about not having a backup for me could have fixed the problem if he'd have looked at the situation more closely. No worries though. I solved the problem even though I had taken today off to be at my friend's wedding.

So when the sealer started with saying, "It's good to be in the temple today..." I began to cry. It was so good to be in the temple, to feel the peace of the Spirit without being bogged down by worldly cares. He continued reminding us that the world would have us pursue wealth but the Lord reminds we should only seek that which is sufficient for our needs. I realized that so much of my time and decisions center around something that is fourth or fifth on my priority list. I've been praying the past few months to know what to do and how to change my situation. I don't have an answer, but I know the Lord is aware of my need. He sent a tender mercy my way today. One that was very much needed.

I Love to See the Temple

This weekend my cousin married the beautiful Brittany in the Salt Lake Temple. After pictures, I decided to play with Instragram on my phone and ended up with the most fantastic shots. I'm so happy with the results!

I have been an LDS temple worker for the past year. I've made some very dear friends. Some my age and some not even close to my age. But they have become my temple family. I love them dearly. Since I am moving in the next few weeks, I will no longer be able to work in my current temple. I'm saddened by that fact but excited for the adventure ahead of me. I am grateful for the wonderful sisters who have served with me and taken the time to be my friend.

I am grateful I got all my laundry done yesterday. It's been 2 1/2 weeks since I did laundry and it was nice to be able to get it all done in one sitting.

I am grateful for the ability to multi-task. Here is my setup from the other night as I watched a new tv series, worked on one computer, and finished a project on another. #Nerdalert.

More Pictures of the Wedding

I didn't take many pictures at the wedding because my three brother-in-laws and my older brother were doing a great job. I know many of you who follow my blog also know my sister so I thought I would upload a couple of pictures from the wedding. These two came from Lucille's blog.

Gratitude Day 27

1- Eternal Marriage. Today my sister and her fiance were married in the temple for all eternity. The sealing powers we have on this earth create a bright future of hope which promises that if we are true and faithful, we can live with our spouse, children, and families for all eternity. What an amazing blessing from the Lord!

2- Relationships with others. At the reception this evening, I was reminded of how important kindness towards others is in building friendships with everyone. My great-aunt and my dad's cousin both made comments about how much they value the efforts I give in visiting with them. Most people do not know their extended family beyond first cousins and aunts and uncles, but I have had the unique chance to get to know these relatives because I grew up in the same town as them. Having these extended, extended relatives in my life has been a great blessing to me.

3- Angelic ministers. With today being such a busy day and my mind being elsewhere most of the time, I am grateful the Lord is able to speak to others to help me. My aunt related an experience that happened to her during the ceremony that related to me. Her impression lifted my spirits and renewed my hope.

Gratitude Day 18

1- Twins. I love my sister's twins! They are adorable and vivacious and passionate and social and...well you get the idea. I had to drop some keys off at my sister's place today. When the twins saw me they got huge smiles, shouted my name, and gave me huge two-year-old hugs. Those two cuties brightened my day today.

2- Bed, Bath, and Beyond coupons. I've been buying a few things there recently (my sister is getting married in a week and is registered there) and having a 20% off coupon for each item saves me lots of money.

3- Random encounters. I swapped shifts with a sister at the temple. Tonight I ran into an MBA friend, my cousin Tim and his wife, and friends from my singles ward. Always good to meet up with people.

Gratitude Day 9

1- Working at the temple. I love being a temple worker! Five years ago I had the opportunity to serve for 18 months. I am working there again and am on the same shift. People from four years ago remember me! It's like a second family and I love these sisters dearly. Being in the temple each week and serving others is such a blessing in my life.

2- Tender Mercies. While at the temple, I started talking with a sister about the Lord's guidance in our lives. Last week she was seeking an answer to her prayer about her future. That night I was talking with sisters about my current job at BYU. This sister's interest was peaked and said she was interested in the MBA program but didn't know who to talk to. I told her me. We talked on Sunday and today she told me she has signed up for the GMAT! I was an answer to her prayer. Tonight she was an answer to mine.

3- Simple things. A smile. A hug. A thought. I'm often amazed at how the simple things in life can bring a smile to my face.

Gratitude Day 8

1- Temples that are open on Monday. I decided I wanted to do a session today but most temples are closed on Monday. Gratefully both the Provo temple and Salt Lake temple are open for the mornings. It was a much needed boost.

2- High School musicals. My mom called me this afternoon with free tickets to the play in their home town. The cast actually did a great job for a small school. They performed My Fair Lady and it was a great way to spend the evening.

3- Not teaching high school. Though I enjoyed teaching when I did, I was so glad I wasn't in high school anymore or teaching it. Glad I'm doing something different.

4- Grateful I didn't crash in the snow storm. Visibility was horrible and driving through deer country and the storm made for quite the experience.

A Fun Update

I have neglected blogging for important things like finals, moving Andrew apartments, and starting a new internship. Andrew and I have had some fun intermixed with school. We went to the Draper Temple open house in February. Since both of us have been temple workers, we were both amazed at how small and quaint it was compared to Provo temple.

In March, Andrew's friend Jon came to visit. That weekend we went to a Passover dinner. It was an interesting experience and fun to watch Andrew down spoonfuls of bitter herbs. Since he loves horseradish, he thought eating them in that quantity wouldn't be a problem but even he was overwhelmed by the after taste.

Last October I bought two tickets to Wicked at the Capital Theatre. I had just started dating Andrew so had no idea who my date would be when the show was playing in April. Happily Andrew agreed to be my date. He wanted to see the play without any previous exposure to the music or storyline. Granted some of his guy friends made him think we were seeing a "chic musical". Fifteen minutes into the show he realized those guys were wrong. The show was phenomenal! Absolutely amazing! I saw it in Phoenix 1 1/2 years ago and this production was superior. Even Andrew gave the cast a standing ovation, something he doesn't do very often which shows the quality of the performance.

To cap off April, we went to the MBA grad night. It was to have a night of fun games, yummy food, and good conversation. Right now I am looking forward for the snow to melt so we can go play at my parents' cabin. Until that happens, I am keeping busy with my internship and organizing the chaos that happened while I was in school.

Jon eating bitter herbs

Andrew reacting to the bitter herbs

Playing rock band

Families Can Be Together Forever

Last summer, we had a family picture. Being in front of the Manti Temple made for a perfect setting. I love my family and am grateful for the sealing powers which bind us together for eternity. Each one of my siblings brings a unique characteristic to our family dynamic. Too often, I hear of families who don't speak to one another or who have not seen each other in five or more years. Having a family who finds a way to overcome differences and misunderstandings has been a tremendous blessing in my life. I have many great memories with my family including Disneyland, the beach, our family cabin, Lake Powell, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, hiking, camping, playing cards, and so much more. My family is amazing!

I Love to See the Temple

Gratitude - Day 12

1. I am grateful for the temple which brings peace and understanding in an uncertain world.

2. I am grateful for the ability to feel a range of emotions. I have heard people describe their lives as numb. Though I may feel the bitter, I also experience the sweet joy that at times is indescribable.

3. I am grateful for the forgiveness of others.