MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Christmas is HERE! I am so excited. I just love the Christmas season! Ever since my mission, the Christmas Spirit has taken on a little different feeling for me. Being away from home, away from my family for the first time at during this time of year, made it a little easier to focus on the true meaning of Chrismas.

I only had one Christmas in the mission field. I was in the area of South Milwaukee, which, oddly enough, is just south of the main city of Milwaukee (about 10-15 minutes from downtown). I had been in the area for about 2 1/2 months - just long enough to form some amazing friendships with many of the people there.
My companion and I with Bro Greasby

We had one family that was investigating - a single mother of two children, one of them with some special needs. He had Cerebral Palsy and was unable to walk without assistance (either crutches or a wheelchair) and he could speak but most of the time his words were not understandable. The mother worked two jobs just to make ends meet, but when it came down to it, she still had nothing.

The Sunday before Christmas, she came to church and cried through all three hours. I had seen her be touched by the spirit and become emotional before, but this seemed different. I pulled her aside and asked her what was making her so emotional. She told me that her car had broken down and she had to use the money she'd saved all year for presents for her boys to pay for the repairs. My heart ached for her. Over the next couple of days, my companion and I rounded up all the presents we could, as well as food and money for this family that was planning on having nothing under the tree and nothing on the table on Christmas. The ward was more than willing to donate, and we were overwhelmed by the response of the amazing members of the West Allis 2nd ward.

On Christmas Eve, we made our way over to their house with the boxes of presents, food, and an envelope of money for her and her boys. When she opened the door and saw us there, she fell to her knees and began to cry - tears of sheer joy. We placed the food on the table, and the presents under the tree. She called to her sons to come see what the Lord had provided for them. The son with Cerebral Palsy, too excited to grab his crutches, crawled from his room to the tree, sat in front of it and cried. He turned and smiled at us, and of course it brought us to tears also.


That night my heart was transformed. It made me realize that Christmas wasn't about presents, Santa, or shopping. It was about miracles. The miracle of our Savior's birth is the most incredible thing of all - for it is because of Him that we have a chance to return to live with our Father in Heaven. I was away from my family and home, but I felt so close to my Heavenly home than I ever had before in my life.

I love my Savior and I love what He has done for me, for you, for all of us. Without Him, there would be no purpose. This year when giving gifts to your family, imagine what it would have been like to be there that night He was born - to give Him a gift, to see His precious face, His tiny hands that would be pierced for us.



Merry Christmas to you all!

Time for an update!

We've now been in our new home for 3 weeks and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!!!!!!

We're still trying to get situated, and in the process of purchasing new furniture, and once that's all taken care of, I'll definitely post pictures. I've already developed a few new habits - one of which is curling up by the fireplace with a good book or the laptop. Nothing tops cuddling with Scott by the fire while we watch a good movie.

I can't even stress how much better this place is than the last one we lived in. And for so many reasons. Not only is it SO SO SO nice, but it's in Heber, and I can't tell you how much I LOVE being back "home". It's kind of weird running into people I went to high school with that are all married with kids and what not, but I absolutely love this little town. My mom always said I'd say that someday...I should have believed her!

Scott got a new job at the St. Regis hotel in Park City. It's a BEAUTIFUL 5 star hotel that is just being finished on top of the mountain at Deer Valley. Papa John (the owner of the pizza place) owns two suites, and Carrie Underwood bought one also. He really enjoys the job and the shorter commute! Not to mention that it's pretty awesome that he will most definitely be running into celebrities that come to Park City to ski...


I'm still working in Orem, and I actually really like my job. Not just because the money is good, but I have great co-workers, and I've learned a lot there. Funny how the jobs that seems menial and simple can teach you so much. I started my practicum hours at the new high school in Heber - since I live across the street from it! I really enjoy spending time in the school and working with the kids. That school being built was LONG overdue. I'm kind of jealous that I didn't get to go to it when I was in school! But at least I get to work there!

Life is simple, but good. I'll be an aunt again in February when my sister has her daughter Ava Elizabeth. I'm really excited to have a niece! I think Anne will be a great mother. I have a lot of friends that are pregnant or just had babies, and although I'm super excited for them, I can't help but feel that twinge of jealousy. All I can do is keep doing the right things, praying and keeping the faith. I know I'll be a mother someday, but the waiting is the hardest part. It is sort of heart breaking. I also know how much Scott wants to be a dad. And he'll be an AMAZING father. I can't wait till the day comes when we will be blessed with a special soul to care for.

On another note, I am thankful for everything I do have - an AWESOME husband who is so patient and sweet, a fabulous new house, a good job, a nice car, terrific parents and sisters and friends, great in-laws, etc. I have the ability to see the beauty of a sunrise, and hear the incredible music I love. I'm pretty blessed.

NEW HOUSE!

We are SO excited about the big change in our life - moving to our brand new condo in Heber City! There is a special place in my heart for Heber, and part of me is relieved to finally be moving "home". The other part is so ridiculously excited about our new place! I feel like we're finally settling down and moving forward.

We got the keys on Tuesday and today we went to take some pictures of the place before we move in. It's got 3 bedrooms, one of which we'll make into our office. The other will be a spare bedroom that will turn into a kid's room someday (hopefully). There are two beautiful bathrooms, and the kitchen is furnished with absolutely gorgeous stainless steel appliances! It was just barely built and I love that no one has lived in it before us!

So for your enjoyment - pictures of our new home! I'll post more when we get moved in! There are more pics on facebook.

Been a While...

I just realized it's been almost 2 months since I updated this thing. Life got really busy once I started working again! But things are on an upward slope and that is super exciting!

First things first: Scott and I are moving to Heber! We found a fantastic little starter home and we'll be moving in a matter of weeks! We just need to get everything finalized and we'll be on our way to being homeowners! I'll post some pics as soon as we get settled! It will be really nice to be living in Heber again, and most of all, it will be SO nice to live in a brand new place that has never been lived in before! We're really excited to get out of Salt Lake and be closer to my family. And we'll be living right across the street from the brand new high school, so if my dream of working there comes true, I won't have far to commute!

We've had a lot of fun the past couple months. We spent some time at Swiss Days, where Scott was handed the job of Risk Management Guy (aka the Brute Squad) and he had a blast making sure everyone was staying in line.

We also went to see the Sheepdog competition at Soldier Hollow. It turned out to be way interesting! Those dogs are CRAZY SMART and so cute. I really enjoyed seeing them do their thing. We spent some time in my dad's garden harvesting veggies and then eating them!! I loved it - getting into the plants and finding the best ones to pick, then washing them off and cutting them up to eat - I don't know what it is about home grown produce, but it always tastes SO good!!

We also went camping with our friends the Andersons and their ridiculously adorable baby boy. Well he's almost 2, so not so much a baby, but he's SO much fun. And the Andersons are some of the world's coolest people. I didn't realize until we got back that I only took like 2 pictures, and they were of Scott folding the tent up. But I did take plenty of pics of the wind generators on the way up to SF Canyon...

We look forward to what the future has to offer- I just can't wait till we get into our new place so we can start over in a new ward, a new home, and a new town. Well, new to Scott, anyway. Bring on the change!!

A couple pictures of our summer - more can be found on facebook.

Remembering...

I can't believe how fast time flies. Tomorrow is July 23, 2009. Exactly one year ago, on July 23, 2008, the world lost one of the most amazing people that has ever lived. That person was my brother-in-law Sean.

Sean was amazing for so many reasons. He was a true Superman. Sean was diagnosed with cancer when he was 20 years old. It began as skin cancer, and it was caught fairly early. The surgeries and treatments he endured left him with painful scars, but gave him 9 more years of life. He lived cancer free for the next few years, and met my sister in December 2004. They instantly fell in love. Their relationship was one to be envied by many. Sean was so respectful of her needs, so loving, so selfless, so happy and his positive spirit and high energy were so contagious.

About a year later, Sean's cancer came back. It showed up in various parts of his body, settling mostly in his lungs. The Hunstman was able to run new treatments on him, and after a couple of months, he was good as new. Sean was offered a job as a dispatch officer for Summit County, and they sponsored him to attend the Academy - to pass POST (Peace Officer Standard Training) to become a corrections officer. Shortly before beginning POST, more tumors were found, this time on his brain. He had surgery on his brain to remove the tumors, and worked so hard to pass the academy with flying colors. His graduation was very moving, as Sean had realized his dream - to be a police officer. He was the only person the Academy had ever known that had passed POST between brain surgeries.

Two weeks later, he had another brain surgery.

Two months later, he was gone.

Sean's biggest dreams in life were 1- To marry the love of his life in the temple, which he did on Dec 9, 2006. 2 - To become a dad, which he did the instant he came into Amy and Jasen's life. Jasen has never referred to Sean as anything but his dad. 3 - To become a police officer, which he did in May 2008.

Before he died, Sean said the one thing I pray I am able to say before I go. He said, "I know where I'm going, and I know I'm worthy to go there." Sean's life was dedicated to living righteously. And he did it better than anyone I have ever known.

There is no question in my mind why God decided to take Sean home at the age of 29. There are far greater things in far greater places that Sean is doing now, and I'm sure of that. The world is a lesser place without him, and our lives are a little dimmer, a little sadder, and a little less exciting, but I look forward to seeing him again someday.

Sean, we miss you SO much. The world just isn't the same without you.

Embracing the Saleswoman in Me!

This is just a quick post to let you all know how much I LOVE my job!!

It's crazy, but I have quickly learned to love my job! I feel bad for ever thinking that I would have to grudgingly endure it until something better came along!

I guess I have a little bit of sales genetics thanks to my dad, and I've been able to really embrace the saleswoman in myself! And I love it! I love talking to people, telling them all about what I have to offer them, and making the sale! And most of all, I LOVE the commission!!! I get a base wage, but I also get 20% commission on every sale! I wake up in the morning and I am actually excited to go to work! Wooo!

Just thought I'd let ya'll know!

:D

My Ambivalence...

Well, it finally happened. I am officially employed after 8 months of not working. However, I am incredibly ambivalent about life right now, despite finally having a second income.

The job I got is working for the Phone Directories Company (www.pdcpages.com) as an Advertising Consultant. It sounds fancy, but basically I work with businesses to set up and design their yellow page ads in the PDC Phonebook. The PDC Phonebook is the one with the pretty cover - and it's pretty much nationwide. If you are curious about the PDC phone book, look through your stacks of unused phone books, and if you have one that has a pretty picture on the front, that is who I work for. It's a good job, the money is decent and it's not stressful. I don't plan on making a career out of it, but it's REALLY nice to have a job after all this time.

Here is why I am feeling ambivalent. When I lost my job back in November, I never really got any answers as to why I was let go. I was told many different things, from budget cuts to my "heart not being in the work", and I have harbored some VERY bad feelings for the woman that fired me. Being the kind of person I am, I have never hated anyone. I've disliked people, sure, but never given much thought to it. And if someone made me mad or betrayed me, I didn't tend to hold a grudge too long. That is, until November 24, 2008. My dreams turned to nightmares almost every night, and I sort of lost focus on what life was really about. The anger and hatred I held for this individual brought me down and held me there, making me far less of a person than I could ever want to be. I started to really dislike the way I felt, and I would try to do things to put it out of my mind, but it would always creep back in.

I LOVED my job. I absolutely loved every minute of being a social worker. I loved going on home visits. I loved writing up court reports and assessments. I LOVED going to court. And more than anything, I loved seeing the tiny steps of progression made by my clients. Losing that job made me feel like I lost the world. And the worst part about it, is that I'm sure this woman that fired me promptly forgot about me the next day. I'm sure she had no regrets and couldn't have cared less about what might happen to me. I became quite depressed. The only thing that kept me sane was Scottie. He only ever encouraged me, letting me know that things would get better. I can honestly say that the past 8 months have been the hardest 8 months of my life. I knew I wouldn't be able to dispose of my hatred for my former boss until I had another job - something to do, something to keep my mind off past events and focus on the future.

I finally feel like this dark cloud of hatred and depression is lifting. It's a really great feeling. I don't know how long it will take before I finally let go completely, or if I ever will. But I feel like a big step has been taken, and that's always the hardest part.

Have you ever taken a step back, looked at your life and just said, "How the HECK did I get HERE?" It's a question I feel like I ask myself way too much. The good things in my life are REALLY good. Scottie, for example, is way more than I could have asked for in a husband. He's absolutely incredible. And I am so thankful to have him. I'm also very thankful for my ability to learn, to make friends and be social, and my overall health. However, it feels like the things that go wrong, REALLY go wrong. Sometimes I just feel like I'm standing still in a world of people moving at super speed. And I don't really know what to do with that.

I guess we're not meant to understand life, or why things happen the way they do, but I can't help but always want to, espcially as I get older. The plan I had for my life when I was young went out the window years ago. I guess I should just stop making plans for myself period.

When I was 17, if asked where I saw myself in 10 years, I would have said this:
-I would have a college degree in either communications or business management.
-I would have at least two or three kids, and I'd be a stay at home mom.
-I'd be married to a man that made truck loads of money at a great job.
-I'd live in some other state besides Utah, in a big house, with nice cars.
-I'd be well on my way to building the homeless shelter I've dreamed of building since I was 14 years old.

Now I'm 27, and here is how my life is drastically different than I planned:
-I have a college degree in Psychology, working on a Masters in School Counseling
-I don't have kids, and it's very unlikely that I'll ever have my own. But we plan on adopting.
-I am married to a man that makes just enough money for us to pay the bills, and while his career path is very admirable, he'll never make truck loads of cash.
-I not only live in Utah, but in Utah's capital city.
-My homeless shelter is still a design on the back of a church program.

I'm scared and excited to see how things will be in another 10 years.