Sisters' San Diego Getaway

Last weekend, I was enjoying time with 4 of my sisters in San Diego. Kelly couldn't make it because she was at a conference. Derek and family were invited to join us, but it didn't work out for them. I remember those busy days of raising kids. I missed out on many family events in Utah and California because we lived in Texas. It was either too difficult or too expensive to fly to family for every event. These things just happen. 

Jenny, Debbie, and I met up in the Salt Lake Airport long term parking and took the shuttle together to our gate. It was an uneventful flight with Debbie getting to trade places with the man next to me so she and I could sit together. Jenny was across the aisle and behind us. It didn't matter because it's such a short flight. It was nice to sit by Debbie and catch up, though. She and Jen drove down together. They also see each other every once in a while due to their proximity and their love of quilting. 

Alaska Airlines gets us there!

We arrived and picked up the rental car just in time to go back to the terminal to get Kristen and Karen, who had found each other by then. We recalled when airports were small enough and there were few enough travelers that rental car desks were on site. They were near baggage claim. As more people travel, I suppose they've needed more rental cars and have moved the rental locations off site. It's easy, but not as easy as it used to be. I don't know how they did it. 

San Diego is such a beautiful city! We went grocery shopping and got to check in early to our place and it was fantastic. Jen got us a 2-bedroom 2 bathroom timeshare. They were able to check us in early. We kept mentioning that we were 5 sisters celebrating one's retirement, one's dream job, and one's assignment to Africa. It got us a free car upgrade, early check-in with treats, and a small lemon cake. Not bad. We changed and went to the San Diego Temple for an endowment session. A very nice sister showed us to the atrium and showed us around that area, including some great views of the Angel Moroni and the reflection of a painting of Christ. She commented that when she saw us all she couldn't help but think of the 5 wise virgins in the parable of the 10 virgins. I thought that was a very sweet thing to share with us. 

After the temple, we went to get pizza at a place called Pizza Nova that my neighbor Lynn had recommended. It was delicious! Sooooo good. We shared a couple of salads and a couple of pizzas. We went back to our place, played some games, and went to bed. Karen and I shared a room because we are the late sleepers. Jen took the sofa bed because she snores. Deb and Kris shared the other room because they get up early. It was a perfect set up. 

On Saturday, we went to Coronado Beach for a couple of hours. At Kristen's suggestion, we looked for a lifeguard station and set up behind it to take advantage of the shade. We are seriously such wimps. Then we went to Cabrillo to see a lighthouse. It was very interesting to see a lighthouse and to read about them. It was windy up there, but beautiful. Kristen didn't get her sunset at the beach because the timing never worked out. Jen got welcomed to Mexico via text. We got a laugh out of that. 

We also went to the Mormon Battalion Visitor's Center. That was very informative. I knew of the Mormon Battalion, but didn't know a lot of details. What a sacrifice! The sister missionaries asked for a volunteer to get dressed up in the soldier garb and Karen did it. She's a good sport. Each member of the battalion had a very small "backpack" thing to carry all of their belongings. In spite of its VERY small size, the members of the battalion also brought their scriptures and a journal as the prophet suggested. Much of what we know about their journey is from journals. After the tour, we got excellent Mexican food. Very delicious. It was a great day. 

Karen actually caught the hat on her head. Good job!

Sunday we went to church down the road, then drove back to Carlsbad to see the Flower Fields in full bloom with Ranunculus flowers. There are rows and rows of flowers in full bloom. They also have a huge American Flag made of petunias. The place sells out quickly. In fact, there were only tickets left for the last entrance time. It was still enough time for us. We walked around, took pictures, and loved it. Then we got yummy burgers at Hodad's. It's a fun place with a quirky atmosphere and great food. I'd go back to all the places where we ate - the pizza, the Mexican, and the burgers. 

Jenny and her family love these cutouts

Jenny was on a family call, so the rest of us waited in line and got our table

On Monday, we headed back to Carlsbad and hiked at Torey Pines Nature Reserve. It's a great walk that starts along the beach, then goes uphill on some rocky steps. There are great views of the ocean on the way to a ranger station. Then you walk down a road back to the start. It was a beautiful walk. After the walk, we met Sarah Christesen, Kristen's daughter, for lunch. She drove down just to spend the day with us. After lunch, Sarah showed us the BEST donut place. You order your specific donut flavor and they make it for you right there. They are hot and topped with wonderful toppings. I got one with chocolate, caramel, and pretzels. Sarah and Cam always find great places to eat. I love hanging out with her. 

On our way home from donuts, Karen, Jenny, Debbie, and I stopped at the grocery store to replenish our candy supply. Haha. While at the store, we decided to grab take and bake pizza and a salad mix for dinner. We all agreed that we were ready to just hang out in our great place and eat pizza and salad and continue playing games. Sarah actually brought some games and we had a blast. She is really fun to be with. 

Tuesday was our day to fly home. It had been a great trip. We talked, laughed, and did the "Come Follow Me" app together each day. I realized I hadn't bought a magnet for my fridge, but I did find one at the airport. I bought one that said San Diego and had a lifeguard stand and flowers on it. Reminds me of our shade at the beach and the flower fields. A really, really great trip with the sisters. I hope Kelly can join us someday. 

Time Management

I love General Conference weekend. It's been a great weekend. I went walking with Kim Blight yesterday morning then I dropped cinnamon rolls off at Andrea Busby's house for her and her family. She's new faculty in the School of Family Life and we work together with the student association. She's smart and wonderful. She helps me understand issues of race. 

I enjoyed the Saturday afternoon session then took a nap. Kamiko and Bekki brought Dotty over for the afternoon session. It's always great to have them here. They stuck around for pasta, asparagus, and breadsticks. We also played a couple of games of Yahtzee. My neighbor Lynn had reached out to see if I wanted to watch the afternoon session with her and Michael. I had plans with the kids already, but I invited her over to watch the women's session with me and mom. Kamiko and Bekki left just as mom and my neighbor Lynn came over for the women's session. Lynn got to meet the kids and Dotty. I fed mom and Lynn dinner and we watched the session together. Lynn is great and it was fun to visit with her and mom after the session.  

I went to bed and was thinking of the VERY overwhelming week I have coming up. There is so much to do to prepare for spring term, a month of travel in Europe, and other work responsibilities. I officially signed my contract for the upcoming academic year, so now it's time to write my expectations document. It's just a lot to think about. I have a lot of meetings, too. It seems that everyday I go to work, I cross 4 things off my to do list, but I add 3 more. Anyway, I was feeling the stress of it all and went to bed hoping there would be a talk in conference on time management. Then I realized there already WAS a talk on time management. The talk given by Sister Craven in the women's session was perfect. I always like to hear her speak. She's my friend RaDawn's sister-in-law. I recalled that her talk was on doing what "mattereth most." I realized that if I spend time with morning and evening prayers and scripture study, each day I will have time to do the other things on my list. Start with what mattereth most. I can do it. 

Here's a quote from her talk:

"In the Doctrine and Covenants, there are times when the Lord says, “It mattereth not.” If there are things that matter not or matter less, there are things that must matter more. 

“In our efforts to do something, or do anything, we might ask ourselves, what mattereth most?”

Satan wants people to misplace their values or waste time, talents and spiritual strength on things that matter not, and distract from those things that matter most."

I called RaDawn this morning and told her my realization through tears. She reached out to Sister Craven and told her how much her talk helped me. I'm grateful for the spirit's help in realizing what I can do. 

After the morning session, I went walking with Maria Trump. We walk and talk on the phone, as she lives in Manteca, California. Then I watched the afternoon session. I spent the afternoon reading about Moses and the plagues that led to the Israelites release. God really does take care of His children. I listened to a podcast and watched a Youtube video about the upcoming week's Come Follow Me study. I really do like this newer way of gospel study. Happy Sunday!

Presented at a Conference in Saint George and Some Favorite Quotes

Natalie, Sandy, Nicole, and I all work with student teachers. We presented at the state conference for CTE (Career and Technical Educators) in Saint George. It was my first big trip that BYU paid for. Imagine my joy when I got to my hotel room and saw the greeting on the TV. It was most definitely time to relax. We had a great time and the presentation went well. I got to see many former students and long-time friends. I got to catch up with Jean Manuela, a dear, kind FCS teacher at Pleasant Grove Junior High. 

I also want to journal a few thoughts. I always share a thought with my classes and here are some things I want to keep so I can perhaps share with them when the impression hits. 

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland once said: "When life is hard, remember - we are not the first to ask, 'Is there no other way?'" We love EVE!

Jacques Pepin, French chef, said: "When the kids come home from school, they run to the kitchen. The smell of the kitchen, the noise of the kitchen, the voice of your parents, the cling of the instruments, the taste of the food - that stays with you the rest of your life. This is the most sacred, best place in the world."

This is especially important to me since someone in an academic conference this past week was a bit dismissive of the work of women - sewing, cooking, and crafts. We are MUCH, much more than sewing, cooking, and crafts. We are SACRED! Home is SACRED!

STUDY ABROAD DIRECTOR!

Me with my official study abroad backpack

That title deserve all capital letters! It also deserved an exclamation point!

I had told Natalie that I wanted to go on study abroad this May to be helpful and to learn how it works. I knew there were already 2 directors and it would be on my dime. We found some travel funds to help offset part of the cost of the trip. It would cost me about $3,500. That isn't bad for a month in Europe. Well, we started planning and meeting and submitting our covid plans. The university came back and gave us approval to to to the UK and to France. Since we were going to 2 countries, they wanted a 3rd director in case a student had to stay behind due to covid. So, guess who is director #3? ME! It's all paid for. I get to help plan and help teach the prep course every Tuesday night. It's been a lot of work, but I'm so excited. I'm also trying to learn a lot. With upheaval in the world and Russia invading Ukraine, we're not 100% sure we're going, but we're planning and preparing until we hear otherwise. 

We will got to Edinburgh Scotland and learn about weaving, textiles, the industrial revolution, and fashion. We're also going to visit a pleater to see if it might be a tour we want to do in the future. We'll then go to London and visit some local designers, see some plays, including "Julius Caesar" at the Globe Theater! Natalie, Dawna, Craig (Dawna's husband), and I have reservations for afternoon tea at a very trendy place called Sketch. We will see jewels, castles, etc. Then we go to Paris. It was my job to line up a cooking class. I found a crepe class in Paris. Natalie and I plan to go to Euro Disney on our free day. Allie plans to meet me there at the end if she can get on a standby flight. We'll learn about designers Coco Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, and Dior. We'll see the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triumph, Versailles, and the Paris Temple. 

It's such a wonderful opportunity to learn, contribute, and prepare for future responsibilities. I also have all the wonderful travel accessories that anyone would need. I have bought a killer carryon bag, I've got a travel hair dryer, clothesline, packing cubes, detergent packets, spray wrinkle remover, and some clothes. I haven't bought many clothes because I have many things that will work. 

My Story Includes the Title Associate Professor

Our director, Natalie Hancock, and I literally had the same outfit on at work one day.

Looks like I'm staying. Time to add some permanent touches!

Dawna Baugh, clothing professor, and I give Allie's boyfriend, Mario, suggestions on which sewing machine to purchase her for her birthday. Dawna was most helpful and Allie loves it!

I get to teach the high school juniors and seniors in Sunday School. I have seen a common theme in the Old Testament. I testified to my Sunday School class today that God always takes care of His children. He is the great provider. He always works for the benefit of His children and while our stories NEVER turn out the way we think they will, they ALWAYS turn out for the best. We cannot grow without trials. Brother Clements in sacrament meeting said today that we cannot expect to connect with Christ if we have never borne a cross. 

I've seen that in my life, especially in the last few years. Am I where I thought I'd be? NO. Am I blessed? YES. Am I in a better place than I would have ever expected? YES!

Something I heard in a daily devotional really resonated with me. It's from a blog called wrkwndr. The author said, "If something hasn't gone according to my mortal narrative, I've felt cheated. I felt like someone ripped beautiful pages form the story I was writing. Have you felt this? It couldn't be further from the truth. your future is unwritten. Those pages are blank. When we project our own plans onto those pages, we're scribbling in pencil over what Christ will write in ink. Turn the page with curiosity and openness. Ask questions you don't already know the answer to, and be ready and humble enough to follow His will over your own. Watch his hand scroll a beautiful story and be mesmerized by the grace and beauty that unfolds. You are the main character, but you are not the author. Hand over the pencil." 

It reminds me of Elder Cornish's sweet words to me in my interview just 4 days after the divorce was final: "This is not the end of your story. It's just the end of a chapter." Chapter 3 is turning out to be pretty great. I got offered a tenured position at BYU. We're still negotiating the salary, so nothing is signed, but I will be staying there, with a great salary, half tuition benefits for Melia, the world's best health insurance, 401K retirement benefits, and a strengthened FCS program. I am blessed! I get to go up for tenure in 3 years, instead of 6!

Memories and Reunions

Oh my goodness! I think this is the longest I've gone in between posts since I started using this as a journal. I feel sad that I haven't been more diligent. I also recognize that I've been extremely busy with work. I really am!

The last couple of weeks were full of memories and reunions and I'm still just brimming with joy because of the blessing of good friends and an idyllic upbringing. 

On Friday, March 11, I went with Kim and Rich Blight from the Manila 2nd Ward to Max Rose's wedding reception. It was at the nursery that backed up to the home in American Fork where we raised the kids. It was WONDERFUL! There were so many people from the old ward. I fully expected to see Keenan there, and was as prepared as I could be. He was close to the Rose family, but he wasn't there. I saw so many, many supportive and loving friends. It was the first big event in the old neighborhood since the divorce. I've been to bridal showers, but this was bigger. Kim and Rich are great friends. I had a wonderful time. Everyone seemed sincerely interested in my wellbeing and in the kids' wellbeing. 

Saturday morning, I went to the funeral of Brother David Young, who died at age 87. He was a wonderful, kind member of my ward here. He took homemade bread to new neighbors, he baked treats for the primary children, and he was a talented stained glass artist. He was a retired dentist from Southern California, so we had some fun conversations. He went in for a routine procedure and had a bad reaction and passed away. He'd been longing to be reunited with his sweet wife for 19 months. I'd never met her, but he talked so lovingly of her. Ward members seemed genuinely happy for his reunion with her. At his request, the primary children sang. It was an absolutely beautiful celebration of a good life. 

From there, I went to Provo for the funeral of LaVere Adams, the best teacher I've ever known. He and his wife Karelyn are the parents of Cami Adams Hansen, my childhood best friend. I spent many, many nights at the Adams' house. I went to many birthday parties. I looked forward to many roadshows and youth activities planned by Brother Adams. I was also lucky enough to have him as my seminary teacher twice. The story of the Pool of Bethesda is one of my favorites because of the way Brother Adams taught the story. He acted out how difficult it must have been for the disabled man to get to the pool first for the healing waters to do their work. My sister Karen was in town from Colorado and she and mom went with me to the funeral. It was the ultimate Pleasanton reunion. There were people there from the following families: McCleary, Mano, Mori, Morris, Hemming, Hansen, Adams, Burnett, Peterson, Larsen, Coburn (oldest son, Hal, drove down from Idaho just days after his sister Michelle passed away), and many more. Mom took photos of everyone. She was in her element. Brother and Sister Adams were both musical and their kids and grandkids inherited the talent. Each of the 5 kids spoke. The grandkids sang a song. Sister Adams and her kids and their spouses closed the funeral singing "We Can Be Together Forever," with grandkids joining from their seats, then walking up to the stand. All of LaVere's posterity was testifying through song. It was wonderful. As he would have wanted, there were treats and games in the cultural hall afterwards. We stayed and visited for over an hour. It was very healing for me. I loved my childhood and it was great to reminisce about such a great time. 

I'm grateful Karen always insists on a photo while we're taking our walk together. 

If that wasn't a good enough day, I had an appointment for initiatories at the temple, so I got to spend time reflecting on my covenants and the blessings of eternity that I am trying to earn. 

Then Karen came with me to American Fork. We picked up Kim Blight and the 3 of us went to Jess Hewlett's wedding reception. Sandy Hewlett is one of my walking friends. Once again, many friends from our American Fork neighborhood were there. It was so fun to connect and visit. 

To say my heart was FULL is an understatement!

Yesterday I got to be the guest at Mackenzie Christensen's baptism and her brother Benjamin's blessing. I've known Amy and Dane Christensen since they moved to American Fork, when Amy was pregnant with Mackenzie. Amy and I were assigned to be visiting teaching companions. I learned so much from Amy about visiting teaching. Once I offered to go alone because her life was busy. She asked if we could schedule a time when she could go so she wouldn't miss out on the blessings. I love that woman! I got to sleep at their house with Mackenzie when Amy gave birth to Scarlett. I had since moved when Ben was born, but I took them dinner and have enjoyed maintaining a friendship with them. Amy and Carrie Gibson are my Starbucks visiting teaching friends. We used to meet at Starbucks about every month and talk for hours. Many friends were at the baptism, including Trudy and Gary Barnes, Ginger and Scott Livingston, Brenda Wilbur, Trina and Mick Preece, Candy Kinser, Derrick Snyder and his son (mom Lauren was home resting as she had just had an embryo implanted), and Theresa Escalante and her kids. So many reasons to feel loved and blessed. 

Eve

A sweatshirt given to me for Christmas by Kristen and Sarah and Cam Christesen. It's from a store in Dana Point, California, and is the name of a famous surf wave on that beach. When I saw it, I mentioned that I'd love to have something from that store. They were so kind to get it for me. I'm in love. 

So, we're studying the Old Testament this year and I'm a new Sunday School teacher, so I've been diving a bit deeper than I might normally dive. I love that I get to teach high school seniors. We also have some juniors that sneak in and we're good with that. 

Anyway, in preparing to teach on Sunday, I had been reading early chapters of Genesis and Moses. As a result, Eve has been on my radar. I had talked to a friend Kelli Ritter who teaches gospel doctrine in her ward on Friday and she mentioned that life mimics Adam and Eve's experience over and over. We go from innocence to trials and temptation to relying on the atonement. Over and over. Very true. 

On Saturday, I was feeling the weight of a week's worth of hard. Work is hard. The Omicron variant of Covid is spreading like wildfire and as a result, I have constant emails regarding absences, etc. It's very taxing. I've also been sad about being single and wondering why the divorce had to happen. I stopped at Kamiko's house for him to give me a blessing. I didn't record it or have Bekki take notes and I don't remember a lot of it. I do remember counsel to be flexible. I also remember counsel that these difficult times won't last much longer and that there will be some big decisions to make and I'll know what to do just as I've known in the past. The biggest decisions in the recent past were selling the American Fork home and getting divorced. I certainly knew what to do there. I had an undeniably strong impression to sell the house and an audible voice that told me to get divorced. 

Just because I knew these decisions needed to be made didn't make them any easier and didn't mean the resultant changes weren't HARD. I do know it was so good that we moved when we did. I don't know how that divorce would have happened in our AF house and ward. I'm so glad we were removed from the comfort of that neighborhood. It was a blessing. 

Anyway, as I was driving home from Kamiko's, I was overwhelmed with sadness, nostalgia, etc. and was sobbing as i listened to music. 

Then it hit me.

Eve.

I was reliving Eve's experience. 

Eve had to make a very difficult decision. This decision would cause discomfort, growth, progress, pain, sorrow, etc. Wow, so did my decision to get divorced, but it was the RIGHT DECISION. I have no doubt it was the right decision. So, just like eating the fruit, I had to get divorced, to progress. 

So, my next thought was...

What did Eve do after getting cast out of the Garden of Eden?

She turned to God and to her Savior.

She was obedient, she offered sacrifices, she had a family and taught them, and she relied on the hope of an atonement.

There I had it.

I remember that my life in 2020 mirrored the events of the Book of Mormon, our study that year. I'm very grateful that I've seen a meaningful tie between my life and our study of the Old Testament this early in the year. 

So, on Sunday, we talked about hard decisions that are the right things to do. My co-teacher, Janey, told about making the decision to come home early from her mission on a medical release. I suggested the youth in the class ask their parents if they've ever had to make hard decisions like Eve. 

Elder Holland's devotional at BYU today was about faith and trials...pretty much the story of Eve. It could be that I'll be thinking of Eve all year and I'm not mad about that.