It's day two here in California and I'm loving every second. My newest nephew was born the night before I arrived! Surprise! I could hardly wait to meet him.
Funny story from my trip here... Last time I took a plane somewhere, I was a missionary flying home to my family. And having flown quite a bit on my mission from island to island every time I was transferred, my missionary mode kicked in pretty much as soon as I hit the airport. Naturally, I smiled and said hello to EVERYONE. Okay, so maybe the fact that I had a brand new nephew had a little bit to do with my ridiculous grin and overly friendly personality, but hey, people smiled back! Anywho, I got in line to go through security and who should get in line right behind me, but a local born Hawaiian. Well that just about did it. Could my day get any better? The one friend I made in the Salt Lake airport would be Hawaiian. We chatted through the line and he followed me to my gate, since a misunderstanding in his flight would leave him waiting around the airport for several hours after my flight departed. It was great to talk story with a local. Hawaii will forever be in my heart!
After he took off looking for food, I did the only natural thing there is to do in an airport: I pulled out my ukulele and started playing. Oh wait... I guess it's only natural if you're in Hawaii... Well, the people in Salt Lake sure gave me some funny looks but no one seemed bothered by it. In fact, the lady sitting next to me thanked me for the music and a gentleman from across the waiting area came and sat by me just to hear me better and to strike up a conversation about how much one of the Beatles band members loved the ukulele. Haha it was a grand old time.
After all the fun I had with traveling though, nothing beats seeing my family and holding my new born nephew for the very first time. There's something miraculous about holding a tiny infant in your arms, knowing that not so long ago, they were with our Father in Heaven. New, innocent, a little bit wrinkled and 100% lovable. I could hold him all day. I love watching my older nephew with him. He gets so excited to see and hold his little brother. There's so much wonder in children. The way they see the world is magnificent, and being around them reminds me to slow down a bit... see the world through their eyes...
Sum up of this post: God is good! I had safe, enjoyable travels and made some great new friends along the way. My nephew is here and everyone is home safe. Life is a precious miracle: cherish every second!
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Sunday, September 6, 2015
*California Adventure* Families are Forever
You know how things look smaller from a distance? Like how a great mountain can seem almost quaint in its beauty if you're far enough away. Then, when you find yourself at the foothills, you begin to realize how enormous that mountain actually is. That's kind of how I'm feeling at the moment.
A few months ago my sister called me up, "So I have this crazy idea," she started. I smiled, I like crazy ideas. She wanted me to come stay with her and her family in California to spend time with them, and help to take care of my nephews (one is four, and one will be here soon!). After talking it through and praying about it for a little while, we came up with a plan that worked for both of us. I've been getting very excited for this trip, especially as it's gotten closer and closer. Four months in California seems like a nice break in the monotony of my life as a working college student. Especially if I get to spend those four months with family.
Well now it's here. I find myself at the foothills of my trip and it looks a lot bigger up close. I'm still ridiculously excited and can hardly wait to see my sister, brother-in-law, and soon to be two little nephews. But the past few days I can't shake the feeling that this trip is more than I expect it's going to be. As if something important is going to happen, or there are lessons that I'm going to learn that I couldn't learn any other way. Whatever the case, my journey has begun.
It was harder to say goodbye to my little town in Idaho, my friends, and my co-workers than I was expecting; maybe that's why I think this trip is more than I planned. Idaho has my heart. But whatever happens in California, it's bound to be a grand adventure, and after much prayer and planning, I'm finally on my way!
My first stop on my way to Cali has been a short visit with my grandparents in the Salt Lake Valley. Last night we celebrated my Granddad's 90th birthday! Can you believe it? 90! And this morning at church I felt overwhelmed with gratitude. I have a family. A crazy, complicated, all-over-the-place kind of family, but they're mine all the same. And I love them. And you know what's even better? Because of Christ, they can be mine forever. It doesn't have to stop at 90 or even 100 years. I can be with my family in this life and on through the next into eternity.
I love this video: it testifies that this life is not the end. Families are meant to be forever.
I don't want to take this time I have with my family for granted. I can be with them forever, but I want to start now. I suppose that's the real reason why I'm heading to California. To get know my sister's family better, to build relationships, and to grow in love as a family. I'm grateful for my family, and for the gospel and the knowledge I have that families can be together forever.
Like I said before, I can't tell you how excited I am for this trip. I'll keep ya'll updated as things happen. But for now, California, here I come!
A few months ago my sister called me up, "So I have this crazy idea," she started. I smiled, I like crazy ideas. She wanted me to come stay with her and her family in California to spend time with them, and help to take care of my nephews (one is four, and one will be here soon!). After talking it through and praying about it for a little while, we came up with a plan that worked for both of us. I've been getting very excited for this trip, especially as it's gotten closer and closer. Four months in California seems like a nice break in the monotony of my life as a working college student. Especially if I get to spend those four months with family.
 |
| I spent Saturday morning at the temple with my mother. Temples are where we can be sealed to our families for more than just "till death do us part." In the temple, families are made to be forever. |
It was harder to say goodbye to my little town in Idaho, my friends, and my co-workers than I was expecting; maybe that's why I think this trip is more than I planned. Idaho has my heart. But whatever happens in California, it's bound to be a grand adventure, and after much prayer and planning, I'm finally on my way!
My first stop on my way to Cali has been a short visit with my grandparents in the Salt Lake Valley. Last night we celebrated my Granddad's 90th birthday! Can you believe it? 90! And this morning at church I felt overwhelmed with gratitude. I have a family. A crazy, complicated, all-over-the-place kind of family, but they're mine all the same. And I love them. And you know what's even better? Because of Christ, they can be mine forever. It doesn't have to stop at 90 or even 100 years. I can be with my family in this life and on through the next into eternity.
I love this video: it testifies that this life is not the end. Families are meant to be forever.
I don't want to take this time I have with my family for granted. I can be with them forever, but I want to start now. I suppose that's the real reason why I'm heading to California. To get know my sister's family better, to build relationships, and to grow in love as a family. I'm grateful for my family, and for the gospel and the knowledge I have that families can be together forever.
Like I said before, I can't tell you how excited I am for this trip. I'll keep ya'll updated as things happen. But for now, California, here I come!
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