My Reality

I found this quote the other day. During those moments where members of the Church challenge my faith with their personal opinions, I need to remind myself...

And sure, maybe my opinion isn't yours...

Does this mean I will rejoice in your failures or turn away and pretend I haven't labored against my own doubts and anxieties? Certainly not. But still, "we should never allow doubt to hold us prisoner and keep us from the divine love, peace, and gifts that come through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ." His love is a universal reality we should never question.

High to Low and Back Again

Last weekend began with a high, dropped to a low, then rested lightly on another high.

The first high came in the form of brunch at Millcreek Cafe with the girlfriends. All of us in town at the same time? Better make a brunch of it like the fancy ladies we are! After a head count I realized that among the 8 of us we have a total of 6 husbands, 5 toddlers, 1 infant, and 2 more little ones on the way. Cumulatively we've all done quite well for ourselves! And though things are always changing, I'm glad we all remain comfortably "the same." I love these ladies...

After brunch I enjoyed a run at Millcreek Rec Center (and by "run" I mean a jog-walk-jog-stagger). Then I puttered about with some errands and chores, finally resigning myself to what would be the low point of my weekend: preparing my Relief Society lesson. Humbug. 

I often feel intimidated and anxious about teaching (as any sane person would), but these feelings usually diminish as I prepare a lesson. Throughout my calling I've noticed certain topics are a little more teachable than others and this week's topic was the Oath & Covenant of the Priesthood. I agonized all week long over how I would present the lesson to our Relief Society. The recent social/political climate within the Church regarding women and the priesthood certainly wasn't making things any easier. Then with last week's hubbub over the founder of Ordain Women facing potential excommunication, my preparation came to an absolute stand-still. 

How, how, HOW was I going to teach this lesson? 

Surprisingly, teaching the lesson was my concluding high for the weekend. Everything came together remarkably well, though my overall contribution was minimal. I've decided Singles' Wards are the best... I wish all discourse within the Church could be as affirming and compassionate as those insights shared by the amazing sisters in my Relief Society. I am always impressed by their testimonies and willingness to share what they know. They get it. 

Oh yeah, and then there was Post A Photo of Your Dad On Facebook Day. Formerly known as Father's Day. He would never admit this himself, but I think my dad enjoys being fussed over every so often. He's our Grumpy Dad with a heart of gold... We honored him with rib-eye steaks, pajamas, Lemon Heads, and a new roll-y suitcase with wheels that not only roll to and fro, but spin. Now he just needs to go on vacation so he can use it... Preferably the kind of vacation where we're all invited, but Dad pays for everything. Yeah...

In Summer!

I never did choke on that darn fly. Like most flies, I think it attempted escape and ended up dying in the space between my window and window screen. You can only buzz around in there for so long... I also killed a giant spider the other day as it crawled out from under my bed. And don't forget the dozens of mosquitoes who met their own untimely ends as they sampled Lauren's all-you-can-drink-before-getting-slapped buffet. Ah, summer... 

Speaking of summer, today's temperature was just over 90 degrees. Which is entering uncomfortable territory for me. My clothes start feeling not right on my body, my hair feels like I'm wearing warm blanket over my head, and I lose energy with every increase in temperature. When I got home from work today I walked straight into my bedroom, stripped off my outfit, and collapsed on my bed where I napped for over an hour. After waking I felt like a human again, and not a surly she-beast. Now I'm back in bed - fully clothed in my PJ's, thank you - my box fan humming softly as it blows cool air from my bedroom floor. Ah, summer evenings...

Here are a few other things I enjoy about summer that I would do well to remember when I can't take the heat...

• Watermelon
• Trips to the pool
• Lots more daylight, especially early in the mornings.
• Fireworks
• "Those su-hummer (pause) na-hiiiiiights!"
• Slushies, Slurpees, Icees...
• Flip-flops
• Not having to pause at crosswalks or reduce speed in school zones on my way to work.
• Barbecues
• Outdoor movies and concerts
• Baseball games
• Lagoon

LAGOON!

Lagoon today, guys. HUGE success! Again, no pictures documenting our adventures, but you could consider that an added triumph as I only looked at my phone when I needed to check the time or answer a call. A few of us enjoyed ourselves so much we redeemed today's ticket for a discount on a season pass. So if there are any other Lagoon season pass holders out there, just let me know... You are welcome to join me as I chase the nostalgia of my adolescent years. 

My ideal Lagoon companion would be someone brave who could motivate me to go on the scarier rides (namely Wicked), but would totally understand if maybe I wasn't up to it. Would also sit with me during the sometimes-cheesy-but-still-impressive live music shows and patiently walk through Pioneer Village looking at old-timey things. Taste for Dippin' Dots ice cream also attractive quality. Must not be afraid of delinquent youths as the park is usually teeming with them. Rides I will not even consider: Sky Coaster, Rocket Re-Entry (Blast-Off is fine), Catapult, Wild Mouse. (So just drop it.)

I know an old lady...

There is a gargantuan fly buzzing around my room. My fear is that as soon as I'm asleep, he will fly into my mouth and I will swallow him. "I don't know why she swallowed that fly." Perhaps I'll die.

The weekend was lovely - Maleficent and fro-yo with friends, dinner and movies with the cousins, pool time with my sister, Sunday evening BBQ and volleyball in the backyard. I felt I should publicly showcase some of my social interactions like any self-assured, social butterfly type person would. I do fun things with fun people! No pictures, but these things definitely happened. They did! 

This Wednesday is my company's Lagoon Day. Since they turn 22 on June 6th, my plan was to treat Katie & Michael to an epic birthday-at-Lagoon CELEBRATION! Subsequently winning Best Sister of the Year award and outshining all other birthday well-wishers. Michael hasn't been in years, so I was especially excited for him to see all the new attractions. I requested enough tickets for the 3 of us + 2 more for Alisa & Dustin. HOO-RAY! 

Then on Sunday I found out Michael had spent all of Saturday at Lagoon with his newest PG (Prospective Girlfriend) AND bought himself a season pass, making my oh-so-thoughtful birthday ticket for him redundant. "Now you don't have to buy me one!" ...I took it fairly well, though. At Sunday dinner when Michael asked me to pass the salt I said, "Are you sure you want me to pass it? Wouldn't you rather go out and just buy your OWN?" But we're all friends again and looking forward to a beautiful day at the next-best-thing to Disneyland you can find in the state of Utah.