And we're off!

An Offering of Peace

Last week seemed to have a theme, and not a very pleasant one.  I heard from several friends and family members and each of them seemed to be suffering.  Due to no fault of their own, they were in pain.  I enjoyed my conversation with each person and I tried to offer comfort and understanding. But I wanted to do more.  I spent some time thinking about suffering and why it is inevitable as part of our life on earth.  Then I read a review of a book about Buddhism.  It explained that one of the first tenets of Buddhism is "All life is suffering."  I could see the truth in that statement, but it seemed awfully depressing!

I wondered:
What can we do to ease the suffering of those we love?
How can we offer support?
Why do we often feel so alone in our trials?
Why do we blame or criticize ourselves for not being stronger or doing more?

As I pondered these questions, I knew that the answer was to turn to the Lord.  But each of the people I talked to knew this as well.  We are faithful followers of Christ and yet we sometimes fail to feel His comforting arms around us.

Maurine Proctor explores this in her article entitled, "Do Not Take Counsel From Your Fears." (Click on the title to read this great article.)

She quotes Elder Holland who says:

I can tell you this as a parent: as concerned as I would be if somewhere in their lives one of my children were seriously troubled or unhappy or disobedient, nevertheless I would be infinitely more devastated if I felt that at such a time that child could not trust me to help or thought his or her interest was unimportant to me or unsafe in my care. In that same spirit, I am convinced that none of us can appreciate how deeply it wounds the loving heart of the Savior of the world when he finds that his people do not feel confident in his care or secure in his hands or trust in his commandments.

 He assures us that God is always there and will always help us.

Just because God is God, just because Christ is Christ, they cannot do other than care for us and bless us and help us if we will but come unto them, approaching their throne of grace in meekness and lowliness of heart. They can’t help but bless us. They have to. It is their nature.

I admit I have not always felt the blessings of God when I am suffering.  I want to learn how to better approach Him "in meekness and lowliness of heart."  Many years ago, I took a Book of Mormon class from (the soon-to-be) Elder Holland when he was the President of BYU.  He is the only General Authority that I have ever known and been taught by personally.  I know I can trust him.  I know it is not an accident that at the very moment I wondered and worried about suffering, that I found the testimony and promise of this apostle that we will be cared for and blessed in our times of need.

I mentioned earlier that I wanted to do more for those who are suffering.  I know that helping to ease suffering often involves great sacrifice or hard work.  But today, I want to offer the words of Elder Holland and the words of Sister Proctor in the article linked above.  I know it's a meager offering, but perhaps it will yield the sweet fruit of peace for someone, somewhere. 

Braggity Brag Blog

I'm sure I have already told you about my fantastically amazing missionary son who is studying incredibly hard at the MTC.  He has already written us volumes in Korean and I must say his language skills are phenomenal.  He speaks better Korean than anyone else in the whole family!  Now he and his companion have been recognized for their stellar leadership capabilities and have been made the zone leaders.  And in just two short weeks Elder Aaron will be the district leader as well.  I think he must be GA material to be the zone leader and the district leader at the same time.  Best of all, as a sign of his brilliance, one of the counselors in his branch presidency is Ken Jennings' dad!  And you know how smart Ken Jennings is!


PS No one in our family speaks or reads any Korean at all.
PPS As of Monday, Elder Aaron and his companion will be the only elders in a zone full of sister missionaries.  Not a whole lot of choices for ZLs.
PPPS Aaron's district has 4 sisters and 2 elders.  His companion is the DL for the first 6 weeks and then Elder Aaron will be the DL for the final 6 weeks at the MTC.  Again, a shortage of options.
PPPPS  Br. Jennings really is in the branch presidency.  Apparently he lived and practiced law in Korea for 14 years.
PPPPPS We do watch Jeopardy from time to time.

My Real Name

Recently I was at Jamba Juice.  The place was pretty empty, so I could tell when my "Peach Perfection" was ready and I stood up to walk towards the counter.  I expected the girl to call my name, but instead she started giggling and called over the employee who had taken my order.  I hesitated, but finally went to the counter as they whispered back and forth and giggled even more.  When I reached the counter I heard one girl say, "I just missed one letter."  The other girl whispered, "I knew THAT couldn't be her name."

I put my hand out for my smoothie and asked, "Does that say 'Meanie'?"  Both girls looked embarrassed and I laughed.  "Don't worry," I explained.  "I know all the typos for my name."

But if you ask my kids on the wrong day, they would assure you it is spelled correctly.

My Plan

Yes, I know today is Veterans' Day and also the very cool 11/11/11, but today is special to me for another reason.  Exactly one week from today, I will begin the 3 Day for the Cure Walk!  Nine months ago my sister and I committed to participate in this walk in order to raise money for breast cancer research and to honor and remember our mother.  We formed the team "Annie's Angels" and our aunt, cousin and two friends soon joined us.  One of our friends decided to drop out, but the rest of us have held strong despite some pretty major obstacles.  You might want to call us team gimpy.  It has been a struggle for all of us to train for this event.  My aunt had to have surgery on her foot, Jenny broke her leg, Brenda's daughter needed major surgery with an extensive recovery time.  And then there's me.  I will be doing this walk as I start my 6th month of pregnancy.  Slightly less than ideal circumstances, huh?

I talked to my doctor about the 3 Day walk at one of my first appointments this summer.  She told me that she didn't want me to do the entire walk and asked me if I could modify it.  I've given it a lot of thought since then.  I presented my plan at my last doctor visit and it was approved by both my doctor and my husband! 

• My first modification is staying at a hotel instead of camping.  My fellow team members were happy to support this change.
• Each morning I will walk approximately 5-6 miles and then take a shuttle to the lunch location.  I will rest there and wait for my team.   I have also promised my doctor that I will drink lots of water and gatorade and eat at every rest stop.
• After lunch I will walk another 5 miles or so and then take the shuttle back to camp where I will wait for my team so we can have dinner together.  
• After dinner we'll head to our hotel for a (hopefully!) good night's sleep.

If I stick to this schedule for all 3 days it should allow me to meet my goals.  It is important to me to be able to participate all three days of the event.  I don't want to wear myself out or push myself too hard so that I put the baby in any danger.  I would really love to finish all 60 miles of the course, but I know that wouldn't be wise.  I will be satisfied with doing 30 miles in three days.  That is still a lot of walking and I have still raised over $2300 for breast cancer research.  Best of all I get to spend 3 days with some of my favorite people and honor my mom's life! 

I think my mom would get a good laugh out of me doing this walk with my big belly, but I also know she would be supportive.  I can imagine her making embroidered shirts for all of us to wear and giving all of us big hugs.  My mom did many hard things during her life and overcame many challenges.  She suffered much physical pain, but continued on with a smile.  I'll be thinking about her as I walk.  I love you mom!

Our Musical Weekend

Friday
Evan and John went to the symphony to hear Liszt's piano concertos.  Marianne was watching the movie Gandhi with her class from our commonwealth school and I was home alone listening to the rain.

Saturday
Evan performed a piano solo "Machines on the Loose" at the Popular Music Festival.  He also won the door prize:  A Charlie Brown Christmas CD, which he promptly put on his ipod.

That evening he performed with the San Diego Mormon Youth Choir at the Vista Stake fine arts festival.  Marianne, John and I got to go play with Brianne, Leighton and Molly.  Actually it was John and Brianne who played on the playground while the rest of us sat and talked while Leighton napped.

Sunday
Evan sang with the San Diego Mormon Youth Choir at an interfaith choir festival.  Marianne and I were home sick with colds.

Monday
Marianne and Evan sang with a homeschool choir at a Veteran's Day concert at a local middle school.

I thought it was funny that all of these musical events were scheduled for the same weekend!  I also thought it was funny that only two girls performed in the popular music festival. Thanks to the teachers, conductors and musicians who made it all possible.  And thanks to my sweet husband for driving everyone around where they needed to be.

No news

. . . is good news? 

Today was supposed to be the big reveal.  I did have my ultrasound and everything looks good, but the baby refused to give us a clear view.  Those little legs were held tightly together.  I am disappointed, but not too upset.  I will try to focus on the positive.

• I got to see my sweet baby's face and watch him or her move.
• All the measurements were spot on.
• The placenta is in a perfect position.
• All organs seems to be working well.
• I have only gained 9 pounds in 5 months (although I did come home and drown my sorrows in leftover Halloween candy).
• My doctor gave me the go ahead for the 3-Day for the Cure walk.
• We got a letter and pictures from Elder Aaron today.

As soon as I got home from the doctor, the baby started moving around like crazy.  Sigh!  I was hoping to post a picture of baby #5 today, but instead you get pictures of baby #2.  He's not a baby any more, but at least we definitely know he's male.

Drop off at the MTC

Outside the Provo temple with his companion