Mike and I are hanging in the airport waiting for our flight out of Anchorage. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 12:45 a.m., but due to the severe weather in the Lower 48, we're delayed here for at least an additional hour. We've had a few chuckles during the past couple of weeks at the irony of life -- we are in Alaska where everyone assumes it's dark all the time (a misconception I had until a year ago) and it's the land of the igloos. The reality is that Mike and I are actually doing pretty well. After today, the days will get longer, and it should only take roughly six weeks or so for us to be caught up with everyone in Utah. Ninilchik also doesn't have much snow. When we left the house today, I think there was MAYBE two inches of snow on the ground. Maybe we're making up for the unusually wet summer. I hope that for the sake of the sanity of my students, however, that we do get some snow soon. They're going bonkers because they want snow for their snowmachines!
So, we're going to Utah to see the family. I'm excited to see everyone. Today Mike commented, though, that he doesn't want to leave Alaska as much as he wants to see everyone. I reminded him that this time he gets to come home to Alaska. We still call Utah home, but this is home too.
I can't believe that one year ago today, I was walking out of the Holiday Oil in Soldotna when I had one of those hit-me-over-the-head moments. I realized then that I could live here. I sent Mike a quick text asking him what he thought about moving to Alaska. Of course he replied yes, but he really didn't take me serious until after I'd found out what I needed to do to get my teaching license here. When I didn't bat an eye at having to take additional classes and continued with the plans, he knew for sure that we were coming. And now, we've been here for six months! Time sure does fly. I only wish we were flying now!
21 December 2008
16 December 2008
Technology & Where is My Child?
Technology rules! But, at the same time, technology adds to our worries. I should be getting ready for work, but it dawned on me that Meghan's flight should have landed in Salt Lake City 45 minutes ago. So, I check my phone. No text from Meg to confirm that she landed safely. I check the online flight status at the airport -- flight in the air; estimated arrival 9:25. I glance at the clock. It's 9:35. I notice another box on the flight update page. It's a radar map outlining where the plane is. Then I notice several circles in the flight path between Rupert and Twin Falls, Idaho. They circled three times! Somewhere near Brigham City -- another couple of circles. I hit refresh, only to see know that the flight has been updated to land at 9:52 and that the projected flight path is taking my baby girl to the Point of the Mountain and then back to Salt Lake City. I can't wait to hear what Meg's side of the story is. Where is my daughter? This is nerve-wracking. I sent my beloved baby girl on a plane BY HERSELF to navigate Seattle-Tacoma Airport alone. Before that, she had to take a taxi from her dorm to the airport BY HERSELF with a strange taxi driver who could kidnap her for all I knew. She aged me a bit when she sent me a text telling me that the driver skidded to a stop in the icy intersection. I sent her to the airport early as the airline website instructed, worried that Meg would have a lot of people to get through to go through security and to get her ticket and to get checked in and and and. Instead, within 10 minutes, the girl tells me that she is checked in, her bag has been taken, AND she is through security. She had two hours to wait. Then I finally received a text at 4:00 a.m. to tell me that she had finally arrived in Seattle.
Oh YAY! My phone just made noise! The plane landed! My darling dotter is on the ground once again. She's off to begin her Christmas vacation, and I can stop worrying and finish getting ready for work.
Technology -- what did we do before Internet and cell phones? How did we survive the waiting for information?
Oh YAY! My phone just made noise! The plane landed! My darling dotter is on the ground once again. She's off to begin her Christmas vacation, and I can stop worrying and finish getting ready for work.
Technology -- what did we do before Internet and cell phones? How did we survive the waiting for information?
15 December 2008
Ode to Diet Pepsi
Fountain fresh, ice cold, through a straw
Mini explosions with just the right combination
-- carbonation and syrup
Bubbles burst through my taste buds –
Just enough to send my eyes rolling in sheer ecstasy.
Fizzy, bubbly sounds of freshly poured Diet Pepsi
Send chills and tingles whispering across my skin.
Golden brown bursts of caffeine earn my undying devotion.
I accept no substitutions!
A purist am I – no cherries, lemons, or limes for me
Raise the glass high!
Sparkling amber glistens on the rocks.
The drink of true Americans proudly wraps itself in
Red, White, and Blue
True democracy sports the packaging.
Indulging in my single vice of life allows me
To gratify my desires for DP.
Heaven must allow a steady supply.
Long live my friend,
My passion,
My desire,
My love,
My Diet Pepsi!
Mini explosions with just the right combination
-- carbonation and syrup
Bubbles burst through my taste buds –
Just enough to send my eyes rolling in sheer ecstasy.
Fizzy, bubbly sounds of freshly poured Diet Pepsi
Send chills and tingles whispering across my skin.
Golden brown bursts of caffeine earn my undying devotion.
I accept no substitutions!
A purist am I – no cherries, lemons, or limes for me
Raise the glass high!
Sparkling amber glistens on the rocks.
The drink of true Americans proudly wraps itself in
Red, White, and Blue
True democracy sports the packaging.
Indulging in my single vice of life allows me
To gratify my desires for DP.
Heaven must allow a steady supply.
Long live my friend,
My passion,
My desire,
My love,
My Diet Pepsi!
14 December 2008
"I Have Wandered. . .
. . . from a more exalted sphere."
I'm listening to the Sounds of Sunday on the BYU satellite radio station. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir came on singing my favorite hymn "O My Father" written by Sister Eliza R. Snow. So many times throughout my life, I've pondered the words of this song and felt such a strong yearning for Home.
I know that when I was younger, I was usually struck with the words of the second verse:
For a wise and glorious purpose
Thou hast placed me here on earth
And withheld the recollection
Of my former friends and birth;
Yet ofttimes a secret something
Whispered, “You’re a stranger here,”
I had such strong desires to push the veil aside to see what I'd forgotten. I remember at times I would sit on my bed in my room, close my eyes, and try with all of my might to push through to unblock my memories. I so look forward to the day that I “remember” all that I can’t remember now. My niece Jordan came to visit us a few years ago, right after my second granddaughter Mia was born. Jordan sat down with Mia who was just a couple of weeks old. Jordan looked up as she cradled Mia in her arms, and with tears sliding down her cheeks pondered aloud about Mia’s newness from our Father in Heaven and what she could tell us if she could talk. I remember feeling the same as I held my babies when they were tiny – what could they tell me about where they’d just come from. What did they still remember? My mother tells of my sister Michelle “talking to angels” when she was a baby. I don’t doubt that there’s still such a connection between the newly born and heaven.
Another aspect of the song that I’ve always loved is in the third verse as Sister Snow ponders our heavenly parentage and reasons that we must have a Heavenly Mother as well as our Father.
In the heav’ns are parents single?
No, the thought makes reason stare!
Truth is reason; truth eternal
Tells me I’ve a mother there.
I’ve pondered our Mother, as well, over the years. What is she like? How does she feel as she watches her children here upon the earth? I know how I feel as a mother when I watch my children choosing paths that I know will hurt them. I know the joy that I feel when I witness my children excelling and progressing in their lives. I know the wonder of tiny hands in mine as they excitedly tugged me toward their newest discoveries. I know the feel of those tiny hands growing into adulthood and still feeling the urge to grab my hand for a squeeze now and then. I know of the absolute, all-consuming love that I feel for my children, those of my body and those I have added to my heart through marriage, and I can’t help but have a glimpse into how our Mother must feel as well – mother to Mother.
I guess that as I've grown older, the final verse really strikes a chord as I ponder what my purpose is here on earth.
Then, at length, when I’ve completed
All you sent me forth to do,
With your mutual approbation
Let me come and dwell with you.
What exactly has been my mission and what is the direction that He would have me go in this chapter of my life? Will my Father be proud of what I’ve done with my life – what I’ve tried to do? I long to be physically wrapped within his embrace, but I know that it’s not time yet. I can wait. I love this life and the experiences that unfold daily around me. I’m thrilled to view each new sunrise and sunset, and I marvel that I am a part of this creation. I can only imagine what the Celestial kingdom will be like if I have the model of this earth to compare it to. God’s creations on earth are magnificent, so our heavenly home must be truly glorious!
I'm listening to the Sounds of Sunday on the BYU satellite radio station. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir came on singing my favorite hymn "O My Father" written by Sister Eliza R. Snow. So many times throughout my life, I've pondered the words of this song and felt such a strong yearning for Home.
I know that when I was younger, I was usually struck with the words of the second verse:
For a wise and glorious purpose
Thou hast placed me here on earth
And withheld the recollection
Of my former friends and birth;
Yet ofttimes a secret something
Whispered, “You’re a stranger here,”
I had such strong desires to push the veil aside to see what I'd forgotten. I remember at times I would sit on my bed in my room, close my eyes, and try with all of my might to push through to unblock my memories. I so look forward to the day that I “remember” all that I can’t remember now. My niece Jordan came to visit us a few years ago, right after my second granddaughter Mia was born. Jordan sat down with Mia who was just a couple of weeks old. Jordan looked up as she cradled Mia in her arms, and with tears sliding down her cheeks pondered aloud about Mia’s newness from our Father in Heaven and what she could tell us if she could talk. I remember feeling the same as I held my babies when they were tiny – what could they tell me about where they’d just come from. What did they still remember? My mother tells of my sister Michelle “talking to angels” when she was a baby. I don’t doubt that there’s still such a connection between the newly born and heaven.
Another aspect of the song that I’ve always loved is in the third verse as Sister Snow ponders our heavenly parentage and reasons that we must have a Heavenly Mother as well as our Father.
In the heav’ns are parents single?
No, the thought makes reason stare!
Truth is reason; truth eternal
Tells me I’ve a mother there.
I’ve pondered our Mother, as well, over the years. What is she like? How does she feel as she watches her children here upon the earth? I know how I feel as a mother when I watch my children choosing paths that I know will hurt them. I know the joy that I feel when I witness my children excelling and progressing in their lives. I know the wonder of tiny hands in mine as they excitedly tugged me toward their newest discoveries. I know the feel of those tiny hands growing into adulthood and still feeling the urge to grab my hand for a squeeze now and then. I know of the absolute, all-consuming love that I feel for my children, those of my body and those I have added to my heart through marriage, and I can’t help but have a glimpse into how our Mother must feel as well – mother to Mother.
I guess that as I've grown older, the final verse really strikes a chord as I ponder what my purpose is here on earth.
Then, at length, when I’ve completed
All you sent me forth to do,
With your mutual approbation
Let me come and dwell with you.
What exactly has been my mission and what is the direction that He would have me go in this chapter of my life? Will my Father be proud of what I’ve done with my life – what I’ve tried to do? I long to be physically wrapped within his embrace, but I know that it’s not time yet. I can wait. I love this life and the experiences that unfold daily around me. I’m thrilled to view each new sunrise and sunset, and I marvel that I am a part of this creation. I can only imagine what the Celestial kingdom will be like if I have the model of this earth to compare it to. God’s creations on earth are magnificent, so our heavenly home must be truly glorious!
10 December 2008
Beginnings
The idea for this blog has been sifting through my brain for approximately the past nine months since I attended a workshop on blogs. I didn't do anything much with it, but figure I don't have much to lose. I don't even have to let anyone see it. My vision for this blog is probably a lot like most people's -- A place to post my writing about miscellaneous different things as well as provide a way for my family and friends to see what's happening in my life. Hopefully, I don't totally bore everyone with my humdrum existence.
Sunflower Sampler represents the hodgepodge of things that run through my mind. Sunflowers are happy flowers that can bring a smile to my face whenever I see one. I think that one of the things I like the most about sunflowers is the way the flower head faces the sun as the sun makes it journey across the sky. The sunflower serves as a simple reminder for me to keep my face focused on the Son. I know that my Savior is the source of my growth and nourishment. So, there you have it -- a somewhat disjointed explanation of the title of my blog. This is me. This is my thought process -- a hodgepodge of words that exists within the mind that strives to keep itself pointed toward the source of light in my life.
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The gospel of Jesus Christ is pivotal in my life. I strive to live His teachings. I know that I make a lot of mistakes, but the greatest aspect of the gospel is that Jesus Christ atoned for my sins. If I'm striving to do my best in this life, then I know that He'll make up the difference. It's only been in this past year that I've truly understood the concept of mercy and grace. Mercy and grace have become two of the most beautiful words in the English language. Through the grace of our Savior, I have the promise of eternal life with my Father in Heaven. This is such a comfort to me. I know this is probably an odd first posting, but this is something that has been on my mind a lot lately.
I probably shouldn't even be writing when it's this late, and I'm tired. So, I am going to say adieu. This is my first genuine blog post. Judge it as you will.
Sunflower Sampler represents the hodgepodge of things that run through my mind. Sunflowers are happy flowers that can bring a smile to my face whenever I see one. I think that one of the things I like the most about sunflowers is the way the flower head faces the sun as the sun makes it journey across the sky. The sunflower serves as a simple reminder for me to keep my face focused on the Son. I know that my Savior is the source of my growth and nourishment. So, there you have it -- a somewhat disjointed explanation of the title of my blog. This is me. This is my thought process -- a hodgepodge of words that exists within the mind that strives to keep itself pointed toward the source of light in my life.
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The gospel of Jesus Christ is pivotal in my life. I strive to live His teachings. I know that I make a lot of mistakes, but the greatest aspect of the gospel is that Jesus Christ atoned for my sins. If I'm striving to do my best in this life, then I know that He'll make up the difference. It's only been in this past year that I've truly understood the concept of mercy and grace. Mercy and grace have become two of the most beautiful words in the English language. Through the grace of our Savior, I have the promise of eternal life with my Father in Heaven. This is such a comfort to me. I know this is probably an odd first posting, but this is something that has been on my mind a lot lately.
I probably shouldn't even be writing when it's this late, and I'm tired. So, I am going to say adieu. This is my first genuine blog post. Judge it as you will.
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