Another Exciting Night

I have posted previously about "exciting nights." Tonight is another one. In the mail today (I'm loving going to the mailbox as of late) there was an envelope from the North Dakota department of vital records. Inside was a death certificate that listed the maiden name of a Ms. Sigrid Thompson. You can imagine that doing genealogy with a name of Thompson is not easy. It's like finding a needle in a haystack. But with a last name of "Haakanes" it will be much easier! Now if I just knew how to read Norwegian!

Life is Good!

The Most Important Things in Life...

The most important things in life are not things, but people.

On Friday I went with two of my students to a conference at Westminster College where they presented on a research project we did. Their presentation was great. I was so proud of them. One of the best things about being at the university is the opportunity to associate with incredible students. It was a good day.

Also on Friday, in my mailbox was a letter from the Heiss family in Atlanta. They welcomed me with open arms and really made me feel at home while I was there. I have several fond memories of their generosity and kindness. I was reminded of how blessed I was during that year. I learned a lot from Kurt as he served as the bishop of our congregation, from Karen who really knows how to laugh and make anyone feel at ease, and from Gayle who also knew how to laugh, enjoy life, and love people.

Just before Valentines I received a card from Ruth Ann, one of my favorite people I met in Atlanta. She is the best hostess and cook. She can also tell a joke better than anyone I know. Her card warmed my heart-- I love those unexpected envelopes in the mailbox.













As Pres. Monson said, "Stress in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important-- and what is most important almost always involves the people around us."

Life Is Good!

There is Sunshine in My Soul Today

"There is sunshine in my soul today..." That's exactly how I feel. Sunday after church, I was standing outside talking to a neighbor. The sun was beating on my back, and the warmth felt sooo good. I determined to talk a long afternoon walk. But first I needed a short afternoon nap. During my nap I dreamed that I slept too late and missed my chance to enjoy the sunshine. Whew. Just a dream.

On Monday afternoon I had a few extra minutes so I took another walk down the the Shops at Riverwoods. I love window shopping at Williams-Sonoma, Gymboree, and Bath & Body Works. I would have gone to Border's too, but the sun was going down. It was a good hour anyway!

Two days of sunshine... it gives me hope that spring is on the way!

Life is Good!

Temples...A Place of Refuge from the Storms of Life

The celestial room of the Mt. Timpanogos temple is my favorite place on earth. There is a peace I feel there that I can't find anywhere else. When I attend the temple I leave feeling that all is right with the world and that I can make it through any challenges.

In my scripture reading this week I read the following in Isaiah chapter 4 verse 6: "And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain." In Old Testament times, a tabernacle was a portable temple for the Children of Israel. As I re-read the scripture and replaced the word 'tabernacle' with 'temple' it took on new meaning. The temple today is a place of refuge from the storms of life.

I have had several experiences with the Spirit as I've regularly attended the temple. I know that is The House of the Lord. I've felt His presence.

A speaker at our church meetings this weekend encouraged us to specifically plan time to attend the temple each week. He said that you can't attend the temple on the time that is left over in a week- just like you can't pay your tithing from the money that is left over. If we prioritize our activities we will find time to do that which matters most.
Life is Good!

Valentine Memories

When I was growing up, we always made and frosted sugar cookies on Valentines Day. One year my brother thought he would make cookies for all these girls that he liked (he was in junior high or just starting high school). So mom helped him decorate the cookies and sent him off to school. When he got to school, he chickened out and instead of giving them away, he took the cookies with him to a basketball tournament and ate them all himself. Well, I am sure his teammates helped out.

Another memory of Valentines Day is Martha Bennett. She was our business teacher and taught us typing. She was a lot of fun. Behind her back we called her "Aunt Martha." So one year for Valentines we made her a big sugar cookie and wrote "Aunt Martha" on it. Our secret was out and she was a good sport about it.

For several years I continued the tradition of making sugar cookies at the holiday too. I taught my niece Ms. C to make sugar cookies. In this picture she is about 4 years old. She came over to my apartment to make cookies. She got quite proficient. One time I forgot to flour the cookie cutter. She said, "That's okay. We all make mistakes." What great wisdom for life. We do all make mistakes-- but we can start over and begin again. As Anne of Green Gables says, "today is a brand new day with no mistakes in it."

Balance Busted

My resolve to get more balance this week lasted all of a single day. I was at work until 7:30 last night and back at the office 24 hours later. I don't like that feeling-- that you've just barely left and here you are again. Maybe next week will be better.

On the lighter side, tonight I was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi (PKP). This is an honor society that is by invitation only to the top 10% of graduating seniors and 7.5% of juniors. Faculty, administrative staff and alumni "who have achieved scholarly distinction" can also be invited to join-- which is where I come in. I do feel privileged and honored by the invitation. PKP's mission is "to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others."

There were two things that made this a good evening. 1- the official university student photographer who sat next to me during dinner. She was really fun to talk to (unlike the other adults at my table). She is majoring in linguistics and can speak Russian and Persian. Wow! 2- a talk by Susan Easton Black. That woman is amazing. Her ability to tell great stories without any notes is remarkable. Her message was that those who find joy in the journey of life do two things: a) they keep the covenants they have made with God, and b) they know who they are and are confident. She shared some great stories from LDS Church history. Overall, a very pleasant evening, even if it was work related.

Life is Good.

Sisters!

My friend Suzette's twin sister was just diagnosed with cancer. I don't know the prognosis, but it doesn't look good. It made me stop and think about what life would be like without my sister. I don't even want to go there. She is the best! We have the same cell phone plan so we can have free "in-calling." After all, we call each other more than we call anyone else.
On Saturday I got a Valentine's package from her. It was filled with chocolate, a card and this really cute Valentine (that she made).
Life Is Good!

What Matters Most...

When I first started this blog it was to share my pictures from Italy (my favorite Cinque Terre view to the right). I decided to keep posting, with a goal that each week I would have something non-work related and interesting going on in my life. Well, the last few weeks my life has been consumed with work and I've had nothing exciting (or semi-exciting) to share. When you are single, it is really easy for work to become your life. No one is waiting for you to come home at night. On Saturday the time is yours-- no kids soccer games or a husband wanting you to do something. And who cares if the carpet doesn't get vacuumed for another day or two. You spend a few hours, or the whole day, at the office.
But the thing is, getting so out of balance isn't a good thing. This morning during scriptures reading I read the following: "Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy." (See 2 Nephi 9:51 and Isaiah 55:2). Spending excess time on things that matter less (in the big scheme of eternal things) really doesn't satisfy.
To help me regain perspective I think of this quote by Neal A. Maxwell: "Someday when we look back on mortality, we will see that so many of the things that seemed to matter so much at the moment will be seen not to have mattered at all. And the eternal things will be seen to have mattered even more than the faithful of the Saints imagined."
My goal this week is to regain balance and focus on things that matter most.
Life Is Good.

Happy B-Day Ms. K

This is a shout-out to my niece Ms. K. It is her birthday this week. I tell her she is my favorite-est girl in the whole world and she tells me that I am her favorite aunt. A mutual admiration society. And besides, us red-heads have to stick together.
I still remember the day she was born. I was at the office and my dad called to tell me that my sister just gave birth to a red-headed girl. He started crying. We didn't know the gender of the baby before it was born, but had suspected a boy because the baby had some kidney problems that are more common in boy babies.
But what a joy Ms. K has been! I look forward to watching her grow up. This week I went to a lecture about women leaders. The speaker said that she found that a characteristic of women leaders is that they were avid readers as children. Ms. K is right on her way! My sister tells me that Ms. K has some of my characteristics-- something like perfectionist tendencies, stubbornness and determination. She is bound to go far!!
This is one of my favorite pictures of her-- she made herself earrings from hair elastics. She can't wait until she is old enough for pierced ears!