Thanksgiving Bliss

Over the past week with my family I've had some crazy adventures. I've chronicled them through pictures... So here's my week! 

This was a crazy game of golf that perpetuated throughout the entire week:) it started at the airport...

On the plane ready for take off!!

We arrived at the beautiful beach front condo... Do you like our view?

I hung out with cousins friends and family all week! We saw a few movies together. And hung out at the giant Christmas tree:) Restaurants were frequented, but the best part was being together!!! I love my Family!!!! 

Crazy faces!

Pose! My brother wanted to look disinterested, haha. 

All cousins, even the photo bomber peeping through!

Fun with my mom. 

Posing with my dad. 

Tired brother wanted me to look sad in the picture... I don't think I pulled it off too well but was okay with it!

Waiting for the Hunger Games movie to start!!!

Late night out on the town. 

Early morning out on the town. 

Beautiful momma fishing;)

Monopoly. Enough said. 

I must point out that in this monopoly game I lost, but was the only one that got three hotels!!!!!! That was the first time I ever had enough money to get one, and I got three! I am proud of myself and thought I'd share. 

We had Thanksgiving dinner:) my brother and Dad did the honors of carving the turkey and we shared the evening with family and pie, the best way to do it!

Then we decided to go fishing!!!! It was cold. We had to try two days to get anything, and then he fish were extremely tricky. On day one my dad posed with another guys fish... We tricked my mom who had already been defeated by the cold and retreated to the warmth of the car into thinking my dad caught it. On day two, two of my cousins and my mom came off victorious and snagged one fish each!

My brother taking the relaxed approach. 

Lovely hooked bait. 

Cranes or herons were close friends while we fished. 

My handy dandy fishing pole. 

Good eatin:)

And in any spare moment we were either in the pool, the hot tub, or out in the waves and catchin some sun on the beach:)

Isn't this water gorgeous!?

My brother found a dead crab...

On the last full day at the beach I officially turned twenty four! We celebrated with leftovers salad and this delicious homemade Oreo cheesecake. 

Of course, I'm still a kid:) and bummed that my vacation is over. Back to real life with homework, work, grad school applications etc. I made some good memories this week! 

Best Comment I Heard Today

My brother got up from the restaurant table and announced:

I have to go to the restroom. I don't know why they call it that... I do a lot of work in there...

Then he walked away to do his business. :)

My Vacation Began!

The first stop on the lovely road of vacation was Temple Square! 

This is the Salt Lake City Temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I was hoping they would have their Christmas display up, but it isn't lit until the beginning of December. The light display they have here is sooooo amazing!!! I've only been a few times and every time I am blown away with the beautiful lights and the focus on the nativity displays of Christ in the manger. So beautiful. It reminds me of the beauty if the season around Christmas and the reason we celebrate at this time of year. 

I met some really amazing sister missionaries that are serving on Temple Square as I waited to meet up with my family for dinner. We talked about serving missions, since I just got back in March from my mission. One of the sisters is going home this week. That transition is hard, and I told her about my experience and how rough it was transitioning to non mission life. But I made it! And I don't think I'm too weird:) 

Packing

The pre-vacation stress comes from my lack of motivation to pack. 

I usually like to pack clean clothes when starting out on my adventures... Which requires doing laundry. Of course, I have to put that off till the last possible moment- the night before I leave. Hence the photo of my bed covered in clean laundry and an open suitcase at midnight the night before I leave. 

Since I lack in motivation to pack, I obviously am taking a break to blog about it:) perhaps my motivation will return by the end if this post... we'll see. 

All this packing is reminding me of my mission. I wish I could visit my mission in the New England states. When I was a missionary I would pack up all of my belongings every 6 weeks to about 4 months and moved to a new city and state. I would go with a new companion and get to meet some pretty amazing people:) I served the people of New England for 18 months straight. Such a wonderful experience! I definitely believe that the more you serve someone the more love you have for that person. And I've got some deep seeded love for the people in the north east:). 

Unfortunately, this packing isn't preparing me for a glorious reunion with friends made on the mission. 

Instead, it is so I can have the lovely reunion of family all together for Thanksgiving and my birthday:). And if the weather is good I'll get to play on the beach in my new swimsuit!!! Which is a very good thing. 

GRE

For those of you not familiar with the demonic term 'GRE,' let me explain. It's not really demonic, I'm just being a bit dramatic and over exaggerating the dread that is usually accompanied with this test. The GRE is a test, the needed, required test, to apply to many graduate programs around the country. I had to take it! A necessary evil has been presented in my path towards my goal of being a Speech-Language Pathologist, so I rolled up my sleeves, started studying, and signed up for a test day. 

The fated day for this dreaded test finally arrived this weekend. Yesterday to be exact. Ugh. I was not looking forward to taking it. I had some amazing friends try to help me with my math skills, and some fun apps for my phone to quiz me on my vocabulary. 

As this weekend had been getting closer and closer I have been spending less and less time studying for it. This caused me some concern Friday night as I prepared for the big test day. But I was reminded that I did the best with what I had in doing my preparations, and I took courage. 

Saturday morning I was blest by my amazing visiting teacher and friend giving me a ride to the testing center. I took the test with a mighty prayer in my heart! When I got the preliminary scores back I was satisfied. In fact, I was happy! I got above the score I was aiming for! Wahoo! 

So now no more GRE studying and now no more stress. I can use these scores to apply to graduate schools and eventually become the worlds best Speech-Language Pathologist:)... The next step is actually filling out the graduate school applications... Wish me luck!! 

Birthday Fun

It's way early to celebrate my birthday... But if I celebrated when my special day really was no one would be around to celebrate with me. So this last Friday we made it happen. My roommates and I went to Zuppas and then to the temple. All together:) it is absolutely amazing to be living with girls that are all endowed and able to go to the temple together!! Each one of us are so strong in the Gospel of Christ. We bouiy each other up and support each other through Christ. It was the best way to celebrate my birthday. 

Before we left the temple, the temple president and his wife came up to our group. They shared their testimonies with us and got to know us a bit better. Then a man came up to our group by the name of Peter Mourik. The temple president introduced us and then proceeded to tell us a story about brother Mourik. Here's the version of the story president Monson, the Prophet, shared in conference: 

"I am always humbled and grateful when my Heavenly Father communicates with me through His inspiration. I have learned to recognize it, to trust it, and to follow it. Time and time again I have been the recipient of such inspiration. One rather dramatic experience took place in August of 1987 during the dedication of the Frankfurt Germany Temple. President Ezra Taft Benson had been with us for the first day or two of the dedication but had returned home, and so it became my opportunity to conduct the remaining sessions.

"On Saturday we had a session for our Dutch members who were in the Frankfurt Temple district. I was well acquainted with one of our outstanding leaders from the Netherlands, Brother Peter Mourik. Just prior to the session, I had the distinct impression that Brother Mourik should be called upon to speak to his fellow Dutch members during the session and that, in fact, he should be the first speaker. Not having seen him in the temple that morning, I passed a note to Elder Carlos E. Asay, our Area President, asking whether Peter Mourik was in attendance at the session. Just prior to standing up to begin the session, I received a note back from Elder Asay indicating that Brother Mourik was actually not in attendance, that he was involved elsewhere, and that he was planning to attend the dedicatory session in the temple the following day with the servicemen stakes.

"As I stood at the pulpit to welcome the people and to outline the program, I received unmistakable inspiration once again that I was to announce Peter Mourik as the first speaker. This was counter to all my instincts, for I had just heard from Elder Asay that Brother Mourik was definitely not in the temple. Trusting in the inspiration, however, I announced the choir presentation and the prayer and then indicated that our first speaker would be Brother Peter Mourik.

"As I returned to my seat, I glanced toward Elder Asay; I saw on his face a look of alarm. He later told me that when I had announced Brother Mourik as the first speaker, he couldn’t believe his ears. He said he knew that I had received his note and that I indeed had read it, and he couldn’t fathom why I would then announce Brother Mourik as a speaker, knowing he wasn’t anywhere in the temple.

"During the time all of this was taking place, Peter Mourik was in a meeting at the area offices in Porthstrasse. As his meeting was going forward, he suddenly turned to Elder Thomas A. Hawkes Jr., who was then the regional representative, and asked, “How fast can you get me to the temple?”

"Elder Hawkes, who was known to drive rather rapidly in his small sports car, answered, “I can have you there in 10 minutes! But why do you need to go to the temple?”

"Brother Mourik admitted he did not know why he needed to go to the temple but that he knew he had to get there. The two of them set out for the temple immediately.

"During the magnificent choir number, I glanced around, thinking that at any moment I would see Peter Mourik. I did not. Remarkably, however, I felt no alarm. I had a sweet, undeniable assurance that all would be well.

"Brother Mourik entered the front door of the temple just as the opening prayer was concluding, still not knowing why he was there. As he hurried down the hall, he saw my image on the monitor and heard me announce, “We will now hear from Brother Peter Mourik.”

"To the astonishment of Elder Asay, Peter Mourik immediately walked into the room and took his place at the podium.
Following the session, Brother Mourik and I discussed that which had taken place prior to his opportunity to speak. I have pondered the inspiration which came that day not only to me but also to Peter Mourik. That remarkable experience has provided an undeniable witness to me of the importance of being worthy to receive such inspiration and then trusting it—and following it—when it comes. I know without question that the Lord intended for those who were present at that session of the Frankfurt Temple dedication to hear the powerful, touching testimony of His servant Brother Peter Mourik."

This story was told in the October 2011 General Conference. In the temple as we heard this story from the temple president and brother Mourik my testimony of needing to be spiritually worthy and able to receive revelation as well as act on the promotings of  the Spirit grew a ton. 

Then we came home and enjoyed homemade chocolate cake together. 

Such a great birthday celebration:) 

Flashback: Hospital

I was being a good friend this past week. Me and my best friend and her boyfriend went to the hospital to bring joy to a mutual friend who was just getting out of surgery. (Wow, that's a lot if friends.) We found the elevator and went to the sixth floor. As we stood around his bed and joked around with him and his parents my head became clouded. My ears and the back of my neck felt extremely hot. I felt myself slipping into unconsciousness. I was about to faint. I'm sure my face went pale and my eyes had a glazed look. 

I fought it! and was able to stay conscious. No fainting that day! It was sad how fast it came on and there weren't any warning signs that I was about to have this struggle for consciousness. I guess it's all in the joys of my life with Fibromyalgia. But it might also be that was the first time I had been in a hospital since my mission. 

The most traumatic three weeks of my mission revolved around a companion being sick and going to the hospital. Here's an excerpt from a letter home after those weeks: 

"Wednesday, two weeks ago, we called the doctor to set up an appointment for Sis. Xxxxxx to get her mouth checked out. She had a mouth sore that was giving her trouble. Thursday she started getting headaches, not feeling so good, and tired even with a full nights rest. But we kept working:) Friday we saw the doctor. Two infections in her mouth, got antibiotics, and went on our merry way. Saturday she could walk, but had to have assistance a little bit, and her headache worsened. We weren't able to do much work. Sunday more weak she couldn't stand on her own, and horrible headaches. We only went to church. Monday she pushed herself, hard to walk and do things on her own. we went shopping and ate out. By 6 in the evening she couldn't stand on her own. She was exhausted. Tuesday morning she was dependent on me to help her stand or walk. That was our first trip to the ER. They said she was dehydrated, needed fluids and was given a different antibiotic. The Zone Leaders came and gave her a blessing and sang to us. We were back home the same day. Wednesday she was the same, but by Wednesday night she couldn't sit up on her own. And everytime she stood she began to pass out. I fully supported as she made the trip to the bathroom and back to the bed. One of the members was really nice and brought over a walker for her to use so I didn't have to fully support her anymore. Thursday morning no improvement, in fact more weak-- she began passing out when she sat up only for a second or so. Not very long but enough to worry me, and her left side of her body was numb. Back to the ER.  The District Leader and the Zone Leaders joined us this time and gave her another blessing. The tentative diagnosis was Guillian-barre' Syndrome. She was admitted to the ICU for observation. That room was full of fear and anxiety. At 11:45pm I called the Wilkey's. Pres. Wilkey sang a song to s. Windley and the fear and anxiety left. We slept in peace and calm. 

"Friday morning we saw the doctors and nurses on parade. No one had much of anything intelligent to say, and then she was wisked away to get an MRI. We moved rooms to the 6th floor to continue treatment for Guillian-barre' Syndrome. We decided that it should be called Green jello disease. Our reasoning is that she's from Utah and everyone has jello there. But she's turning into green jello now, so weak her legs won't support her. The Zone Leaders brought us a fun package of toys and Ensigns to pass the time. Throughout Friday she continues to get weaker, and both legs are beginning to get numb now, not just her left side. Friday night her hands were numb and tingly. The Zone Leaders brought us Pizza for dinner and we had a fun time eating and laughing. She had a headache the entire time, and no medicine had been able to dull it at all. Saturday morning she awoke in pain. Extreme pain. So painful to watch her have the pain. She was gasping for breathe and couldn't move any part of her body without more pain. I rang the nurse and told her she was having trouble breathing. More pain medicine, a breathing test, nurses in and out, this lasted for about 5 hours. Between gasps of air, she asked me if she was going to die. I told her no-- she was too much of a fighter. She desperately asked for the Zone Leaders to come and help her. I called them up. Between tears I think they understood me clear enough to know that she wasn't doing well, and should come ASAP. They were there in an hour and comforted both of us. I got a priesthood blessing this time, and an added boost of strength. 

"Pres. and Sis. Wilkey started on their way up to Maine on Saturday afternoon. They were bringing Sis. Rykowski with them to help out with the area, and taking care of Sis. Windley. They arrived Saturday night, and were a very welcome sight after the hard morning. I was promptly sent to go shopping with sis. Rykowski and Pres. Wilkey to get good healthy food, then go to sleep in a bed instead of a hospital chair. Sis. Wilkey stayed the night with Sis. Windley. I was given strict orders to not use an alarm clock. I had a restless night and got a bit of my physical tired gone. On Sunday we could only attend the last hour of church because we slept in (as ordered). So we went to the Hospital to get the Sacrament when we were ready cause they were giving sis. Windley the sacrament there. It was a sweet meeting with the Elders administering it to us, and we all bore our testimonies. It was sweet. Nothing eventful that evening. Me and Sis. Rykowski went home to sleep and got up early to be at the hospital by 7:30am Monday. She was discharged from the Hospital and then we went home. 

"Still weak and exhausted no matter how much she rested. Numb and tingly all over now. Tuesday we found out she was going home. Wednesday we packed. Thursday we packed more, and picked up Sis. Windley's mom from the airport. Friday they flew home to Utah." 

So maybe the hospitals are just too tender to experience. It's been about a year and a half since that time, but still too soon to forget.