A Little Piece of Home; Many Blesssings

Chris and I saw Jason Forbush, a friend from Shelley, at Church yesterday. He's here selling pest control for the summer. It was funny. He was sitting in Sacrament Meeting a couple rows behind where we were sitting. I looked back and saw him. Then I had to do a double take to make sure it was who I thought it was. Jason said he was so excited to see someone from Shelley at Church. I don't know him very well, but he is a nice kid. We were in a Seminary class together in high school. He didn't talk much in Seminary, but he always seemed pretty nice. He came over for a bit after Church and we visited. It was so good to see him. Klint Metcalf, another friend from Shelley, is selling security systems (I believe) in Texas, but we haven't seen him yet. He said we were three hours away from him so I understand that we haven't seen him. I hope we can see him soon.

I've also started a little bit of schooling. I'm scared and excited about it. I was always so scared to start school because I learn differently from others. I have to study a lot for the information to stick in my brain. I hated taking tests because of it. But I am glad that I am getting an education, even if it's just a start. It's still education. I decided to start on the Pathway Program through BYU-Idaho. I talked to Bishop Hagey and his wife about it. Sister Hagey was excited for me. My mom's been a great help too. I hope this will help me at least start to get an education.

I think we are living a pretty good life right now. I'm grateful for the opportunities Heavenly Father has blessed us both with. Chris is in the Young Men's presidency and he loves it. I'm surprised there aren't a lot of boys at our apartment yet. :) I play the piano in Relief Society. I've been tagging along with Sister Davis and Sister Elliot (the Sister missionaries) when they need me. They have been so great. I've gone to a couple lessons with them. I'm so glad they invite me to go with them. I'm home all day so it's nice to get out of the apartment for a few hours. I'm grateful for the gospel and how it does give us so many opportunities to share it with the rest of Heavenly Father's children. I didn't know how hard it was, taking the rejection from others who aren't interested. I respect them, but they don't know what they're missing. :) That's why I am so grateful to have the full truth and knowledge of the gospel in my life. I'm grateful for good parents who raised me in the Church. I'm even grateful for the little things: Family Home Evening, having family prayer and reading scriptures in the morning before school and have discussions about it with my family (that was always the best part of my morning), attending the temple regularly, the list goes on and on. We are all very blessed.

Wonderful People

Life has been pretty good for Chris and me I must say. Yesterday, I played the piano at a baptism, which was very sudden. The Primary president called me the day before and asked me to play. I was happy to do it as always. The guy who was getting baptized was a convert. I'm very happy for him. It was a very spiritual day.

Chris and I had dinner with Bishop Hagey and his wife, Lori. They are such kind people. Lori has helped me so much. She's an inspiring woman that's for sure. I'm so glad that we have good people in our ward.

I miss Jenna Borchardt, though. We've gone to the temple together with Lori Hagey and Nancy Ford. She is such a sweet girl. She's on a mission in Vancouver, Washington. I barely know her, but she's been so much fun to talk to. She would always tell me how excited she was to go on a mission and she's very inspired. I always love to hear her strong testimony and how it's been strengthened through the Savior in Relief Society. That's a great trait for a missionary to have; for anyone to have. She is so kind and a good friend to me. I sure miss her.

Chris and I sure have been blessed with good people here in Texas. I was worried that I wouldn't have one friend, but our ward has been kind and loving toward us. I'm grateful to have a second family. I don't know what I would do without them.

Sea World

Chris and I took Jerome, Whitney, Mandy, and Rockelle to Sea World yesterday. We saw dolphins. They swam with trainers and they did flips and spun around in the water. Mandy thought that was so awesome.

We also saw a show with a dog, a cat, and some birds. It was cool. I can't really describe them very well, but it was cool. The other neat thing was all the animals that we saw were rescued from abused homes or habitats. It was awesome.

The instructors put on a mystery show with the seals. It was really cute.

Then we saw a ski show. That was incredible. A few guys lifted girls on skis and the guys did flips like you wouldn't believe.

We also went to a synchronized divers show. That was cool. Then, a girl swam with a dolphin and the dolphin did exactly what the girl told him to and after he did it, he got a treat. :) Mandy had so much fun. She loved it all. It was so cute.

After all the excitement, we all went to Whitney and Jerome's and had ice cream. It was a very exciting, fun, exhausting day.

I am really going to miss Whitney and Jerome when they move to Korea. They've been such a big help to me and Chris. It's been fun to have them around.