"Open Your Eyes and See"

"Open your eyes and see" was the theme to this years Beaverton Oregon West Stakes, Young Woman, High Adventure. For the last four years I have had the privilege to accompany this group to be their camp nurse. 

The adventure is outdoors and usually us something the girls might not normally have the opportunity to do. 

My carload of girls were spunky and energetic so getting there provided fun opportunities to get out, stretch our legs, and get some fun photos. 

Wilson Ranches Retreat in Fossil Oregon was our destination. Here we were able to have the girls go horseback riding, play games, and spend twenty-four hours unplugged from electronics and the daily evils temping our lives. One girl stated as she got off her horse, "That was the most amazing thing I have ever done". 

The family that owns the ranch were able to provide service opportunities in town in cleaning around the courthouses and the fairgrounds. 

The next day we dug for fossils and feasted our eyes on the beauty of the Painted Hills. 

Throughout the scriptures there are stories of when the savior would perform miracles and the followers would forget. There were also times when the savior would walk among them and they wound not, could not see him. Open your eyes and see. Open your eyes to the beauty around you, in nature and the good deeds of others. Choose to see the saviors hand in your life and in the lives of others. 

The two days I was able to spend with the girls of the BOWS YW High Adventure I was able to see their love for thief savior radiate through them. I was able to see the light of Christ shine through the righteous decisions these girls make. 

The Last 20ish Years...

I recently got back in touch with a roommate from when I was about 19. She asked what I had been up to for the last 20 years. Great question, what have I been up to? So here is a little summary of my life for the past 20ish years!!! 

From Eugene Oregon moved to Utah. Worked in some pizzerias, made some lifelong friends, decided to serve a mission, received endowments in Manti Utah Temple.

Served mission in Manchester NH mission. Served some amazing people, Learned how to love all men, fell in love with church history (and Ben & Jerrys ice cream!).

Lived in Utah along university ave near BYU. Served in Relief Society presidency in various positions and became a temple ordinance worker in the Provo temple.  Went to cosmetology school and then worked in a couple salons. Made more lifelong friendships. Learned to value all people and tried to make sure they felt included. Another random calling I had was the co-chair for group dates. Yes, my ward experimented with having us randomly match everyone up on large group dates. The point was to get everyone comfortable with just dating. (I did have a wedding come out of it though- great story!)

Lived in Coos Bay Oregon. Worked at a craft store and another pizzeria! I'm still not sure the purpose of this move or what I was to learn. 

Moved to Chelan Washington. I got my CNA license working at a long term care facility. I loved the dry summer days! I did a lot of country line dancing and served in the YW. 

Back to Utah. This time I lived west of University ave. I met some great people here. Intelligent, caring. I did hair at a salon and picked up the hobby of genealogy. I got to teach this class and really enjoyed the seeking of ancestors. Served again in the Provo Temple as an ordinance worker. 

Maryland! I became a nanny. Worked with one family for a little over a year, then took some time off for a college math class and sold health insurance. I then worked for a family full time for over a year, then part time for 4 more. I went to college and got an associate degree in science and license as a RN. I served in YW, stake YSA, and was the 4th year leader at girls camp for 3 yrs. I got to explore our nations history, as well as continuing my love for church history. I served in the DC temple as an ordinance worker, and kindled friendships with some amazing people. 

Family called me home to Oregon and I lived in Coburg for a couple years working first as a RN in cottage grove, then in Eugene in HH/hospice. 

After my dads death I moved to coos bay and worked at the hospital there. Even after my mom sold the family farm and moved to Beaverton I stayed in CB and had a great time learning to preserve food, hiking, exploring, and living life. Got my bachelors of science RN through an online college. I expanded my nursing skills as a clinical educator for the local college nursing program. Taught Sunday school 16-17yr olds and more YW! 

Seeing that my nieces would be gone before I knew it I moved to Portland almost two years ago and am working at Portland providence. I love being close to my immediate family and participating in the last years at home my nieces have. 

Diet Coke

Last fall I successfully gave up Diet Coke. I say Diet Coke loosely since I also loved Diet Pepsi. These had to be the full caffeine versions, and not the knock-off colas. Man I loved me a "fresh" Diet Coke from McDonald's. Only 1.00$, cool and refreshing. How could I go wrong? Well, besides my health. Trying to get a grasp on my health I eliminated these refreshing beverages from my life. Every once in a while I'd order one at a restaurant but in general, finished. 

What is it about summer time??? Knowing that the temperatures are rising, and cooling off by a river, lake or pool is in my near future. All I want is a Diet Coke! 

"One large Diet Coke please" -sip -fizzy burn -enjoy!!! 

Health

I've posted before about my struggles of being healthy and loosing weight. It feels to be a constant uphill battle. 

Today though I'm posting on the joys of just being somewhat healthy. 

I have felt the last few days that creeping joyful feeling. Whenever I have felt this I'm like, what? What can be causing this joyful feeling. I have so many stressors and feelings of doubt! I have rounded the feeling to be coming from the feeling of health! 

I'm still overweight. I'm still far from my baseline of hiking and walking stamina. I still have trouble with my ears. Yet, I can walk!!! I can breath out of both nostrils!!! I am able to work again and will soon have a regular income again!!! I have great family that lives near enough to see multiple times a week!!! 

Health is defined and described in different ways. Today I'm celebrating my health that I'm alive and self-sufficient! 

What's your description of health today! 

Make new friends, but always keep the old!

In case you need a reminder I have moved over 40 times in my life. I am fortunate in that each time I moved I was able to make new friends and start new adventures. The hard part was saying goodbye to the friends I had made and hope and pray that we would stay in touch. This has not been easy. 

Keeping friendships alive over the miles can be a challenge. We physically may move and lose touch or mentally we may move apart with changing values or goals. I have found this true and sometimes mourn for past relationships that have grown apart and ended. 

This past year I have been blessed to be able to get in touch and rekindle friendships from days past. A kind of blending of my current life and progression here in Portland Oregon with some loving ties of friendships from my days in Maryland. 

Chey Brower and I met through the LDS institute program. She was an amazing instructor that inspired me to search deeper in the scriptures. Her understanding and love of the gospel radiated through her enabling her to help other young adults in their search for truth and meaning. She always had time to lend a listening ear and opened her heart and home to any in need. 

We were able to meet up again this winter here in Portland since her daughter Aubrey has moved here with her young family. 

Livia and I met also through the LDS institute program in Maryland. She was one of the first young adults to reach out to include me in activities and adventures. Her hometown was only a couple hours away in Virginia and we spent quit a few weekends there pestering her mamma and enjoying the country life. We have been able to rekindle our friendship since my move to Portland. Her adorable family is growing here in the PNW. Her mamma was even able to come visit after the birth of miss Georgette. 

Dan Mudget is another Maryland LDS institute friend. His family made a move from MD to Endland so I thought for sure I'd never see his face again. His military travels have taken him around the world and landed him in the PNW. It was a lovely surprise to hear from him again and meet his beautiful wife and family. 

It just shows that you never know how the people we meet will effect our lives. Some may be a flick of a memory while others are meant to be a flame of warm friendship forever! 

Rules and Gifts

After setting myself up for disappointment on a regular basis throughout my life, I've learned a few things: Don't put expectations on others. Everyone is different and will not think the same way as you. Your going to have to ask for it if you want it. 

Don't put expectations on others. 

I learned this rule when I first moved back to Oregon after being in Maryland for eight years. I had been away from family for so long and often heard from them, "If only you lived closer I could help you out, or spend time with you". I had great expectations of family time bliss. Weekends spent together exploring and shopping. What I got was that gas was too expensive to visit and time was short. I threw myself into a dark place of depression and woes of me. It took a little over a year till I learned my rule not to put expectations on others. This was able to guide me to the gift of self happiness. I learned to do things more independently and to fill my own joy. 

Everyone is different and will not think the same way as you. 

This rule can be mashed a little with the first one. I don't know exactly when this one sank into my learning. I actually think my sister mentioned it to me. We being human tend to have a little of "the world is about us". When we approach different situations sometimes we assume that others will think and do as we do. Tis not so. In learning the gift of seeing others as themselves we learn to understand where they are coming from and where their actions will lead, not yours. 

Your going to have to ask for it if you want it. 

Ahhhh. This one I am constantly relearning. I am a pretty independent person. Over the years I've learned to use my introvert tendencies to strengthen my learning and cultivate inner peace and happiness. Yet then there are times when I forget that the world is the world and I ignore my understanding of the above rules. I need to ask! "I'm fine!", "that's ok!", are my first statements I tend to say. I assume I'll be able to figure it out on my own. The gifts of accepting help and speaking up can ease your burden as well as bless others. 

I am constantly needing to remind myself of the rules and gifts I have learned. And of course I'm not an expert of life, I've just lived it! 

2016 The Year Of ???

Most people at some point around the new year make a list, be it mental or written, of the things they would like to accomplish during the upcoming year. It may be simple or lenthy, yet this list then becomes, or should become, the guide to thier actions. 

Honestly, I have not written New Years Resolutions, well, I cannot remember the last time. I find myself this year in a place where my mind is clearer so I've set out to be resolute with myself and accomplish a few things. 

Here are my goals for my "Personal" category, meaning they are mainly for my mental health and well being and are aimed to make me a better person. 

In 2002 Health Magazine researched that "While about 75% of people stick to their goals for at least a week, less than half (46%) are still on target six months later". Be sure to check back in 6 months and see how I'm doing!!!