Perspective, Planning, and Pep Talk

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When I read a book on the Kindle I don’t know how long it is when I begin because there aren’t page numbers, just “locations,” which I have never paid attention to. Last night after another evening of reading and making no progress, I looked up how many pages Middlemarch has: nearly 900. What a perfect metaphor for life right now. It’s hard to see the end as we slog through these last weeks of school.

I realized last night that I’m living in the Burnout Place. It’s an optional stop on the road, but I have set up camp there and I’m having a hard time packing up and leaving.

Today I’m taking time to remind myself that baseball season and the last month of school will not last forever. I am going to be patient and perhaps buy a few more meals by take-out in the next few weeks without guilt or apology. I am not going to dwell on negative words of others and remember that I am not the solution to every problem. I’m probably not the solution to ANY problem. I don’t have to be awesome! I just need to love this little family and feed them. My mascot for the month is Dory from Finding Nemo.

“Just keep swimming, just keep swimming…”

Did you know that I don’t actually know how to swim? It’s a good thing that I am just living in the land of metaphor this morning.

Whirlwind

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There is no writing going on in a whirlwind. But here are a couple of pictures of things we have been up to. Richard’s mom celebrated a birthday with us and we welcomed Sara home from her mission over the weekend.

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We checked on Spring Lake and admired the foundation.

Richard’s parents stayed for a few days and then Russ’s family stayed. There was Indian food, the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit, a piano recital, a district math test, baseball games, an overnight retreat in Midway, and a violin-piano duet in a church in Spanish Fork.

We put together an answer to an art-themed prom invitation.

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Daniel’s friends spent several days in the basement constructing a physics project… with lots of Lego man spectators.

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I’m glad the pace isn’t always this busy, but it was good to see Richard’s family and to be among so many good friends.

Boy #2 and Boy #3 update

catcher Today was a big day for the boys. Mark tried out being a catcher for the first time. He said it wasn’t as fun as he thought it would be. I’m pretty sure the color of the gear played a big part in his desire to be a catcher.DSC_1074

The fifth grade classes were recognized for their work in a program run by the police department today in an assembly with parents invited. Timothy really liked the police officer who taught him for 13 weeks. Timothy gave up all media for one week to fulfill one of the requirements in the class. He was told that if he did it, there would be an amazing prize at graduation. He received a water bottle. Um, I don’t know how he felt, but I was so disappointed!DSC_1088It was a day of cheering for the boys. Hooray!

 

Paradoxes in a Narrow Canyon

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We visited some slot canyons among 31 friends on Friday. Most passages through these canyons were not too narrow, but there were a few places that we needed to slither and slide. The young kids ran through them with ease, leaving the adults behind. I did just fine, even though I feel claustrophobic and trapped at the car wash and even the drive up lane at McDonald’s. The rest of our family is fearless, so I didn’t worry about them.

The essence of our personalities emerged when we were faced with a decision between a significant drop or a very narrow passage through the rock. Each person chose a path, facing different levels of fear and trepidation. A team was required to get everyone through this tight spot. The men went through the narrow passage and then helped lower the rest of the group down the hole between boulders. Some teenagers stayed behind to help, too. I found myself being brave for a change and not feeling panic. I had to trust that those who were lowering me through this crevice had been through it before me, had a thorough knowledge of each ledge they told me to navigate, and finally, that they had the strength to lower me safely to the ground.

Many truths about life and the gospel are paradoxes. For instance, you would think that accepting help from others would make me feel weak or powerless, but the opposite was true. Exercising faith and trust is an act of courage and strength of will. Faith, when grounded in something true, becomes very empowering. Also, when I allowed myself to be helped and even carried for a few seconds, I felt valued and treasured. No doubt others experienced different lessons based on the role they played in the canyon and their life experiences.

We all have good memories from the day and many lessons were taught. I will always remember that lesson of courage in faith and the resulting feelings of worth that I experienced in the canyon. I was grateful for people who sacrificed to help us make it through that narrow and scary spot.

 

Spring Break Trip

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We went camping with several families in the Escalante area over Spring Break. We had adventures, saw beautiful views, had a midnight tow for our truck from a remote location, laughed with friends, danced, went kayaking, hiking, and exploring. The slot canyons we visited and the falls at Calf Creek were spectacular. The other families were generous, fun, and great company.

Impromptu temple tour

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Paige and I had an adventure this week across town and noticed that we were close to the Oquirrh Mountain temple. We had never visited this temple so we stopped by and took a picture. On the way home we drove past the Jordan River temple and looked around. The next day we stopped at the Provo temple for tradition’s sake. When I was a little girl I would ask my parents to take me home by way of the Provo temple, which wasn’t in our path home, but I never remember them saying no to my request.

Easter week

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Photo by Paige

I have been looking forward to this week for a long time. It’s Spring Break and the kids are home with me. Hooray!

It’s also Easter week. To celebrate, each day I am focusing on something specific to be a better disciple of Christ. I’m focusing on personal religious practices, missionary efforts, and service. When I first started thinking of what I could do each day, the ideas were pretty basic, but now that I have this focus on trying to be a better disciple, I find that the day is full of unexpected and interesting opportunities and there is a spirit of adventure in the search and in the acts.

Jesus Christ really is the great liberator.