I like humans best!

I also really like dogs. Dogs are fiercely loyal, and loyalty is the most important characteristic in a creature, if you ask me. Loyalty is my personal "love language," even though it's not technically one of the five. Indeed, dogs are wonderful, but this past week, I had some experiences with humans, and my faith in humanity has been restored. Humans are funny and kind, and (sometimes) even genuine.

First, there's this octogenarian (maybe he's even 90?) gentleman in our ward. I don't know his name, but the other day he and I were waiting outside the clerk's office for our temple recommend interviews. His wife was inside meeting with a bishopric counselor, and he and I were chatting. He noticed that I was carrying my quad (a large book of scriptures). In an effort to help me out, he asked me if I was aware that I could get the scriptures on my phone with an app called "Gospel Library." Bahahaha! Yep, I actually have that app as a matter of fact. It's just that on the Sundays I teach Gospel Doctrine, I prefer to use my physical scriptures that have years of annotations. This whole encounter made me laugh, but seriously, what a nice guy.

Second, there is my lovely family. Missing Luke and Seth, the rest of us gathered this past Sunday to celebrate my birthday. Well, just look how cute my kids are:

These four people standing next to me are not only adorable on the outside; they are equally wonderful on the inside. They are generous and loving. I've been assembling items for Seth's Christmas package, and yesterday, I put everything together and weighed the thing. I was expecting it to be maybe 3 lbs. so was woefully disheartened when the scale said 5.5 lbs. and I hadn't even added the 20 oz bottle of Mtn. Dew Code Red! It costs around $20/pound to ship with the courier I'm using. I began to consider what I might leave out, but the heavier items are the candy, which Seth really, really wants. (Apparently, they have no decent candy in Paraguay.)

Desperate, I sent out a text on our family thread, asking if anyone would like to donate to help get this stuff shipped to Paraguay, so our favorite missionary would have a great package without breaking my Christmas budget. Within seconds, I had replies from everyone. Gerald texted, "I'll send you cash via Venmo tomorrow." Amanda (on behalf of her and Eli): "We are definitely in!" Next, Shulamith: "I'll Venmo you on Tuesday when we get paid. Seth needs candy. And soda!" And then, Isaiah: "Take whatever you need from my account."

Have I mentioned how much I love these people?

Finally, after reading what feels like hundreds of boring narrative essays, on occasion a student actually gives you some genuine voice:

"So there I was, foot in a boot and ass in a wheelchair, on a cocktail of drugs sufficient to put a small elephant to sleep."

Okay, possible you need to be a writing instructor to appreciate the joy of honest voice, but trust me; it made my day. Do ya feel me, John, Chris, Jay, Lizzie (who is no longer with us, but I know she's reading from heaven because she always read my blog)?

Anyway, dogs are the coolest.

But after this past week, I like humans best.

A Moment with Emma

I have written about the town of Rexburg, Idaho before. Probably several times, so I won't bore you with more of the same, but right here is the best account, so feel free to click, open, and read. I actually love that post.

Now, I rarely go to Rexburg. Eli and Amanda have both graduated and moved home with us. Only Lindsey and her family are still there. I had been missing her a lot, like really a lot, so this fall I decided too long had passed since we were together. Her life mirrors mine from 19 years ago, with four children ages 15 down to 7 (except I also had a newborn baby). I know just how much time she spends in her car: driving, waiting, more driving. Now I long to be back there. I long to be waiting in the parent drop-off line at the high school. I miss such things with a longing I can barely describe. My hope is that at least some of this angst, this absolute terror over moving forward to a life with no kids at home, is because I miss Seth so much. I can only hope.

Anyway, it's far more problematic (read: nearly impossible) for Lindsey to break away from her many responsibilities of mom to four busy kids and come to me. So I decided to go to her, to return to Rexburg, a little town in Southern Idaho with such big memories. And that I did last weekend.

So many "moments" occurred in the 43 hours I was there. Lindsey and I sat in McDonald's with no kids. Why would two grown women go to McDonald's with no kids? I could say it's nostalgia, and that would be absolutely true, but honestly, we both really like the food there. So yeah.

We also went to Idaho Falls for an evening of dinner, shopping, and a movie. Hanna's birthday was the 17th, so we shopped for 11-year-old girl presents, including a Squishmallow plush turtle, a mermaid blanket, earrings from Claire's, and other things that just announce: Hanna! It was pure delight, only paralleled later by the sights and sounds of Downton Abbey.

Both nights, I knelt in family prayer, with Lindsey and David and their four precious babies (none of whom is technically a baby anymore). Both nights, as Emma, then Jase, offered the prayer, they expressed gratitude that I could be with them. Because they remember. They remember a time years ago when we lived across the street from one another and saw each other nearly every day. I first met Jase when he was a baby in his mommy's arms, sitting in a Gospel Doctrine class in our beloved Metra Ward in Billings, Montana. My "baby" was already six, so when I looked back with such obvious empty arms at Lindsey in the row behind me, she graciously handed me her little Jase. And that was that. We were bonded.

Sunday morning, I watched a way too grown-up Hanna prepare scrambled eggs for breakfast, as David made blueberry muffins. While Lindsey got ready for church, I enjoyed a lovely visit with David about all things politics and all things religion, and the interesting combination of the two. David is smart and kind, intuitive and funny, and one of my favorite conversationalists.

But the best moment of the whole 43 hours was when I sat on the couch in the living room with Emma, her head on my shoulder, and my arm around hers. Dang, this girl is incredible. The night before, I watched her dance with her partner, in what (I learned) is called "Cabaret Ballroom." She is a beautiful dancer, and when her very tall partner lifts her way up overhead, well, it's breathtaking. Still, the very best moment was the next day sitting on the couch, no words, just feelings. A moment with Emma.

Then, all too soon yet not soon enough, I was on the road back home. I would love to be there longer (Why is it we can't live across the street from each other anymore???), but I also missed my family. And here it is a week later and back to life as usual...

...until next time I decide I need some Lindsey time and return to the little town in Southern Idaho with such big memories.

Becoming Holy; Finding Joy! Post-General Conference Musings

"Arriba Juntos!" sang a group of 30ish former full-time missionaries, all who served in the Paraguay Asuncion Mission, under President and Sister Hansen. They gathered Friday evening of Conference weekend at a church building in Orem, and I once again felt the spirit unique to mission reunions. It reminded me of the last one I attended back in July of 2014, four months after Eli returned from his mission to Arkansas/Tennessee. When missionaries gather, especially those who served side by side, well, There's just a lot of love goin' on here!

I was privileged to attend this reunion even though Seth is still in the field, because it was hosted by a missionary couple, who recently returned from Paraguay, Elder Kevin and Sister Linda Westover. Linda graciously invited everyone associated with the mission, even us parents with kids still there. Thank you, Linda! So many smiles, so many hugs, so much good food, but nothing compares to the sound of angelic voices raised in song and praise: "Vamos! Arriba Juntos!" (tune of "Called to Serve"). What a glorious start to Conference weekend!

Saturday and Sunday were equally lovely, despite this twisted ankle. I was at Harmon's Saturday morning buying General Conference snacks and lost track of time. Racing home so I wouldn't miss even one second of the first session, I stepped off the curb awkwardly, twisted my ankle, and fell right down. Fortunately, I was able to get up and continue, arriving home just as the choir was singing the opening hymn, but my poor ankle! That said, if it's going to happen, what better weekend than one in which I'm planning to sit in a chair and watch 10 hours of TV. That I did, foot iced and elevated.

When I heard Jefferey R. Holland announced as the first speaker, my heart and mind were instantly engaged. He is always my favorite and definitely my hero and role model when I'm drafting my own talks. This one did not disappoint. He totally crushed it with a brilliant rhetorical masterpiece. His eloquent diction and perfectly arranged ideas, combined with heartfelt delivery, left me cheering "Amen!" He taught me that if I direct my inquires of faith to those who have faith, I will find the healing Christ promised. If I look past the commotion, I can eliminate the confusion and darkness of the world and  find the love of Heavenly Parents. Indeed, I was inspired. And after the :"amens," when he looked right at me and said "Welcome to General Conference!" I felt truly welcomed, and so grateful to be a member of this church.

I felt that same welcome and gratitude at many other times during Conference weekend. I felt it when Elder L. Todd Budge of the Seventy taught me that if I surrender to God, I can find peace to my soul and when I give up control and trust in the Lord, adversity changes to joy, and faith deepens. I felt it when Sister Reyna I. Aburto spoke so directly and honestly about mental illness and those who suffer from various types including anxiety: "When it comes to healing, don't we all need Him desperately. Are we not all beggars?" Not surprisingly, I felt it again when Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf invited me to set aside my comfort and go on an adventure with Jesus Christ, reminding me that discipleship is not about doing things perfectly; it's about doing things intentionally.

Usually when Conference is over, I feel a little sad, a little let down. I anticipate it for so long, and then it goes by so quickly. This time, though I definitely felt some of that, I was also so excited to be able to say "Three down; one to go!" You see, I am counting General Conferences, as I wait for Seth to come home from Paraguay. Just 10 more months and ONE more General Conference.

Following a long-standing tradition, we decorated for Halloween between sessions on Saturday, but since I was resting my ankle, I mostly directed others as they decorated. Here is a small sample of that undertaking:

It was such a nice weekend in every way, and my favorite season is now in full swing with one good thing after another: General Conference, my birthday, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and yes, you know the rest of this awesome story.

Happy Fall, Everyone!