We are a part of history

Today I want to take a moment and share my feelings regarding in event that happened 10 years ago today. This event of course to all who remember is one that has ever changed history, life as we knew it, the human race, and every life. Ten years ago our country was attacked by terrorists. They flew two planes into the world trade towers, one plan in the pentagon, and crashed one in Pennsylvania (it never made it to its destination). Through out this week many on facebook have posted where they were when this day happened. I would like to answer this question now.

I remember heading out the door to catch the bus for school. I was a sophomore at Cyprus High School. I remember that as I left the door I heard the words, plane crash, many dead. I shook my head as I left the house thinking...another one? Why was I thinking this you may ask? Well I remember several days or weeks prior that there had been a few other plane crashes and so I just thought wow another one...what is happening lately? As I got to school kids were talking all about the plan crash and the "two towers" being hit. To be honest I had no idea what people were talking about...I never knew what the two towers were. My first class was math and the teacher did his best to keep us focus, but it was very difficult. The whole day every class was watching tv and no one did any work. I remember as I sat in math class that one of the towers collapsed. But I was too naive to realize what happened...all I remember thinking was why on earth are we tearing down this building? Never did I comprehend that it had collapsed due to the damage and that many more lives had been killed right then in front of us. This truly was a tragic day for the country and the world. I also during this time worked in a tomato field for a farmer. The field was in an area where every 10 minutes you could see and hear a plan descending to land at our international airport. This day as I was in the field after school it was a very erie feeling...the sky was completely silent. No sound, just us in the fields.

It has now been 10 years since this tragic event, but lives are moving forward, but of course many still feel the effects of this day. I even came home from my mission on September 11, 2008 and had even feared of flying on this day. I would like to give my condolences to those who lost loved ones this day and my thanks to those heroes who died rescuing many and those heroes who still today fight for our freedom and those who have also died doing so. God bless America. I also want to send my testimony and comfort to all. I know that this event happened for a reason. I know that our Heavenly Father lives and is with us always in the good and bad. I know that he was with us on this tragic day. I know that the plan of salvation is real! I know that we will all see our loved ones again and that eternal families is real and possible as we keep and follow the commandments of God. I know that Jesus Christ is the center of this plan. He died so that we all may live and I know that his atonement can heal all hearts!

Being Proud of Who You Are

The past couple of weeks have gone by pretty fast. We have been so busy with trainings and school starting for Ian. I have also been busy with work as I start to train my replacement. All I could really think about this week is...AM I REALLY DOING THIS? But before I get to that I just want to mention that we had a great family weekend. I love seeing Quinton, Michael and Ellie. They are just like my own kids and I love seeing them. I love spending time with Lindsey and doing fun things with her! Ian got to enjoy some man time with Dad, Seth and Ryan.

It was my turn today to miss nursery and spend time in Relief Society. It was great and just the thing that I needed. Our lesson today was about finding joy in motherhood and womanhood. The teacher was excellent and she talked about how when we think of a LDS woman this is what we think or claim to see (makes homemade bread daily, perfect clean house, submissive, etc.) We had alot of great comments from the sisters about being who we are and not being what we think we should be or have to be in order to become a great woman. I was really touched today though by the 1st counselor in our relief society. She is an ER doctor and as she stood up to share her testimony of the lesson I felt like what she was saying was very comforting and inspiring for me. She talked about how in this lesson most of our comments streamed the theme "Being proud of who we are!" She talked about her first marriage and not getting pregnant and feeling lost because she felt she wasn't being who she needed to be. I felt so connected to her because of the things she was saying. She talked about how she went back to school, single and at the age of 30 to become a doctor. She also talked about how she did not become a mother till she was the age of 43 years old. As she stood there and bore her testimony about the road and journeys that she had been on to where she is now...she learned that we need to be proud of who we are and not what we feel we have to be to feel accomplished in our lives. This was a little warm fuzzy reminder to me from the spirit. I had many of those today. I heard many promptings as others bore their testimonies about going back to school and getting an education. The Lord knew I needed to hear those things today. They were little reminders of confidence that what I am about to do is the right path and the right thing to be doing. It also helped me to remember that I need to be proud of who I am and be proud of the path that I am on and not doubt the journey that the Lord is giving me right now.