July 29, 2014-- Tuesday

The hour is nearing dinnertime when the phone rings. This is it! This is the call I’ve been waiting for…. The answer is near. As I address the caller I brace myself for the outcome. I take a deep breath and steady my voice with a cheerful tone.

“ We had five very good applicants,” he said. “ Each of them we felt confident could do the job. I’m sorry to tell you that we’ve given the job to another, one who has recent experience in working in the Resource Room. That recent experience was the only deciding factor between all the applicants…Don’t be discouraged…I’m sure something else will come up.” I graciously thanked the caller and hung up the phone.

My heart just ached! I felt such a great disappointment. All I could do was cry! I’ve waited eight years for an opportunity like this. After applying to 3 different jobs this year to work in an elementary school, not getting any of those positions, my hopes were crushed!

I was feeling that I might never get another opportunity to work in a grade school again. After wallowing in my sorrow awhile, I texted my family to share the news.

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

Tanner was the first to respond. ”I’m sorryL ! I guess Heavenly Father has different plans for you.” I agreed and added, “I just wish I had a sneak peek at those plans.” then self-chastening I continued, “I know… I gotta walk by faith!” Rachelle quickly responded expressing the sorrow she felt for me and tried to encourage me with these words, “have faith! Maybe you will, but Heavenly Father is saying not just yet.” I mentioned to her as well my wish at a peek of God’s plan for me. It would sure help with the patience side of this. She agreed. “But we are learning that if we don’t practice patience, He just delays what we seek that much longer. At least that seems to be the case for Carlos and I.” I told her that I had found that to be true in my life as well. I expressed that I couldn’t help but wish I knew at least His timetable though. I find I do alright being patient when I have some idea how long I might need to wait for a desired outcome. I don’t do as well when it seems a never-ending wait. I felt like 8 years of waiting for this opportunity was surely long enough! However my time is not the Lord’s time. I need to remember this quote by Neal A. Maxwell: “Faith in God includes faith in His timing.” It’s still HARD!

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　
Rachelle explained that that quote is what got her through years of infertility. She understood how hard it is.

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

Through our discussion Rachelle recognized similarities in her life to that of ours, her parents. I agreed that her life does parallel my experiences. All we can do is to put our trust in the Lord. Remember that He knows and sees the big picture of our lives. He knows what is best and needed in our lives. We have to trust He’ll make those things happen for us that will help us become who we are meant to be! He knows our potential and what we need to experience to reach that potential. He loves us and wants to bless us. Sometimes those blessing are not the same as the ones we are wanting for our lives. We must trust Him and have faith in Him. All will work to our good. We can turn to Him for comfort, peace and understanding. He promises to comfort and cheer our hearts. So with that reassurance of testimony, I prayed for comfort and understanding. He offered me comfort, peace and the hope needed to press forward.

July 28, 2014--Monday

I enter the office and take a seat. I wait with baited breath for the interviewer to come for me. He strides into the room with an air of cheerful command. We exchange pleasantries as I follow him to the interviewing room. Once there, I meet the other interviewers, a few brief explanations and we begin. Questions come and answers are given. A feeling of distress rises within me. Why can’t I think of the things I need to remember and say. I struggle with a sense that there is more I need to share, but it’s as if a stupor of thought has come over me. The interview is over and I feel empty, unsure that it was enough. Now the waiting begins.

I busy myself attending to the needs of the day, giving only occasional thought to the interview. Raising an humble prayer to God, desiring His will be done. Nonetheless hoping for my desires to come to fruition.

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

hey it's finally a nice day

hey it's finally a nice day... it has been high 90's lately. That's unusually warm for us. I'm glad though. I hope it keeps cooling off. Next week is Girl's Camp. I've been busy getting ready for that. There has been much to do!
I just came home from a trip last Saturday. For the 4th of July, Paul and I drove to Utah to spend the holiday with Diane and Jon. Originally it was supposed to be the annual golf tournament that Paul plays in, but they moved it to last weekend. Paul had to be back to work on the 9th so he couldn't stay and play. Bummer for him. So he and Jon just played golf the whole time we were in Utah. I hung out with Diane plus did some running around of my own.  On the 4th we spent the evening with Chantelle and Marshall's family for a potluck picnic. Then went to Chantelle's house to watch the fireworks.
On Monday the 7th, I flew out of Salt Lake City to go to Texas. Rachelle was having baby number 3. The doctor was inducing her that day. O'lina Mae arrived at 3:26 p.m., July 7th, 2014. Weighing in at 7lbs and 13 ounces. She was 19 3/4 inches long. She has blue eyes and is the spitting image of big sister Keilani. She is a little bit fairer complexion than Keilani though. She is a good baby, lovely temperament. I spent time with Kai and Keilani at a church member's pool on Thursday and with Emily and her boys. We had a lot of fun. That evening we went to R.S. and enjoyed a chocolate chip cookie contest, while learning about how the gospel helps us be made up of the things that help us 'hold our shape' when the heat is on, like the chocolate chip. I flew home on Saturday the 12th.
I've been scurrying around since then trying to finish preparations for camp. Now it's Friday and I'm almost ready. Just need to work on laundry and getting my personal things together.
So that's been my month so far...looking forward to a fun, quiet week a camp! Ha ha!... like that's gonna happen. Quiet and Rest will come after camp.

catch up continued...

So my doctor assigned me to have physical therapy. I've been going 2x a week since the beginning of April. Can't say that I've enjoyed that! A few more sessions and then I'm done.


The boys and I have gone hiking a few times up at Catherine Creek State Park since the weather has warmed. I went there myself one day to map out a treasure hunt we'll be doing for Girl's Camp next month.
I've almost planted all my garden for this year. I just need to get my bush beans planted and then I'm done. The weather has been cold or rainy, or the branch has kept  me busy on Saturdays, so that I couldn't do much planting.
I'll be going to Girl's Camp the end of July as a Stake YCL leader, and being responsible for certification. I have tons to do before we go.
Paul bought himself a motorcycle. It's a Harley Davidson Fat Boy. He's like a little boy in a toy store. He's so excited! He  just spent the whole day yesterday taking a class to certify for the motorcycle endorsement on his driver's license.
So that pretty much catches you up to  where we are today.

catch up

Well, I suppose it' time to get caught up. 9 months have come and gone. Work continued with lack of staffing until February, after our teacher resigned out of frustration, and a sub came in to take her place. Administration finally hired two part time-temporary workers to cover. Then late February a coworker who had been moved into our classroom had to move away with her family. One of the part time workers moved up to take her place to finish out the year. That led to drama through to the end of the year. (Oh my! Not again!) A new teacher/football coach was hired to work for next year.
Enough about that!
Thanksgiving time came and it was time to pick up our missionary. We flew to the Netherlands to visit and bring Tanner home. That was quite an adventure. The Dutch are very economical with space efficiency. Another day I'll reminisce about that trip. Tanner's been home 6 months now. He is working with Brother  Muilenberg as a masonry apprentice and seems to enjoy it. In Feb. he had a mission reunion with his MTC companions in San Diego, CA. area. He was called as Tri-Stake director in t branch and was only yesterday released from that calling. A month or so ago, he was called to be the Executive secretary in the branch.
Backing up way back...After Marissa had Rebekah, 3 days later Rachelle had a daughter named Keilani Marie.
In March of 2014, Emily had a little boy named Atticus Jude. I was able to go down for his birth because it fell  during my Spring Break. I spent a week with them and took care of Cullen. We had a blast together. On the next to the last night, the little guy slept in bed with me.  Due to his constant movement and kicking me in the back, I got a pinched nerve in my rotator cuff-left arm. It wouldn't ease. I went to see my doctor when I got home. He scheduled me for an MRI. I learned that was not the only problem I was having with that shoulder. I discovered a partial tear in the rotator cuff along with beginning arthritis as well. Next I received heavy pain killers to deal with the pain. Luckily I didn't need those past 3 days. The pinched nerve finally un-pinched relieving the majority of the pain.