Back to "Real Life"
Aloha Everyone!
We were able to spend Sunday evening through most of Tuesday with the Close family. We loved spending time with them. Snorkeling together and seeing two turtles was a highlight for me. And boy was it was nice to sleep in AC and on a King-sized bed. And using a garbage disposal and dish washer brought a smile to my face. When it was time to go “home”, I was really struggling. I didn’t want to go back to “real life” with no AC, no comfortable furniture, and back to doing inventory the next day. For two days I hadn’t had swollen feet and ankles, and I hadn’t sweated hardly at all. But “vacation” was over, and it was time to go back. I had been through this before and knew that once I got back into my routine, I would be fine. It took a little longer this time and more prayer than before, but I got there. It also helped to begin mentally listing the things that I am grateful for. I love how doing that really changes my feelings about a situation. I AM SO BLESSED! And I know that being here is a blessing to us. But just for a little while I was wishing that we had signed up for 12 months, not 18. All is good now. My tantrum is over! I am almost ashamed to write about those feelings when in comparison to what Neal and Lynda and family has gone through this week with losing Alisa—my problems are so insignificant.
Some other highlights of the week:
-Listening to conference talks with Scott as we traveled from the other side of the Island.
-Going bowling with our district members. It was especially heartwarming to see how much fun one single sister was having. She has been struggling here and I felt like she has turned a corner.
-Going to an amazing concert by the Chamber Choir on BYU campus. The talent was incredible.
-Being able to listen to the graveside service of Alisa and the expressions of love given at the luncheon. I hope that when I meet my maker I am as prepared as Alisa was. She was truly an angel on earth, and I am inspired to be a better person after learning more about her.
-Going on our “temple walk” with Scott. I love doing that.
-Participating in a zoom call with the family. We love connecting with you!
I had a wonderful conversation yesterday with someone who was once filled with fear and sadness. Now working on her master’s degree and being busier and more stressed than she has ever been, she said that she is happy and fulfilled. I asked her what had made the difference. She told me that all the hard things she has gone through made her realize that she is strong, smart, and capable.
President Thomas Monson (October conference, 2013): “Good timber does not grow with ease, the stronger wind, the stronger trees. The further sky, the greater length. The more the storm, the more the strength. By sun and cold, by rain and snow, in trees and men good timbers grow.”
I am thankful for my opportunities to learn and grow and become stronger.
Have a wonderful week!
Much love,
Sister Bleak, Mom, Grandma
How I have seen the hand of the Lord in my life this week:
*I prayed to have my attitude change and get out of the “dumps” I was feeling. I was helped to be able to do that.
*I lost my reading glasses during inventory at Hapa Home. Several of us looked for them but couldn’t find them anywhere. I prayed that they might be found. Someone from the store called me the next day saying that they had found them.
*I was able to help someone at work talk through some great challenges she is having.
*Scott’s computer was “fixed” after we prayed for it to begin working again.
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