Seminary Graduation

The last month has been such a whirlwind of events that I haven't been able to keep up!

 

On June 8th Heidi graduated from four years of Seminary. I am so proud of her in her willingness to sacrifice sleep in exchange for something so much more valuable. This girl was in class at 6:00 am every morning for four years, always with a positive attitude and a smile on her face.

 



Lance and Linda Lamprecht were Heidi's seminary teachers this last year. She loved them and the Spirit which they brought to their amazing lessons each morning. Brother Lamprecht was Heidi's teacher last year as well.



Alma Snel was Heidi's teacher for her Freshman and Sophomore years. He brought a lot of life, fun stories, and a spiritual witness of the truthfulness of the gospel to his lessons each day.

 

Heidi said that she was proud of graduating from high school, but that the graduation which meant the most to her and was of the most value to her as a person was her seminary graduation. She developed a strong foundation for her testimony in these last four years, and I couldn't be more proud of the young woman she has become.

 

Congratulations Heidi!!

The Land of the Free

This is a personal essay which was posted on my writing group's website yesterday. I hope you enjoy!!


Yesterday was Independence Day. What a glorious day to celebrate the beginning of our wonderful country! To celebrate, we organized a block party for all our neighbors, held in the culdesac in front of our house. Our next door neighbor concocted the idea with us, and we spread the word, knocking on everyone's door to let them know of our plans. After setting up a canopy in the street, and covering several food tables with bright cloths, our neighbors began to trickle out of their homes, with bowls of potato salad and platters of fruit in hand. Several of them wheeled out their barbeque grills and soon the air was full of the scent of smoking charcoal and seared meat.

I sat at a table with the couple who lives down the street from us, laughing with them as they fed their little toddler boy sliced tomatoes, and wondering why I had never met them before. The husband, who I now finally know to be named Joe, mentioned that he has seen my son Ethan playing soccer a lot. He told us that he wanted to come and offer to play with him, but felt like it might be strange to come and approach Ethan about it when he didn't know him.

Another neighbor's son brought out his pet gecko to show around, and then passed out bubble wands for the little ones to play with.

I discovered that a woman who lives around the corner from me has been a children's book author for thirty years. When my husband Eric told her that publishing was a dream of mine someday, she got excited and told me that we have a lot to talk about.

It felt good to get to know my neighbors. We always waved in greeting before as we sped out of our driveways and on to our daily lives, but now I will probably actually stop and talk to them. We will be better equipped to look out for each other, our properties, and our children running around in the culdesac just because we know more about each other now.

Last night, as I sat in the safety and comfort of a beautiful home, surrounded by the exhilarated spirits of my children hyped up on sugar and fun from the day's events, and listened to the myriad of explosions and pops coming from a city of celebration, I couldn't help but reflect on all that I am blessed with. I watched the huge fireworks show which occurred in New York City and marveled at the impressive display of artistry, choreographed so perfectly by the "Star Spangled Banner" and finally, "God Bless America."

I thought about what it truly means to be an American.

It means having the freedom to not only dream, but to live your life in a way which allows you to pursue it.

It means having the freedom to worship as you see fit, appreciating all that God has bestowed on this blessed land.

It means having the freedom and means to make a place your own, and if you work hard enough, own a piece of property for yourself.

It means having the freedom to look your children in the eyes and know with all your heart that the sky is the limit for their potential, as long they are willing to work for it.

It means having the freedom to question our leaders and legislation, because they are held accountable to us.

It means having the freedom to be protected from lawlessness when we obey and honor the laws which have been established to safeguard our rights.

It means having the freedom to have an opinion and to be able to express it.

It means having the freedom to make our own lives, in our own little blocks, and enjoy the companionship and protection which comes from making a neighborhood a family.

I thought about the time that I had felt the most connected to my fellow Americans. It occurred in the aftermath of our recent history's most tragic event, the destruction of the World's Trade Center buildings in New York City.

Like most people who were old enough to remember, September 11, 2001 will forever be etched in my memory.  The day and the feelings associated with it are so vivid it seems just like yesterday.

The morning was spent with me frantically getting ready for work.  Ethan had just celebrated his first birthday a few days before, so I was still in the difficult process of preparing a baby for daycare and getting my five-year-old Heidi off to Kindergarten.  As I was running out the door, Eric mentioned that it looked like there was an accident at the World Trade Center.  I didn't really know what that meant.  I don't think I really even knew what the World Trade Center was at that time.

By the time I got to work, people were glued to the television in our front office, watching the replay of the plane crashing into the first tower.  I couldn't believe what I was seeing.  It seemed like such a freak accident.  Then my boss speculated, "What if it wasn't an accident?"  My mind couldn't make that leap.  It still can't, really.

We proceeded through our scheduled day, seeing our patients and talking about what was going on in New York with them.  Then the second plane hit.....

Then the first tower crumbled into dust....We were all so shocked, I don't think any of us spoke for several minutes.  I just remember crying and thinking, "All those people....."

As the events of the day progressed, including listening to the audio from the plane that was taken back by the passengers, hearing of the Pentagon being hit, and watching firefighters running into the smoke and ruins of the first tower, to their deaths for 343 of them, it was like watching a horror movie.  Only this was very, very real.

I went home and hugged my babies, so grateful for my family and our safety, but afraid of what the future would bring.

No, I will never forget that day, or the people who perished in those airplanes, at the Pentagon, or in the World Trade Center buildings.  There were so many heroes, and acts of selflessness.  And I will never forget those who answered the call to serve their country and defend our freedoms.  Their ultimate sacrifices have enabled us to continue to enjoy our freedom of speech, right to bear arms, right to worship how we may, right to elect our own leaders, and many more.

I say to them: THANK YOU

and....I WILL NEVER FORGET!

But along with the images of devastation and destruction, I will always remember the sight of house after house, building after building, proudly displaying our magnificent flag. Right after that event, everyone that I knew and everywhere that I looked immediately put out their flags to show their support and solidarity. The red, white, and blue was more than just a pennant flapping in the breeze. It was a symbol of our resolution to come together as American citizens, despite our many differences, and band together in strength, compassion, and commitment.

Independence Day is a chance for us to remember these tender feelings for our country, the blessings which we claim for living on this piece of land, and honor all those who have sacrificed so much to ensure the continuation of our freedoms. We truly are the land of the free, because of the brave. I will do all I can to honor the brave, succor the weak, and cherish the freedoms I enjoy.

I think a few more block parties wouldn't hurt, either.

Peace and Renewal

Tonight Eric and I enjoyed a romantic date at Arnie's restaurant, with its magnificent views of the water. While we sat eating our delicious grilled salmon and garlic mashed potatoes we were able to enjoy the beauty of the setting sun as it sparkled across the blue waters of the Puget Sound.

After dinner we walked along one of our favorite beaches, Mukilteo Beach, enjoying the sounds and smells of the beach at sunset. People were out enjoying the night, sitting on washed up tree trunks or roasting marshmallows over fire pits in the sand. There were a couple of kids playing on their guitars, comparing songs they were working on composing. Kids were throwing rocks into the water, which was up for high tide. I scoured the beach for unusual shapes of broken shells.

I marvel at the scenery which is right in front of me, and only about a twenty minute drive from my front door. When I go to the beach, no matter what season or time of day, it always fills me with a sense of peace and renewal. Tonight as I watched and felt the majesty of the sun setting on a perfect golden day, it made me feel both infinitely small and eternally significant. Our Father in Heaven must love each of us so tremendously to create such a beautiful and majestic place to live. I am in constant awe at His wonderful creations, and that I get to be a small part of it.

When I witness such beauty, it fills my soul with peace. I feel content because I am in a holy place, a world which was created in all its glory to bring God's children joy. I receive a sense of renewal because I am closer to Him when I am enjoying His marvelous creations. And although I feel as tiny as a grain of sand, I feel as loved as any creature could possibly be. 

I am loved beyond comprehension, and that brings me joy.

Beast Mode

Our family recently acquired a water ski boat, one which has been in the Stevens family for a long time. Unfortunately, we didn't have a vehicle which could pull the boat out to the lake, so we have been forced to rent a pickup every time we want to take it out on the water.

That problem has been resolved! This weekend we traded in our Kia minivan for a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe. Eric was impressed with the overall condition of the vehicle, and the low miles which were on it. We feel like we got a pretty good deal on it.

Of course, the Tahoe is a lot larger vehicle than I am accustomed to driving. Eric teased me about its size, saying it was too big for me. When I drive it, he likes to refer to it as my Beast Mode.

I think that I am handling it just fine....a girl can get used to this much power on the road!

San Juan Island Holiday

 

Lately all of my spare time has been consumed with finishing a story of mine that was being posted last week on our writing website. It was turning out so long, that it leaked into this week as well! At 17,500 words, it is the longest complete story that I have written to date, and I am proud of myself. I based it on my love for the San Juan Islands here in the Puget Sound. It is seriously one of my very favorite places to go, so I thought it would be fun to have a cute story take place on one of the islands.

 

As I read through the story, it reminds me of the beautiful sights and the tranquil atmosphere of the islands. It is a place to have fun, but also to escape the bustling craziness of life. Here is a link to the story that I wrote. I hope you enjoy it!

 

"San Juan Island Holiday"

 

 

What Stories it Told

A woman who lives in our neighborhood and in our Ward at church is having to sell most of her belongings to move into a retirement home. She is a dear friend and I have had some wonderful evenings chatting with her. She has some amazing stories to tell, of hardship and pain, but also overcoming her trials with love and humor. I will be sad to see her leave our area.

 

Last weekend she had a garage sale, trying to clear out her house and earn some money. My friend Audrey was helping her run the garage sale and she told me about a typewriter that Bette was wanting to sell. As soon as Audrey saw it, she knew that I would have to have it. She called me to come check it out.

 

They hadn't even put the typewriter out in the general sale, hoping that I would be interested. Boy were they right! Eric was with me, and we were both stunned when we pulled it out of the cardboard box it had been stored in. It is a Smith Premier Typewriter No. 2, built back in 1904. I had never seen one like it in person before, only in pictures. The pictures cannot do it justice! This is a neat machine!

 

Bette wouldn't even let us make an offer on the typewriter. She said to go ahead and take it with us, and we could talk money later. She just wanted it to go to someone who would love it, and not try to turn around and sell it. The typewriter had belonged to her father, and he had loved it. I think about all the words that have gone through that machine over the years, the stories it could tell. I am inspired to write a story based on that, hopefully I can do it justice!

 

Bette told us a funny story about how she acquired the typewriter from her father. She and her older sister were always in serious competition with each other. As soon as Bette said she wanted something, it was an automatic response that her sister would want the same. As her father was in his old age dividing up his possessions between his children, Bette asked if she could take the old typewriter. She had always loved it. She loved to write, and it was something special to her that reminded her of her father. Her sister immediately said that she wanted it as well, even though she hadn't paid any attention to it before.

 

Bette's father leaned in conspiratorially with her sister saying, "It's broken anyway, and Bette just likes to play with it. Just let her have it."

 

At first Bette was offended, thinking that her father didn't take her seriously, saying how she just likes to play with it, but soon she realized that he just wanted her to have it. Her sister, thinking that she and her father were in on a little joke, agreed to let Bette have it. Bette won.

 

She said that she had never loved her father more.

 

Now I get to make some memories with this old machine. Bette had told us that her uncle sautered some of the pieces together because it was falling apart, and so it no longer worked. Eric took it home, pulled out a flashlight, and together with Ethan marveled over the delicate mechanisms inside the machine. He tweaked a few things and got the keys to work properly. Now it just needs a new tape with ink to completely work.

 

Eric teases me, saying that it was an expensive paper weight, but he was just as excited about the old typewriter as I was. It may not even ever write anything again. It may just collect more dust. But now it sits in a place of honor in my pretty glass curio cabinet. It is valuable, not just for its monetary worth, but for what it meant to Bette and her father, for what people touched its black and white keys, for what stories it told and what letters it wrote.

 

Oh, if only it could speak for itself.

Six Chicks Retreat

 Last weekend my writing group had a mini retreat. We met up at a local hotel, ate tons of food, and laughed A LOT. Funny thing was, that we actually got a lot accomplished! We passed a new series of stories around, getting them ready to be posted on our website in the near future. Watch out! Some of these stories have some zany twists and turns, while others are sweet and will bring a tear to your eye. I am so lucky to get to rub shoulders with these amazing ladies! I have learned so much from our writing group, seen improvement in my writing style, and made some bonds with these women that will never be broken. I am so blessed.

 

 The tee shirts that I designed for our writing group came in and I LOVE THEM!! I was so excited when my package came in the mail with these fun shirts in them! I ended up getting both a tee shirt and a hoody sweatshirt. Of course, I also ordered a custom case for my iPhone with the design printed on it as well. My family thinks I'm crazy. What can I say? When I get into something...I GET INTO SOMETHING!

 

Mormon Formal

The end of April Heidi went to our regional Mormon Formal. She had been asked to the dance by two different boys on the same night, each asking in a very creative and cute way. She answered in the fairest way possible--the one that got to her first!

 

We ordered her dress from the same place that we ordered last year's dress. It fit perfectly and she looked like a princess! The dress looks long because it has a beautiful train behind it. I think it's no wonder that she had more than one boy asking her out!



Eric got a little emotional when he saw his pretty little girl, all grown up. It goes too fast...



Heidi's date is a good friend from our Ward, Jared Johnson. They went with a very large group of friends, going to Claim Jumper restaurant before the dance. They had a lot of fun together!



I just love this pretty girl!