3 Phone Calls

I have received three phone calls this evening. All of them are unexpected.

The first is from my friend Matt. He is a very dear friend of mine. One who has taught me and helped me to become the person that I am today. Everything I talk to him I feel as though I am learning something new. He is always so willing to teach and just as willing to listen to the things that are in my heart and on my mind.

The second was from my Father. For the first time in my life it seems as though he is happy. For the first time in my life it seems as though he is doing something that helps him to accomplish his goals. I am grateful for him, even though that is something that is very difficult for me to say to him.

The third is from a dear friend. She and I have known each other for several years. She has taught me so much. She has taught me; the importance of the gospel, the importance of repentance, the beauty that lies in the atonement, and that my Heavenly Father lives and loves me.

All three of these people have been incredible blessings in my life. I am grateful for their unexpected phone calls.

Little Boy

Little boy with your bright red hair
and your stunning blue eyes
How your laughter fills my heart
and brings joy to my soul.

Little boy with the voice
that sounds like that of angels
How your babble brings
me back to reality and simplicity.

Little boy with your eyes
filled with wonder and awe
How your inquisitiveness
teaches me and guides me.

Little boy with little hands
whom I love so dearly,
How your example teaches
me whom I want to be.

Beautiful

Yesterday was incredible.

I spent the morning/early afternoon with 3 dear friends. We went out to eat at a cute little Inn in Concord MA. The food was delicious...but the company was intoxicating.

I learned so much.

I gained a greater understanding of those that I spent time with. I was able to observe the beauty that lies within a relationship where both parties are willing to give as much as is needed to that one relationship. I learned about the kind of friendship I want to have. I learned about that kind of friendships I wish I had more of.

I left and my heart was full. I felt strengthened and love. And I felt immensely blessed for having been able to spend time with 3 magnificent people.

Change....

What an interesting concept. As we grow from a child to an adolescent, we change. Then we become adults and we change, physically, mentally, emotionally.

Sometimes change is inspired by those around us. We see qualities exemplified in others and we want to become as they are. Other times change is inspired by experience. An experience that is filled with joy can instill in us the desire to repeat that same experience or similar ones. Or an experience can be filled with sorrow which will lead us to shy away from similar experiences.

I often wonder how change can be defined. Is change good or is it bad. Some people would respond with, "Well it depends on the change." I personally think that all change is good, as long as we recognize it. If change leads us to become less than we are then we must realize this and do what we can to overcome it and become more than we are. All change leads to growth. Growth as humans and growth as children of God.

For some of us our goal is to become as He is. To see as He sees. To think as He thinks. To act as He acts. In order to do this we must change. We must focus on the things that need improvement within our lives and do all that we can to improve them. And when we have done this He will help us. He will guide us and He will direct us. I am grateful for His patience, I know that I am slow to catch on. But He is always there with His arm outstretched encouraging me to move forward.

Change...the caterpillar become the butterfly. How simple and yet how profound.

Last woman standing....

It's true. I have been right all along...

Let me explain.

There is a group of girls. Four of us to be exact. We became very close friends as a result of a church calling. It was incredible. All of us were single when we began to work together. We loved to talk, we loved to laughed....we loved to eat. It was great.

Well last spring once of us decided that she wanted to do something crazy...get married. She found a boy...he liked her, she liked him....and boom look at that. They got engaged in the winter and married last June.

This was okay...there were still three of us left.

Not for long. Another one decided that she wanted to get married as well. Actually a boy decided he wanted to marry her and she thought, "Hey that's not such a bad idea."

Well once this happened I knew it was all down hill from here. I would definitely be the last on to get hitched. Girl number two gets married this June. I was okay with this. Girl number three has been seriously dating a guy off and on for a few years and my thought was..."Hey they will wait at least another year before getting hitched..."

Nice thought. Too bad I was just a little off. When I arrived home tonight I found an email announcing a surprise bridal shower for Girl #3.

And so ladies and gentleman, I am....

The last woman standing....

Before ending this post I would like to point out the following. There is a town out west that I will, at times, loving refer to as my home town. If I were to go back and visit said town....I would have no single friends to see. They are ALL married. I would like foe this to be an exaggeration but unfortunately it is NOT....I am cursed.

My friends, however, tend to be quite lucky.