Called to Serve

I typed a bunch of text in Word to paste in right here and it won't do it. Before I type it all out again, I'm going to see if anyone has any better ideas! Just know that there is a story that is supposed to go here, as soon as I can figure out why copy/paste isn't working!

Deep Thoughts

This week, Glenn Beck (yes, I am obsessed with his radio show) has been talking about James A. Garfield’s quote, “The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable.” I have experienced this in my life. Almost 20 years ago, I had to make an excruciating decision. One that I read, studied and prayed about for months before I finally acted upon my final choice. I knew what I needed to do, but I knew the pain that choice would cause many in my life. So, I agonized, caught between what I knew I had to do and preserving the feelings of those I loved. The moment I acted upon my choice, the most liberating, refreshing, feeling of freedom and comfort washed over me. I felt a weight remove from me. I understood at that moment what Jesus meant when he said “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me….for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30) I cried at the sudden relief that had been given to me. Since that day, I have been truly free.

Our Sunday school lesson today touched on a similar note. We discussed how making the decision to follow God and the commandments might at first be hard, but in the end it makes our lives so much easier and happier. Those who do not follow the strait and narrow path, for them, life seems so easy because they can do whatever in the world they might want. Later, however, the find themselves in bondage to sin, or in some way suffering for the consequences of their choices.

In our church, we teach our children to CTR: Choose the Right. It really is just that easy. It might make you miserable in the moment not to get or do whatever you want to do. But the Lord has promised us the richness of his blessings both here on earth and eternally if we do so. Sure makes the little things we “miss out on” seem quite insignificant!

I often reflect in that time 20 years ago, the years that lead up to them to prepare me to endure the pain, and the 20 years since in which the seed that I planted has indeed produced a tree ripe with good fruit. I have never once regretted my decision and have been truly blessed over and over and over again.

The decision to move to Houston has been one of those decisions that has made me a little miserable. Brian and I dreamed of California for over ten years; choosing Houston felt like abdicating a dream. We just got back from picking out a house to live in, and it is a GREAT house! We will be close to family and live in a conservative state! Suddenly, I am able to see more about what I’m gaining that what I’ve given up. It will be exciting to see what the next 20 years brings into our lives. Whatever it is, the Lord’s hand guides my path and I will continue to listen to his voice.

The Coolest Thing about Turning 12

In our faith, when a boy turns 12, he is eligible to receive the Aaronic priesthood, which gives him responsibilities to help maintain the church grounds, look after the poor and needy, to administer in some ordinances and prepare for greater responsibilities to come. Grandma and Grandpa McMullin were able to come and be a part of this special day. Tyler received the priesthood from Brian, who received it from his dad, Tom.

We were proud of Tyler for being worthy of this honor, for being willing to serve and for his good example to us all. He is also not able to participate in the Young Mens program which alternates weeks with religious instruction/community service and Scouting. Once a month, they participate in Mutual activites with the Young Women.

Have You Ever Taken a Cat on a Picnic?

We had an open house one afternoon and we thought it would be best to get Skyler out of the the way. We bought a collar and a leash and took him to the state park! We got lots of strange looks but we tried to act like we do this all the time! Skyler wandered a bit but decided that he preferred to observe the world from the safety of the pet carrier!

Tyler's Clean Room

For anyone who has been to visit us in the past five years, you know that Tyler's room has been a dangerous place. As we prepared to put the house on the market, we did a lot of excavating in there. We took out a bookshelf, the loft for his bed and the desk as well as about 6 boxes of things. It looks amazing.

Tyler's Birthday-the Big 12

As every kid does, Tyler has been asking for a cell phone for a while. I kept telling him that when he got old enough to go places alone and I couldn't contact him easily, they we'd consider it. Well, the time has come. Sometimes Tyler rides his bike to a friend's house, rides up to the gas station for a snack, or hangs out at the park with pals. He was excited and shocked at his present. Before he knew what it was, he was a little disappointed with the quantity of presents, but I assured him that the quality would be worth it!

Tyler made his first call on his phone to Grandma Z. I have to admit that I've enjoyed him having the phone and the texts that he sends me during his lunch break at school. The phone has made it easier to communicate with him.

Last year's party was so much fun (video games with friends and an ice cream cake) were so much fun that Tyler decided to do a repeat. He invited his best friends, Alex, Zane and Keegan.

Yeah, and you should see the OTHER guy!

So, I'm beginning to realize that our blog, in addition to a family history, is also becoming a medical record! The Saturday night before Easter, I was walking down the basement stairs carrying some stuff, and I missed a step, heard a loud crunch, and I was on the floor in pain! But I've been able to count many blessings through the process:

• My brilliant surgeon husband was home and I only had to scream at the top of my lungs 3 times to get his attention over the game he was playing. When he came to my rescue, he knew just what to do, what to look for to make sure no bones were broken and how to take care of me.
• When I went to work Easter morning (bummer! But I was not calling in sick, either, since the girl I knew would have to come in my place also had small children and Easter plans.), I was assigned to work on the orthopaedic floor. A doctor checked me out and the nurses wrapped and iced me, and Physical Therapy loaned me a crutch for a couple of days.
• The weather was warm enough for me to wear crocks and sandles. Not sure what I would have done if I'd had to trudge through snow without real shoes!
  

A week later, the color from that big bruise around my ankle has slid down to my toes. The toes don't hurt, but they look nasty! Another orthopaedic surgeon on Friday recommended a compression stocking. I picked one up on the way home that afternoon and it has made a world of difference. I'm walking pretty well and it doesn't hurt to walk in a straight line (although I am pretty gimpy). It really hurts, though, when I try to make circles with my ankle. Hopefully time, compression and chocolate will take care of it within 4-5 more weeks.