Farewell

We woke up early today to head to Provo for Lauren's farewell. She gave a great message about when she was horseback riding and her horse got spooked when the other horse got out of sight and it wouldn't let her guide it anymore, she got bucked off and it was kinda a mess. She said it's the same with our life and letting Heavenly Father take the reins to guide us. He knows the trail, he knows the safe way back, he can see things that we can't, and we can trust him. Let him guide our lives. She and Wes will be doing this for real now with her leaving for a year and a half to Guam for a mission. They get to write their own story, and we don't need to panic when we can't see the trail ahead. Let God take the reins and guide our life and it will be wonderful.

We went by their house afterwards to visit. It was nice to meet her family. We had a few connections - like that Lauren's mom went to Skyline like us. Corey played in jazz band with her little brother. And her mom even went to prom with Corey's brother Mark! Haha, such a small world in LDS circles. 

Oh, her mom also knows our friend Susan and the two of them go on a walk every week. 

After visiting there, we went to Ethan and Bella's house to chill for a few and give Wes a bit more time to visit. At Ethan's place we watched some old home videos and it was really funny. Little Joseph, Mel, Ethan and Hyrum when we were living at Wyview. 

Taking a selfie with Katharine on the couch. 

Then I went to pick up Wes and he and Lauren got one last photo together. 

She gets set apart on Tuesday! Exciting for her. 

We got home around 1:30, Lily cooked bread, Corey went to take a nap. He stayed up last night until 1 working and also checking in on Abi who was at Prom. I was trying to take a nap too and found a decent hiding spot (top bunk in Abi and Lily's room) until Katharine was about to go knock on our door and wake up Corey cause she pooped her pants. So that was the end of my nap. 3+ hours later she did it again and I went in our room and that's when Corey got up. They are all watching the Family Man right now and talking about the different paths of life, while Wes thinks about what the next year and a half will look like for him. He's going to work at FSY this summer and then continue school and dating and he and Lauren will write and keep in touch and will let the Lord take the reins. 

Ok, well that's good for today I guess. I don't know how I get so far behind so fast. Another week has gone by and I'm behind more here. I'll see if I can crank out a few more, maybe atleast get December done. Also need to finish February and March. Sad news is that I'm behind here and not caught up anywhere else. I'm just behind on all levels. Corey said with his work that it's coming along, but it's always a day late and a dollar short. I guess we're both in the thick of the same stuff. House is a mess and cluttered. Good news: I think I've almost hit rock bottom with it all and am almost fed up enough that I think I'll do something about it soon, hopefully this week. But as of yesterday, I've just been walking around resenting it all and feeling overwhelmed. Today I've ignored it and have been looking at art books and trying to think of where/how I could set up an area to draw and paint. 

Just finished reading the Book of Mormon and I found a formula for joy: 

How to always rejoice - Mosiah 4:11&12

1) remember and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God and your own nothingness, his goodness and long suffering
2) call on the name of God daily
3) stand steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come ("that which is to come" is prob not just the 2nd coming or millenium, but after the judgement when we can have eternal life with God)

"If you do this, you shall always rejoice and be filled with the love of God" Those are three good things that I can work on (along with the house and clutter and stuff...) :)