What's Important

My parents and I had an awesome evening at the Hope Gallery, looking at Carl Bloch's work, and eating at The Roof! Yummy, and what a view!!!


My mom and I took my nieces one day down to the Church History Museum. They had a great time at the new children's Book of Mormon area! Here's the garden they enjoyed playing in.


Brother Mark as he's picking up his cute daughter Janie! So happy together!


Kylie and I ate with the missionaries at the museum! This picture is fun to remember- I completely forgot about my eye being closed when I asked a lady to take it and when I smiled- I only remembered when I looked at the picture on my camera!


I think I really got on Janie's good list the day I took her out to play in the snow! It's been so much fun watching her.


This is my awesome family, right after the temple session we did before I went in for surgery. Thanks for taking the picture Dave! Sorry we couldn't get that timer to work out!


And this is a great memory- traveling with awesome friends Kami and Alli on our cruise where we met great people from Indonesia! Kami and Alli and other friends & family have done so much to help me during surgery and recovery! Love you!



Time with family is so important. Those relationships matter most, and I'm glad I've been able to feel a special closeness with them these past couple of months! It's been awesome to help watch my nieces during the days, to talk more with my parents, and to hear how my siblings are all doing. I need and want to take more time for that!

Time traveling to learn and getting to know people in all areas of the world brings perspective and fulfillment. I've loved writing the missionaries I know who are sharing the gospel in all parts of the world. They are doing the greatest work on the earth!

I'm also realizing the great UNimportance of material and worldly things. Some things are just not worthwhile to spend time, but time with family, with learning, and serving those in need ARE worthwhile!

Faith in Christ can help us through anything. The scriptures have been my guidebook when I've had questions, concerns, and needed comfort. Amazing how we gain more insight as we go through life because our circumstances and needs change!

I've enjoyed time to learn, be with good people, and try to regain strength so I can head back to "normal life!"
I told some friends who visited me last week that I would list the "WORTHWHILE" books I've been able to read during this recovery. So here they are!
-The SCRIPTURES!, esp. The Book ofMormon and New Testament (starting each day with this has made all the difference!)
-Undaunted, by Gerald Lund (about the settling of southern Utah)
-Paul Cardall's "Before My Heart Stops" (amazing miraculous heart surgery & testimony)
-The Temple, by Truman Madsen
-Pres. Monson's biography- still working on this one; what an incredible man, called to be the prophet of our day!
-The Fourth Gift (sweet Nativity-setting shorter novel)
-The Apology (another short Christmas novel)
-The Christmas Stone, by Liz Carlston- who is my brother-in-law's sister and traveled with me to Israel. She's great!
-Master, by Toni Sorenson- awesome novel portraying what it would have been like to be around Christ as he grew up
-The Seventeen Second Miracle, by James Wright- this was a great way of looking at miracles!
-Midway to Heaven, by Dean Hughes- he's written a series that I love
-Santa Maybe- cute Christmas love story (pretty out there, but cute!)

Other Greats that are high on my list:
-A Single Voice, by Kristen Oaks- the BEST book for single adults I've seen! She says it so well!
-Fishers of Men, by Gerald Lund- a trilogy novel series of the Savior's ministry
-Mary and Joseph- awesome novel, helping me appreciate the parents Christ was chosen to come to
-The Bronze Bow- a great children's novel, not LDS and depicted in New Testament times
-The Sunflower (novel about humanitarian work in Africa)
-CD's of "Stand for Something" by Pres. Hinckley; "No Doubt About it" by Sheri Dew; and "Pillar of Light" by Matthew Brown