Then we hurried home, and I flew out with my Mom and Dad two days after to see Laura's family in Indiana (love using those SkyMiles)! Mike got his JDMBA from IU, after lots of hard work, and I was impressed with his gratitude for all Laura has done to help him with this journey! The trooper-of-a-guy Mike even hobbled across the stage on crutches TWICE to receive his degrees because he has recently undergone ACL surgery. Laura has been so busy with a two-year-old, a 4-month-old, a crippled husband, and having a house clean and all ready to show (they're selling and moving soon), that she was so happy to see us and have our help. And it was great to be together again! Laura and I were a bit loopy one night at dinner, and she was good about teasing me with the chocolate I spilled on my shirt. Thanks! :) Ella is so much fun and I loved playing with her. Tyler is a way cute, friendly, hunk of a cute kid! Way to go Mike finishing! Oh, and thanks for celebrating my birthday with me, Carlston Clan!!
The past couple weeks of teaching and being back at the temple have been great. I feel so blessed to work with amazing teachers, students, their parents, and inspired temple workers! It's been a bit of a challenge to get back to doing so much again, and I've just wanted to jump in and take off again. But the headaches, depth perception, and lack of vision in the right eye-- along with concerned friends-- remind me to still allow myself to heal. The eye is opening up so much and tracking so well, though, and it still is a miracle to see how far we have come in only five months!
This past week was teacher appreciation week, and the class and room mother went WAY above and beyond what was necessary! I felt appreciated and loved! The flowers, classroom supplies, notes, and thoughtful gifts have been so sweet! My favorite was the book my students created, where they each wrote "What Miss Thomas would be if she wasn't a teacher..." I laughed and loved every page! Amazing what they perceive about me! I'll have to post a few pictures of what they came up with!
What inspired me to finally blog again tonight was the thoughts and feelings I have from working at the temple on Friday. Nothing especially unique happened, but I was again reminded of what dear, kind, sweet people I have the privilege of serving with there. I love the "zionlike" feeling that resides in the temple, and being with this temple family teaches me each week how I want to better treat those around me in my daily life. Never speaking an unkind word, showing concern, and so much more. I love how they help bring out the best in me. They share spiritual experiences with me that remind me of spiritual lessons I have been taught and need to cling to. I love the temple!
And I just HAVE to add as a final note, I LOVED THE SUNNY DAY YESTERDAY!!! What a literal bright ray of sunshine! I couldn't get enough of the outdoors- how cool that the sunny day fell on a Saturday so I could enjoy lots of it! My heart is full for the many blessings I enjoy, and I'm so thankful for the many prayers on my behalf. I have just discovered an aunt in California has brain cancer, and my heart goes out to her. Life is so short, so enjoy every day and the people we love so dear.
3 comments:
Love the post! I'm so glad you were able to go to all those things and that we were able to celebrate your birthday with you. We miss you already! We had a dance party the other day and Ella was SOO excited to do it. Thanks for teaching her how! You are an amazing aunt.
By the way, who has brain cancer?!?
I enjoyed reading the latest about your life on your blog. You certainly do have a busy life--work, social, family, running. I enjoyed seeing the book your students put together for you. I think my favorite one was that you would be a swimsuit model if you weren't a teacher. I wonder what I would be if I weren't . . . oh, that's right--I'm not any more. :-)
I can't wait to see some of the pages from the student book. If I was in your class, I would probably say that you would be a skydiver or ambassador of peace--a brand new title the president would create just for you! It was great celebrating your birthday and hanging out in Indiana!
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