Oh the Possibilities!

Day 45

I woke with remnants of last night's headache. Enough that I knew I needed to take it easy or it would come in full force. It lingered, but was bearable. Still, that certainly wasn't the happiest start to the day.

So it was with some elation and happiness when I was leaving my apartment to do some laundry and find, laying at my door, a cold, solitary, white flower. (I, the wannabe botanist, am terrible about what flowers are what, but my guess is it's a tulip.) The poor thing was so cold. But I put it in some Kangen water and it perked up beautifully. I have to resist from taking more pictures than is needful. :-)

Then, of course, the fun began:

Who left the flower?

Somehow it became even more fun when I realized the options are relatively few because less than 10 people know where I live. But each one that came to mind brought a smile, that I wanted to enjoy each one. Here are the possibilities:

1. My brother. He definitely knows where I live. And he wakes up insanely early to be on his way to work. If he is able to work out where he goes, he could have swung by here and left it. And if that were so and possible, that would have been very sweet of him.

2. One of the elders. There were four elders who helped me move my things in. 

    a. One is the ward mission leader who always smiles and says hello to me. He was one of my partners at the Latin dancing FHE. It would be like him to want to make the new girl (new to everything!) have a smile on Valentine's Day.

    b. One is one of the Elders' Quorum presidents. We met at Waffle Wednesday. He is in my Institute class. And I've been in wards before where the EQ want to give a smile to the sisters in the ward, and either deliver chocolate or flowers or something. 

    c. I can't remember what one of their callings was, but I have seen him at my work once. And we happened to sit in the same pew yesterday. He, too, says hello and asks how I'm settling in. He and elder #4 could have brought something also for the EQ possibility.

3. One of my 3 sister friends who has been to the apartment complex. Of course, they only know which building I am in. They didn't really know the apartment, unless they have excellent memories and heard me say something in passing. Either way, it would be sweet if any of those 3 sisters left the flower.

4. My friend from BYU #2 who has been by to visit. He is the kind to want to deliver a smile, though I would think my place is out of his way.

5. The older couple from my "home" ward (family ward building across the street) who came by to see what members were living where.

6. The least likely of all, but possible someone else in the ward who has access--or got access--to my address, and then hunted around the many buildings until they figured out which one was mine.

Each of these possibilities makes me happy. But not just because it's which one is actual. It's that each one is possible. It's hard to describe it, but it is all of the possibilites--individually and together--which is what brings the happiness and gratitude today.

And I'm grateful that not only did the Lord prompt someone to bring that happiness to me, and that the someone followed it, but that I know each of those possibilities was possible because of people who honestly and truly care about me--flower delivered or not.

On this the Sabbath Day

Day 44

Who would have thought that Church could have been so great, fun, funny, and spiritually fulfilling? Granted, I did pray that I would be able to gain much from my day at Church. I really needed it, since last Sunday I just wasn't quite....um, there? With it? Don't know how to describe it. But I wanted a good Sabbath day.

So when the first speaker announced the topic assigned to all four speakers, I began to wonder:

What Women Want (...in Guys)

Yeah. It went along with the whole Valentine's thing. And both the brothers and the sisters spoke on it. As one brother said, "It's all about the women today."

But they actually all did quite well. I was laughing, of course. The first sister's talk was fabulous. I agreed with so much and was grateful that she spoke on it respectfully, reverently, and honestly. She also quoted Elder Oaks famous "No hanging out" talk, which I don't think can ever be over-quoted. The first brother's talk was very sweet and sincere, and scripturally based. Both of those speakers are engaged. Kind of relieving to hear them speak. The other talks went well, too. And add to that, the hymns were very inspiring and uplifting for me. Considering all that has been creeping into my consciousness in the last week, I really needed this. And needed it done lightly but still seriously and spiritually. 

But it didn't end there. The Sunday School lesson was incredible. It was on the Savior's miracles. And I even spoke up. More than once. I shared my recent experiences with my Locked-In Syndrome friend, as it was standing out to me a lot as I prepared for this lesson. The teacher had a wonderful, upbeat, positive, energetic style. And the class was very responsive and full of discussion. Absolutely wonderful. And I was very much filled with the Spirit on the reality of miracles then, and miracles now. And seeing all of the many miracles in my life both past and present.

The day could have been complete and wonderful just there. Especially as a headache and a low-protein episode hit me in the evening and I was laying down waiting for them to pass or at least run their course. So it was a shock yet a great joy to finally receive a phone call from my best friend. If I'd known he was going to call, I would have cancelled my plans to walk to ward prayer with one of my friends. But it was probably best that I didn't, else we would have talked twice as long as we did and it was already late for him to still be awake. Still, it was a great end for my day, especially as I was laying there in pain and it distracted me while also made me feel less alone.

I love spiritually, mentally, and emotionally uplifting Sabbath days--and I know the Lord knows, intends, and loves that, too.

Together Forever

Day 43

We had a stake Relief Society temple day. First we met for lunch. Which was yummy. Especially the berry pie. Oh yum. Then we had a message from a Temple Presidency member and his wife.

And I quote:

"Well, sisters. All I can say is there are a lot of dumb men out there." - President Bateman

It made me smile.

But the best part was that after lunch, we split off to do whatever work we wished. And as I hadn't done so in a few months (and it coming up on Valentine's Day and it is tradition for me), I did sealings.

I so love sealings! And we had a good group. And I got to hear the ordinance in another language for the first time. The sealer occasionally jumbled up names, and we all kindly forgave and corrected him. But my first time to act as a daughter, he read the father's name as "Tice." And we all thought he had flubbed again. So he and the witnesses looked again. Nope. The family was a Tice family. So, I, Sister Tice, acted proxy for another Sister Tice. It was neat. My line comes from Germany, and they were from England. But you never know....

I think there is nothing greater for a celebration of love than sealing families together--and I'm grateful that my Savior makes eternal families possible.

Do You Wanna Dance?

Day 42

I felt that I should go to the disco-themed Valentine's dance for our stake. I figured I shouldn't let the last and quite awful experience persuade all of my feelings and opinions about dances, even if the dances just haven't been the same over the last however many years. So in spite of not feeling all that healthy, I knew I needed to go. I needed a distraction. And I had the "kinda promise" about going to whatever social things I could go to.

So, I followed the prompting and went.

And, of course, the Spirit (hence the Lord) were correct in knowing that I needed it. Of course, I had to make sure my attitude was what it should and needed to be, which certainly made a difference. I had SO much fun! I think it helped that they played more music that I was familiar with. And didn't know people well or at all, so was less self-conscious than typical. And had free chocolate and cookies. And the music wasn't ridiculously loud. And I had some friends there. And....

Well, I had a wonderful time and a great workout and it didn't matter how emotionally or physically upset I was--I was happy!

Always Learning

Day 41

I still can't get over Institute. Not that I'm surprised by it. Just can't get over the joy I get to be learning and feeling what I do. See, much of what my teacher goes over are things I know. He is making sure to pull many of the students out of the stereotypical mind-frames concerning the Book of Mormon of Gospel principles. You know--the ideas and "traditions" we start to latch on to. It isn't harmful per se, but it (in my opinion) hinders deeper learning. For example, so many people think the prophet Abinadi was old. All because of the well-drawn painting of the amazing Arnold Frieberg. But some years ago I had a strong inclination to think that Abinadi very well could have been young--and oh what a change in the story it made for me! Little things like that, but still important to pull us out of that. (My teacher even brought that particular instance up.)

So much of what he does or says is not new to me. It's very reassuring to me to see how much I've come to learn in the last years of studying. To appreciate the study habits I've worked around, altered, and done whatever else to get the most out of. It will always be a work in progress. But I'm grateful to see the connections I've made, and the knowledge I've gained--all through the Spirit.

And yet my teacher still always brings out something new (if not a few more than that) that just hits home. Or something I've known but he words it so simply and clearly. The entire Gospel is being connected before me--and in such excitement yet reverence. And it lifts me so much. It has been a while since I've had a teacher who regularly does this. In the last couple of years, a lot of my learning was all on my own. Not that that is bad. But it is so wonderful to have a teacher--knowledgeable and full of the Spirit--to guide me along in paths of learning.

I love Institute and am so grateful not only for the inspiration from the Lord to have it (and for me to attend!), but also for all that it has to offer me in my life right now.

"I LOVE that [insert object of affection]"

Day 40

I went to Waffle Wednesdays again this evening. And it was so nice to be welcomed by every one there. And to be a part of it. ("I [was] makin' waffles!") And then to get into a fun, girly-gushing-involved conversation about our adorations concerning various musicals.

*sigh*

It has been a while since I could really gush (vocally) about one of my interests, and I believe He knew I was missing that and needed it. 

Good Fluff

Day 39

I love fun, simple, silly, fluff books! Those that catch your interest from the beginning, read fast, and keep you awake (which is saying something for me right now!). And I had such a book last night and this morning. It was fabulous. Delightful. Fun. Distracting. And well-written. Oh, what a difference.

I love when the Lord places things in our paths at the times He knows we will truly appreciate/enjoy/need/use them--even if it is "just a book."