Freinds share what they LOVE

I had a great conversation with a friend the other day.

It's rare when spiritual topics come up, i love it when they do!

My friend had seen a movie called, Heaven is for Real, and she was telling me about it.

It's a true story about a 4 year old boy who almost dies from his appendix bursting.

After, when things are back to normal this boy relates his experiences during that period.

Things like: he sat on Jesus's lap, he met a sister who was miscarried, he met a great grandpa, it looked like earth but a lot more beautiful.

My friend is Catholic and I'm not sure what the doctrine is exactly about life after death but she acted as though these were new ideas and something to think about.

Nothing sounded odd to me. In fact, it went along with everything that I believe.

 

Alma 40:11-12 says:

 Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.

 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.

 

We were having this conversation at Happy Hollow, an amusement park for little children. Her 16 month old daughter and Charlie were wandering in separate directions with swarms of other children around. The setting for this conversation was not ideal. We tried with little success.

 This friend likes to talk about things that matter and she is sincere. I have loved getting to know her here in California.

There was SO much i wanted to share with her at that moment but couldn't because of the circumstances.

 

If i had had the perfect setting these are the things i would have shared.

1. I believe that God is a physical being who is glorified and immortal. His son Jesus Christ also has a physical body. He was resurrected 3 days after his death on the cross.  

2. I know this because God spoke to a young boy in the 1800's who was seeking truth. Joseph Smith was confused by all the confounding doctrine. After much study and prayer he decided to specifically ask God what church to join. God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him to reveal truth!

3. Joseph Smith was called to be a prophet in this modern day.

4. New scripture was revealed to add a second witness to the Bible and to clear up the confounding doctrines, its called The Book of Mormon.

5. There is a Prophet and 12 apostles today who work under the direction of Jesus Christ. This is His church.

 

My heart is just pounding thinking about it. And this is just skimming the surface!

Well the circumstances weren't right but later we were talking about the missionaries. She also served a couple humanitarian missions for her church. We shared our separate experiences with our service. I asked if the sisters in her area could come visit with her. She was interested.

 

I always thought that sharing my beliefs was hard.

I am starting to get a better picture that its all about love and friendship.

When you are friends with someone you share what you love and you be who you are.

Making these friendships is so much more important than i ever thought it would be!   

 

Santa Clara

It's nice to settle in to a somewhat normal lifestyle. Up until this point being in California has felt like a vacation. But now that we have a more permanent place i feel myself relaxing and enjoying the kids. I want to give an update  because they have been doing the funniest and cutest things.

 

Charlie



•  Every day, morning, afternoon, or night he will say, "It's a nice day!"
•  He's been saying, " I love you (pause) very much mommy (or) daddy"
• He cherishes his sleep. And now sleeps in a big boy bed! I was nursing Olive and told Charlie to find a book to read before nap. As he went looking he stubbed his toe and had a medium melt down. I was unable to help him. After he recovered he said to himself, "I need a nap". He went off to his room and climbed into bed. 10 minutes later i enter and sure enough he was sound asleep.  
• We brought one small box of toys. In it are his Legos, two dinosaurs, and a couple cars. I am learning Charlie doesn't need much to be entertained.
• A conversation with Charlie, "Mom, can i ask you a question?"
• Me  "Of coarse!"
• Charlie "Grandma and grandpa friends."
• Me "is that a questions?"
• Charlie "yes"
• Me "Then yes, grandma and grandpa are friends. Who are your friends Charlie?"
• Charlie "Grandpa and Gwyneth"



 

Olive

• Olive is officially crawling. She is a very curious wiggly little girl.
• She loves eating finger foods. And as much as she seemed to love her applesauce, she refuses any type of soft pureed baby food now. She eats beans, rice, scrambled eggs, and really anything we are eating that's soft and easy to cut up small.
• She enjoys the park. She laughs going down the slide and smiles big on the swings.
• She loves her brother and gets excited when he is getting up from a nap or when they are sitting on the floor together.
• She is currently trying to learn how to pull herself up to stand.
• She still has a a gummy mouth- no teeth
• She's 9 months old



Andy

• Andy likes his job. He enjoys free lunches at work and meeting his co-workers. He feels like Adobe is a GREAT company to work for.
• Andy also loves the weekends. His feet have a nice chaco tan line which he is proud of. He loves the coast especially, and if our camera wasn't out of batteries, he would be taking millions of pictures. So maybe its a blessing in disguise :)
• Andy is so good to me. As busy as he is, he lightens my load wherever he can. He gives me quality time. He listens to my concerns. I am very grateful for him!

Monterey Bay

We said our sad goodbyes to Los Gatos and moved to a hotel for 5 days. Andy, of coarse, noticed a grapefruit tree in the parking lot of our hotel. It was growing in someone's backyard. He was determined to get a grapefruit. After much deliberation, he knocked on the front door and asked the owners. They were happy to share so Andy got his grapefruit. He had to stand on top of our car to pick the grapefruit. 

During our hotel stay I was needed to keep busy, for fear of being stuck in a hotel room. We spent many hours at the Children's Museum. It has a number of wonderful activities for Charlie and even for Olive. It is my favorite place to hang out. Olive and I were testing what it would (sort of) feel like to go sky diving. 

 

Charlie stood at this table for maybe 30+ minutes. Measuring, scooping, pouring etc. 

We officially live in Santa Clara now! It feels good to finally settle down somewhere and not feel like we are on vacation. Although, it still feels like vacation because there is so much to do. 

We went to Monteray Bay this weekend. We went to Fisherman's Wharf. They had beautiful produce for sell. We ate a fresh yummy breakfast. We saw people preparing there rowboats for a race. They are racing to Hawaii. No engines or sails! Just rowing. Incredible! 

We then took the 17 mile drive. Making stops to explore. I am in awe of all the beauty here. I feel Gods Power and Magesty as I take in the scene. 

After the drive we went to the famous Monteray Bay Aquarium. My favorite things we saw was: the octopus, otters, jelly fish, and really big fish. Quite a site. 

So many creatures! I was in awe at how colorful it is. I have seen fish tanks with neon looking plants but thought it was for show. No, they really are that color! 

I'm ashamed we didn't get pictures at the Aquarium. 

Dinner at an ok Mexican restaurant. The view made it all worth it!