Reminiscing

Over the last few days I've been going on Netflix and finding all these old movies I used to watch and love. Tell me if any of these ring a bell, " The Care Bear Movie II, a new generation" you know, the one where the care bears go to camp. Okay, how about "Bugsy Malone" with Jodie Foster and Scott Baio as kids dressed up as mobsters.... Yeah, well Jershon didn't know them either.

Well today I just finished watching Now and Then, A story about 4 best friends and their summer adventure with seyances, first kisses, and true frienshiop, and for any 12 to 14 year old girl in the mid nineties, this movie was a classic. It reminded me of my best friends growing up and the adventures we used to have. Jumping into the ponds at Kabota gardens, sneaking onto the decks of houses being built on Lake Washington, sleeping on the Steven's porch in the summer time just so we could steal Bob the neighbors plums in the middle of the night.

I think back now at how crazy it all seems, but I have to say, I had the time of my life. I just pray that I have a daughter that's as lucky as I was to have such great friends. Thanks you guys, I love ya.

Modern Day Miracles

A week ago I noticed that my tailbone was really sore. I was really confused by it because I knew I had done nothing to cause the pain. I decided to go to bed and hope that the pain would go away. However, through out the night it became progressively worse to the point where I was in tears by the frustration and lack of sleep this was causing.

The next morning my tailbone was so sore, I could hardly walk let alone stand in one place, and sitting was impossible, the only thing I could do was lay on my side and that was harldly bearable. Finally it occured to me that I might have a cyst. We decided to go to the hospital and get it checked out. Sure enough, it was a cyst. I was so thankful that there was a solution to this sudden problem. However, when the doctor tried to drain it, he found that it had not developed enough to be able to have anything come out. He decided that other than antibiotics, the only other solution would be to have it surgically removed. Great, however one huge problem....WE'RE BROKE!!! how on earth were we going to cover this cost. Sure we could apply for welfare, but the likelyhood of having the coverage in time was going to be impossible.

So the doctor advised that I take the rest of the week off and let the antibiotics do it's job. Let me tell you, laying around in your apartment for four days is not my idea of fun. However I did feel that I was feeling better very quickly and I felt hope come over me. "Maybe I won't need the surgery after all."

I got a call from the secretaries at the hospital to make the appointment for the surgery. The woman advised me that this would only be a consultation and that it was going to cost $300. $300!!! so on top of the possible surgery, I need to have $300 up front for the consultation!!! where am I going to get this money. I decided we would use our tip money (which we had been saving for our rent money) to cover this cost. Today was the appointment and I was very anxious to hear what he had to say. Our doctor was really great, we talked about what had happened and what the causes were. He then examined the area, and from his diagnosis, decided that the surgery would not be neccessary. WOO HHOOO!!! NO SURGERY!!!
So we're getting ready to leave and the doctor asks, " Are you L.D.S?" "Yeah, how did you know?" "From your garments, I'm L.D.S as well." What a coincidence, our doctor is Mormon. We chatted for a little longer, and say goodbye. As we walked over to the front desk, the woman asks, "Well are we doing the surgery?" "Nope, we just need to pay." she then says, "Nope, it's on the house." WHAT!!!! I couldn't believe it. We were so worried all week about how we were going to pay for the consultation, pay for the surgery, and we were able to walk away paying for nothing.

I do believe in modern miracles, I believe in the power of tithing, and I believe in the power of priesthood blessings. The night before the appointment, I asked Jershon to give me a blessing. I know that his prayer was heard, and that the lord was aware of our situation. I know that if you allow yourself, the lord will pour blessings upon you. I am so thankful for this experience and I am so happy I can share this with all of you. I love you all and thank you for your prayers.

Sacrament & Stickers

I've mentioned before how chaotic the first hour of church is due to the large number of toddlers. However, did I mention I have a toddler of my own? He's about 6'3, 216Ibs. and is very easily distracted...especially by the little ladies in our Ward.

This week his little distractor was a 18 month old redheaded girl named Crystal. Her father was singing in Sacrament so he asked Jershon to watch her while he was on stage. When he brought her over she happened to bring a page of stickers with her. For the next twenty minutes this is what I watched.

Crystal is sitting on Jershon's lap and they start to pull stickers off the page. They exchange the stickers with eachother, than take them off eachother and put them on their arms. From their arms they move to Jershon's Tie, from the tie to Crystals face, and finally from her face back to her arms.

From the stickers we then move to Jershon's tie. First, Jershon stuffs the tie into his shirt pocket. Crystal pulls it out of his pocket and tries to stuff it in the space between the buttons on his shirt. Then she tries to stuff it in the top of her dress. We eventually get bored with the shirt and Jershon fans the pages of the hymn book in Crystal's face, and she is in bliss.

As I'm watching this, I can't help but think about what sacrament will be like once we have children of our own. It's nice to know that if I want to pay attention to the speaker, Jershon will have no problem keeping occupied with the kids. However, as much fun as it was to pretend with Crystal today, I'm glad to know that at the end of the hour, we were able to give her back to her real parents. Needless to say, Sacrament and stickers, make for a very amusing hour.

Our New Calling!!!

Well Jersh and I have been in the Pullman Ward for about 6 months now, and I have to say things have been going pretty well for us. We've already spoken in church, so that scratches us off the list for the next year. We both have pretty good callings, and we're really starting to make some nice friends. We were just starting to get our feet wet, when the Bishops 1st councelor called us into his office on Sunday.

"We would like to thank you both for serving so faithfully in your current callings, and we would like to release you from them." "Uh oh, this can't be good. Clearly this means we're going to get a new calling. What can it be? Gospel Doctrine teachers? newly wed teachers? Singles ward Bishopric?!??!?!?"

"We would like to call you both to the.... Nursery!!!!"

Now normally I would assume that not alot of people would be thrilled about this calling. But how can you not in a ward like ours. Five million children under the age of three, crazy little hellions all wanting their mommy's, or the other kids toy. Who wouldn't want this????

I'm actually really excited for this. Jersh and I love the kids in our ward, and really it's just play time for he and I as well. I'm sure I will have lot's of stories to tell from the land of the children.

My New Favorite Sandwich ( For those with more ecclectic tastes)

Now you all may be thinking, "This should be interesting", because for those of you who know me, know that I have more of an acquired taste for food, ( Thanks to my wonderful Father, I love you Dad!!). I came upon this delectable delight while hanging out at the Cherry's apartment. Caleb came strolling out of the kitchen with what seemed to be an ordinary sandwich....until he said what's in it. Are you ready for this "Peanut Butter, Jelly, Cheese, Relish, and Mustard." WHAT!!!!??!?!?! Who would eat such a thing? how could that be good? But of course, being the curious person that I am, I said, "Really, let me get a bite."

I tell you now my friends that this is the best Sandwich I have ever had. I don't know how it works, but it does. Somehow, the Jam and Peanut butter work as a neutral against the relish and mustard, and the cheese just sets it all in place. I knew Jersh wasn't going to try it, so the only other person I could think of was my Dad. And the final verdict is....

He LOVES it!!! " How can we capitalize on this thing?" he says. I agree, that this should be a special in some deli somewhere because it's too good to keep to yourself.

So, are you surprised?.... of course not, because it's me, and I like some crazy things. But as the old saying goes.... Don't knock till you try it!!

One World Cafe and the Hat Parade!!!

In our search to try and make Pullman/Moscow a place called "Home", Jershon and I have found a cute little cafe in downtown Moscow called One World Cafe. Equipped with a chalkboard menu, Hodge podge furniture, an eclectic collection of books, and quirky additives like doors hanging from the ceilings. Now one would say "Cafes like this are a dime a dozen in Seattle," but we're not in Seattle, so limited as we are, I have dedicated this place my little piece of heaven...well, until further updates.
Aside from the lovely character this cafe provides, they also have live music every Friday and Saturday night. Now, it's pretty hit and miss, so thank goodness these gigs are free. However, this last weekend was actually quite entertaining, not only for the music ( The singer was John Treasure, look him up if you're interested), but the abundance of women and their floppy hats. As I looked around the cafe, I noticed that every woman that was either there or arriving, had on a winter hat. Our friends who had joined us, the Cherry's, also noticed this phenomenon (Jershon however noticed nothing, he was distracted by the catalog he found which was a Beanie baby's price book, turns out the Monkey is the most expensive beanie priced at over $3000, what's wrong with these people!!!) So we asked ourselves "Was there a dress code that needs to be adhered to? was there an email list we should have joined? How were we not aware of this fashion trend"

Eventually we decided the music was too chill for our moods and also feeling vulnerable with out a floppy hat of my own, we decided to leave. All in all, it was a wonderful night, and we will definitely remember to have something to adorn the heads for future reference.

Welcome to the Family Ward

Well, we're two weeks into married life and I have to say, things are going good. I got the job at the Man Shop, and I've finished my training out at the Spokane location(For the record, driving an hour and 20 min. both ways to train, really really blows).
However, after our first week of being in the apartment and being surrounded by just...us, I realized, we need to get some friends. So you can imagine how excited(and nervous) I was for us to go to our new ward together. Now Jershon has been to the ward a couple of times so he already knew what to expect. I on the other hand had no clue what was in store.
We arrived 5 min. late so the chapel was already filled, but as soon as you walk into the building, you instantly hear the hum of children, and as we entered the chapel, the mere hum of children becomes a moving freight train. Children are everywhere, and when I say children I mean, all under the age of 4. whining, laughing, crying, and playing, and the children aren't the only ones making noise, because the parents are either soothing, or scolding these children.
With all the commotion going on, I'm impressed that the speakers are able to get throught there talks...what ever the subject may be. But aside from the screaming babies up and down the aisle's, the ward is pretty great. Everyone is our age (or younger, I've learned that Jershon and I are sort of a minority...what's new), and they're all in our situation, either beginning their degrees, changing them, or just finishing. And they don't waste time getting you involved either, Jershon and I already have callings. I have been called as an enrichment advisor, and Jershon is a ward missionary.
And so as relief society comes to a close and Jershon and I say our goodbyes, I try to remember who we observed that day, who we liked and disliked, and who we saw ourselves hanging out with. And all I've learned is that, love them or hate them, we're stuck with them for the next 3 years...wish us luck.