This journal is becoming all about the homesickness....then there was a birthday

*** June 6, 2004 JOURNAL: Fast Sunday at the MTC
          I was alright for most of the day, then my mind started to wander.  I think it's because I was talking to Sis. Hansen about home, and pictures and stuff.  [Sis. Hansen was assigned to the Hawaii, Honolulu Mission]
          I started to feel really lonely.  And I know that's just Satan trying to get to me.  But I couldn't help but give in for a little while.
          I began to see the vision again.  Of how everything fits and why I am here on a mission for the Lord.  But it's still hard.  The end seems so far away and there's a lot of time in between where I don't know what's going to happen.  But I trust in the Lord that everything will work out for the best.  That's why I'm here. I know I am where I belong and I am doing the work that the Lord has called me to do.  I am here because this is what I know I want to do.  But that doesn't mean that I don't get lonely.  But even when I do, I try to catch that glimpse of heaven - of where I want to be and I know I will be alright.
          We watched The Testament tonight.  And for the last few minutes I felt the presence of the Lord so close - and I knew I wasn't alone.

15 January 2013

I always wish my grammar was better, but I don't do anything to make it any better.

My husband is the best.  It was birthday weekend and it was the best ever!  I love a good surprise birthday celebration.  Nakeu is so much better at surprises than I am.  My face doesn't do lying well... For my first birthday together, we were engaged, and my surprise was a day trip to Hawaii island to go to the Kona temple, because I wanted to go to the temple for my birthday and the Laie temple was closed for cleaning.  The next year it was a surprise weekend stay (we were married) at the Marriott Beach Club, bags packed when I picked him up from work.  In 2009 we stayed at the Ihilani with Lloyd.  In 2010, Nakeu let me throw my own birthday party with friends and food at the house.   In 2011 I wanted to go to CPK with friends and family and eat their butter cake with ice cream ... oh, so YUMMY! In 2012 we had a surprise weekend stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa on Hawaii Island.  We <3 that hotel, with the trains and the boats and the pools.  This year was a complete surprise dinner at Bucca De Beppo with friends and family.  The food was soooo yummy!  I had a great time.  Thank you Beb.

On Sunday I was released from teaching in primary.  I could feel the longing eyes of the other primary workers as I dropped Lloyd off at primary (of which there were no tears ...)  I was prepared to teach a lesson on how Heavenly Father has a Body and was put into a Gospel Doctrine lesson on how Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the World.  Luckily our teacher was AWESOME!  And even with as little preparation as I didn't read any of the lesson, I felt inspired and edified and my mind was opened to new thoughts and insights.  Not to mention that I got to got to Relief Society.  I didn't know how much I missed going to Relief Society, after a four year absence.  I did miss teaching the little'uns, though.

What a great weekend.