Catching a quick breath

The past week has been busy and crazy. At least some of it was fun stuff. :) I'm enjoying a chance to catch my breath--another Sunday, of course, plus about 10 more days left until classes start again.

So, the highlights of the week: Monday I got to have lunch with my Stevenson grandparents and dinner with Chris, Christel, Marla, and Karen for my birthday. Chris and Christel picked up some flowers and ice cream and Karen got some cake from Gourmandise. Yum! It was nice, in spite of working and needing to do homework, to be able to do something fun. Birthdays are supposed to be special, right?

Wednesday was ward temple night, and we did initiatories. I've never gone with a group to do that before. It was nice to be in the temple, and it was fun to gather with everyone on the steps of the capitol building for some ice cream afterwards. What a beautiful place to live! And there are a lot of great people here.

Thursday, Chris, Christel, and I went up to East Canyon to watch the meteor shower. We only stayed there until about 11:30, so it wasn't at its most active point, but we saw some good ones! It was so beautiful, though cold. (We still have some hot days ahead of us, but Fall is coming!) Even just enjoying the brightness of the stars, away from the city lights, was well worth it. I love looking up at the night sky, realizing that of all of this vast creation--worlds without number--that God knows me and loves me as an individual. The beauty of creation, and particularly the stars, is always a powerful testimony to me that God exists and that He created and governs all we can see and much more that we cannot see.

Friday I took some time to look at the sky again, although just from the city this time. The crescent moon plus Venus, Mars, and Saturn were all clustered together in the western sky at dusk. It was yet another reminder of the perfect order of the universe. I think I actually saw one more meteor as I was sitting there: that makes two total that I saw downtown, surrounded by lights. They were probably spectacular outside of the glow of the city lights!

Saturday was Martina's baptism--another wonderful experience. She had asked me to play, and I was happy to do it. The Spirit was definitely there, and I am so excited for her having taken this step. She said she felt calm and peaceful afterwards, in contrast to the stress she had been feeling the last week or two. Thank you, Martina, for allowing me to be a part of your baptismal service! It is special to have the reminder of the importance of this step as part of the Plan of Salvation and to see the joy that comes in taking this step.

I finished off the afternoon Saturday with Aunt Kathy, Spencer, Sara, and baby James (end-of-the-week birthday celebration, since I'd already had plans Monday). Sara's sister, Savana, and friend, Jessica, joined us for a meal at Gourmandise. I love that they have both tasty meals and amazing pastries. Then Kathy, Spencer, Sara and I visited and played games while James took his nap.

Then, of course, Sunday. Choir, church, and then feasting with friends this week. It's amazing that even when Sunday is busy, it is still refreshing. The "work" I do on the Sabbath is different from the work I do the rest of the week.

This blog probably sounds more like a journal entry this time--perhaps it is, in a sense. But it is an expression of gratitude for a good week, good friends and family, and the blessings of the gospel. Now onward... to another week!

Is it really August already?

Would someone care to tell me what happened to July? Or for that matter, what happened to the whole year? It has gone by way too quickly. It seems like I just barely had a birthday; is it really time for another one? Is the summer really almost over? How did that happen? I really have a hard time believing that the earth isn't literally spinning faster. Can't we slow it down just a little?

I do have to say, I very much appreciate fast Sundays, in spite of the ongoing jokes that they are really slow and not fast. Yes, it's easy to think they're slow when you're hungry. And sometimes it's too easy to focus on the hunger. But with every commandment the Lord gives, there is always a promised blessing, and fasting is no different. There is truly an outpouring of the Lord's Spirit when I fast with a purpose and with the proper attitude. And really, it's a blessing to have a "slow" day, when so many days seem to fly by so quickly. I'm not sure what I'd do without a Sabbath, but I think I'd probably go insane... It is a day of rest from the cares of the world, a chance to be spiritually uplifted and rejuvenated. Proper Sabbath observance and worship is what gives me the strength to face each new week! It is a blessing to know that no matter how hectic life gets, I can look forward to a day of peace and rest.

"Gently raise the sacred strain,

For the Sabbath's come again,

That man may rest,

And return his thanks to God

For his blessings to the blest."