Heaven is Everywhere

Sorry....it's a little blurry :-)

I had the opportunity to listen to Stephanie Nielson at BYU Women's Conference this past May. I knew bits and pieces of her story but not the full story. However, what I had heard, did inspire me and how she used her faith to inspire and motivate her healing process. She actually spoke on social media at this conference and not about her crash. I was intrigued, grabbed her book, and waited in line to have her sign it. I actually really enjoyed meeting her and her husband and started following her on Instagram as well as her blog.

When I started reading Heaven is Here, I made the same mistake I most of the time make with a new book: reading the reviews on Goodreads. I scrolled through a couple of pages of reviews and most of them were very negative. And I think it ended up tainting the first part of the book for me. But I wanted to finish it because I wanted to know how she overcame this trial and where she drew her strength from. I read it mostly to gain strength for myself to help me through my personal trials.

So I decided to finish it. And I am really glad that I did. I found her story to be beautiful. I cried through probably the whole thing. I can not even begin to imagine the pain and struggle she underwent those first few months in the burn unit and then when she went home. I could not stop crying when I read about her children visiting her, when she first saw what she looked like, and so many other things that she had to endure. 

What an amazing lady!!! I loved how she drew from her faith, the Primary songs, and prayers to help her through her ordeal. I feel truly inspired and hope that I can do the same to overcome my personal trials and suffering. I know there is no way I could ever compare my trials to hers. However, I feel very inspired by her. By someone who thought her life was over and than found the motivation she needed to start her new life with her family. I am grateful that she had the courage to share her story with the rest of us.

P.S. I think my very favorite part is when she described Heaven as being with the ones that you love.

Miami Mormon Reunion

Today, Jon and I had the opportunity to attend a Miami Mormon Reunion. I didn't get to see as many people as I thought, but happy and grateful for the ones that I did get to see.

Some people may not know, but I was born in Utah, we moved to New Jersey when I was about 5, and then to Homestead, Florida when I was about 13. 4 months before Hurricane Andrew. 

Anyway, we made some wonderful friends in both places. My mom has always said that the best place she found to raise her children were in Florida. And she was right. Living so far away from family, our ward and stake became our family.

A very dear family from our old stake in Miami, Michael Fierro, put together this little reunion and invited anyone who could come. I guess they had been doing this for the last few years. But I am so glad I was able to go this year. I was able to introduce Jon to my former Stake President, Michael Madsen, from my adolescent years who was by far the best Stake President I have ever had. One of my former camp and Young Women leaders, Annette Fierro, who I absolutely adored. And a few friends, Angie Madsen, Dale Robbins, and Alysha Fierro, that I hung out with from the stake.

Mind you, none of us were in the same ward, but we were still family. We played games and ate food and just had fun. We talked about Young Women's camp and how Michael F and my Dad were the Priesthood leaders over camp. We talked about how they liked to torment us but always in good fun. We talked about different people in the wards and Stake and what they were doing and how their lives had changed. We laughed together and cried together. It was probably one of the best days I have had in a long time.

Another fun part was reconnecting with a family that we knew in New Jersey who moved to Florida about a year after I was married and happened to move into the same Stake as well.

Nancy and Frank Chavez

They were newly married when we found out we were moving to Florida. While my parents were in Florida looking for a house, this wonderful couple stayed with my siblings and I for about a week. They will forever be known as my New Jersey parents. It was so wonderful to have a chance to catch up with them. I just remember them being one of the neatest couples that we were able to get to know.

I am so grateful that I was able to spend time with all of these wonderful people today. Like I said, these people were a part of our family. We took care of each other and loved each other. What a wonderful day!!

Miami Mormon Reunion

We Are Enough

I recently read a conference talk by Linda K. Burton, General Relief Society President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The title of this talk was Wanted: Hands and Hearts to Hasten the Work. 

There was a part of this talk that stood out to me. She talked about how we, as woman, can know our divine heritage. She talked about how in the scriptures, a young man had told Jesus that was keeping the commandments but wanted to know what he was still lacking. Jesus explained to this young man that if he would make himself perfect and "come ad follow me", he would know of the treasures of heaven.

Sister Burton stated that the Greek translation of perfect is "complete". She asked us to not beat ourselves up. 

She then stated:

"As we try our best to move forward along the covenant path, we become more complete and perfect in this life."

I went and read this part quite a few times and it just really stuck with me.

This is something that I have been thinking about quite a bit lately as I have visited with friends and listened to their various trials and things that have been hard for them. I then thought about my trials and different things that I have and am still going through that are hard and challenging.

I will admit that I have felt inadequate, less than perfect, etc., etc. I felt my self-worth depleted at times and that there is no way I can go any further. I have felt that no matter what I do, nothing will ever be good enough. No matter how hard I try, there will never be a difference.

But then I think about this talk and Sister Burton's wise words. And when I think of these words, I realize that I am still striving to perfection/"completion". It jut takes time.

We, as women, tend to be too hard on ourselves. Some of us are single, married, childless, stay at home mothers, working mothers, etc., etc. We are all in different stages in our lives. Yet, we tend to not only put ourselves down, but we compare ourselves to each other. 

We need to remember that what we are doing now is enough. We ARE enough!!! We are all doing the best we can with what we have.

As someone who has always dreamed of being a mother and a stay at home mom, my life has obviously gone down a different path. I used to feel that I was not good enough and that I didn't "fit in", so to speak. After doing a lot of soul searching and prayer, I realized that I am enough. I am who I am and I am striving to live my life to the best of my ability. I offer as much as I can and realize that what I am able to offer is enough. I have realized that as long as I do my best, I will still be blessed. I will become more complete.

So.....I challenge all who read this to look in the mirror and say to yourself, "I am doing the best I can and I am enough." Let's love ourselves and others a little bit better!!

Hogle Zoo with Owen

On Saturday, Jon and I took our sweet nephew Owen to the zoo. Utah has such a fun zoo called Hogle Zoo. It has been on of my favorite zoos. My mom has been going to this zoo since she was little and every time we made a visit to Utah when I was growing up, we had to to hit the zoo.

Owen came to spend the weekend with us and I decided he was ready to visit the zoo and take up this tradition my mom had started with us.

We arrived pretty early and the first thing Owen saw was the train. He wanted to go on the train so badly but we told him we would do that the very end. So we walked around and saw so many different animals.

We saw zebras, elephants, bears, seals, rhinos, chickens, peacocks, monkeys, lions, tigers, etc., etc.

We watched an elephant show where one elephant painted holding a brush in his trunk and another elephant did a headstand. At the polar bear exhibit, you could stand right at the glass and watch the polar bear come up and look at all the kids and then he would do a backstroke. We could watch this for hours. We also watched the rhinos being fed and watched the seal show.

I was able to convince Owen to ride the carousel and he picked a giraffe to ride on. He actually quite enjoyed it. I also had to get a picture by Leo the Lion. However, Owen wasn't too keen on putting his head in his mouth to get a drink.

The Hogle Zoo now has a splash pad called Lighthouse Point, and I think this was probably one of the highlights of the zoo visit. We let Owen play for at least 20 to 30 minutes until he was completely soaked. But I have never seen such pure joy on a little boys face.

After all the walking around and eating some snacks, it was finally time to ride the train. This kid was so excited to get on this train and waited so patiently in line to board. After we got in the car to go home, Owen's little voice piped up and said "Sally.....I loved the train!"

I am so glad we took him to this fun place and that he has so much fun. We are al exhausted afterwards, but decided it was totally worth it. Thanks Owen to going to the zoo with with us. And thank you to Liz and Scott for sharing this sweet little boy with us.

Just a few more fun pics of this cute little guy:

Where does the time go?

Yesterday, my beautiful niece, Britney, graduated from Highland High School. I can not believe how time has flown!! It feels like yesterday that she was our flower girl when we were married.

Britney and I walking on the temple grounds at the Jordan River Temple.

Britney is the little girl sitting on Jon's lap.

And this is us 16 years later......

 Me, Britney, and Jon

Me and the Brit-Girl!!

I am so proud of this beautiful girl!! She has overcome so much in her life and she is still the most level-headed, fun-loving, sweetest girl. She has turned into a beautiful young woman. She is honest, hardworking, loving, caring, smart, talented, and so many other things. We are so proud to be her aunt and uncle and have enjoyed watching her grow. 

I am the oldest in my family. And when I married Jon, 16 years ago, the only niece at the time on either side was Britney. I quickly fell in love with this little girl and since, have enjoyed many adventures and talks with her. It is hard to imagine that she will be starting at the University of Utah in the fall and that she will be starting a new chapter in her life. 

A few favorites/memories about Britney:

- Her favorite movies when she was little were, The Wizard of Oz, Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, Alice in Wonderland, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

-One of her favorite people was her Grandpa Williams

- Going to the drive-in

- Sleepovers

- Going to the zoo

-Lunch at Hires where she stuffed a whole Oreo cookie in her mouth (she was only 2)

- Going to McDonalds for chicken nuggets and fries

- Getting mani-pedis

And so many more!!

I love this girl with all of my heart!!! I feel in so many ways, that she IS my first kid. And a special thank you to her parents who have shared her with us. 

I can't wait to see what she does next. I know that whatever she puts her mind to, she will succeed. Keep on dreaming, Brit!!

 Our beautiful graduate!

 Daniele, Britney, and Steve

 Howells/Saddlers with Grandma and Grandpa Howell

 Britney with both parents: Annika and Troy Saddler and Daniele and Steve 

Howell

 Britney with Grandma and Grandpa Williams

 The family: Missy, Steve, Britney, Daniele, Mandy, and Braden

Howells/Saddlers