Short Break

I am currently traveling for work and will be away all next week. Please bear with me while I take a short break from blogging. I'll be sure to post something extremely interesting and exciting when I return. Thanks!

Pictures of Elizabeth

Elizabeth sent this picture of her with some children in Africa. She is in the light yellow sweater.

An update from Elizabeth

I got an e-mail today from my friend, Elizabeth. She was in Kenya with her daughter, Turi, when a terrible war broke out. They were unable to leave the country. With several friends and family, we were able to raise enough money to get Elizabeth and Turi to a safe place. She said this in her e-mail:

Thank you for everything. We have we did not have any communication facillity. It was very difficult to leave my family behind so I took them all with me and we travelled to Swaziland and have been staying there. They cried their hearts out and we had to do the best we could with the money you sent us. It took my family to a safe haven. I am so very grateful. Peace has returned in Kenya after Kofi Annan intervened. I was in Kenya for a reason. I was taught how we take many things foregranted in the United States. I arrived here last Friday and there are so many homeless people. I have been praying about it and I think as a trained nurse I was commissioned by the Lord to take care. I will stay here and work among the Internally displaced persons(IDPs) and those in camps. I have just done some work with the IDPs and I will stay here and do what the Lord wants me to do. Help these people. I have setted my whole family in Swaziland and that money is going a long long way.Attached please see some pictures I took. My heart bleeds for these people. The Church has taught me a lot and I am humbled. We have very many volunteers from other parts of the world. This was my calling. Karen we all find a purpose to be in this world and I have found mine.

She forgot to attach the pictures, but when I get them, I will put a few on my blog page. I am so happy to hear her family is safe and she is helping others. She really is amazing! Thanks again to all those who helped and prayed for her.

What's in a name?

This is how a web-site describes me based on my name. Accurate or no?

You are a seeker of knowledge, and you have learned many things in your life.You are also a keeper of knowledge - meaning you don't spill secrets or spread gossip.People sometimes think you're snobby or aloof, but you're just too deep in thought to pay attention to them.You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality.

You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something.You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense.You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.

At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people.You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts.You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

I'm slacking already!

I've only had this blog for a few months now, but I am already behind on my posts. I apologize to the faithful readers and promise to do better. Although I'm not sure what to write about in this particular post, it may just become a rambling of thoughts.

I was told that my blog has become quite the topic of discussion at a certain Law School. For those of you who are reading my blog in the interest of finding something to give C a hard time about - this one's for you... (and for the rest of you, find a new hobby)

I am going to recall the experience of my first kiss with C. It's a hilarious story actually, but requires some background information. C and I met while serving as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. While as a missionary, you don't date or really even 'look' at the opposite sex with an inquisitive eye. C and I became very good friends because we were both serving in the same district and had weekly meetings. We were also the only missionaries within about a 150 miles of rural Vermont. C came home from his mission 7 months before I did. I came home from my mission and shortly after, moved to UT to finish my education - we decided to get together. After the first of the year in 2004 we started seeing each other more regularly. I was still somewhat hesitant about getting involved in a serious relationship and to be honest, I felt like C was only hanging out with me because he felt sorry for me. I used to refer to myself as his 'service project', although he consistently reminded me I was not. I believe it was sometime in January, we had gone to a basketball game with some of our friends; to support his team, he was wearing his favorite Utah hat. That evening, we were sitting on the couch at his parents house just talking and watching television. I was going to say good -bye and I saw him turn his hat around backwards, so the bill wouldn't get in the way (not obvious at all). He could tell I was nervous because I wasn't really sure if I ready for our relationship to go in that direction. He said, "it's not against the rules anymore" and kissed me.

We are about to celebrate our 4 year anniversary and it's been a blast. I think the first year was definitely tough just adjusting to living with a boy, but we've really learned and changed a lot and I'm happy.