The Move: Part II and I Feel Like I'm Home

THE MOVE: PART II

We went to Yosemite! Here's the sum-up: GORGEOUS! BEAUTIFUL! AMAZING! LOVE IT! And now here's the longer version:

We got up at our leisure on Saturday morning (April 5th). I was sad to miss conference, especially with it being a Solemn Assembly and all... luckily, we watched it earlier this week. I still have more to watch, though!

Anyways, we drove to Yosemite, had a great time, ate a picnic lunch, saw a cool movie about Yosemite, hiked to a few amazing waterfalls (easy, easy hikes), and just loved it! By the time we hit the road, it was almost 5PM --we drove straight to Reno and checked into another hotel by 10PM. Here are just a few pictures for your viewing pleasure! Click on them if you want to see them bigger...

 
                
    

    
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This weekend was our Ward Conference. For our ward here in Provo. Obviously. Since that's our ward now. However, our ward in Concord was having a super-duper-laugh-until-you-pee-your-pants party, and we totally moved one week too soon. If you think I'm kidding, go read this. I'm totally jealous!

Anyway, it was Ward Conference this weekend. We got a flyer on our door on Friday (or Thursday?) mentioning Ward Temple night at the Provo Temple for last night (Sat). They were offering child-care at the church, too! Whoo-hoo! Of course, we were very excited to go. Ward Temple night in this ward of ours has always been quite amazing, especially when it's "planned" (as in we meet together in a room before the session). One time, there were about 150 people who showed up! Last night, there was about 65 or more --we're on Spring Break, so a lot of families are out of town. Anyway, it was the best feeling in the world, walking into that room, everyone dressed in white, and knowing everyone (except for maybe one or two couples that had moved in during this last year). It honestly was like coming home. Everyone we encountered were thrilled to see us (I know, that sounds cocky, but I'm just tellin' it like it is!). What a wonderful feeling to be so loved! It was quite overwhelming. 

I sat next to our RS president during the session (her daughter is one of my dearest friends), and it was so comfortable being around her and all the other women that had meant so much to me. Women that had made blankets for my babies. Women that had watched my children. Women that had helped clean my house, served in callings with me, brought me meals, cried with me... And the men! Men who had helped us when our house had problems. Men who home taught us. Men who were always willing to help. Men who served without reservation. These men and women were a part of my life for so long, and now I was back with them. 

Then, as soon as we got back home that night, I had a message from another lady in our ward, begging me to come sing with the ward choir the next day. Some people didn't even know we were back yet, and still, here I was, already being put to work! It was such a perfect ending to the night. 

This morning, in church, our ward conference was wonderful. Our former Bishop is now our Stake President. Our more recent former Bishop is one of his counselors. Our Stake President spoke and in his talk he related how he and his wife, although they had tried several times to move closer to his workplace (SLC), knew that they were supposed to be in our ward. Not because of any callings. Not because of any financial reasons. Because they were supposed to be with the people of this ward. 

That hit me like a ton of bricks. 

Remember this post? Remember how I didn't want to come back? Remember? Well, I think those fears have been alleviated. It's almost as if we have been on this amazing vacation for a year. It honestly feels that way. But the best part? I'm coming back as a different person. I'm thinner (people keep mentioning it! Either I look really good, or I was really fat...), I'm happier, I'm more responsible, I'm less lazy (if that's possible), and I'm more determined to get-up-and-go. My marriage has also improved ten-fold. Honestly? This year has been such a blessing for Brandon and I, and I know he agrees. 

So, there you go! I'm home and I'm happy. That doesn't mean I wouldn't be thrilled with another adventure down the road, but for now, I'm content. And that, dear reader, is the best feeling of all...