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An Update and My Thoughts

Talking to Kelly makes me very happy. I'm grateful that she and Andrew are safe. Have I mentioned that yet? I've come to understand something. Heavenly Father blesses us in ways we don't understand. In talking with her, I can hear things she hasn't said. "Why would God save our apartment and our things and leave our friends and others with nothing?" That would be my thoughts as well. But, I think I have a portion of the answer. Kelly and Andrew have opened their home to their friends. They have fed them, sheltered them, and have been able to help them clean up and salvage what they can. That, I think, is a tremendous thing. They are both very service oriented people. They think of others before themselves. Heavenly Father has given them the opportunity to serve in a very unique way. They have been working very hard all day everyday since the tornado. They are tired. Kelly said that she just wishes she could be studying and taking her finals. I'm sure she never thought she would say that. She said she never wants to do this again. Who would? But, she said it's been amazing seeing all of the kind acts around her. People have come in from serveral different states to volunteer to help. Volunteers at the hospitals have been turned away because they were already full. Kelly and a friend were walking down the street to get something to eat and a man in a truck stopped and gave them each two big bags of groceries.
I know events such as these can bring out the good and the bad in people, but it's so wonderful to see how much good can come of it. What I see is mostly good. I'm so grateful for people who give of themselves without even thinking about it. It's a wonderful thing.

Speaking of giving of themselves, our troops made an interesting discovery yesterday. And they shot and killed that discovery. Osama bin Ladan. The very name makes me cringe. He was the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks, and many many other horrific things. He's been elusive for the past ten years, hiding in caves and such. But we caught him. Now he's dead. The president gave a speach last night giving the details of how it happened. Apparently he was the one to find him. He was the one who risked his life going to the place Osama was hidden and he was the one who pulled the trigger. Not really. That's just the way he made it seem. I'm glad that terrorist has finally been delt with, but the way Obama seemed to take credit for the whole thing just disgusted me. His approval rating has been dropping and I can't help but wonder if he's using this as a way to boost that. In fact, I don't wonder at all. That's exactly what he's doing. I know that it takes the permission of the Cheif to execute a military plan, but he kept saying "I", not "we". I'm so thankful for the many people who have given their lives in the fight against terrorism and who have been diligent and patriotic. I just wish we had a president who was made from the same stock as they. He did thank the troops and their families for their sacrifice, but it was tainted in my mind. If he wasn't so bent on getting his ratings up, it would have been a really nice speech. As you can see, I'm not particularly a fan of Mr. President.

Despite all of that, it's a good day. One of the most evil and vile people on earth has been killed.

"I've never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure". -Mark Twain

Ruby Slippers

This is what you would call a tornado. Not just any tornado, an F5 tornado, which is the highest rating a tornado gets. It swept through Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where, it just so happens, my sister Kelly and her husband Andrew live, at 6 pm on Thursday April 27th. It blew one block away from Kelly, as she was huddled in her bathroom, trying to talk to Andrew on the phone. He couldn't hear her over the enormous sound of the wind. It was so close. She could hear glass breaking and the roof creaking. Her apartment building was shaking and she could hear trees being slammed to the ground. When it had passed, she walked out of the bathroom (which had no windows, smart girl) expecting to find her apartment demolished. It was, thanks be to God, in one piece. She walked outside to see the neighborhood across the street from her completely flattened.
Andrew was on his way home from Birmingham. He had to park outside Tuscaloosa and walk the remaining two miles home. There was too much debris on the roads. But he made it home to Kelly safe and sound.
I can't imagine experiencing something like that. Kelly said the sound was terrifying, and she was experiencing this all alone. She's a strong woman. I'm thankful to my Father in Heaven that they are safe. It makes me sick thinking how close it got to Kelly.
With Kelly and Andrew living in Alabama, I had some slight worries that a tornado would touch down there. But I always imagined it to be one of those skinny little tornadoes. Never did I think a mile wide twister would rampage through their little city. I still just can't believe it. It's like, these things should only exist in the movies. I can't put into words how grateful I am that they are safe.

One of the Greatest Guys in the World

I decided, since we only have a year left here in Cleveland, that I should write about the wonderful people we have met. Today, I'm going to start with this awesome young man, Leonard Tarver.

One Sunday, the missionaries called us and asked us to pick up someone who was interested in going to our church. We said we would. We got to his house and when Leonard walked out, I looked at him then at our car, and back to him.

"I don't think he's going to fit", I said while scooting my seat up as far as I could. I said hello with my knees under my chin. Leonard is about 10 feet tall. Just kidding, he only seems that tall. He's about 6'7". He got in the car and right away, I knew this was somebody special.

Leonard with Elder Jensen and Elder Saxton, the best missionaries ever, (I'll talk about those two later) on his baptism day.

Leonard got baptized not long after he was introduced to the LDS church. He has lived his testimony to the utmost, and is such an amazing example. He told us that he was invited to try out for the Cleveland Cavaliers recruitment team. He was so excited. He found out the try-outs were going to be held on a Sunday. He knew that he would be compromising his beliefs and faith if he were to go through with it, so he decided not to try out. That is tremendous faith in action. I get choked up whenever I think about that.

He moved to Pittsburgh a few months ago, and we have missed him so much. He was in church last Sunday and it was really good to see him. He gave me a big hug (I hugged his waist). That made me so happy. He's preparing to go on a mission now. He's 25, so that is quite a sacrafice for him to leave. He's so kind and thoughtful. And he's funny. I wish him all the best. He deserves it. Seriously.

Still?!?

This is what it looks like outside of my window, at this very moment...

I wish those were warm blossoms atop those branches, but alas...
cold snow is perched, if beautifully where blossoms should be.

Spring, I know I'm impatient, but seriously, you really need to get here like yesterday. Winter is just sticking around way too long. It has worn out it's welcome. Come on now, I thought we were buddies.

D.R. Through The Lens of a Camera

La Republica Dominicana

Elementary School Artwork of the Dominican Republic

Dentists and Student dentists working in the D.R.

(My Baby)

Yes, I'm pulling a tooth!

More to come...

Ketchup!

I haven't blogged in a while, and I've left a lot of things unblogged. So, here are a bunch of pictures. We've had a good couple months.

(Halloween 2010, best costumes ever, I think)

My first ever pie crust. I made two pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving.
They were tasty, If I do say so myself.

Our Thanksgiving table. We spent Thanksgiving with my little sis Kelly and her hubby Andrew
who live in Alabama. It was so good to be with them.

I made this apron for Ryan's mother for Christmas. It was involved!
A lot more than I thought it would be. But it was so much fun to make. :)

My nephew pretty much had my attention the whole time we were home for Christmas.
I've been blessed with very cute and good nieces and nephews. I wish they were all there
(my nieces and one nephew are in Japan), but I had so much fun with this one. :)
He got a new tricycle and loved it. It has Buzz Lightyear on it and he loves Buzz.
He kept pointing to the picture on the tricycle and saying "Buzz. Buzz." He is the most friendly and personable little kid I've ever met. He's only two and he's already super smart. I just loved being able to be there and seeing him. He can cheer anyone up, he's so cute.

Cutest picture ever!!!

More pictures coming soon, which may or may not include this super cute kid.

More Aquarium Pictures

(Dragon Fish. They look fake. Awesome!)

(Albino Gator)

(Me being a fish; and it looks like I took some of the Cleve with me to Atlanta)

(Majestic Beluga Whales. I could watch them all day)

(Yup, that's a Whale Shark)

(A Whale Shark that's eating)

(I don't know what these worm fish things are, but they were awesome. They stuck in
the sand and just waved back and forth in the water)



(I'm pretty proud of this picture, I gotta say)

What animal am I?
Winner gets... good thoughts.

Aquarium at Atlanta

If you ever get the chance to go to Atlanta
I highly recommend visiting the aquarium there
(I do not, however, recommend The Varsity. Everyone thinks
it's a big deal and delicious, it was NOT).
It was beautiful and very well done.












More later...