WOW!!!

Has it REALLY been like 4 months since I last posted anything?!!! A sure sign that I have been too busy. I feel like time has just skipped ahead. I can't bring myself to admit that 4 months have passed by without me accounting for any of it. Sheesh!

I have definitely had some crazy things going on and some very wonderfully fun experiences too. Number 2 daughter decided to transfer colleges and on the first of January her Dad and I took her to her new school. . . .







She is having entirely too much fun while there and I wonder if she is getting any studying done at all. But I know that she's in a better place than where she was before. She is forming some wonderful friendships and NEVER complains about the weather!!




We also got to visit with one of Roland's good friends from his mission. Well, from "our" mission. They were never companions, but they were in the same apartment a couple of different times. It's nice to have a "local" to show you around.






One of my favorite things was going to a local Farmer's Market. We got to sample a lot of really yummy local food. Most of the vendors spoke Japanese. I felt a wierd nostalgia as we walked around, eating Japanese food, talking Japanese. I think I could live in Hawaii and be totally at home. I would, however, really miss being able to jump in the car and drive to the next state. . .or through 4 or 5 states to go see my loved ones in Washington! And I wouldn't like being stuck on an island with the Tsunami-warning sirens blaring with nowhere to really go to! (Sure grateful that everything worked out for Hawaii. Sending prayers out to the people of Chili).


I thoroughly enjoyed the week we spent in Hawaii. We saw turtles swimming in the water, we watched sunsets and sunrises, ate some of the best food, relaxed and soaked up all the sun we could to help us make it through the rest of the winter. Our family and friends in Colorado were dealing with subzero temperatures and we were hanging out on the beach making memories!



Digging for crabs.....Caught one!

Right before we went over there was a big surfing contest where the waves were 50+ feet high. Incredible. Up on the North Shore a lot of the beaches were closed due to high waves. It was awesome to me to stand there and watch these huge waves. The power of God. . .amazing. I felt very small and insignificant. Yet, in my heart I know that I am not insignificant at all. I stood there recognizing His power and feeling His love fill my heart. It was cool


I think my favorite images that I was able to get are of the sunrises and sunsets that we saw. The following sunrise pictures were taken from Hau'ula. It was one of the most peaceful mornings I've had for a long time. Beautiful. Such an artist, our Heavenly Father!







There are so many more pictures that I wish I could share. We had such a wonderful experience. Although this isn't the first time we've been to Hawaii, I feel like I saw it through new eyes. Last time we went, I was pregnant with Kyle. I wasn't so into the whole "I'm a photographer" thing and I missed so much of the beauty because I hadn't learned to see it yet. I'm so grateful for all the experiences I have had in the past 10 years that have helped me to be more sensitive to God's beauty and love and whisperings. My testimony of Him was increased as I spent time admiring His work and felt keenly of His love for me as an individual and for all of His children. It is a marvelous thing to behold!

Thanks for reading and looking and indulging my ego.

If, by chance, you would like to see more pictures just let me know. Also, know that any of my scenic pictures can be made in to fine art prints, bookmarks, greeting cards and other things like that. Just let me know if you're interested.

Smiles and hugs to you. . . . Patti

A Rejuvenating Day

Today I went to the temple after a 4-month unwanted (and completely unwelcomed) hiatus. I’ve been feeling myself needing to go for quite awhile, but have not gone due to my work schedule and crazy, busy life that I’ve had since starting working at The Picture People back in August. Although I am grateful for the job and appreciate that they hired me back on, I am already feeling that it is not where I belong long-term. I have to work too many nights and too many Sundays. And although even one Sunday a month would be “too many” I’m currently suppose to work 2 a month. So 50% of the time, I don’t get to go to Church. Add that to not teaching Seminary, not going to the temple weekly, slacking on my scripture study and prayers, not getting my Visiting Teaching done, and the list could actually go on and on. . .I have been in somewhat of a downward spiral these last few months as far as my spirituality goes. And it has had me feeling very concerned. I am not the same person I was 6 months ago and I do not like who I am becoming. I feel an old, familiar but undesirable, rebellious nature being brought back to the surface. I have felt quite frustrated a lot lately and feel an internal fight going on as I try to come to terms with where I am at and what I am responsible for.

Tuesday, I was feeling pretty down about everything. I had been thinking about the branch balanced on the rocks a lot. And I contemplated what it is that I need to do differently so that I could, once again, be balanced. I did a simple checklist with the basic Seminary answers. To be “balanced on the Rock” one must read the scriptures, pray, attend Church meetings, serve, be obedient to qualify for the Holy Ghost’s protection and guidance. As I pondered this list, I was embarrassed and humbled to see the glaring reality. No wonder my spirituality was suffering. I was struggling in every area.

During this time of frustration for me, my dear friend Lynn called. I felt bad because I’m sure she called to share something from her life and I turned the call into something completely about me. I shared my frustrations. My concerns. And I also think I scared her some because I was, at the time, feeling pretty apathetic towards making things better. She gave me some firm, but loving, advice to do the things that I knew I should do. She also reminded me of a talk from the most recent General Conference that I should read called "Preserving the Heart's Mighty Change". I read it and knew immediately that she was inspired to tell me about it. It was exactly what I needed. I’ve read it like 5 times since Tuesday! And it gives me hope, encouragement and strength. Here's a link to the talk: http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1117-31,00.html

The temple today gave me a spiritual rejuvenation that I so needed. I felt the Lord’s love for me and I was given answers to my prayers. Which, really, just sort of amazes me. How quick He is to come running to my rescue. Even before the words can be formed and leave my lips, the Savior is there to hear me and to respond to me. Before I am fully aware of the cliff that I am about to fall over, He is standing at ready to catch me and save me from my demise! I am so unworthy. Yet He is there. I have such a rebellious nature sometimes and yet, He loves me. He believes in me. He saves me. How can I ever be worthy of all He gives?!

I am so grateful for the time I spent in the temple today. I know that there are many things I must do to bring myself back to where I need to and want to be spiritually. I received some wonderful gifts today. I went into the session asking for strength, courage and wisdom. I came away with all of the above.

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me!!!