Even, Red, VT

In 2008 I moved to TX.  I was blessed to live with my brother and his family.  They are great.  But I didn't really feel like I had friends.  Don't get me wrong, family can be amazing friends, but we weren't exactly hanging in the same circles.  I felt lonely.  Then one night I was with a bunch of people my age at a church thing and I made a friend.  Super nice girl with red hair.  She was my sanity while I was in TX.  When I was super poor, she fed me.  When I was emotional, she listened to my rants.  When I just needed to get away, she let me spend the night.  Such an amazing person.  Later, she was asked to be my Visiting Teacher.  (Don't know what that means?  Go here)  Today, we are still friends.  Well... our lives have gotten busy, we both have moved multiple times, had kids, gotten busy, had lives, so we don't really communicate that much, but she is still amazing, and I know if she lived down the street we would still be tight.

2010 I moved to ID.  My first week going to church, I met a girl who introduced herself to me because I sound just like my sister who lives in MO.  This girl was from MO, and being the kind girl she is, invited me over for dinner with some friends.  There I met a girl with red hair.  We both had husbands who worked nights.  We both wanted a friend to spend time with.  And we had each other.  We would get together and talk about nothing and everything.  We'd laugh, we'd have fun.  It was perfect.  We'd go shopping together, cook together, drive the other person around when one person was locked out of their house, and share our problems with each other. We became good friends.  Later she was asked to be my Visiting Teacher.  Even though I have moved from ID we still find times to see each other.  (It helps that I live on the way to her sister's house.)  She is a blessing in my life and I am glad to know her.

2012 I moved to my current location.  My first week at church I met a kind lady with red hair.  She invited me to play group the following Wed.  Then she invited me to come visit her at home.  She often feeds me, tells me jokes, and keeps me informed on the goings on in our city.  She has become a great friend.  Recently, she was asked to be my Visiting Teacher.  And again, I feel blessed.

Something about this pattern of even years, red hair, and visiting teaching is too much to be a coincidence.  I am so glad that I am being looked after.  I am so glad that Heavenly Father has put people in my lives to bless me.  I'm not sure why they are all red heads (though one was from a box) but it's a fun little trait.

It makes me happy.

Well That Was Fun!

So, Hod's car died.  After some wonderful interest free help from my dear parents, we now have this:

Our very own 2004 Mazda 6 wagon.  We are so happy with our purchase.  Now I don't have to worry about Hod's car quitting while he drives home late at night.  That's just scary!

Tuesday, Hod and I decided to make a quick trip to see his parents.  I had never been to where Hod grew up before, and it was pretty fun!  But, can I just share, WOW, they are some giving people.  Let me show you what I came home with.

Shoes:  2 pair.  The first pair is a pair of heels.  I would show you a picture, but they are in the car with Hod at his work, so I can't.  But let us look at the second pair.  They can almost be seen here ... Only make the top red part going around the bottom pink, and the bottom red part going around the bottom yellow.  Seriously, I remember watching Punky Brewster as a kid, and I loved it.  Now I have her shoes!  Big thanks to Mom-in-Law.  She's so nice to buy me shoes!


Coat:  Ok, Look at this:

Now imagine it Black.  It was pretty great.  It goes like this: my coat is old.  As in I got it for the winter of '98-'99.  It's worked well for me.  I wore it my entire mission.  And it has character.  But it kind of wasn't so super effective anymore.  I was super warm as long as I was wearing a sweatshirt or poofy sweater under it.  Hod and I had plans to get me a coat in the spring when they were all super cheap.  Until then, I would just wear layers.  Hey, they're in fashion!  Yesterday, Hod, Me, Mom-in-law, and Sister-in-law (I need to come up with some more names) were shopping.  I saw some coats, and we looked at them, and I liked them, but we just couldn't afford them.  If we hadn't spent $500 on our car this month, it would have helped a lot.  Well, a few months ago, Sis-in-law and her hubby decided that they wanted to save up some money to help someone for Christmas.  They had prayed and tried to find out who they should help, but they hadn't come up with anyone.  So they were just waiting, hoping they would know who to help.  After we got home from the Mall, SIL called her husband and talked to him.  She then took me and Hod back to buy me a coat, and Hod some new shoes that he needs.  And according to her, we were SUPER close to the amount her and her husband had saved up.  Yeah for inspiration!

THEN Hod noticed that MIL had a bright red shine-y thing that I happened to want, sitting in her garage.  He mentioned to MIL that I really wanted said item.  She decided that since she wasn't using it, that she wanted to give it to me.  (If you don't already have envy, I think you're about to)

Are you super jealous??

Really, I don't even know how to talk about how blessed I feel.  All of this, with the present Mom and Dad gave us, we're going to be able to pay our rent this month!  And I don't have to be cold anymore.  And I have shoes that don't hurt my feet, and Hod has shoes he can wear to church, and I can bake!

So, here is a shout out to all of my wonderful family members who bless our lives every day.  THANK YOU!!!!  Hod and I have had some hard months, and it has seemed that no matter what we do, we just can't get ahead.  But with everyone in our lives, we are going to make it!!

THANK YOU ALL!!!

Friends, Holidays, and Snack Food

Hello Bucket friends! How are you all? I have a ton-o-thoughts running around my head. (Anyone else think that sounds strangely like some sort of carnival ride? Ton-O-Thoughts.... Hmmm...)

This week I was able to go see one of my dear friends. He is entering the MTC on Wed. That is so soon! This friend... who really needs some sort of name... let's call him... Archie. I don't know why we are calling him Archie, but that is what I picked. Anyway, Archie and I met at the MTC. He was my district leader. Does that seem confusing? That he was my district leader in the MTC, but he is going back to the MTC on Wed? Yeah, it is kind of strange. Archie went to the MTC, actually went to NY with me, and then for multiple reasons went home. He's been through a lot in the past 3 years, but he decided to go back. It hasn't been an easy process, but he got another mission call (to the NYRM) and he is about to leave. Can I just share how much I love friends? I had the chance to go and visit him and do lunch. My cute niece (who some call Sweetie) was with me. We had a wonderful 2 hour conversation about missions, doctrine, prayer, repentance, good talks, faith promoting experiences and the like. I am so excited for Archie. He is going to have an amazing time. Heavenly Father really does know what is supposed to happen when. His timing is perfect. And I am glad that he has control over my life.

I've also been able to spend a lot of time with family in the last 2 weeks. Aren't they great? I am always amazed at how wonderful all of my family members are. I feel very blessed.

And on a totally unrelated note: I am overly addicted to some snack foods. Ritz crackers and Utz Cheese Puffs to be exact. I mean, I like other foods too, but those are my current addictions. For an example on how I like to eat them, I turn you to the great wisdom who is Brian Regan.