Shackles, Security Guards, and Servants

Today as Tyler and I made our rounds on the assigned hospital floors, it seemed as if everyone was asleep! The last thing that I would want to do is wake someone up while they're in the hospital, so we usually make a mark on our list, and keep going. We'll come back around at least 2 more times, so hopefully we'll catch them at some point. One part of the protocol is when you enter a room, a person of same gender as the patient goes in first, then invites their spouse in with the patient's permission. But today, it seemed as if all of our patients were male, so Tyler took the reigns most of the time.
We came back to a particular room for the second time (the patient had been in with doctors previously) and since he was male, Tyler knocked and entered first. A security guard sat on one side of the bed, and as Tyler introduced himself, the patient shifted his weight to look at Tyler. He pulled off the mask (you wear a little clear one when they need to give you more oxygen) and gasped out, "I'm an inmate, so I can't have the sacrament, but I would really like a blessing." With the security guard's permission, I entered the room, to find the older man chained and shackled to the hospital bed. A member of the branch presidency had come with us, and he helped to administer to this man, who told us of an operation that he would be having shortly.
Its interesting to know that despite the choices this man had made which partially qualified him for his particular position in life, he still had faith and wanted to participate as much as he could. It helped me to grasp at a deeper definition of faith-and to hear the words that God loves all of His children-that we can always learn that He loves us, despite our silly attitudes, or our constant mistakes-to know that we are all the same in the sense that we too need to remember that fully relying upon the Lord and ultimately exercising that particle of faith should be an ultimate goal. It doesn't matter what our profession, where we live, who we are around, or what clothes we wear - what really matters is the strength of the relationship we have with our Heavenly Father. In the end, that relationship will determine all of the aforementioned characteristics, and ultimately, our character. I love this calling. How marvelous to be a servant for the Lord.

Extreme Makeover-Home Edition

If you ever want to feel touched....watch this clip. There are a bunch more, so click on one after another. I watched this particular episode one Friday and when Tyler walked in the door, he glanced at the couch only to find me bawling my eyes out, a box of tissues keeping me company, and all I could say was, "i so happy!" haha It just emphasizes having a charitable heart. Love it.

epi-fany?

epiphany.... that word is pretty funny - i get a few of those every so often. this week has been CrAzY and I am so happy that is over...but here's the catch....

-When life gets so busy, I always find a million other things that I would rather do then the things I need to be doing. Then, when days like today roll around....all I want to do it sit and think. But all I've been doing is thinking!!!!! Why is that?

-Also, on a more subtle note, sometimes I get a little of out wack with balance. Sometimes I like to think about how life really works. What should I do? Service instead of studying? Or study instead of playing wife :) Its really interesting. Somedays I do better than other and can maintain that balance.
Overall, I finally came to this conclusion. Its not how many acts of service that you do that gets you into the Celestial Kingdom, nor is it how good your grades are, etc, that gets you there either. Its the process of doing both that qualifies you to be the person that the Lord wants you to become, as you listen to His guidance while doing the activities that He places in your life.

It seems so interesting to me that we re-learn the gospel over and over again, just in new ways each time. Something strikes a different chord each time-I like this process...I'm just starting to get used to it.

Now to sit here and think of what to do next...enjoy your weekend!!!!

change...will it be good or bad?!

I think this trend is inevitable-I think once girls get married, we all inevitably cut our hair!!!! So, I'm sick of my long-ish hair, and want to cut it!!! Who's freaked out? I am!! So I know this is random...but I'm going to throw this out there-let me know what you think!!!

I would love to cut my hair to my shoulders/collar bone-I have to have my hair back all day every day and since my hair is naturally curly, getting it straight sometimes is tricky! I think if its shorter, then I'll actually have to do it......YIKES. And what about bangs? Hm. I don't know! Also, if you guys have pics of short haircuts, send 'em my way at lilbebedoll19@gmail.com!!!

Thanks-I'll post the results in just under two weeks!!!! Then we'll vote again!

ICE ICE BABY

Tomorrow Night.
2 Performers.
Holla back '90's era.
If the 80's can make a comeback....
so can they.

The Ground Houndz (Ty's break-dancing crew) are lighting up the stage.
Alongside....
Well, hold your computer up to the mirror and love my life.
I need to go buy some pants.....guess what kind!

I Hope They Call Me on a Mission.....

We got called to serve! Not exactly in the way you would think, but it is truly an amazing opportunity. Most callings in the church are for the individual - I have a lot of opinions about how service makes one feel needed, blessed and valued by the Lord, etc. Not a lot of callings, however, are "couple-callings." Those are saved for the Senior Missionaries, perhaps Mission Presidents, etc. So, last week we were released from our callings - sorry, no more funny Sunbeam moments for the time being - and were set apart to serve in the University Care Center Branch.
We take the sacrament around to all those in the Univ. of Utah hospital who ask for it, give comfort to all those in need, and when people from other religious faiths haven't been visited, we extend a hand to them and offer to contact a member of their clergy, etc. Its a non-proselyting call, and offers the warmth and palpable presence of the spirit. I wanted to cry in almost every room I walked into today - comforting the sick and afflicted has always been near and dear to my heart. I did this same thing with my dad when I was only 4-5yrs old. Its almost like returning back to something familiar, having chosen your companion to be with you in this service. We give blessings, comfort family, and just bear witness that God does not forget His people. It is such a blessing to watch Tyler exercise his priesthood to bless the lives of those that are in dire need of guidance, comfort, and healing blessings from the Lord.
We are going to grow so much. Today was a miraculous day.
To top it off, our coat rack (rod-thingy) broke, leaving our closet a mess, I broke one of my most cherished wedding gifts and cut my finger on it, and all this just to tidy up the house for our home-teachers. I had to blog about something wonderful because this afternoon didn't go as planned, but the 4 hours of church were absolutely amazing.

As are my flowers. Ty is pretty awesome. We eventually had 10 blooms going, and then both became slightly allergic, so spread the love by giving them to another couple :) I love it when gifts really do keep on giving.

The Medical Branch (our new calling) will be full of some wonderful stories....

The King's English

I. Am. A. Nerd. And I love it-if you give me a good book, I'll fall inside of it and won't come out until I'm certain that the next 4 pages can wait, reluctantly returning to reality. Today, Ty and I had the chance to spend some quality time together and he decided that he would take me there, to my surprise! Neither of us had ever been and were breathlessly taken aback by the simple grace and awe that the shop radiates. If you could picture the most picturesque, liberating, contemporary, and all out intriguing shop, this would be it, located in Sugar House, here in the good ol' SLC area.

The King's English Bookshop 1511 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84105

Their bathroom is labeled "The Loo" and their literary sections are decked out with cool things like this: the book "Ten Minutes To Relax - Meditation" was sitting on a tiny, but larger than barbie size, red love seat on the shelf - how rad is that? The displays are breathtakingly creative, like a breath of fresh air or the glimpse of omniscient sunshine - you'll never go back to Barnes & Noble again.

Couldn't every day just be this grand!?

-Just a side note: do you ever read children's books about history? Well, if not, you should. The authors have a way of hiding more truths in less words that strike you, powerfully impacting what you think you know. Pick up this book - spend 10 minutes reading its 70 or less pages, in graceful free verse, and become educated. Its inspiring. Its title : T4.

This week sucked. Lilies don't. Love this boy. Happy Thursday Me!

A Very Delaware Valentine!

Today was long. The past few weeks have been interesting concerning the kids I go to school with, projects, and I just got my clinical rotation schedule-just slightly nerve-wrecking = I have to remember everything I've ever learned...haha
So, I had a huge exam on Monday, another one tomorrow, and one on Friday. Not too bad (we have 5 the week before Spring Break, and 3 of them are on a Friday). But, Tyler worked from 7-7 today and if you leave me alone for too long, I get just a little bonkers, which I think I've mentioned before. Anyway, I was studying, focused, and when Tyler opened to door-I just looked up and to my surprise, a blue box from the magical land of Delaware was in his arms! I LOVE MY MOM!
We got little bags of Teddy Grahams that said "Bear Hugs for Tyler" love Mom Campbell! She's so creative! I have always loved Valentines day, especially when I moved out-my mom just makes the coolest stuff that makes you giddy like a little child! How else do you want to spend a Holiday?!

There was a really cool pattern in the box that folds up to be an airplane - it says, "Tyler, you're just 'plane' cool!" My mom has the most adorable sense of humor, doesn't she!? This one is rad - its a little twizzler vine that goes from DE to UT - From Coast to Coast, you're the one I love the most!
My mom cut out these hands out of that foam stuff and put a travel size lotion (I think its lavender scented!) in-between the two! haha Apparently, I deserve a hand!

I think this has to be my all time fav! My mom made an iPod out of those conversation hearts (at least, I think that's what's inside!) and it has string & little Reces Peanut Butter Cups for headphones! hahaha There's also a Valentines' Day Playlist listed - I giggled for a good 15 minutes! There's so much cool stuff in the box, and just to be remembered and to know that someone cares - what more could you ask for?

What's your favorite Valentines' trinket?!

so this is love

Don't know what to do for dinner this weekend? I had the same dilemma last weekend, and since we're on a saving money kick, I decided to make something special instead! THESE ARE TO DIE FOR. Seriously. This is what my friend Chelsey calls "Smothered Burritos" DELISH.

"The Sauce of Smothered Burritos"
-2 large boneless pork chops
-1/2 large yellow onion
-1/2 cup of chopped fresh cilantro
-10 cloves of garlic (I used 2...but you could definitely use more)
-1 can of Campbell's cream of chicken soup
-1 7oz can of diced green chilies
-dash of garlic powder
-pinch of red pepper flakes

Cube the pork chops, chop the onion, chop the cilantro, mince/chop the garlic.
Add a thin layer of olive oil to a med-large saucepan.
Brown the pork chops, add the onion and garlic, allow pork and onions to cook through.
Add 1 cup of water and the cilantro.
Simmer for 10 minutes.
Add the can of soup, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Stir, then add the whole can of green chilies (not drained).
Stir, and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
Salt and pepper to taste.

-If you are brave, you can use jalapenos instead of green chilies
-if the sauce seems too thick, add a bit of water.
-For the burritos, I usually stuff a large tortilla with re-fried beans, cheese, and little bit of sauce. Then, when the burrito is wrapped, I smother it with the sauce, put a generous helping of cheese on top and pop it in the microwave to melt the cheese.

I loved every minute of eating this! Our house smelled like a fancy restaurant and my fingers smelled of fresh cilantro for the next 3 days. Ah....sooooo yummy! It takes about 45 minutes to cook everything, and let me tell you - it is so worth it! Let me know what you think!!!