Wow, what a day! Tears streaming down my cheeks. I am not sure I'm ready or capable of being ready to deal with..... I've been feeling a little delusional since about mile 13!
I woke up at 4:15 to feed S, and get ready and out the door by 5:05 a.m.. Drove to starting line, parked at the temple, praying for the blessings of the endowment for me and my family especially this day! Wished on wishing stars for Liesl to the start line. Didn't call B, only texted, trying to save my phone battery so I could listen to conference later. I did get a call from my Mom xoxox and talked to her for a minute. I was grateful to hear her voice, and needed her encouragement.
even if I could run the second half as well as the first, I would be within 10 minutes of a 5 hour marathon. Bummer. I was a bit deflated, and struggling with the mind games of a marathon! That lasted for... too many miles! Finally by 21 I decided that I needed a swift kick in the pants! I stopped, took a picture of the beauty around me so I could see all the miracles - including a slight tail wind for most the morning I did say prayers of gratitude for! I took the picture, texted mostly for S and B at home to know about where I was at and check in with them. Then I worked on my phone again, hoping to get conference on it. I had turned it on previously around the top of Snow Canyon but it was about 9:48 and the station that began playing was a VERY inappropriate male explicit ad. I decided that the evil was so trying to attack, that this wouldn't even surprise me to have them trying to see ads like this right in front of the most spiritual program on for the last six months! I pulled the ear bud from my ear, deciding to just wait until 10 so conference would be live, and I could find it. Well, the ads got worse, and I stopped again to turn it off because they were so wrong! So now at the top of the hill after taking the picture, it is 10:38 and I find conference - Yea! I missed the first 38 minutes, but I heard Elder Cook talk about families, and something about an announcement that had been made by President Monson that morning. I couldn't tell what, but he referenced it often. Then Sister Dibbs spoke about "I'm a Mormon. I know it, I live it. I Love it!" Then a couple of members of the Quorum of the Seventy, including Elder Bowen. He told about a baby dying in his mission, and the preparation for an event that would happen later in his life. He then shared about his son who had been born 6 years prior, but had died at just 8 months old. I wept. I stopped once again, huddling over a street barricade, and called my kids! Begging them to check on each one individually! They assured me they were all watching conference doing good. I could tell that something was happening with my family, but I had no idea what or with who! Yes, the spirit was preparing me. I was grateful to have the team at home tell me everything was ok, and I told them how much I love them! So, then I got back to conference and my marathon! At that point I was now within 4.5 miles from the finish line. I connected to conference again, turning it on on my phone. This time, I only heard Elder Ballard restate that President Monson had announced that the young men could now serve at the age of 18 and the girls at the age of 19. That was it. Then my phone died!
I got there, turned my phone back on, and called S and team to find they had listened to all of conference as I had hoped they would, and were on their bikes, but were sad that I had finished and they weren't there. They were just at the church, and considered not coming into town at all, but they were already en route and had so looked forward to this journey! I encouraged them to come still! They did!. We linked up, my phone battery really on the end, but we were able to have enough power to talk very briefly one more time and find each other in that sea of 7200 runners and their support teams. I even clicked one picture as they rode their bikes up 400 E. towards me, tears of gratitude streaming down my face, but I can't find that it saved to my phone. I know it turned off as I clicked, I had hoped I got it, it will forever be engraved on my mind! I am so blessed! The image of my children riding their bikes through a sea of cars, with little siblings in tow - so beautiful! Oh the places these young people are each going to go! I hope I can keep up with each of you! I adore you!
Drastic changes are taking place in my family! I am so grateful to have two young people, prepared, willing, and on their way in a totally new direction, following the call of the Prophet to serve the Lord!
I love you both so much! I am so humbled, grateful, and blessed to be your Mother! Thank you for blessing my life in so many ways!!!!!
Mid afternoon, L emailed me and insisted that she was going to hike out to the Hebrew University so we could skype Sunday morning. Yes, we need to talk about this! However she and C were emailing:
L to C 4:08 p.m.: What is happening? That was an unexpected announcement this morning... What are you thinking?
C to L 5:46 p.m.: I'm thinking that its awesome! I can't believe they changed the age requirements! It's going to be awesome. I am in SLC and found Jed's missionary tag from Taiwan when I was getting dressed and just couldn't resist not putting it on haha what are you thinking?
Smile Adventures... begin at HOME and carry love around the globe! I see this has been prepared since before the foundation of the world, and I am so grateful for each tender mercy/miracle worked for us! I also acknowledge that I am grateful on this day that I am human, and have limited abilities, I certainly can't even run the marathon without aid from above! I can not begin to fathom the details and extent of the adventure project being orchestrated by our Heavenly Father every moment!!!! Laus Deo. I want to be an instrument in His hand, and I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to be the mother to such outstanding young people on this earth during this the winding up scene of this earth! I love you each! Thank you for blessing my life! xoxoxoxox
1st - do you remember the pioneer story of Elizabeth Claridge titled "My Father Will Go" from our FHE files. Elizabeth lived in Nephi, Utah and was excited to welcome the prophet, Brigham Young to their town where he was going to speak. With other young ladies from her town, she sat on the front row in the full meetinghouse.
Near the end, President Young reached into his pocket and took out a piece of paper. He told the people that he was going to ask some families to go on a mission to Southern Utah. Everyone was silent in the building. No one wanted to sell his home and move to the hot, dry deserts of Southern Utah. Elizabeth sat very still as President Young read the names on the paper.
One of the names he read was Samuel Claridge, her father. Elizabeth didn't hear anything else that the prophet said. "Oh, no!" she thought. She did not want to leave her friends and her nice home. She did not want to go to Southern Utah. She started to cry. One of her friends asked her why she was crying. Her friend said that her father had been called to move to Southern Utah, too. But she was not crying because she knew that her father would not go. As Elizabeth listened to her friend, she looked back over her shoulder at her father. Her father was looking at President Young and smiling. Elizabeth knew that her father loved the prophet and that he would do what the prophet asked him to do. Elizabeth turned to her friend and said, "My father will go. Nothing could stop him. Our whole family will go." Then she started to cry again. This time Elizabeth was crying because she was happy. She was proud of her father and her family. She knew they would do what the prophet asked them to do.
Near the end, President Young reached into his pocket and took out a piece of paper. He told the people that he was going to ask some families to go on a mission to Southern Utah. Everyone was silent in the building. No one wanted to sell his home and move to the hot, dry deserts of Southern Utah. Elizabeth sat very still as President Young read the names on the paper.
Ok, a little history:
I was uneasy about running the marathon this morning!!! B is in SLC for the funeral (it was very strange) of his step brother's girlfriend Julie. It was decided that he would just stay up there and support C in his race today, Saturday.
That meant I was left here with the rest of this amazing team to handle lots of details - banners up, volunteering at the Dixie Center Marathon Expo, and then possibly running the marathon. We asked all the employees but D (who is still very stable on her foot - ugh) to volunteer yesterday at the expo, and B and I were both signed up to work 12-5 yesterday. So, I took S to help cover me because I had to help with kids here, I took little S on my back, and worked Friday until 4 at which time B and Sr and J had ridden their bike to the Dixie Center with the littles S and S in the trailer. They are so good! They then rode their bike to their tennis lessons at Tonaquint Park. They did great all afternoon here alone and then rode their bike in. Wew - I was a little worried, and prayed that they would be safe, and that we would really handle all the details of the day! Laus Deo! We made it with our Father's help, and the help of one diaper from a neighbor because we were totally out for So..! Not a way to have littlest S's fit her!
Ok, so then we had a package we finally had all ready, and needed to get to the post office before 5 - finally on it's way! Then I went to the store to get much needed diapers... except somehow with three little kids in the cart... I bought 2 watermelon some gatorade, and some pears, and bananas... but I didn't get the diapers home! So... I had to go back after I fed and bathed the kids, fed D and K (staying here to run the marathon) and then went back to the Dixie Center to pick up S who was volunteering until 10:00. Yes, we were at the grocery story at 11 last night! I wasn't ready at all to run this morning. I am more than a little emotional because I am spent, added to I only slept 1 1/2 hours last night. :) Oh, did I add that I started my glorious time of the month Friday morning. Details but that's a big deal for marathon day! Ugh!
Ok, so Miracles all the way! Every minute! I got around to finally check my Ipod that B had bought me new ear phones for and C had worked on a play list that would be better than last time I tried that! I realized sometime in the wee hours of the morning that I could only get FM radio on the Ipod. I checked on LDS.org to find where conference would be aired in St. George - of course only on AM channels. Then I was inspired to use my phone and listen over the internet - L can get it on the other side of the world, so can I! I found an AM radio app and downloaded it. I found the St. George channel and tested it, ear phones kind of worked, not as intended but they worked, and I finished other jobs including love notes around for my fabulous team here who were going to be on their own all morning with a nursing baby (no small job) to finally drop into bed! Wew.
Marathon started, was cool but not freezing. Beautiful start. I weigh still 15 pounds heavy from having two babies in the last two years. I haven't really trained for this. I have not run more than 10 miles on one day in over 2+ years! So.. only turned 2 a few short weeks back! Pregnant with her before that - it's really been more like three years! Nursing a baby... and on the rag :) I had a few excuses to not have a good run today. It intensified!
So.... I'm checking off the miles timing them on my watch, with a printout I printed of a 4:25 marathon (wishful thinking). At the half way timing strip on the road, I checked, and noticed that
even if I could run the second half as well as the first, I would be within 10 minutes of a 5 hour marathon. Bummer. I was a bit deflated, and struggling with the mind games of a marathon! That lasted for... too many miles! Finally by 21 I decided that I needed a swift kick in the pants! I stopped, took a picture of the beauty around me so I could see all the miracles - including a slight tail wind for most the morning I did say prayers of gratitude for! I took the picture, texted mostly for S and B at home to know about where I was at and check in with them. Then I worked on my phone again, hoping to get conference on it. I had turned it on previously around the top of Snow Canyon but it was about 9:48 and the station that began playing was a VERY inappropriate male explicit ad. I decided that the evil was so trying to attack, that this wouldn't even surprise me to have them trying to see ads like this right in front of the most spiritual program on for the last six months! I pulled the ear bud from my ear, deciding to just wait until 10 so conference would be live, and I could find it. Well, the ads got worse, and I stopped again to turn it off because they were so wrong! So now at the top of the hill after taking the picture, it is 10:38 and I find conference - Yea! I missed the first 38 minutes, but I heard Elder Cook talk about families, and something about an announcement that had been made by President Monson that morning. I couldn't tell what, but he referenced it often. Then Sister Dibbs spoke about "I'm a Mormon. I know it, I live it. I Love it!" Then a couple of members of the Quorum of the Seventy, including Elder Bowen. He told about a baby dying in his mission, and the preparation for an event that would happen later in his life. He then shared about his son who had been born 6 years prior, but had died at just 8 months old. I wept. I stopped once again, huddling over a street barricade, and called my kids! Begging them to check on each one individually! They assured me they were all watching conference doing good. I could tell that something was happening with my family, but I had no idea what or with who! Yes, the spirit was preparing me. I was grateful to have the team at home tell me everything was ok, and I told them how much I love them! So, then I got back to conference and my marathon! At that point I was now within 4.5 miles from the finish line. I connected to conference again, turning it on on my phone. This time, I only heard Elder Ballard restate that President Monson had announced that the young men could now serve at the age of 18 and the girls at the age of 19. That was it. Then my phone died! I had the rest of the marathon to think about what that meant!
I did successfully finish the marathon, and as I knew was coming, it was about a 5:12 marathon. Ok, but my worst time ever. I finished that's what I say matters, so I should believe it! Look at ALL that was happening while I was just shuffling my feet along that pavement! Wow! Memories created and futures changed within the scope of a few hours in such beautiful, miraculous ways!
We enjoyed a Blue Bunny bomb pop at the finish line and watched runners for a bit. They ran over to the sorting piles and retrieved my jacket I had thrown at mile post 2. Then watching the time so we could be home for the 2:00 start of conference, we returned home.
This is the text i found on my phone from Brad when i finally had power to turn my phone back on and read the texts that had come:
"Heavenly father lowered the mission age for boys to 18 and girls to 19. You are inspired with our kids. Are we going to have a double farewell next spring? There are no coincidences. God has inspired you and our kids for years. So grateful for you. Run on wings of eagles! ;)"
Jed had texted asking me to call as soon as I could. I was inspired to read to him L's final essay for admission to BYU-J. Weeping, the spirit testified.
BYU-J Application Student Essay #3 (limited to 200 words): (Sent to BYU-J in October 2011)
1. Tell us why you want to go the Holy Land and the spiritual and educational benefits you hope to gain.
In January 2011, I was setting new educational goals. All requirements for my Associate Degree would be completed in the next two semesters, and I was pondering the future. I spoke with my parents and they suggested, unbeknownst to each other, that I consider BYU Jerusalem. I decided I should pursue this goal.
I applied to BYU-I, moved from home, and currently my BYU “Grad Plan” requirements include four more semesters to complete my Bachelors Degree, one of which will be an internship, limiting my eligibility to attend BYU Jerusalem to only Fall 2012.
I seek for opportunities to testify of Christ and I would love to serve a LDS mission in a few years. I look forward to the day when I get to be a mother. I can’t think of a better preparation for any of these rolls than going to Jerusalem to strengthen my testimony of Christ.
My stake president, Hal Anderson, and his family spent 6 months in Israel prior to his mission, and he talks about the experiences he had there frequently, and has strongly encouraged me in this goal. I want to walk where my Savior walked and learn of Him.
I can see that details for this change in direction have been being laid since the beginning of time! I have been being prepared, and so have my beautiful children! I, like the pioneer girl in the story, know that my L is ready, prepared, and willing to serve the Lord. She will answer this call and already has the ground work in place to make it happen VERY soon! Hummm. Am I ready as a Mom?
Meanwhile, we are listening to the opening songs of conference, and S was looking at L's phone, and says, "Wow, this new announcement it all over facebook Mom! Listen to what C posted, and already has about 9 "likes." He read: I can turn my papers for my mission in January! Crazy
C too! Yes, the groundwork has been being laid for him as beautifully as it has for L, simultaneously before my very eyes. Laus Deo!
C and I met with his Dixie State College counselor back in September, and confirmed that he will be eligible for graduation with his Associate of Science degree by May 2013, at the same time his classmates will be graduating from high school. I note also that he is one of the youngest in his class, just as J was! He will turn 18 the very last week of his Senior year in high school. In asking him about his future, she told him to determine what he wanted to do before he made a decision about school. I countered on our way home, saying that I didn't want him just 'waiting' for time to pass and that he should continue towards a bachelor degree next year, even though, he might change direction, and ultimately pursue something different. C has long been drawn to Utah State University in Logan for some reason. His counselor informed us that they grade on the curve there, one of only a few schools left that grade that way, but the curve is difficult, and she advised to not go there until you really know what you want. In our discussion on the way home, we were grateful to know of that challenge, but I believe we agreed we weren't going to just 'wait' out this year before his mission. I see now this was preparation for this change of course! Laus Deo!
Just a few minutes into the first speaker in the conference session, B brought me L's phone again, and this time began reading to me the email messages she and J had shared in the preceding hours. Weeping, overwhelmed, and trying to listen to session #2, I asked her to stop and we would talk about this later! I was sure I was just delusional!
This is the text of the email messages between them:
J to L at 10:22 a.m.: Are you watching conference? Wow that's crazy! What are you thinking right now? Wow!
L to J at 1:16 p.m.: I'm going on a mission, and I will be turning in my papers in February. It's amazing how much that announcement can answer... I came in {to general conference} with 2 questions. That announcement answered both.
L to J at 4:06 p.m.: Wow, that was a really bold declaration from me. I haven't talked to anyone else yet. I think that mom is running the marathon. I haven't checked in with them. I will talk to them tomorrow.
[Note: L is 9 hours ahead of us, and J is 2 hours ahead. I believe these are in MST here in Ut. I found these at the close of the 2nd session as I tried to grasp what was happening!]
J to L at 10:22 a.m.: Are you watching conference? Wow that's crazy! What are you thinking right now? Wow!
L to J at 1:16 p.m.: I'm going on a mission, and I will be turning in my papers in February. It's amazing how much that announcement can answer... I came in {to general conference} with 2 questions. That announcement answered both.
L to J at 4:06 p.m.: Wow, that was a really bold declaration from me. I haven't talked to anyone else yet. I think that mom is running the marathon. I haven't checked in with them. I will talk to them tomorrow.
[Note: L is 9 hours ahead of us, and J is 2 hours ahead. I believe these are in MST here in Ut. I found these at the close of the 2nd session as I tried to grasp what was happening!]
I finally got to talk to B and C who had now placed 5th, good work C, in his mountain bike race in Alpine, Utah. I got to talk to him after his race, and he is prepared and and excited to serve. I know that this young man has been sent to this earth right NOW because there is something urgent and important for Him! He had to come right now! I don't know where or what, who or why, but I do know he had to be on this earth now! I see this is part of his destiny! Like Abraham:
"Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones; And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born." Abraham 3:22
Drastic changes are taking place in my family! I am so grateful to have two young people, prepared, willing, and on their way in a totally new direction, following the call of the Prophet to serve the Lord!
I love you both so much! I am so humbled, grateful, and blessed to be your Mother! Thank you for blessing my life in so many ways!!!!!
Mid afternoon, L emailed me and insisted that she was going to hike out to the Hebrew University so we could skype Sunday morning. Yes, we need to talk about this! However she and C were emailing:
L to C 4:08 p.m.: What is happening? That was an unexpected announcement this morning... What are you thinking?
C to L 5:46 p.m.: I'm thinking that its awesome! I can't believe they changed the age requirements! It's going to be awesome. I am in SLC and found Jed's missionary tag from Taiwan when I was getting dressed and just couldn't resist not putting it on haha what are you thinking?
Smile Adventures... begin at HOME and carry love around the globe! I see this has been prepared since before the foundation of the world, and I am so grateful for each tender mercy/miracle worked for us! I also acknowledge that I am grateful on this day that I am human, and have limited abilities, I certainly can't even run the marathon without aid from above! I can not begin to fathom the details and extent of the adventure project being orchestrated by our Heavenly Father every moment!!!! Laus Deo. I want to be an instrument in His hand, and I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to be the mother to such outstanding young people on this earth during this the winding up scene of this earth! I love you each! Thank you for blessing my life! xoxoxoxox