Mud Bowl

So I went to the annual Thatcher Stake Mud Bowl tonight. It was okay. I didn't really know anyone and I really need a standing buddy to be comfortable. I ended up walking around the mud pit most of the night. I usually don't like getting dirty so throwing mud clods was fun. I did have to rinse my hands in the water after I threw a mud ball though. The end was kind of fun. My brother Kenyon and a few of his friends and I all donned "war paint" and got our pictures taken (I hope they get posted on facebook and I can steal them and post them here). We all had mud stripes down our foreheads to the tips of our noses, it was a requirement to be part of the "tribe".

The mud was a good consistency. It had been soaking since yesterday so the dirt was nice and wet. I don't like throwing mud that is on the dry side, it can hurt. When people started to show up they said it was more like a lake than a mud pit. In all honesty it was, the water went from my ankle to a little below my knee, and the mud ate my foot. If I stood in one place too long, I would get stuck.

The night ended by getting sprayed off by a firetruck. That can really get the mud off in a hurry. I suppose I should thank the Thatcher FD for letting us borrow their tanker truck tonight. The water was warm so it was nice after being cold from the mud.

Texting

So I had to get rid of texting on my phone because I could't pay for it. I am missing it a bunch today because I have had to wait and I used to text people when I was waiting at the bank or store or where ever. Then I was at the Safford PD and the officer helping us was hairy, the part that I could see (his hands, they had hair on them up two knuckles), and I wanted to text Amber that I had an Amber Alert for her, but I couldn't because I don't have texting. I was so sad.

The officer was slightly attractive. He had really nice eyes. The funny thing was I found him attractive because he was balding. For some reason, I like that.

Sorry

So I wasn't able to get pictures of my grandparent's shower. I am saddened, but I will go back down eventually and may be able to get the picture then. I know all you are so sad about missing the short shower head picture, but alas, I must apologize.

Pondering

As I sit here and think of my day, my friends, and everything else, and I wonder if I am doing what I am suppose to be doing. I know I can do things better, and I have been working on them. I may not have done the Apple Pie Challenge exactly, but because of it I have been better at reading the Book of Mormon everyday. I have been better at many things because of it. Am I living where I am suppose to be living to give me the experiences that will help me grow the most? Am I living where Heavenly Father wants me to live, or am I just copping out and mooching off my parents? I know I was suppose to move back to Arizona, but I would have like to been given a little more direction than that. There is a lot of land in the state and I just want to know if I am occupying the right piece of dirt. I am frustrated because I will present a plan in prayer and get no answer as to whether it is right or not.

I have also been thinking about my Mom a lot today. I know prayer works and I know that Heavenly Father's will will be done in all things. I have just been wondering if it is my prayers that are keeping her here. What if she is needed on the other side and because I am selfish and want my Mom, she is stuck here in a mortal frame filled with pain. The next thought is very hard for me to think. Can I let her go. Can I honestly say that if Heavenly Father needs her, that that is what I want too. Lest anyone think that my mom is going to die, she is in good health. The question still is, if she were called home, could I let her go without feeling bitter, angry, and resentful. I don't know the answer to that. I know the church is true and the Plan of Salvation is true. I know that I will see her again and all of that. She has been my best friend and confidant that I don't know that I could deal with life without her. I have trusted in God so many times before, why can't I trust Him in this. Why can't I trust Him that He knows what is best for me, my Mom, and family and not me? After all, He has never let me down in the past. I have been lifted and supported, protected and guided, when I have not deserved it.

Yet as I sit here typing all this out, a peace fills my heart that is not me. It tells me that yeah, I could do it. I can do anything, if I but have the faith to do His will. The shadowed path in front of me may not be the easiest one to trod, but I haven't fallen off yet. I suppose I just need to keep putting one foot in front of the other and let The Lord guide my footsteps.

Birthday

Lest I forget, today is my Mom's birthday. She has been the support and strength to my family and I am glad that we have been friends. Love you Mom!

Missing People

Today has been a pretty good day. Church was good. The firesides I went to tonight were amazing. President Kartchner is a pretty amazing man. I enjoyed his talk to the women. He reminded us that we are good people. He quoted a story out of a book by Carlfred Broderick called Uses of Adversity. The basis of the quote was the Gospel is not an insurance policy against bad things happening to us, it is a plan to help us through those times. I wish Mom could have been there, but she is needed in Mesa for more than just a funeral, but more on that later.

The other fireside I went to was by the artist of Reflections of Christ, Mark Mabry. His pictures are amazing. Here is the link to the slide show of the photos. I am so happy that I got to go . His message was amazing and I wish everyone could see the exhibit. If you want to see the website, go here. I totally recommend it.

My sister-in-law Velika went camping this weekend and came back with scabies. It is very contagious so it turned out to be a good thing that Mom and Dad are staying in Mesa. They are watching Jeffrey. It is sad, but good.I am now wondering if they will stay after the funeral. I suppose that will depend on how Velika is doing on Wednesday.

Delighting in Shortness

So as most people know, I am short. I tend to be on the short side with all of my friend, and for the most part I am just peachy about it. For some reason, I can get through crowds better, so I come in handy for that. However, as much as I revel in my shortness, I never thought I would want to be shorter. It happened today.

I was staying at my Grandpa and Grandma Turley's house and I had to shower. My mom was in the bathroom finishing getting ready while I was pulling out my shower stuff. She casually mentioned that the shower head was on the short side, so I looked in the shower. It looked a bit short but I thought, "Mom is 5' 1 1/2'', how bad could it be?" She then informed me that she had to bend over to finish rinsing her hair. When I got in, the shower head came up to my nose. If I looked straight ahead, My eyes were level with where the shower head came out of the wall. It turns out I accomplished two things this morning: I showered and worked out. I was all limber from the bending and leaning I had to do to wash my face and hair.

I might get pictures to document the shortness of this shower head. As I was showering it occurred to me that it would be really awkward for my Grandpa Turley to shower, he is at least 6' and might be taller. I wish Katie or Amber were here so that I could get a picture of them standing next to the short shower head. It would be funny.

Wedding

Lisa and Steven's wedding was wonderful. They are so cute! I am so happy for them and I am glad that I had the opportunity to share the day with them.

Strange Things

I was watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and saw that James Fox was in it. I wanted to know if it was the same James Fox as the one in Thoroughly Modern Millie and it is. He plays Mr. Salt. It is so weird. I want to tell someone, but my mom is up on Mt Graham somewhere and has no cell phone service. She would be interested, but alas, I have no way of contacting her. It is so weird seeing Jimmy as an old man. He's not really old, he is just older I suppose.

I finished Breaking Dawn and I liked it except for this strange desire for Leah, one of the wolves who belongs to Jacob's pack, to imprint on someone. I was a little disappointed that she was left alone at the end of the book. I know she isn't a main character, but I identified with her and so I was sad to she that she was alone. I did not find this book as captivating as the others in the Twilight series. It dragged in places, but I was very satisfied with the way the book and characters turned out.

I PASSED!!!!!!!

That is pretty much it. I actually have a Bachelors of Science in Marriage, Family, and Human Development. That's it.