Me. a work in progress

 

I just finished a session with my therapist doing bilateral stimulation.  I have been on a journey trying to understand and overcome anxiety and depression.  I have been fighting self-doubt that made me critical of others and unhappy with myself. I have found friendship in my therapists and learned ideas and modalities that help change me and my experiences.

Today with Tina I followed a green dot with my eyes as I experienced the negative, and recognized the effects on my emotions, mind, and body. I am choosing another way to see my experiences and hope for my future. I am making a new script filled with hope, trust, and love. I am developing tools to help me. 

Some of my experiences today include letting go of negative experiences by turning my heart up toward God. I am letting Him in. I am requesting that he burn out the negative stories that I have held on to.  Those experiences and the old me are helping me achieve the desired result of love and joy.  I want the confidence that comes from trusting God in my story. He is by my side. He is urging me to try again and he is not sorry when I stumble or fall. He makes it all work for good.  If I can welcome his love for me I can learn to love myself. As I love myself I can freely love others.  I can trust him and love him.  I can choose him first.

In today's session, I envision crossing over a bridge leaving the old hurtful stories behind.  Once across the bridge, I find a waterfall where I can drink the clear water of Christ (living water).  I had access to it before but on the other side of the bridge. More distractions or impurities were mixing in and causing me to doubt. There is plenty of water for me and everyone else.  I am filled with virtue as I fill up with this water or wash in it. I am filled with the power to be all that He sees in me. I can welcome and feel his love for me.  

An issue I am overcoming is self-doubt. As I fill up with living water, I am enough. I have everything I need because I have Christ.  I don't fear because I can make mistakes and it will work out. I can love people where they are. I don't have to correct or be everything for them. I am here to love. I do not have the authority to steady the ark, to make everything alright.  I will not be perfect but perfect is not expected today.  Trying is expected.

MTC @home and Elder Olsen

Simeon became an elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood surrounded by these good men. He was ordained by his father.

Brother Rasmussen of the stake, Milt, John, William, Simeon, Bishop Hintze, Jay, and Scott

And support from good friends - Jack, Jesse, Matthew, Talia, Simeon

And the girls - Debbie ,Melissa, Lauri, Elise, Rae, Natalie, and Mom

And to support Uncle Simeon - Nellie, Lucy, Jack, Josh, Jared, Samuel, Gideon, Thomas, and Fredrick.

We enjoyed our day at the Provo city center temple with Simeon.  Isaac surprised us by showing up from Portland, OR, where he is selling pest control.  He stayed for the week and enjoyed Lake Powell and a farewell.  We had the whole family together for Lake Powell. Perfect.

Simeon was set apart on June 26 as a full time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He began home MTC the next day.

Home MTC has been rewarding, and exhausting, a time to practice strict obedience and adjust to missionary life.

This is a favorite of mine as I feel like it represents the effort and dedication Simeon is already showing.  He changed right before our eyes. He is learning the gospel and how to share. He is learning Spanish and he is making the most of every moment.

The 4th of July was fun but not Pday.  Simeon ran the 5K and then ran to class.  He got the afternoon of class off and made the most of family time.

And some fun fireman time.  Part of the games at the park included a tug o war and the fire department spraying hoses.  This is where Simeon go to help.

And is also Debbie's 16 birthday. Simeon decorated the cake and presented it to her like royalty.

We took advantage of his exercise time at 6:10 am and played some pickleball.

Got a few rides in the convertible.

Visited Debbie at Aloha where she sells snow cones.

Last Pday and we headed to the mountains.

Last Sunday was Nathan's blessing day. We got to drive the 2012 Mustang convertible up to Santaquin.  It was another good day.

And spent more time right here than he ever thought possible. Hours of studying where he has been able to fall in love with missionary work, his companion, his district, and hopefully the Spanish language.

Then on July 12 we got him to the airport before 7 am.  He is ready and willing. We will miss him so much.

His MTC companion, Elder Julander

Hurrah for Israel!!!

Debbie turns 16 and celebrating the 4th of July

 

Started the day with biscuits and gravy for breakfast, and then a basket of presents. The rest of the day seemed to involve supporting and keeping up with Debbie and her responsibilities.  Lots of Miss Manti responsibilities and an encore performance.

Debbie performed with encore and bellisma and then ran to be in a parade in Mt Pleasant.  She hurried back to do the dunking booth.

Meanwhile we enjoyed fun at the park with races, egg toss and firemen water fun.

Elder Simeon was in class for half the day and then got to join the fun in his missionary clothes.  He sure loves the fire fighters and they love him. He got to help here and attend the BBQ with them but had to be in bed before the fireworks.  Other years he has been able to help set them off.

Back home for our annual BBQ.  I didn't get very many pictures but I am sure grateful for the support and friendship of family.  Peter and Rachel came down from Santaquin to spend the day. Natalie's and Elise's families joined us and the next generation had a water fight.

Miss Manti float with Anjolee Jones, Alexis Christensen and Debbie.  They are so beautiful and willing to serve. Lucy continues to be a part of the celebration as Debbie's little miss.  She loved the parade.

I love freedom and liberty and the joy and privilege that is ours to live in the United States of America. I am proud to be an American. I am proud of my country's founding by righteous men who were divinely guided to recognize man's God given rights and provided a way to protect those rights.  I pray that we may be blessed with leaders and citizens who value and stand for truth and right, who with gratitude seek to protect our freedoms through education, voting, and serving to defend our freedom.

Debbie's 16! Surprise

 Debbie's friends planned a great surprise birthday party.  After being gone all week at FSY and then working all day, she came home to a tea party style birthday party at 9:30 at night.

Janey made the chocolate strawberry cake, Libby made cake pops and I made charcuterie boards. Anjolee brought the decor and tricked Debbie to get her downstairs.

Then comfy clothes and a showing of Newsies. Some went home, some fell alseep for a few more hours. :)