My favorite mornings
I apologize if this gets gushy... but there is this sweet hour I get every once in a while at work. It happens at 7:30am. I come in as the first person in the school and 'open' the school. I stand (or sit) and greet all the students as they arrive. There is something so sweet about being able to shake each student's hand. I feel like I'm channeling all the energy I have to helping them feel loved and happy about the start of a new day. There is not a single student who walks in for whom I don't feel that love. I love talking with them and getting to know them outside of the classroom and before they start their school work.

I think there is something to be said about the magic of the early morning hours. When I think back on some of the sweetest moments, many of them happen in the morning... early... when it is tempting to still be under the covers. I think of early morning runs or bike rides or watching the sun rise. Or when my dad would take me out to breakfast for my birthday. Or being at work early and getting so much more done. Or my best scripture studies. I think part of it is sacrifice, and I think part of it is the newness and purity of the beginning of a new beginning.

Which brings me to the increase in blessings that come from attending the temple when it is a sacrifice. I was on my way to the temple with a good friend a few weeks ago. He had a lot of work to do that day and was a little anxious about getting it all done. We had just attended the baptism of a friend and were heading up to the temple. I told him I was impressed that he was attending the temple with all he needed to do. He told me that those were the times when he received the greatest blessings from temple attendance- when it was the greatest sacrifice. When he showed the Lord his priorities during a time when many things were demanding of his attention. I have since gained a testimony of this principle. I have felt abundantly blessed and can see how many of these blessings are connected to attending the temple when it was most difficult to fit into my schedule.

Pismo Beach. Was perfect. Thank you Mom and Dad for making it so perfect in every way. We camped at the beach Friday night. Biked from my parents' house to Avila Saturday morning (that distance seemed so much longer when I was little). Ate lunch and had a much too short 20 minutes in the sun on Avila Beach when the sun finally came out. I went to pick flowers with Kristina while everyone else did ATV's on the dunes. We went to downtown SLO for dinner with everyone and my parents and Kristina. Then we just went back to the house and chatted and were all pretty exhausted. Church in the morning, lunch and yummy desserts for Mother's Day and Mom's birthday, then headed back up to the bay. I was probably the most spoiled of anyone. I got to be with my friends AND my family in one of my favorite places.

She's always stopping to smell the flowers. I need to be more like her...

I was still in my biking gear. The flowers were doing a great job of adding to my already lovely smells:)

Bike ride! (small one, but pretty and nostalgic) Dave, me, Jennia.

Another adventure... Coldplay concert! It was without question the BEST concert I have ever been to. And right up there with some of the best memories. Meredith, Jennia, Dave, Sneha, and some of his other really great coworkers... Quality people and good friends.

Lately... I have NOT been good about taking pictures. BUT, I've had some great adventures and may be able to scrounge up a few pictures. Camping and the most grueling half marathon trail run EVER. Also one of the most beautiful courses. Just north of SF.

The half marathoners prepping for the big race. One of us ran a lot faster than the other... Dani might be the most hardcore athlete I know. But... I did receive this little ribbon in the mail a few weeks later. 99% sure it's a mistake, but I'll go with it.

Dave, me, Danielle, Shelly... all finished strong despite the intensity of the trail. Dave and Dani actually placed.

Crazy sunglasses make any occasion better.

Starting the race in the soft sand. Good thing I didn't know running in soft sand was a cake walk compared to the remainder of the trail.

I knew I looked ridiculous, just didn't know I looked ridiculous enough for Dave to be laughing at me and strangers to be staring... what no one runs in wool socks, funky sunglasses, and lopsided tights?

The best part of my day- covered in salt and sand, laying on a warm beach, done with the run. Lovely.

Thank you Jennia. She knows how much I love sand:)

Ahhhh...

Conversation today at the end of Spanish with one of my favorite 6 year olds: Lindsey: "Melissa, do you have a dog?" Tanvee: "No, she doesn't have a dog. She's not married" Me: Smiling, "No I don't have a dog but you don't have to be married to have a dog" Lindsey: "Do you have a kiden?" Me: "When I was a little girl I had one but I don't anymore" Lindsey: "Do you have fishes?" Me: "Nope" Tanvee: "Melissa that is very surprising that you are not married. You're almost 30!" (a couple of kids came into my office the other day and guessed my age. One said 15 and another said 45 so I decided to let them know I was actually right in the middle) Me: Still smiling, "Well it's not that weird. I think it will happen someday" Tanvee: "You need to get married. You're getting old. But don't do it on a Tuesday or Thursday because I want to have Spanish" (I teach Spanish to their class on Tuesdays and Thursdays) Me: "Ok Tanvee. I'll make sure not to get married on a Tuesday or Thursday. And I'll try to do it soon" Tanvee: "Then you can get a baby and a dog" Me:" That sounds great. I'll work on it"

Perspective

Something miraculous happened today. I rear ended someone just before arriving at work. Estimates for repairs will put a pretty good dent in my savings, and I felt about a hundred times worse because it was my mom's car. But I felt blessed. No one was hurt. I learned a really valuable lesson about paying more attention when I'm driving and not trying to multitask. I could have learned that lesson in a much worse situation. My parents were completely understanding and more concerned for my well being than about the car. They were sympathetic about the repair costs and relieved the stress of worrying about how this would negatively affect them after their generosity in letting me borrow their car.

About 24 hours previous to the accident I sliced my hand open while cutting frozen cheese... and haven't had much use in my left hand since then. It's kind of amazing how it really isn't the circumstances of our lives that create hope and happiness. Ok, circumstances can help. But ultimately it's the choices we make, where our heart is, and where our priorities are.

Today I am grateful first for the gospel of Jesus Christ, which allows me to even have the perspective and knowledge that I do. While I fall so short of being the disciple I know I can be, I know He accepts me and encourages me where I am. I know I can still do good and help others where I am. I don't have to wait until I am better, more devoted, more faithful, more perfect... to be loved or to be His instrument.

I am grateful for the love I feel in my life from my family and from friends and from good people who love and help expecting nothing in return.

I am grateful for my students, who are amazing little spirits and individuals.

I am grateful for hope. I have felt it abundantly lately. Accompanied by trust. I have seen glimpses of the incredible blessings yet to come. I have been reminded of the incredible blessings I have received and presently experience.

I am grateful for nature and the awe that I feel when I am in it. I went camping last weekend with some good friends (pictures to come) then ran... ok jogged and half walked... the most intense half marathon trail run I have ever done. It took me almost twice as long as a normal half. But it was beautiful and I was grateful for a body that could even get through that.

Life is good. Everything will work out. I have a lot of improving to do. But I can do it. That's what this life is about.

Kauai

As soon as we landed, rented a car, and got food, we were on the beach (Poi Pu) soaking up a perfect afternoon in paradise. We listened to Brad Wilcox's 'His Grace is Sufficient'. My favorite things all at the same time; with one of my best friends, listening to a good talk, the sun shining on me, sand between my toes, and salty water five steps away.

The trip was far from what I expected. I planned on a tropical vacation and to come back more... tan? Instead I saw some of God's most beautiful creations, as well as the Lord's hand as I learned about what really is most important, and came back more... refined. By the last day I could see how the Lord loves me enough not have given me the 'perfect vacation' (I won't go into the craziness, but things didn't exactly go smoothly), but an experience that has made me a better person. There were many small miracles, and some big ones. And I am grateful for my experience. All of it:)

Saturday sunset

Sunday sightseeing at Secret Beach

Waimea- the Grand Canyon of Hawaii