Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Life Changes Happen
I've been trying to figure out what I should do, or who I should tell about my week, and I finally came up with the idea to blog about it. I figure that only the people who care about me most will be the ones to read it, and those people are the only ones I want to know what happened, so here it is: My dad passed away on Sunday. I know this is going to be hard to believe, but I really am ok. He has been in ICU for about half a month, so I was prepared. I realize now that it was happening gradually, but Heavenly Father was helping me to forgive him and soften my heart toward him. My dad has never been a huge part of my life, which was my choice, but I love him all the same. He has taught me more than I think he even knew, and those life lessons will never change. When I was young, he would take me on father-daughter dates, which I adored. I loved being the center of attention to him, and that tradition will be something that carries on when I am married and have kids of my own. For those of you who do not know: my dad was 500 lbs, which is another reason I was prepared. I have been expecting this for years. A person cannot live the way he did and expect to live a normal life-span. I am especially grateful, though, to have the extra years that I have had with him.
I went to see him Sunday, and he was in extreme pain. He was unconscious most of the time I was there and he kept moving his head back and forth because of the pain from the tube helping him breathe. Before they took the tube out, they took him off sedation so that we could say goodbye and he would be able to understand us a little. I think what specifically made me okay with his passing was that as I was saying goodbye, I told him I was sorry. He had stopped shaking his head as I was talking to him and he was turned in my direction. I know he heard me tell him I loved him, and when I told him I was sorry, he had a tear escape his right eye. I had the distinct impression that that tear was his own apology. The most recent picture I have of my dad is when I was with him almost 4 years ago at my graduation. He looks like he has more years than the 49 he had lived (in this picture), but that is how I have always known him.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Preparing!
If you dont want to read the whole thing at least read the bottom! I have a list of things that I need for my mission. If you could donate anything, or let me borrow it I would greatly appreciate it!
I havent written in a while so I think an update is long overdue. Life has been absolutely wonderful! Christmas was great and for almost 10 minutes everyone in my family was in attendance! Tyrie had her baby the day after Christmas and they named her Taliya Theopista. She was 6 lbs and 17 inches long. Tyrie definitely has her hands full with Naarya, but thankfully Taliya is a mellower baby than Naarya ever was.
Christmas week was crazy not only because Tyrie had Taliya, but also because I received my endowments! I am only announcing this because my life has changed quite drastically since attending the temple. I can feel the spirit stronger than ever before and I have been able to do missionary work in a different way. I wish we took pictures but my phone was dead and it was pretty dark and cold by the time we left the temple. I think the greatest blessing of all is that I have never had a better relationship with my Heavenly Father.
Nieces and nephews have become almost an abundance this past year, and what better way to start the new year than have another nephew! Stella had her little boy January 13, 2013 and they named him Declan! What a cool name right? Declan Edward Roeser 7 lbs 7 oz and 19 1/2 inches long. I have yet to meet him, but I already love him like Lily Jane, Naarya, Taliya, Thane, and Griffin.
So to prepare for my mission I am reading all of the Book of Mormon before I enter the MTC. I am only in Alma right now so I need to step it up, but I'm not too worried. I am also trying to read Preach my Gospel but I'm not far in that at all, so I think pretty soon I'm going to just dive into it.
Preparation in every other matter is a little bit more challenging. As most of you know I had a needle in my knee over the seven week break. If you didnt see that post the story is under August of 2012 called "Crazy Life". I had saved almost $3,000 for my mission before that surgery and now most of it is gone to pay for the doctors and bills: quite frustrating. What little was left is now paying for all the stuff that I dont have, but need for my mission, and I'm starting to get a little overwhelmed. My visa for Argentina isnt in yet, but it has cost me over $100 so far. I'm trying not to stress out too much because I know the Lord will provide a way, but I'm still having a hard time jumping into the unknown. I have a hard time asking those around me for money because I dont want to put them into the position of saying yes or no. I do not know their situation because that is a personal matter, but I'm saying for all who read this and would like to help: I would love you to. I know the Lord will bless you, but it has to be something you freely do, rather than you feeling pressured into it.
Moving on: I wanted to share what I have learned about my area with you all because I find it rather exciting! Neuquen is really diverse in its landscape because it has both mountains/cold as well as super hot weather. As far as I understand, it is 2nd world status because it has both nice houses and standard of living, but also really crappy houses, that you cant really consider a house, right next to it. I think one of the most exciting things is that they have penguins! I had originally read that they ate them, but a missionary who just got back last year from my area said they didnt, so whew! I also found out that I wont get to go to the temple at all on my mission, which will be hard because I have come to love it so. But alas, I am stocking up visits now, so hopefully I will be spiritually fed enough to last that long. I also found out that I will be walking almost everywhere the entire mission, so here is to losing weight! I just bought some dress/ walking shoes so I hope they last me. They are sketchers active, so I think they will work well. I still have a bunch of stuff I need to get so if anyone can donate anything they arent using or something like that, it would be appreciated!
Sleeping bag that is super comfortable and can handle cold 20 degree weather (or just cold weather)
lanyard
umbrella (dark, solid color)
plain, inexpensive watch (not big and bulky please)
backpack (missionary appropriate = dark colors and dressyish)
Dr scholls inserts
battery alarm clock
laundry bag
I think that is about it. If any of you have questions or anything you want to talk about at all, I will answer! If you forgot: I leave to the Provo MTC March 13th!
I havent written in a while so I think an update is long overdue. Life has been absolutely wonderful! Christmas was great and for almost 10 minutes everyone in my family was in attendance! Tyrie had her baby the day after Christmas and they named her Taliya Theopista. She was 6 lbs and 17 inches long. Tyrie definitely has her hands full with Naarya, but thankfully Taliya is a mellower baby than Naarya ever was.
Christmas week was crazy not only because Tyrie had Taliya, but also because I received my endowments! I am only announcing this because my life has changed quite drastically since attending the temple. I can feel the spirit stronger than ever before and I have been able to do missionary work in a different way. I wish we took pictures but my phone was dead and it was pretty dark and cold by the time we left the temple. I think the greatest blessing of all is that I have never had a better relationship with my Heavenly Father.
Nieces and nephews have become almost an abundance this past year, and what better way to start the new year than have another nephew! Stella had her little boy January 13, 2013 and they named him Declan! What a cool name right? Declan Edward Roeser 7 lbs 7 oz and 19 1/2 inches long. I have yet to meet him, but I already love him like Lily Jane, Naarya, Taliya, Thane, and Griffin.
So to prepare for my mission I am reading all of the Book of Mormon before I enter the MTC. I am only in Alma right now so I need to step it up, but I'm not too worried. I am also trying to read Preach my Gospel but I'm not far in that at all, so I think pretty soon I'm going to just dive into it.
Preparation in every other matter is a little bit more challenging. As most of you know I had a needle in my knee over the seven week break. If you didnt see that post the story is under August of 2012 called "Crazy Life". I had saved almost $3,000 for my mission before that surgery and now most of it is gone to pay for the doctors and bills: quite frustrating. What little was left is now paying for all the stuff that I dont have, but need for my mission, and I'm starting to get a little overwhelmed. My visa for Argentina isnt in yet, but it has cost me over $100 so far. I'm trying not to stress out too much because I know the Lord will provide a way, but I'm still having a hard time jumping into the unknown. I have a hard time asking those around me for money because I dont want to put them into the position of saying yes or no. I do not know their situation because that is a personal matter, but I'm saying for all who read this and would like to help: I would love you to. I know the Lord will bless you, but it has to be something you freely do, rather than you feeling pressured into it.
Moving on: I wanted to share what I have learned about my area with you all because I find it rather exciting! Neuquen is really diverse in its landscape because it has both mountains/cold as well as super hot weather. As far as I understand, it is 2nd world status because it has both nice houses and standard of living, but also really crappy houses, that you cant really consider a house, right next to it. I think one of the most exciting things is that they have penguins! I had originally read that they ate them, but a missionary who just got back last year from my area said they didnt, so whew! I also found out that I wont get to go to the temple at all on my mission, which will be hard because I have come to love it so. But alas, I am stocking up visits now, so hopefully I will be spiritually fed enough to last that long. I also found out that I will be walking almost everywhere the entire mission, so here is to losing weight! I just bought some dress/ walking shoes so I hope they last me. They are sketchers active, so I think they will work well. I still have a bunch of stuff I need to get so if anyone can donate anything they arent using or something like that, it would be appreciated!
Sleeping bag that is super comfortable and can handle cold 20 degree weather (or just cold weather)
lanyard
umbrella (dark, solid color)
plain, inexpensive watch (not big and bulky please)
backpack (missionary appropriate = dark colors and dressyish)
Dr scholls inserts
battery alarm clock
laundry bag
I think that is about it. If any of you have questions or anything you want to talk about at all, I will answer! If you forgot: I leave to the Provo MTC March 13th!
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