Faith...Part 2

Faith, I believe, is a very hard trait to refine. You can have faith in others, that may or may not let you down. You can have faith of the sun rising and know it will rise...or will it? You can have faith in your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but once you know....knowing with every fiber of your being...is it faith at all?

I've tested my faith this week. I called Heavenly Father with every ounce of my being. My desire to return back to church has come full circle. I am done playing the missing Mom at church. I am done not knowing anyone at church. Most of all I am done receiving the looks from some of the sisters in the ward which adds up to them thinking I am inactive. Am I taking it to heart? No. Does it bother me? Perhaps a smidge. It reminds me often not to make judgements on anyone as we don't know their circumstances.

So...when the bidding day came up for my job I requested each and every schedule that included Sunday off...including my 3:30pm- midnight shifts. Believe me, it's not my favorite shift in the world being that I have to get up at 5am every morning to prepare my oldest for seminary.

This morning, I received my schedule for next month....

3:30-Midnight

SIGH!!!!

So I put in for a shift change...having faith.

Nearly 6 hours later I received an e-mail agreeing to change my shift from the 3:30-midnight to....

Drum Roll Please....

11:30am-8pm

Still not my favorite, but I have Weekends off. I CAN GO TO CHURCH!!!!


Not only that, but hubby has been given a time slot for an interview with Amtrak on the 26th.

My faith is growing. My heart is full and my children are smiling...

Having Faith...

After overcoming my instant popularity at work for booking George Clooney's revervation...which included my manager running through the sales floor clutching a trendy LA magazine with my caller gracing the front compliments of the JW Marriott at LA Live who just happened to be visiting. Needless to say work was a little crazy for the two days I spent in the office. I was spoiled by my beloved Courtyard Waikiki who filled my desk with Honolulu Cookie company treats, a giant bamboo clothes pin, to be used for who knows what, and a variety of holders that will attach my purse to a table while out dining so it doesn't need to lay on the floor. So sweet, unfortunately I never use a purse, but who knows...someday I may carry one and actually need this.

Returning to work at home was a welcome treat indeed. As I sat taking in calls my phone lit up...not the one I work on mind you, but my actual home phone. It read out of the area. After I finsihed with my guest I paused my calls and listened to the message. Amtrak was calling. Not for me...for hubby. We had wandered across a position on the Amtrak website and it was truly perfect for him. I was so thankful. It plays to every single one of his strengths. Excited, we put in for it hoping we would get that one in a million chance for him to prove himself and get an interview.

He was quizzed about his background by the human resource manager and was told he would be conducting interviews at the end of the month. He was promised a time would be e-mailed to him. He got off the phone stunned. 2 hours later a repeat call of the same gentleman quizzing him again on the same questions. Perhaps that tactic works on some people in slipping up on their answers, but not my ultra honest hubby. Never ask him if you look fat in those pants...the truth will come out. This time he was given a time to show up and to be prepared for an interview with the human resources manager. I am excited and thrilled for him. He is truly putting himself out there for a job he will really love. He will need to travel, but if he is happy, no worries there.

My thoughts?! You're going to love my reasoning:

If he gets a discount on Amtrak...and I get a discount on Marriott....SUH WEET!!!!!

So, on the 26th he will put himself on the line and go for it. Thank heavens he already has the day off from work.

Such blessings!!!!

He Called....

Oh brother! I froze for a moment when I figured out just who I was speaking to...and when he said "Serafina", my work name, my knees became weak, my heart began to pound and I was forced to pick my jaw up off the floor.

Let's just say I could day dream about this gentleman whether being on the ground or up in the air. I would never say no to him if her were my doctor, or my kids' for that matter. I would cross 11,12 even 13 oceans to meet this gentleman.

So, who was he?

I can't tell you...but I already did!!!

Let's see how many can figure this out.

GOOD LUCK!!!

One Minute With the Spirit...

Most of you know I've been working my life away in an attempt to get our family's lives back on track. What you may not know is with my employment I've not been able to set a foot inside church since last October.

As a Convert, a badge burned into my heart forever, I've learned what life is like without a testimony and grasping in the dark to find a source of light. 18 1/2 years ago I made the choice to forgo my worldly ways and draw closer to Christ, beginning my journey along the straight and narrow path. My testimony is strong and does not waver.

I've formed a plan to get me back to church, but I have to wait for the position to open. Plain and simple. I'll work my rear end off until the position opens and I will move on over to the other group...if, of course, I get the position.

One of the hardships of having one car in a family is making sure our kids can get to all of their activities and get us to work when we need it. Today was one of those days. Hubby had to be at work by 8am, Bryan needed to be at his school at 8:30am for a field trip, Molly needed to be at the church at 9am for road show rehearsal and somehow we needed to make it happen since we are talking needing to be 3 places at once basically.

Hubby dropped Bryan and I off at the market near his school at 7am where I treated him to a doughnut and chocolate milk. We waited at the school until his teacher arrived and students began to gather. At the same time I left my girls left the apartment 5 miles away to walk to church, only a mile or so from our home. I caught the bus for a couple miles and jumped off when we neared the church. I stopped for a moment at the church to make sure my girls made it safely. I spent approximately one minute in the church before completing the final mile push home.

I thought back to my previous life, where we attended church together as a family every Sunday...there was nothing stopping us. I remember attending mutual every wednesday and enjoying my time with the laurels I was called to serve. My life was centered around the church. My children's lives were centered around the church. Such a drastic change from where we are now.

As I walked away from the beautiful red brick building my heart was filled. Tears filled my eyes as I knew Heavenly Father had rushed a recharge to my very soul. I know He cares for me and understands my struggles. I know He sees my heart and supports me with His Heavenly hands when I feel I can't stand any longer. He is there for all of us, but I know today, in that one minute He was there to share his heart with me. Even now, I tear up thinking about it.

It's amazing to me how He is always there, but do we look? Do we keep our eyes and hearts open to His appearances and helping hands in our lives? Or do we continue to walk along with blinders. For myself, though i knew He was understanding and loving me through my struggles I donned the blinders focusing on what I needed to be doing to get my family to where they need to be.

Today, I challenge you all to take the blinders off. Open your eyes. Open your heart and feel His warmth. Feels His arms encircled around you. Feels His heart open unto you.

Secret Date

Oh yes...the secret date. We've done it before, snuck away from the prying eyes and whining of our teens and pre-teen. Of course, sometimes we've snuck away on a far grander scale. This time, we chose to remain close. We dropped the kids off at school, showered, dressed and jumped in the car...snacks in hand.


Among the animals we did wander and lose ourselves. Later, upon telling our kids of our adventures the oldest humphed not truly caring. Our tween sighed saying how she wished she could've gone.

After walking around the zoo we opted to take the train on a ride. I would've taken more pics, but my camera died...literally took its last breath....at least the battery did.

It was so worth it and we found so many more wonderful places to go...for free!!!!


Free date nights!!! Love it!!!