One of the best things about Christmas and Mothers Day is we get to talk to Adril! I count this as an extra special blessing since I'm really not his mama. But his Mission President is apparently a very compassionate man who allows us these tender blessings.
My cousin Joy came over and we conferenced with both Adril and Tammy Olsen (who adopted Jason and Joel for those familiar with the children at the Sunflower). It was GREAT talking with everyone! Tammy was able to translate for us too.
Jason is 16 years old and even though we just chatted a bit, I can tell he is all grown up! I didn't tell Adril that the Olsen's were going to be on the call so it was a really fun surprise for him to talk to them.
Adril is, as you would guess, a fabulous missionary. He loves being a missionary and he loves serving others. He said he's had a few difficult times. One that I know of was just a month or so ago when they had a baptism goal of 5 in the month and fell short of that goal. It was a disappointing time for him. But as everyone who has served an LDS mission knows, disappointment is part of the experience and it certainly helps you grow and prepare for life.
My heart was full as we talked to him. My eyes filled with tears as we told him how proud we were of him and how much we loved him.
Later that evening, Tony and I were driving south to a family birthday party and talking about Adril and what a good missionary he is. I told Tony that next to whatever we do for our children, helping Adril serve a mission is the best thing we will ever do in our lives.
There are so many people who have helped Adril (and the other Sunflower children) and he wanted to tell each of you thank you and Felix Navidad!
If you have an extra Christmas card, I know a missionary who would LOVE to receive it - even if it's several weeks late! So here's his address - he'd love to hear from you!
Elder Adril Garcia Perez
Mision Peru - Lima Oeste
carlos salarerry #3664-los olivos
casilla de correo 39-054
lima 39
perú
His email address: Adril Garcia: adril.garcia@myldsmail.net
The past few weeks there has been a bit of a hullabalo in my church. The question being asked was "are you going to wear pants?". I must admit that I haven't read up on all of the details so I may misunderstand some (or all) of the story, but apparently, there was a woman in Salt Lake City, a member of my church, who was encouraging women to wear pants to church on Dec. 16th. I believe it was about women having the ability to make a choice whether or not to wear pants.
I read the story and didn't think much more about it. And then last Sunday, I was sitting in church and I realized that it was THE day. I glanced around me and didn't see any women wearing pants and went on my way again, not thinking much more about it.
Because I've been reading on some blogs about some follow up stories, I thought I would just share a few of my thoughts.
While I don't criticize anyone, male or female for trying to make a point, I myself have never felt any feeling but respect from fellow members of my religious faith. I have held leadership callings and have been in meetings with male leaders in my church and again felt nothing but respect. I'm not saying this may not happen for others, and if it does, it makes me sad, but that has not been my experience.
Yes, it is common practice to wear a dress or skirt to church. But I've also seen women in pants on several occasions and don't recall them being looked down upon or asked to leave.
And yes, I wore a skirt last Sunday on December 16th to church. But can I tell you about the time I wore pants, not to church, but to one of my church's temples?
Tradeshows are not that much fun - in fact they are pretty low on my list of things I like to do. And tradeshows in Las Vegas are close to last on that list. So about 15 years ago, when I was in Las Vegas at a tradeshow, I was feeling pretty low and lonely. I was looking forward to the end of the work day, but wasn't looking forward to an evening by myself in my hotel room.
While I was feeling sorry for myself, I suddenly had the idea to go to the Las Vegas Temple. I was pretty sure my company wouldn't pay the cab fare all the way out there, so I looked up the bus schedule. It would be a tight schedule, but I could make it...if I didn't go back to my hotel to change into a skirt. I debated and debated and decided that I would just go as I was...in my nice suit pants and blouse even though I had NEVER seen a woman in anything but a dress or skirt in a temple.
I made the bus trip and was a bit nervous as I walked into the doors in my pants, but there was a lovely older woman standing right by the door to greet me. Apparently she could see the nervous look on my face because she walked right up to me, grabbed both of my hands and said, "Welcome. We are so happy you came."
I wore pants. I wasn't trying to make a statement or take a stand, but I was welcomed with open arms. It was one of the sweetest temple experiences I've ever had.
I understand there were some women last Sunday who wore pants to church. For me, Sunday services isn't my venue of choice to make a statement. But if women were there trying make a statement, I hope they were understood. I am sure they felt the same Spirit that they always do. And most of all, I hope they were welcomed with open arms as I was by that lovely women in the Las Vegas Temple so many years ago.
Last week I was on location at a photo shoot. That sounds a bit more glamourous than it was, although we did have a plethora of goodies on the set including pumpkin spice donuts. In actuality, it is a very exhausting few days with a lot of standing, sitting, waiting, collaberating.
But the truth be told, I LOVE photo shoots. Because we're not organized enough to plan out each and every shot, we have to come up with ideas and edits spur of the moment. And it taxes what little creativity I have in my mind these days.
It helps that we had a fabulous mid-century modern home to shoot in. It helps that we have fabulous furniture (I'm biased of course). It helps that I have a fabulous set merchandiser to help make each shot beautiful.
Here is a sneak peek of one of my favorite shots.
It was rough being away from home during December, but it had to be done. Ryan got sick the night I left which always makes me feel like Mother of the Year. And then Tony told me that Ryan was crying a lot this week and saying "want find mommy". It broke my heart to hear that.
But unless plans change, I think I'm home for the rest of the year. There is a slight possibility I might need to go to NY next week, but it's looking like I'm home for the holidays. And you know what they say, there's no place like home.
