Our Big News!

Emily is going to be a big sister! I had an ultrasound today which confirmed the great news. I am 12 weeks and 5 days. The baby is healthy and is approximately 6.34 cm in length. Gotta love technology. My due date is March 8th, 2009. We just wanted to share our good news with all of you. I hope to have the ultrasound picture scanned in and posted in the next few days.

The three lessons I learned in the Philippines

Landon asked me to give a talk on Saturday morning and this is the talk that I wrote and gave in 24 hours. :) I thought that you might enjoy it.

Lesson 1: Happiness

“Heavenly Father desires that we find true, lasting happiness. Our happiness is the design of all the blessings He gives us—gospel teachings, commandments, priesthood ordinances, family relationships, prophets, temples, the beauties of creation, and even the opportunity to experience adversity. His plan for our salvation is often called "the great plan of happiness" (Alma 42:8). He sent His Beloved Son to carry out the Atonement so we can be happy in this life and receive a fullness of joy in the eternities.

Testifying of God's "eternal purposes," the prophet Lehi taught, "Men are, that they might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:15, 25). Many people try to find happiness and fulfillment in activities that are contrary to the Lord's commandments. Ignoring God's plan for them, they reject the only source of real happiness. They give in to the devil, who "seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself" (2 Nephi 2:27). Eventually they learn the truth of Alma's warning to his son Corianton: "Wickedness never was happiness" (Alma 41:10).

Others seek only to have fun in life. With this as their main goal, they allow temporary pleasure to distract them from lasting happiness. They rob themselves of the enduring joys of spiritual growth, service, and hard work.” – Gospel Topics, www.lds.org

Before I left for the Philippines, I thought that I was mostly happy. I knew I was blessed with a wonderful family and that the Lord looked out for me. But I spent a large part of everyday worried about money, what I didn’t have, etc. Then I stepped off the plane into a world I had never seen before, a world where according to North America’s standard of living, happiness could not exist. My first impression, through my very tired eyes, was WOW! The rules of the road I was used to were gone. I noticed squatter’s homes. I had seen them in Landon’s pictures but this was different. Shops on the sides of the roads that looked like nothing I had ever seen. But it was here amongst, what North America would call, impoverished people that I learned a valuable lesson about happiness. If I was to name the first trait I noticed about Filipinos was happiness. They were always smiling and calling out to us. The look of joy on their faces as Landon conversed with them in their native tongue always brought tears to my eyes. As I met our friends in Sumag the first time I couldn’t believe how happy they were. It was contagious. As we went out the next afternoon to have lunch in their homes was when I became truly humbled. As Rova tracked us down and brought us to her home, I started to realize all that I had. Rova, her three children, her sister, sister’s daughter, and two parents live in a bamboo hut on stilts. They run a small chungee and welcome all into their home. As her father, who is inactive, sat and read the Liahona and her mother busied herself in finding food for us, I was overcome by the spirit. They offered us all they had. I stopped noticing my surroundings. Or at least what I would have considered the lack of possessions. No running water, no indoor plumbing, chickens, turkeys, pigs running at our feet. All I could feel was love and happiness. They were happy with their lives. As we travelled to our friends Winy and Cyril’s home I was overcome by what I was surrounded with. Winy and Cyril are better off monetarily but they still live in a 3 room concrete home. They have running water, electricity, TV and a surround sound. No indoor plumbing. But the gospel radiates from them. The way they raise their children, how they close their “restaurant” on Saturday’s and Sundays, so they can have one family day and observe the Sabbath. And their love for each other. I could go on and on about how I found true happiness amongst these wonderful friends.

“As we seek to be happy, we should remember that the only way to real happiness is to live the gospel. We will find peaceful, eternal happiness as we strive to keep the commandments, pray for strength, repent of our sins, participate in wholesome activities, and give meaningful service.” Gospel Topics – www.lds.org

Lesson 2: Marriage

“When a man and woman are married in the temple, their family can be together forever. This is a common goal of Latter-day Saints.

In our Heavenly Father's plan of happiness, a man and a woman can be sealed to one another for time and all eternity. Those who are sealed in the temple have the assurance that their relationship will continue forever if they are true to their covenants. They know that nothing, not even death, can permanently separate them.

Those who are married should consider their union as their most cherished earthly relationship. A spouse is the only person other than the Lord whom we have been commanded to love with all our heart (see D&C 42:22).

Marriage, in its truest sense, is a partnership of equals, with neither person exercising dominion over the other, but with each encouraging, comforting, and helping the other.

Because marriage is such an important relationship in life, it needs and deserves time over less-important commitments. Couples can strengthen their marriage as they take time to talk together and to listen to one another, to be thoughtful and respectful, and to express tender feelings and affection often.

Couples must centre their lives in the gospel of Jesus Christ. As couples help one another keep the covenants they have made, attend church and the temple together, study the scriptures together, and kneel together in prayer, God will guide them. Their companionship will sweeten through the years; their love will strengthen. Their appreciation for one another will grow.”

I have already spoken of Winy and Cyril. They were a wonderful example to me. They arise at 4:30 pm everyday and work side by side in their restaurant until 6:30 or 7:30 pm to provide for their family. They have not been married in the temple, yet, because the cost to go to Manila is so great. But I know without a doubt that next year when the temple is built on Cebu they will be there with their children.

The second individual I would like to mention is Orlando aka Magic. Orlando was one of Landon’s first friends in the Philippines. He had not see him in over 10 years. It did not cross his mind that we would see him while we were there. The last Landon had heard was that he had moved to Bacolod and was not active in the church. As we stood in the park in Valliodolid, Landon saw someone approach him. And then he heard, “Palmer?” There stood Magic, and he is at least a head taller than most Filipinos. He became our guide throughout the day. Taking us to Nanai Edvincula’s home and spending the day with us. The most joyous news we heard that day was that not only was he active in the church but this October, when he fiancé comes back from working in Montreal, he will be getting married to her in the Manila temple. The look of peace that Magic had on his face and the love he had for my husband brought tears to my eyes. When I think of the temple marriage I will always remember the sacrifices my dear friends are willing to make for such a great gift.

Lesson 3: Service

“During His ministry on the earth, Jesus Christ spent His time serving and helping others. True disciples of Jesus Christ do likewise. The Savior said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35).

The Savior is the best example of service. Even though He came to earth as the Son of God, He humbly served all those around Him. He declared, "I am among you as he that serveth" (Luke 22:27).

Opportunities for service to others are limitless. Kind words and deeds can lift burdens and gladden hearts. Sharing the gospel is a great service with eternal consequences. One true key to happiness is to labour for the happiness of others.” - Gospel Topics, www.lds.org

Every Filipino I met were willing to serve. Some for “tips” but with our friends it was just pure service. They made sacrifices to take us for dinner, and not allow us to pay, and then to make us dinner. Nanai Edvencula was so excited to see us that she did all in her power to make us comfortable and to get dinner for us. She sent Magic out to make us a wonderful type of pork egg roll. (He was a great cook.) And she sent her husband to the next town over to buy chicken for us to eat for dinner. I had to be careful when I was around our friends with what I said because they were more than willing to move heaven and earth to make it possible. Including taking jeepnee rides into Bacolod to spend a couple of hours with us. I was also blown away by the service I received from airline stewardesses, resort staff (namely Sunny), and anyone we met. It was a stark difference to the service that was offered by the same type of people once I landed back in North America.

I will be eternally grateful to my Heavenly Father for the opportunity he gave me to go to the Philippines and learn these lessons. It has been a difficult task remembering these lessons now that I am back home and reality has hit me full force. But I endeavour to change my life to live the gospel more fully, love more fully, and serve with all my heart.

We're Home!

We made it back, safe and sound. Only a few close calls. :) We were so excited to see and Emily. And fortunately the feeling was mutual. She doesn't particularly like me to be out of eye sight though. I can't blame her though. She was absolutely wonderful for my parents and only asked about us once maybe twice a day. I don't know if she grew up while we were gone or that it just took being away 13 days to see how grownup she has gotten. She has lost the last of the baby look in her face. Her vocabulary has become quite clear. Two words sentences are now the norm and she puts nonsense words together in sentences. She is quite funny and always putting smiles on her face. I will be sad to go back to work and not see her during the day as much. She is definitely a joy in our lives. As soon as I download the photos from our trip I will post a few. We had a great time and the pictures don't do justice to the beauty that we saw.

Philippines here we come!

In four hours Landon and I leave for the Philippines. Well at least the first leg of our trip, getting to Seattle. :) We are extremely excited to go except we are both feeling anxiety about leaving Emily. She probably won't even notice that we are gone. Because I haven't added anything lately I will leave a quick update.

First, Landon. Well he is doing grand. Work is going well and he loves that I'm home more. What can I say, he loves me! (And the freedom that comes with having two adults home with Emily!)

Second, Me. I am very excited to have work done and spending more one on one with Emily. I have loved that last 4 days where it has been primarily just the two of us. I have a fantastically cute and smart daughter who surprises me more each day. Life doesn't get much better.

Thirdly and most importantly, Emily. Its been an eventful few weeks. She was able to go on the amusement park rides at SeaFair for the first time this year. She went on a train, an infatable Cars Slide and a flying ride. She loved them, though the flying one got a little scary after about four times around. I climbed onto the train with her so that she could go. The things that you do for your child. :) She went to the fireworks at SeaFair and has developed a new passion. She kept pointing to the sky saying "Wow!" or pointing to the ocean and saying "boom!" (Some of the fireworks explode off of the water. They are awesome but very loud. Her vocabulary grows each day. Just the other day I asked if she was taking her purse to the beach with her. Now she goes looking for her purse to take to people and say "puwse." She has also learned how to turn on the guilt. My dad lets her ride on the lawn tractor with him as he mows the lawn or pulls a trailor around with stuff on it. Well he had to back the tractor and trailor to the back of the property. To do that he put her down on the lawn and told her that she could get back on in a minute. Her response was to hold her hands to together, hang her head and stand there looking dejected until my dad picked her up. It was hilarious! She tried it later on her dad and I which just ended up with her dad tickling her till she was laughing. She keeps us on our toes.

Speaking of Emily I want to go spend some more time with her before I leave so I must sign off. Below I have included the link to the summer photo album I have made on Facebook. You can see it by clicking on the link. You don't have to have a facebook account.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=58431&l=6080a&id=546590128

Picture Link

If the link won't go through when you click on it than just copy and paste it into the browser. :)

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=58431&l=6080a&id=546590128

Memories

I left a comment on my friend's blog and now I get to do this fun little post....
Enjoy!

1. Add a comment on my blog, leave one memory that we had together. Whether you knew me really well or hardly at all, it can anything you remember! Doesn't matter if it's good or bad, I would still love to hear about it!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.

What a Week!

Just wanted to leave an update on how we are all doing......

I started work part time this week at the reading and recreation program run by our school district. I work Monday through Friday 9-12:30 doing reading intervention for three small groups. All students in our school district grades 1-4 are invited to attend this reading program. It's to help improve students reading with small groups and incorporates arts and activities. It runs for four weeks and I am loving it. I love that I am home by one o'clock. Emily and I have taken to going on afternoon outings. Either the beach, a walk around the neighborhood or just playing in the pool and trampoline in my parents backyard. It's the best of both worlds. The job ends five days before we leave for the Philippines. :) Perfect timing!

Landon is definately enjoying the freedom that comes from having me home more. :) He is enjoying his work and the beautiful weather we are having. He misses his family, which I wish would motivate him to contact them more but Sorry no such luck. I keep trying. If anyone wants to surprise him with a visit he would love it! (It is his 30th birthday in September..... Everyone is invited!) Thanks to a website address sent to us by Chad and Pam, Landon is getting more and more excited for our upcoming trip.

Emily has had an up and down week. She is loving the one on one with me but on Monday put up a fuss when she found her friend Josephine's picture. So that led to a playdate on Wednesday, with Josie and her mom. Totally fun! They had a great time playing in the pool and on the trampoline. (And I loved the passionfruit lemonade drink that Sonia brought me from Starbucks! YUM!) Friday was a disastor for Emily though. I was downstairs getting dressed to go for work at about 8:10am when I heard Emily's stroller crash down the stairs. You see Emily's favourite thing to do is bring her stroller down the stairs and push it around the basement. She scoots down on her bum and pushs the stroller in front of her. I wish I could say that the stroller was the only casulity. A few seconds later I heard thumping sounds and then Emily screamed. From her position at the bottom of the stairs, my guess is that she reached for the stroller when I fell down the stairs and tumbled after it. Luckily she was half way down so she fell down 5 steps onto concrete. VERY SCARY! I picked her up, saw no blood, and just cuddled her. She asked for Blues Clues through her tears. (Her new favourite DVD) So I took her to it and held her in my arms. My mom walks in to examine her head more closely. She lifted Emily's bangs and my stomach turned. Right above Emily's temple was a large goose egg. Becoming larger and more purple by the second. All Emily did was reach up, touch it and say Owiee. My mom got ice but Emily wouldn't let us put it on. We decided to take her to emergency just in case but yeah, same oh, watch her, bring her in if anything changes. The bump had gone noticeable down by the time we got to the emergency room. She acted like nothing had happened. She didn't even take any tylenol. She just ran around the emergency room and played. I went to work and she was still happy as a clam when I got home. I wish I had taken a picture. Within 28 hours there was a slight purple mark and today, basically nothing. And no she didn't learn her lesson, she still takes way to many risks in my opinion. Gotta love toddlers!

Emily and Cassie Dancing

Emily and her cousin Cassie love dancing. Here are a couple of short videos.

Pictures

Here are some of the pictures from the last few weeks. Rita and Nic have been up visiting and I've included some pictures from their trip too. Enjoy!

Emily wearing Naomi's sunglasses and on the swing at James Thomson Elementary

Emily and Cassie wearing matching dresses from Aunt Naomi and my handsome nephews Tyson and Russell


My cute family and daughter

The Hull Family and the grandkids on the slip and slide

Late but finally here!

I can't believe how long it has been since I last gave an update. Landon and I have now moved in with my parents until we can find somewhere to live that is within our budget. Emily of course is loving it. She loves the attention and thinks her uncle Steve has the best toys! Landon and I are enjoying out time here too. They have been very generous and we are very grateful. Life is going well. I am looking forward to being done with work next week. Just in time for my sister and her family to come and visit. Emily is growing like a weed and is becoming quite a little person. :) She can now climb ladders on her own (Thanks Grandma) and is quite obsessed with Veggie Tales. Her vocabulary is growing every day. Now when she talks I can understand a few of the words. She has gotten taller and may soon need to go up to the next size. Her favourite things to do are jump on the trampoline with her dad or Uncle Steve, help Grandpa mow the lawn (on the riding lawn mower), and swing on the swings by herself. She hold on all by herself. One of these days I will upload the picture of her sitting all by herself. She looks to little to do it but she doesn't take no for an answer. Landon is still enjoying the chance to get out of the house a few hours a week and go to work. As soon as I put new batteries in my camera I promise to post some new pictures.