Love for Lana

During July a lady in my stake was attacked by a bear. Isn't that awful! This lady was amazing! Here is a list of things she volunteered for around the city.

- volunteer fire fighter

- addiction/recovery program teacher

- helped with church services at a jail

- humor therapist dressing up as a clown at a few hospitals 

- made homemade bread for people who she heard was having a hard time or new in her ward.

- went to the Temple weekly

Those are just a few things I can think of off the top of my head. Oh and she LOVED animals. She had several herself.

Since my roommate was in her ward she helped with a big benefit to help raise money for the hospital expenses that were incurring on the family.  She baked and baked and baked. At the benefit was a car wash, bake sale, people selling all sorts of things, popcorn, massages, cotton candy, balloon making, and face painting. Most of it they just asked for donations when getting something like face painting or the balloons. It was neat to see the community come together for her. You could tell she was very loved.

 

 

Lucy made sure we didn't burn the treats

 Tons of people made all kinds of goodies. It all looked amazing!

 A lady made all these aprons.

He also volunteers at the hospital with her.

This is Mr. Giggles setting up shop. A few other clowns came 

to help and support her too.

 Mr. Giggles gave us clown noses

 Me got myself a tattoo!

 Mr. Giggles made all kinds of fun balloon stuff!

The car wash was a big hit. This was the ladies

son helping out in the heat.

 In the courtyard they were selling tiled sayings, bow clips, and other little accessories.

 In the end, she ended up passing away a few weeks later from a brain hemorrhage. I'm sure she is doing amazing things in Heaven.

Haboob... say what??!!

Isn't that a weird name for a monsoon?! I sure think so. During this time of year we get some crazy weather sometimes. Back in the first part of July I went with a friend to the store with clear blue skies out and when we left the store, just 30 minutes later, we saw this as we were getting on the freeway. At first we didn't know what it was, but soon realized it was just pure dust and strong winds. Crazy huh! It was a little scary not being able to see very far in front of us while driving. Surprising what a little, I mean a lot of dust can do to a town. Well it can swallow it up whole! So needless to say I was in my first real dust storm. I was so glad that my friend had her camera with her!

 

Visitors & Trip Home

In the middle of June my sister and her family came to visit me! It was fun showing them around town for a few days before they headed up to visit other family. Then a week later I went up to my parents house and they met me there. While I was there I dyed my hair for the FIRST time! I was pretty nervous about it, but my sis and sis-in-law kept reassuring me it was no big deal. Here is a play by play in pictures of the momentous occasion.

 

 

  

 

It turned out a little more red than I was expecting but it's toned down since then.

Exciting Day!

I have been mentoring a very sweet girl for almost 4 years now. It's always fun hanging out with her. Well back in May she got ADOPTED by the family she has been with for a while!!! I thought it was so nice of them to invite me to the court hearing. The morning of the adoption we waited in the hall until it was our turn. The actual court hearing with the judge took only about 10 to 15 minutes. The "court room" talk was interesting to hear. Right after the judge announced the adoption was final, my mentee started crying and said "Thank you for adopting me." It was so sweet. I started crying along with her. I'm thankful this family adopted her and have always treated her like their own from the beginning. I just couldn't help, but think about what family means to me. I also thought about the gospel and how the family is central to the Creator's plan. I'm thankful my parents were sealed in the Temple for time and all eternity which means I will be with my family for eternity. I love them so much and can't imagine not being with them in the next life. I'm excited for the day we all meet up again and reminisce about this life. That'll be so fun!

So here are some pics I took of the very special day.

                                                        Waiting in the hall for the court hearing

 

Right after with her family and the judge

 

Cute siblings

After her adoption (sorry it's a little blurry)

Update on School

So in September it will have been a year since I started school and it's also when I finish too. It's coming up fast! The last 3 modules are all different types of actual doctor dictations. Sometimes I get frustrated because I can't tell what the doctor is saying or I get a lot wrong after I submit it, but I'm still learning I guess. I was so happy when I got a lot of this one right and did it in good time too! It's a rarity.

****UPDATE***


To make a long story short, my foot pedal started working sporadically so I had to get a new one (for free). While I was on the phone with someone from the school  I also asked for an extension on my program (normally it costs for an extension if you don't finish on time) since I can't dictate without a foot pedal. They were so nice and gave me 5 additional days to complete the program.

 

Eye spy two kitties.... can you spot them?

 I thought it was SO cute that both kitties were in the study with me while I worked on school. Janey's head was even on my foot pedal. She went through a phase of doing that for a while.

DOVE

The other week in Relief Society they passed around mini Dove chocolate bars. I thought mine was very fitting.

 

I've been trying to do this my whole life. I'm so glad Dove gave me a lil' reminder.  :)

Swimming in June

When it's 110 degrees or hotter during the summer the best thing to do is go swimming. We did just that on my friend's birthday. She had the grand idea of taking pictures of us jumping into the pool. Be amazed... be very amazed!