Yummy

Is there anything better on a summer evening than hot, sweet corn-on-the-cob dripping with melted butter?

Roller Coaster

No, not the amusement park kind of ride, but the kind of ride that life takes you on. It has it's ups and downs and definitely its unexpected twists and turns.

It's been a difficult ride the last three months, but thank goodness for friends, family, ward members, co-workers, even strangers who have helped to ease the downs. I don't imagine the ride is going to get any easier any time soon, but I also can't imagine that I'll be going alone.

Good Week

It's been a good week, just so you know.

I Am Loved

So many people have sent emails/facebook messages, called, dropped off treats at home and work today--all to wish me a happy birthday. One of my friends said to me that the message of the day was that I was to know that I am loved.

It's true. And it feels good.

Good Quote

"It is not always for the sower to see the harvest" --Albert Schweitzer

I saw this on a friend's blog--she's a teacher, so that is very applicable. I, being the mom of a missionary, an aunt to three more missionaries, and the daughter/stepdaughter of two more missionaries, of course thought of it's pertinence to missionary work. They may be in one area anywhere from 6 weeks to 9 months, but it really is a short period of time. So I'm guessing that you don't get to see the harvest, or be the harvester very often as a missionary. But the sower is vital to the work, because without a sower, there can be no harvest.

A Few Thoughts on Disneyland

• Although it wasn't the same as when all five of us have gone, a good time was had by all
• Toy Story Mania is super fun!
• Space Mountain is still super AWESOME!
• Disneyland has better weather than Utah County
• It was (surprisingly) not as crowded as I thought it would be for a holiday weekend. In fact, we waited much longer for rides on Tuesday after the actual "holiday weekend" was over
• For the first time in a very long time, we didn't see anyone we know while we were there. Maybe it's because we usually go over spring break or UEA?? But we did see two celebrities while at California Adventure on Saturday afternoon--Jennette McCurdy (from i Carly) and Anne Burrell (from Food Network)
• Disneyland with teenagers is just as fun as with little kids--maybe even more so
• My back and hips weren't loving the standing/walking, but it was worth it anyway
  
• "The Goat Trick" on Thunder Mountain Railroad is cool (click here to see what it is)
• Chicken gumbo at the Blue Bayou restaurant--YUM!
• Gary used to say that it's always a good idea to go to Disneyland...and (except for the time we went between Christmas and New Year's Day several years ago) I would have to agree!

Elder Hatch

So many people have asked me how Aubrey is doing. My reply is usually something along the lines of "well, it's hard to know when you only hear from them once a week, but he seems to be doing okay."

On Friday I received an email from Aubrey's mission president, President Pimentel, who said this: "We were with your son, Elder Hatch, again yesterday. ... He looks good. He is happy. He has a wonderful companion. He is doing well. It was a delight to see him again. "

And this brought peace to my mind and heart.