Saturday, April 18, 2009

Did that fall out, too?

Our stuff strewn across the dirt road.



The group BEFORE the cave



In the cave

AFTER the cave



A small group from my ward went camping to the Oracle Caves last weekend.
We arrived at about 9:45 p.m.
all the campsites were full.
{Why wouldn't they be on a perfect weather Friday night?}

We decided to be
"adventurous"
aka we off-roaded
to find a place to set up camp.
The further we went the less options we had.

We got to the top of the mountain,
and although rocky and windy
we decided to set up camp.

We got out to unload the stuff
and half of the stuff was
m-i-s-s-i-n-g!

The tailgate was left open.

We started driving down the mountain and we

Found the stuff

strewn

all over the road.

{All except 2 bags!
One of which was mine.}

We continued the search...


No luck!



My stuff was missing.

My keys, wallet, camera, and clothes

{and let's not forget the toothbruth}

were gone!


No where to be found.


My identity was gone!




We went to bed.
We woke up at the break of dawn
and began our SEARCH!

We went through the campground
asking everyone if they'd seen our stuff.

No luck!

As we were getting ready to leave
we went to the last group
{who had been asleep when we asked earlier}.
They saw us and asked if I was Amy!
Yup!
They found our bags
out in the middle of the road
just around the bend!

All was retrieved.
Safe and sound.
All except a $500 camera!

Prayers were heard
and answered.
Another tender mercy
felt and seen.
Gratitude a plenty.
Now when anything is ever missing
the joke is,
"Did that fall out, too?"
Then we were off to have
mucho fun
in the mud caves.
{see the above pix}

Monday, April 13, 2009

Photos Galore from Boston

This last weekend I used my FREE flight and
visited one of my fav peeps/mission companeras {companions)
who is studying and working in Boston.
{And also a great tour guide, I might add.}
We had so much fun sight seeing, laughing, being silly,
eating and {making friends with strangers}.
The famous Boston ducks

East Coast
Now I can say I've travelled from "sea to shining sea."

Bunker Hill Memorial


Salem Witch Museum


Getting a kiss from the fish...I'll just keep dreaming that it was a Prince...


Inside the Bunker Hill Memorial...after climbing 294 steps to the topo...



View from Bunker Hill



Bostonians love their Red Sox
I also loved seeing all the old, old houses that people still live in.
I love the New England style homes.
Boston plus Karen plus food equals FUN!

Boston

My trip to Boston was just {LOVELY}
Dunkin' Donuts was literally on every corner

John Hancock's memorial

Park


Another Park



Typical view looking up the streets



In the subway


Harvard Square news stand



Flower Store
Girly I know. But I LOVE flowers!




Harvard




Cool bridge



A not so good picture of Fenway Park (on the right)



Boston Temple



View from Periwinkle's restaurant

Sunday, April 12, 2009

He Lives!

On this Easter Sabbath,
I am reminded that
Our Savior lives!
He lived,
He died,
and lives
AGAIN!
For you
and for me!

I love Him and
am so grateful
for Him!
For his
life,
example,
ATONEMENT,
forgiveness,
and LOVE!

May we all live
as He would have
us live,
by word
and by deed!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Uncle Sam

I FINALLY
finished my2008 taxes!
It feels oh so good to have 'em done!
Uncle Sam was good to me this year!
Making it possible for my trips to
Boston and
New York City! :)
Doesn't it feel good to be a
{contributing member of society}?

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Five years ago today
{April 1}
I received a call
I'll never forget.
A call from
my mission president.
At first it was chit chat,
but then
it turned serious
something along these lines
Sister Redd,
We appreciate your service.
Mission well done.
Remember how you
extended
your time here?
Well, you've extended
it TOO LONG.
You'll be going home
mid transfer.
Policy let's sisters serve
for "x" number of days
and you're at "x" minus 16 days.
If you stay until May
like we originally planned
you'll be at "x" plus too many!

I didn't want to believe him.
I was shocked,
disappointed.

I thought for a moment that
it was an
April Fool's Joke,
but I knew it wasn't.
Don't get me wrong.
I was excited to go home
and see my fam.
But I had to make a major
change in my mind set.
I didn't want my mission
to end...
I guess I was in denial.

Five years!
It's been almost 5 years
since I've been "home."
But a piece of my heart
is still in Texas.