I have never had a sprained ankle that I just couldn't walk off.
Jon went running behind his parents place and came back and told me we had to run it together. I had only brought my old aerobics shoes and not my runners, so I will blame it on that rather then my old age. Anyway we got running and seriously I wish I had a camera cause it was breathtaking. I will publicly say it was quite romantic too (other then my husbands sweat) I will say we exchanged many kisses, slaps on the butts. and a lot of flirtatious gestures. I never knew running with my husband could turn me on so much. Now that I made this so awkward for many of you to read I will continue my story. . .
We ran inside a green belt next to a river. Hearing the white water, the many birds, smelling the fresh damp air and looking at all the lime-green moss growing up the trees and twice running under bridges one being a train that was going across. Are you getting the idea it was beautiful? The quarter of our run was paved then after that it was dirt trail the rest of the way. After running 4 miles my ankle gave out on me. My husband joked and told me to watch out for the pine needles. He insisted we head home and walk it off, but after 10 seconds I said, "forget it. We run or he would be carrying me home." So we started running a half of a mile up the road until I could start feeling the discomfort. I told him we better head home which I was so sad cause I wasn't even tired. (this is shocking cause I hate running and have always hated running if it didn't involved some other sport, but I think now I totally would dig cross country running in beautiful places. I think running is more mental then physical for me. While I was running I just got so excited and couldn't wait what we would see next on the trail. Unlike running my neighborhood in Vegas. I would look at concrete and cement walls everywhere I ran in the heat and dreaded every mile I ran.)
We turned around and headed back and the last mile we kept doing mini sprint races. It was a great workout and all the stress from packing-up was released on this run. So the story continues that I got home fixed lunch for everyone, cleaned up and got in the car to head to Lions Park which was a mile away from Jon's parents place. I got out of the car and almost fell to the ground. I seriously couldn't walk on my foot. I started limping then hopping. Jon ran to the closest pharmacy for athletic tape (which wasn't the smartest to leave a gimp with a 18-month old at the park) but he hurried back and at that time my ankle was completely out of commission. Even Jon carrying me to the car hurt. The rest of the plans for the day was shot. I spent the rest of day R I.C.E.(ing) it. (Rest Ice Compression Elevation) and IT WORKED! By morning time it was ALL good. I will say I just felt like the biggest old wimp ever.
The moral of the story is . . . Run with Hubby in a beautiful place if you want a good playful workout AND BETTER YET sprain your ankle so he can pamper you for the rest of the day!!!!!
This last weekend my family did something so special that we will never forget. It first started last Saturday night attending the "Youth Temple Celebration" program. The Vancouver temple district consists of 13 stakes that the youth joined together and put on what I think was one of the most beautiful live programs I have ever attended.President Thomas S. Monson along with Dieter F. Uchtdorf and D. Todd Christofferson and other area authorities attended as well.It was a night I will always remember along with my family.
Jon's sister Kristen was one of the youth councilors helping out and Jon's two cousins were in the the program. Also Jon's Aunt & Uncle had a special part at the end as well.
I cried from the beginning to the end. It was so beautifully put on and you could feel such a strong tangible spirit there. President Monson said a few things at the beginning and decided to changed the opening song to "O CANADA" Canada's National Anthem. I sang along and was surprised I knew so many of the words probably because I have a Canadian Husband who sings it every once in a while. President Monson had this darling little Canadian pin that blinked and was so bright in the dark. His wife told him that he better not turn it on but he didn't' listen. He turned it on several times.
Pres. Monson loves the Canadian people and it showed that night. As he expressed his lovely words I could not help but echo in my heart how excited I was for the Vancouver people to finally have a temple. This temple means so much to these people and for myself. That night I realized how lucky I am to have always lived so close to a temple. I thought about how many times I have attended the temple where I didn't plan on going until that evening. Either because I felt like it or felt an urgency to receive divine inspiration for a particular decision I needed to figure out, or just needed some extra love from above. The people in Vancouver were not able to do that. They had to plan at least a 10 hour day to attend the temple where as for me I could attend the temple and return in 3 hours or less.
Watching the Youth that night I couldn't help but think about the testimony they received while practicing and performing this wonderful grand program. I also can't help but think that they each youth at some point in all of this made a self commitment that they wanted to go to the temple one day and be married there for time and all eternity. I truly believe that the Vancouver Youth are stronger members of the church because of this celebration. In one the last Temple Dedication session last Sunday Pres. Monson said, "Shame on the leaders who do not provide experiences like the one we watched last night" I thought about that statement for a long time after. I have always had a strong love for the Youth. Since the moment I graduate from High School I started working with the Youth. I haven't had a lot of callings that didn't involve the youth. They are special and wonderful children who deserve our time, talents, and love.
The beginning of the program they had large tarps that stood up as Mountains and hills. They blue tarps waving up and down representing water with daises all over and bald eagles on sticks flying all around. It was a stunning beginning that brought tears to my eyes as you really appreciated the beauty of the British Columbia. The program was about the church growth in Vancouver starting with the Indians to the present members today. At the end they had a song "One by One" I believe that brought again many tears to my eyes as I watched the first member family of Vancouver walk across the stage again through the present. All the songs were original songs written for this program.At the very end they had a beautiful replica tarp tent of the Vancouver Temple that all the modern day youth stood facing it. It was such a powerful spiritual moment. Serious if you have time to watch it on YouTube You should take the time cause it was stunning and incredible.
The next day on Sunday was the Temple dedication. There were 3 sessions. We attended the first one at the Stake Center and the 3rd one at the Temple. Yes you heard that right we got tickets to go inside Temple thanks to Jon's wonderful Uncle who is a Stake President here in the Vancouver Stake. He and his wife were fortunate to watch it live in the Celestial Room, but I will not complain since I watched it from the Baptistery Room. The dedication was beautiful of course.
Today is Saturday and we were able to do one last Temple thing and that was to go through the Temple and watch Jon's sister go through for her very first time. She is going on a mission to the Manchester England. This was the real reason why we came up to Vancouver, but talk about perfect timing with everything else. As I was going through it I have to say it seriously is what I think the most beautiful modern temple that I have ever seen. The Temple Interior Desinger was one of my teachers and I remember him telling our class about all the details that went into the Navoo Temple, but I have to say this was stunning and very unique to Bristsh Columbia. The garden room reflected the mountains of Vancouver with the most beauiful bold colors I have ever seen in a temple with strong royal blues and fog sitting low in the mountains with elk all around. I was excited being there and admiring the architecturual beauty all the way down to the beautiful modern textiles. It truely is my favorite temple other then the Salt Lake Temple, that has so much wonderful heritage and it is also where I was married and my parents sealed and where I went for my very first time. I love the Vancouver Temple and am excited that I will be able to go to the temple now when I am on Vacation or "Holiday" as my fellow South African families say.
This week was such a spiritual uplift for my family and me. It couldn't have come at a better time in our lives as we close a chapter in our book and start a new one as we move across the United States to Long Island, NY. All is well with us. After hearing the talk " The Tender Mercies of the Lord" by Elder Bednar my eyes have been more open and being able to recognize more of my blessing and those wonderful tender mercies from the Lord. I know that he loves each and everyone of us. I know it. It's something I don't just teach It's something that I know. I am so grateful for my testimony, my membership and more importantly to be able to hold a current temple recommend. I pray that I will always remember how I am feeling and this testimony will only grow stronger as I live.
I will post many pictures much later as I will download them and edit in NY. I miss my mac : (
