4 Lessons Learned

After 2008, I thought my life was over-

especially my physical life. 

I was so wrong.

Since then, I've learned four hard-won lessons about life:

1. God is everywhere.  He is my comforter,

my peace, my calm, my healer, and my light.

2. Challenges strengthen and stretch us

and we can become stronger because of them.

3. A healthy body is such a precious gift.

4. 83% is just a number that won't and can't define me.

Today, I am a proud owner and instructor of 

Chatham Park Barre3 studio!

Check out Barre3

Farewell, January!

 I can't believe January is over.

Where did the time go?
Honestly, I've been pushing January out the door
because February holds so much goodness for my little family.

And I can barely sleep; I'm so excited!

Sleeping Turtle

 The weather was a lovely 65 degrees today! 

After work and school,
 Lottie and I explored the pasture and the pond behind Stillestead.

We found several turtles sleeping peacefully under the pond ice

and looked for Gigs' drone he lost last summer.  

Unfortunately, it's still M.I.A.

This warmer weather is sure lovely!

But I must admit, I'm not quite done with winter and cold weather.

Christian promised me we still have some colder weather

to enjoy.  I trust that's true.

 February is usually one of NC's coldest months.

I have a giant list on my fridge in the kitchen that

has all the things we need to have done before

 Ollie comes home in 15 days.

We are a little behind schedule.

Today, however,  Christian and Gigs managed to change my cars

oil and fiddle with my tires.

Check!

Later, we all jumped in the car and drove to St. Bart's church

where Christian was able to drop off and donate some of Homestead Beef

to our local community chuckwagon.

It's a privilege for us to share the blessings God gave to us with our community.

Life is so busy right now.

I've thought back to the sleeping turtle in the pond

and sometimes, I wished that were me.

Inspiring, Of Course

 This afternoon, Christian and I had the pleasure of doing an interview 

with our full-time social media missionaries.  

They are delightful, and I love them so much!

I wasn't feeling very "inspiring" since literally three minutes

before the missionaries arrived, I was yelling at Gigs, who I had

asked to tie up Angus, who had just taken himself on a lengthy walk

around the pastures and in the pond.

His beard was caked with giant sticky burrs, and he was wet and stinky.

 And Gigs, of course, didn't do it, and Angus, of course, 

jumped up on the missionaries, barked loudly, and was just generally annoying.

I HATE when he does that.

But I composed myself, and we said a lovely prayer

before we started the interview.  That, of course, helped.

 They will use this interview to post on their social media outlets

to spread faith, love, joy, peace, and the light of the Savior 

to our community and local area.

Christian and I talked about having faith in Jesus and believing in 

Him even when hard things happen. 

Of course, hardship is not new for anyone.

Because everyone deals with something complex and challenging.

  But of course, I was so grateful to share my feelings and experiences 

related to the accident and beyond.  

Then, of course, I let them browse 

my impressive drink refrigerator outside on the porch

before they moved on to their next inspiring assignment.

Now, of course, it's time to give Angus a bath.

Snoozing With Kitty

 Early morning seminary, staying up late, working, 

working out, school, assignments, 

and working on projects have this boy exhausted and out of gas

around 2:00.

Gigs' favorite thing to do is to find the most uncomfortable place

in the house and fall asleep there.

He's been doing it since 2006.

Oliver in Brazil: January 2025

 It's birthday month for Elder Nielson! 

Happy 20th Birthday, Ollie!!

It's also his LAST FULL month on this 2-year mission! 

Here is what January was like for my boy:

Birthday celebrations: (January 2nd)

Temple:

Friends:

Eating/Food (pizza):

Companions:

Teaching:

All together, now!

Brazil (it's hot!!)

Next month, I'll see him in PERSON!!!