Sometimes We All Need a Little Nudge

Thanks to Emily I will be updating our blog within the next couple of days. I have been lazy lately and blogging seems so difficult. Perhaps I need to remember that a post doesn't need to be wonderful it just needs to be posted.

Thanks Em!

Sacrifice Brings Forth the Blessings of Heaven

This morning at 3:15 the alarm clock on my cell phone was the last thing that I wanted to hear. I laid there for a little bit longer before Sterling finally made me get out of bed. At this point many questions were running through my mind. Why did we choose the morning shift? Were we thinking when we accepted the calling? Is this real or am I dreaming? Am I really awake at 3:15 am? Will Sterling hate me at the end of the day because I am so crotchety?

Well I couldn't sit and ask questions all day I had to get for our first day as ordinance workers in the Nauvoo Temple. Our first experiences were wonderful and I finally feel like I am using my brain again. We can already see what a blessing this is going to be in our lives and we are looking forward to the next year of service.

I loved interacting with the elderly ordinance workers and I have made a few friends already; I was always better at interacting and making friends with people older than me. One of my new found friends has even invited us to stay with her whenever we would like so that we don't have to wake up so early. Our immediate bonding can be attributed to the fact that she lived in Hawaii for 30 years, married a Tongan man and misses Hawaii dearly, however I like to think it is because I am just that charming.

So as I said before we enjoyed our first week and we look forward to the upcoming year of service and sacrifice. So even though the our experiences will be of a sacred nature and we may not be able to share much, we will do our best to share what we can.

When You're the Best of Friends

I was once told that some of the best and truest friends I would ever have would be the members of my family. I was young when I received this counsel and at that point I couldn't imagine how true that statement would be.

As I have progressed from child to teenager and teenager to adult my parents and siblings have been faithful, committed friends. They forgive my weaknesses, correct my faults, laugh with me at my mistakes and love me no matter what. Perhaps it is because we are family and therefore we are stuck with each other but I like to think it is because we are the best of friends and that is what friends do.

My Best Friends

Angels Among Us

This is a picture of my paternal grandmother, Grandma Bina, Granny, Bina-Bina or Mom. Ninety-four years ago the world was blessed with one of the most amazing people that I have ever known. She is a person that possesses and exemplifies qualities such as kindness, patience, humility, purity of heart and mind and above all unconditional love.

When I think of my grandma I generally think of the words to a song by Alabama.

"Oh I believe there are angels among us. Sent down to us from somewhere up above. They come to you and me in our darkest hours. To show us how to live, to teach us how to give. To guide us with a light of love.

When life held troubled times, and had me down on my knees. There's always been someone there to come along and comfort me. A kind word from a stranger, to lend a helping hand. A phone call from a friend, just to say I understand. And ain't it kind of funny that at the dark end of the road. Someone lights the way with just a single ray of hope."

One more than one occasion I am sure that Grandma Bina has been the stranger that lends a helping hand, the friend that calls with words of comfort and she is always the ray of hope that people like you and I need in this life. So today I thought I would list ten of the many reasons that I love my Grandma Bina so dearly.

1. Grandma is a wonderful cook.
2. Grandma has a keen sense of humor.
3. Grandma gives great hugs.
4. Grandma was an exceptional wife and mother.
5. Grandma is an amazing teacher because she teaches by example.
6. Grandma's challenges in life make her better, not bitter.
7. Grandma always sacrifices her own wants and needs.
8. Grandma loves the Lord.
9. Grandma loves her family.
10. Grandma loves unconditionally.

These are only a few of the reasons that my grandma holds such a special place in my heart. If I end being half of the woman that she is, I will call my life a success!

We are Family

I just wanted to post a picture of our wonderful family. This is the Whining Wisniewski Traveling Troop in all of its glory. I can't believe how much we have changed over the years in terms of size because I kid you not that when it comes to traveling together or just being together for that matter we are all still a bunch of whiners.

This is the whole fam damily minus Samantha and Sharli.