This is the answer Chad will give:  “We stopped updating our blog, and now we just post pictures. There’s lots of cute pictures though.”

Here is my answer: It stopped being fun and something we look forward to. I guess we didn’t realize how the things we wrote could be so misunderstood. So instead of risking being misunderstood we opted out. Now I am sad that we have missed documenting so many great moments over the last 5 months.

So love me or hate me; I am going to be honest.  This used to be a journal and now it is a thing that makes me sad.  To try and make it a happy place again for me I have to treat it like it was before. This is were I am going to write what I think, how I feel, what is real to me and my family. It doesn’t matter who agrees or disagrees. We cannot apologize for who we are. I welcome all positive feedback (who doesn’t?) but direct the negative energy in another direction–like into a big dark hole and then cover it up and then build a big safe around it and seal it shut and then hire big scary security guards to keep it away.

Phew… that was a long time coming.

It was great to have family here for Eden’s blessing. We had Grandpa Church and Nana Banana, Grandpa Parry and Omi. Eden’s Great Gramma Sophie was here too. Uncles Jeff and Jeff helped bless Eden, as well as my mom’s bishop…. Linda Osborne, Aunt Kim, Lauren, Jordyn, Sarah and Eden’s cousins Sophia and Jane came to see. Phew! 

Nana Banana got a long white gown for Eden. We even put the bonnet on her. She looked pretty cute. Too bad she only wore it for 30 minues. 🙂

Yesterday in our Sacrament meeting at church I did a very brave thing.  It was a testimony meeting where people from the congregation are invited to bear witness of the truthfulness of the gospel.  It has been awhile since I have gotten up to share my thoughts. I get so nervous, because it isn’t something you generally plan out. Well I decided I was going to get up and try to express what was in my heart. It wasn’t until I actually made it up to the front of the chapel and in front of the congregation that I decided to try and do it all in German. It was terrifying! But I managed to express my gratitude for the gift of the Spirit and bear my witness of how it can bless our lives in all things.

Even though it is scary and difficult, especially in German, it is always such a wonderful feeling to share those special thoughts and feelings with others. I miss that about being a missionary. Even while taking a break from my calling as primary chorister I have fewer opportunities to share my testimony.

Anyway, I was really proud of myself for trying in German. It is a scary thing to start a sentence and not know how you are going to finish it.