On Friday morning at 6:30 Sabrina and I met Cassidy and her mom at Elmers to drive us to the Open house in Scio about three hours or so away. It was a pretty fun morning, I must say. Cassidy is one of the most hyper individuals I've ever met, and she made the ride up there pretty interesting with her unique randomness. At times when we simply sat and read, I felt like I had a lot of time to just ponder. The book I brought with me, 7 Habits (shortened title), has really been helping me shape the way I see my world and the possibilities that I have, along with, of course, my study of the scriptures.
Not long after we got to the school we found a group of awesome people known as the Baxter family. I "met" Ceana (who is in my grade) online last February, and have since become good friends. Kaeli, her 13 year old sister, is 4 inches taller than her! Caiden, who is 10, is a good natured young man who has really red hair: a trait that he alone has in his immediate family. Colton, the 7 year old, is the sweetest little guy I have ever met. Throughout the weekend the child held my hand, sat on my lap, and leaned on my arm. Then there was Ky: the 4 year old, and Kelsi: the 2 year old.
I had a good time meeting my teachers, playing music, singing a song on karaoke, and meeting many acquaintances from school at the Open House. Allie Holmbeck, another dear friend, finally got there at around 12. There was supposed to be some kind of college seminar, but for some reason that did not happen. Maybe we were at the wrong place at the wrong time for it.
The time flew by way too quickly; it was over by 1:00. Just to have more time together, the moms decided to go get ice cream. Our quartet (Ceana, Allie, Cassidy, and me) got to stick together for a lot longer than originally planned. Out of pure spontaneity, Rory (Ceana's mom) invited us over to her house a half hour away while Allie and her mother went to a doctor's appointment in Portland. The plan was that she would pick us up after the appointment and drive us home. And so we went to the Baxter home and played board games, played at a nearby park, watched Youtube Videos, ate pancakes and scrambled eggs, cleaned dishes, sang, and played piano. Cassidy got sick and had to lie down after vomiting a bit. That kind of put a damper on the visit.
Out of spontaneous planning once again, the moms decided to let us stay for the night. We got to hang out ALL NIGHT LONG. No, really. Ceana, Allie, and I stayed up till 4 A.M. discussing forever and topics related to it. Well, Allie went to bed earlier than Ceana and me. Though it was against the Word of Wisdom to stay up at such a late time, our talk felt really spiritual and insightful. Ceana and I chat online often, and it was so fun to speak to her in person that night!
In the morning, I awoke earlier than anyone else. I was considering going upstairs and jumping on everyone, but I decided to be polite and wait. When Colton, who has adopted me as his big brother, awoke, I told him to go and attack Ceana. Allie, who unfortunately heard our plot (I speak WAY to loud), stopped the child in his task. That morning Allie's mom said that they would have to leave right after breakfast to get home. But thankfully, we were permitted to tarry for a time. In fact, we got to go to the pumpkin patch with the Baxter family that day! We took some fun pictures there, and then, finally, had to leave. Ceana and Kaeli sneaked into our car and told Allie's mom to steal them. That would've been cool, and we would've been able to go to church the next day together! But Rory said that they already had the responsibility to sing in church in their own ward, and so they obediently left the car.
The ride home was fun too; we bought some food from a grocery store and snacked on food the whole way home. I played some guitar, got high on sugar from eating too many cookies, and then fell asleep. When I awoke, we were back in Grants Pass. It was the most fun trip I've had since Ed Week. It was so good to be around such dear friends!
Today was a good Sabbath. I really felt the Spirit in sacrament meeting, Sunday school, and Priesthood. I feel rejuvenated. I have been prompted to attempt to achieve order once again in my life. One of my most favorite verses ever is D&C 88:119. If I am ever going to have an organized, successful family of my own, I must internalize the value of order in my own core. I feel that was the main thing I was prompted of today.
This evening I was privileged to go to Charlie Jarvis' baptism. My little cousin's family is another fantastic family that I look up to. It was a very spiritual program and tears almost came to my eyes during it. The song "A Child's Prayer" was sung by 8 of the 9 children that made up their family. It was very very touching. Jefferson, the 17 year old, accompanied them with his guitar. He has a lot of musical skill; he accompanied all of the other music for that evening on the piano! Though his most favorite strength is his (state-wide known) sporting skills, his mother still makes him study music. It makes me think of Hercules' early years.
After the spiritually potent program I once again got high on sugar (only this time from cupcakes!), talked to some friends and family, and then went home. I really need to stop doing that; it's not godly to eat so much sugar at once! Maybe I should try another dessert fast... no, just internalize moderation!
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