I figured I should make an appearance, since my 21^st stroke-aversary is on March 16.  So much has gone on, though, that I don’t know where to start, & I feel so overwhelmed by just the idea of writing…so I keep procrastinating.   Procrastination usually involves eating, gaining weight, & then a class/challenge/goal to lose weight.  (I’m in that class now!  Haha)  I also procrastinate by watching more TV & YouTube, & distracting myself in numerous ways (like writing about how I can be distracted!  HaHa)

I started to write a blog post last fall, but that time of year would get really busy with my primary calling (so I used to not travel much between September-the first Sunday in January, & I let my husband – who loves to travel – go places with a friend/family member) It was just too much for me to leave during that time, & I stayed home…which allowed me time to write a blog post.  However, I was in my 5th year as primary president & I’d been trying to find a new balance in my life, which meant trying to do more with my family.  & Since my husband loves to travel, that meant I have been traveling more!  So sorry I’ve been MIA for so long!  Since I last wrote I’ve been to Iceland, Utah, Scotland, London, Belgium, & DisneyWorld. “& I’m proud to say that with all these flights I remain “Faceplant free since 2023”- Thanks goes to Red Arena, where I do my horse therapy). 

So here’s a quick re-cap:

-July:Iceland was a fun family reunion, but very inaccessible (I don’t recommend going unless someone strong can carry u, & u can stand while they shower u!)

-October: We went to AMCAP (The Association of Latter-day Saint Counselors and Psychotherapists)in Utah.  It’s really for my husband, but spouses are invited & I like the intellectual Stimulation…

-December: Scotland/London/Belgium-this was an early Christmas/30^th wedding anniversary for my husband & I.  It started off rocky because British Airways was totally discriminating against those with disabilities, & they destroyed my beautiful new travel wheelchair!  But I saw my childhood crush, Donny Osmond, perform in “Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” in Scotland, & in London (probably the most accessible place) I saw “Harry Potter 1 & 2” & “Phantom of the Opera” (which we saw on our honeymoon, & for my wedding gift, my husband made me a music box that plays “All I Ask of U” — & he made a “more advanced” music box for our 25^th anniversary).  We took a train ride from London to Belgium for a day trip.  Europe has some really cool Christmas markets at that time of year!  It’s just really cold, & I don’t do well in the cold!  But I discovered the magic of hand warmers, & I felt invincible as long as I had a hand warmer!

-January: Then came Disney. My husband, daughter Sophie, & SIL, Davis ran a half-marathon.  The flight landing was crap & we bounced, but even with that I remain faceplant free & I even reached up & pulled down the sun visor in the Ivan we rented (1st time in 20 years!  I often try & finally did it – Go me!  Some day I’ll put a visor back up in a car! HaHa) I felt as proud as if I’d finished my own half marathon! 

Back in October, Mark asked me what my perfect day was  & asked if I wanted to go somewhere…I thought about it: Disney & London are probably the most accessible places I’ve been, I enjoy family cruises,  & I love beaches (Destin, FL is pretty & doesn’t require a long flight), but nothing allows me more freedom/independence & less stress/anxiety as staying home.  So I told him I’d stay home if I had a perfect day.  Seems crazy, but nothing appealed to me more than having as much independence as possible & as little anxiety as possible!  (Plus, most of the places I go, I don’t feel very welcome – I think because usually they aren’t accessible – even finding a bathroom is hard & I basically sit alone do much better with one-on-one).

 Mark & I have zero desire to travel right now (during our spring break), &my helper, Angie , is gone all week, so we are trying my “perfect week, where I’m home & can be more independent, feel less stress, & stay warm.  I’m having a “staycation” this week  Hahaha

One more thing.  In January, the church boundaries were re-arranged for my congregation, so I’m no longer the primary president. I now work with the 11-18 year old girls (YW/young women). It’s far less involved, so maybe I can get back to things I have stopped doing.

Speaking of the YW I work with, last week I sent this text on our YW text group, & wanted to share it today on here:

“At the end of class today I had a comment when we discussed “does Christ REALLY know how I feel?” (ie having a period & bleeding all over the place in public) But I talk slow  & am hard to understand, so I rarely share comments in class, but this comment I wanted to take the time to share, & this text group is a great place for me to share! (We missed those who couldn’t be there!)

This question (does Christ REALLY know how I feel) is something I have really struggled with, & I wanted to share what I have learned & know to be true.  On March 16 I will ”celebrate” my  21^st stroke-aversary.  I know the atonement isn’t only for our sins, but also for so Christ could “succor (to aid & show relief) His people”. But how does that help him understand the past TWENTY -ONE years of my life ?  It’s not like He has ever had a 21-year-long stroke!  But He has endured the emotions I have felt in those 21 years. So, while He has never physically had a period, He does understand the feelings that come with it  (embarrassment, shame, disappointment, etc)  

The first year after my stroke was insanely hard in every way, as all I could do was blink my eyes. But as I learn to yoke myself with my Savior, my burdens are lighter & as a result I have had some years that weren’t AS hard, even though I have dealt with things that probably have been as hard as that first year, if I tried to do them on my own.”