Blessed.

It's funny how you have those moments during trials where it seems like that time will never pass but then when you look back of them you think, "why did I feel sorry for myself?"  Life is so good.  For a while at the beginning of the summer I felt useless because I didn't have a job but now I am working 12 hour shifts at the hospital!  I am so lucky to get the job I have for experience and for the satisfaction of helping people when they are recovering from surgery and other illnesses.  I have met so many talented health care workers who I can learn so much from.  I am so lucky to have a husband who is always so positive even when people around him are not.  I think that's what I have always admired most about him.  I hope to always choose to embrace positivity the way he does.  I look around me at work and see people with tragic lifestyles that are sometimes out of their control but other times self inflicted.  I wish I could help them come to the conclusion that "this will pass" but it's something overall they must learn for themselves.  All I can do at this moment is be grateful.  Grateful for my job, my family, my ability to get an education (and almost being done), and being poor but oh so happy and in love with the one I love.  I am blessed.

Summer sunburns

There is always that one sunburn at the beginning of the year for me.  The one that hurts so bad but feels so good because you know it's hot enough outside to get one.  The kind where you can feel your arms retaining heat and you have to take cold showers.
Yesterday I went golfing with my friends Summer and Nathan.  They are the only other young couple in our ward without kids.  I love hanging out with them.  They are adventurous like us and laugh with us.  I actually did pretty well golfing this time.  I can understand why Jordan loves it so much.  It is peaceful and so beautiful outside!  We visited Jordan at work and went and jumped in the river, got some kiwi loco, and watched a movie.  Such a perfect summer day.

 The sunburn was so worth it.

Things to take away from Hungary

Jordan and I were asked to talk in church last week.  My topic was the apostasy and importance of the first vision and Jordan's was how holding the priesthood has affected his life.  We both tied a lot of experiences we had in Hungary together into our talks.  I kind of felt like a return missionary sharing stories about people I grew to love in just 2 short weeks.  I felt that people really couldn't understand unless they have experienced it so I wanted to share write down a couple stories about specific people I met in Hungary and how they have changed my life so I can remember them.  I want to take these experiences away with me.  I want them to make me better.  The picture above on the left is a 14 year old girl named Jenny.  I have heard a lot about her from Jordan so it was so awesome to finally meet her.  I wished so badly that I could communicate with her.  I wanted to take her home with us.  We want her to come to America to babysit our kids someday.  She was baptized along with her mom when she was 11.  Her older sister Reka is more on the rebellious side and does not see any need for God in her life.  Although Jenny has been presented with much adversity, she is such a strong girl.  She showed me pictures with Jordan from the mission and Jordan read me a note he wrote her shortly after she was baptized.  She was upset because she really wanted Jordan to baptize her but he insisted that a member of the ward baptize her.  In the note Jordan told her that she is so beautiful and when he gets sad on the mission, Jenny reminds him of his little sister Savannah and it makes him happy again.  He went on to explain that he hopes Jenny can someday meet Savannah.  As Jordan read this to me we were all in tears but we are so glad that Jenny will get to meet her someday.  

Since our busy lives have slowed down a bit lately we have yearned to be with Savannah and ached from missing her.  It is so awesome to think that Savannah's grandparents are with her and maybe even my brother Jacob is helping answer her many questions.  Jenny cried when Jordan left.  I loved seeing that she appreciated the messenger but had true conviction of God and doing what's right.  I hope to continue that conviction in my life. 

Meet the Budai family.  They have 6 kids who live in a small 3 bedroom house.  They do not have a lot but they are so happy.  The minimum wage in Hungary is about 2.50 and that is about what the father of this home makes.  Jordan told me a story from his mission when he and his companion left a Christmas tree with presents at the Budai home.  As he told me this story he walked me to the exact place where he and his companion hid behind the corner of their house.  I could imagine the looks on this beautiful families' faces and how much they appreciate having a Christmas.  As Jordan and his companion made their escape, the dad came running after them and caught a glimpse of their car.  At church the next week the father told the missionaries that some angels provided a Christmas for their family.  Their daughters cooked a wonderful meal for us.  I ate carp but didn't know until afterwards, but it was pretty good.  One of the daughters drew a picture of two love birds for us.  I loved their sincerity.  They stood by the gate and waved to us as we left.  I want to be humble like them and laugh out loud the way they do.   

This little girl was the most interested in teaching me Hungarian.  I think she just felt bad for me and noticed that I just sat at the table talking to myself or just smiling.  There were times when it was easy to feel left out of the conversation.  She touched my life because she took me outside to show me her puppy.  She would point at objects and teach me the word in Hungarian.  She also sang, "I love you like a love song baby" in English.  She was adorable.  I hope to be sensitive to other's needs the way she was to mine.

This is Maria.  Before becoming a member of the church, Jordan told me she was very sad and kept to herself.  He described the transformation she has made and it was easy for me to see.  She was so happy and optimistic.  She is the primary president at 25 years old!  I want find joy in serving the way she does.     

 Sandor and Reka were a couple who just got married and are expecting a baby.  It is rare in Hungary to find someone with the same values as you.  I am so happy they found each other and will be raising their child in the gospel.  I also want to remember their humility and trust in God.

So many people taught me important lessons that I hope to never forget.  I was so lucky to be able to teach one of the missionaries a lesson.  We arrived in Jordan's last area, Vesprem, and were greeted by two missionaries.  One was a Hungarian and the other was pretty new to the mission from California.  He seemed so happy to see me and speak English with me.  I also enjoyed speaking English with them.  As we left, this missionary came up to me and said, "Thank you for coming, you taught me an important lesson".  Jordan and I had to leave but at church the next Sunday I was asked to play the piano in Sacrament meeting because no one in the branch could play.  I played "Hope of Israel" for the intermediate hymn and the members stood up and sang with emotion.  Although I couldn't understand what they were singing, I knew the words in English and felt the spirit very strongly.  After this church meeting was over, I spotted the same missionary who told me I taught him something.  I approached him and asked what it was I taught him and he said, "before my mission I dated a girl who did not have the same values as me and you taught me how important it is to marry someone with the same religious standards.  I want to be able to bring my future wife back to Hungary with me".  He told me that I have a glow because of my goodness.  I was pretty shocked considering that I had just met this person but that compliment really meant a lot to me.  Moral of the story:  you never know when you will make a difference in someone's life by just being the best you can be, so never give up.

People should take baths more.

No no.  I'm not implying people are stinky, in general they are pretty hygienic.  I'm just saying people should take baths more.  Seriously it's the most relaxing thing in the world.  I used to laugh at people who took baths but now it's almost a daily routine for me.  After a non-successful, stressful, or otherwise just not good day especially.  I think there would be less wars, arguments, drama, and hatred if people did that.  Ok that might have been a stretch, but I do think the world would be a better place.  I found this on pinterest and think it's pretty amazing.    

I would probably never come out if I owned one of these.  Take a bath today!

Alive and well

Hey!!  I'm alive and well!  I forgot my username and password to my blog due to overload of my brain in nursing school.  haha that's when you know you're studying too much ;).  Blogging is good...I wish I was better at it but honestly all I do is study.  I look at other people's blogs and love getting entertained by their exciting lives but mine is just studying.  There are great things to look forward to.  I get so excited for the day that I'm working as a nurse and all this information comes in handy and I gain the confidence to rock the hospital.  I have this awesome journal that has inspirational quotes in it every day.  Today's was, "In order to have more success, be willing to accept more failure.  If you're not failing, you're not trying hard enough".  I'll admit, sometimes I'm afraid of failure.  I'm afraid of saying the wrong answer and looking stupid in front of everyone.  However, I'm learning that failure is part of the journey.  I feel so much happier when I succeed after failing.

I'm so excited to go to Hungary and see the wonderful people Jordan taught.  We might even get to see one of my best friends I met in Hawaii who is serving her mission in Germany.  I'm excited to have no clue what anyone is saying and be completely out of my element.  I'm excited because another one of my best friends is coming home from her mission so soon!

Budapest or bust!!!

This was after my 12 hour clinical.  Halfway through 3rd semester.  So many good things ahead.

  
 

As of Lately...

Oh hey blog.  It's been a while.  We've been married 3 months today.  That's Jordan and I.  He's pretty cool.  I'm so thankful for him putting up with me constantly talking about school, being a bad cook, and being forgetful.  I love him forever.  All I do is school but it's good.  Sometimes I get so wrapped up in studying that I forget the world around me but when I stop and take it all in it's good.  OH so good.  It's amazing how much I've learned in school and overwhelming how much there is yet to go, but you know what they say about eating elephants...well if you haven't heard you have to eat them one bite at a time.  Who eats elephants anyways?  haha I just saw the last Twilight movie with my girlfriends.  It was much needed stress relief!  Here's a couple things I'm grateful for lately:

1.  My loving family.  I have loved the little moments I've had with them.  It's amazing how they have helped me strive to be better every day through their examples.  I'm especially grateful for Grandpa Woody and the little bit of time Jordan and I have had the opportunity to serve him and spend time with him.  I wish I had more.  I also have loved getting to know Jordan's family and feel privileged to be a Liljenquist.

2.  My body- seriously being in nursing school makes me grateful that I don't have hypertension, morbid obesity, stage 3 renal failure, chronic pain related to osteomyelitis, pneumonia, AIDS, cancer, diabetes, or being addicted to drugs.  I'm grateful I have legs to walk on.  So many people have such serious conditions in the hospital right now and it just makes me want to treat my body the best I can and be grateful for it.  

We are liking our ward and making friends.  We have to speak in church next week.  Next semester I work a 12 hour shift every Wednesday.  People say it's the hardest semester so we'll see how it goes.   Love you all and have a great Thanksgiving!

Laughter is the best medicine

We are halfway through the semester!  Which means for me that the second half will be harder.  Next week we are learning IVs!!  Yikes!  haha I am actually really excited though.  Jordan is such a good student and a great husband.  The picture at the top was when he was going to fix a fence in Filer.  He is so hardworking and optimistic all the time!  He always has a way of catching me off guard and making me laugh.  The Stolworthy girls gave us that sign that says "I love you because...".  It's been a fun adventure for us!  I seriously don't know how I got so lucky to be married to Jordan.  He is very easy to live with and treats me like a queen.  My dread for cooking is actually slowly turning into excitement!  Especially when Jordan recommends things he really likes.  Today I made bacon wrapped chicken and Jordan said, "If you ever have any questions of what to cook me, wrap it in bacon and I will love it".  So there you have it.  It actually turned out pretty good!  It kinda tasted like chicken cordon blue!  Last night we had some of our friends over.  Actually Caleb is Jordan's friend from his chemistry class.  He is a Dad to twins!  Their names are Daxton and Kiyah.  He has been over to our house studying with Jordan 3 times and went golfing with him twice.  We decided to have a barbecue (on our grill) so we invited them over so we could meet his wife and kids.  I really liked her and their kids are adorable!  They have really high values so we want to hang out with them lots before they move in January.  Also, my friend in the nursing program is really nice.  Her husband served in Hungary so we are going to get sushi with them this weekend!  They have 3 kids too.  haha it's pretty funny because the first day in Relief Society I announced that I have a little bit of free time to babysit and I already have 2 offers.  One mom is getting her masters in nursing and the other works full time so I will be getting lots of baby time!  Another exciting happening was going to the refugee center for our nursing service project.  Lauren, Terry, and I were able to put together 60+ hygiene kits with donations from Walmart, the dental hygiene program, and local hotels and give a presentation to refugees who have been kicked out of their countries.  Our teaching had to be really basic because there were 5 interpreters who interpreted our presentation.  The people were from Iraq, Iran, Burma, Eritrea, and Nepal.  It was amazing because a lot of the people didn't know how to floss their teeth so we had to teach them.  They were a little bit afraid of hand sanitizer and thought their hair would fall out if you shampoo it.  Oh the things we take for granted.  Life is so great.  Hope everyone has a great week!
Love,
The Lilys