Well the last few months have been amazing! Not only did we visit our families in Utah, but we've also made a commitment to spend more time at the beach. And let's just say we have lived up to that commitment.
While home for the holidays I didn't take as many pictures as I wish I would've. My nieces and nephews are so freaking cute. I wish I had a million pictures of each of them! Speaking of nieces and nephews, I have a new one on the way. I can't even express how excited I was when Bethany told me she's having another baby! She's such an amazing mother and example to me. Her dedication to her family is so inspiring. Between her and my own mother, I have two amazing women to look up to as I start to think about starting a family.
Being home for Christmas was probably one of the greatest blessings we could have asked for. We are so lucky to have parents that love us and are so generous with us. I was in a bit of a funk after the first few months of living in Hawaii, but the simple joy of being surrounded by so many people that I love really lifted me from that funk and brought so much hope back into my life. I haven't laughed or cried (at least tears of joy) that much in a very long time. I think that this Christmas I truly felt the spirit of Christ in our lives.
Needless to say, upon my arrival back in Hawaii I was feeling refreshed! It was hard to say goodbye, but I was full of hope that I could conquer my misery. Zack and I both decided that we need to start enjoying this amazing place that we live, otherwise whats the point. We decided we needed to make some more friends and get our butts to the beach. So we got some snorkel gear and starting to get to know some people. It has been so fun to have people to go to the beach with and do things with. It is surprising how much of a difference it makes when you have friends to hang out with!
Now, I do have to say that I'm becoming less brave with age. I snorkeled and scuba dived all the time as a kid/pre-teen and never had any sort of fear. However, now that I'm the ripe old age of 21, the first time I put my face in the water I literally had an anxiety attack. For those of you who haven't snorkeled before, it is eerily quiet under water. The only thing you can hear is your own breathing. So, when you get in the water and you're a little cold and a lot scared, the sound of your own shallow breathing only adds to the anxiety. I'm floating there with my face in the water and I swear to you I feel like I'm actually in one of those reenactments on the discovery channel, the ones where the person doesn't survive so they have an actor play their role. I'm like so freaked out every thing I see looks like the creepy shadow of a shark in the distance. Luckily I didn't see a shark. I have just eased myself back into feeling comfortable and if I'm in the right kind of place, I actually really enjoy it. They key for me is to go to bays or protected beaches that are blocked off by reefs so the sharks can't get in. At least I don't think they can, and if anyone knows different... I DON'T WANT TO KNOW!
Our most recent snorkel trip was to Hanauma bay which is supposedly the best on the island. It was one of the coolest places I've ever snorkeled. We swam along side a sea turtle and saw an abundance of fish. We even saw whales passing outside of the bay. Whales! These are my new favorite things. I don't know what it is, but I can't get enough of them. Apparently several species of whales spend the winters in Hawaii. There are several places on the island that you can sit on the beach and see them surface and blow out their blow-hole, smack their tails against the water, and even jump out completely. It is one of the most majestic things you'll ever see. They are insanely huge, but so graceful and almost playful. Unlike sharks, I would love to swim with the whales.
Yesterday we hiked Diamond Head Crater. It was an awesome hike. If you ever come to Hawaii I HIGHLY recommend. It is 1.6 miles round trip and you hike to the peak and look out across the island. You get an amazing view of Waikiki and Honolulu as well the windward side of the island. The intensity of the blue water is unreal. It really took my breath away and made me realize how lucky I truly am to be living in this beautiful place.
I'm learning to accept that even though the culture here is different, that doesn't mean its wrong. We've definitely been met with some obstacles since being here, but as I take a second to look around I realize that I truly am so blessed. Things don't always have to go my way, and lets be honest most times they won't. But I can't forget that just because it isn't my way doesn't mean it's the wrong way.
I'm thankful for my husband who has been so patient with me the last few months. I know I haven't been pleasant, but he has just allowed me the time and space to work things out on my own and learn the lessons the Lord has asked me to learn. I'm grateful to have a knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ and a family that loves me. Between the two, I know that I can conquer anything. I know that Christ is my Savior and that He suffered and died for me. Because He loves me. He knows me. He experienced my pain, my sorrow, my joy, and my love. Through Him, I can overcome all; my weaknesses, my trials, even death. I'm grateful to know that through His plan, I can be with my family in the eternities.
Like I said, these last two months have been amazing. Please enjoy the pictures!
Peace and Love my Friends!
Sally
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