Each Day Is a Gift

New week!  New month!!!  Happy Monday!  Happy December to y'all! :) :) :)

Up late so my running buddies (Karen, Leslie, Amanda and Wendy) came to get me! :)  Ran east to MCT at 810 E then west, dropped off Amanda at Center.  West to 1500W drank, turned back, after dropping Karen, Leslie and Wendy off, continued solo east to 1200 E turned back and added the small block loop for 2 more, last mile at 8:47. AP: 9:19.  Cloudy, hazy, no wind, 34F.

PD Clinic for blood drawn and lab tests with hubby this morning; so did not run until after we got home.  Went out at 11:30 am after drinking a cup of orange juice.  39F, cloudy, hazy, no wind.  Ran the same route as last Sat. east on MCT to Dry Creek tunnel then turned west to the freeway, tagged on another half mile past home on Highland Dr. to make 9 miles. Tummy was not happy, stopped at the 1500W bathroom at mile 5.25.  Wore the Altra Torin and focused on running form which is easier to do when running solo:

1) Balanced forward posture (tall, straight, gaze ahead, lean slightly from ankles, chest forward with shoulders relaxed).

2) Compact arm swing (pump elbows back and recover forward, elbows not extend in front of waist nor sway side to side).

3) Foot landing softly and underneath the body keeping knees bent and feet relaxed. 

4) Quick cadence.

Other than having to spit and blow my nose to clear copious amount of mucus from my airway every 800m, the run was great.  The air quality seem to be getting yucky, I can smell it and my lungs don't like it. :(

9 miles in 1:21:40.  AP: 9:04 (splits: 9:27, 9:17, 8:56, 8:45, 8:50, 9:49 (uphill), 9:07, 8:44, 8:44)

Bought another pair of Altra for $50 at the running store this afternoon. :)  Now what to do with the two brand new pairs of Inspire 10 that I bought on-line a few months ago?!

None of my running buddies wanted to get wet and cold this morning and since hubby had dr. appt. at IMC at 10:30; I decided to run in the afternoon.  At 2:45pm, rain has stopped, cloudy sky, temp was a toasty 52F, but the headwind coming from northeast made it colder and harder to breath the last 3 miles.  Didn't help that I ate a huge lunch.  I've gained back the weight I lost over the summer...yep, felt like a beached whale today.  Legs were tired, lungs were not happy so cut the run short. TT: 53:04 AP: 9:35

Karen had a scooter accident yesterday, nothing broken, but very sore, she's so tough to run with soreness.  We took it easy on a beautiful calm partly cloudy morning.

Our A.P. Elder Puriri is in town from NZ.  We took him to lunch and had a wonderful visit.  He is doing so well and so happy.  What a great young man with a bright future! :)

37F, calm, blue sky, gorgeous sunrise.  Karen, Leslie and I ran 12 easy miles that didn't feel easy.  We ran up suncrest then east to Alpine park.  The uphills kicked my trash, lungs were huff'n, legs were dragg'n.  Very grateful for the patience of great friends! :)

Wendy hadn't run this week so I waited to run with her at 8:30.  Neither of us wanted to run fast nor far.  It was a beautiful morning and wonderful to catch up. 

A very special day!  Elder Todd D. Christofferson of the quorum of Twelve held a special Stake Conference this morning.  He along with Elder Maynes and the Area Seventy, Elder Terry, were holding a regional leadership meeting (for stake presidencies and bishops) on Sat. and were asked by Pres. Monson to pick a stake to hold special conference on Sunday.  He chose our stake because his first cousin, Pres. Brad Christofferson is the counselor in our stake presidency.

Yesterday, we received a phone call from Bob Murphy, the stake executive secretary, that Elder Christofferson wants to shake my husband's hand prior to the start of the conference.  He asked the stake presidency if that could be arranged without making too much of a commotion. 

They reserved a parking spot as well as front row aisle seats in the Alpine Tabernacle in AF for us.  We arrived at 9am (the conference starts at 10) and greeted some friends, stake high councilmen, and stake presidency as we entered the tabernacle to our seats.  At 9:30am Elder and Sister Gene R. Cook came in and took their seats by us.  It was so wonderful to see them.

At 9:50am Elder Christofferson walked in as the congregation stood up respectfully and took his seat on the stand.  Then he and Pres. Lyman walked down from the stand and came towards us.  He lovingly shook Larry's hand and embraced him.  He expressed his love on behalf of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve to Larry and told us that they continue to pray for him and are aware of the burden he's carrying.  He then shook my hand saying:  "and your burden is even greater as you care for your sweet companion!... "  Then Larry introduced him to our son, Steven, who was so excited to shake an apostle's hand.  The whole exchange took less than 5 minutes but it was the most tender and loving gesture coming from an apostle of the Lord.  We felt a sure confirmation that the Lord has not forgotten us and it gave us much peace, hope and comfort.

That sweet spirit abide with us throughout the meeting and the entire day and into the evening as we watched the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional.  We are so grateful for the greatest Gift that our Father has given to all mankind, His Only Begotten Son!  He is the source of true peace and of everlasting life!  I know He lives and He loves us.  May we remember Him always! 

Nice running weather, mid 30s, clear blue sky, calm.  We ran east to Hollow Mitchell Park via the Dry Creek.  I did walk a few yards at the top of the hill.  When we turned north and west on SR 92 and MCT, I wanted to pick up the pace; but the unspoken rule of running with friends is the slowest runner dictate the pace.  After we reached the 600E access, Wendy started to walk and was having breathing difficulty; she insisted that we leave her and she could walk home.  If I wasn't in a hurry I'd walk her home.  I'm such a rotten friend.  Thankfully she did make it home safe.

Another great running weather morning, partly cloudy, low 30s, calm, could see a bit of hazy fog in the valley.  Karen, Leslie and I ran west then up on rail trail.  Karen's soreness from the scooter accident is really bugging her today so we took it easy; plus there were heaps of traffic this morning.  After I ran them home I ran for an extra 1.5 miles at a bit faster pace.

28F clear blue sky calm.  Ran with Karen and Leslie on MCT east to tunnel by Dry Creek, west to 1500W bathroom for drink.  After dropping them off I added another mile and half.  AP: 9:27 (9:55, 9:50, 9:37, 9:24, 9:21, 9:05, 9:05, 9:02) 

39F (10 degrees warmer than yesterday morning) gorgeous sunrise, calm.  Ran with Karen, Leslie and Wendy for a short run since we all had to be home by 8:30.

Went to the temple with my long-time friends for our monthly "temple dates".  Then we had our traditional Christmas luncheon at one of their homes, ate and visited, laughing and crying all afternoon.  We've done this for nearly 30 years.  There are 8 of us; but this year, one is serving a mission with her husband in Perth, Australia.  She sent us an email and we read it and missed her terribly.  Last year my hubby and I were so busy preparing for a mission wide Christmas Conference; we did not decorate our mission home nor send out any Christmas cards.  Now we miss our friends in the Australia Sydney South Mission terribly.  Our hearts are just torn in both places!

48F, calm, blue sky with spatters of bright white clouds.  Ran with Wendy and Leslie on MCT east to tunnel by Alpine Hwy.  Had to walk up Dry Creek both ways.  Drank and gu'ed at Mitchell Hollow Park.  Wendy peeled off at 600E access for home (she only had time for 9 miles).  Leslie and I continued west till her watch said 10 miles then turned back to run her home (mile 11+) where I gu'ed and drank.  Then I went back out to 300W down to 2100 N and west to the rail trail.  The trail was broken up at the construction site at 1200W.  I ran around at the construction site hoping to connect on the other end.  When I got there it was all fenced off so I turned back running around the construction site again till I reach the future road and got back on the trail.  Stopped to drink at the 1500W bathroom (mile 14.75) and took off my shoes and socks to clean off the dirt/pepples.  That last mile took 11+ min.  Got home at mile 17.5 and saw hubby walking back so I ran to him and walked home.  Would've run 18 but short on time because we planned to skype our sister missionary and her husband in India at 11am.  HAPPY feeling the whole run and morning! :)  My last half of the run was faster than the first half! :)

It was wonderful to be able to skype with Sister Penumaka (now Sister Seerapu).  We can't wait to pick them up from the airport on Tue and have them stay with us.  They will be sealed in the temple on the 19th. 

We had a very special luncheon visit with Elder and Sister Cook at the Thanksgiving Point Harvest restaurant.  We love being in the presence of these two great disciples of Christ.  We always learn a lot and feel their powerful influence and wonderful example.  What a blessing to have their friendship.

35F breezy, cloudy, wet road.  Easy solo recovery run on MCT before the Ward Christmas Breakfast.  Legs are pretty fatigued AP: 10:09.  So glad to have gotten 50 miles this week.  Next couple weeks will be pretty busy. 

No running today.  Spent the morning at the peritoneal dialysis (PD) clinic getting trained on using the cylcer (a machine that does continuous peritoneal dialysis).  Hubby currently does PD five times a day at home.  The PD procedure is called exchange (draining and filling of fluids from the peritoneum) and usually takes 30-40 min. each time.  The cycler is programed to do 5 exchanges within a span of 9 hours.  So this enables him to do the PD at night while he sleeps, and he just needs to do one exchange manually during the day. 

Today also marks the 8 month anniversary of hubby's emergency craniotomy in Sydney Australia when he was serving as mission president.  It is also transfer day in our mission and many of our sister missionaries, who we received 18 months ago into our mission, are returning home tomorrow.  If we were not released early because of medical emergency, this month would've marked the half way point of our mission. 

Our mission, though lasted only 10 months, was a gift from our Heavenly Father.  Our lives are continued to be blessed and we continue to love our missionaries.  :)  We are so grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ.  We marveled at His infinite love and amazing grace given so freely to all mankind.  The redeeming and enabling power of His atonement is real and we feel that power in our daily life.  I am so grateful for His gift, the gift of eternal life! 

Hubby slept so well that he did not hear the cycler's alarms 3 times last night.  Between getting up to tend to the alarms and his constant restless leg syndrome movements, I got very little sleep.  I reluctantly dragged my tired body out of bed when Leslie's texted me for our morning run. 

Midway through the run on the flat MCT, I was chatting away and suddenly my heart went into tachycardia and a dark circle closed in on my vision.  I stopped running and alerted Karen and Leslie.  I then sat down on the ground and put my head between my knees.  Karen was about to run to a house to call 911 and I assured her that I just need a min. to get my heart rate settle down.  It happened briefly on Sat. when I was running at a leisure pace by myself.  At that time I just slowed down and breathed deeply and the arrythmia subsided.  I do not like these tachycardia episodes.  I have had 5 or 6 of these the last few years.  It leaves me feeling drained and wiped out.  Anyhow we walked a bit and then resumed running. 

Busy day today getting the house cleaned and guest room ready.  We are picking up Sister Penumaka (now Seerapu) and her husband from the airport tonight.  They're taking a 28 hours flight from India.  So excited to have them here and to witness their temple sealing Fri. night. 

Got home from picking up Sireesha and Sudhakar (from India) at the airport past midnight; didn't go to bed till after 1am.  Hubby could not fall asleep and his restless legs were causing havoc, the cycler alarms went off a few times.  Needless to say we had a sleepless night.  Crawled out of bed to run with Karen, Leslie and Wendy.  So so so tired!  Could not run faster than 9:45 pace.  So grateful for friends who are patient with me. 

Poor Sireesha was vomitting and could not keep anything down.  Hopefully it is just the time change and cold weather and she'll be alright.  It was so good to have her and her husband (of 2 months) here.  This is her first time to America and it's been a year since she finished her mission in Australia.  Not a day goes by that we don't think about our missionaries! :)

No running today.  Took Sireesha and Sudhakar to Salt Lake to visit his brother and sis-in-law.  Then we went to the U. Hospital to visit Sis. Levine at the rehab unit.  We were very happy to see her progress.  She was smiling, making us laugh.  A few of our sister missionaries who returned Tue. night also came (Sisters Burnett, Boiteux, Davis and their siblings and families).  It was like a mini-mini-reunion.  Before we said goodbye, we sang "I'm a Child of God" together.  That video ended up in part of the segment of the KUTV News broadcast at 10pm that evening.  The newscasters wanted to do a follow up story of Sister Levine, her progress since she was hit by a car moving at 40K/h while she was standing next to her parked car in Canberra, Australia where she served in our mission.  She had just reached her one-year mark of service.  Her story is one of many miracles, tender mercies and blessings.  She and her parents are awesome inspirations to many many around the world through the FB blog "Prayers for Sister Levine."  It's been over 100 days since the accident.  We are humbled yet gratified by this experience! :)

Busy happy day!  Leslie and Wendy accommodated to run early with me.  Ran on MCT east via Dry Creek to Alpine Hwy tunnel turned back and ran Leslie home to make 9 miles. 

Went to Costco as soon as it opens to buy flowers (for the bridal bouquet and center piece) and food for the Open House.  Texted Sis. Clegg to come over to do Sireesha's hair and make-up.  Then it's time to drive the bride (Sireesha) and groom (Sudhakar) to the Salt Lake Temple.  We picked up Sireesha's sister-in-law, Aruna, (her escort) on the way.  The temperature is in the high 30s, calm, sunny.  Her sealing was a bit delayed (4:45pm).  It was a beautiful service with friends and some of our returned missionaries in attendance.  Larry was one of the witnesses.  I was the mum of the bride! :)  By the time the newly-sealed come out of the temple to take pictures, it was dark but temple square was aglowed with Christmas lights. 

Thanks to my wonderful sis-in-law, Lily and Gary and their kids, they had everything set up for the Open House which was supposed to start at 7pm.  But because of terrible Friday night traffic, we didn't make it home until past 7:30pm.  Some of the guests have arrived before us.  But all is well.  It was a beautiful occasion to witness the sealing and union of our Indian daughter to her husband! :)

No running today.  We got up early and drove (along with Sireesha and Sudhakar) to the Bountiful Temple to witness the wedding/sealing of Sister Kielee Davis to Andrew Wiser.  Many of our returned missionaries and sisters were there as well.  After their sealing, we were walking down the hall and lo and behold I saw through the open door of another sealing room, my long-time friend, Anissa.  Anissa and Willie greeted us and invited us to witness the sealing of their daughter.  We've known Tiffany and Ricky were to be sealed there the same day, just not the time, so it was rather convenient. 

The snow held off just in time for pictures taking after the sealing.  We went to Kielee and Andrew's reception in Sandy in the afternoon.  Then we went home for Larry to do one dialysis exchange before heading back up to downtown Salt Lake for Tiffany and Ricky's wedding banquet.  It was a very long day for hubby.  He started to feel sick about 1/3 way into the banquet courses so we left early.  What a great weekend to see so many of our returned missionaries.

Got a call an hour before Church from Bro. Miner to ask me to bear my testimony this morning in Sacrament as one of the speakers, Bro. Earle (who's our hometeacher) got the flu.  Sister Bumgardner, the choir director also got the flu and she called just before this call to ask if I could lead the choir.  Anyhow, ended up leading the choir practice an hour before church started and she was able to lead the choir during the meeting.

Hubby was the final speaker after six musical numbers all Christmas hymns (3 by the choir, one by the Primary, one by the Youth, and Steven played a violin number with Diane Leslie on the piano).  We definitely felt the Spirtit and was wonderful to worship the Prince of Peace and celebrate His birth at Sacrament today! :)

No running today.  Had to be up early to help Sireesha and Sudhakar move to Logan.  When they arrived in Utah from India a week ago, all they had were packed in four suitcases.  They are so very faithful and courageous.  Sireesha has been crying everyday, and not able to eat much.  It's not easy to adjust to new environment leaving your families and friends half a world away. 

We were glad the snow storm was not too bad driving through Sardine Canyon into Logan.  After getting them moved in their tiny house/apartment.  We took them and a friend to Chuck-a-Rama for lunch.  Sireesha was able to pick out a few things she'd like to eat. 

From Logan we drove straight to the SL Airport to pick up Bryan flying in from Indiana.  It's so good to have him home for the holidays!

Only had time for a short run with my friends before we all had to skitdattle for last min. Christmas prep. 

Hubby, Bryan and I went Christmas shopping, the weather was unusally warm.  It was mad-house everywhere. 

Solo Christmas Eve run!  Beautiful sunny blue sky, 21F and calm!  Ran east on MCT access at 800E to top of Dry Creek turned west to Freeway home via Center St. access for 9 miles.  TT: 1:23:45 (with a quick water stop at the 1500W bathroom).  AP: 9:20 (10:43 slow WU, 10:05, 9:10, 9:00, 8:30, 9:33, 9:27, 8:50, 8:40)

During the whole run, I expressed my gratitude and love for the Savior.  I reflected on His sacrifice, His teachings and His love for me.  My heart is overfilled with joy and peace.  I hope and pray that I can remain a faithful disciple.  Merry Christmas!

We went to grandma's house and had a wonderful Chinese dinner with Lily, Gary and kids.  We were able to talk to Sis. Lew (Sammie) who is serving in the Australia Sydney North Mission.  She is doing SO SO fantastically well.  Sure love that girl! :)

Merry Christmas!!!  Up early to put the turkey in the oven.  We had turkey, stuffing, ham, salmon, mashed potato, dinner rolls...Lily made trifle...yum!  So wonderful to have family home for Christmas.  AND it finally SNOWED!!!  Hooray for WHITE CHRISTMAS...Unlike last year in Sydney where it was hot...people there go to the beach and have shrimp on the barbie! :)

Our kids including missionaries (Elder Haeata) skyped us!  It was a perfect Christmas!

I really really wanted to go run in the snow!  But hubby worried that I would slip and fall plus it was rather windy.  So, I cracked open the French door in our bedroom to let in some cool air, turned on the ceiling fan, got a good movie on TV and jumped on the TM.  Ran 12 mindless miles at lesisure pace of 9:30-9:45.  Good thing hubby went for lab test at the AF hospital, or he'd go crazy with the loud TV and TM pounding! :)

Then the boys helped us get the ski stuff ready...we're going skiing in the morning! YAY!
 

Skied at Solitude today!  What a miracle that hubby is able to ski, granted we were skiing very slowly and caustiously on green runs and we took lots of rest breaks!  We didn't think he'd be able to do it... given how he cannot regulate body temp properly...he's always cold and how very little muscle he has...not to mention how anemic and weak he is due to end stage renal failure.  The cycler (the CCPD machine) could not have come in a more perfect time.  We were gone all day everyday since Dec. 16.  Before that we were doing PD manually 5 times a day so our days were pretty tied up at home.  With the cycler, PD is done while he sleeps and he only does one PD manually during the day! 

Anyhow, the snow condition was perfect.  Our sons had a lot of fun skiing together.  What a blessing and wonderful day to ski with family again like we used to! :)

Skiing at Snowbird.  Hubby did great skiing with me on Big Emma.  Feel so blessed to see him doing what he loves.  The rest of the clan and family skied all over the mountains.  We did get to ski with Natzume, Jordan and their two little kids for one short run.  As tradition, we all met at Chuck-a-Rama for dinner.  There were so many of us that we took up an entire room! :)  So fun to catch up with families who come from all over.

Another ski day at Snowbird.  It was very very cold!  With wind chill probably sub-zero.  So the families with little kids didn't ski, but went bowling, and other activities in the church.  But the young married and singles and our boys went and us went.  My fingers and toes were so cold, I stopped after one run and went to the lodge to thaw them out.  Hubby bought hands and toe warmers for me.  I was toasty after that.  Hubby skied the best today after two previous days.  He had a brief episode of muscle cramps but otherwise no problem.  We did 10 runs on Big Emma with lots of rest breaks.  Feel so very blessed for another ski day.  I'm not crazy about skiing, I'd rather run...but I do it because of hubby! 

As tradition, we reserved a room at Asian Buffet for dinner. 
 

As family tradition, we all went to the temple today.  Emily has 200-300 family names for us to perform sealings for.  It was so very special to gather around the holy alter and perform this sacred and crowning ordinance for our kindred dead.  The Spirit was sweet and peaceful.  Cannot think of a better thing to do on the last day of 2014 then joining eternal families.

We all gathered at Jared's house at 5pm for New Year's Eve dinner, party and program.  This year we did a "sing off".  Every family in the clan performed either life or via pre-ordered video.  They are SO funny and SO creative!  Melissa and her family skyped while we watched their music video from New Zealand.  We brought in the New Year toasting with Martinelli at 8:30pm! I LOVE our families! :) :) :)