#140.

last night was the calgary temple youth cultural celebration.  i watched the live feed and SO wished i was up there in person watching it all!  the youth did an incredible job with the program, and it seemed to go off without a hitch.  it made me incredibly homesick for calgary, though.  man.  can't wait to get back up there are go through the temple and see the progress it's helped in the missionary force!  i am so grateful for the calgary temple and the addition it is going to be to all the faithful members in alberta!  the 3rd temple in the province, and #140 in the world!  pretty cool!

one thing that absolutely struck me about the program was just a short part that happened near the beginning.  they showed a video from president monson, who was watching the broadcast of the celebration from his home in salt lake city.  president monson expressed that while he wishes he could be in calgary to see it live, his wife was celebrating her 85th birthday on saturday, and he felt it was more important to spend the day with her, surrounded by family and celebrating her life.  he said, "i'm sure you'll understand."   he and his dear wife would take an early flight on sunday morning to make it to calgary in time for the temple dedications that will take place today.

as i was listening to president monson explain this, i couldn't help but think, "now here is a man that truly practices what he preaches, and practices exactly what the gospel of Jesus Christ emphasizes, that family always comes first."  it would've been so easy for him to drag his wife to calgary and celebrate her birthday there, but he felt it was more important to allow her to spend the time with her children and family members in salt lake, and simply watch the cultural celebration from afar.  what a gem.  our dear prophet is surely a man of God, and an incredible example for all of us.

text me maybe

"i'm leaving 4 japan tomorrow & if i get eaten by Godzilla I'm totally going to miss you," says Ferny Carpenter. 

... I'll miss you too, buddy.

"once we went past drumheller it felt like we were on the moon it was so empty.  seriously sara i was legit freaking out.  we had like hardly any gas and it was dark and it felt like we were on the moon," says Logan Lewis.

... the moon, really?

"i'm going to kill a thousand birds with this stone."  "what does that even mean?"  "there's that saying about killing seven birds with a stone."  "...mom, it's two birds..." says Margaret and Hannah Ence.

... and i thought i was confused.

"our personal house elf put clean towels and wash cloths in the bathroom.  if you didn't bring any shampoo you're welcome to use mine with a $1.00 surcharge for each ounce you use," says Deb Ireland.

...feels like the marriott.

"search for 'guy on a buffalo' on youtube and watch the first couple episodes, you will be happier.  it brings happiness and it will be stuck in your head for minimum 24 hours," says Parker Ence.

...i want that 5 minutes of my life back, and, you were right.

"if you can stalk them, you should..." says Melissa K. Condie.

...most useful hobby, my friend.  most useful hobby.

"you wouldn't happen to have a hammer would you?"  "negative, lo siento!"  "that's ok, i used my fist."  "knuckles of steel."  "pretty much.  in unrelated news, would you happen to have a spare nail?"  says Josh Jeppson.

...pretty sure that's related news.

"whenever they look at each other, their eyes look very warm and cordial.  i saw it!"  says Yerin Lee.

...yes, Lin, I would agree that they should date.

"remember how you didn't know you could use your volume button to take pictures?!"  asks Nikki Hodson.

...how could i forget.

"sara, i just want to date someone in America."  says Jenele Vander Veur.

... don't we all, Jenele.  don't we all.

in other news, i finished my last college course today.  EVER.  i'm done.  done done done.  it is a strange, stressful, yet liberating feeling.

3 life miracles

"gain and loss, birth and death, are in the hands of God."  --sri saytha sai baba

life is full of miracles.  today i wish to speak about 3 angels in my life.  3 large miracles that have happened this week.  i feel bittersweet... some of the most opposite yet serene miracles have occurred in my family and circle of influence in just the span of a few days.

my sweet grandpa ence passed away this week, on his 68th anniversary, and just after his 94th birthday.  he was ready to go, but of course will be greatly missed.  i will never forget grandpa's smile and raspy voice saying, "give me a squeeze!" or his love for the university of utah!  i bleed red because of grandpa ence.  i was able to say goodbye over the phone, and will never forget his last "i love you" for me.  he's been waiting for this day for a long time, and i'm at peace knowing he's out of misery and experiencing the sweet reunions and lovely spirit in the spirit world.  the plan of salvation is real, and i know i will have a glorious reunion with my dear grandpa one day.

this picture was taken on memorial day this year.  we got grandpa out of the house (a daunting feat) to go see his parents' graves.  interesting to think the next time we are there, we will be visiting him.  i will never forget this smile and how happy he was this day.  you are an angel to me, grandpa!

early this morning, little ruby marie ence entered the world.  i can't wait to meet this little angel, she is perfect.  congratulations, parker and laci!  you've started the new russell ence generation :)  

a little later this morning, my dear friend yerin lee was baptized.  i met yerin about 2 months ago when she showed up for church.  yerin has the light of christ in her eyes, and it was a beautiful morning to see her go into the waters of baptism and make that covenant with her Heavenly Father, then to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  elder kim gave the confirmation blessing in korean, and it was beautiful.  yerin said she didn't want to come out of the water because it was so warm and felt like a mother's hug, that she had never been happier in all her life.  she is truly an angel on earth.  

god is truly in everything, if we but open our eyes to see.