Hermana Richan

District/Zone meeting in Puente Alto-

Familia Osorio-when I went back to Visit-

Companion Lundy and Hno. Castillo and me attempting to dance the CUECA

The Lord calls the weak and the small

I had the opportunity to share my thoughts about my mission today in sacrament.

WHAT TO SAY, WHAT TO SAY

I wished everyone could have met the amazing people I met and could have seen, smelled, walked, and did everything I was able to do while on my mission.

INCREDIBLE THINGS HAPPENED EVERYDAY.

But, since that's not the case (and everyone has their own "coolest" mission),

I wanted to share just one thing that I learned while in Chile.

And

that

is,

that we are all called by Him to do something great.

Let me Explain:

I think, that as young missionaries in the MTC, we all (at least I know I did) think we're so full of the spirit and we're going out to the world to conquer it.

Bring everyone to the gospel and be the hero the world's been needing.

BOY WAS I EVER WRONG.

Now that I am home and look back on my experiences, I think:

wait, DID I ACTUALLY DO ANYTHING OUT THERE?!?!

I often wonder WHAT it was that I did out there.

Did I really make a difference?

Did the Lord really need me out there after all?!

All I remember are the times when people did ME the service of teaching me something.

To be humble

To be sincere

to Love.

So many things I feel that I've neglected to do and teach the people there,

they taught me.

My point?

I have come to realize, and am humbled to understand, that this--this is the Lord's gospel, not ours. He calls us-his weak, small and most insignificant (imperfect) to do His great work.

I am humbled that He would call me to do His great work, to give me the chance to have been able to serve in the tiniest way I was able to.

Everyone has a life mission. Specific to their willingness and desires to serve, everyone is called to do their missions, to fulfill their purpose here on earth. I am forever in-awe and amazed, truly humbled and honored-no, grateful that though He knows who I am, the imperfect person who thinks she knows it all, would call me to do His work and be a servant.

And that's what I learned on my mission.

Live your Life for Half the price

I've started reading a new book. "Live your life for half the price." So far, it's good.

I just read about Alex Martin, who in 2005 decided that she'd wear a simple brown dress she made for an entire year. That's 365 days. There were a few "fix up" sessions, sewing on buttons and stitching things up here and there, but it worked. She thought others would notice that she was wearing the same dress everyday, but to her surprise, most people were so consumed in their own appearance, hardly anyone took note of her unusual experiment! This makes me think... of so many things. What really brings us happiness? I mean, true happiness, true contentment? I know I get giddy when I find a cute outfit or spend money...whether or not I had the money, that's another question, but I do know I get pretty happy to spend and have new things. But truly, as so many lottery winners could tell us, no amount of money has brought them lasting joy. Why is that?!

David G. Myers (Secret to happiness) summed it up: "More than ever, we at the end of the last century were finding ourselves with big houses and broken homes, high incomes and low morale, secured rights and diminished civility. We were excelling at making a living but too often failing to make a life. We celebrated our prosperity but eared for purpose...In an age of plenty, we were feeling spiritual hunger."

This just makes me think. What truly brings me happiness? Why do I spend more than I should? And finally, what can I do to be motivated to save more? What is a new goal I could make for myself to remind me of those things which are most important in this life? I would love to hear your comments!

Utah/Idaho

It was good to see family. It had been since I was pregnant with Jaiden that I had seen my family, so it was their first time meeting "Super Jay." It was also our first time meeting my newest youngest sister KAYLEE, as she was adorable and just born a few weeks prior to our visit.

We were able to coordinate with Ronny's family too, and met up in Pocatello for our niece Mady's baptism! What a special day!! She was beautiful.

Having lived away from family, we know the blessing of having a family.

Ronny and I feel that many people take for granted what they have.

A father and a mother near by whom they can call on a whim and visit on a daily basis, or parents who'd do anything because they live so close. (while the kids think "how annoying of them to be over all the time!")

I hope no one takes for granted what they have and truly learns to count their blessings when they still have them. :) Likewise for us, I hope we know that we ARE able to pick up the phone and say "I love you" or write a simple email telling them how much we appreciate them for what they do-or simply, for who they are to us.

Here's to the Heroes-Sea World May 2010

San Antonio, TX

SEA WORLD!

I just love it when "Believe" is about to start.

that's the Shamu show that they have,

"those who are serving now and have served us before, will you all stand up please?" the director will announce through his microphone. Those who have served and are serving presently stand with pride in their eyes.

THESE ARE THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO FIGHT FOR OUR FREEDOM.

And of course, their little families :)

It's such a blessing to be in the USA where freedom exists.

It was an emotional and very spiritual moment when people, anywhere from 300-500 were standing in line, waiting to get into Sea World. We all heard the music come on, "Star Spangled Banner" and looked up at the Red, white and blue flag, dancing in the wind that morning. The crowd hushed their excitement filled voices and stared up at the national flag. Some people didn't have their hands on their chests, some didn't even look at the flag, but for the most that did, I know we were all proud to be Americans. More so, I think we felt a sense of gratitude to the Almighty for protecting us and giving us a land to live on.

It was real good to go to San Antonio with the Sunny Siders! With friends, we had a blast! Dinner on the River walk, the boat ride through river walk, Sea world, the Alamo, the nights at the hotel, it was wonderful!

Family Update

It's been a while-Family update time!

We just got back from Idaho, Utah and San Antonio-it's been nice seeing family, friends and just going places. It was good having Ronny with us and not be tired from work!

Ronny: he's been working hard at the station. He's still very much into his aquarium and loves to take care of it.

Me: began my last class at Axia online. It's Algebra and it's kicking my butt. Other than that, I'm planning our next Relief Society activity on Emergency preparedness...it's a tough one!

Kai: was given the chore to take scraps out to the "compost" and has been LOVING it. He can't wait for scraps to gather in his little bucket to take out to the compost pile, and when he does, he has a party finding "wooly bears" in the stack. He's found about 20 of them and has been taking care of them, patiently waiting for them to turn into butterflies. I do insist on him letting them go free at the end of the day, but he's got them crawling everywhere, even on him most of the time! His real challenge to keep them away from monster JAIDEN!!! He's so sweet to his brother and if I'm a little rough with Jay, he'll tell me; "mamma, BE NICE TO MY LITTLE BROTHER!" He's into curious George right now, and Ironman-or anything that has to do with BUGS, ROBOTS, AND SUPERHEROES. He's in the 75% for his height, and doctors always comment on how smart the boys are for understanding and speaking: Japanese, English and a few signs.

Jaiden: HE'S BEEN CHATTERING! Tons of new words; (Japanese-"atta", "itai" "haku" etc) Kai, (ba)NANA, papa, jiji, hello, ball, bye, and I can't think of all the others right now, but a lot. When he's not actually saying words, he's chatting up the place! It's cute, but I am dreading the day when TWO little people are yacking my head OFF!! Jaiden's more of a feisty one. He sees what he wants, and will go and do it-he doesn't seem to care about much, just doing what he wants to do. OY! He does love his big brother very much though, he can't stand to be apart from him. When he wakes up from the night/nap, the first person he calls out for is: KAI! KAI! KAI?? KAI! not me. lol I love that they love each other so much!

Avocado and Beef "don"

Avocado and beef "don"

{"don" means rice bowl that has things on top}

sweet and spicy and so tasty!

it's a healthy and light lunch, not to mention VERY cost friendly and QUICK to make!

directions:

Cook up ground beef (let's say half a pound)

while browning it, add about 2-3 TBS. of sugar

Add about 3-5 TBS. of soy sauce

salt and pepper

dice and add hot chili (optional)

if you have "mirin", add about 1tbs. in it, but not necessary

(please taste it and make sure it's to your liking. everything's an "about" estimation here)

it should be ready to eat as soon as the meet browns up.

drain if there is excessive grease from meat.

pour over cooked rice

dice up avocados and sprinkle on top

I drizzled some Japanese mayonnaise on top

DONE

cooking time-10 minutes

you can easily chop and add a variety of vegetables or even omit the beef all together. you could even cook up chicken if you like chicken better!

To Do List May 10, 2010 Monday

Just for fun, I'm posting Monika's "To Do" List for today:

Why?

1. because it will be fun to go back and see what types of things I did with my time/life

2. Maybe this would help me see where I can be smarter with the use of my time.

Laundry

Unpack from our two trips

Tidy up downstairs

Vacuum at least the downstairs

Clean Kitchen

{deep clean stove top, microwave, dishes, countertops, sweep and mop the floor, clean the trash can, organize and clean out fridge and pantry, bleach and clean the sinks}

Plan Menus for the next two weeks

{Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Ronny's lunches}

Grocery Shopping {make a return}

Get with Kat to plan for Jill's baby shower

{research decor, games, menu, attendance, call people, make delegation list}

7:00pm Get with Jill tonight to learn about Gift cards (I'm excited)

Make breakfast, Lunch and dinner and feed the family

Take care of sick husband

Change a few diapers

Call Sis. Lou, Allen, Walker and Martinez for various reasons

Begin final class at Axia College and do my participation assignments

Write a "Bio" for my class

Edit my last chapter in my book and talk with Rebecca about publication

Talk with stake about my upcoming R.S. Activity on Emergency prep

Plan a surprise birthday party for Sis. Walker who just found out her cancer has spread

Call my grandmother in Japan, it's been a while

Plan out my Week

Clean Car (FHE?)

Call Dr. to reschedule appt.

Mother's day gift in the mail (I'm so late)

Package and mail out Erika's medicine I accidentally took while on our trip

Think about how better to manage my time, keep the house clean, cook healthy meals and still find time to spend time with kids and teach them things {alphabets, colors, words, etc}

Call Sis. Castillo

Now to DO them!

The best Gifts are Free

If My husband ever asks anyone of you,

please tell him

THIS IS WHAT SHE WANTS FOR MOTHER'S DAY!!

http://beautyandbedlam.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/MothersDayCoupons.pdf

I'd sure appreciate it.

Friends

Just finished reading some blogs.

I had to think to myself;

gosh, I have so many wonderful friends.

I was once given a blessing to have GREAT friends in this life,

Friends who'd mean something great to me,

"friends who would teach you great things of worth,

as you do the same for them."

I believe it.

I have friends all around the world

They have each taught me things,

made me feel special things

They are who have made me who I am today.

Thank you