Happy Things!

After reading Laurel's comment below, I realized my last post really did sound pretty awful. It's what was on my mind, but my life is not awful. Oh no. Lots of happy things are happening. Here are a couple of things that make me especially happy. They're in no order of importance and do no purport to be a full picture of my life, but just a few fun things.
1. Last week I went into Clarissa's room where she and her cousin J.C. were watching something on t.v. I stretched out on their little couch and they indignantly told me to leave. I told them I couldn't get up, I was too tired, and while Clarissa was trying to pull me up, she poked me in the ribs. It didn't take her too long to figure out I was ticklish and for the next half hour I was chased around the house/chasing around the house in a tickling match. The great thing about the number 3 in such a situation is, if you can convince one of the ticklers, that really the other person needs tickled, the tables turn quickly. It was so much fun!! And I don't remember the last time I've laughed that much. I miss little children!
2. Clarissa left for Texas to visit her grandma, but fortunately Johnny-boy is still next door. On Friday night he was out playing in the yard when I got home. He asked if I wanted to play basketball. Basketball?, I asked. He was kicking a soccer ball. Yes, basketball. Ram has a little hoop up about 3.5 feet off the ground and Johnny loves throwing the ball in. So, we'd kick the ball around some, then run over and play with the hoop for awhile. Dribble and shoot, right?
3. At the end of Easy Street is a connection to the extensive Rogers city trail. Only, my section isn't just trail. It includes quite a long distance of board walk over a marshy area. Real board walk. Full of all kinds of flowers, insects, frogs. I go there to run in the morning and I go to talk on the phone if I'm having a longer than 5 minute conversation in the evenings. It sounds awesome at night. And day or night, the perfume of the honeysuckle fills the air. I LOVE it! The other morning while exercising I even stopped and had a drink of honey. Sure does make me happy.
4. I've had lots of awesome missionary experiences. If you want to know more about that, I'll send you a private email. I just wrote a very long email to my family telling all about it and I'd be happy to forward it along.
5. The best missionary opportunity has been becoming friends with Ilona, an investigator who came with the elders to church. I talk to her at church and have been to her house a couple of times. I even got to help her move this week (within the apartment complex). She's a really awesome lady and I'm so enjoying getting to know her.
6. Speaking of church, my new ward is great. They have been very friendly and welcoming. Invites to go do things, people who talk and who a lot of interest in me, etc. (This is a family ward, by the way. A large family ward.) And there are even a few familiar faces. Brother McDonough was there when I reported my mission to the High Council in Fort Smith (another stake in the area) and he gave me some good advice when I was going to law school (he's an attorney. All of which, and more, he told the ward when my records were read in on Sunday. And Cynthia Nance Tarnasky, a friend from freshman ward; she lived below us and we stayed in touch for several years.
7. On Sunday I got to talk to my cousin Leann, who lives in Tucson. I'm going to stay with her while I take the bar exam. She's about 10 years older than me and I had a lot of fun visiting with her and hearing her wisdom. :) When we were little and lived in Snowflake, she and her sister Debbie were the most awesomest baby-sitters ever. I think Rachel and I have been trying to become like them ever since. And, I also found out that her sister Melinda, who was my best friend/best cousin for many years, will still be living in Tucson when I'm there. I thought they were moving to Alabama this summer, but not 'til next. So, I'll get to see her, her husband and her two sons. Hoorah! Actually, I'll probably see them at the family reunion anyway, but it's still fun to see people in their homes.
8. My family is finally back!! They've been in Alaska for the past 3 weeks and I'm SO happy they're home. Rachel was with them too, so she's back also. Yea! Hoorah! Yippeee!
9. I found the Roger's Farmer's Market (.4 miles from my work) and they have a pretty good selection.
10. And, to finish with an even number (I'll think of more but...). The Lord has been so good with the tender mercies flowing down. Besides the above listed, there have been some other really tender things. Where there was a need, a perfect fitting solution fell into place. Some of them astound me they're so perfect. And I'm going to cry, so I'll stop now. Time to study anyway.