Things to say

I have a few random things to say, so here goes:

1. Do you remember how I got a bribe from my student to try to get me to change her grade? (here) Well, I decided at one point to just accept it for what it purportedly was--a gift--and move on with my life.  The product was one I wouldn't use, so I decided to return it.  Today I finally got around to it and I shocked.  $45. Yes, I'm a frugal (cheap, whatever) person--but still it made me feel a little sick.  Very unfortunately, it's in a store that I have no desire to buy anything in.  :(  I really wish it would work at a dozen other places, but no. (I mean, if I could have had a $5 card to Target to buy the "expensive" pitcher I just bought, that would have been a lot more useful to me.)  Anyone want to buy a $45 gift card for Sephora for $40?  I have one for sale....

2. It has finally decided to be spring in Boston.  Finally.  We are significantly behind last year. I didn't mind the winter.  People complained about how "bad" it was, but it's about what I expected from a northern winter.  It was when it kept going and going and going that I thought I might cry. Especially because I know exactly how spring came last year and so it was extra painful that it was 4 or 5 weeks behind that schedule.  But it's starting to be beautiful and I am some kind of happy. 

3. Even with the delay of spring, I couldn't feel too bad about life because inside of me things are better than they've been in a very long time.  I'm happy, I'm whole, I'm at peace, I'm home, and I'm excited for the future.

4. Elder Hyrum brother sends us an email every single week from Nicaragua (this is notable, because he also writes hard copy letters--the email is just a little extra). They are fabulous. Really, every Monday I am happy because I get an email from Hyrum.  Here's part of this week's, just to brighten your day too:

  "Great to hear from you all. This last week has been a bit weird because of Semana Santa and lots of people weren´t home. Everyone went to the beach. Yesterday at church everyone was sunburned. Looked like the first week after summer vacacion en the states. Yesterday en the evening we watched El Salvador del Mundo by satelite. I don´t know if you´ve seen it en English but this was done en Spanish and the entire cast were hispanic. Really Really cool!! Highly recommend it. One funny part of the play was when two men are pulling up the bucket out of the well to get a drink. After they "drink" they let the bucket back down and then dropped the ropel en too. Now, to most people that wouldn´t call their attention, but we´re talking about Rivenses, people who all use wells daily. They all started laughing and joking when he dropped the rope in the well. Funny  Anyway, not much of note. I love you all and thank you for your support and prayers. Another line from the play translated to English. The apostles are fishing after the resurection and they´re recounting how Jesus had called them years before at that same spot. The son of John is listening and when they mention that Jesus called them to be fishers of men he asks, "if He called you to fish for men, why are we fishing for fish?" Good question!! Well I´ve got to get back to the nets so I´ll close´er down for the day. I love each and everyone of you a TON  "

Okay, it wasn't an excerpt, because I decided I like it all. :)

5. I have a million other things to say, but I'm going to stop now.