A tribute to Meghan

One of Meghan's best friends and former room mate is sending this article that she wrote in to the Ensign ( a magazine published by our Church). I wanted to post it on my blog too just in case it doesn't get published so you could all read it. It's beautifully done. thanks again Tiff!

“We Talk of Christ”
“The Comforting Power of the Atonement”
By Tiffany Jones
In college, I chose to study abroad in Chile during the summer. I had been there two days when I learned my roommate Meghan had passed away from complications in a car accident. I was devastated. I had never known a more valiant, upbeat, thoughtful person. She was enthusiastic about the gospel, eagerly attending church meetings, faithfully praying and reading scriptures daily. When it snowed, instead of grumbling about the cold and wet, she was delighted for beautiful weather. With her contagious energy and vitality, she was rarely without a date. She was cheerful, helpful, and selfless, even staying with another roommate an entire night when the roommate was ill.
Sharing a room together, we became like sisters. “Joined at the hip,” or “two peas in a pod,” people would say. We were so close that often we knew each other’s thoughts. When Meghan turned to me after a church meeting and said, “I just received an answer to prayer,” I immediately knew: “You’re going on a mission!” We planned to live life’s adventures together, teaching at the same school, raising our children side by side.
Hearing of Meghan’s death was the most heart-wrenching news I had ever heard. In my broken Spanish, I mumbled to my host family, “Mi amiga…Ella esta muerta,” and I stumbled into my room, sobbing. My heart hurt. I was in agony. I felt such deep sorrow and loss and pain. Not knowing where else to turn in an unfamiliar country, I knelt and opened my scriptures, soon finding myself reading in Alma: “And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; …and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities” (Alma 7:11-12). Until that moment, I had never understood the depth of the Atonement’s power. The Atonement is not only to heal us from sin but also to relieve us of sorrow. Immediately, the Savior’s peace filled me, and I felt as Lehi, “encircled about eternally in the arms of his love” (2 Nephi 1:15). My pain was eased and my heartache soothed. I was given the peace that only our Savior could give. He knew exactly how to comfort me because “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows” (Isaiah 53: 4).
I still missed my friend, and the sadness still remained, but suddenly, somehow, it was bearable. I was given the strength to endure with hope and peace. I knew Meghan was now serving her life’s mission with God. I am so grateful that during that difficult time I learned of the comforting, fortifying power of the Atonement. When life seems more than I can bear, I don’t have to rely on my own strength to overcome. The Savior is ready to run to my aide and give me of his love, strength, and peace.

Office Redo

Those of you who know me well know I love to paint and decorate. I make no claims that I am a pro at it...it's just something I like to do. Steve mentioned that he wanted me to come in and paint his office so I went to check it out. He has a huge desk that is rediculously heavy and un movable so he really only wanted one wall painted and a little decorating done. "Something to match this great rug I got" He said. Notice the rug below. Honestly not something I would have picked for an office but that's what I had to work with. That and his Navajo indian statue and vases. So here are the before and after pictures. Before: business awards on top of hutch, football and baseball (signed by I don't know who). Indian stuff and family pics on desk. Nothing on side desk.

After: side desk now has a plant with his awards. I didn't do anything else with this because he is getting another hutch for this too.

After: Picture hung, greenery and indian stuff on top of hutch, plant, clock and family pics on desk. Below is a closer look at the hutch before...

and after. The pictures don't do it justice but it looks really nice!

Again, before....

and after...I also hung his diploma on the back of the desk and got new updated pictures

Here is the wall to be painted to match his awesome rug...before and...

after. I painted it in the suede look so it is a textured wall in a Terra Cotta color which matches the rug and goes with the Navajo stuff. Again the picture doesn't show the true color as well but it looks great! I also added a tree in the corner and found this awesome clock. Still looking for some smaller pics to go on each side of the clock.

A view of the door to his office before....

and after. The wall really looks orange here but trust me, it's not quite that bright.

Here is a close up of the clock. I love this clock! the camera didn't pick up the texture of the wall either.

It really turned out very nice and the office now looks very warm and inviting and classy. The wall matched the rug perfectly. Steve said it's the nicest office he's ever had. By the way, the football and baseball are now IN one of the desks!

Movie Night

Heather and Clint were down this weekend so we took the opportunity to have a movie night...a girl's night if you will, because the movie we watched was the new BBC remake of Jane Austen's "Emma". I bought the movie after watching it recently on Masterpiece Theatre. It is excellent!! It is much monger (3 1/2 hrs.)than the older version with Gweynth Paltrow but so well done and so worth the time spent watching it! An A+ movie!
P.S. to his credit Steve did attempt to watch the whole movie with us. I believe he only fell alseep for about an hour of it!

Let's Celebrate!

In honor of Clint's new job offer- see their blog if you don't know what I mean- Steve and I took him and Heather out to dinner Saturday night. Clint got to pick the restaurant and he picked a favorite of ours- Royal India in Bountiful. Here are C & H... and Steve and I, ready for some "Oh so fine" Indian food!

Tonight we had Lamb Coconut Kurma,Chicken Tikki Masala, Palak Paneer and a new try- Chicken Madras. It was delicious as always!

It's hard to pick a favorite dish because I love them all so much. We always order mild seasonings with a side of hot curry spices for Steve- that way everyone is happy. While we were dining Jon Schmidt ( a rather famous piano player in Utah) walked in to dine at a table nearby. I tried nonchallantly to get a picture of him while pretending to be taking a picture of Heather and Clint but he kept moving his head and I could never get a clear shot. I think maybe he was on to us! It was fun trying though. Anyone else need to go out to celebrate anything...let us know, we're always up for that!!

Movie Must See...

We went to see Alice in Wonderland last night and I have to say I really liked it. It was very entertaining and though I am not Tim Burton's biggest fan, I think he did a great job with this movie. Johnny Depp was fantastic as usual. He played the Mad Hatter and he did it so well! I actually liked all the characters. A much better show than Disney's animated Alice...of course the original is still probably better for younger children. Definitely a must see and remember it is a Tim Burton film so prepare for it to be a bit strange but then again Alice in Wonderland is a strange movie anyway.

Are you coming Spring?

Our dog Coco has a favorite passtime.... it is sitting in this chair looking out the window. You can find her here most days. She pretty much waits for me to move the chair to the window every morning then takes her place for the day.

If she is anything like me she is waiting for Spring to come and with it, warmer weather. For her I'm sure it's because she knows she gets to go for longer walks in warmer weather. But for me, well, I just love warm weather! Spring is in the air...I can feel it!

Sunday Dinner

I hadn't seen my sister Dona and her family for quite a while. We finally made contact and planned a family dinner for Sunday. I made Spinach Lasagna Roll ups (thanks for the recipe, Jenny!) Dona's husband Tony made a great salad and Han brought asiago rolls from the cafe she works at. Dinner was delicicous.... and the company was fun, too. Heather was the only one here paying attention to my picture taking. She is always ready to pose!

My niece, Erica and my nephew, Ethan. Poor Austin had to sit at the kids table so of course he wouldn't let me get his picture.

My sister Dona is due in May with their third child...so we had to get a baby pose!

Heather and Clint made this yummy Trifle for desert. I am sure she will post the recipe on her blog. So Good!!!

After dinner and desert, Ethan and Erica got out their violins and played their upcoming recital pieces for us. They did such a great job ( I think Heather recorded some songs for her blog)!

Erica has been playing for about 10 months. Ethan has been playing for two years. Watch out.. he is in karate, too!

They even bowed after each piece. It was so cute! Their Dad, Tony has been playing most of his life and is so good! He neglected to bring his violin though. He tried playing a little on Ethans but it is a bit small for him.

We even got to hear them play a duet! They were not a bit shy about performing in front of us and did so well! It was so fun spending the evening with them.