Summer Lovin'

Thank you everyone for the sweet birthday wishes! From the flooding of facebook, texts, calls, and even snail mail deliveries- I did not feel so alone out here. I spent my birthday sleeping after a night shift and then was suprised to be put on call and allowed to go to the fair with my good friend Mike.

The Presque Isle fair was so quaint and cute... I adored it all!

         (Amish boys!)

When we passed by the karaoke section, I couldn't help but soak in the ambiance of geriatrics in cowboy hats and vietnam veteran vests yodeling out old country classics with their sweet faltering voices. I was in love. The man next to me said, "hello! It's my birthday!" and I said, "Well gee! It's my birthday too!" and he exploded. "COME UP WITH ME, PRETTY LADY!" and dragged me up on stage and had everyone sing to me. I knew I was a gonner when he busted out his harmonica and started belting "Crying My Eyes Out For You". That's when I lost my heart to sweet little Hewey. (yes, that really was his name. )

The next day I went on a day long motorcycle ride with David, a friend from the ward. Did mention how BEAUTIFUL Maine summers are? HOLY.

 

I think the best birthday gift of the year was presented a week early. My good friend and coworker, Brandy Downer was baptized. A few weeks into my time here we got talking during a night shift, and she had a lot of deep and personal doubts, questions, and needs. I hooked her up with our wonderful sister missionaries... and Brandy took off. She is so on fire.

The best was when I got to work the other night. She whipped out her Book of Mormon and exclaimed, "I finished first Nephi... and I GET IT!!!" She was so excited to report that since getting the gift of the Holy Ghost the sunday before... she was amazed at how her mind was opened and that she was finally discovering things in the scriptures herself. She was understanding, appreciating, and learning from the stories. I may have wept a little. I can't even count the number of people I have seen converted to the gospel throughout my 25 years... and have seen so many incredible people and experiences and changes. Yet.... it is still as if it was the first time every time. It has not gotten remotely stale or old to me. This is my high. Watching others fill with light and joy from the gospel.... is my ultimate buzz.

One of my best friends, Michelle, loves to have a birthday week. A birthDAY is not enough- she likes to make it a week long. I decided to spoil myself and give myself a birthday month. I took this month to read the Book of Mormon and it was the best gift I could have given myself this year. Spending my shifts engrossed in my book and finishing the the last few pages on the trampoline in the middle of the woods was a really special experience for me. My coworkers must think I'm a crazy religious zealot- and perhaps they're not too far off? My coworker said, "ya know, I have some mormon friends... and I'm gonna tell them I met a mormon nun!" and I was so confused and said, "huh?" (because The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints doesn't have nuns) She said, "I dunno... I just think if mormons had nuns... that's what you'd be! You're a mormon version of a nun and I think it's great!" - hahaha I didn't know how to take that other than to laugh. I recommend this birthday challenge. I can't think of a better way to celebrate my life and entrance into life than to study about my purpose in life, find deeper meaning to life, and feast more fully from the Bread of Life.

When I first got here, I was exhorted in a blessing to get to know the members of the ward. This counsel has been such a blessing and many opportunities have fallen into my lap. For example, the O'connells had me goat sit for them while they were on vacation. I had no idea I could love goats so much!!

A few nights ago, I was invited to Family Home Evening at the Torruella family's home. They are an AWESOME family that is mostly from Idaho. As we got talking Idaho... turns out that they are from the Ontario, OR stake.... and that my Grandpa Clark was their Patriarch that gave their two oldest children their patriarchal blessings. This is such a "coincidence".. but it was truly a tender mercy to be with people all the way over on this side of the continent that know and love one of the most important and personal people in my life- Chad Clark. The veil felt pretty thin in that home that sweet and spiritual night.

I have been so humbled and touched to be the recipient of so much kindness here. People here are SO GOOD. When I first got here, I met Mike at his bike shop. I left my number to be called when a new seat came in. A week or so later he called me and said, "Hey, I know how it is to move somewhere new and not know anyone. Just know, that you do have a friend here. I am here and happy to help if you ever need anything. " - This was such a simple gesture... but meant so much to me. We've had a lot of really great outings of walking through parks, trying swordfish, and post-shift kale smoothies from his garden. He's has an athletic rockclimbing, mountain biking, pro-skier spirit that has helped him ride through a lot of unique and difficult challenges after a ski accident in Salt Lake. His engineering education has helped become super functional despite it all and an indespensible contribution to the community that he is constantly serving. He has become a dear and life-long friend to me and an example of unconquerable optimism and enthusiasm.

When the basement flooded in the house that I am watching (I know, classic-Kali, right?) the neighbor on the corner was there to the rescue. This man and his wife adapted me as their own as he spent hours pumping out the basement and fixing the pipes and tanks. The had me over for homemade grapenut icecream (very classic to the area) and he gave me dozens of nose whistles (I'm becoming a pro) to share with whoever I found along my way. This man LOVES music and kids, but they could never have any! Instead, they spend their lives seeking ways to serve the kids within their grasp. I woke up one afternoon to find that the wife had snuck in and left me cookies on the counter.... for nothing but goodwill and sweetness. I was so touched by their example of being true neighbors. I want to be such a neighbor- no matter where I am or how long I am there for.

I have become very comfortable and acclimated with many aspects of Presque Isle, Maine. I could easily spend more time here.... and when the manager was asking me to extend my contract... I started to consider it. Yet.. I feel like it is time to move forward. I feel like I am revived and ready to move on to whatever awaits me. I feel like I am supposed to be focused on getting to D.C. and to finally spend some time with my older brother, Andrew. I haven't lived near him in 11 years, and I have been pinning to be part of his life again. Now is my golden chance to do so! I have been offered other jobs... but I am being moved to turn them down and hold off until I am able to be closer to my brother.

Between being so far away from my family, being in a family ward, recent family trials, focusing on being closer to my brother, teaching sunday school lessons about family, and preparing for a family... I think I've thought a lot about family. Something peculiar has been festering inside of me the last year. I've been homesick. This homesick is different than what I felt in Israel during my grandpa's funeral... it's deeper... it's very distinct. Being here and pondering about families... I've come to realize that I am indeed homesick... but for my future home. The home and family I will have. Is that  possible? Does that make sense? Pathetic or not... I ache for them... the parts of me that I have yet to meet. It is a yearning I am willing to bear until it is time to... be home.