Inspiration

Dear Stephanie,

I've followed your blog since the very first time I'd heard of you, which sadly for me, was right after your plane crash. I live in Arizona too, and I'm not a native either. I am also a mother of four children: 3 boys and 1 girl. I've never emailed or written you, but I've been a silent stalker and admirer ever since.  I even broke my boycott of Oprah for you.   That says a lot.

You see, I have a flying phobia. I didn't used to be afraid of airplanes. When my oldest child was one year old, we spent a lot of time together in airports cruising between Utah, California and Texas. And it didn't bother me one bit. Then I had a bad experience when I was pregnant with child number 3. Which I don't even want to write about here, because it was nothing... I mean nothing, in comparison to your bad experience on a plane.

Every time I've had to get on a plane since, I want to die of anxiety. It's the worst when my husband and I fly together without the kids. I have this fear of the plane crashing and my children being orphaned. I know it's completely irrational. We are more likely to die in a car wreck on the local interstate, than be in a plane crash... but I just can't help being terrified. 

Last December I actually flew by myself to Ohio for a Temple Sealing for a close family member. It ended up not being that bad. I was lucky enough to sit next to the chatty types on every flight. While most people groan at the thought of being stuck next to a "chatty Cathy" on a plane, I found very quickly that having someone to chat with calms my nerves.

In 24 hours, I will be getting on a plane with my husband for a much needed adult only getaway. I know the vacation rewards will far outweigh my anxiety over getting on the plane. I know it's worth the risk. And I am amazingly calm. Usually by now, as I approach a flight, I'm nervous and jittery and full of anxiety. But I feel calm.

I want to personally thank you, Stephanie for that. I know you aren't the one making me calm, but gosh-darn-it, if you can jump planes to come south to visit Dr. L, after all you've been through, then I can get on a plane for a vacation with my husband.

Thank you for being the strong woman of courage that you are. I admire your honesty, your candor, and your testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And I admire your willingness to plug through a difficult life plagued with pain and sorrow that most of us will never experience of understand. You are my hero.

As I board that plane tomorrow, I will think of you. If you can do it, so can I. Thank you again for helping me to conquer my fears... I hope to kick this one in the butt!

Yours truly,

Christy

Shout Out!

I am SOOO glad it's Friday. I've been sick with a headcold all week, and I am starting to finally feel human again. Every now and again, I've decided I want to spotlight another blog that I enjoy. This blog has given me inspiration. One of the many blogs that have given me a desire to rekindle the creative side of my spirit. The owner of this blog, Amber, is one talented girl!

We do have some real connection from way back... her and her husband moved into our Dublin congregation for a bit before they left us for greener pastures elsewhere in the Bay Area. (Now they live out in the country... and have cows! Cool, huh?) Her husband, Brent, grew up in the same town as Eric and I've known Brent's sister, Andrea, since our first year at girls camp together. And Amber and I were part of a recipe "group" together for a while where she shared a recipe for Eggo Waffle filling that has become one of my favorites!

So without further, ado, click here and go check out her blog. You won't be sorry! (I decided to post this before I saw her post for today, which just confirms how cool she is.) Les Mis is one of my all-time faves... the book, the musical, the music. Nothing beats it. I'm about a third of the way through the very same copy pictured in her blog, and now I'm inspired to pick it back up and finish it.