Joy in the Journey

My sister posted these pictures on Facebook today and a thought struck me. However significant it is to you, I would like to share it. 

Growing up, I always felt a little ripped off. I have 8 brothers and 1 sister, but my sister is 12 years older than me. I liked to imagine what it would be like to grow up with a sister closer to my age. To have late night talks together, share secrets, and paint our nails together. Lindsay Rhoades filled that gap for me when she came to live with us her senior year of high school, my 8th grade year. We were able to do those things together and be that strength for one another. We were even given the opportunity to live together once again during my first semester of college (April 2012-July 2012). I am so proud of her for deciding to serve a mission in Texas for the LDS church. I admire her and look up to her for her ability to stand up for what she believes to be true and her kind, serviceable heart.

Even with that opportunity to have a sister for a short time, I've still always wished I had more opportunity to develop a relationship with my sister. She was my sweet older sister when she lived at home, but left for college when I was 6. Needless to say, our paths have taken us different directions since then. She and her adorable family now live in California. The thought occurred to me as I looked at these pictures...we still have a long time to develop and strengthen that relationship with each other. 

President Thomas S. Monson gave the following quote in his talk, Finding Joy in the Journey:   (Such a good talk!)

"Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of “what if” and “if only.” 

I should never have worried that I wouldn't have that opportunity because that opportunity is now. We are grown women now and have more in common than we ever have before. We're lucky. We don't have any "what if's" or "if only's". We have so much more time, including the eternities as siblings. I love you, Amber!

Mary

I decided I should include some photos of Lucas' and my new little love shack. A couple people have asked to see pictures. I'll have to upload pictures of the exterior later. We live in a little gray-painted brick house that is separated into two apartments, ours being the smaller one. We enter our home from the back. P.S. These photos were taken very soon after moving in...that's why there is a ton of stuff under the table. I didn't want to put that stuff away yet.

To the left, you find our living room

That blanket is now unfolded larger and it is our makeshift couch

To the Right of the Entrance is our bathroom

Our little kitchen sits across from the living room.
We found a microwave that works great at D.I. for $15!
It now sits in that back corner.

We have a little closet in the hall next to our bedroom.

Our bed sits next to the door

From the bed, you can see our desk and closet

The closet

We love our tiny little home!