Applying for Scholarships

Well, I've begun the process of applying for scholarships. I've applied with Kennewick General Hospital online, as well as requested information from Kadlac and saved an application for Lourdes. I've also signed up at scholarships.com for scholarship information. I really hope and pray that someone is willing to help. I'm not sure how we will survive the next 2 1/2 years till we get an income of some kind coming in.

Applied for College

I finally did it! I applied for college yesterday at Columbia Basin College here in Pasco. I paid the $28.30 for the general application fee and the $29.00 for the nursing application fee. I am so nervous about going back to school. I also sent off for my transcript from EWU. I sent off for Grays Harbor earlier this week. I now just need my high school transcript...guess I need to make a trip into Connell today. To bad they are not open on Saturday. I could just get one when I take the kids to basketball camp. Now my next worry is find ways to finance this new experience.

The first person I called was my sister, Wendy. She was really excited to hear that I actually did something to better my life. Then I called my husband. He was excited, too. I guess I'm doing the right thing after all.

This morning at 3:30, my husband wakes me up to go let the dog out. Of course, this makes my brain start turning and sleep eludes me for awhile. I got started thinking about my calling as the RS Enrichment leader. I had a meeting yesterday with the RS presidency and the Stake RS presidency and got a lot of information that got my brain thinking. We were asked to meet the needs of the sisters and go back to the basics. But what did the basics encompass? Sewing, cooking, canning and preserving, building testimonies, getting an education...but what about other basics? So, this morning an idea came to me. First-aid. We live in a very rural area and the fire department is voluntary and there is no guarentee that you will be found in time if there is a real need. We do have people in the area who are trained EMT's, but what if they were not available? What then? So, at our board meeting this morning, this will be one of my suggestions for us to learn this year. It should be interesting to see what everyone else comes up with for ideas for Enrichment Meetings.

Basin City 2nd Ward Conference

Today was our Ward Conference. The them was from D & C 64...talking about forgiveness. Bishop Nielson gave two examples. The first one was from the scriptures, about forgiving our debtors. The second example was from a very recent event that took place to a member of his family. His nephew, Collin Nielson, was killed by a driver while working on road construction. His wife had called him and they talked for a short time before saying "I love you" to each other. That was the last thing she said to him before he was hit. The trial for the driver took place November 2007 in Kirkland WA. The offending driver was in tears and pleading with the family saying how sorry he was for his actions. Sarah, Collin Nielson's wife spoke to the man saying that she didn't hate him and forgave him. It made me think about all the people in my life that I have not forgiven and still hold a grudge against. Do I need that kind of toxic stuff attacking my spirit just because it is easier to hate than forgive? How many people have I offended because I was hateful, rather than forgiving because I jumped to conclusions and made assumptions about that person? I know that returning to live in Basin City has stirred a lot of emotions in me...good and bad. I remember struggling as a young girl, wanting to please my teachers, and yet the one I needed approval from wouldn't acknowledge me and even labeled me by giving me the "slow turtle" award. I thought it was ironic that when he and his wife eventually did have a child, they had a girl. But I still struggle with those emotions whenever I see him. I really struggle to show forgiveness, especially with people I know. This may be one of my greatest weaknesses...next to my driving skills;)

Where do I begin?

After reading a friend's blog, I decided that I would try this and see what happens.

This morning I awoke to a light dusting of snow. This is nothing to this area, but it made a slight change in my plans. This morning I took my three oldest children to basketball camp in Connell. This was their first experience at playing basketball. Sure, they played it during PE or recess, but not organized ball. My daughter, Alora age 7, told me that she was disappointed that they didn't get to play. The coach had them learning the skills first...playing will come later. My boys, Peter John (11) and Aaron (9) really loved it. They were coached by some of the varsity boys from Connell High School. I'm glad they enjoyed the experience. Basketball was my sport in high school and collge and I wanted my children to see what the sport was really like. My Aaron didn't want to go to the camp when I first got the forms, but decided to sign him up, just in case he changed his mind. I personally think he has the skills necessary for the sport than the other two. He was making a lot of baskets and wouldn't get off the court during other team practices.
Our travel wasn't without incident because of the snow. We actually did a 180 in the school parking lot and again after turning a corner near our home. Nothing happened to the van...thank goodness. I learned how to drive in the snow really well so I knew what to do to establish some control.
Well, that's my day and the beginning of this blog. Hopefully, I will get better at this and get pictures posted as well.