The Spider!

I didn't drive my car for one full day and this is what welcomes me back to my driver's side door...

That is one large spider and spider web. 

 Spiders sure do work quickly. One day. 

 Since I did not want to touch that thing with my hands, I found a big stick and took it off with that.  (Don't worry no humans or spiders were harmed in the process of moving the spider;)  

Goodness!

On Saturday was a day of service in the Virginia/Maryland/D.C. area. Our ward has been collecting non perishable food items and toiletries for the Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless.  One of the ways we've been collecting food is by standing outside grocery stores and telling people before they go into the store about the canned food drive so that they can go in and buy some of the items on the list and bring them to us on their way out.  I was so happy with how many people bought things for the food drive. Sometimes it was just one thing and sometimes it was 5 bags of items and sometimes it was a dollar or two but no matter the size or the amount that anyone brought to us, it made my heart swell inside.

Yesterday, I went to the primary program in Lara and Glen's ward (which was awesome, by the way) and one of the children had a cast on one of his legs almost up to his hip. He was probably 6 years old and when it was his turn to go up and say his part in the program, his older brother, who was probably 7 or 8 went over and picked up/helped his younger brother to the microphone. You could tell it was hard for the older brother to hold him, because he wasn't that much older and the little brother was bigger, but he did it and it was a tender but kind of funny moment to watch.

I read an article the other day about this 10 year old boy who biked to a police station and poured out a bag of $10 in coins. The boy after hearing about the September 11, 2001 attacks and the sacrifices that many police officers and firemen went through to help out after the attacks that this little boy scrounged up all of the money he could and donated it to the police station.
http://www.today.com/news/police-id-mystery-boy-who-donated-savings-10-03-4B11180302

I have a point to telling you all of these seemingly random stories. I tell you all these things because recently I've realized how generous and kind people can be when we look and when we give them a chance. I know there are lots of acts of kindness and generosity that go on all the time behind the scenes, but I think I've just been reminded to look. Sometimes it's just a smile to a stranger or friend or someone giving up their seat on the bus or metro or a person telling someone when they've dropped something and that person didn't realize it or helping someone move or a person comforting another during a hard time etc. There are so many ways and if we look, we will see.

"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."  (Mosiah 2:17)

Have you seen any good in the world today?

The Bench!

Do you have that special place? That place you go to be alone and think or write in your journal or read a book or whatever the reason may be? Well this bench might be my place. :)  I love it! I try to go there when I can, but it is hard to get there some weeks.

I love Meadowlark Gardens, which happens to be where the bench is located, and want to tell everyone about it! So I am telling you now, you all should visit Meadowlark at least once if you can. :) (Click here for more photos of Meadowlark from an earlier post.)

Isn't it beautiful?!

Montpelier- James and Dolley Madison's House!

Today I went to Montpelier, the home of James and Dolley Madison in Orange, VA. I've been meaning to get myself there for a while now and it just turned out that today I could and I am glad I did!  I learned a lot about James Madison, some of which I will write about below. 

 This is the main door of the house, although it wasn't always.  The house has gone through a few phases. At first it was a duplex, then they made it into one big house, then after the Madison family sold it and the duPont family bought it, they made it a lot bigger.  But now they have it back to the original size as when the Madison's lived in it, trying to make it as authentic as possible.

 The view from the front porch!

 The front of the house!  We weren't allowed to take pictures inside the house, but it was beautiful!  They have a few original pieces of furniture and paintings that James and Dolley Madison owned which is pretty awesome! They have tried to make it look as authentic as possible.

 Me in the back of the house!

James Madison seemed like a genuinely good guy. He was a smart fellow who actually went to Princeton and was able to test out of his first year.  He learned 6 different languages while there.  He learned a 7th language later.  He read a lot and owned over 4000 books! He is known as the Father of the Constitution. It is said that he seemed a little reserved when in big crowds but when around people he knew he was more open.  He and Dolley entertained a lot of guests in their home at Montpelier and would often have 25 people sleeping over from 1 night up to 2 weeks.

 Madison's temple! He would sit here and contemplate and enjoy the view of the beautiful mountains in the distance!

 James and Dolley Madison! I must admit I did not know much about either of them before this tour. I learned that Dolley loved to entertain guests and everyone loved her. They sometimes had over 100 guests over for dinner and Dolley would remember each of their names and faces.

 I loved this butterfly!  Isn't it beautiful?!

 And this one?!

 I liked this lion in the Annie duPont garden!  It looks so sad.

 Look at that tree!

 The front stone is the grave of James and the back one is Dolley's grave.

On the grounds!

Today was  lovely day! The drive to the house, the tour of the house, the grounds, the weather were all just awesome!  I am glad that I was able to go and learn more about our 4th president and his wife.

I must say that I really like living in this area where I can go and visit the homes and buildings and sites that we read about in the history books and so much happened there. Going to Montpelier today made James and Dolley Madison more real.  They existed. They had personalities. They had imperfections.

OneRepublic Concert!!

I love concerts!  The combination of the loud music by an awesome band, the dancing, the screaming, the singing along, the audience etc. is just so exhilarating to me!  The OneRepublic concert was no exception.  I went to their concert last night at Wolf Trap and they were amaaaazing!  They sure know how to put on a performance. They sound awesome live and they were real and funny and sentimental and it was just so good!  

 Secrets!  "Tell me what you want to hear. Something that will light those ears. Sick of all of the insincere. I'm gonna give all my secrets away."

Apologize! "It's too late to apologize. It's too late. I said it's too late to apologize. It's too late."

 The awesome guitarist!  He played some rockin' solos!

The main singer, Ryan Tedder, went out into the audience during one of the songs. He wasn't anywhere near us, but that's okay because we were close to the stage. We could almost reach out and touch the stage and could totally see the facial expressions and make eye contact with the musicians. It was awesome!!!

They had an encore performance and this was at the finale of that performance.

Some of the other songs they sang were Good Life, Feel Again, Counting Stars, All the Right Moves, Stop and Stare, Come Home and a few others.

Paris and I during one of the songs. Thanks for inviting me to the concert Paris!  It was awesome!

Sunflower Fields!

A couple of weeks ago Lara told me that they had visited a sunflower field in Maryland. As soon as she told me that it wasn't too far away, I knew I must make the journey to this land of sunflowers!  The last time I had seen a sunflower field was on my mission in Ukraine.  Whenever I saw the fields I was always on public transportation and never in a position to stop and take pictures, although I really wanted to.  I was excited for the chance to finally be able walk through and take pictures in a sunflower field!  Lara let me borrow her camera. Cami came with me. 

I took most of these pictures, although I did post a few of Cami's pictures too. 

I know Cami took this cool shot with the sun rays!

I like this one with Cami in the background trying to take a self portrait too :)

One of Cami's self portraits, although I don't think it's the one that she's taking in the picture above.

Isn't the sunflower field beautiful?!  I loved it!  Thanks Cami for keeping your aunt company on this little trip.

Utah Trip- American Fork Canyon

While I was in Utah, we also took a drive up American Fork Canyon!  We didn't drive the whole Alpine Loop, but the part we did see sure was beautiful!  I love nature!  It has always been a place for me to go and feel peace and enjoy God's beautiful creations and remember His love for me.  

 Timbo and Mamachka!

 Look at that spiderweb!  I thought it was pretty cool looking.

 Isn't it beautiful?!

 Me and Papachka. I think this was the day I was supposed to leave before I knew my flight was cancelled.

Me and Mamachka

I am grateful that I was able to visit Mom, Dad, Heather and Tim and am glad that I surprised them.  I had a lovely time and enjoyed every minute.  Thanks Dad and Mom for letting me come and stay!  You rock!