A Favor

Seeing as a certain Carolioness seems to be shirking in her duty to publicize, I will do so for her. Imagine the following in a high-pitched, girly-head voice:

Hello. This is Lion. I love James. In fact, I'm currently in gags with him. Wonderful, isn't it? La-ti-da-ti-da. I think I'll go smooch him right now.

That's seriously verbatim. I think most people know, but considering her currently limited access to the Internet, I figured I could help her out. Even considering her resistance to hurrying to hitch up the wagons before I go, (humph) which is in one month. (yay!!) What are sisters for?
Congratulations, guys. I love you!!

P.S. Yes, the James of which she speaks does, in fact, have the approval of Javich and myself.

Temple Treat

Why don't I know of a common dessert served in Mormon communities called by the name above? If anyone does know about such a delectable delight, please let me know. I think it should involve coconut.
So one of the sisters who provided me with instuction and led me through the temple last week had a very interesting name: Sandy Banks. Clearly, this indicates I was in the right place at the right time, or someone really wants me to keep my blog updated. Perhaps both. It was pretty funny, though. Of course, when this was pointed out as we, a group of silly Henrichsens, were walking through the hall...(or was it the comment that we needed to look for a Frogmorton, who would clearly be my future husband), giggles burst forth from our silly/funny/goofy cores, eliciting a slightly dirty look from one temple worker beside us as well as the attention of people down the hall. Other than that, we were completely good, though. It was wonderful to be there with so many loved ones. I really appreciate the effort my loving family put forth to be there with me. (I'm also grateful for the long-distance love and support from so many others.) To make the day even better, many old friends from our branch in PA were there. It was neat to share a special day with a brother who years ago refused to listen to the missionaries. Not only did he go through the temple during the same session, but his family was able to be sealed together for eternity the same day.
Enjoying these blessings and experiencing the love of the Lord so abundantly only makes me want to go out and share the truth with others even more. It truly is "good news".
It sure is great to know I can be stuck with such a wonderful family forever. I think I could take that. :)

5k Run

Several months ago, I participated in the Run for Red (cross) 5k. According to the initial plan, most of the eight girls in my nursing section would run. The plan was to all train and then run it together. Well, as it turned out, only one person (Tigerlily Brandybuck of Buckland-the taller one, and yes that's her real name)really stuck to a good training schedule. From what Goldie Burrows (red hair, also a real name...if you're a hobbit) said, we both ran in spurts on random days we made it fit into the too few hours. To her credit, I don't think she ever ran the full 5k distance before the race. Hmm...I guess that's not really to her credit unless I point out that she finished and survived. :) I trained, mostly on treadmills. The only bad time was when I suddenly decided it would be good to check and make sure I could run 3.1 miles, even though I hadn't really worked up to it. So then I was sore. However, besides the pain, I like feeling like I've accomplished something (pushing myself enough to rip apart muscle fibers...yep, for some reason I gain satisfaction from that knowledge).

At the race, they ran out of safety pins to secure numbers to shirts long before I went to get pins. Apparently others did not recognize the amazing source of pins available commonly known as the floor. Or maybe they were just unwilling to bend down that far and run a 5k all in one day. So I gave extras I found to other people. When we three were all ready, the race managers delayed starting the race until someone returned with more safety pins. So much for the value of my amazing finding powers.
Oh yes, and with regard to the many friends running together, others who at first seemed enthusiastic either did not register or did not get out of bed. So it was three girls from section three.
Actually running the 5k was rather fun. Goldie's husband followed us and took pictures. Of course we were smiling the whole time, not just when there was a camera aimed in our direction. We decided that since none of us were planning on winning, we'd simply stick together the whole time. This meant Tigerlily and I were pretty much talking the whole time. I'd definitely say that the time and distance seemed to pass by faster than any other time due to the company and conversation. (Isn't it funny how time drags out whenever you're really pushing yourself physically? Maybe it's the whole lack of oxygen thing. Anyway, that's not how this race was.) I was surprised when they said, "just run up the hill to the finish line" as I didn't think we could have already gone that far. I don't remember how we placed, but we finished in about 35 minutes...neither first nor last. That was Tigerlily's only requirement when we decided to stick together-that we not be the last ones in. Mission accomplished!!

Send off

New note: Michael discussed the option on the phone of sending the barrel of select grandkids, who would benefit most from sending me off (presumably)with a minimal number of adults who really want to go. My main desires for reporting are 1) I don't make an obnoxious scene and 2) that those who actually attend the meeting part will focus on it. Oh, and remember everyone who comes inside with me needs to be in Sunday attire.


Concerning all the people who want to see me off, I just plan we'll get most of the mushy goodbyes taken care of beforehand. Just seeing me up through the lobby is an option, as is joining in the missionary meeting. (which is about a half hour if I remember correctly)I'll leave it up to parental judgement on which kids (if that's your plan)can go into the meeting send-off. I'm happy so many people want to come.
:)

On Wisdom

Last Friday, I was attacked. Well, maybe I willingly sat down in the chair, but the next thing I knew, I was overcome with an insane urge to giggle and the next thing I knew...an hour of my life had disappeared, along with my wisdom teeth. It was kind of exciting to have my first IV line ever. (Maybe that displays the normal lack of excitement in my life, that I'm an avid nursing student, or that I've had a little too much practice being poked with needles...in an absolutely drug-free manner.)Don't expect to see a page about it in my scrapbook, though. Afterward, I was grateful John and I both had taken some ASL at BYU so I didn't feel too hindered in my communications by the massive amounts of gauze protruding from what I assume was my mouth; I was slightly too numb to be sure. However, no one's commented on rearragements of my body parts since then, so I'm sticking with the presumption that all limbs and normal attachments are in order. John commented that I was "a little silly" as we left, but I'm not sure if that was my true colors shining through, or simply more effects of nitrous oxide....also good. Thanks to the blessing of frozen fruit and vegetables, I was able to keep the swelling down for the next few days. I was a little concerned that I had bled on my floor, until I noticed it was more of a strawberry-bright redness. John and Mom were a little concerned about my continence one evening when I emerged from the bathroom and announced that "my peas leaked on me," of course referring to my bag of frozen peas used to soothe my face...the same bag I beat against the marble counter repeatedly in order to break up ice chuncks. They just don't make bags like they used to.

So here's the problem. How would I know if I lost wisdom? I remember deciding years ago that I defined wisdom as figuring out the Lord's will and making decisions according to that guide. Sonnet was given an owl picture from her PhD advisor man (Larry)because he considered her to be a wise student and worker. Anyway, I just wondered how others define wisdom, especially in comparison to official definitions.
Oh yes, and John would like to add "John is Awesome".

Have a wonderful day, everyone! Remember to make wise choices.

The Scoop...

I really enjoy and tend to promote ice cream, but that's not the scoop I'm referring to today.
For all of you who haven't heard yet, I received my mission call!! Technically, it went to Caroline's house (even though I wrote down that it should come out here)...maybe that means she should come, too. Anyway, I've been called to serve in the Ecuador, Quito Mission. :) I'll be serving a proselyting and welfare mission. I'll be speaking Spanish (or whatever else is needed), which I'll be learning more once I report to the MTC on July 19th. I'm so excited to devote this part of my life solely to serving the Lord and His children.

Shots and Slackers

Apparently some of you think I'm a big slacker for never posting new things. :) Perhaps that's so. It may also have to do with school craziness. In the interest of keeping everyone informed, MY MISSION PAPERS ARE IN!!! Oh yeah, and it's finals week, so don't be disappointed by this brief message. I have 4 finals finished and have 3 more to go. Half an hour ago, I was giving my friend a shot of "lovenox" aka normal saline for a final pass off in one of my labs. Oh, and it was awesome, because I remembered everything and didn't fail (or die...good thing my blood pressure's under control).
Isn't it Pogo's birthday today? He sure was a good dog. I bet he's sleeping right now.

P.S. I did't use this type of injecting device, just a regular TB syringe.

Dream Big

I'm not sure how many of you have heard of Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band, but I've decided one of my new favorite songs is "Dream Big". It's been played on the radio, but more so in the car (thanks for the cd player Diana and Shane!) since John's purchase of their recently released cd, of which John claims will never grow weary. So we listen to it pretty much all the time in the car now. Anyway, I really agree with the idea of the song; that we need to constantly be hoping for and striving toward the best. This applies to what we want to become and what we want to do. It's easy to be caught up in the day to day and forget the great goals we are working to achieve. I appreciate that this song focuses on little, everyday things as well as a greater perspective. I'm amazed by what people accomplish and really appreciated the reminder in General Conference that we have power and agency to direct our own course. Like President Hinckley once said, this song reminds me "Limitless is your potential. Magnificent is your future." Here's the lyrics, but it's much better to listen.

Dream Big - Ryan Shupe & The Rubberband

When you cry be sure to dry your eyes,
cause better days are sure to come.
And when you smile be sure to smile wide,
and don't let them know that they have won.
And when you walk, walk with pride,
and don't show the hurt inside,
because the pain will soon be gone.

Chorus:
And when you dream, dream big,
As big as the ocean blue.
Cause when you dream it might come true.
So When you dream, dream big.

And when you laugh be sure to laugh out loud,
cause it will carry all your cares away.
And when you see, see the beauty
all around and in yourself, it will help you feel okay.
And when you pray, pray for strength
to help to carry on when the troubles come your way.

Chorus

And when you laugh be sure to laugh out loud,
'cause it will carry all your cares away.
And when you see, see the beauty all
around and in yourself, and it will help you feel okay.
And when you pray, pray for strength to
help to carry on when the troubles come your way.

Popcorn Popping

I'd like to thank everyone for their support. This wonderful vicarious blogging award would not have been possible without all your peer pressure, comments, and, oh yes, direct intervening force. Perhaps this is the online manifestation of the Henrichsen claim that if you didn't say it, we'll put it in your mouth for you. I'm perfectly fine with allowing John to keep everyone updated. However, since my Wednesday clinical is over, (yay!) I'm using this as a means of putting off doing real work. By the way, everyone should go check out Michael's great new blog.

Okay, time for a poll. Do you guys think it's worse to be in a computer lab with giggling freshmen or crying babies? I think I'm actually more tolerant and patient with the small children faction.

I've decided Spring makes me think of Mom. Like the Primary song, it's definitely the flowers that remind me of her. Though I didn't really learn the names of all the flowers as well as I'd like, whenever I see a forcythia bush, that's just who I think about (other than, is that the right name?). Seeing tulips coming up make me think of the ones I thought were so cool in New York; the red ones with black in the middle. Yeah, we were pretty hip with those flowers. Anyway, I just enjoy the season (despite the fact that I miss the South for this time of year) and simply celebrating the new life as we see it grow. Perhaps that's the inspiration for the burst of reproductivity announcements? By the way, congrats!! (Anita and Shana) :) I'm excited to know you're working on some more cuties (crazies?). Happy Spring!

Hello

I decided that I would act on Shana's threat and start making blogs for my siblings. Christie Sue is my first victim, Muhahahhahahahahhahaha, Trogdor strikes again!

-John