Smith Family Ice Cream Scoop: Going Back

Thursday, June 09, 2011

Going Back

Last weekend I went back to Rigby/Idaho Falls for the first time since we moved away over 3 1/2 years ago. This sweet gorgeous girl wanted me to do her wedding photos, so it was the perfect excuse.

I scheduled a few other photoshoots while I was in the area... who knows when I'll be back up there again? I had to take advantage of every moment there. :)

This grown up guy was one of my first violin students in Rigby. He was just a little kid then... and I taught him for almost 6 years. It was so much fun to see him all grown up and man-like. Oh, and it was weird too. How do all these kids get older when I don't? I don't get it.

This family was in our ward when we were there... but they've grown since we lived there! Beautiful beautiful kids... I loved 'em!

Annette and I went on a 12 mile run, and I loved it. The roads were so different from the roads I run on now... more narrow, less shoulder. I had forgotten. It felt so good to run my old roads again, and run with Annette again. It was so funny to be in her house, and look at my old house through her back windows. It's mostly just like we left it... our name is still on the mailbox. :) Annette and I stayed up late two nights in a row just talking, and it was so great. I miss living close to her so much. I'm really grateful we're still friends, and we can still keep in contact with each other, and still be comfortable even when we haven't seen each other since we ran a marathon together last September.

Aubrey and I went to Coldstone twice. Yes, twice... want to make something of it? ;) We went to Target and the mall... and I got to go to Johnny Carinos with Annette and another dear friend I've kept in contact with, Annalee. I wish I could've seen more of my friends, but there just weren't enough hours. I miss Idaho Falls... it's pretty much the perfect city for shopping. It's got everything you need, but it's not too big.

I never thought it would take me this long to go back to where we lived for so long... I thought we'd visit lots, but we haven't. Life just goes on. It was so good to see some old friends at the wedding luncheon, but the whole thing was all kind of a strange experience. I was there, where I had so many memories, in a place that had been home for so long...

...and I couldn't really remember who I was when I lived there.

4 comments:

Amy said...: I didn't know you lived in Idaho Falls. I was wondering how you and Annette new each other. It will be great to put some faces to all these names next week!; 4:43 PM
Janice {Run Far} said...: That's how I feel about Vernal. We have family there, so it makes it a lot easier to get out there. Your last comment hit home for me.... It's only been 3 years since we left Vernal. But I don't really remember who I was when we lived there. I have changed that much in 3 years, some good and some bad.. hopefully mostly good changes.... RIGHT?

Love reading your insights. Love ya.; 9:18 AM
Kate said...: Soo.... does this mean that I'll have to get married and hire you as my photographer before I get to see you? ;); 10:30 AM
Marci said...: that momma and her baby at the end there are gorgeous. that baby is just so beautiful!; 6:15 PM

Post a Comment

To Do Today

* Embrace this day with an enthusiastic welcome, no matter how it looks. The covenant with God to which you are true enables you to become enlightened by him, and nothing is impossible for you.
* When you are physically sick, tired, or in despair, steer your thoughts away from yourself and direct them, in gratitude and love, toward God.
* In your life there have to be challenges. They will either bring you closer to God and therefore make you stronger, or they can destroy you. But you make the decision of which road you take.
* First and foremost, you are a spirit child of God. If you neglect to feed your spirit, you will reap unhappiness. Don't permit anything to detract you from this awareness.
* You cannot communicate with God unless you have first sacrificed your self-oriented natural man and have brought yourself into the lower levels of meekness, to become acceptable for the Light of Christ.
* Put all frustrations, hurt feelings, and grumblings into the perspective of your eternal hope. Light will flow into your soul.
* Pause to ponder the suffering Christ felt in the Garden of Gethsemane. In the awareness of the depth of gratitude for him, you appreciate every opportunity to show your love for him by diligently serving in his Church.
* God knows that you are not perfect. As you suffer about your imperfections, he will give you comfort and suggestions of where to improve.
* God knows better than you what you need. He always attempts to speak to you. Listen, and follow the uncomfortable suggestions that he makes to us--everything will fall into its place.
* Avoid any fear like your worst enemy, but magnify your fear about the consequences of sin.
* When you cannot love someone, look into that person's eyes long enough to find the hidden rudiments of the child of God in him.
* Never judge anyone. When you accept this, you will be freed. In the case of your own children or subordinates, where you have the responsibility to judge, help them to become their own judges.
* If someone hurts you so much that your feelings seem to choke you, forgive and you will be free again.
* Avoid at all cost any pessimistic, negative, or criticizing thoughts. If you cannot cut them out, they will do you harm. On the road toward salvation, let questions arise but never doubts. If something is wrong, God will give you clarity but never doubts.
* Avoid rush and haste and uncontrolled words. Divine light develops in places of peace and quiet. Be aware of that as you enter places of worship.
* Be not so much concerned about what you do, but do what you do with all your heart, might, and strength. In thoroughness is satisfaction.
* You want to be good and to do good. That is commendable. But the greatest achievement that can be reached in our lives is to be under the complete influence of the Holy Ghost. Then he will teach us what is really good and necessary to do.
* The pain of sacrifice lasts only one moment. It is the fear of the pain of sacrifice that makes you hesitate to do it.
* Be grateful for every opportunity to serve. It helps you more than those you serve.
* And finally, when you are compelled to give up something or when things that are dear to you are withdrawn from you, know that this is your lesson to be learned right now. But know also that, as you are learning this lesson, God wants to give you something better.

from "Unleashing the Dormant Spirit by F. Enzio Busche