모르겠습니다

So, we left the country last weekend and ended up in...

Yes, that would be California.
We went to spend some time with my dearest friend, Nance.  I've known Nancy now for over 15 years.  I love her like my sister.  Recently, she found out she has small cell carcinoma.  She fell into the .1% who get it without being a smoker or being exposed to second hand smoke.  Kinda the same irony of her being an oncology nurse.
One of the things I love most about her is how merciful she is.  In thinking of justice and mercy I think I sway more towards justice.  Probably from my rebellious childhood and the amount of consequences I had to endure to which now I think are more than sufficient from my lack of obedience.  I think at many times I lack compassion.  There are a couple friends in my life who exemplify compassion and mercy and one of those friends is Nance.  Things in her life that I would have thrown my hands up or the towel in...she takes with patience, hope, and a heart of understanding.  She is exactly the type of person I need to be more like and she gives me something to aim for.  Now, instead of opening my mouth around her too much to offer my opinion, I watch and listen.  She may not have immediate results in her actions, but her actions change hearts and are definitely more loving and lasting.As I heard of her cancer, my justice heart and mind set in of sadness, hurt, and maybe a little anger for someone who does so much good who must go through so much trial.  I thought someone more hard headed like myself should be facing these hardships.  Yet, she's taking it in stride and is strong, faithful, and is at peace.  She is merciful even with her trial.
When I'm having a hard time and am tempted to get upset and ask that one-worded faithless question, 'Why?', this quote has always been a sense of comfort:
"If all the sick for whom we pray were healed, if all the righteous were protected and the wicked destroyed, the whole program of the Father would be annulled and the basic principle of the gospel, agency, would be ended.  No man would have to live by faith...."Should all prayers be answered according to our selfish desires and our limited understanding, then there would be little or no suffering, sorrow, disappointment, or even death, and if these things were not, there would also be no joy, success, resurrection, nor eternal life.  Being human, we would expel from our lives physical pain and mental anguish and assure ourselves of continual ease and comfort, but if we were to close the doors upon sorrow and distress, we might be excluding our greatest friends and benefactors.  Suffering can make saints of people as they learn patience, long-suffering, and self-mastery." (Spencer W. Kimball)
It's difficult to be so far away, not being able to help physically.  All I can do is offer prayers and check in on her by phone.  But I know even from the distance, she will still be teaching me and many others as she faces this challenge.  If anything, this trial is one finally worthy of her righteousness. She is a warrior and will fight with valor. Her attitude of gratitude is independent of her circumstances.  It goes beneath the surface of life, be it sad or joyous, because her gratitude is in God.  She is my idol.
Even in the solemness of it all, we had a great time.  We laughed as families and enjoyed being together and still made it a vacation.

'The BeeJobs.'

The guys tried to make the idea of a wig more appealing, which backfired.  

 'Toothpick in the Sand'

Headed to Newport Beach.

'Before the Burn'

We have all been in the sun for hours in Arizona, we still put on sunscreen, and we still fried.

How Catie gets ready for a big date.

Totally unrelated to the picture, other than coolness...but I had my first Sprinkles cupcake this weekend.  Key lime was amazing and I'm glad there isn't a Sprinkles close to me.

Also got to spend time with one of my CA BFF's...Carla, whom now Brynna is bigger than.

Nathan's new CA BFF: Cole.  
Thanks again to the Thompson's, Hoeke's, and Goettsche families.  :)