Running

You know how everyone has that one thing that they do that just makes them feel better?  Mine isn't running because I don't always feel better after doing it. However, there are times when it is just the thing to help lift my spirits.

I woke up in a pretty lousy mood today, for multiple reasons, not the least of which was that I had to wake up at 5:38 to use the bathroom--only an hour before my alarm went off--and it was soooo hard to go back to sleep again.  However, while I tried to put that mood off all day at school, though not the most successfully at times, I'll admit, it just got worse on my ride home from school.

I called my mom and she helped me talk things out. And then of course talking with Cody helped me to feel a little better and get rid of some of my negative feelings. But what cinched the deal between my head, my heart, and my emotions was going for a run.

After changing into my running clothes, I started out with a destination in mind to help my legs prepare for the Rex Lee run next Saturday.  After reaching it, instead of doing an out-and-back, I ran a little bit further than I was planning on and when I got home I felt so much better (I'm pretty sure Downton Abbey helped too).  There's nothing like feeling your muscles working, breathing hard, and just feeling alive to help boost your spirit.

Family History Work

I've been sucked into doing family history work the past eight months, but especially the past week.  I signed up for a two week free trial with ancestry.com and I'm trying to take advantage of that resource before I have to cancel it.

Not only have I been able to put correct fathers and mothers with their children (which sometimes gets confusing when cousins marry in the 1700s and 1800s), but I've felt more of a connection with Cody's family.  I feel like I'm a part of that whole line now since doing family history work for them, and then taking some of their names to the temple when we can.

Mostly what I've been grateful for with doing family history work is a feeling of peace.  I've really needed that feeling to guide me the past eight months, but especially the last three months.  I've been confronted by people that I am related to who have been patiently waiting for someone to find them and link them to their parents, spouse, children, siblings, and I've tried to be more patient myself.