I'm not dreading it the way I was a couple of weeks ago, but I'm still not excited.
However, I feel incredibly blessed in many ways! I have incredible older siblings who set a good example for me and also give me advice. I have the opportunity to go to school. I have two parents at home, both of whom are involved, loving, wise, and care deeply about my welfare. The list goes on endlessly. I guess I am excited for school after all; I know of several awesome people with whom I share classes, and I probably won't drown in homework as long I don't chat with those people all the time.
Max got home this week!!
I haven't been so excited. I had a countdown and everything: "My brother gets home in four days!" And I knew I should be excited. But I just wasn't. And so as I meandered around the airport, I wasn't feeling very much at all. I approached my parents: they stood together, my mom's head on Dad's shoulder, holding tightly to his arm around her waist, and her eyes shining. I drank that sight in, then meandered some more toward the escalator.
But then I saw Papa wave eagerly to us from the platform at the top of the escalator, and I knew that he'd seen Max, and that Max must be walking down the hall. And then Papa waved eagerly not to us but to Max. I saw the other missionaries come into view, with Max at the back of the pack, and stopping to hug Papa, and then getting on the escalator. And when Max hit the ground at the bottom, my legs were moving. Just because they decided to move. By the time I hit Max, I was sobbing. I stood there and clung to my brother and shook. Nena had reacted the same way. I guess we must kinda love Max or something.
Here's the thing about Steak 'n Shake: it's fast food, and working drive through can get really stressful, and the hours suck and the manager doesn't like me. But I really enjoy it. I love the Steak 'n Shake people. Everyone there is so fun to work with. The kids are fun and fun to flirt with, and the adults are not too condescending except in joking. Of course, the work isn't that great; we don't like that. But we really enjoy the people! So when I'm not at work I regard it really fondly in this perfect golden glow. Then I get there and I remember how awful customers are. But at least I can enjoy work when not working.
After Max got home, we all went Smith and Morehouse to enjoy nature. Since Max hasn't done that for two years. We watched an eagle fish over the lake, which was dope.
Such Gabe. Very wow.
Spoiler alert: it was from Kevin Nield. Lowkey totally beyond excited to go.
Today was also a really emotional day, in a good way. It was Max's homecoming, and I also gave a talk. I was definitely very liberal when it came to expounding on my topic, which was tithing. But I still talked about the gospel, so it's okay. After the rest hymn (Redeemer of Israel, which I love), Max gave a powerful talk. He speaks more softly than he used to, which I feel encourages the Spirit in a unique way.
It'll be interesting to see how much or how little Max's new quirks loosen as he spends some time week in the real world. My observation time ends Saturday, so not the best of scientific experiments. But in the meantime I'm just this little aimless kid trailing behind him, drinking him in while I still can. And also making fun of him just a little bit.
And just very quickly, I want to touch on the very real power of the priesthood. We received back-to-school blessings today because that's a cool thing to do. To feel my brother's fingers on my head in addition to my dad's was an extra special bonus.
I want you all to know that I know that God is on our side, and He is here to grant us strength in our times of need. He knows us perfectly, and He loves us perfectly.
I want you all to know that I know that God is on our side, and He is here to grant us strength in our times of need. He knows us perfectly, and He loves us perfectly.
Have an awesome week!
Love, Grace
Sarah-trapped
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