An Unexpected Weekend Brought Unexpected Bliss

So, this past weekend, Stuart and my brother Justin went on a boy's deep sea fishing trip in Charleston to celebrate the wonderful age of 30 in which they will both turn this month and next. They were going to go out on a boat with a guide who would provide all the equipment and licenses' and such. Justin had already been on this trip before with the same guide, and talked about how worth it and fun it was going to be. Although it seemed a tad expensive and rash (they talked about how they'd like to go and like 2 days later they were booked {nonrefundable, mind you}--before Stu had even asked off work!) But, I said, "Go for it baby! Celebrate 30 how you want!" And so they went. And they had a great time and caught pretty big fish called Drum? I'm not much of a fisherman, so I'm not quite sure of the spelling on that fish...I prefer to just soak in some rays and applaud those that catch fish...


So, I was like, alright, no husband this weekend equals....GIRLS WEEKEND! DUH! I began to contemplate what kind of adventures that my girlfriends and I might get into--maybe some shopping? maybe a trip to the zoo or to a museum? Definitely some good food. Maybe go all old school and have a slumber party?! Definitely wanted to play "Michael Jackson Wii." (You MUST try it if you have not--it is a total blast dancing to Michael Jackson songs and a fantastic workout). The list was endless!


Plus, it was General Conference weekend, which meant that I could get the spiritual uplift that I have been needing. I was looking forward to going to church for both sessions on Saturday & Sunday and sitting in the dark & silence, by myself and listening to the inspired words of the Prophet and apostles. I have just felt like I've been in a little bit of a funk and wanted that time to myself--I always find that a talk in conference relates directly to me--something I always need to hear. 


But then, I get 2 phone calls. And it's Friday. The first is from my Dad. He called to see if my visitation form to go see my sister Jenna had been approved. Jenna has spent the past 2 months in a minimum security women's correctional facility for some unfortunate charges. Luckily she won't have to serve her whole sentence of 9 months, but will probably have to spend the next month and a half more there. No one has been able to see her because the process of getting approved to visit an inmate is a little bit ridiculous. My Dad called because he had been approved and had scheduled a visit for that Saturday and wanted to know if I was able to go as well. I hadn't heard from Jenna about my form being approved, but said that I would call up there and see if I was approved. I was! I could go SEE my sister! So, my Dad and I planned to drive up to Rocky Mount, NC that Saturday.


Then, I find out that my good friend Jamie Ferguson's grandmother had passed away. She had been suffering for awhile now and had recently been moved to a Hospice care center. Jamie and I have known eachother since 7th grade and I know all of her family very well. I was saddened to hear this news but also knew that her grandmother was finally at peace. I told her that I would come over after I got off work and told her that I was "hers" the rest of the weekend (minus my trip to see Jenna) when she needed me. She would do it for me! 


So Friday night after work, I spent a few hours with Jamie and her family. They are such a strong family and I admire how they have handled this difficult time. I got to see beautiful pictures and hear beautiful stories of their grandmother and remember good times of my own with them. Jamie and I were always reminded not to get into trouble after leaving their house. Her grandmother knew us well and knew teenage girls well! But she was always so sweet and I loved going with Jamie to visit her and her grandfather. I also got to spend some quality time with my goddaughters, Skylar & Stella and this is always great! I tried to keep them out of the adults' hair and we got play hide & seek--it was so cute. 


Then, I woke up Saturday around 7:30 am (after going to bed around 3 AM!) so I could drop off some supper to Jamie's family for that evening by 9am, because I knew I wouldn't be back until at least past dinner time, because Jenna is in Rocky Mount, which is about 4 hours from Concord. I first drove the hour to Asheboro where my Dad lives and he and I together drove the remaining 2 1/2 hours to Rocky Mount. I was excited and nervous to see Jenn. I didn't know how I'd feel when I saw her. I understand that she needs to serve her consequence for her actions, but it has been so hard on our family to see her in such a position. But we miss her! We get to talk to her on the phone quite a bit which is nice, but we just can't wait to have her home. And we hope that when she comes home that she is a different person. We got to Rocky Mount around 1pm and got to stay until 3pm. Jenna and I were crying of course as soon as we saw one another, but then we calmed down and got to chat for 2 hours. It was so unbelievably great to see her! She looks a little better and she seems like she is in pretty good spirits. She also seems like her countenance has changed a little bit :) She told us all about the other women there (a lot of it was quite humorous) and about how her life there goes. I was so shocked to see that Jenn is one of the youngest there! There were so many older women, one even with white hair and a cane! Jenna told us that many had been there several times, rebounding after they get out and getting into the same stuff that put them in there in the first place. It's sad that jail today does little when it comes to rehabilitation. It just seems that isolation and boredom are their modes of punishment. There isn't much hard labor or required classes going on. I was also shocked to see how many babies and children were in line with us to visit their MOTHERS. This broke my heart.


She can't wait to come home and is so grateful for all those that support her and write her. She really is a good girl. She has the biggest heart of anyone I know and I know that she has amazing potential. She has just made some stupid decisions and doesn't always align herself with the right people. She is such a beautiful girl but just has had so much struggle in her life. I hope to see her overcome this! 


Our drive home took a little longer because my Dad had to take care of a little business and then we took at "shortcut"...needless to say I got back to Asheboro around 7 and then had to drive back to Concord. I got home around 8--I had been gone almost 12 hours. I was utterly EXHAUSTED. Physically & Emotionally exhausted. What a weekend it had been! I took a shower and was ready for bed by 9 pm. Seriously.


And so instead of my fun girls weekend I had imagined. And instead of attending every session of conference, I spent the weekend serving others. And for a slight moment, I'm embarassed to admit, I was a little bummed about my weekend being altered and full of pure obligation, but then I realized that this was a weekend that I NEEDED. I needed to do something for others--I needed to be selfless. It's so easy to slip into being selfish and think only of yourself. And the weekend turned out to be fantastic. And I learned so much and was so grateful for the opportunities that were presented. I got to serve my good friend Jamie, who has done SO much for me in the time we have known eachother. I got to visit my sister who needed to see that her family loves and supports her. I needed to see that my sister was okay and that she is becoming healthier. And I got to watch Sunday's sessions of conference which were amazing as always. (I especially loved the recurring theme of self-reliance! I have such a testimony of this!) And I got to sleep in today!


I feel uplifted and rested today. I am so thankful for the weekend that I was able to have. It feels so good to serve others and I feel that I should have more weekends like this past one. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father that provides us with service opportunities and trials that help us grow as better individuals. I hope to take everything I have learned this weekend and apply it to my life daily and be a better person. 


I also look forward to catching up on all the sessions of Conference that I missed this past weekend! And its good to have Stu back :) He came home relaxed, happy and very sunburned (he TOOK the sunscreen but didn't put it ON, and the same with Justin...this is why the wives should have gone along...). But, he had a great birthday celebration weekend and I'm so glad. And I'm so glad that Stu and my brother are like BFF's! 


Maybe Michael Jackson Wii this weeknd??? haha ;)