Life is a Roller Coaster

Over and over again I am reminded that life is a roller coaster. This weekend I most definitely seemed to be on a roller coaster ride. I would go from very happy, to not so happy at all. I realize that in order to experience the highs that we have to experience the lows in life. Even though I hate the lows, I can put up with them because I sure do love the highs. So here is a little recap of my weekend.

On Friday, I was informed that my grandpa has prostate cancer. I personally don’t really know that much about prostate cancer, or cancer really in general. I feel like for some reason I am really good at have a disconnect with health related problems. I have known people who are cancer survivors, but really don’t understand the effects cancer has on peoples life. However, his outlook is good and he should be fine.

Kenzie didn’t have work on Friday so we made dinner. We both love cooking, so most nights we will cook dinner and just watch TV and things. Kailey Skinner came over and we were all just having a grand ole time. However, more suddenly my night made a total 180. Around eleven I received a call from my father, which was really weird. He never calls and I was extremely surprised. Honestly I thought I was in trouble for something. I could kinda tell something was up when I answered. He asked me what I was doing and if I could maybe come and pick him up. I asked him where he was and he stated that he was at the hospital. Instantly my mind started racing. Why on earth would he be in the hospital? Naturally, I assumed the worst. He stated that my grandparents can come up for the night and that upon arrival my grandpa wasn’t doing very well and that an ambulance had come and picked him up. He didn’t really give me more information than that. I instantly left to go and pick him up. The whole drive into Logan I was an absolute wreck. I really analyzed my life and how every moment is important.

My grandpa is doing fine, he just has pneumonia. He is still in the hospital but should hopefully be getting out tomorrow. On Saturday morning I was able to go to the hospital, and be present for a priesthood blessing. I am so grateful for the worthy priesthood holders that I have in my life and all that they do for me and those that I love.

I had lots of things that I needed to get down Saturday, but with all that happened I honestly just wanted a break from things. Luckily, I have great friends and Kenzie and I spent the day in Logan. One of the best things that we did was people watch in Wal-Mart. We found these real nice chairs and sat in them for almost an hour. It was so funny. I think we sold at least like ten of them sitting there, Kenzie even ended up buying one of them. I was real sad that we really didn’t end up seeing anyone that we knew. I am pretty sure that I could be content sitting in Wal-Mart people watching all day long. However, the best part was when we tested our creeper skills. I was actually pretty surprised at how good we are. There is a certain green pickup that drives around CV that Kenzie knows pretty well and anyways we saw it and Kenzie just really wanted to know where it was going so we started following. I asked Kenzie how she expected to follow the truck as she doesn’t exactly drive crazy at all. She stated that she couldn’t do it, but that she knew that I could do it, so she hops out of her car and I jump into the driver’s seat. It was great fun; we ended up being so fast we got in front of the truck for a second, but then let it pass so we could follow it. Unfortunately, the truck only drove up to campus and nowhere to interesting, but it was pretty fun testing our skills. We are thinking that we could be PIs for hire.

Saturday night I was able to attend the adult session of Stake Conference which was really great. I think during it I really figure out what I want to do with my life, which I have actually been stressing about quite a bit lately. However, during the conference I felt a peace and knew that everything is going to work out. I plan on meeting with a couple of different people hopefully this week to see if my plan will really work out.

Okay, one last story I promise. Today, when I got back from Stake Conference my brother said that he thought the Schenks would be speaking in our ward and I decided that I wanted to go. Britten Schenk went to school with me and was in my ward, in March six months ago we was hit by a bus while serving a mission in Brazil. Hearing the family’s testimonies today was absolutely amazing. The progress that he has made in the short six months is incredible. Seeing what they have been through makes everything I face seem small. I am so grateful for a Heavenly Father that is aware of me and watches over me. This weekend reminded me that things can change in a matter of second and I need to be prepared for that. But at the same time I realize that God is there for me and that I can turn to him when needed.

Ashley P.