moments

There are few moments that stand out to me as both proud and humble moments but the ones that do are very special and personal.  Last night I was blessed to have one of those moments again and I couldn't help but feel overwhelming joy. Yes, this happened at none other than Phil's missionary reunion.

I'll be honest, I wasn't too excited for this event. I mean, I tried to be, at least to an extent as my dear hubs couldn't talk about anything else all week. But somehow the idea of being a little sidekick the whole night was hard to get excited about. The moment I met Phil's former mission president, President Maurer, I knew why we (or I) had come that night. I was experiencing a portion of Phil's life that I've only heard of until then. It was special.

Phil's mission president was such a great person whose love for Phil was great and endearing.  I felt it as he embraced us both and gave us his aussie grin. I still get teary thinking about it. I instantly felt loved by a man I had never met before.
The experience of the whole night made me yearn to have been a fly on the wall while Phil served in the great Perth, Australia.  Phil was diligent and hard working as his president wouldn't tell me anything but that. What a great time in his life, and I was humbled to be able to have personal insight into it last night.

When we all gathered and sang the "Australia Perth Mission song" the spirit was overwhelming. Being in a room filled with such amazing brothers and sisters, I felt a longing to have served in Perth myself. Because of the song? No. But because of the feeling that was there.

I've been running over it all in my head trying to pinpoint exactly how I felt and exactly how I still feel as I get teary just thinking about it. But it was special. It was one of those special moments as I learned to admire my husband even more but also became so humbled as I sat in the midst of great people full of the love of Christ. Phil beamed the whole night through and nothing makes me more happy than that. It was a special night and I'm grateful I got to be a part of it.

lesson learned

BYU is a funny place.

All the students have an close relationship with HBLL. 

and if you don't know what I mean, well, you're not a BYU student

Sometimes you see people studying their scriptures...for their upcoming test.

Sometimes you see people giving out free hugs. Yes, free ones!

And everyone just seems happy and smile-ly at BYU, especially when spring comes early.

Like today for instance, as I was walking to class a girl gleefully looked at me and what normally becomes a "who can look away the quickest" match actually wasn't this time.

She just looked at me and happily smiled and said "Hello!, It's a beautiful day!"

Indeed it was. A 62 degree day in March is beautiful. No argument there.

I managed to mumble something that resembled hello back as I was somewhat surprised and in shock because I'm used to winning those look away matches, not being confronted by my opponent.

After we had passed each other, for a moment there I thought, "what a peculiar girl..." and then continued on my way.

And then a minute later I found that I was the one smiling and I felt on top of the world.

Then I put it all together.

A stranger's smile made me feel that way.

Call me crazy but smiles are contagious. 

Yes, I learned that in primary but today, I learned it in college.

So do a stranger a favor and smile today. You never know who you'll impact.