What Makes a Home?

The apartments were just right behind me when I took this photo

The strangest thing happened when I walked home yesterday.  As I was walking up to the building, I noticed that the outside door- where I need to get a card swipe was broken. It seemed the automatic doohicky-thing at the top had gotten stuck. I did not like it being open, so I gave it a good tug and successfully jammed the door closed (I tried to get it open again, but found now only the one side was useable).  I figured I would call someone about it later. As I walked in I noticed a second odd thing.  Being that our door handle instead of being parallel to the floor was off at a little angle. As I grabbed the handle, I noticed it seemed to work ok, but, our door was unlocked--which it should not have been. By this time I could definitely tell something was off...

Not written. . . carved/scraped in!

As I walked into the room I noticed first, that we had a new couch. My first thought was that we had had a fourth roommate move in. I am here with a summer program, one roommate is in my program, one is not, so I thought we might have had a super late arrival who brought with them a couch.  But, I did not walk in quite yet, something seemed to hold me at the door. I literally began to spin on the spot looking at everything there. I then noticed a few other things. 

Less Lost, More Found

Continuing with the theme of getting lost in Indiana, I thought I would share a few more pictures of the adventures we have been having here. 

To start, there is this "Cancer Survivors Park" which continues to capture my interest. I wonder if there is a "Cancer Killed Park" somewhere, or something equivalent. When I think about being a "cancer survivor" I also think about those who have not survived. The park is honestly a little dilapidated. And while life is not the same as it was before--I am grateful for those reminders that life is a gift.

Recently walking back from my work at the Neuroscience center I ran into a gentleman who was going to visit a friend in the Eskenazi hospital. As we were talking he brought up the subject of God and we talked about that. One thing he told me he did not understand is why he lived, and did so well, when others have not lived.  I also learned the man he was going to visit had lost both an arm and a leg in the war, and had recently tried to commit suicide for about the 10th time.  While my own experience was different. I was grateful to know the source of peace, and guidance for why we live, and what God expects of us.

But, this was just a small part of the city, there was much more!

The Best Time to get Lost

After being welcomed most cordially to Indiana, I set out to make myself familiar with the area! I don't know about you, but I find it nearly impossible to hold a map in my head.  But, if I actually walk to a place, I find I can remember how to get there again, and the more I walk around, the better I am able to use my mental map.

So, the most effective way I have learned to get around is to start walking for a place on the map. Then, I inevitably get lost as I can't keep directions in my head, then I find myself again (usually by asking for directions), and then know how to get there again!

When we feel lost, there are many ways we can find ourselves again. At church today, the theme in sacrament meeting was on the Atonement. In the end, by coming here to earth, we desired to follow the same path--that path being Jesus Christ. When we are on that path, we find a peace which settles the deepest part of our souls.

As it has been a few days, and I have been exceptionally good with my camera, I have a number of pictures to share with you all! I hope you enjoy them!

 This is my room, you probably noticed how neat and tidy it is! And, several days later, I am glad to say it is still this neat!

 I learned during a first meeting that I am not able to wear shorts- so I went adventuring! These next few are pictures from the mall in downtown.

A Hoosier Welcome

Today has been my first day in Indiana! I am here as a part of a summer research opportunity I have been blessed with and wanted to document the experience I have in a few ways.

Today I was at the airport- still have those moving sidewalks!

Cars are a big deal it seems in Indiana.

Fly on Sweat

When I ride my bike, I love going up first.  Because then I am able to fly down the hill. Although, it doesn't always work like that for me.  Such as today. In talking with my brother this afternoon on the phone we agreed that riding a bike up to Vivian park feels like the wind is blowing at you no matter what way you go. I think part of that is that any time it is at my back, I am going up a hill- so I am more focused on the hill. Then when I come down, and expect to go fast, the strong wind is slowing me down. Coming back today I took a picture on my phone - right before going down a hill. Even with the wind, each hill was amazing! And I do begin to feel like I could fly.

I think there is also something to having a reward which you have worked for.

Because of Him I have a Family

I loved this video! Because of Christ, we have a plan to return to live with God again.

Crazy Little Thing Called Penny

Penny

What a busy week! And to add to it all, I had my heart stolen! The culprit is a little ball of fur and sharp teeth named Penny.  (She is the innocent looking thing in the pictures).  I am currently living with my sister and her husband, and they recently acquired this little puppy. Let me tell you a little about her!
When we first met, she peed on my shoe. She has put many little puncture marks in my hands and forearms.  But for some reason, when I see her, no matter how tired I am, I find I have a little more energy, life is a little better, and I relax a little more.

The things about dogs is, they are always happy to see you.  I think that is one reason why it is so sad when a pet dies, especially a dog. For me, I remember how every time I came home from school, I was a hero for our dogs. No animosity toward any earlier behavior, but just joy with where you are now.  They seem to me the epitome of the righteous father in the prodigal son. Puppies are kind of like that as well, but they also pee when they see you and bite you.  I think I have decided I like dogs better.  A little more mellow, still excited to see me, and don't bite me. The photo at the bottom is the dogs or as I still call them "puppies" from Colorado.


And that reminds me of this story:

Man, Dog and Cat