I decided that I’m going to actually use my health benefits this year. I overheard a conversation on the plane the other day. One girl was telling her friend next to her that “2017 is going to be all about me!”. That’s my thought as well, only I don’t want to sound as conceited as she did. So instead this is the year where I’m going to start to use the benefits that I’ve been paying for. This started yesterday with a visit to the dentist.
When I called to set up my appointment, I realized that I hadn’t been to a dentist in about 14 years. I remember I was still living in Logan, Utah because a former bishop of mine happened to be my dentist. He managed to do a crown or a bridge (I don’t even know the difference) out of porcelain. Yes, that particular tooth is made out of toilet seat.
Yesterday was my check-up and cleaning. Sadly, the years (and lack-of-flossing) have taken their toll on these pearly-whites. My new dentist, whom I was referred to by my coworker Matthew, was able to find 9 cavities! This is by far a personal record, and while I don’t wish to brag, I don’t think that’s as bad as it could have been. A lesson has been learned. I’m going to start flossing daily.
I shared this on facebook, and I LOVE the conversation that ensued: Here is the screenshots-
Don’t I have the most awesome friends?!
Along the same lines, this is (probably) the year where I will get to experience a colonoscopy. Doctors usually advise men to start having this done at the age of 50, but since my dad had prostate cancer (which he beat), my brother Matt and I are at an even at a higher risk than the average male. Have you had a colonoscopy? Could you please describe your experience in the comment section below?
Happy Mother’s Day (if you’re a mother and you live in the United Kingdom)! For some reason, they don’t celebrate it when we do in the United States. That’s ok- as long as they’re taking a day to honor their mum! I decided that I wanted to try to attend church while I’m here. I’d been working so much in preparation for this getaway back home that I hadn’t the time to attend my local congregation for the past few weeks.
I checked on the internet a few days ago for the church location. Since addresses look very different than they do in America, I thought I’d never find it. I sent an email to someone from my home congregation but never heard back from him. Oh well- I’ll have to figure it out by myself. I jotted down the walking directions from the train station that was closest to the church building. My problem: When I checked ScotRail, I noticed there weren’t any trains going in that direction since it is a Sunday schedule. No worries, I’ll take a taxi. After all, it was only about 6 miles or so.
The cab driver took a look at the address and scratched his head. He said he knew the village, at least. I told him he could drop me off at the Connell Ferry train station, and I could make my way from there. Six miles or so later, he dropped me at the station, and the building was only about a 10-minute walk from there. When I got to the place Google Maps told me to go to, there was just a house. I wondered if I had the right directions, and then I noticed a sign in the window. I was in the right place.
Oban is a tiny branch of the church. I was greeted by Elder and Sister Young, who is currently serving a full-time mission and is from Salt Lake City, Utah (of course, they are). They welcomed me into their home. Soon another brother introduced himself as well. Brother Falk asked me where I was from. I told him I grew up in Southeastern Arizona but now lived in rural Utah. He asked me which town in Arizona. I told him,” Thatcher.” He looked puzzled and asked me how big Thatcher was. I told him that it was around 4000 people, at least when I grew up there. He said he had a mission companion from there.
I asked, “Is it Jr. Hoopes?” He started laughing and confirmed that it was. I get a big grin on my face! He asks how I knew Jr. I shared one of my childhood memories was when Jr. Hoopes got a mission call to Scotland. I was jealous, and I wanted to go to Scotland so bad (this was when I was about 14 years old)! Another great memory of mine was two years later when Jr. got back from Scotland and spoke in church, telling us all about his experience. Let me tell you- my love of Scotland started many, many years before I ever traveled here!
It was time to start the meeting, and there was a total of about 12 or 13 people. I guess this is an average/good turnout for this congregation. A few weeks ago, they told me that most of the members weren’t able to attend, so only one person showed up that day. Toward the start, they asked me to stand up and introduce myself. I told them my name, including my surname, and that this is one of my ancestors’ areas. They all were very kind and seemed to be grateful that I’d come to church.
I sit down, and a little girl named Maria taps me on the shoulder. I turn around, and she asks me- “You’re a ‘[my surname]’?” I nod. She then points to a girl who is sitting across the room and whispers, “She’s a ‘[my surname],’ too!”. After the meeting, I approached the girl, and sure enough. She is a ‘[my surname]’! She is from Falkirk, which is between Glasgow and Edinburgh. I’m not sure if there’s a connection or not. My surname is common in Scotland, like ‘Smith’ or ‘Johnson’ in the U.S.- there are a million or so of them. Still, it was very cool to meet Natalia, who could a descendant of my ancestors, but then again, I guess we all are kin if you go back far enough.
Sister Young had cooked some potatoes for an after-meeting dinner and prepared an excellent meal for everyone. This something that they do as a congregational family once each month. I guess this is possible when you don’t have hundreds of mouths to feed. It was great to sit back and chat with these great brothers and sisters!
I also met two more full-time missionaries there. These were the younger version… 18 or 19 years old (even though one of them looked to be about 13). Elder Crockett is from Roy, Utah and Elder Atkinson is from Malad, Idaho. Both of them looked like they were happy and healthy and glad to be serving. I asked them if they would let me take them out to dinner tomorrow night. They said they were free, so I’m excited to meet them for some good eating. The good Lord knows I can always find delicious food!
I spoke with my parents tonight, and my mom has asked me to get the missionaries’ home phone numbers so she could call their mothers’ and report that their boys are doing well. I guess it’s a mother thing, but I’ll see if I can collect their digits tomorrow night.
Tonight I ended up in San Antonio, Texas. This morning I started a three-day trip with a gal named Suzy, one of our newest flight attendants. She commutes out of Phoenix, and when I found this out, I told her that I grew up in Thatcher, Arizona (about three hours southeast of Phoenix). Usually, when I tell people this, the next question is: Where is Thatcher?
Not only does Suzy know where Thatcher is, but she said she’s originally from Snowflake, Arizona (if Thatcher had a twin or sister city, it would no doubt be Snowflake). I told her that I love Snowflake and had many friends from that area. I mentioned that one of my very best friends, Marcus Ellsworth is also from there. Her eyes grew big, and she told me that not only did she know Marcus, but that her family is close with his family.
We start to talk about Thatcher, and she mentions that her older sister Heidi went to Eastern Arizona College (the local community college that I also attended and my dad taught at for years and years). Now my eyes grow big- Heidi used to date my brother Matt. Suzy remembered Matt! Now we’re both laughing and pretty much freaking out on the jump seat.
I love when I discover one of these connections! I’ve heard people say that we’re all connected by six degrees or less, but since I left the state of Arizona, these connections have been so rare that when it happens, I almost get tears in my eyes. Are these occurrences merely happenstance, or do you see the hand of God? I do believe in coincidence- however, I feel that too many things are dismissed as just that- mere coincidence. I’ve always felt like something needs to be shared or learned from each and every person that we interact with in life. What do you think? Mere coincidence or divine intervention?
Easter Sunday (yesterday) was a pretty fun day because I got to hang out with some family at my parents’ place up in Liberty, Utah. My sister Lori and her husband Scott happened to be in town so we had a great little reunion, even though so much of the family couldn’t be there. I snapped some pictures of my family.
My brother surprised us by bringing some “cookies” that he made for everyone. The joke was that he actually frosted some breakfast sausage patties as a joke. A few family member took a big bite, many spitting the treat out into the trash. My dad, however, liked the taste.
When I called to set up my appointment, I realized that I hadn’t been to a dentist in about 14 years. I remember I was still living in Logan, Utah because a former bishop of mine happened to be my dentist. He managed to do a crown or a bridge (I don’t even know the difference) out of porcelain. Yes, that particular tooth is made out of toilet seat.
My brother surprised us by bringing some “cookies” that he made for everyone. The joke was that he actually frosted some breakfast sausage patties as a joke. A few family member took a big bite, many spitting the treat out into the trash. My dad, however, liked the taste.
DavTravels 