Sisters Forever

The whole family was so excited to have Paige return from the wild! The little girls made a sign for her that was hung on the garage door (and I think is still there now...) She made her triumphant return on Monday, December 17. It was such a wonderful night!

As you can see, Paige and I have known each other for quite some time. I was one of the first to hold her in my arms when she first came to our family and I hope to be there to hold her for eternity. (Don't I look a little like Hayden in this old photo? Paige of course looks like a baby!)
Here we are together again! It was so nice to have her home. She is an amazingly strong young woman, seriously, you should feel her arms. I wish I had muscles that big! What Paige has learned and accomplished out there in the wilderness this past seven weeks she will hold close to her heart for the rest of her life. She seems so happy now that she practically glows! On Monday we had a big dinner at my parents house and the whole family came out for pizza. We also played "Apples to Apples" one of my favorite games. Funny aside: when Ashleigh was reading a card out loud the word on it was "Tibet," Autumn started laughing hysterically so I looked at her and asked "do you even know where Tibet is?" She got a really pensive look on her face, pointer finger to chin, lower lip turned in concentration then she said with all the confidence in the world "Yes! It is where you go to sleep!" Hilarious little girl I tell you. Anyways, back to the night. It was so nice to have us all back together. Tuesday morning Paige got her hair done by Dana, it is so cute! I am so jealous, Paige is a beautiful girl. Then after Bunco on Tuesday Paige came over and spent the night, we stayed up late talking. It was such a nice conversation. We both commented that we hadn't really talked like that in, well ever. I think we both learned a lot about each other that night and maybe understand each other a little better. In the morning we went off to the land of mani's and pedi's. Paige directed me to the "Fancy Nails" shop on HWY 30. I got my feet done and she got her nails done. I haven't had a pedicure in such a long time, my favorite part was when she wrapped the hot towels around my calves after massaging them. Felt awesome! After that we went next door to the little sandwich shop "Chicago..." something or other. I had the best turkey club! If you haven't tried them out yet head on over the next chance you get. I am salivating at the thought of it. When we got back to my parent's house and we were walking inside she said, "I feel like such a princess. These are things I should be doing: getting my nails done, my hair done. I should not be pooping in a bucket!" Well, I definitely would have to agree with that one. No self-respecting individual should have to deal with the "hygiene" situations she endured while out there, but I am proud of her for doing it!

As I look back on this whole experience from the perspective of one who was at home and not out there, I think mostly of the time I spent on my knees praying for strength. Not only for Paige, but for me, my parents, my whole family. Like my mom, thoughts of Enos' wilderness experience and the conversion experience of Alma the younger constantly ran through my mind. It wasn't until I read a letter from Paige about the role she thought she was playing in Lehi's vision that I thought also of the Tree of Life and holding to the rod. I was flooded with memories of some of my own dark days. And then I replaced those memories with ones of some of my brightest days. One of those was the day I went to the temple for my endowments. I will never forget the feeling of entering the Celestial room and being there with my parents and friends. It was all so overwhelming. I have such a strong testimony of the temples and the power that can be gained from what we learn there. I will always remember the thoughts that day that there were people missing from the Celestial room: none of my siblings were there to share in that experience with me. Some day I hope that will be different. I look forward to the day when our family will be there together. Paige has a favorite song that I am reminded of whenever I think about our Father's plan for us. It is called "Never ending chain" (I think...)

A family can be a never ending chain linking fathers and mothers to daughters and sons. But only in the temple of the Lord, can a never ending chain be forged. A man and wife can start a never ending chain, when they're sealed by the Spirit and God's holy word. And only in the temple of the Lord can a never ending chain be forged.