Rain and Rainbows

Spent this weekend in Utah's Dixie, aka St. George and vicinity. The reason being that my youngest cousin got married yesterday. It was a joyous occasion, and a great opportunity to get together and visit with my cousins, who I don't get to see very often. They are all great people. She was married in the St. George Temple, and it was a very sacred experience to be there in the temple with their family and extended family.

In the midst of this happy time, I'm aware of friends who are dealing with sorrow and difficulty right now - trials such as death, disease, and discouragement. I'm reminded that God's plan is for there to be opposition in all things, and how we can't understand joy unless we have to pass through sorrow.

This was brought home to me driving home from church today. We were having a bit of a rain shower, and as I turned the corner, I looked up ad there in front of me was the most beautiful brilliant rainbow, right on the side of the mountain. It was one of several rainbows that I saw on while traveling back and forth this weekend, but this one was particularly stunning. And I suddenly had the thought that as much as the rainy weather was a drag and a bit of a hassle, if it hadn't been for the rain, there never would have been a rainbow. And a rainbow with no rain would not have been appreciated near as much.

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Goals

One of my goals this year is to go on a backpacking trip. It's something I've always wanted to do, but been too intimidated to try. Well, a few weeks ago, one of the girls in the Ward invited me on a backpacking trip to the Uinta's this summer. This time I immediately said yes. All was well until a few days later when reality set in and the thought of carrying 30-35 pounds of pack on my back while hiking in rough terrain just about made me cave. I did not have all the gear I would need, nor was I in good enough shape. The gear is something easily worked out. Most of it I can either purchase myself, or borrow from highly motivated friends. The physical conditioning was another matter altogether, so I decided it was time to get in better shape. I've been pretty good at exercising regularly, and I'm in ok shape for someone approaching a milestone birthday (if I say so myself). But I knew I needed to put in some extra miles, as well as add strength to my legs ...

New 'Do

For probably the last 10 years or so, I've had pretty much the same hairstyle. For the most part, it's been long, all one length, and I would eventually put it up in a ponytail almost every day, because I couldn't stand having it in my face. It drove me crazy, but I didn't know what to do with it, and at the same time, I liked that I could basically get up and go every day without a lot of effort. For the past several months now, I've been threatening to do something different and drastic, and finally, yesterday, I did. At the recommendation of Angel, I made an appointment with her stylist. It took several weeks to get in, but finally, the day arrived. Angel went with me, for moral support, and to be the photographer. I went in with some basic ideas, but after some consultation and looking at photos with Francine, this is what I ended up with. First, the "before" shot: In process: And finally, the finished product: I can't remember the last time...

Hi, my name's Tracie and I'm a Mormon. That being said, I've provided enough context for the conversation I had with the receptionist at work today: Christy: (Showing me a photo) What picture is this movie from? Me: Mmmm, Serendipity maybe? Christy: No...you should know this. Me: I should? Christy: (Finally) It's from the movie "Charlie"! Me: How would I know that? I don't watch Mormon movies. They're dumb. Now that I've let the cat out of the bag, I guess I should also confess that I also don't listen to Mormon pop music (other than the original recording of The Forgotten Carols), or read Mormon fiction. So sue me. Let's face it, it's not like most of them are of real quality anyway. When it comes to Mormon music, I'll stick with my MoTab and the hymns of Zion.

Tracie's World

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