Tender Mercies

I'd better post something new before people start thinking I hate people from outside of Utah. I just want to clarify a couple things the Utah Mormon post:

I didn't mention this, but I don't think everyone has negative attitudes toward Utah Mormons. The vast majority of people I've come in contact with have been kind and non-judgemental of members of the Church regardless of where they're from.

Perception is reality, so I can't really dispute with anyone about Utah Mormons. All I know is that I've perceived that most people from Utah are great people. Just like people from Iowa, Hawaii, Montana or from any other place are great people. I'm sure that others have had different experiences than me, though.

Thanks everyone for your comments. (One of the main reasons I posted about that was to get comments! So thank you!)

On to a less controversial topic…
Matt went to Washington D.C. last week for a school thing. I'll have to get him to post about what they did there, but I'll just share a quick story about his return flight (sorry to those who've already heard this, but I think it's good to record experiences like this).

As Matt waited for his flight to depart from Washington D.C. on Saturday afternoon, there was a 25 minute delay, then the pilot announced that there was bad weather outside of D.C. so it'd be another 30-45 minute wait. This wouldn't have been too bad, but Matt knew he would miss his connecting flight and may not be able to get home that night. Matt was looking forward to getting to spend time with me that night (and I of course was excited for him to get home), so this news came as a disappointment. But he said a prayer and a couple minutes later the pilot announced that an opening had come and they'd be taking off right away. Matt had to run to make his connecting flight, but he got home at the expected time. It was so good to see him!

We're grateful for the Lord's tender mercies and that he cares about answering our prayers, no matter how insignificant the issue seems.

Utah Mormons

Why do Utah Mormons always get a bad rap? This is one of my pet peeves: people who diss Mormons from Utah for no valid reason. Sure, I agree there are advantages and disadvantages to living in Utah. I loved growing up in Utah, and I'm glad to be in Iowa now.

Here are some conversations I've had with people about "Utah Mormons". The thing that boggles my mind the most is that all these people who've said these things are generally awesome people.

Matt and me talking to a woman in our ward in Idaho:
Woman: Mormons are just not the same in Utah. My sister lives there and everyone is always trying to keep up with the Jones's. Etc. etc. etc. (I won't bore you with the entire conversation.) 

Matt: Erin, you grew up in Utah. Did you notice that a lot?
Erin: No, I never noticed that people acted like that.
Woman: Oh, but you grew up in the country--not in the Salt Lake Valley.
Erin: (in my head) Since when is Heber not part of Utah?

At Church when I attended BYU-Hawaii:
Senior Missionary: Where are you from?
Erin: I grew up in Utah, but most recently I've been at BYU-Idaho.
Senior Missionary: Oh, so you had to come here (Laie, Hawaii) to learn the gospel.
Erin: Umm, I think I learned the gospel there, too.
Erin: (in my head) Does he think it's impossible to learn the gospel in Utah?

In a meeting for Church:
Gertrude (name changed): When my sons were in the MTC all the Utah missionaries thought they were better than everyone else because they were from Utah. It wasn't until the Utah guys learned that these boys from Iowa lived really close to places like Nauvoo and Winter Quarters that the playing ground became even, per say.
Erin: Silence and a little smile (I wasn't going to waste my breathe on something like this and I didn't really think it was appropriate to get in a "Utah Mormons" debate in a meeting for Church…not that her comment was really appropriate, but…what can ya do.)
Gertrude: Now don't judge me. This is just what my sons all said.
Erin: Half smile and "Oh, don't worry."
Matt (later, after I'd related the conversation): That is probably the dumbest thing I've heard. There is no way that the fact that someone lives close to Nauvoo would be the thing to change a person's attitude about another missionary.

Please, no one get offended by my little ranting. I've never taken real offense to anything anyone's ever said about Utah Mormons. I just think sometimes people categorize others using unfair sweeping generalizations. I'm sure there's Utahans who are materialistic, who don't learn the gospel until they leave Utah, and who think they're better missionaries than everyone else. But I'd say that's the exception, not the rule. Besides, President Hinckley and President Monson were and are "Utah Mormons". Are they so bad?

To further digress and emphasize that I do think there are unique blessings both in Utah and in the "mission field", here's some of the blessings I've noticed from living in Utah and also outside of the Mormon Bubble.

Blessings from living in Utah:
1. Growing up with lots of friends who share your values
2. Attending general conference and other general Church meetings in person on a regular basis
3. Going to release time seminary
4. Accessing Church records, including genealogy records, more easily
5. Finding modest prom dresses
6. Worshipping at the temple more regularly
7. The mountains! (Okay, that's not really a Mormon thing, but I'm missing them right now!)

Blessings from living outside of the Mormon Bubble:
1. Growing up where you have to defend your values with your peers
2. Relying on ward members more and perhaps forming stronger bonds
3. Attending early morning seminary
4. Possibly appreciating your faith to a different level
5. Having more opportunities to share the gospel
6. Gaining greater understanding for people who do not share your faith

Withdrawls

is what I'm going through. The last couple weeks I re-read the Twilight series. Matt got me the books for Valentine's Day, and I resisted reading them until I had a little more free time because I get so wrapped up in the vampire/werewolf fiasco that I don't do anything else. (You know I'm pathetic when I get up to read my scriptures in the morning and instead I end up enthralled in Bella's latest catastrophe!)

Anyway, I finished the third book on Tuesday night and when I got home from work on Wednesday I felt totally bummed. Making dinner, cleaning, or even going to the gym just didn't have the same appeal as reading Stephenie Meyer's books. Any books you'd suggeset I read to get over my Twilight withdrawls?

After reading the books a second time, there's still one thing I don't understand:
How can so many people be rooting for Jacob to win Bella's heart? Yeah, I agree the Edward/Bella romance is a little overdone (her heart going crazy every time he touches her), but still. Jacob is selfish and immature, and he manipulates Bella. Edward, on the other hand, is always looking out for what's best for Bella.

What do you think? Who should Bella end up with?

Only three and a half months until August 2, when the fourth book, Breaking Dawn, is released! I can't wait!

Chicago

The last part of spring break (Mar. 20-23) Matt and I went on a little vacation with our friends, Nate and Megan. It was a blast! The weather could have been better, though. The one full day we spent in Chicago, it snowed! (I like to think that's why I look like a drowned rat in most of the pictures.) We'll have to go back when the weather's nicer, and when we have money.

IN CHICAGO WE:

• Walked around Navy Pier


• Ate famous delicious deep dish pizza at Giordano's



• Shopped for Matt's birthday on Michigan Avenue


• Got free chocolate samples from the Ghirardelli's chocolate store so many times that the employees said, "Welcome back. You can have a chocolate if you want."


• Dined in China Town for dinner


• Downed dessert at a popular 50's diner, Ed Debevics--our server announced that we were the cheapest people in Chicago (since we only got dessert, and Matt and I shared).



• Laughed like crazy through Blue Man Group (Except I fell asleep for a few minutes…it was so late!)
  

• Were spoiled at our friend's parents' home (Liz and her family are so nice! We got mints on our pillows and treated to an enormous breakfast.)

THEN WE DROVE TO DUBUQUE, IOWA TO VISIT OUR OTHER FRIEND, ZACK, AND WE:

• Ate yummy pizza, again


• Took a driving tour of beautiful Dubuque


• Ate Easter dinner at Zack's (Overall, there was a LOT of eating on this trip!)

Spring Break Part One

Spring Break (March 15–24) came and went way too fast.

The first weekend Matt and I went to Kansas City for our nephew's baby blessing.

• We hung out with my parents, brother (Lee), sister (Amber), brother-in-law (Alec), and his family.


• We finally ate famous Kansas City barbeque.


• And, we got to see our newest nephew, Ethan.

The next Monday through Wednesday I worked, and Matt, being the great husband he is, voluntarily finished our taxes, took off our snow tires, cleaned the apartment, did laundry, etc., etc.

After I got off work, for the first time in a long time, we got to hang out all night—on weeknights—doing whatever we wanted! We watched movies, rode our rides, celebrated Matt's birthday, and took it easy. The weather has been nice and we played outside a lot. (It's made me ready for Matt to be done with school for the summer. But we've got two more months until his summer break, so I'd better stop thinking that.) Ahh, if only every week could be spring break! :)

Stay tuned for Spring Break Part Two: Matt and Erin's Adventures in Chicago.