PACE FAMILY HALLOWEEN PARTY!

Sometime in September, I was talking to my brother, Andrew about throwing a party for our Pace cousins. We always talk about doing something like that, but it never happens because everyone is busy and nobody wants to be in charge blah blah blah. Well long story short, I decided that I was going to make it happen and I was going to go full out and host a fun Halloween party for my friends and cousins. And I did!

It was A LOT of work, a lot more than I even expected, but I was so glad I followed through and made it happen! I spent so much time and energy and effort on the invitations and decorations and I was so worried that it wouldn't pay off but it totally did. People came and brought food and stayed the whole night and just really had a good time. We hosted the party at my parents house and we told everyone that if they didn't come in costume that one would be provided for them. Most people came in costume, but there were a few people who had to dig through the dress-up chest :).

For dinner, we had potato cheese soup in bread bowls with salad and fruit and homemade rootbeer. Then we moved downstairs for munchies and a movie and a few very intense games of Mafia. It was fun! Even though we were so tired by the end, it was totally worth it to do something that got everyone together. I'm already making plans for next year......

Love, Rebecca

DON'T ASK

“Do you want to know who you are? Don't ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.”

Thomas Jefferson

REFLECTIONS

Travel is so enlightening. I learned so many things on my happy Hawaiian honeymoon that have just completely inspired me, and I want to record them before they disappear completely.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a great traveler. I don't have a high tolerance for physical discomfort and I'm terrible at being spontaneous. But I'm learning. This trip helped me see what I want to be not just as a tourist, but as a traveler in the journey of life.

I want to be tougher. I want to keep going even when I'm too hot or too cold or when I'm soaking wet. I want to be happier. I want to be like "Mr. California" at the Polynesian Cultural Center (this funny little Japanese man who participated in the Tongan drum performance even though he didn't understand one word of English and just laughed at himself the whole time--sorry for the run on sentence) and keep a smile on my face no matter what's going on around me. I want to be nicer. We met so many people on in Hawaii who congratulated us and shared their advice with us and told us how beautiful we are. I love people! I want to be a better person.

I know that none of these feelings are new, but I sincerely hope they last. In this season of change and growth and uncertainty, I love knowing what I want and I really hope I can become the kind of person I want to be.

Love, Rebecca

HONEYMOON!

Cob and I took a late honeymoon to Oahu, Hawai'i last week. It was magical! We visited the North shore, Pearl Harbor, the Polynesian Cultural Center, the Honolulu temple, and tons of different beaches. Here's a few pictures:

(Sorry they're so small! Click on any you want to see enlarged.)

Love, Rebecca

GOD PARTICLES

God explodes, supernovas, and down upon the whole planet
a tender rain of him falls
on every cow, ladle, leaf, human, ax handle, swing set . . .
. . . and He wanted each of us,
and all things we touch
and are touched by,
to have a tiny piece of Him,
though we are unqualified
for even the crumb of a crumb.

God Particles, Thomas Lux

I love this poem! I can't help but feel overwhelmed by the love my Heavenly Father has for me. I am unqualified "for even the crumb of a crumb" and yet he has given me so much. I am so grateful. God is so good.

Love, Rebecca

BABY EZRA

I haven't posted in soooooooooooooo long and I'm so mad at myself! I have had SO MANY things on my mind and I kept meaning to share my thoughts here, but everything else kept getting in the way and I'm so darn picky with my words that I spend ten years editing every thing I write and before you know it, it's been weeks and weeks since I said anything at all. So today I'm determined to say what I need to say and not agonize over it forever. Here goes!

I had an experience almost a month ago that taught me the power of prayer. My brother-in-law's wife, Celeste has been pregnant for 9 months (obviously), and as she was approaching her due date, her doctor told her that she would have to be induced, because the umbilical cord had only one of two veins. Or something like that. (Sorry, I'm not a doctor or else I would give a more scientific explanation.) Celeste was disappointed and scared, because she was induced to deliver her first two children and the procedure was really painful and uncomfortable for her. The whole Peterson family decided to pray for her, not necessarily for anything specific, but just that she would be happy no matter what happened. Cob and I tried to pray every day that she would be able to deliver the baby the way she wanted to, that he would come soon, and that everything would be OK.

Then, during the first week of October, Ben (Celeste's husband) texted everyone saying that they were grateful for all our positive thinking and prayers and that the doctor agreed to let Celeste go into labor on her own! We were so thrilled. A few days later, Ben texted us again. He said that everything was still fine, but Celeste was really ready for the baby to come and we needed to use our prayers to get him here as soon as possible! That night, when Cob and I were praying, I said, "Please bless Ben and Celeste that Baby Ezra will come today..." and I almost stopped praying for a moment because I surprised myself with my request. I don't normally ask Heavenly Father for such direct, specific things, but for whatever reason, I felt like I should ask for the baby to come THAT DAY. We finished praying and went to bed.

The next morning, Cob woke me up and said, "Rebecca, LOOK!" And on his phone, there was a picture of the cutest little newborn baby you ever did see. I was incredulous. I couldn't believe it. He came! Ezra Oliver Peterson, born October 3, 2014.

I know that Baby Ezra came not just because of my prayers, but because of hundreds of other prayers that were offered on his behalf. But I also know that Heavenly Father heard MY PRAYER, and he answered it. God hears our prayers. He doesn't always send the baby right away, but he always hears us, and he always cares. I'm so grateful I was reminded of that.

I also learned that I love being an Aunt! Babies are the best.

Love, Rebecca

LIGHT/2

Doctrine & Covenants 50:21-24

21) Therefore, why is it that ye cannot understand and know, that he that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth?

22) Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together.

23) And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness.

24) That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, andcontinueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

GENERAL WOMEN'S MEETING

LDS Women's Conference was yesterday and it was amazing! I love hearing from women leaders, especially when they're so honest and straightforward. I especially loved Sister Neill F. Marriott's talk and found several things she discussed that related to my life. Sister Marriott focused on strengthening and sharing your spiritual light. She described an experience she had in the temple years earlier. She was pondering something sacred, and in her mind's eye she saw a proud, worldly woman who had great success but didn't attribute any of it to her Heavenly Father. She said "I don't want to be that woman, but how do I change?" I felt like she was taking words right from my heart. I know that I don't want to be selfish and ungrateful but it's so hard to change!

Sister Marriott said, "In the temple that day I learned it was only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that my prideful nature could change and that I would be enabled to do good. I felt His love keenly, and I knew He would teach me by the Spirit and change me if I gave my heart to Him, holding back nothing. I still fight my weaknesses, but I trust in the divine help of the Atonement. This pure instruction came because I entered the holy temple, seeking relief and answers. I entered the temple burdened, and I left knowing I had an all-powerful and all-loving Savior. I was lighter and joyful because I had received His light and accepted His plan for me."

I love my Savior. I am going to make a greater effort to rely on Him more so my life can be filled with more light. I'm so grateful for the opportunity I had to watch Women's Conference so I could be reminded of my need for the gospel and my desire to live it.

Love, Rebecca