A Song from Across the Ocean!

The strangest thing happened the other day, and I mean strange.  I was getting my kids loaded into the car, when I got the weirdest feeling.  Like warm and happy and lonesome and far away all at the same time.  I couldn't even put my finger on it or why I was suddenly feeling it.  I was overwhelmed with thoughts of my little sis.  I sat there for a sec outside the car wondering where it was all coming from when I suddenly realized I could hear music playing. I hadn't even noticed it before.  It wasn't very loud.   It was soft at first but was getting louder with practiced dynamics.  It was piano music coming from a house somewhere on the other side of my street.  I finally put my finger on the song.  I stood there with tears streaming down my face (honestly) and closed my eyes while I listened to Jon Schmidt's "All of Me" piano solo floating around in the air from some stranger's house to my own ears.  I was enjoying the song so much it didn't even hit me til later how really crazy that was.  I mean, I live in Australia?  I didn't realize Jon Schmidt was all that international. (A Mormon guy from Utah that does firesides, EFYs and concerts around the state).  I'm pretty sure it was a recorded CD-- although I guess it's true that some people (ie; my little sister) really can play it live on the piano that well.  I loved it.  I got in the car and the kids asked why I was crying.  I told them they were happy tears because I love Aunt Justi so much.  And I miss her.  I know, I know, I'm a very cheesy cheeseball, but I believe 100% that that was a little tender mercy from the Lord to do my heart some good.  It brought a little bit of home to me when I didn't even realize I was needing it.  I wasn't feeling homesick or sad or anything.  But man, hearing that familiar song (a family fave that my little sister has played for many audiences) reminded me how lucky I am to have such an awesome family.  Living this incredibly far away has made me really want to commit to staying in closer touch with family.  See people more often, chat, text, email whatever it takes.  I can't take my family for granted.  I really believe that is one of the biggest lessons I was meant to learn during my year here.  Family is so important!  My relationships with them are worth any amount of effort or work.  They are worth it! They mean so much to me.  I thought that was a very sweet way for  Heavenly Father to keep this idea in the forefront.  My parents were here for all of December (more on that coming) and when they left, I told them, "The only good thing about you guys leaving is that it is reminding me that I have things to be excited about when going home--it helps me remember how great it will be to be closer to family." Because honestly, sometimes I feel very sad to leave here.  Our time is going too fast and I love the growth and changes our family has made here.  But we are far away from cousins, sisters, parents and grandparents.  It will be awesome to be close enough to visit on weekends!  My kids have great relationships with their cousins.  I know those relationships are important to them.  And that's the way it should be.  Eternity looks pretty good from oceans away!  Thanks Jon Schmidt for bridging the oceans and bringing me home for a bit!

family....

family... 

 family!!!