So I crossed over into Iowa.
I had butterflies in my stomach right away.
There was a lot of unfinished business there that is finished now.
I listened to my Iowa song and tried to just be brave.
Mostly, it worked!
I had butterflies in my stomach right away.
There was a lot of unfinished business there that is finished now.
I listened to my Iowa song and tried to just be brave.
Mostly, it worked!
Not recommended - but the best way when traveling alone!
I pulled into my friend's house about 9:00 p.m. just in time to see all the lightening bugs! I loved it! I also went past John Wayne's birthplace. Who knew he was born in Iowa! (Iowans I guess!)
They were so great to let me stay at their house for a night.
The missionaries live there too so we shared the bathroom - not while they were in it -
just, you know, the same location.
A little Iowa humor -- who would name a town Grimes?
Just the first of many crazy town names to come.
And check out the happy water tower! Every city has one.
(A water tower, but not necessarily a happy water tower!)
One city has a "Hot" and "Cold" water tower!
This city just had a smiley face tower!
So friendly.
But that comes later - first, Des Moines.
Sister Jones drove me to downtown Des Moines so I could get on my way.
Those butterflies came back to my stomach as soon as I saw the signs for West Des Moines.
This was the sight of a lot of teenage distress - in fact, I'm not even sure I want to include this on my happy blog. But - it is happy because I'm finally done with all of it - so maybe that's why I should just leave it off. I'll just show the symbols of my healing.
But first Sister Jones and I went to have lunch together and it was FUN!
That's Sister Jones. Really important to me.
After we said goodbye I headed over to the home of someone I used to know.
She's long gone now - literally and figuratively out of my heart -
but I just needed to somehow say goodbye.
So I did.
I know you are thinking,
"Well, that's just a silly little miniature bottle of perfume."
And you're right.
But it is also an offering that symbolizes years and years of pain -
laid right down and let go!
Nothing has ever felt so good.
I mean it.
Then I headed over to the Stake Center where I had gone as a teenager -- so good to see it.
Lots of memories -- dances, piano playing, Amelia Airhead, Becky Allen, the chocolate chip cookie story, square dancing, Sister Williams, Bryan Arazani... so many more.
And the songs - oh the songs that come right to my mind when I think of that Stake Center!
I was surprised at how little it was.
You knew how you go back to your elementary school and you're surprised at how low the ceilings are?
Like that.
Then I headed to the mall! I thought this mall was absolutely the bomb dot com when I was a teenager.
And you know what?
It's just a regular old mall in the middle of Des Moines! Wow!
The piano player was playing which was nice. That used to be a really big deal.
But it wasn't such a big deal now. I just knew this store would have the nicest bathrooms.
That's why I went there.
And that seemed a little symbolic too. :)
I realized so many things on this day.
Here are some of my lessons learned from this day of my trip.
(And about 18 years of thinking and crying over this.)
#1 - I will not idolize people but I will love them.
#2 - Luxury is not necessarily happiness but accomplishment from hard work is.
You really can't buy happiness.
#3 - All people are just trying to make it through. We will hurt each other along the way but we don't have to stay hurt. They didn't get it either.
#4 - I will not be afraid to love knowing my happiness can come from being the one who loves and that true love comes from God alone.
#5 - I really can have anything I want- so decide what I want! It may not be the same as everyone else, so don't buy their advertising that it is!
#6 - I've been to Paris. Come on, Des Moines. It's just a mall. I don't need your umbrella bag. Thanks.
#2 - Luxury is not necessarily happiness but accomplishment from hard work is.
You really can't buy happiness.
#3 - All people are just trying to make it through. We will hurt each other along the way but we don't have to stay hurt. They didn't get it either.
#4 - I will not be afraid to love knowing my happiness can come from being the one who loves and that true love comes from God alone.
#5 - I really can have anything I want- so decide what I want! It may not be the same as everyone else, so don't buy their advertising that it is!
#6 - I've been to Paris. Come on, Des Moines. It's just a mall. I don't need your umbrella bag. Thanks.
All that from going to this store. And said 18 years.
I pressed on to Ames, Iowa where I got to have dessert with my good friend Cathy Carlyle.
My first job (besides detasseling (which I may soon speak of)) was babysitting her daughters. They are a wonderful family.
It was so so so good to see her and get caught up.
It was as though no time had passed at all.
Except a lot of time has passed and now one of her girls is in medical school and the other will be soon!
So, yes. As a matter of fact, a lot of time has passed!!!
(Get ready for lots more corn pics!)
The "theme" of my trip was a daily calendar picture.
The day I left on my trip the calendar was the very picture of a monthly calendar I had on my mission.
I had really been hoping for a transfer in September of 1997.
Really, really, really hoping.
Then I turned the calendar to October and it was this picture.

I wasn't.
And then August 4, 2008.
I tore off the August 3 calendar and found this one!
It was the perfect theme for my trip.
I kept it hanging out of my cd player for the whole trip.
"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes."
I had been all these places before - but I returned with new eyes.
And boy, did I see!
The new vision has made me, So Happy.
8 comments:
I don't understand most of the references . . . but love, loss, despair, and triumph are a universal language. Good for you.
Freedom! Freedom from heartache, heartbreak, sadness, expectations, etc. I'm so glad you're free now! I don't know that I - I - even knew how bad all of that was for you! I am so so sorry that it took 18 years for your recovery! But you did it! Freedom makes us so happy! I love you! - Mom
I love these musings. And I love the insights you learned. Thanks, Amy. :-)
Amy,
I love your positivity(yes, I made up that word.) or should say your positiveNESS. Seriously though your positive attitude in all things astounds me. You are seriously, one of the most amazing women I know. It's funny because you talk about these great women with whom you rub shoulders yet you are one of them too. I am blessed to know you. For real. And I'm happy that you are free from the past.
Steph
Great pictures and story. I think I really like the mid-west / east states. Although I've never been I want to go and enjoy the sights. Thanks for sharing the sights on your blog. If you could post a few more pictures maybe I wouldn't have to go at all. J/K.
I would love to have a farm especially. Like the ones in your pictures. I'm glad you had a safe trip and that you were able to accomplish much.
All my love.
I am glad you found healing. (I must admit- I am all sorts of curious about what actually happened in Iowa, but I guess if you had wanted us to know, you would have told us, so I will now mind my own business). And thanks for your ever-wise and uplifting words. You're so great. I'm better for knowing you!
I also don't understand a lot of the references...But I guess that happens when you're only like 4 years old- you miss a lot! But I'm glad you were able to go through and find new things and heal from Iowa. And I think that's so so cool about your calendar! So awesome. Little tender mercies. Aw.
Wow, what a trip! It sounds like you had a lot of really important things to take care of, my dear sweet Amy!! Also, I am SO glad you didn't crash your car taking so many pics out the window, you crazy pants!!! :-)
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