Getting that pesky driver's license back ...

I am working to get my license back. I've had a few weeks worth of practice. At first I was nervous but I've become more comfortable with it. I even got some accessibility devices: a spinning knob for the steering wheel and a floor device that uses the accelerator, but through a left-foot pedal. We are looking for a new car, and it seems like we've looked at a million. Nothing has really seemed to come through. I don't feel like we are being too picky either - none of the vehicles have settled well with us.

I did take my driving test on Wednesday. I thought I did really well. Unfortunately I did not pass. It was not too far beyond the passing range, but I was super annoyed and disappointed! I thought I had done quite well and demonstrated what I had practiced. I failed because the instructor said I had too many "bad habits." Chris told me that I need to be ridiculous and exaggerate behavior while driving, signaling and doing head checks in places that most people do not while actually driving in the real world. So I will have to practice some more for my next driving test!

UPDATE! I succeeded in getting my license back! It will be nice to have a sense of independence again.

New York & Pennsylvania vacation

Chris and I returned a few weeks ago from a vacation back out to the eastern U.S. He had a business trip for his working (Imagine Learning) and it just so happened to be held in Pennsylvania. Each time he has returned too that part of the nation, he has ended up somewhere in PA. I think that is a neat thing. It was nice because his expenses were paid by the company (for the most part) and so we only had to worry about the costs associated with me. So, of course, we made a bigger vacation out of it!

Our flight got in to Rochester early in the morning; we got to bed around 2 AM. The first activity was to go to Niagara Falls. It was a majestic scene to behold: the power of the rushing waters, the ever-present rainbow, and the beauty of the area. New York state reminds Chris a lot of Pennsylvania. I'm just so astounded and pleased with all the greenery! That is a draw to go live in that part of the county.

After that we went to Palmyra and the Sacred Grove. The temple was beautiful and it was super fun to see some of the first historic sites of the Restoration. To see the area where a young Joseph was raised and had the experience of seeing the Father and the Son was inspiring and cool. The off-road wheelchair I sat in didn't hurt either! For a few days we stayed with the Wojcicki family - and how the kids have grown! I did get a few spider bites though, which stayed as a nasty skin wound until a few days ago. We love this family and are grateful they were willing to lodge us and keep us company!

We were able to visit Philadelphia and New York City on separate days. Both cities were busy, though NYC was far worse and overwhelming for the senses. We had planned on going to see a Broadway show, but the masses of people and the subway transportation and all the walking was more than we bargained for. Philly, though, was a great place to see. In all the major cities we visited, we saw the temples there. Palmyra, Philadelphia and Manhattan. What a joyful experience it was to see the houses of the Lord in their different locations, and how beautiful they were no matter what. It also helped to visit these cities in a yellow 2015 Kia Soul. Both Chris and I did not like these vehicles prior to our rental - but now we love it!

I did have a difficult time at the resort we stayed out. It was by Lake Harmony in PA (called Split Rock), but the beauty was overshadowed by its inaccessibility. There were too many flights of stairs, hardly any access was available to impaired persons. So without Chris there to steady me, I really was not able to enjoy the lake or much of the resort. He was mindful of it for the most part and tried to make it an enjoyable experience for me.

All in all, we had a great time, had success shopping at the outlet mall in Tannersville, saw some good family friends, enjoyed the beauty of the area (so green!!!!), and visited places we had yet to see before.

Testimony Fills My Heart

I bore my testimony in church today and I know that Christ is happy with my decision. And I did not know that it was my two year anniversary, but my mom reminder me of it (discharged from the hospital on March 1, 2013). It is weird to think how far I have come, and it will be weird a year from today! I went from not speaking at all in the beginning to bearing my testimony today in church!

Shared by Cassandra
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Cassie and I both bore our testimonies today in sacrament meeting. I'm so grateful for her courage and spiritual insights. I have felt that she has been much more closer to the Holy Ghost, and her readiness to respond and abide. She did a wonderful job. She told me an hour before leaving for church that she wanted to share her witness today. She thought about it and wrote down some things. Even if she has to do this, I think it is okay because as she shared it I could feel the power of her conviction and her sweet spirit. I am grateful for my testimony and my chance to share it today. It reminds me of the scripture that I only rediscovered recently in D&C 62:3: "Nevertheless, ye are blessed, for the testimony which ye have borne is recorded in heaven for the angels to look upon; and they rejoice over you, and your sins are forgiven you."

Shared by Christopher