I’ve been on some emotional roller coasters the past couple weeks

…or perhaps a passenger on other people’s roller coasters.

My sister ended up in the hospital about a week and a half ago due to a blood clot in her brain. Quite unexpected and scary, especially when I saw her having a seizure and didn’t know if it was a stroke. She was released after 5 days and is in the process of recovery, but it’s hard to see someone struggle without any direct ability to influence it!

I also had a cousin get married last week. I’m happy for their happiness and love them :) I know there were mixed emotions in differing extremes due to it being a same-sex wedding. I’m not in their shoes, and can’t understand their journey and emotions… Although for my moral and religious convictions (in addition to sexual orientation ;), I feel that’s a choice I wouldn’t make, I am honest in saying that I love them and wish them happiness and success in the future!

Last weekend I went to the temple with my brother and sister-in-law, my mom, and five aunts :) This was a unifying and spiritually edifying experience. What a wonderful group of people to be with! On Sunday these same women sang in church, and we had a small family reunion there. (I had to leave right after sacrament meeting and missed the picture unfortunately)

My mom and five sisters-in-law

Duvall Family!

And Sunday night I had dinner with these wonderful people! We were spoiled by my cousin Audrey’s cooking and enjoyed playing a card game after :)

Throughout the week, I also got to spend a couple nights in the hospital with my sister. Though the accommodations and circumstances weren’t so good, the company was :) and I’m glad I was there. The unfortunate side effect was some sleep deprivation — there’s lots to keep you up in a hospital — which I think may have heightened some of my emotions!

So… there were some ups and downs of emotions for sure! One thing I reflected on at various points was that…

Spiritual sensitivity can be independent of circumstance

…depending on my choices (my HWN this week). Although the circumstances can be inherently crazy or calming, it’s my attitude and response that determines how I feel and follow the Holy Spirit. It’s my choice to look for and find Heavenly Father’s hand in my life. And I want to be consistently aware of this. A couple statements from Christ come to mind:

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelations 3:20)

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)

When Christ calls, I want to hear, let Him in, and follow Him :)