Our Uber Friend Darlene and Jetton Park

Jeff had an über driver one day who turned out to be from Redlands so he mentioned the temple there. She said, "oh, you're Mormon! This should be interesting." It turns out she was a Relief Society President and her ex-husband was a bishop. But she experienced abuse and saw others in the ward experience it at the hands of their husbands that she became very disenchanted and left her husband and the church. But she was very nice and told Jeff she didn't have any support system here so we immediately wanted to be some sort of support for her.

We had her over for a very pleasant lunch when Jeff was home. Jeff played the piano, we talked, and had a very nice visit. A few days after that I got thank you note from her and she said it meant more to her than we would ever know. I then invited her and her grandson to come on a walk/bike ride with us. She ended up coming, but her grandson didn't want to. It was such a pleasant day at Jetton Park. Hearing the waves crash along the shore or rocks is just the most pleasant and soothing sound. She said she hoped to come back often with her dog because she loved it so much and this was Jeff's first time.

Trying to keep their bikes up in the sand

This week has been so beautiful that we went on another walk and bike ride and the kids loved climbing their new favorite rocks. I ran a little over 4 miles one day and it was so hard for me! I am coming to rely on running with my friends that when I run alone I always have to walk a few times, it just feels hard for me to keep running. It's so interesting because I did not think I was a social runner. I thought I liked being alone, but now I'm learning I need the motivation and commitment that comes with running with people who are counting on you.