Friday, April 24, 2009

19 Weeks.

I had to work all day today. Boo.

But I thought I would update on somethings. My life kind of is boring so I feel like I have nothing significant to write anymore.

Let's see, I watched the Jazz/Lakers game when they played in Lakers homecourt and I felt the baby kick me really hard. And I jumped a bit and I said, "OH!" Really loud. I'm sure the people around me thought I was a freak. Or just enthusastic about something. Ha. Who knows. But I thought it was pretty cool. [Someone told me my baby must not be a Jazz fan] ha.
I've been having some ligament pains. And to get personal, by my cervix, so I read online it's probably just the baby kicking there. How awesome is that?

The doctor called and my appointment will be May 12th. If me and Joel had stayed together that would be our 2 year anniversary. Awkward.
But I soooooooo want to know what I'm having already so I can go buy clothes and cute things for him/her. I might as well just go to a place that does it and pay like $100 to find out but whatev.

I work tomorrow then afterwards, RuthAnn is taking me to a movie for my birthday. 17 again with Zac Efron. So hot.

I read this story today, it touched my heart.

Victims of deadly crash remembered as 'loving'
April 23rd, 2009 @ 3:58pm

SOUTH JORDAN -- The family of Blake Strebel and Derek Jasper are speaking out about what happened. They have similar feelings about the suspects.

This is a devastating loss for two families whose sons were in the wrong place, at the wrong time.

But they say they're not angry about what happened, and they don't blame anyone.

Derek Jasper, 18, and Blake Strebel, 19, were killed when two burglary suspects running from police crushed their car.

The victims worked together at Domino's Pizza in Ogden. They were also roommates.

The young men were driving home Wednesday night after playing basketball.

Blake Strebel attended Weber State University. He was studying to be a police officer.

Strebel was behind the wheel of the car that was hit when two men ran a red light during a police chase.

Derek's mother, Jennifer Jasper, says he was expecting a call on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints next week.

Derek Jasper's mother, Jennifer, says he was preparing to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

She said Derek had recently moved out of his parents' house in Ogden so he could experience living on his own before his mission.

He was working as an assistant manager at Domino's Pizza to save money for college.

"Our faith and what we believe has gotten us through this morning and will get us through the rest of our lives," Jennifer said.

She believes her son would be among the first people to forgive the suspects in the case. She says Derek was a very loving person. She said, "Derek was the most generous, loving people person who would give the biggest hugs. He loved everyone no matter who they were, what walk of life they were in."

Friends say Derek was the peacemaker in the group. They were planning a road trip to California in two weeks. Friends say Derek had talked about going into law enforcement. His family says he loved to sing and participated in choral groups since he was in elementary school. He also loved snowboarding.

Jennifer says while she knows the suspects in the chase didn't mean to kill her son, she is heartbroken.

Derek Jasper graduated from Bonneville High School. He planned to go into law enforcement.

"I hope and I pray fervently they get help so they won't do anything like this again, that they will straighten up their lives," she said. "The boys that were victims in this were the best kids in the world."

When Jennifer heard family members of the suspects apologize to them for what happened, she said, "I'm so grateful for that."

Blake Strebel's grandfather, John Strebel, says they don't blame police for the chase, and they aren't angry with anyone. He said, "Anger is not within the realm of our makeup."

Blake's father, Tim Strebel, said, "If they had been involved in criminal-type actions, they will probably end up paying for those, and to have the deaths of two boys on their heads as well, I don't know how anyone can live with that."

Strebel was a student at Weber State University. He also coached lacrosse at Weber High School.

Blake's parents say he was studying criminal justice and wanted to be a police officer like his uncle, who passed away last year.

They say he wanted to help people. Susan Strebel, Blake's mother, said, "[He was] the most loving, accepting young man. He didn't look at classifications, gender or race. He accepted everyone."

The family says if anything comes out of this tragedy it's that they want people to love each other and take care of one another.

Funeral arrangements are still being made for both men.



I don't know what it was but the story stood out to me and had to read it before I went to work. Probably because the kids were around my age. And I couldn't even believe it that they were so young and Derek was waiting for his mission call. They're both good kids and now they're back home to their Heavenly Father way too soon than anyone had ever expected. It makes me think about me writing my blog how I have such a tough decision. But these kids didn't have any decision to make. They were having a good time with eachother and were killed instantly. They can't take that back. And so this is mostly why I hate writing blogs because I feel like I whine about things that are probably not even important to other people. People who have lost others and I'm being selfish. I'm like, look at me, I have a choice, feel sorry for me. Actually, I hope I don't come off that way. I hope people don't feel sorry for me. I put myself in this situation, kind of. Consenting in sex, there can be a consequence of having a baby.
I watched the video and both families said the boys would forgive the young men who caused the crash. My heart would be so full of anger if that happened but you have to think about it, they must've been something really special for the parents to say that about their kids. But it's true everyone needs to know how to live life without regret/grudges and forgive easily, which may be hard to do, but it can be done. I remember when I was in high school, I tried my hardest with every person I had hard feelings towards or had offended me, I forgave them. I had lost friendship with one of my really closests friends in my Sophomore year and then didn't start talking again until our Senior year.
It also makes you think about grudges towards family members. I'm pretty sure I do with one sister at the moment because she doesn't exactly understand how bad she has hurt me through this whole experience. Through hard times, you're supposed to know who will be there for you. I've dropped friends who have abandoned me through this time. But I never thought it would happen to a family member. So I don't know what will happen with our relationship in the future. It's hard for me right now to forgive her because there has been more than once than I've felt alone and felt like she was making it ten times harder on me. I thought tough times brought family closer together and I just don't understand how she turned it around so it's not that way.

What I'm trying to say now, my heart and prayers go out to the Strebel and Jasper family for their loss and hope to find comfort and strength in this hard time.

5 comments:

  1. At our stake conference a speaker said that what matters to us matters to the Lord, even the little things. You have a hard thing that you are dealing with and it's ok to worry about it and have a hard time with it. It may be small compared to the death of a son, but it's still big in your life. It matters to you, so it matters to Him and He'll help you. Just like when my kids have little insignificant problems, I still treat it like it's very important b/c it is important to them (like Lydia flushing her fairy ball down the toilet).

    How fun to be feeling the baby! Mine is always active at night. Sometimes he stretches in a really uncomfortable way.

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  2. That is a sad story! I hadn't heard about it before your post.

    I second Erika =) that Heavenly Father cares about every little thing (even bad hair days my YW leader would say. Haha.)

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  3. 3 days from Thursday...does that make your birthday today or tomorrow?

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  4. Stef, i don't think you use this blog to whine. You are having a hard time, and Bogging give people that really care about you know what you are thinking and feeling. And I agree with Erica, having a death of a son, dad brother, etc...(you know what I mean) This is your big trial right now, and all it is a test of what choice you make, and how you react to it(meaning choosing to turn to Heavenly Father for Strength and help through the Atonement, or choosing to go through it without any help whatsoever). And you have made the right choice to do the things to get yourself starting on better habits. And I look up to you for that. Thanks Stef! :D You're amazing! :D

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