Sunday, December 23, 2012
Monday, December 3, 2012
Trailings...
Jordan came home and I stopped keeping a regular journal. That's not good! So, I hunker down in front of this white screen and..........nothing. E.B. White once said, “Even now, this late in the day, a blank sheet of paper holds the greatest excitement there is for me — more promising than a silver cloud, and prettier than a red wagon.” Of course those are the words of a gifted writer and I am more readily employed as a grateful reader, so those profound words become magic for me only after the writer has done his job and I open up the once blank sheets of paper and magically find eloquently printed words--those are papers silver linings to me. I suppose that is because the authors side of the art requires skill and hard work and the readers side only requires appreciation for those toils and gifts.
Still, council from prophets is serious motivation for me. And, when I put my back into it, journaling is deeply therapeutic and emotionally clarifying. Memory assurance is also a vital bonus, so I will force myself to sit here until the cobwebs clear and either blue skies or sunlight breaks through......................................................................................................................... Maybe I should start writing short, daily entries. Small mind--small contribution. Maybe tomorrow.
Lists and Calendaring are always a good place to start.
Since Nov. 12th (last posting):
--Fred went to a business convention in New Orleans: He said it made Las Vegas look like a family affair. He was scared for his life a few times, had to keep his eyes down most of the time and was glad to finally get home. While he was their one of the vendors was holding a drawing to give away the 50" flat panel television they were using for their demonstrations, both so they didn't have to pack it around and to drum up interest at their booth. Fred "never wins anything" so he wasn't even going to put his name in the bowl, but of course the vendor kept encouraging him (if your name is on paper they can contact you at work and try to sell you their equipment . Lo, and behold, the man called his hotel later that evening and he won it! The irony, when he called all excited, was that we didn't have a working car, but now owned a big screen t.v. that we couldn't even fit in our house! Can anyone say white trash? Needless to say I wasn't as excited as he was. But, the more I thought about it I decided to be happy for him and let him figure out all of the logistics. It didn't cost us anything and it was cheaper for the vendor to give it away then to travel with it so who am I to be stomping on dreams. Fred got home and started measuring walls and realized this house was not made for such "luxuries" and the balloon started deflating on it own. It popped the day the t.v. package arrived, with the screen shattered. UPS had Fred document all of the packaging material to evaluate if the damage was their fault or the vendors shipping negligence and they took responsibility and will replace it with an equivalent. Fred is planning on replacing it with a smaller version (one that will actually fit in our house). So he's happy and I'm glad it all seems to be working out for him. It's no red barn, but we all have different dreams.=)
--Fixed our Suburban--AGAIN: after looking at the comparable market and pondering our financial situation, we realized it was still worth more to us alive than dead, so we bit the financial bullet and brought it back home. It feels good.
--Youth Cultural Temple Celebration: Such a boon for Eden and Abrahm--not so much for the rest of us, since we weren't able to be involved. I was asked to drive, but when the suburban died they had to find a replacement--we finally got it fixed and back the evening before the celebration, but I couldn't very well grab the driving honor back from someone else so I watched from afar (well, we tried to watch, but our broadcast transmission was pretty poor and it went completely on the blink right as our stake's youth entered until right after they left the floor--so disappointing!) Mikayla signed up to set up and clean with a friend, but there was some major miscommunication and she and her friend spent most of the morning and afternoon sitting in the Taco Bell Arena security office waiting for someone to let them in--never happened and they finally gave up and came back home.
--Boise, ID Temple dedication: Sweet and uplifting...and actually a little interesting as we watched the last session and the prophet went off script and showed his age a bit. It was a little uncomfortable, but I noticed that the Spirit never left, and in fact was stronger than ever during his divergence, letting us know that no matter how human and mortal, Thomas S. Monson is still a prophet of God, and such a blessing to the youth at this time. A sweet lesson.
--Eden's 17th Birthday: It fell on a "Terrific Tuesday", but she's deeply committed to choir so we celebrated in the breaks between it and school. Fred, Eden and I had fun shopping in Bath and Body Works (her Nirvana) for her birthday date and had a very late family party. Luckily the next day was the first day of Thanksgiving break so it all worked out.
--Thanksgiving at the Ranch: Lovely--relaxing--rejuvenating (and of course chaotic, but it's easy to get away from that with good boots, a warm coat and a 1-1/2 hour walk with your hubby. It's especially nice, when Rob drives by and delivers chocolate. It was like dinner and a show--only better!=)
--Our Geo's Heater went out: In this weather that means it's not driveable before the frost clears because you can't keep the windshield un-iced, which means Fred is taking the suburban to work, which means skyrocketing gas bills and a cold car for my errands. The only explanation is that Heavenly Father must have a wry sense of humor or else our guardian angels just can't keep up with our eclectic car collection. I am trying to remain grateful, but it is starting to annoy. I am thinking of putting out a banner in front of our local bank with our account number printed in bold digits--just in case anyone else needs a little extra cash this holiday season. =)
--I had 3 Wisdom Teeth Extracted: I'm not very brave and have been trying, ever so slowly to have my problem wisdom teeth removed only when it becomes absolutely necessary. The first was taken out a few years back because it refused to fully erupt and was causing me frequent irritation. The second finally needed to come out , but when I went into the specialist for the surgery, he explained that all four teeth would eventually need to come out because with the removal of my bottom teeth the two top teeth now had no opposing surface and would eventually keep growing (not a lovely visual image). I had gone in intending to have Fred in the room with me and only have a local and nitrous (which I hate, because it makes me feel out of control). Suddenly, there was need for all three teeth to come out and now it was strongly suggested that I have intravenous anesthesia and then I was informed that Fred wasn't allowed in the room during the operation. Spontaneity is extremely stressful for me (causes all kinds of nasty, physical symptoms and emotional overload)and I burst into tears right in the waiting room--very humiliating for me and quite concerning for the staff. Fred just took it all in stride. I never did pull it all the way together. They let Fred stay until they had me all prepped and then escorted him out of the room (which I still think was unnecessary -I have no idea what hospitals were thinking years ago when you had to deliver a baby without your husband. INSANITY!) The next things I knew, I was waking up in a chair in another room and my emotions didn't feel back to "normal" until Friday night, when all of the medication apparently worked it's way out of my system. And it was no fun either! Mikayla shot a short video during the hour after I got home (promising never to post it anywhere--and I trust her!!!) It's pretty scary. I feel for poor little "David at the Dentist".
--Dec. 1 is here: The first day of all of our Christmas advents. We're opening picture books, pulling things out of pockets, lighting candles, moving stars, singing carols and all sorts of fun stuff. LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT!!!
--Rod's Racing Concert: Lori invited us to a benefit concert for a cause being promoted by a young Father in Renee's ward who runs Iron Man races to earn money for international adoptions of Down Syndrome children in foreign orphanages. GREAT CAUSE! Fun concert. Perfect way to start the holiday season.
--Put up Christmas Lights: Jordan is working for a man who let Jordan buy custom lights for our house at cost. Jordan put us all to work and guided the project with his expertise and free labor and we finally lit up the front of our house around midnight on Saturday. That's been a fun dream of my kids for years, so it was nice to be able to afford that because of the generosity of someone else. That seems to keep happening for us. People are kind.
--Mikayla's 1st Stake Pres. interview: Mission papers are in to the stake and Mikayla had her first of 2 stake president interview yesterday morning. She's kind of gotten used to the standard interview questions and she said Pres. Evans through some big, open, ethereal kinds of questions out there that she wasn't expecting--made her really think. He's very good at that and never predictable. Keeps us on our toes and that's good for us. Her second interview is on the 23rd and than when he gives the go ahead he'll send her papers to Salt Lake. Wow! Incredible times.
--1st Pres. Christmas Devotional: For me the official opening of the Christmas Season--always helps to re-focus my goals and priorities and I need that every single year!
We are thinking about coming to the ranch to celebrate Christmas either that following weekend or on New Years Eve/day. We'd love to know what everyone else's plans are. We have to take Mikayla and Jordan to school on the 4th so things are going to get crazy and then they are going to get much, much too quiet.=(
I just tried to attach photos at the end of this post and was informed that I am now out of photo storage space on all sites connected to my Gmail account. Just what I needed to hear. Of course I can pay more of the almighty dollar if I want more room--or I can have Mikayla figure out some alternate method (which will inevitable add more time and steps to the importing process). We'll put our heads together (mine next to hers to see if any of her excess knowledge will seep over) and put our shoulders to the will and get back to you on a solution. Until then, anyone who posts will have to send text only. Bummer!
Loves to all!
Quote of the week: "Whatever may be the tensions and the stresses of a particular day, there is always lurking close at hand the trailing beauty of forgotten joy or unremembered peace." (Howard Thurman)
I just tried to attach photos at the end of this post and was informed that I am now out of photo storage space on all sites connected to my Gmail account. Just what I needed to hear. Of course I can pay more of the almighty dollar if I want more room--or I can have Mikayla figure out some alternate method (which will inevitable add more time and steps to the importing process). We'll put our heads together (mine next to hers to see if any of her excess knowledge will seep over) and put our shoulders to the will and get back to you on a solution. Until then, anyone who posts will have to send text only. Bummer!
Loves to all!
Quote of the week: "Whatever may be the tensions and the stresses of a particular day, there is always lurking close at hand the trailing beauty of forgotten joy or unremembered peace." (Howard Thurman)
Monday, November 12, 2012
Men Are That They Might Have Joy
There were a few, brief years of my life, where the necessity of apartment life seemed new, exciting and independently liberating, but for the last two decades, I have felt driven, usually passionately and occasionally obsessively to return to the tangible, childhood roots of land and space. Twice, through Mom and Dad's gracious invitations and charity, that fervor has been momentarily appeased--once in the utopic bliss of The Farm and once in the emotional rigor of The Wilderness. Those experiences were a personal lull and storm, but a pattern? I am loathe to admit it, but I am starting to wonder if my state of mind may be cyclical. I wouldn't be the first, would I?
The independent high of college life gradually turned to claustrophobia after 9 years and was followed by a reprieve (a happy blessing) of 7 years on the farm in which I reached a happiness pinnacle. That apex was replaced with an outlier year at the Ranch (a hard blessing), which plummeted me quickly to the bottom of the happiness wheel, but was meant for teaching and preparing. That experience fitted me for citified contentment, for another 7 years. At a point I reached satisfaction, but never Nirvana, and here I am, once again clawing at my perceived cage and wondering how many refiners fires are necessary to purge the same, nagging impurities and question if anything will be left after the reduction process. I keep wondering if the heat isn't intending for me directly this time, but meant to burn down the bars and somehow leave me joyful, sitting in the same place, with an unobstructed view. There is this constant battle inside me over hopes and dreams, present and future and the all encompassing allegiance to the journey.
I have been reading a book called, "The Happiness Project" and the other night I stumbled onto a small, but profound insight. "You can do anything you want to do, but you can't do everything you want to do." It sounds so obvious, I know, but I have spent the nearest half of my life absolutely believing that if I worked hard enough, saved long enough, sacrificed deeply enough that "everything" I wanted could be achieved. And it is true, but not here. At low ebbs, I sometimes float into this victim mentality, but I reminded myself that everything keeping me from my short-long range goals (which are supposed to be closer than my eternal goals, but which never seem to change proximity) are choices made in order to achieve other goals. I have the capacity to make money, but I want to be home instead. Fred has the capacity to make more money, but I want him here with me instead. My oldest children have the capacity to earn their own way, but I want them to get good grades, enjoy their youth, be available for opportunity instead. United, we have the capacity to save more money, but we want our children to go on missions and attend college, and have straight teeth instead. We have the capacity to spend less money, but we want to drive cars, perpetuate our traditions and have access to a seemingly endless flow of sugar, so we've chosen our standard of living instead. I just honestly thought that I could have all of those things AND a lovely Victorian house on 20 acres, surrounding by adjoining plots for each child. I understand that a bank may be willing to loan us maybe half the initial land (unimproved and without the house or adjoining properties)but it comes with added debt and the relinquishing of some of the previous goals, so I have chosen security instead. The lesson of it all being a choice...my choice, is one that I have to keep relearning over and over and over again, but the "Any, but not Every" lesson is new to me...and hard for me...and I can imagine will eventually be good for me. I am still trying to digest and come to terms with it all. When the spinning stops maybe more of the important things will fall into place.
Mikayla's mission papers are almost finished, the clock is ticking for college to start again and Fred has been in New Orleans for 5 days, so I have felt more emotionally vulnerable this weekend, which is always a boon to learning, but not a boon for immediate peace. I opened up my calendar this morning where all of the color coding is spilling onto this weeks page, overlapping and mixing and melding into a challenging kaleidoscopic that seems an impossible schedule with one 4 seater car that will make it into Boise, but will rarely be at my disposal, and a 3 seater that will barely make it through downtown Middleton. But, as I looked closer it hit me that the apparent tumult is actually leading to and culminating at the temple. Life is busy and can be full of distractions, but there is purpose. Jordan has observed that no matter what the weather is like when you enter the temple, the sun always seems to be shining when you walk out--even when its not. I know exactly what he means. Lehi taught that, "Men are, that they might have joy." The promise is available anywhere. I'm trying to find it in my head and in my heart.
Lest any of you worry, (because I know that my need to dissect and ponder out loud can cause that sort of concern) I am well and happy. Just trying to flourish and find joy--it's part of the pilgrimage.
The independent high of college life gradually turned to claustrophobia after 9 years and was followed by a reprieve (a happy blessing) of 7 years on the farm in which I reached a happiness pinnacle. That apex was replaced with an outlier year at the Ranch (a hard blessing), which plummeted me quickly to the bottom of the happiness wheel, but was meant for teaching and preparing. That experience fitted me for citified contentment, for another 7 years. At a point I reached satisfaction, but never Nirvana, and here I am, once again clawing at my perceived cage and wondering how many refiners fires are necessary to purge the same, nagging impurities and question if anything will be left after the reduction process. I keep wondering if the heat isn't intending for me directly this time, but meant to burn down the bars and somehow leave me joyful, sitting in the same place, with an unobstructed view. There is this constant battle inside me over hopes and dreams, present and future and the all encompassing allegiance to the journey.
I have been reading a book called, "The Happiness Project" and the other night I stumbled onto a small, but profound insight. "You can do anything you want to do, but you can't do everything you want to do." It sounds so obvious, I know, but I have spent the nearest half of my life absolutely believing that if I worked hard enough, saved long enough, sacrificed deeply enough that "everything" I wanted could be achieved. And it is true, but not here. At low ebbs, I sometimes float into this victim mentality, but I reminded myself that everything keeping me from my short-long range goals (which are supposed to be closer than my eternal goals, but which never seem to change proximity) are choices made in order to achieve other goals. I have the capacity to make money, but I want to be home instead. Fred has the capacity to make more money, but I want him here with me instead. My oldest children have the capacity to earn their own way, but I want them to get good grades, enjoy their youth, be available for opportunity instead. United, we have the capacity to save more money, but we want our children to go on missions and attend college, and have straight teeth instead. We have the capacity to spend less money, but we want to drive cars, perpetuate our traditions and have access to a seemingly endless flow of sugar, so we've chosen our standard of living instead. I just honestly thought that I could have all of those things AND a lovely Victorian house on 20 acres, surrounding by adjoining plots for each child. I understand that a bank may be willing to loan us maybe half the initial land (unimproved and without the house or adjoining properties)but it comes with added debt and the relinquishing of some of the previous goals, so I have chosen security instead. The lesson of it all being a choice...my choice, is one that I have to keep relearning over and over and over again, but the "Any, but not Every" lesson is new to me...and hard for me...and I can imagine will eventually be good for me. I am still trying to digest and come to terms with it all. When the spinning stops maybe more of the important things will fall into place.
Mikayla's mission papers are almost finished, the clock is ticking for college to start again and Fred has been in New Orleans for 5 days, so I have felt more emotionally vulnerable this weekend, which is always a boon to learning, but not a boon for immediate peace. I opened up my calendar this morning where all of the color coding is spilling onto this weeks page, overlapping and mixing and melding into a challenging kaleidoscopic that seems an impossible schedule with one 4 seater car that will make it into Boise, but will rarely be at my disposal, and a 3 seater that will barely make it through downtown Middleton. But, as I looked closer it hit me that the apparent tumult is actually leading to and culminating at the temple. Life is busy and can be full of distractions, but there is purpose. Jordan has observed that no matter what the weather is like when you enter the temple, the sun always seems to be shining when you walk out--even when its not. I know exactly what he means. Lehi taught that, "Men are, that they might have joy." The promise is available anywhere. I'm trying to find it in my head and in my heart.
Lest any of you worry, (because I know that my need to dissect and ponder out loud can cause that sort of concern) I am well and happy. Just trying to flourish and find joy--it's part of the pilgrimage.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
It's All Worth It
Sunday, October 14
A son returning from an honorable mission, a family vacation, General Conference and the Temple Open House all packed into less than two weeks time makes for some incredible experiences. My mind has been racing, my heart pounding each day with the need to digest everything that I am feeling, to get it down on paper so I can spread it all around me in neat, organized piles and keep it safe and close and permanent, but I haven't made room for that daily opportunity and now I am afraid that with it all jumbled up in my head, and with all of the emotions mixed together, that I may have lost that tidy, literal record and most of the important things will remain in a tight knot in my heart, but I will try to make some sense here of the tumbling.
For those who were able to make it to the airport and our home, on the 2nd to welcome Jordan back--thank you! I was so wrapped up in being with all of you and savoring the anticipation of the big event that, ironically, I wasn't ready when Jordan came walking off the plane a few minutes early. The well laid plans of holding up our signs and greeting him with a wall of loved ones ended up more like frantic chaos when the shout went out that he was coming. I don't even know who made it to him first, as I didn't have on my glasses and it took me a few searching minutes for me to find that familiar face in the masses, but I know it wasn't me! What I do know it that when I finally found him, I was glad that no one was in my running path because I may have, inadvertently, knocked them over.=) It's an overwhelmingly joyful thing to have your children come back home--from anywhere, but coming back from a mission is special. We were literally gathered around him for hours, which included following him from room to room because he was having a hard time staying put.=) Every half hour he'd check his watch, wondering how close it was to his scheduled release with the stake president, not wanting to be late. It was really difficult for him not to have any place where he needed to go and we arrived at the stake center early because he just couldn't sit still.
Every time I am with our stake president I am impressed with his spiritual demeanor, his personal sensitivity to the individual and with his capacity to imbue meaning into the briefest of encounters. Fred's missionary release 23 years ago was not a good experience. His stake president had asked for his badge and his missionary handbook and then told him he was no longer a missionary--short and not so sweet--more like the firing scene in Mary Poppins--so he had tried to prepare Jordan mentally for hard things. He needn't have worried. Pres. Evans called Jordan into his office alone and talked with him for over 20 minutes, then he called us in. I could tell by Jordan's face that the personal exchange had been precious. With us now in the room, he was given a formal and powerful release and then told that it was up to him when and how he would like to take off his missionary badge, but until that time he expected Jordan to act like a full-time missionary in every way. That passing of responsibility was not expected and was profoundly inspired, but emotionally agonizing. I looked back at Jordan as we were driving home and he had tears literally streaming down his face. Such hard things! When we got home Jordan called everyone together and asked if we could have a family prayer, after which he took off that precious nameplate. We are so proud of him for the way he has served. Jordan has always taken to change like breathing, so, not surprisingly, his readjustment has been graceful, except for one cute transitional story. The day after he returned I took him out to buy him some new "civilian" clothes. He was taking awhile in the dressing room, so I walked around to some of the areas close by, browsing. Eventually he came out and when he found me an aisle away he said,a little panicked, "Where were you? I was lonely!" Just a tiny bit of companion withdrawal there, but it was cute. He is stir crazy and motivated to fill his days with meaningful things so he spends much of his time looking for jobs and researching career fields. I spend much of his time sharing the character traits of the perfect girl that I have found for him.=) Now just to convince him............and the girl.=) It is so good to have him home! There is a joy and energy back in our home that has been missing--a hole that only he can fill. It seems to be that way when any of our children leave for an extended period. They each are so unique in what they add to our family. I have had some happy days watching my children buzzing around each other like a happy hive. I know these together days are short and I am just soaking them in.
Monday, October 22
Conference weekend in Salt Lake was such a sweet experience. The timing was impeccable. Packed into a car for hours of driving, into a little hotel room, sleeping on each other and literally connected in long chains all over temple square so we didn't get separated, forced us to be welded together and since we wanted nothing more, and the circumstances demanded it, I couldn't have planned family time with Jordan in a more appropriate environment. They were happy, cozy days! We tried to get into the conference center by the "approved", traditional method of standing in line for tabernacle buttons and then sitting in stand-by seating, but that never worked, even though we noticed quite a few empty seats during the broadcasted shots. The method is not very efficient and our family came up with a much better plan while we were there that we should submit to Salt Lake.=) However, Jordan and Abe were able to get into the conference center for the Priesthood session and the rest of us got to go in on Sunday morning. Jordan and Abrahm stood in line with those of us who had Sunday tickets, until we got to the doors, and then we had to separate, which almost broke my heart, and which I immediately saw an object lesson in, but I knew I had to make the most of it so I deliberately focused on explaining every little thing to Sophie and Lily to get my mind off of who was missing. They were all ears and so interested, but as I finally sat back in my seat, waiting for the prophet to walk in, the majesty of what was happening in that very room overwhelmed me emotionally. The Spirit was so strong. I had talked to Becky the day before and she had shared that she felt like she could feel the Spirit just as strongly in her home during conference, which I absolutely agree with, but there is something special that happens to me when I am in actual places. I felt it powerfully on trek because we were actually at Martin's Cove and that same feeling encompassed me as I looked down and could see the twelve apostles in person. I am a tangible, tactile person and history plays such a big part of the present for me. I felt so blessed to be there in person when Elder Holland and the prophet both spoke. My emotions raged during Elder Hollands talk and I was going through Kleenex at alarming rates and then Pres. Monson spoke and calmed the waters, literally. =) I talked to Mikayla about the dramatically different ways in which the Spirit can speak to us. Elder Holland has the capacity to direct the Spirit to compel me to action and because my body has to sit still while he speaks my insides are whirling. The prophet has honed the gift of charity and so the Spirit always speaks to me, through him, in soft and charitable ways and makes me feel, "peace, be still". If tickets weren't so incredibly hard to come by I would love to make conference in SLC a family tradition, but I think it will have to be a beautiful memory for awhile. The protesters were horrendously disturbing, but ironically their presence makes your awareness of the Spirit so much more profound as you have to walk through the shouting to get through any gate on temple square and then, within steps, become aware of the drastic difference. I am sad for those who are so disillusioned, but without their knowing it they are actually making a difference...for good. There were people begging everywhere. I never carry cash, but I wouldn't have given it out if I did because I have become calloused and cynical from bad experiences and specifically when Fred and I both recognized some of them as people who were there begging from our trip four years ago. My sweet, older children didn't let that stop them and gave their own cash anyway. They will be blessed for their good hearts and sweet intentions, no matter how deserved or undeserved that money is--I can back that up with scripture.
A HUGE change that came from that weekend, but which has been kept small because that's who Mikayla is, has been her decision to serve a full time mission. Her answer came in a sweet and quiet moment, which I will let her share on her own, but she is poised to start filling out her paperwork. We are leaving all of the timing completely in her hands as this is an opportunity and a choice, but not a commandment. She has been such an inspired and sincere missionary among her peers here that I wasn't sure if she would feel the desire to go "out" into the field. She has always had a strong desire for adventure and a need to make a difference, but that first desire is not the right reason to serve a mission. She knows that and she has been cautious in making this decision. She knows that she is much more likely to be called to Podunk, Nevada (a real place=) than to some exotic place like Machu Pichu, but she has other plans for that goal and wants to go for the right reasons so we are excited for her and for our family and honestly a little parentaly terrified, but we'll get over that..........eventually........mostly.
I have loved hearing about Mom and Dad's temple open house experiences. I would have loved to have the opportunity to serve in that way, but our family was able to go to the first day of the Open House and it is beautiful. Preston Pruett and his wife were our guides, so that was incredibly special. He said his father went through the temple during the VIP tours. I think of his family often--especially his mother, who is an inspiration to me. I would love to go through again during a talking tour with just Fred. We were each quietly explaining things to our children during our initial tour so we didn't get to "be" together, but I would like to linger just a little more.
Yesterday, after Jordan finished his homecoming talk, a ward member offered him and the return missionary who spoke with him, both jobs. He is now working approx. 60 hour weeks, which is such a blessing for him. He is putting up Christmas lights and the job should be steady until about 2 weeks before Christmas, which is perfect timing for his circumstances. Mikayla is still working at Syngenta but those hours will start fading soon as the seasonal work gets finished, but blessings never cease and Renee has offered her some research work for her charter school grant project so her time is filled in productive ways as well. She says she feels like Mrs. Packman--she's just keeps going through the endless maze, trying to get enough power points to win the prizes. She is so much cuter than Mrs. Packman, however, and the prizes are accordingly more rewarding, so it's all good!
Tuesday, October 30
The Harvest party was an incredible occasion! Thank you Ben and Renee for hosting such crazy, bonding, organized chaos. It is a highlight of my children's year, and mine. I love being all together in that bubbling environment. I am looking forward to our, now comparatively little, immediate family Harvest party on Wednesday. Fred is working on his jeopardy game and it is another rare night to have all of my children together just for fun. My home feels full to bursting with happiness. Now, if I could just get Jordan married to the right girl (who happens to be at college right now and doesn't even know that she's been mother earmarked=) then I will be ecstatic. Being around sweet, little Katelyn and crazy, little Braden on Saturday made my "Grandma" wishes stronger than ever!=)
I am looking so forward to Thanksgiving in the mountains and more extended family time. These bonds are so precious and encompass all the reason for becoming.
I haven't wanted to miss out on a second of life and have neglected taking pictures of all of this amazing last month and now I am sorry. I'm hoping there are a few photos that others have taken that I can eventually acquire, but for now I only have one, solitary offering and it's not even digitally sound. It does, however speak for the overall, cumulative feeling of the last four weeks.
Every time I get almost done, something comes us and I have to quit before I publish. Then more of life happens which necessitates addendum's Subsequently, this submission is becoming archaic, which is alright for journaling, but not much fun for reading...sorry Mom and Dad.=)
For those who were able to make it to the airport and our home, on the 2nd to welcome Jordan back--thank you! I was so wrapped up in being with all of you and savoring the anticipation of the big event that, ironically, I wasn't ready when Jordan came walking off the plane a few minutes early. The well laid plans of holding up our signs and greeting him with a wall of loved ones ended up more like frantic chaos when the shout went out that he was coming. I don't even know who made it to him first, as I didn't have on my glasses and it took me a few searching minutes for me to find that familiar face in the masses, but I know it wasn't me! What I do know it that when I finally found him, I was glad that no one was in my running path because I may have, inadvertently, knocked them over.=) It's an overwhelmingly joyful thing to have your children come back home--from anywhere, but coming back from a mission is special. We were literally gathered around him for hours, which included following him from room to room because he was having a hard time staying put.=) Every half hour he'd check his watch, wondering how close it was to his scheduled release with the stake president, not wanting to be late. It was really difficult for him not to have any place where he needed to go and we arrived at the stake center early because he just couldn't sit still.
Every time I am with our stake president I am impressed with his spiritual demeanor, his personal sensitivity to the individual and with his capacity to imbue meaning into the briefest of encounters. Fred's missionary release 23 years ago was not a good experience. His stake president had asked for his badge and his missionary handbook and then told him he was no longer a missionary--short and not so sweet--more like the firing scene in Mary Poppins--so he had tried to prepare Jordan mentally for hard things. He needn't have worried. Pres. Evans called Jordan into his office alone and talked with him for over 20 minutes, then he called us in. I could tell by Jordan's face that the personal exchange had been precious. With us now in the room, he was given a formal and powerful release and then told that it was up to him when and how he would like to take off his missionary badge, but until that time he expected Jordan to act like a full-time missionary in every way. That passing of responsibility was not expected and was profoundly inspired, but emotionally agonizing. I looked back at Jordan as we were driving home and he had tears literally streaming down his face. Such hard things! When we got home Jordan called everyone together and asked if we could have a family prayer, after which he took off that precious nameplate. We are so proud of him for the way he has served. Jordan has always taken to change like breathing, so, not surprisingly, his readjustment has been graceful, except for one cute transitional story. The day after he returned I took him out to buy him some new "civilian" clothes. He was taking awhile in the dressing room, so I walked around to some of the areas close by, browsing. Eventually he came out and when he found me an aisle away he said,a little panicked, "Where were you? I was lonely!" Just a tiny bit of companion withdrawal there, but it was cute. He is stir crazy and motivated to fill his days with meaningful things so he spends much of his time looking for jobs and researching career fields. I spend much of his time sharing the character traits of the perfect girl that I have found for him.=) Now just to convince him............and the girl.=) It is so good to have him home! There is a joy and energy back in our home that has been missing--a hole that only he can fill. It seems to be that way when any of our children leave for an extended period. They each are so unique in what they add to our family. I have had some happy days watching my children buzzing around each other like a happy hive. I know these together days are short and I am just soaking them in.
Monday, October 22
Conference weekend in Salt Lake was such a sweet experience. The timing was impeccable. Packed into a car for hours of driving, into a little hotel room, sleeping on each other and literally connected in long chains all over temple square so we didn't get separated, forced us to be welded together and since we wanted nothing more, and the circumstances demanded it, I couldn't have planned family time with Jordan in a more appropriate environment. They were happy, cozy days! We tried to get into the conference center by the "approved", traditional method of standing in line for tabernacle buttons and then sitting in stand-by seating, but that never worked, even though we noticed quite a few empty seats during the broadcasted shots. The method is not very efficient and our family came up with a much better plan while we were there that we should submit to Salt Lake.=) However, Jordan and Abe were able to get into the conference center for the Priesthood session and the rest of us got to go in on Sunday morning. Jordan and Abrahm stood in line with those of us who had Sunday tickets, until we got to the doors, and then we had to separate, which almost broke my heart, and which I immediately saw an object lesson in, but I knew I had to make the most of it so I deliberately focused on explaining every little thing to Sophie and Lily to get my mind off of who was missing. They were all ears and so interested, but as I finally sat back in my seat, waiting for the prophet to walk in, the majesty of what was happening in that very room overwhelmed me emotionally. The Spirit was so strong. I had talked to Becky the day before and she had shared that she felt like she could feel the Spirit just as strongly in her home during conference, which I absolutely agree with, but there is something special that happens to me when I am in actual places. I felt it powerfully on trek because we were actually at Martin's Cove and that same feeling encompassed me as I looked down and could see the twelve apostles in person. I am a tangible, tactile person and history plays such a big part of the present for me. I felt so blessed to be there in person when Elder Holland and the prophet both spoke. My emotions raged during Elder Hollands talk and I was going through Kleenex at alarming rates and then Pres. Monson spoke and calmed the waters, literally. =) I talked to Mikayla about the dramatically different ways in which the Spirit can speak to us. Elder Holland has the capacity to direct the Spirit to compel me to action and because my body has to sit still while he speaks my insides are whirling. The prophet has honed the gift of charity and so the Spirit always speaks to me, through him, in soft and charitable ways and makes me feel, "peace, be still". If tickets weren't so incredibly hard to come by I would love to make conference in SLC a family tradition, but I think it will have to be a beautiful memory for awhile. The protesters were horrendously disturbing, but ironically their presence makes your awareness of the Spirit so much more profound as you have to walk through the shouting to get through any gate on temple square and then, within steps, become aware of the drastic difference. I am sad for those who are so disillusioned, but without their knowing it they are actually making a difference...for good. There were people begging everywhere. I never carry cash, but I wouldn't have given it out if I did because I have become calloused and cynical from bad experiences and specifically when Fred and I both recognized some of them as people who were there begging from our trip four years ago. My sweet, older children didn't let that stop them and gave their own cash anyway. They will be blessed for their good hearts and sweet intentions, no matter how deserved or undeserved that money is--I can back that up with scripture.
A HUGE change that came from that weekend, but which has been kept small because that's who Mikayla is, has been her decision to serve a full time mission. Her answer came in a sweet and quiet moment, which I will let her share on her own, but she is poised to start filling out her paperwork. We are leaving all of the timing completely in her hands as this is an opportunity and a choice, but not a commandment. She has been such an inspired and sincere missionary among her peers here that I wasn't sure if she would feel the desire to go "out" into the field. She has always had a strong desire for adventure and a need to make a difference, but that first desire is not the right reason to serve a mission. She knows that and she has been cautious in making this decision. She knows that she is much more likely to be called to Podunk, Nevada (a real place=) than to some exotic place like Machu Pichu, but she has other plans for that goal and wants to go for the right reasons so we are excited for her and for our family and honestly a little parentaly terrified, but we'll get over that..........eventually........mostly.
I have loved hearing about Mom and Dad's temple open house experiences. I would have loved to have the opportunity to serve in that way, but our family was able to go to the first day of the Open House and it is beautiful. Preston Pruett and his wife were our guides, so that was incredibly special. He said his father went through the temple during the VIP tours. I think of his family often--especially his mother, who is an inspiration to me. I would love to go through again during a talking tour with just Fred. We were each quietly explaining things to our children during our initial tour so we didn't get to "be" together, but I would like to linger just a little more.
Yesterday, after Jordan finished his homecoming talk, a ward member offered him and the return missionary who spoke with him, both jobs. He is now working approx. 60 hour weeks, which is such a blessing for him. He is putting up Christmas lights and the job should be steady until about 2 weeks before Christmas, which is perfect timing for his circumstances. Mikayla is still working at Syngenta but those hours will start fading soon as the seasonal work gets finished, but blessings never cease and Renee has offered her some research work for her charter school grant project so her time is filled in productive ways as well. She says she feels like Mrs. Packman--she's just keeps going through the endless maze, trying to get enough power points to win the prizes. She is so much cuter than Mrs. Packman, however, and the prizes are accordingly more rewarding, so it's all good!
Tuesday, October 30
The Harvest party was an incredible occasion! Thank you Ben and Renee for hosting such crazy, bonding, organized chaos. It is a highlight of my children's year, and mine. I love being all together in that bubbling environment. I am looking forward to our, now comparatively little, immediate family Harvest party on Wednesday. Fred is working on his jeopardy game and it is another rare night to have all of my children together just for fun. My home feels full to bursting with happiness. Now, if I could just get Jordan married to the right girl (who happens to be at college right now and doesn't even know that she's been mother earmarked=) then I will be ecstatic. Being around sweet, little Katelyn and crazy, little Braden on Saturday made my "Grandma" wishes stronger than ever!=)
I am looking so forward to Thanksgiving in the mountains and more extended family time. These bonds are so precious and encompass all the reason for becoming.
I haven't wanted to miss out on a second of life and have neglected taking pictures of all of this amazing last month and now I am sorry. I'm hoping there are a few photos that others have taken that I can eventually acquire, but for now I only have one, solitary offering and it's not even digitally sound. It does, however speak for the overall, cumulative feeling of the last four weeks.
Every time I get almost done, something comes us and I have to quit before I publish. Then more of life happens which necessitates addendum's Subsequently, this submission is becoming archaic, which is alright for journaling, but not much fun for reading...sorry Mom and Dad.=)
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| It's all worth it! |
Monday, October 1, 2012
Jordan Eve
One of Jordan's favorite companions and first trainee called me from the mission home in Chile tonight to confirm, for the second time, that we had the correct flight information and would be at the airport on Tuesday to pick Jordan up. I assured him that we would most definitely be there!=) He let me know that he had just left Jordan an hour previously, after attending his farewell party, and had a sweet message from him to us. What a joyful and reassuring phone call to receive. This is truly a church of order. In what other circumstance could a mother let a child go halfway around the world with absolute confidence that they are, at every moment, in the Lord's hands. I have missed my boy, but these two years have been a beautiful and rewarding experience for all of us!
Quote of the Week:
Speaking of being in the Lord's hands, I received a phone call, out of the blue, from my cousin Kathryn, a few days ago. Apparently, she had been reading my blog, something which I doubt is a frequent activity of hers, but which I can only imagine was prompted by a link on Facebook to my Morrison Center letter, and she happened to notice that Abe was having trouble finding insects for his Science project and also noticed that we were coming to Utah for conference. All of those things were in different posts, so she must have either been reading for some time or been guided to which ones to read. In a gesture of pure concern and goodwill, she phoned to tell me that she is an entomologist and has a collection of 100 insects that she was willing to let Abe use for his class. She lives 45 minutes away from the conference center but offered to drive it in to us in Salt Lake. I certainly won't make her do that, but I was stunned. I have not seen or communicated with her in years, and so subsequently, we don't know each other very well, but she was reaching out to help and offering something to a 13 year old, whom she has never met, which is valuable to her, because she had compassion for his situation and because she was in a position to help. I talked to Abe's teacher, fully expecting the offer to be denied since it would relieve Abe from collecting or mounting any more insects, and was baffled when he not only approved the donation, but eagerly endorsed it, with the only stipulation being that Abe label them (with my cousins help) and give her credit on his display for the donation. My cousin already has them all labeled but she offered to dismantle that part of the display so that Abe could accomplish the assignment. I wonder if I will ever cease to be amazed by the kind, selflessness of others. Probably not until I learn to be unselfish.
Such fun happenings this week. Lori organized a sisters birthday luncheon for Renee and I so the three of us and Liz and Marg, all met at a cute restaurant in Meridian where the girls paid for our birthday lunches and we all chatted and laughed for an hour and a half. It is good to have those bonding times, though it can sometimes be crazy for us to coordinate so many schedules and juggle children. I love the tradition. A couple of days later our entire, now fully released YW presidencies (there were different counselor changes over the years serving with the same president) had a luncheon and shared a similar experience of just sitting and visiting and laughing as "sisters". I'm not much of a good girly friend, but these rare moments spent visiting with women I love are treasures. Friday, Lily and Sophie got to go to a b-day sleepover at Annalie's, which I think was the highlight of their month, and on Saturday we got Eden ready for Homecoming, then watched the General R.S. Broadcast on our computer, then attended a 50th Anniversary celebration for a couple, whose family we love. It was such a sweet and celebratory atmosphere all week. We are so blessed to be a part of so many good people's lives.
We looked all over town for a modest dress for Eden's Homecoming dance, but (shocker) couldn't find one, so I ended up buying a strapless dress, again, that had a shawl I could use for extra cloth. Eden wanted sleeves, not a shrug this time. I have all kinds of shrug patterns, but of course no sleeve patterns for a strapless dress because the bodice isn't designed for sleeves. I don't do spontaneity, but Eden really wanted something different so I jumped (actually gingerly stepped with my pinky toe) into the dark abyss of original creativity and finally, after much trial and error, stumbled upon an idea that was both modest and Eden approved--it was a week long struggle and I was concerned with the comfort and mobility of the design, but Eden gave the thumbs up so I took the risk and sewed it all together. She looked darling on Saturday night, but came home with some sore looking rub marks from the lack of professional design and seamstressing. I'll have to figure out a modified design if the dress if to be worn again comfortably, but next dance I am hoping she will let me off easy and be persuaded to "want" the jacket look again. Imagination and construction are not two ideas that mesh very well for me--give me one or the other, please.
My white board says "2 more days until Jordan comes home!", but it is after midnight so technically he comes home tomorrow! It is 3:30am in Chile and I wonder if he can sleep, knowing he is leaving a country and people that he loves and flying to another country and people that he loves, to start a different chapter of his life. He will be getting on an airplane there Monday evening. We have, just this weekend, started receiving "warnings" from recently experienced return missionary moms that "being home" can be hard and disconcerting. We've heard some heart-wrenching transition experiences. We have tried to prepare ourselves--we've tried to prepare Jordan. I am hoping he can hit the ground running, but we know this is something that we can't do for him. Next steps can be so difficult--I KNOW--but we just have to push through and keep moving forward.
Quote of the Week:
"Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer."--Rainer Maria Rilke
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| Eden's Afternoon Homecoming Date |
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| Eden's darling friend came in from Eagle to do her hair |
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| Pretty girl |
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| Lucky boy |
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Ready for the dance      |
Friday, September 28, 2012
"Never Check Your Religion at the Door"
This week has been full, but the previous week was A WHIRLWIND!!!
Last Sunday, after 5-1/2 years, the stake YW president, who I served with, was released and my children's beloved high school math teacher was called. She bore her testimony at Stake Conference which was powerful and reverently humorous all at the same time. I am so happy that Eden has the privilege to have worked both with Sis. Fisher and now with Sis. Harris on the youth committee. I think both women will add to her testimony of this gospel, but in completely different ways.
Last Thursday Eden auditioned for and made Premiere Singers, which means an additional evening of choir in Ontario for her. I hope it's not a mistake to let her get so immersed and that it doesn't interfere too much with school and work and family, but she loves it and I think it is good for her. She has a pretty voice and it's an excellent, uplifting outlet for her.
Last Friday was, of course my birthday. Fred took the day off, let me sleep in, got the kids up and ready for school and brought me breakfast in bed. Then he and Mikayla took over my daily task list (cleaning the house and walking Olive) in the morning while I leisurely got ready for the day. The rest of the afternoon Fred spent working on house projects with me (which usually means he does most of the work and I hand him things=). Then, for the second year in a row, my darling missionary son managed to have a gift, sent all the way from Chile, arrive on the exact day. I can't help but think that there are greater forces at work, because it means so much to me, but it certainly made my day. "El Principito", which is the Spanish version of "The Little Prince", is now sitting on my bedside table with an English version of the book beside it and will be a treasure. In the evening Fred, Mikayla, Eden and I attended " Les Miserables", which will need it's own new paragraph.
We bought tickets for Les Miserables many, many months ago and have been highly anticipating it ever since. Fred and I saw it probably 15 years ago at the Morrison Center and were absolutely inspired. The 10th Anniversary Concert has remained one of my favorite videos ever. The plot deals with hard things and hard times and even those few years ago, some of those things were not fun to wade through in the musical. I remember Fred keeping his eyes down for one scene because of the costuming, so we anticipated that again, but felt that it was worth the wade. However, apparently the play was "updated" at it's 25th Anniversary, and at least in the production that we saw on Friday, was interjected with some unpardonable vulgarity that we weren't prepared for and which was appalling. I was so frustrated and disappointed! The musical talent was incredible (some of the best that I have ever seen or heard on any recording of the play). The theater details were extremely impressive. The uplifting parts were riveting and incredibly moving, but even so, days later, the experience feels overshadowed by the completely unnecessary, and highly offensive material, which I am sure Victor Hugo never intended to be detailed and highlighted as the focus of his compelling story about light rising from darkness. It's sad, because so much of it was so good. Liz and Nate (and "half their ward") attended the same night as us. Ben and Renee had tickets for their family the following night but when they heard about the content they took the financial loss ($500 worth) and didn't attend. They inspire me. Liz had made it possible for most of us to get tickets at reduced prices through an acquaintance so she felt responsible and was furious. She called the box office and complained that nothing on any literature ever stated that the production was for "mature audiences" (incredible irony in that term), but was "professionally" blown off. I admire her for making a stand and for having the ability to keep her emotions under control when she does. I feel those same fiery passions, but often lose credibility face to face because I have never been able to stay composed and contain what I feel in an intelligent demeanor. It is getting more and more difficult to be in the world and not of the world as the worldly is now seeping into the cracks of even those things from which we used to gain inspiration. I grieve for that loss of innocence and reverence. There is so much that is still light and good out there, but It feels like our personal armor can never be taken off anymore--I get a visual of that old seminary video in my mind. We always have to be on our guard, or we will be vulnerable when we least expect it. We are still playing our Les Mis CD in the car and singing it in our heads this week, but we can't help feeling cheated out of what we so wanted to be a beautifully, untainted memory.
Because of Liz I wrote the Morrison Center (better at self mastery with a pen in my hand, instead of a phone=), posted an article on Facebook and my personal blog and sent letters to the Editor to both newspapers in our area. I also e-mailed anyone who I thought would care about making a difference. Many of my friends (even those who didn't see the play) stepped up and contacted the Morrison Center. Most of us have received a form letter back that downplays the seriousness of our discontent. I understand my letter to the editor came out in The Statesman today because friends have called and are now writing in because of it. Even so, I can't imagine that we will make more than a drop in a bucket, out of the 15,000 patrons but we have to try. Thanks Liz for standing up first!
Saturday, Matt and his family came into town so we had a family get together at Ben's. As we drove up Ben was running around his yard, keeping Jared up in the air with a para-glider. Only Ben!=) It was a great visit and among the laughs were some opportunities to talk about some of life's challenges and trials. A few of us were even afforded a rare look into some of the emotional weights that Hyrum has to carry because of his job and it reaffirmed the admiration and love that I have for family, both immediate and extended. We really are all in this together and we need each other so much in order to keep moving forward with determination and hope. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such incredibly good, loving, genuine and generous family--both immediate and extended!
Jenna Jenkins (Aunt Marilyns daughter) e-mailed me last week, after hearing that Jordan was coming home on Tuesday, to let me know that her son was coming home from Rancaugua Chile, the same day, same flight. Jordan will probably see her and extended family in the Salt Lake airport when he changes flights. Sometimes this big, vast world seems very small and full of tender mercies.
Jordan's last letter home was titled "Signing Off"--that made me feel like waiting for Apollo 13 to regain contact. I'm still holding my breath. It will feel good to let it out again soon.
Quote of the week:
"We don't always know the details of our future. We do not know what lies ahead. We live in a time of uncertainty. We are surrounded by challenges on all sides. Occasionally discouragement may sneak into our day; frustration may invite itself into our thinking; doubt might enter about the value of our work. In these dark moments Satan whispers in our ears that we will never be able to succeed, that the price isn't worth the effort, and that our small part will never make a difference. He, the father of all lies, will try to prevent us from seeing the end from the beginning...The Lord loves you; that is why He has given you commandments and the words of prophets to guide you on your journey through life...The Lord wants you...to desire with all your heart to keep these standards and live by the gospel truths found in the scriptures. As you do this, you will see beyond the moment, and you will see your bright and wonderful future with great opportunities and responsibilities. You will be willing to work hard and endure long, and you will have an optimistic outlook on life. You will see that your life's road will lead you to the house of the Lord first and then to serve a full-time mission, representing the Savior wherever He will send you. After your mission you will organize and plan your life based on the same standards. Therefore, in your mind's eye you will see yourself entering the house of the Lord for an eternal marriage and family. Your priorities in life will change to match the priorities given to us by the Savior. And God will bless you and open the eyes of your understanding so you can see the end from the beginning..."--Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Last Sunday, after 5-1/2 years, the stake YW president, who I served with, was released and my children's beloved high school math teacher was called. She bore her testimony at Stake Conference which was powerful and reverently humorous all at the same time. I am so happy that Eden has the privilege to have worked both with Sis. Fisher and now with Sis. Harris on the youth committee. I think both women will add to her testimony of this gospel, but in completely different ways.
Last Thursday Eden auditioned for and made Premiere Singers, which means an additional evening of choir in Ontario for her. I hope it's not a mistake to let her get so immersed and that it doesn't interfere too much with school and work and family, but she loves it and I think it is good for her. She has a pretty voice and it's an excellent, uplifting outlet for her.
Last Friday was, of course my birthday. Fred took the day off, let me sleep in, got the kids up and ready for school and brought me breakfast in bed. Then he and Mikayla took over my daily task list (cleaning the house and walking Olive) in the morning while I leisurely got ready for the day. The rest of the afternoon Fred spent working on house projects with me (which usually means he does most of the work and I hand him things=). Then, for the second year in a row, my darling missionary son managed to have a gift, sent all the way from Chile, arrive on the exact day. I can't help but think that there are greater forces at work, because it means so much to me, but it certainly made my day. "El Principito", which is the Spanish version of "The Little Prince", is now sitting on my bedside table with an English version of the book beside it and will be a treasure. In the evening Fred, Mikayla, Eden and I attended " Les Miserables", which will need it's own new paragraph.
We bought tickets for Les Miserables many, many months ago and have been highly anticipating it ever since. Fred and I saw it probably 15 years ago at the Morrison Center and were absolutely inspired. The 10th Anniversary Concert has remained one of my favorite videos ever. The plot deals with hard things and hard times and even those few years ago, some of those things were not fun to wade through in the musical. I remember Fred keeping his eyes down for one scene because of the costuming, so we anticipated that again, but felt that it was worth the wade. However, apparently the play was "updated" at it's 25th Anniversary, and at least in the production that we saw on Friday, was interjected with some unpardonable vulgarity that we weren't prepared for and which was appalling. I was so frustrated and disappointed! The musical talent was incredible (some of the best that I have ever seen or heard on any recording of the play). The theater details were extremely impressive. The uplifting parts were riveting and incredibly moving, but even so, days later, the experience feels overshadowed by the completely unnecessary, and highly offensive material, which I am sure Victor Hugo never intended to be detailed and highlighted as the focus of his compelling story about light rising from darkness. It's sad, because so much of it was so good. Liz and Nate (and "half their ward") attended the same night as us. Ben and Renee had tickets for their family the following night but when they heard about the content they took the financial loss ($500 worth) and didn't attend. They inspire me. Liz had made it possible for most of us to get tickets at reduced prices through an acquaintance so she felt responsible and was furious. She called the box office and complained that nothing on any literature ever stated that the production was for "mature audiences" (incredible irony in that term), but was "professionally" blown off. I admire her for making a stand and for having the ability to keep her emotions under control when she does. I feel those same fiery passions, but often lose credibility face to face because I have never been able to stay composed and contain what I feel in an intelligent demeanor. It is getting more and more difficult to be in the world and not of the world as the worldly is now seeping into the cracks of even those things from which we used to gain inspiration. I grieve for that loss of innocence and reverence. There is so much that is still light and good out there, but It feels like our personal armor can never be taken off anymore--I get a visual of that old seminary video in my mind. We always have to be on our guard, or we will be vulnerable when we least expect it. We are still playing our Les Mis CD in the car and singing it in our heads this week, but we can't help feeling cheated out of what we so wanted to be a beautifully, untainted memory.
Because of Liz I wrote the Morrison Center (better at self mastery with a pen in my hand, instead of a phone=), posted an article on Facebook and my personal blog and sent letters to the Editor to both newspapers in our area. I also e-mailed anyone who I thought would care about making a difference. Many of my friends (even those who didn't see the play) stepped up and contacted the Morrison Center. Most of us have received a form letter back that downplays the seriousness of our discontent. I understand my letter to the editor came out in The Statesman today because friends have called and are now writing in because of it. Even so, I can't imagine that we will make more than a drop in a bucket, out of the 15,000 patrons but we have to try. Thanks Liz for standing up first!
Saturday, Matt and his family came into town so we had a family get together at Ben's. As we drove up Ben was running around his yard, keeping Jared up in the air with a para-glider. Only Ben!=) It was a great visit and among the laughs were some opportunities to talk about some of life's challenges and trials. A few of us were even afforded a rare look into some of the emotional weights that Hyrum has to carry because of his job and it reaffirmed the admiration and love that I have for family, both immediate and extended. We really are all in this together and we need each other so much in order to keep moving forward with determination and hope. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such incredibly good, loving, genuine and generous family--both immediate and extended!
Jenna Jenkins (Aunt Marilyns daughter) e-mailed me last week, after hearing that Jordan was coming home on Tuesday, to let me know that her son was coming home from Rancaugua Chile, the same day, same flight. Jordan will probably see her and extended family in the Salt Lake airport when he changes flights. Sometimes this big, vast world seems very small and full of tender mercies.
Jordan's last letter home was titled "Signing Off"--that made me feel like waiting for Apollo 13 to regain contact. I'm still holding my breath. It will feel good to let it out again soon.
Quote of the week:
"We don't always know the details of our future. We do not know what lies ahead. We live in a time of uncertainty. We are surrounded by challenges on all sides. Occasionally discouragement may sneak into our day; frustration may invite itself into our thinking; doubt might enter about the value of our work. In these dark moments Satan whispers in our ears that we will never be able to succeed, that the price isn't worth the effort, and that our small part will never make a difference. He, the father of all lies, will try to prevent us from seeing the end from the beginning...The Lord loves you; that is why He has given you commandments and the words of prophets to guide you on your journey through life...The Lord wants you...to desire with all your heart to keep these standards and live by the gospel truths found in the scriptures. As you do this, you will see beyond the moment, and you will see your bright and wonderful future with great opportunities and responsibilities. You will be willing to work hard and endure long, and you will have an optimistic outlook on life. You will see that your life's road will lead you to the house of the Lord first and then to serve a full-time mission, representing the Savior wherever He will send you. After your mission you will organize and plan your life based on the same standards. Therefore, in your mind's eye you will see yourself entering the house of the Lord for an eternal marriage and family. Your priorities in life will change to match the priorities given to us by the Savior. And God will bless you and open the eyes of your understanding so you can see the end from the beginning..."--Dieter F. Uchtdorf
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| My new favorite talk of Elder Holland's (until conference weekend=) |
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| My birthday project headboard (made from a discarded door) |
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| B-day package from my mission (the Post Office wasn't very careful) |
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| A mom's greatest gift! |
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| B-day noodle bowls for dinner--YUM--thanks Mys for the recipe |
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| 43 Years YOUNG |
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| "Breathed" out the dainty candle flame before I made my wish |
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| Trying that again |
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| Fall Decor gathered by the twins for my b-day |
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| Hydrangeas and Pretty boxes. Can a guy get more romantic than that! |
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| I LOVE TOPIARIES! |
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Making a Difference--One Voice at a Time
Dear Friends and Family,
Over the weekend, I attended the production of Les
Miserables at the Morrison Center. Some of you may have also been there. If so,
and if you were disturbed by some of the content, please continue reading and
make a difference in our community.
Friday was my birthday. My husband, two teenage daughters
and I had exceptional tickets, purchased months in advance, and were
anticipating this experience with excitement. I have read the book,
have seen both anniversary concerts, and even attended the musical production
when it came to the Morrison Center over 10 years ago, so I understand that the
story deals with some heavy themes but never have I seen them treated with such
blatant visual vulgarity. We were extremely
disappointed to find that this particular performance was filled with bawdy
innuendo and graphic sexuality, yet nowhere in any advertising was it ever
stated that the production was for “mature audiences". Without any sponsors
warning, I am sure that many families were taken by surprise, as the house was
filled with children the evening that we attended. Most of the musical talent
was incredible. The theater details were impressive. The scenes that remained
unsoiled were beautifully stirring, but even so, days later, the experience
feels overshadowed by what I and many of my family and friends felt was
completely unnecessary and highly offensive material, and which was never
portrayed, in detail, in Victor Hugo’s compelling story about light rising from
darkness. After hearing of those added “liberties”, my brother who
had paid $500 in order to introduce his family to some cultural entertainment,
decided not to attend, and since a refund was refused, had to take the large
monetary loss. I realize that this was a personal choice, and in my opinion, a
noble gesture on their part, but such an unnecessary circumstance.
I realize that everyone has different filters and opinions
and though I would love to see Boise embrace more “family friendly” cultural
experiences, I am speaking out in hopes that others will join me and by doing
so the Morrison Center will be influenced to assure future audiences, of which
I am hoping to be a part, better content clarity of the entertainment for which
we are purchasing tickets, some of which are a lofty investment in
entertainment. I would like the ability to make an educated and
informed decision, something that was not available, even with all of my former
Les Miserables exposure, at this last production. My heart goes out to those
patrons who didn’t have as much personal experience with the content as I, but
uninformed, chose to bring their little children, believing the production was
family friendly because of the more popularly available and inspiring
music. That couldn’t have been a pleasant experience. I had two
teenage children accompanying me, but even at their older ages I felt violated
as a patron and as a parent.
I take responsibility for being exposed to some
disturbing lyrics, which are contained primarily in two songs and right or
wrong, we made the conscious choice to wade through those in order to be inspired
by much of the remaining 38. Because of
the accents and also because we are used to using the fast forward button on
our music CD, I did forget how awful and jarring some of the references really were but the added portrayals of this specific performance, were unanticipated and unpardonable.
I contacted the Morrison Center, as did some of my friends
and family, but, because they have only received a handful of complaints out of
the 15,000 people who attended the production this weekend, our concerns are
not being taken seriously.
We are merely asking that better promotional literature be
made available, that makes apparent those audiences for which the production is
best suited, so that every prospective patron can make an educated and informed
choice.
If you feel similarly, please contact the Morrison Center
director at the e-mail address below and add your voice to ours. There is strength in
numbers.
Rachel Bloomquist
*Contact address to file concerns: jamespatrick@boisestate.edu
Elder B... Signing Off
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jordan
Date: Mon, Sep 24, 2012 at 12:37 PM
Fam. Brawshkee,
That is how a 3 year old girl says my name in my ward.
This is my last letter home, I will tell you about this coming week in person.
It hasn´t really hit me that I was leaving until this week. It has been a good week, sometimes at night time as we were walking back to the house people would stop us in the street to talk to us. One lady, yelled across the street from her guard station, "God loves you guys" It is always the little things that make the big difference, I think.
On Tuesday Elder Arnold, came and spoke with us. I don´t know if you remember but either last conference or the conference before he talk about how when his wife was young she had the job of making sure the cows didn´t get into the field of grain. There was a fence separating them but even so one of the cows was always sticking his head through the fence. One day she found that the cow had broken all the way through and had been eating grain for quite some time and was bloated. She went to find her dad but by the time they made it back the cow had passed away.
The cool part was that we heard it first hand from his wife.
Through two years of studying I have gained a great testimony of the individual and incredible love that our father in Heaven has for each one of us. He knows us better than we know ourselves. Sure sinning is fun, that is why everyone gives in, but it is fake, and does not last. A spark also produces an immense amount of heat, but for less than a fraction of a moment, and will not suffice to give us warmth.
I am always so inspired and motivated to hear from president or the general authorities, I am so excited for conference with all y'all. We are going to have a blast.
I love you
Elder B...
From: Jordan
Date: Mon, Sep 24, 2012 at 12:37 PM
Fam. Brawshkee,
That is how a 3 year old girl says my name in my ward.
This is my last letter home, I will tell you about this coming week in person.
It hasn´t really hit me that I was leaving until this week. It has been a good week, sometimes at night time as we were walking back to the house people would stop us in the street to talk to us. One lady, yelled across the street from her guard station, "God loves you guys" It is always the little things that make the big difference, I think.
On Tuesday Elder Arnold, came and spoke with us. I don´t know if you remember but either last conference or the conference before he talk about how when his wife was young she had the job of making sure the cows didn´t get into the field of grain. There was a fence separating them but even so one of the cows was always sticking his head through the fence. One day she found that the cow had broken all the way through and had been eating grain for quite some time and was bloated. She went to find her dad but by the time they made it back the cow had passed away.
The cool part was that we heard it first hand from his wife.
Through two years of studying I have gained a great testimony of the individual and incredible love that our father in Heaven has for each one of us. He knows us better than we know ourselves. Sure sinning is fun, that is why everyone gives in, but it is fake, and does not last. A spark also produces an immense amount of heat, but for less than a fraction of a moment, and will not suffice to give us warmth.
I am always so inspired and motivated to hear from president or the general authorities, I am so excited for conference with all y'all. We are going to have a blast.
I love you
Elder B...
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Autumn Around the Corner
Sunday, Sept. 16:
It was stake conference today and so we are blessed with all of these extra afternoon hours that we aren't accustomed to having. It feels relaxing and peaceful. I have been pondering a statement that our stake President quoted from Pres. Howard W. Hunter this morning. "If our lives and our faith are centered on Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong." I looked it up online and found that the quote continues with..."On the other hand, if our lives are not centered on the Savior and his teachings, no other success can ever be permanently right." It made me reflect on yesterday, and other discouraging days, as Fred and I spent all morning and afternoon in yard maintenance, mowing, edging, weed-wacking, hoeing and cleaning, then sat down to talk about our temporal dreams, which sometimes feel SO FAR AWAY and I cried. As our family grows the house feels smaller and smaller and fitting everyone and their things into bedrooms gets more and more challenging. I can't help but think about my children coming home with families of their own and having no place to stay, as those days are just around the corner. Sometimes these farm girl yearnings of mine get so strong that I drive past open fields and my heart actually constricts for want of space. But, Fred keeps reminding me life is here and now--it's all around us--wherever we are, in whatever circumstances and Pres. Hunters quote helped me to once again cling to the fact that only Christ can bring peace--not farmers fields--not space, not quiet, country places--unless I have righteous perspectives and continual daily diligence in the things that really matter. Sometimes that daily part gets difficult when it doesn't seem to be making a dent in our dreams but maybe we have the wrong dreams.
In other areas of challenge, Abe has a science teacher this year who has assigned an intense bug euthanizing/ collecting project. Being raised in this "catch and release" family mentality his conscience just can't deal with the thought and he finally divulged as much to me last week. I offered to go to battle for him, if he was willing to stand behind the consequences, which he claimed he was. But, after a few diplomatic conversations with the teacher and ultimately the Principle, we have not been able to alter the curriculum, just given leeway to use insects that are already dead, but which must be in pristine condition and which must consist of 30 different specimens. And so we have to face a crossroads. Is this goal plausible? Do we support his possible failure of this particular assignment (which is huge) if it's not--due to convictions? Do we just make our best effort, in the confines that we have and hope it's good enough? Or, do we act against conscience and give in to the pressure in educations name. I can imagine you know which way I lean and of course my leaning encourages my son. Our stake president related a story today about bees and advice that his father always gave him (until a particularly bad "swarming" experience) that if he would leave the bees alone, they would leave him alone. He compared that to the world and told us that we most definitely cannot have that mentality. We must be constantly engaged, as Captain Moroni was, in defending ourselves from the enemy. It gave me courage to keep making a stand (even though this is personal and not necessarily doctrinal) and Pres. Holland's most recent YSA Fireside talk is helping me to determine the appropriate way to in which to do that. I don't enjoy being on the outside, or feeling isolated in my opinions. I don't want to be fanatical; I appreciate that everyone has their different perspectives, but my convictions often feel unique and even so, I have to follow them if I want inner peace. When a child is courageous enough to stand up for that same reason, I certainly can't get weak in the knees and I have found that the best solution to that problem is just to humble myself and kneel down. Having done that, we are moving ahead, conscience in tact, so if any of you find any dead insects--I know, lovely thought-- (6 legs no stingers), in good condition, pin them to a cardboard and save them for us. They may just become quite valuable and you might accumulate some serious bargaining prowess, because we are going to need all the help we can get! =)
The weather is still beautiful here, though the nights and mornings are getting cooler and lasting longer, and I can feel Autumn around the corner. I'm not looking forward to the chill outside but am longing for the internal warmth of the upcoming holidays. What a perfect time to be preparing to be together as a family.
I will write two more letters to my darling missionary boy--he will probably only be able to send us one more back. I will miss his letters, but no longer will I have to miss him!=) "So happy". I will try and restrain myself at the airport, so that I won't embarrass him too much, but my heart will be overflowing. I can imagine that his will be considerably pulled as he will have left a little bit of it in Chile...we want it there.=) I mentioned to Fred that I was arranging for Jordan's official release through the stake executive secretary a few days ago and he got suddenly and overwhelmingly choked up. As happy as I am to be getting my boy back, I know it won't come without being accompanied by hard things. That, I don't look forward to.
Quote of the Week:
"So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. and never mix up your right foot with your left. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed..."--Dr. Seuss
It was stake conference today and so we are blessed with all of these extra afternoon hours that we aren't accustomed to having. It feels relaxing and peaceful. I have been pondering a statement that our stake President quoted from Pres. Howard W. Hunter this morning. "If our lives and our faith are centered on Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong." I looked it up online and found that the quote continues with..."On the other hand, if our lives are not centered on the Savior and his teachings, no other success can ever be permanently right." It made me reflect on yesterday, and other discouraging days, as Fred and I spent all morning and afternoon in yard maintenance, mowing, edging, weed-wacking, hoeing and cleaning, then sat down to talk about our temporal dreams, which sometimes feel SO FAR AWAY and I cried. As our family grows the house feels smaller and smaller and fitting everyone and their things into bedrooms gets more and more challenging. I can't help but think about my children coming home with families of their own and having no place to stay, as those days are just around the corner. Sometimes these farm girl yearnings of mine get so strong that I drive past open fields and my heart actually constricts for want of space. But, Fred keeps reminding me life is here and now--it's all around us--wherever we are, in whatever circumstances and Pres. Hunters quote helped me to once again cling to the fact that only Christ can bring peace--not farmers fields--not space, not quiet, country places--unless I have righteous perspectives and continual daily diligence in the things that really matter. Sometimes that daily part gets difficult when it doesn't seem to be making a dent in our dreams but maybe we have the wrong dreams.
In other areas of challenge, Abe has a science teacher this year who has assigned an intense bug euthanizing/ collecting project. Being raised in this "catch and release" family mentality his conscience just can't deal with the thought and he finally divulged as much to me last week. I offered to go to battle for him, if he was willing to stand behind the consequences, which he claimed he was. But, after a few diplomatic conversations with the teacher and ultimately the Principle, we have not been able to alter the curriculum, just given leeway to use insects that are already dead, but which must be in pristine condition and which must consist of 30 different specimens. And so we have to face a crossroads. Is this goal plausible? Do we support his possible failure of this particular assignment (which is huge) if it's not--due to convictions? Do we just make our best effort, in the confines that we have and hope it's good enough? Or, do we act against conscience and give in to the pressure in educations name. I can imagine you know which way I lean and of course my leaning encourages my son. Our stake president related a story today about bees and advice that his father always gave him (until a particularly bad "swarming" experience) that if he would leave the bees alone, they would leave him alone. He compared that to the world and told us that we most definitely cannot have that mentality. We must be constantly engaged, as Captain Moroni was, in defending ourselves from the enemy. It gave me courage to keep making a stand (even though this is personal and not necessarily doctrinal) and Pres. Holland's most recent YSA Fireside talk is helping me to determine the appropriate way to in which to do that. I don't enjoy being on the outside, or feeling isolated in my opinions. I don't want to be fanatical; I appreciate that everyone has their different perspectives, but my convictions often feel unique and even so, I have to follow them if I want inner peace. When a child is courageous enough to stand up for that same reason, I certainly can't get weak in the knees and I have found that the best solution to that problem is just to humble myself and kneel down. Having done that, we are moving ahead, conscience in tact, so if any of you find any dead insects--I know, lovely thought-- (6 legs no stingers), in good condition, pin them to a cardboard and save them for us. They may just become quite valuable and you might accumulate some serious bargaining prowess, because we are going to need all the help we can get! =)
The weather is still beautiful here, though the nights and mornings are getting cooler and lasting longer, and I can feel Autumn around the corner. I'm not looking forward to the chill outside but am longing for the internal warmth of the upcoming holidays. What a perfect time to be preparing to be together as a family.
I will write two more letters to my darling missionary boy--he will probably only be able to send us one more back. I will miss his letters, but no longer will I have to miss him!=) "So happy". I will try and restrain myself at the airport, so that I won't embarrass him too much, but my heart will be overflowing. I can imagine that his will be considerably pulled as he will have left a little bit of it in Chile...we want it there.=) I mentioned to Fred that I was arranging for Jordan's official release through the stake executive secretary a few days ago and he got suddenly and overwhelmingly choked up. As happy as I am to be getting my boy back, I know it won't come without being accompanied by hard things. That, I don't look forward to.
Quote of the Week:
"So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. and never mix up your right foot with your left. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed..."--Dr. Seuss
From Jordan
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Elder Jordan
Date: Mon, Sep 17, 2012 at 2:28 PM
My dear calm and quiet Bloom... family,
LILY you are the crazy one!!!! ah ha bet you weren´t expecting that one. This week has been a good one. The weather has been a little weird in the mornings the sky is full of clouds and it is freezing cold but about 3:00 there is not a cloud in the sky and we are frying as we walk. But all is good this weekend has started the fiestas patrias. It is like the 4th of July for us but they celebrate for an entire week dancing cultural dances, making traditional food and eating BBQ everyday all day long. People are very patriotic here, if you are on a tall building, you can see thousands of Chilean Flags. It is actually pretty cool. On Saturday we had a ward party, we were in charge of decorating, and so of course it turned out splended. : ) Many people showed up and even a couple our investigators were part of the show in the evening. We played a bunch of typical Chilean games including tug of war, sack races and of course dancing the cueca, it is the Chilean national dance. We didn't dance of course but it is always fun to watch.
We found a family knocking doors that it iterested in learning more, there are 20 living in the same house, (cousins, aunts, nephews) a big family, which in not uncommon here. The couple that we are focusing on just had a little baby. They are super nice and are excited about learning more but we will see what happens. I love you a bunch times a bunch.
Love Elder ...
" When we talk about standards we aren`t talking about rules. Standards are requirement to have the Holy Ghost in our lives." --Elaine S. Dalton
From: Elder Jordan
Date: Mon, Sep 17, 2012 at 2:28 PM
My dear calm and quiet Bloom... family,
LILY you are the crazy one!!!! ah ha bet you weren´t expecting that one. This week has been a good one. The weather has been a little weird in the mornings the sky is full of clouds and it is freezing cold but about 3:00 there is not a cloud in the sky and we are frying as we walk. But all is good this weekend has started the fiestas patrias. It is like the 4th of July for us but they celebrate for an entire week dancing cultural dances, making traditional food and eating BBQ everyday all day long. People are very patriotic here, if you are on a tall building, you can see thousands of Chilean Flags. It is actually pretty cool. On Saturday we had a ward party, we were in charge of decorating, and so of course it turned out splended. : ) Many people showed up and even a couple our investigators were part of the show in the evening. We played a bunch of typical Chilean games including tug of war, sack races and of course dancing the cueca, it is the Chilean national dance. We didn't dance of course but it is always fun to watch.
We found a family knocking doors that it iterested in learning more, there are 20 living in the same house, (cousins, aunts, nephews) a big family, which in not uncommon here. The couple that we are focusing on just had a little baby. They are super nice and are excited about learning more but we will see what happens. I love you a bunch times a bunch.
Love Elder ...
" When we talk about standards we aren`t talking about rules. Standards are requirement to have the Holy Ghost in our lives." --Elaine S. Dalton
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Starting the Countdown...
I can't help myself--I've started counting down. As of today, Jordan has 21 more beautiful days in Chile! Last Tuesday we received his flight plans from his favorite missionary companion, who is now the executive secretary in the mission office. That was a FUN e-mail to to get! Mikayla asked me how excited I was and I told her that I haven't been this excited about anything since my babies were born. Just thinking about it literally raises my heart rate. I CAN HARDLY WAIT!!! My Georgie will be flying in to the Boise airport on October 2nd at 12:25 PM. All who are interested are certainly invited!
Sunday night there was a YSA broadcast fireside by Elder Holland. Fred, Mikayla and I watched it on the computer, and of course it was AMAZING! He spoke about standing for what we believe and at the same time making sure we are constantly making righteous judgments, not self righteous judgement. It was also about missionary work--isn't everything?!=)When it was over I marched right down the street and knocked on the door of a new YSA that I tried to see once and then have been procrastinating going back to. She was home and Fred, Mikayla and the twins were with me, so we had a nice, short visit. It gave me courage to go back again--soon. Elder Holland has the gift and the power of the Spirit to compel me to action. I want to be like him when I grow up.=)
Eden got asked to Homecoming. The young man actually called Fred a few days before he asked her, to get his permission. We were both very impressed. On Friday he called to see if there was some time that Eden would be out of the house and requested permission to decorate her room. Getting her out of the house wasn't a problem (Eden always has somewhere to go=) but getting her room clean in anticipation was a whole other challenge. It all worked out though. I just used the wicked stepmother approach and told her she could go to the boys soccer game "IF" she finished her chores. Of course the wicked stepmother characterization stopped there and we made sure if was possible and that she had help. That night the young man showed up with a friend (Elder Grow's grandson) and spent 45 minutes blowing up balloons and spreading M&M's in every nook and cranny. It was fun to listen to Eden's response when she came home that night and walked up to her room. It was silence and then a dawning and then excitement. I'm a happy mom because the young man gave Eden plenty of time to find a dress and Eden is happy because he's a gentleman and has been a fun date before. He seems like a good kid.
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Sunday night there was a YSA broadcast fireside by Elder Holland. Fred, Mikayla and I watched it on the computer, and of course it was AMAZING! He spoke about standing for what we believe and at the same time making sure we are constantly making righteous judgments, not self righteous judgement. It was also about missionary work--isn't everything?!=)When it was over I marched right down the street and knocked on the door of a new YSA that I tried to see once and then have been procrastinating going back to. She was home and Fred, Mikayla and the twins were with me, so we had a nice, short visit. It gave me courage to go back again--soon. Elder Holland has the gift and the power of the Spirit to compel me to action. I want to be like him when I grow up.=)
Eden got asked to Homecoming. The young man actually called Fred a few days before he asked her, to get his permission. We were both very impressed. On Friday he called to see if there was some time that Eden would be out of the house and requested permission to decorate her room. Getting her out of the house wasn't a problem (Eden always has somewhere to go=) but getting her room clean in anticipation was a whole other challenge. It all worked out though. I just used the wicked stepmother approach and told her she could go to the boys soccer game "IF" she finished her chores. Of course the wicked stepmother characterization stopped there and we made sure if was possible and that she had help. That night the young man showed up with a friend (Elder Grow's grandson) and spent 45 minutes blowing up balloons and spreading M&M's in every nook and cranny. It was fun to listen to Eden's response when she came home that night and walked up to her room. It was silence and then a dawning and then excitement. I'm a happy mom because the young man gave Eden plenty of time to find a dress and Eden is happy because he's a gentleman and has been a fun date before. He seems like a good kid.
Abe's charter school had a 7th Grade family outing at Christensen's Pond (which is a huge man made water slide pond engineered and maintained by a farmer for his family, but which he generously and often opens to the public. He doesn't charge a fee, but the groups that we have gone with have often asked for donations out of appreciation for his generosity. It would be a fun extended family outing some summer. The event did end on a melancholy note, however, for while we were watching the kids play in the water, we were also watching the farm crew harvest potatoes in the distant fields and soaking in that country goodness, when far out, Fred saw one of the fully loaded potato trucks back ends twist, while he was driving over the hilly terrain and then tip over completely. Somehow the cab stayed upright and so the driver was able to escape safely, but I am sure the truck and much of the loaded harvest were ruined. Here we were enjoying the generosity of the kindly farmer and his financial challenges had just been significantly altered. Life is just so full of so many hard things and so many beautiful things all going on simultaneously. I don't even know this man, but we sure felt both gratitude and sorrow for him that evening and still pray that things will work out to his benefit.
This week Young Artist choirs start and Abrahm is finally interested enough again to audition for Concert Choir, which is the touring group that Eden is a member of. He made it so "Terrific Tuesdays" will be starting again with 4 kids! We are trying hard to make them feel more like that than the "Terrible Tuesdays" that the older kids originally named them years ago when they were so much running. Eden will be auditioning for the highest choir, in front of that body, in the coming weeks, which will add another rehearsal day every week, if she makes it, but it is pure love with her so we'll make it happen somehow.
Stake conference is also coming up this weekend and I am sure we are in store for some amazing feasting--it always seems to be so readily available--so definitely a weekend to look forward to and then before we know if General Conference will be here. I have tried every avenue imaginable (other area priesthood leaders, friends with parents in the Tabernacle choir, even Jordan's old mission president) and have accumulated 2 priesthood tickets and 6 general session tickets. Not the utopia that I envisioned for our family vacation this year, but I am sure we can make it a positive experience nonetheless. I am especially disappointed that the boys won't be able to attend this priesthood session together (Jordan's first time back and Abrahm's first time ever), but I had no idea how difficult it was to get tickets so we are grateful for what we do have. I am sure that just being on temple square, for those of us who can't be inside the conference center, will be a spiritual experience. We'll just to have individual experiences instead of family ones.
Quote of the Week:
“If, then, I were asked for the most important advice I could give, that which I considered to be the most useful to the men of our century, I should simply say: in the name of God, stop a moment, cease your work, look around you.” ― Leo Tolstoy
This week Young Artist choirs start and Abrahm is finally interested enough again to audition for Concert Choir, which is the touring group that Eden is a member of. He made it so "Terrific Tuesdays" will be starting again with 4 kids! We are trying hard to make them feel more like that than the "Terrible Tuesdays" that the older kids originally named them years ago when they were so much running. Eden will be auditioning for the highest choir, in front of that body, in the coming weeks, which will add another rehearsal day every week, if she makes it, but it is pure love with her so we'll make it happen somehow.
Stake conference is also coming up this weekend and I am sure we are in store for some amazing feasting--it always seems to be so readily available--so definitely a weekend to look forward to and then before we know if General Conference will be here. I have tried every avenue imaginable (other area priesthood leaders, friends with parents in the Tabernacle choir, even Jordan's old mission president) and have accumulated 2 priesthood tickets and 6 general session tickets. Not the utopia that I envisioned for our family vacation this year, but I am sure we can make it a positive experience nonetheless. I am especially disappointed that the boys won't be able to attend this priesthood session together (Jordan's first time back and Abrahm's first time ever), but I had no idea how difficult it was to get tickets so we are grateful for what we do have. I am sure that just being on temple square, for those of us who can't be inside the conference center, will be a spiritual experience. We'll just to have individual experiences instead of family ones.
Quote of the Week:
“If, then, I were asked for the most important advice I could give, that which I considered to be the most useful to the men of our century, I should simply say: in the name of God, stop a moment, cease your work, look around you.” ― Leo Tolstoy
7TH GRADE OUTING AT CHRISTENSEN'S POND:
PAINTING (for hours) THEIR "READING BOX":
LABOR DAY AT POWELL'S SWEET SHOPPE...:
...AND AT THE PADDLE BOATS AT JULIA DAVIS PARK:
...AND AT THE STATE CAPITOL:
...AND AT THE OREGON TRAIL OVERLOOK:
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EDEN'S "INVITATION" TO HOMECOMING:
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