It's been a quiet week. A couple of our appointments fell through, and we had mostly meetings, so not much new to report. The weather is perfect as always, if a bit humid. Some of you saw the pictures of our trip to San Francisco on Monday. We wondered why the traffic was light and the parking lot where we went to see an art show was so empty. We found out pretty quick that a lot of things are closed on Mondays, probably because they have busy weekends. But seeing the Japanese garden and walking around Golden Gate Park was nice. We found a bakery that makes really good sandwiches (ALMOST as good as Kneaders) where we had dinner, and had a nice day.
We went out to a really good fish market restaurant that is local for Dad's birthday dinner. Dad had salmon and I had a fish I have never had before, rock fish. It was mild and nice. The next day we had zone training, and we had bought a cake and ice cream from Costco and shared them with the missionaries. They sang Happy Birthday to him. It was fun. The home we met at was amazing. The guy owned an airline and sold it, but remains as a CEO. They're worth zillions. They had a putting green in their back yard, plus the obligatory pool, etc. Very nice people. They talked to the missionaries about what an impact their missions have on their families, as they just had a son return from a mission. They encouraged them to write their experiences in detail every week, because it helped those at home to be a part of the mission experience. I hope that you all feel a part of ours as we blog. I know it really helps us to hear back from you each week.
We went to two firesides, one with a lady from Palestine, who is a member, and at first was the only member in Bethlehem, where she is from. She told how she would have to sneak through the city each Sunday to go to church, and how dangerous it was. It's still dangerous for Palestinians to live in Israel, but she has a very strong faith. She kind of got after us Americans for not appreciating our freedoms! And she's right, we really do take it for granted. She talked about forgiveness, and how she has been able to forgive the Israeli soldiers for the atrocities she has witnessed. Amazing woman.
Then last night we heard Elizabeth Smart speak. She, too, is amazing. She talked about the nine months she was held captive, and how she has been able to overcome all of that to move forward with her life. When they were still living in the camp above her home, they had to walk about a mile to a stream to get water. They ran out, but the kidnapper wouldn't let them go get water because they could hear the search party all around them. One night she woke up in the middle of the night, and didn't know what woken her. She found a yellow cup by her bed that was full of water. She looked at the milk jugs they used to keep water, and they were empty. As she drank, she felt the love of Heavenly Father. She never felt abandoned by Him. When she was finally found on the street in SLC nine months later, they handcuffed her and took her to a police station. She didn't know what was happening, and thought she was going to prison. But she thought, "anything will be better than how we have been living. At least I'll get 2 or 3 meals a day, and a real bed and a shower." She hadn't had a bath since she was taken. Then her dad walked in, and she knew she was safe.
Saturday was the Relay for Life, and we made luminaries for Grandpa Crockett, Carol and the Senior Missionary we work with who has cancer. It was a hot day, so we only walked for awhile in the relay, but it was good to see so much community support in the fight against cancer. We reflected on all the people we know who have battled that disease, and hope these types of fundraisers really are helping to win the war against it. Here we are with our luminary bags. Dad drew a Harley on Carol's, and Elder Layton was a forest ranger, so he drew one on his bag.
I can't find the picture! So I'll post this and then look for it.
Here we are!
Hope you had a good birthday Dad! We love you!!
ReplyDeleteI read Elizabeth Smart's book and she included that story along with other little miracles that happened to her. Simply amazing! I know her story is helping so many people. As sad and horrific as those 9 months were, I think she was chosen to go through it. She has done so many wonderful things and she is sooo intelligent!
I shared your picture on Dave's cancer page and everyone is raving about it. It's wonderful you included Carol, thank you.
Sounds like you had a fun week. Is the pool problem getting any better? Probably not, it's only the middle of summer.
Everything is good here. I participated today in the indexing project. They wanted 10,000 indexers in 24 hours they got 66,417. Pretty cool.
I went on my first charity motorcycle ride with Dave on Saturday. It was amazing. There were probably 70 bikes, (which I was told was nothing, the last one Dave went on there were probably more that 200) It was way cool to see everyone's faces as the saw us all in a big line. It was so hot though, I think I drank about 5 gallons of water and it still wasn't enough. We went up East Canyon and ended up at Jordanelle where they had fireworks and dancing.
Kids are having a blast this summer, sleepovers and parties all the time. We are going to a Bees game on the 24th, we're super excited for.
Well, love you all.
Erin, I would love to borrow that Elizabeth Smart book, if you own it. see you tomorrow!
DeleteIs there something tomorrow that I have forgotten about? I'm not trying to be nosy, just making sure I'm not being an idiot. :)
DeleteLOL! No, Erin comes to clean every other Wednesday. It helps me so much and it helps her with a little extra dough! You're not being an idiot or nosy :) Love you sis!!!
DeleteErin, sounds like your summer is a lot of fun. What charity do the bikers support? That sounds awesome. Glad the kids are having a great summer also. Party, party, party! Good for them. I'm so proud of you for indexing. Sounds like you are enjoying it. It sure helps a lot of people who are trying to find their families. Dad got on Family Search yesterday and discovered someone in his family has merged some records and ended up wiping out all his Hardy line! They show Great Grandma Crockett as one of the Crockett children, and married to her brother! Yikes! He is going to call his cousin and find out how to get it straightened out, hopefully.
DeleteI merged some records also, but had proof the merge was correct, and now I have parents for my great grandma Kinney, Mary Elizabeth Knight. So merging can be good if it's done right. Like I'm an expert, right?! Anyway, we have time in the day to work on our genealogy once in awhile, so that's what we do.
Have fun at the Bees game tomorrow. Take some pictures of the fireworks for me! Going to a San Francisco Giants game is on Dad's bucket list before we leave here. (yawn)
What a great post, Mom! I'm so happy to hear all that is happening, and yes, it is a wonderful thing for you to share your experiences. I feel a part of the mission for sure. I need to share more with the kids.
ReplyDeleteSo here's my update: I got to participate in the Pioneer Concert, as you know. It was one of the most fun concerts I've participated in. Santino Fontana is such a personable and funny guy. He was great Friday, but even better on Saturday, musically and the things he said. I wish they would tape the second night concerts instead of the first night like they always do. We do so much better the second night.
Things are coming along with my Christmas Committee. The choir president has been so supportive and has called about 8 additional people to help me. I'll have quite a large committee, but many hands make light work. We start meeting in August to plan.
School preparations are moving along too. I spend all day, every day planning, and I have spent so much money, I'm sure Rob is thinking, "Are you volunteering your time and money to this?" And so far, I am! Of course I won't get paid very much either when my salary starts, but the benefits are great, and I'm excited to be able to contribute a little to the running of the household. I also feel like this is something I am meant to do, and I am already feeling a lot of satisfaction from it and I haven't even met my kids! That's when things will get interesting and fun!
Rob is doing well. He is feeling less pressure now that Scout Camp is over and that he has spoken to Dr. Luke about everything at the office. It was actually just last night that Rob notified Luke about the lay off. I think Luke took it well, and is going to thank Rob later for this. Rob also has his new associate ready to rock and roll at the end of August. It's going to be great for Rob.
Jennifer is doing OK. She went back to her prescriber this morning and was put back on zoloft, put on Lamotragine (as I am going off it!) and given Xanax. This will be an interesting experiment, but I feel good about it. I think it's going to work. Her anxiety is seriously her biggest problem. A lot of her depression is a result of the anxiety, so treating that will help even her out, I think. Brandon is doing OK with it all. I just got off the phone with him, and I think he's just anxious to see Jen well. He knows it will be a process though.
Katie is doing OK. She is working on school, and her boyfriend is helping her with the math, so that's good. The "time to grow up" plan is going along fine. lol I think she needs a phone call from her Grandparents though. hint hint
Caleb got his phone for his birthday Saturday, and since we are camping next week, he won the battle over the timing of it all. He's glued to it, but obeying all the rules and having a great time being in touch with his friends. Especially the girls. lol
Carson and his posse of girls are hanging out all the time. They go to the District and play games at everyone's houses. He is enjoying his summer!
Scotch is furry and funny-looking, but happy in his cool house and well-supplied treat bucket.
That's about it for us! We'll be camping with the family starting next Thursday. I can't believe it's almost here. It seemed so far away when we scheduled it!
Love you all and talk to you soon.
I must have typed and posted my post while you were doing yours! I'm glad that Jen is doing better. I having been thinking about her a lot. I also think her combination of meds is interesting (in a good way) and I am curious to see how it works for her. I sincerely hope that it does and that she finds relief soon.
DeleteTo me it sounds like your week wasn't very quiet at all! LOL! I love that you participated in the Relay for Life. They have done that in Magna before at the park right down the street from us.
ReplyDeleteOur camping trip was fun and eventful! We got up to Moosehorn and found a great spot, set up camp and then were told about 2 hours later that someone had already come up earlier that morning, paid for it, and left (without a tent or anything to show that they had been there. Didn't know you could do that, but apparently you can.) Luckily, someone down the road decided who had 3 sites reserved decided not to use one of them, so they let us have it and we paid them for it instead of the camp host. Camp host was not happy about that arrangement, but we were a little mad at her, so Shawn did his "I'm not going to take no for an answer thing" and we got away with it. Anyway, we packed up again and moved to the new site (which was not nearly as nice, in fact the driveway was so sloped we were constantly worried about the trailer rolling down the hill.) and set up again. After that whole fiasco, we had a great time. It was fun to just be there as a family. We played lots of games and we absolutely LOVE the trailer. It's just awesome. We just need to figure out a few little technical difficulties and we will be set for our next one coming up in just two weeks. Yay for summer!
I don't own the book Amy, just borrowed it from the library :)
ReplyDeleteK, so I only wrote down what I was supposed to bring up camping for dinner on Saturday night, not Friday. Am I just doing Dutch Oven potatoes? Or am I doing something else too? And I said something about ice cream and marshmallows I think, but I don't remember what. Megan did you write everything down? lol Where's Mom when we need her!!!
ReplyDeleteI didn't write all of it down, but I did do some of it. Here is what I have: Friday night - Erin is bringing the chicken and bbq sauce, Amy is bringing the dutch oven potato stuff and I am bringing rolls and watermelon. For Saturday I only wrote down that I am doing the pork and bringing black beans and that Amy is pretty much bringing everything else and possibly those cafe rio tin things. I don't remember what we said about Erin that night. Tortillas? Chips, maybe? lol We are so pathetic. I also don't remember anything about ice cream or marshmallows, so I say we just bring desserts to share each night and call it good. Was somebody doing a cobbler or something? Is that why we might have talked about ice cream? I seem to remember someone saying that the cobbler isn't worth it because everybody is usually so full from dinner that nobody eats it. Besides, my kids don't like it anyway. (Big surprise there) . Mom! We miss you and your day planner!
DeleteIs someone bringing briquettes and lighter fluid? I think we might have a bag of briquettes, but I'm not sure about the lighter fluid.
DeleteYou gals are so funny! We've loved all your comments. It's so great to hear about what is going on in your lives. If my posts help you feel a part of the mission, yours help us feel a part of your families activities. We appreciate it so much. We just need to hear from T this week! I'm sure she's feeling about like we are at this point - a little sad at not being at the family camp.
ReplyDeleteWish I could help with the organizing, but know you will all do great and turn out wonderful. The meals sound super. I want to be part of it but then remember how tired all the planning and packing and cooking makes me! We will be happy to join you all in a couple of years as guests! We'll spend the day and drive back to our cozy beds at night! Hope it all turns out great, and that the weather is good. It'll feel super to be in the mountains when it's been so hot in the valley, right? Are Bruce and Cailee coming with you this year?
Hope Jenny's meds work well for her. She and Brandon are being very strong. We continue to pray for them. We will call Katie for sure. We missed a Skype call from Caleb last night. We were out visiting. We hope he tries again soon.
Sorry the Shipley camp trip started out so badly, but glad it ended well. Sounds like you had a great time. Hope you get the bugs worked out in the camper. Rob and Amy will be able to help with that when you're all up there together.
Wish I could be a fly on the wall in your classroom this fall, Amy! Sounds like you will be super prepared, and the kids will feel your enthusiasm and love their time in your classroom. We sure enjoyed the pioneer concert. It looked like a lot of fun.
Love you all, and miss you.
Here I am!! I keep thinking "I need to comment on the blog" but by the end of the day, you would not believe how sick of sitting in this chair I am. And brain dead. And hurt all over. So this will be kinda short.
ReplyDeleteMom and Dad, another great week it sounds like. So neat that you got to hear Elizabeth Smart speak. I heard an interview with her on some NPR show and she is a very smart (heh) and amazing young lady. Those luminaries are really special. I am thinking about an October visit, at least from me (during Canadian Thanksgiving).
Erin you've been busy, too! I was wondering "what the heck is indexing" but then I read further down and think I get it :) I loved reading Shalee's post a few weeks ago, too. Give Dave and the rest of your fam a hug from me.
Meg I loved your blog about your camping trip. Moosehorn is where Dave and I spent a few more days after last year's family camping trip and we really liked it. It's so nice and cool being that high up and that lake is really lovely. I think I remember the campground "hosts" never ever being around. Like they were gone all day every day and the bathrooms maybe got cleaned once while we were there. They sound lame. Glad you ended up having fun, though! And your hike adventure was so fun to read!
Glad to hear news about Jenn, Amy. I keep meaning to reply to your lovely long email you sent me with all of your amazing insights and moving thoughts, and I still will, but I'm glad still for the update and I love hearing about your other family members, too. You are all amazing! I can't wait to see if you get a website for your classroom.
So, I see I typed "you're" instead of "your" (I fixed it). See What I Mean?!? I'm actually looking forward to dusting the house next. HAHAHA. So love to you all and have fun camping without me ;)