Oh, Happy Day!

It was just like Christmas... The anticipation was there, the work to make it happen was there, and the joy of realization was there. The big event? Delivery day! Our new furniture arrived and the vision and dream was finally rolling out. To think that it all has evolved from a print that I have had and loved for over a year! We had the print framed and it is now ready to be the focus of our new room. We did some final touch-ups the morning of the delivery, after we finished the painting the night before. Talk about the advantages of working towards a goal! We knew the furniture was on its way and we had to be ready. . .The room is painted "New England Gold"- more yellow than I thought it would be but we love it. Every time I look into the room, it makes me smile, because it is so sunny and bright.

And then the furniture arrived and the rug was unrolled and we were on our way to a new room!!

As you can see, the plastic wrap is still on the shades while we see how we like them- and we do! I couldn't believe that I found just the right "red and shiny little shades" that Julie suggested as an alternative to buying a chandelier. And, they match the lampshades that David and I had already picked out for table lamps.

We saw these shiny red shades with shiny gold embroidery, looked at other more traditional ones, and decided to get out of our "comfort zone" and go with the ones we liked from the first. (David is reading a book called Blink and the premise is to go with your first impression because over- analyzing doesn't give you a better result. So, we bought them!)

To complete the look, David installed custom 2-inch blinds and will put white trim around the windows in the future.

The room is a "work in progress" as we look for tables and other accessories, so we'll show you the finished product when it is done. For now, though, we LOVE our new living room! David's brother, Don, came over the other day and all he could say was "Wow, it looks great!" Coming from him, we take it as a big compliment.

And, in case you're wondering about the tables from the living room, they look great in the basement!

The rest of the story of the living room makeover is that we didn't sell the old furniture on KSL.com or Craig's List, but we found the one right buyer and kept the furniture in the family! Don and Kris bought the sofa and loveseat for their big "playroom" in their former racquetball court. They have a comfy room with seating for the spectators watching all the action on the miniature golf course and at the ping pong table, etc. . . . Now, could we interest anyone in a beautiful wing-back recliner!

Oh, say, does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave...

This morning, we ventured out early to go to the first day of the Downtown Farmers Market in Salt Lake. As we drove down the hill, the street was lined with flags that the Scouts had put out. Oh, yeah, it's Flag Day-June 14. I can't think of Flag Day without thinking of visiting Ft. McHenry, near Baltimore, Maryland, when we took our kids for an American History trip to Washington, D.C. and other historic places back East. At the Fort, we watched a movie about Fort McHenry and the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812. The movie told about Francis Scott Key writing the "Star Spangled Banner" and the song was played at the end of the movie. To my great surprise, the huge black-out drapes were opened to show a gigantic American flag waving in the breeze. It was a spectacular sight and the National Anthem playing brought tears to my eyes. What a great memory! Oh yeah, it was Flag Day that day, as well.

Opinions, Platelets, and Fighting Tarantulas...

The other night, I was listening to a talk show on the radio and people were calling in sharing ways they are making extra money to make ends meet or pay for gas. There were some pretty creative money-making schemes. Here are some of the best- completing on-line surveys (you can make money for that?), doing online tutoring (math and science are in demand but tutors in other subjects are needed, too), selling platelets (pays more than plasma), participating in drug trials or medical trials (remember doing an allergy drug trial, Emily?), parents charging room and board for teen-age kids who have jobs, and the most creative one, raising fighting tarantulas for pet stores. It was all pretty interesting!

It made me think about the whole economic situation in the U.S., as well as throughout the world. So many people are scratching their heads and wondering what is going on. (They're doing the same for all the natural disasters and conflicts throughout the world.) As members of the Church, we quietly acknowledge and understand exactly what is going on. We have ancient guidebooks that have given us insight as well as modern-day insight from prophets, apostles, and other leaders. How grateful I am for prophets of God and Church leaders who have been giving us counsel and guidance for just such a day. We’ve heard for years and years about being prepared financially, avoiding debt, using a budget, building a reserve, and, first and most important of all, paying our tithing and offerings. We are so blessed to have had watchmen on the towers preparing us for these latter days.

Even though there may be big money in raising fighting tarantulas, I think I’ll follow the Prophet on this one.

Life is Not Supposed to be a Collection of Travelogues

Life is not supposed to be just a collection of travelogues, but lately it seems that my life has been exactly that- a trip to help Amy and family with new baby, Gideon, a credit union trip to Washington, D.C. for an update on Governmental Affairs, a trip to California for Gideon’s blessing and other adventures, and in the past few days, a trip to St. George- thank you Smedley Plumbing, Heating, and Air!

Likewise, testimonies are not supposed to be a travelogue. But as I sat in
Testimony Meeting last Sunday, I was seriously tempted to tell about our St. George experiences as a part of my testimony. I had a number of

spiritual impressions as we spent 4 days in Utah's "Color Country." As we hiked and traveled around warm and radiant Southern Utah, we rejoiced in the beauty and the awesome nature of Heavenly Father’s creations.
Though we live in this telestial world, breathtaking beauty is there to be found and savored, sometimes around every bend, and it feels like a little piece of heaven on earth.

As we traveled down to St. George, we took a detour, knowing that

sometimes detours bring us to places where we learn lessons that can

not be found along the freeways of life. After following a dirt road to the middle of nowhere, we found ourselves standing before an abandoned gigantic beehive-shaped oven, crumbling foundations, and a brick smokestack-chimney. Here, we came to understand the sacrifice, hardship, and faith of Saintly pioneers, called by a prophet of the Lord

to a mission to make iron- a necessary building block of settling the

challenging frontier of Utah’s Dixie.

A little farther down the road, we overlooked a beautiful mountain meadow where we were impressed with the necessity of being guided by the Spirit. When local Church leaders engaged in suspicions, distrust, and rivalries, rather than making decisions by the Spirit of the Lord, it led to a terribly tragic situation which has been deeply mourned as a major scar on pioneer and Church history. With emotion, we also visited a sacred mound, hallowed and dedicated by the Church to honor those who were murdered in this beautiful valley.

More lessons in faith, obedience, hard work, and enduring through extreme trials were learned at each of the historic sites of the Church in the St. George area. At the Jacob Hamblin Home, we learned about listening to the Spirit, the blessings of being a peacemaker, and the great worth of a man’s word.

At the Brigham Young Winter Home, our testimonies were strengthened concerning the vision of a prophet of God, whether he is directing the settlement of a territory, building temples, or leading the Church in these latter days.

At the Tabernacle, we learned of great miracles, listening to the Spirit, prophetic pronouncements and promises, and the blessings of absolute obedience to the counsel of a prophet of God.

Lorenzo Snow stood at this very pulpit, was instructed as he was speaking and, in the name of the Lord, taught a powerful principle with a promise to the Saints. The principle and the promised blessing tested their faith and patience, but the Lord did pour out blessings upon those faithful Saints and he continues to pour out blessings upon all faithful Saints.

Elder Doug Hansen gave us a wonderful tour of the Tabernacle and then Sister Linda Hansen joined us for a photo-op and some "catching up" on our kids and grandkids and sharing missionary experiences.

At the St. George Temple Visitors Center, we were exceedingly touched by the magnificent sculptures of “The Healing Power of Jesus Christ.” Opera singer turned sculptor, Angela Johnson found her truest gift in portraying our Savior in healing the leper, raising Lazarus, refusing to condemn the woman taken in sin, teaching about priorities and choosing that "better part," and in other stunning bronzes. This one depicts Jesus walking on the water in the Sea of Galilee.

In the St. George Temple, we reflected on the awesome faith, dedication, sacrifice, and hard work of those pioneers who gave who gave their all to build a temple of God in the red sand wilderness, providing an opportunity for saving ordinances for the living and the dead.

Our final lessons came as we detoured on our way home, visiting

Cove Fort. Once again, we learned of faith, hard work, obedience

and the value of a man’s word. We learned why Cove Fort was so beloved by President Hinckley. His roots were firmly planted in the sandy soil of the this barren plain, where his grandfather raised a righteous family, spread good will among his neighbors both near and far, and infused the lightof the gospel into his family and posterity. And, we saw first-hand, evidence of a miracle, surely by the hand of the Lord, in saving Cove Fort from the ravages of last summer’s wildfire that burned within 12 feet of the barn and Fort. The historic site was safe, while grassland, crops, trees, structures, and animals all around were devastated.

We did have a memorable St. George experience. We had lots of fun times, as you can see.

(These pictures brought back memories of travels with our kids-

fun in the dunes at White Sands, wading in the river at the beginning of the Zion Narrows, and the classic statement of

teenage boredom, "If you've seen one red rock, you've seen them all.")

Yes, this is another travelogue- but it is one that’s filled with gratitude for the awesome beauty of Heavenly Father’s creations, for many life lessons learned, and for joyful spiritual experiences- a time for our eyes to truly see and our hearts to truly understand the power and glory of God.

Goodbye 70's!

We enjoyed a wonderful lunch today, hosting David's parents, his brothers Gary and Don, and Don's wife, Kris. The occasion?. . . a dreaded letter from the IRS saying that they were auditing a tax return and the resulting necessity of consulting with the "family CPA." But, it gave us a great excuse to "party." After all, it was Don's BD yesterday (in addition to Trevor's!) and it was a belated Mother's Day gift for David's mom. I fixed a lunch that I usually never get because I always grab a PB&J, a bowl of cereal, or whatever is handy. So, we enjoyed Chicken and Wild Rice Soup, tossed salad with a "melange" of fruit, hot blueberry muffins, a fruit plate of gigantic blackberries, blueberries, watermelon, and fresh pineapple, and soda cracker pie. YUM!!

It was such a treat to have Kris join us, because she has been so sick for so long, with a still undiagnosed condition. But, she is doing better and it was great to see her!! Another bonus was that Kris, a once aspiring interior designer with a wonderful flair and eye for decorating, told David that we had to get rid of the 70's tables, lamps, and chandelier if we were getting new furniture. Wahoo! It took an "expert" to help David see the light! After everyone left, he said, "Well, chandeliers are not that expensive [at Lowe's or Home Depot] and I can get one hooked up." Double wahoo!!

Thank you, Kris! . . . Goodbye 70's!

It's The Real Deal!

So here's the scoop. . . this awesome living room set can currently be seen at http://www.ksl.com/ To check it out, you click on "Classified". . . "Furniture". . . "Couches, Loveseats, and Sectionals." It actually looks pretty good. In fact, it made me a little wistful, but only for about a couple seconds. Make way for the new room!

A Name and a Blessing... and Other Associated Experiences

What a great blessing it is for a young father, an authorized holder of the Priesthood of God, to take his infant son in his arms, be joined by other worthy priesthood holders, and give his son a name and a special blessing, as directed by the Spirit of the Lord! It was our great blessing to join with Tom and Amy and their family and Tom’s parents, Brad and Sharol, for this significant occasion. Gideon David was the baby so blessed and Jacob and Allison were the proud brother and sister. Though our numbers were few, when compared to the hoards of family and friends that often gather for such occasions in Utah, our joy was multiplied and it filled our hearts as our “little family” shared this event together.

In order to be at the blessing, we drove down to Southern California on Friday, April 11th.

On Saturday, we had the fun of all working together to paint the new master bedroom that Tom has built. It is a beautiful fennel green and will have white trim- very light, airy, and very

classy- and it will be a wonderful “retreat” for Tom and Amy.

Everyone got into the act- Jacob and Allison mopped the floors and Jacob paints a mean wall!
The dynamic Grandma duo painted, fixed meals, and tended Gideon.
Can you tell that David and Tom painted the popcorn ceiling?

Later in the week, David and Jacob painted the baseboards and Tom painted the doors, so by the time we left, it was getting pretty exciting!

There's nothing like a little music and dancing to recover from a hard day of painting! After all, isn't that what the pioneers did?

We had a multitude of experiences during the week we were there. The best part was spending time with Tom, Amy, and family. In the mornings, Amy and I would go for a little jog and Jacob, Allison, and Gideon would snuggle up with Grandpa and read stories- no complaints from the “peanut gallery” and it was a highlight for Grandpa.

David and I had a couple of outings by ourselves during the week. Visiting the Getty Villa in Malibu was an amazing experience. It is a re-creation of an excavated villa in Herculaneum, a city that was buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, much like Pompeii. It was built to house J. Paul Getty’s collection of Greek, Roman, and Etruscan ancient art, but the villa itself and the grounds were the highlights for us. We took great two tours, as well.

We also went to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. I have to admit that I came out of there understanding what a great President and great person Ronald Reagan was. He was a man of integrity and values, whether he was in Hollywood,

in the Governor’s office, or the White House.

I loved the special exhibition of Nancy Reagan’s gowns and dresses worn

during the White House years. It was a fun afternoon.

Tom was really busy with a big project at work, so the rest of us kept ourselves busy with a shopping and lunch excursion, playing and picnicking at the beach, and experiencing

the fun and fabulous Noah’s Ark at a Jewish Cultural Center and Museum.

Here you can see the animals hanging out!

This elephant roared into life with a little help from Jacob.
And Allison cleaned up after the animals, with a little help from Amy.
It's a bummer of a job, but somebody's got to do it.
While the kids worked and played hard, Grandma and Amy supervised and took pictures, Grandpa and Gideon chilled out on a comfy swing.
As a bonus at the Museum, there was a Bob Dylan exhibit on loan from the Experience Music Project in Seattle- not too much fun for the kids until we ended up in an interactive gallery where we could re-mix Dylan songs, jam on guitars and drums, sing the vocals on hit songs, etc. Jacob and Allison loved it and we discovered that Jacob must have been a drummer in the pre-existence. Nobody had to teach him how to play! He jammed for at least half an hour!
We had a great afternoon at Ventura Beach, even though it was a little chilly.
We found a somewhat sheltered little nook and made castles in the sand.
Allison can't believe Jacob's awesome biceps!

We also had the fun of helping Amy celebrate her 30th birthday while we were there. It was a party for several days and one night, we tended for Tom’s big birthday surprise,
a date-night with Amy to attend “Wicked” in downtown L.A.
On our way home, we visited Death Valley. It was very different from what we had expected and very interesting- such a variety of terrains. I guess we really didn't get an understanding of the reason for Death Valley's notorious name since it was a little cool- even in Furnace Creek. There were dunes. . .

seemingly sculptured vistas. . .

The Devil's Golfcourse (a salty wasteland). . .

and the lowest point on the continent.

We saw Borax Canyon and toured the (mini) Borax Museum, hiked through some pretty great scenery, crunched on the salt flats, and toured Scotty’s Castle, where the guide did not “break character” for the 1 ½ hour tour. We just stepped back into the 1930’s to see the home of a world class con artist and his rich friend, who didn’t give a darn if he was duped.

We also stopped over in Las Vegas for a couple of nights. We had never seen all the big new resorts and attractions, so we thought it would be a fun diversion. I was pretty blown away by the Bellagio- especially the atrium (or conservatory).

We also enjoyed the Venetian- a little deja vous with its canals, gondolas, singing gondoliers,

and a mini St. Mark’s Square- minus the pigeons!

It was a little slice of heaven- enjoying the Bellagio fountains and Italian gelato.

Pretty amazing- Paris is in the background.

We stayed at the Orleans Resort, about a mile from the Strip. I found it for $55.00 a night on the internet, so we really wondered what it would be like. It was fabulous- a huge plush room, a wonderful fitness center, hot tub and pool, and a delicious, expansive, and inexpensive buffet. In addition, I had gotten some family names ready and we did an endowment session at the Las Vegas Temple and then were asked to stay and do a sealing session.

It was a great ending for a wonderful trip with lots of fun and meaningful experiences, lots of loving, and even some learning thrown in for good measure.