Reflections - What Truly Matters!

These past few weeks have been wonderful! Spending time with family! Lauren and I have been able to visit Matthew and Katie and 3 very cute grandkids in Ladera, Leslie and Stephanie and 5 very cute grandkids, and of course Neal, in Houston (we will catch Mike on the next run to Mesa), Lincoln, Mimi and Julianne in Sundance, and shortly we will see Elliott and Ginger and 4 very cute grandkids in Carmel. Are you noticing the trend - 12 very cute grandkids? Our six kids and their wonderful companions are equally great. We also began what is to be more common, some down time with my parents in Orange. It would be a little easier if we could consolidate locales with all in one geographic location, but oh well; at least we are blessed with air travel to visit in the 5 critical states. Needless to say, it has been "true joy." Our goal for 2006 was to simplify and to seek for more joy in our lives! Little did we know we would have an added impetus to help along the way! Don't ever doubt the love of the Savior and His awareness of each of us individually; and the tender mercies of His outstretched hand in all things. Gratefully, we are reliant upon Him in all things!

These past few weeks have been a time for reflection on that which truly matters! How blessed we are to enjoy the goodness and bounty of a loving Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, for every day is a gift and with each gift we receive greater joy. For the prayers of so many - thank you!

What began some 38+ years ago with a Spring Fling at Disneyland has become the genesis of our eternal family of 25, thus far. Notwithstanding, within our own myopia and/or within the commotion of all things, we often fail to think of the majesty of His plan that binds us all as one, as one eternal family linked through extended generations, both historic and prospective. The finite nature of what we can see or experience is often so limited if not viewed with the perspective and majesty of His grand eternal plan of happiness. Even so, how grateful we are for the blessings of family, and the eternal nature of such.

As we have been visiting everyone, my thoughts have reflected upon specific priorities or efforts that we have strived to preserve and promote during our 34+ years of marriage, each of which have formed the foundation of faith in our family. Some are listed below:

1. Loving Christ through emulation (charity and meekness)
2. Family and Individual Prayer (morning and evening)
3. An appreciation, understanding and knowledge of the scriptures
4. Regular Family Time (without interruption)
5. Obedience to gospel principles (loving and serving others)
6. Respecting our Home as a place of refuge and sanctuary
a. Kind words, no raised voices or shoes worn (it is truly a holy place)
7. An appreciation of the Temple and the promises and blessings therein
a. Regular attendance
8. Uplifting music
9. Maintaining a house of order (D&C 88:119)
10. Tending to that which matters most; that of eternal consequence and not reacting to the things that matter not at all.
11. Loving each other

Sorry for the lengthy blog. I guess this happens when your mind goes away and when partially restored, you begin to think; you try to remember and reflect upon the core values and standards that bring you back and define who you really are, even to those things that really matter. I love and appreciate each of you, grateful for the joy in our lives.

Home Again - Sundance!

The wonders of Sundance never cease. It has been a wonderful weekend spent in Sundance. Views from this morning were spectaular. With long walks through Elk Meadow, picturesque vistas, great food and time with Lincoln and Mimi and Julianne, quiet time reading by the fire, listening to good music and spending time with Lauren. Life is truly grand!



Winter has begun, although we just missed the snowstorm. It will have to wait until Christmas!




It's off to Houston this next weekend for Miles' blessing, then on to Carmel to meet Sophie! Every day is a precious gift!!! 

Mom's New Toy!

The long awaited photos are in. Here is Mom's latest toy! Cool, huh! Who wants to go for a ride?

Twofer in Houston! No problems in Houston

We spent a couple of days in Houston with two of our three gorgeous daughters and their perfect children (as quoted by Leslie, and they are!). The weather was nice and it was brief, but fun. Miles continues to fatten up, and Audrey, Parker, Mabel and Oliver had fun with each other. Neal spent most of his time working. Memories were refreshed and we look forward to Christmas and Hawaii. Back in two weeks for Miles' blessing.

Visitors to the Happiest Place on Earth!

Roger and Stacy and their four kids spent most of the week with us. Not really, they spent most of it at Disneyland. It was good to see them and spend what little free time they had.

Pa's New Toy!

Mom wanted me to post our recent acquisition. A celebratory gift for the closing of Sunchase and Moneyline.

US Tour!

Given recent events, we have modified our calendar through the end of the year. Here is our itinerary for the next few months. All things are subject to change, but we believe the following to be 99% true.

Oct 19-Oct 21 Houston
Oct 26-Oct 29 Sundance
Nov 2-Nov 5 Houston
Nov 6 Carmel
Nov 7-Nov 8 Peoria
Nov 9-Nov 10 Carmel
Nov 16-Nov 18 Mesa
Nov 20-Dec 4 Carmel
Dec 18 Las Vegas
Dec 19-Jan ? Sundance
January ? Houston
Mar 18-Mar 28 Kauai/Maui

Surely February will bring another tour to Indy, Utah and Arizona. Love to you all!

New York, New York!

We arrived on US soil yesterday morning, after a spectacular entry into New York harbor early Saturday morning. The view of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan, lit up during the pre-dawn was a sight to behold. It has truly been an amazing journey accross the North Atlantic. Graciously, the Harris' picked us up at the Brooklyn pier and are now treating us to the quaint and wonderful environs of the Harris B&B.

It is a beautiful fall in Carmel (NY), great for quiet evenings and wonderful walks.

We are looking forward to a couple of final days of rest before we re-engage, albeit on a significantly different course, when we return Tuesday evening. Life is grand and we are anxious to see everyone. Thanks for the prayers, as miracles never cease and the tender mercies of a loving Heavenly Father continue to abound. We are well and grateful for the renewed perspective of that which matters most. We will call all today between meeting schedules or tomorrow night.

We have posted pictures of the unique places and landscapes of our journey on each of the previous blogs! We tried to post them here, but to no avail.

Security Breach in St. John's! Revisited!

We landed at St. John's, Newfoundland this morning around 10:30am. A quaint little Newfie town that is reputed as the eastern most point of the North American continent. After a walk through the downtown area and a taxi ride to Signal Hill, a lookout point at the entrance to the harbor we returned to the ship. Just in the nick of time, as there was a security breach once we boarded. After about a 7 1/2 hour passage at the dock we were cleared and were able to depart the dock. Many passengers were stranded onshore while they undertook a complete search of the ship, both above the water and below (with divers). Fortunately, all turned out well and we are bound for New York. 2 days at sea and then docking in Brooklyn. We will post pictures from the Harris when we arrive on Saturday. St. John's is a nice place to visit, but not a place to linger long. We are well and love you all!

Sundance in St. John's.

Icebergs!!! Revisited

We woke up this morning after a very rough night at sea to see a beautiful sunrise over Greenland. It's one of those places that you never thought you'd see and when you do it doesn't seem real! We got to the harbor at Qaqortoq about 9:00 and took a tender into the little village. There were icebergs everywhere in the fjord - for those of you that have read that great book The Greenlanders we were in the same fjord as the Eastern Settlement back in the 1200's. There wasn't much to see or do except admire the native Inuit in their lovely costumes and but some souvenirs. The village is filled with multicolored houses all up the side of a cliff. Very little vegetation, just granite mountains, the fjord and icebergs. We took some great pictures and now we have a day at sea until we get to Newfoundland. We realized today that everywhere we go on this cruise is a land - England, Ireland, Scotland, Iceland, Greenland and Newfoundland. All great Viking country with very rough seas! Being in Greenland today made the fact that the Norse colony lasted from 980 to 1500 even more incredible. Hope you are all well. It was great for Dad to talk to all of you yesterday! Will post again on Wed. nite. Mom

Icebergs




More Icebergs

Qaqotoroq, Greenland