Each month, I add a new house on my kitchen windowsill to mark the time that Tim has served as a missionary. I think of the people he has met, and the many houses he has entered.
This display was marketed as an advent calendar, but the anticipation of placing a new house each month might actually be more exciting than counting down the days until Christmas.
I like to find ways to mark our days. Sometimes it’s impossible to convey all that has come during a period of time, but somehow, these little houses hold my secrets.
This photo doesn’t represent how they were really sitting before the camera entered the room. It is more like a study in awkwardness. 😂
Mark’s summer schedule is pretty clear this month, then ramps up in July and August. We have seen a lot of his friends in June, and despite all the time together, we haven’t thought to capture a picture of these kids in their habitat in our basement. Of course, when we thought to take the photo, the pose wasn’t ideal, but all well. In two blinks one of these friends will be away at college. In a few more blinks, they will be serving missions.
Fitting everything into 400 cubic feet of space for shipping. ✔️
A good friend is moving to Brazil, and a few of us gathered to help. I have spent so much time with this friend over the years, and I have maybe three photos to show for it. I wish I had taken pictures of the fun things we did together.
Today I played violin at my friend Helen’s graveside service in the rain, then we said goodbye to Paige and Michael at the airport. So, tonight I just want to revisit memories full of smiling faces.
Double Arch
Dead Horse PointDead Horse PointNeedles OverlookNewspaper RockLunch by Newspaper Rock
I will never get tired of seeing all of these faces, even if it’s only possible through a video call because of distance.
Utah, Guam, Alabama…these are places we never guessed we would be. Our family is open to change, and this has enriched our life experiences. Sometimes, despite loving a place or a situation, we have left because we felt led to do it.
I have learned to not identify myself by where I live or even what I do. It can all change very quickly.
December in AprilBack to work after a few days off for wisdom teeth removalMy dad and RichardEggs ready with scriptures and candy before we added glow sticks for a night Easter egg hunt for teens.CousinsSpring Lake at night
Our lives feel like they are on pause in this endless winter with so much snow that our canyon is closed.
We watched general conference all weekend. For us, this looks like Legos and blocks on the floor, blankets on the sofas and chairs, a whiteboard and markers for making summaries of talks, and so many snacks. Every crumb of snacks that I poured into bowls was consumed. I made cinnamon rolls and broccoli soup, and served a key lime pie and lots of other things. We walked each day to restore ourselves after the stupor of watching television.
I write this on a scheduled lazy morning. We are expecting another pile of snow today. (Happy spring break to us!) I can’t get excited about this week of snow and the removal of Mark’s wisdom teeth. In fact, I dread, dread, dread the wisdom teeth appointment. (Snuggling deeper into a blanket) Maybe if I think about Easter and make some plans that will help.
I am also watching another flight for Tim. He is always chatty and energized when he gets a transfer, which for the Micronesia Guam mission means an oversea flight. Richard watches YouTube videos analyzing plane crashes for enjoyment when I am not around. He knows that I don’t need to feed my mind any more death scenarios. I will be glad when the little green dot on the website lands in Guam later today, which is tomorrow for Tim.
I had several unconnected conversations with friends last month that led me to pick up my orthodontic retainers and wear them again. Never stop wearing your retainers is my piece of wisdom for today. There are lots of retainers in our lives, not just orthodontic ones: Date nights, repentance, the sacrament, finding God in prayer, finding Jesus in scripture study… Never stop with the retainers.
I have a quilt to finish, but I think I will wait to shop for more fabric. My stack of books is growing. Last week I was a little sick, and one night I went to bed discouraged by what I hadn’t accomplished. But then I felt the impression to consider all I HAD accomplished that day, despite all. Sometimes we just need to make a backwards TO DO list, and simply list what’s DONE. For me, this is the ultimate self care routine.
Timothy is currently serving his mission in Palau, and this was my letter to him this week. I think these are words I would like all of my children to have.
Dear Tim,
I have taken President Nelson’s counsel to write down the thoughts that come to my mind when I pray. I had some experiences with personal revelation recently that support patterns that I have experienced throughout my life.
* Answers are never complicated. Simplicity is the language of the Spirit. Simple phrases or basic clarity are common for me.
* Even when I am wrong, God is always encouraging and gentle.
* Peace comes when I submit to what God tells me, even if it isn’t what I wanted to hear. This weekend I second-guessed some revelation about a talk I was giving. When I finally trusted the original impression, my mind became settled and calm.
* Sometimes Heavenly Father helps me step away from the experience and see a wider perspective on an issue. He helps me see that yes, today might be hard, but the difficulty is there for my benefit.
Keep showing love to people and be your charming self, and miracles will happen. There will be miracles that you won’t see because they are taking place in people’s hearts and minds, but they are happening.
Each Thursday evening, Mark and his friend Jack serve as counselors for the special needs activity program (SNAP). This is a church calling, issued by the stake, and lasts one school year. Mark is assigned to a buddy for the duration of the calling and he stays by his side for each weekly activity. Recently, they put on their biggest event of the year, the Roadshow. I am not kidding, I cried for joy several times during the play.
