Summer is Richard’s favorite season. He lives it fully and then crashes. This was the day after scout camp. Adventurous, fun, uncomplaining, and dedicated are words that describe him. Our dog knows who the best human is in the house.
Collections
I spent some time today with Daniel going through his closet. When he was eleven or twelve, he and I organized his many collections in boxes with labels, and this week, he is parting with most of these things. Collections of metal, bouncy balls, airsoft pellets, rocks, army men, shiny things, cards, baseballs, toys, pens, postcards, marbles, cowboy things, Pinewood Derby cars, CDs, and other treasures went through our hands one more time together. There were things to keep, things to pass on to others, and much to throw away.
Tonight I look at Mark’s collections at his desk and feel the need to remember every detail of these messy cubbies.
Four Wheelers
Richard and his brothers and dad went camping and rode four-wheelers a few weeks ago near Richfield. Russ shared these photos with me. I am told someone with a gun in a holster tried to run them off his land, even though they were on a forest service road. They met some people who fed them strawberries in the shade, and Richard’s dad seemed to draw energy and vitality from the adventures.
I am glad the men had this time together and that the crazy guy did not draw his gun. I understand that after submitting to having photos taken and being followed, they were on first-name terms with the guy. In the end, crazy guy gave them a phone number to contact him when they “came back with their women” next time. We women can’t wait. 😉
One Step Enough For Me
Recently, a friend shared some of her gospel questions with me. I think people with questions are using their minds. I think people with questions should ask them and seek for answers, even if it takes their whole lives. I am not somebody who has a lot of big questions. This is just not how I face the world. I invest time in my testimony every day in the scriptures and prayer. But my questions as I study the scriptures and pray are usually very small. “What does this sentence mean for me?” or, “How shall I structure my time today?” and, “Will you be there with me?” And since I get ample direction from asking these simple questions, this has helped me trust to God the big questions. My spiritual gift isn’t grand knowledge and answers to troubling questions. It’s simple faith that God speaks to me and directs me in small things, and cumulative small things add up over time to sweeping faith and trust in God.
One step enough for me.
Scoutmaster’s Wife
Richard and Mark left for Scout Camp this morning at 6 am. I got up to wish them goodbye, and now I can’t seem to make myself happy or get going. The trade-off for missing Richard is that I know Mark will be ok with his dad around. I miss Mark already. He is my companion most of the time, and he pats me on the back while I shop for groceries and he likes to fix me little things for lunch.
Some days are bad days for me, just like anyone, even if I don’t vocalize it.
It takes a lot of family and leader effort to get a scout to a beautiful Eagle Court of Honor like we had last weekend.
Snapshots of the Reunion
Eagle Court of Honor
On Sunday evening at the Spencer cabin, we held Daniel’s Eagle Court of Honor during our family reunion. Thanks to Richard J. and Sarah, we have some great photos from the evening. We were surrounded by family, friends, and special guests, but we were also in a sacred setting. The cabin and mountains, with more than 100 years of family memories, added to the feelings of the evening. Daniel earned his Eagle a long time ago, but the court of honor felt intimidating to do, so we delayed. I’m so glad we decided to do it in this setting before he leaves on his mission.
No
I read a book recently about the power of Christian hospitality. Our homes, our time, and our stuff, is not our own, the author asserts. And we need to get over the idea that our homes need to be perfect to invite people into our lives. We need to move from entertaining to being hospitable. This is how we show a life of faith to others and have the greatest influence. Some of these thoughts will frame the way I will be more free with my time, my home, and my self, but I have only felt terrible this week when I have held myself to a standard I can’t live right now. I am better than I used to be about sensitivity to people and requests, and I have a greater tolerance for social demands now than even a year ago. However, in this coming month of a high adventure trip and scout camp back-to-back (alone); and during this month of final missionary preparations and errands (stretched); and during the last collection of minutes with our son Daniel living with us (sacred), people may be disappointed in my inability to do it all. I have said no, and I will continue to say no occasionally.
Doll for a Friend
I have given away another doll, because sometimes, words are not enough to convey the love and concern I feel.
Paige in New York
This is Paige’s story to tell, not mine, but here are a few photos of her in New York. She is doing an internship with children’s book author, Brett Helquist, who illustrated the Lemony Snickett books, The Series of Unfortunate Events. She is living in Manhattan with two other BYU artists doing internships.
