Leaving Everything Most Loved

Well, well, well...on my way home from Arkansas, I finished the latest Jacqueline Winspear novel called "Leaving Everything Most Loved." At the end, I found the perfect quote that pertains to my big kids and our family's changes.

"Leaving that which you love breaks your heart open. But you will find a jewel inside, and this precious jewel is the opening of your heart to all that is new and all that is different, and it will be the making of you -- if you allow it to be." 

I think this is why I don't cry when my kids go. It's emotional, but not sad. How can I be sad when they're doing great things? Both Kamiko and Allie are making themselves great with these adventures in college and mission. So is Mel, as she plays the role of only child at home. Changes for everyone.

On to my trip to Arkansas.

Tuesday: left EARLY. Flight left SLC at 6:30. Had a layover in Phoenix. Allie slept and I walked around the concourse. Got into Tulsa, rented car and drove 3+ hours to Eureka Springs, AR, to see Christ of the Ozarks. It's a 70-foot high statue of Christ. It was very pretty and tall. We were gonna go there later in the week, but were up for the drive. In hindsight, it was a good idea. The end of the week got busy. NW Arkansas is gorgeous, hilly and green. I loved it and told Allie I was so glad she took this adventure. Had she gone to BYU, she would have missed out on seeing a new part of the country. We checked into our hotel and went to Walmart and Target. We bought some school stuff and bought groceries to keep in our room. It was the first of many trips to Walmart. We were right around the corner from it. Oh, first thing I noticed...Walmart was totally decked out for UARK. Razorback stuff and banners everywhere!

Out of juice by the time we got to Eureka Springs. There was an outlet outside of the bathroom building. We rested and charged there for a few minutes.

Only two of about four rows of Razorback stuff at Wal-Mart

On the road in our Mazda

Stopped at Whataburger in OK. They messed up my order. :( All I got was a hamburger with ketchup and mustard. No pickles, onion, lettuce or tomato. It was still good, though. Allie said if they put fry sauce on the burgers, they would be perfect.

Why didn't Allie tell me how awful this picture was? Or retake it?

Wednesday: Got up and had our free breakfast. I had raisin bran and yogurt every day and Allie had biscuits and gravy every day. I love biscuits and gravy, but I'm too old to think I can eat like that and not get super FAT. Met a nice man at breakfast who comes into Fayetteville often. He told us he works with sorority girls and cheerleaders. I was curious about what exactly he does. Well, we found out later. He sets up shop in is room to give spray tans to the cheerleaders and sorority girls. Creepy, huh? They all know where to find him. He was really nice, but I think his job is creepy. We went on a nice drive to an art studio that has cute walking trails with murals and pottery throughout. We had orientation that afternoon. That's when I got most emotional. Allie was with students and I was in the parent session and I had to work really hard from crying every 2 minutes. I made it. What helped was remembering that she has institute across the street and a mormon mom 30 minutes away. Through my TA Annie, I met Michelle Blankenship, who has a daughter coming to BYU, and we promised to take care of each other's daughters. Had dinner at orientation, then went back to hotel.

Thursday: Got up early to get back to orientation. Allie met with her advisor and we walked around campus a bit. While she was in her student session, I met a mom who had heard that someone from Utah was there. She said "You're Utah!" She had lived in Vegas and her best friend is LDS and lives in Cedar City. She happens to live in Eureka Springs, where we went on day #1. She said she'll be Allie's mom, too. So, Al has two moms, both named Michelle, in Arkansas. We found the Home Economics building and I got a pic there. The administrative assistant even let us in one of the foods labs so I could see it. It was a nice lab for an old building. Ours is much nicer, but ours is much newer, too. We went to institute that night. There were a few kids there. It was the last week of summer session. More will be coming. There's a kid with down syndrome, named Nick, who goes. He picks the hymn every week. Went home. Watched HGTV. That's pretty much all we had on our TV. We just enjoyed watching the home makeover shows. 

Allie is the recipient of the Silas Hunt Scholarship. We found this framed information about him.

Friday: Last day to get stuff done before moving in and before lots of students get into town. We bought Allie's books, bought her mini fridge, microwave, more things she needed. It costs a lot of money, but that's ok. My kids are great and worth it. Allie reminded me how many old navy bucks I was earning by charging it on my old navy card. Went to a custard place and got a concrete with vanilla custard and key lime pie. That was delicious!!!! Oh, also drove by Bill and Hillary Clinton's house. Hahahaha! Bought boxes and packed everything up that wasn't in the two suitcases Allie was keeping.

Saturday: moved Allie in quickly! Record time. I was glad I had thought to buy boxes instead of having a million walmart bags. We got the first batch moved in about 20 min, then ran back to the hotel to get batch #2. Fridge, microwave, more boxes. Got everything in and her roommate, Christina, came. She's super cute and her family is really nice. Her dad, sister, stepmom and stepsisters were all there. I helped unpack a bit, then went to shower and check out. I had to fly home and I wanted to freshen up a bit before my drive, then flight. Allie and I picked up a pizza for our last meal. We went to a place called Eureka Pizza. It's like Little Caesar's, in that it has cheap pizza. BUT, they have a drive-through window. What a GREAT IDEA! I dropped her off and I drove the 2 hours back to the airport. It was a beautiful drive through small towns in Oklahoma. I only cried a little bit. It's more emotional than sad. Kinda like when Kamiko left. It's hard to be sad when your kids are doing great things, but it's emotional because there is change and I'll miss her. 

Beginning stages of moving in

Getting there. The bed is made.

Christina Mandujano, from Houston, TX

Eating pizza in the car

Funny Experience/Oklahoma Miracle: On they way back to the airport, in the middle of nowhere, there is a toll road and NO attendant. You must have exact change. I threw all the change I had into the little funnel thingy, but the light was still red. If I just drove on, I would risk a HUGE fine from the rental car company if they got a ticket. I searched through my purse, the car, etc. I watched to see if any cars might come and give me some money. Then I decided to look on the ground to see if there was any money people had thrown that didn't make it to the funnel thingy. I immediately found 2 pennies and threw them in. GREEN LIGHT! I had been only 2 cents short. Found them and got on my way. Milagro!

My First Wedding!

Last week, after getting great news that I don't need to wear glasses anymore, I went to a wedding reception of two students who met in my class. Kylee and Garrett were in my Wednesday afternoon lab. They didn't work in the same kitchen, but in neighboring kitchens. They sat as close to each other as they could for people in separate groups. It was cute to watch them. When I introduced myself to her dad at the reception, he said "oh, here's the teacher!" Then they called the photographer over for a picture. I'd love to see that someday. I didn't dare slow down the line to get a pic on my camera. Kinda wish I did, but I just didn't want to make it about me. It's about them. Here's a pic he sent me when they got engaged and a pic of their announcement.

P.S. I'll explain why I don't have to wear glasses. I only need glasses for far away. I see up close just fine. I went to Scott's office to get an eye exam and discuss my options. I was wondering about bifocals because I take my glasses on and off so much. Anyway, Scott suggested mono-vision. He could correct one eye for distance and leave one eye as-is. Jen has her vision this way. To see how I'd like it, he gave me a contact lens to wear in one eye. I LOVE IT! And...I was thinking that if I don't want to have surgery, I can just buy contact lenses for the one eye. This way, my brain uses my far eye to see far away and my near eye to see close up. What a miracle. So, as I type, I'm glasses free, which I normally would be for typing. But, the best part is that I won't have to take glasses on and off as I lecture, work in the lab, etc. I'm elated! I can always get the surgery if I want to make it permanent, but I'm not sure about the cost-efficiency of that.

Allie and her Bucket List

Allie leaves in less than a month. Oh my goodness. I don't even know what to think about that. Anyway, I just won't think about it. She has a bucket list...things she wants to do before she leaves. She wants to eat some favorite foods and see some favorite spots one last time. We went to Color Me Mine on Monday for FHE. It's where you paint pottery. Allie made a cute plate and Mel made a huge mug. They pick them up on Friday. They'll be fired and pretty. It's kinda pricey, so Keenan and I just hung out while the girls painted. We should have brought cards so we could be entertained while the girls concentrated and worked hard on their masterpieces. They really had a good time. I'm glad we went.

girls working hard on their pieces

DONE!

Me, being bored, while the girls painted

June is Over and July is Almost Over

Oh, my goodness. I'm not very good at this. Let's see. June was good. After graduation, I geared up to help at our stake YW camp at Mutual Dell in American Fork Canyon. It was a success. The girls really had a great time rock climbing, canoeing, crafting, snacking, basketballing, etc. I helped on the stake level, but got to eat with our ward and saw Mel quite a bit. I was still finishing up work, too.

Me and my girls at camp. Allie and Kobi came to visit one night.

Me and the other Stake Leaders after our music video. 

Accidentally photobombed by Rosemary Bowden, YW president

Work is done for the summer! After camp, we embarked on a re-do of the basement. That started when Keenan and I went into RC Willey just to see if there was a good deal on a sectional couch for down there. The one we had was getting worn out. It's super comfy, but the fabric was wearing. Well, I fell in love with a fridge instead. I also decided that if I just covered the cushions on the sectional, I could use that money for a fridge. So, we bought the fridge and I started on the sectional. I lucked out and found coordinating fabric for only $5/yard. So, new sectional for under $150 counting fabric, thread and fiberfill. It looked great...but not with the current decor. The girls, especially Mel, have wanted to re-do the basement for a long time, so that was a good excuse.

We removed the chair rail, re-textured, primed, painted and decorated. We did new window treatments, new pillows, new wall decor, etc. It turned out great and was less than $700 for the entire project. I think I'm gonna retire from painting entire floors of the house. I don't mind doing a bedroom here and there, but next time the upstairs or downstairs needs painting, I'll be calling a painter.

Spray painted this dresser and framed old patterns. This is just as you walk down the stairs. Frames and patterns purchased at DI.

Made bird pillows, bought the other pillows or brought them from upstairs.

Collage made of Derek's art, Bolivian water color, Dutch plate, memento from NYC trip, pics of kids, etc. Frames purchased at DI and spray painted.

Just a bit simplified and more functional.

Ha, the curtains are shower curtains with blackout fabric sewn behind them. They work wonderfully!

Close-up of our cute pillows. This sectional is so dang comfortable. It's better now with more pillows.

Derek and Rachel and kids also came for a visit in June. We spent one evening with them in the canyon, roasting hot dogs and making "smars" as Rosie called them. Those kids are so dang cute. I may have to go visit them this December.

Rachel's friend Chris joined us. He's a really nice guy.

Cute Charlie

Rosie enjoying the healthy part of dinner

Allie and I had decided that we were definitely doing NOTHING for the 4th of July. Then Karen called and let us know Crocketts were coming for the 4th. Well, the 4th is always a blast with the entire Crockett clan, so our plans changed quickly. Keenan had also volunteered to help with Provo's huge Freedom Run. At the last minute, Karen, Sam and I decided to help. We got some good shirts and cool red, white and blue socks out of the deal. It was amazing to see how much work went into the race. Lots and lots of volunteers. We finished the day at Scott and Candice Crockett's house in Lindon. We had a BBQ and hung out til dark, then watched fireworks. They had a bunch, as did neighbors all around, so anywhere we looked, we saw fireworks. It was really a nice 4th of July. One of my favorites. Mel wasn't with us, though. She spent the day with Kobi and her family, which was fun for them.

Allie, me, Elle and Karen

It's not July without the founding fathers. Statue in front of Scheels sporting goods store. Elle, grandma Hunter and Connor

Ali and Steve from work helped at the Freedom Run. Keenan and Steve got to say "GO." They also got to read participant's names as they crossed the finish line. We even announced when a 97-year old woman was approaching the finish line. Cool, huh?

I love my kids and I love spending time with them, but if they have fun plans with great kids, I'm not inclined to force them to come with us. I would on Christmas, but not on the 4th.

We have new callings in our family. Keenan was called to be the 2nd counselor in the bishopric and I was called to be a laurel advisor. I'm really excited to be with Mel in YW. It's a new presidency, so it should be fun. Not that the old presidency was bad. Keenan is really excited about his calling. His BFF, Darren Medeiros, came down for his sustaining and ordination and setting apart. It was great to see him. Someone asked me if we were ok on Sundays with him gone. My reply was that there was just one fewer person napping at our house on Sunday afternoon.

Mel went to EFY last week and loved it. She's missing it already. Allie worked a lot, so it gave me a taste of life with just one kid (a working kid) at home. It's pretty lonely. I'll need to blog more or do more indexing on family search or something. I hope I don't turn to eating or shopping. Time will tell. Mel landed a job at Old Navy. She's been working there for a little over a month. It's great to see her have a job, some responsibility and spending money. She's a good kid. I just wish I could get the employee discount, but I can't.

Finally, we recently enjoyed Cow Appreciation Day at Chick Fil-A. If you dress like a cow, you get a free meal. Mel was at EFY, but Keenan, Allie and I enjoyed our free meals. I even made shirts that we can use year after year. Now, that's a true cow.

Yes, I plan to save our headbands, too. We were some good looking cows!

A Really, Really Good Lesson from My Dad on Life Lessons and Hard Work

My dad writes to missionaries every week. Both Kamiko and Daysa are on his mailing list, as are about 12 other full-time missionaries. I get his email, too. I thought this one was especially inspiring. As I read it, I thought of my mission in Bolivia. That experience taught me that I can do anything. I also draw on my experience to allay my fears about Kamiko being on a mission and Allie going to Arkansas. If I can serve and work hard in Bolivia, I can do anything!

Dear Kids, 

I trust you have enjoyed a great week.  It has been good for me.

Life is preparation Don’t miss out on any.

Humor me, I promise it will be worth the read! I was born in 1937 in Holden, Utah, a fourth generation Latter Day Saint. My childhood and teenage years were spent working on a ranch/farm in Southern Utah. For cash crops we raised wheat and cattle. The land was not the most productive so yields were small, but the work was hard and optimism always prevailed. Our lives were centered in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We understood the parable of the sower.  We understood God adorns His creations beautifully: i.e. the lilies of the fields and beautiful birds and animals for which we were taught reverence.

There was never a shortage of work to be done. Each day cows had to be milked and domestic animals fed and cared for. Alfalfa needed to be cut, windrowed, bailed and hauled for the winter feed for the cattle. Three crops a year were a usual yield. Wheat needed to be harvested. Cattle needed to be moved from winter pasture to summer pasture in the early summer and then in late summer they were moved from summer pasture to winter pasture as we watched the cycle of nature herald changing assignments.

Days started early in the morning, usually around 5:30 and continued in a steady pace until 7:00-8:00 in the evening when we collapsed into bed, dog tired and fell asleep immediately so we would be refreshed for the coming day. This routine was every day, but the Sabbath, year in and year out.

In 1955 I commenced my college education at BYU where I enrolled in a pre-dental program. School was a challenge, but not too difficult I had been seasoned on the farm with long hours and hard work to prepare me. In October 1957 I arrived in Sweden to commence my missionary service. Missionary work was demanding and challenging, learning a new language and expressing spiritual thoughts in Swedish became a challenge and delight. I knew I could succeed. I have been forged in the crucible of long hours of hard work on the farm. My mission was a success as I blessed the lives of many, but most of all my life was blessed and my investment in time and energy would bear fruits for years to come. I loved it. I loved the people. I loved teaching the gospel. I loved the food. I loved to tract. I loved my companions. I loved Sundays in company with the Saints as we worshiped God together, sang the hymns of Zion in Swedish, and partook of the sacrament, renewing sacred covenants.

Upon return home in 1960 I met and married my dear wife, Ann, in the Los Angeles Temple and we have enjoyed a wonderful life of marriage and service. We raised seven children and now have twenty-four wonderful grandchildren and thirteen great-great grandchildren.

I continued my education and completed my dental training in 1965. The study of academics and manual dexterity to master dentistry was a challenge, but I had farmed and I knew how to meet challenges. I practiced dentistry for thirty-one years.  The practice of dentistry was challenging, but much easier and considerably more financially rewarding than farming.

I have been blessed to have served in a variety of capacities in church service. I served as ward YM President two times, Stake YM President two times, Ward Sunday School President, Sunday School teacher, Primary Teacher, Scout Leader, Stake High Council, and Bishop three times.

I retired in 1996 and Sis Hunter and I moved to Utah to enter a new phase of life. We immediately sought to serve in the House of the Lord and were assigned to serve in the Provo Utah Temple. Learning the ordinances was a challenge, but I had been on a farm. I had served a mission in Sweden. I had served in a variety of church assignments and eventually I became comfortable in administering the ordinances of the temple. I felt the richness, the power and the beauty of these sacred ordinances. Sowing seeds, harvesting and putting into barns, the lilies of the field and the animals witnessed to the greatness of God and I enjoyed the abundance thereof.

In 1999 Sis Hunter and I received a call from the Prophet to serve a mission in the Stockholm Temple. I renewed acquaintances and refreshed friendships with many gentle Saints I had known during my 1957-1960 mission. We ended up serving three missions at the Stockholm Temple for a total of about five years.

We have a catalogue of friends among the Saints living in: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Russia. We have visited many of them in their homes and many of them have been hosted in our home. As I serve as a sealer in the Provo Temple it is not uncommon to have common acquaintances from these distant lands with a patron on a sealing session. On a recent sealing Sis Silander-Izatt handed me several family file cards. As I looked at the card I noticed the person who had submitted the card was Jukka Laine from Finland. I asked Sis Silander-Izatt how she knew Bro Laine. She said he was her uncle. Then she asked how I, from Provo, Utah, knew Jukka Laine. I responded he and his wife, Anna-Lissa, had served as ordinance workers in Stockholm when we were there. Such examples are more numerous than one would expect.

April 24, 2014 I had a complete knee replacement for my left knee. I am now in recuperation mode.  Rehabilitation is hard, but I was raised on a farm, doing hard work. Rehabbing a leg is hard, even more painful than any farm laboring.

As we progress in life our character becomes the product of the sum total of our mortal experiences.  I have learned the following are helpful to meet ever changing challenges in life: Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, prayer, confidence in one’s capacity to rise to the challenge whatever it may be, reliance upon those who love you and assist you and you will learn humility and gratitude.

In rehab pain is a constant companion to each exercise as we stretch and lengthen muscles and tendons that constricted during and after surgery. One must move forward, regardless of the pain. There is no easy route, but with the Lord at one’s side anything and everything can and will be conquered. His grace is sufficient for all. His grace fills the entire universe and validates our efforts in whatever arena we engage. Our gratitude for His Atoning sacrifice and grace should be deep and ever ongoing.

I testify of the goodness and all encompassing love of the Savior and His great desire to bring us all back to His presence that we may live and enjoy all the richness of eternal which is the greatest of God’s gifts.

May your week be rich and rewarding. Love Dad

Four Stakes...Righteous Parents, Righteous Friends, Faith in God and Covenants

Today in Sunday School, Sister Clegg taught a lesson based on readings from Judges in the Old Testament. She shared a story by President Hinckley about a tree he had planted early in their married life. He planted a young tree and didn't think to stake it down, allowing it to grow straight, in spite of harsh winds. As a result, it grew leaning with the wind. Had he staked it, it would have grown straight. We are like that. There are four stakes that can help us grow straight.

Righteous Parents: I'm grateful for my parents and what I learned from them. They have always tried their best to raise us with good values and with commitment to our covenants. They are examples of service, work and faith.

Righteous Friends: Wow, I've had a lot of those. My first and forever friends are my sisters and later, my baby brother. They've always been an influence for good. When dad was bishop and everyone at church hated us, we had each other. Later in life came Kim Rose Cassetti. Kim has always been a good friend. She is a genuinely good person with great values and a love of God and family. She is fiercely loyal to that which is right. Then came Maureen Russell, Lin Maute and Sue Hoot in Texas. Great neighbors and friends. Now in Utah, my friends have been Maria Trump, Amy Bowden, Sandy Hewlett, Sherie Ritchie, RaDawn Mehr, Starlyn Hjorth, Annie Christensen, Ali Clarkson and many, many others. Friends definitely make life sweet and help us along the path.

Faith in God: I learned early in our married life that God sees the big picture and knows what's best for us. Things may not always work out the way we think they should, but, if we're patient, they'll work out the way they should. Keenan's career, Kamiko's mission, my job, etc. are examples of this principle.

Covenants: We make promises with the Lord and when we are obedient, He blesses us. He is always there, wanting to help and encourage us. I love that when we make mistakes, the Lord is there to succor us and give us strength to overcome and be better. I'm grateful for covenants we make at baptism and in the temple. The Gospel richly blesses my life.

Memorial Day Weekend

So, we decided on Sunday that we would go to Holden after church to see our ancestor's graves and to leave the ONE blooming iris we had on grandma and grandpa Hunter's grave. We ate a quick meal after church and headed out. We had a great time. I'm glad all four of us went. It warmed my heart to be in Holden. I spent many days there as a kid, visiting grandma and grandpa and walking down the street to Wood's Market. It was the only thing to do in town, besides play with the selection of games that grandma had in the house. I remember specifically the Cootie Game.

Memorial Day weekend was also a time to remember my Grandpa Sears and the time he served in the Navy in WWII. He never saw battle, as he served in San Francisco. He had some post with the mail. Mom and her siblings commented that grandpa was always proud of his service during the war.

William Edgar Sears in his Navy uniform

Our ONE iris. We also brought shell leis. Allie and Otto Hunter grave

Nicholas and Sidney Teeples grave. Nicholas was a handcart survivor and Sidney was a rescuer.