Photos from Our Missionary Son

Stewart sent home photos!

From the beginning, when he was in the Missionary Training Center, with his learning district standing in front of the Provo Temple, and with his Mission President and Sister Gardner (who wrote a glowing letter to us parents about Stewart's call to be district leader!)

I Can Almost See You There

I miss him.

Thanks to Google Earth and photographers across the country, I can see where our son is serving/working.

(photo credit to WillyZ)

(photo credit rtbfredrick)
Gorgeous! It isn't stalking when it's your mom looking for you, right? Happy BIRTHDAY WISHES to you, Stewart, a week in advance so you see this on your next P-Day (preparation day)!

Impressed

In stake conference adult session last night a sister from the young single adult ward sang. She is studying at the Peabody. I don't think I have ever heard such a spectacular solo at Church, seriously. Amazing voice, "I Need Thee Every Hour" with an seemingly endless supply of air (I couldn't tell when she was breathing.) I kept thinking that it is a blessing that she is single, able to study, able to develop this amazing talent and bless the lives of others. She made a comment last stake conference about the need to live the law of chastity as a young unmarried adult, how her classmates think she is so old fashioned but she feels it is part of being faithful to future spouse, being clean now she is being faithful, living the law of chastity LDS members believe. She is one of my real-life heroes.

June Wedding Thoughts

My daughter will be a June bride! I am thankful she has found someone who makes her so happy. It if fun to plan a celebration party, but difficult to explain to dear non-member friends why they won't be invited (inside the temple) to the actual ceremony, but how much we want them there at the reception. Her sweet boss was a little confused why Emma's younger siblings and even her great grandma won't witness the event. Delicate matter to explain. It isn't out of disrespect or lack of love or wanting to include them. There is plenty of room inside, so it is not for lack of venue seating. They can wait outside, see her when she comes out officially married and pictures together.

The focus of all of this festivity: my daughter is getting ready to go to the temple. From the above lds.org link: "Temples are places of learning. Their principal purpose is to provide ordinances necessary for the children of God to enable them to return to dwell with Him. Temple ordinances lead to the greatest blessings available through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Everything in the Church—the meetings and activities, the missionary efforts, the lessons taught and the hymns—all lead to the work done in holy temples.

One ordinance received in the temple is called the endowment. The word endowment means "gift," and the temple endowment truly is a gift from God. The ordinance consists of a series of instructions and includes covenants to live righteously and follow the requirements of the gospel. The endowment focuses on the Savior, His role in Heavenly Father's plan, and the personal commitment of each member to follow Him.

Another temple ordinance is celestial marriage. In this ordinance husband and wife are sealed to one another for eternity. A sealing performed in the temple continues forever if the husband and wife are faithful to the covenants they make."

I found this crayon drawing when I was cleaning out some old files this month. I remember drawing that turquoise dress, but forgot I was only 4 years old. In Mom's writing on the back, "June 15, 1970 Daddy and Mama going into the temple to be married." I knew from a young age that my parents were married in the temple. It is what I wanted, what I got! It is what I hope for all my children. I asked Suzu if she felt bad that she won't be there to see Emma married: "No...but I hope she comes to mine!"

Good NEWS!

They said YES! Juried in, but then, I don't know how many submissions they received??? My temple quilts will be on display at DC TEMPLE Visitor's Center!
The exhibit will open at 2pm on Saturday, March 10, 2012. All submitters, and families and friends, are invited to the opening reception. Exhibit runs through Sunday, April 29, 2012, open daily from 10 am to 9 pm.
9900 Stoneybrook Drive Kensington, MD 20895

What Does it Look Like?

HUGE! This is an emu egg. Beautiful rich teal color. I got it from a friend (I visit-teach her and try to bring her healthy treats) who has a farm with emus. I used a hammer and a nail to make a hole at the top and bottom, blew out 2 cups of yolk & whites, fried it up with Pad Thai dinner.

I love the blessings of following through on my duties, doing what I said I would do, and just being nice to people. Unexpected, fun benefit of looking out for someone else, and them blessing your life more than you could have imagined.

Date Success Story

We went because we heard it was good. Who told us about this place? We will listen to your advice more often! Over the river and through the toll plaza is Johnny's Sushi House.

Fantastic service, beautifully and artfully arranged plates, perfect miso soup, great sushi rolls, nice wasabi consistency. We are going back!

Suzanna's school friends overheard her talking about her parents going out on a date. "Together? With each other?" They were amazed.

Yea, we are that kind of couple. Still dating after all these years. Plenty to talk about, still having fun. We go to bed earlier (getting old and tired) but there is nobody I would rather spend time with than my Johnny.

Hack This?

I have 3 1/2 months before #1 daughter's wedding, and I am day-dreaming about my yard. It's not like I need another project...But this idea has me intrigued, and fits under "spiffy up the house for company" goal. And "cleaning up the sewing room" goal.

Trip with Tiffany to see the wonders of PA (she kept telling me to imagine these planters full of color!):

I see heavy duty felt, grommets to hang on vertical surface, a tarp-like liner against the wall side.

Buy them (watch the video) here. Or make them tutorial here.
These are on my must try list!

Brace Yourself!

It is Roxie's turn.

Getting ready for Valentine's Day with homemade Suzu cookies!

Great Year for a Wedding, Also!

Emmalyn & Dean are getting married!

Great Year for Orange

Orange you glad?

Blogger friend, Victoria, reminded me that I haven't mentioned color-of-the-year TANGO ORANGE and in her comment linked to another blog with great pictures! Thanks, long-distance friend!

Fire Eater King Herod preforming at Iggie's on St. Thomas (pictures from Dad's camera).

My Favorite Banana

FEBRUARY=Celebrate Love month, indeed! I saw this in St. Thomas, and thought of.....

...my favorite banana (I asked him to a girl's choice dance with a banana theme):

Wearing his souvenier gift as comfy pajammas!

Vacation Food

Just a few of the great things we ate:

Mom's crepes!

Fish wraps from Bumpa's.

Garlic chicken at Vie's on St. John.

Nectar I bought at our local grocery store to give my family some of the tastes from the island! I made coconut milk curry like Mom's for my family, and we did a taste test of which fruit flavor they liked the best!
(Soursop won)

Group Shots

I filled up my entire camera card with 325 pictures on this trip!

This couple are from the same county where I live! Snowbirds, spending all winter in St. Thomas, lucky!

Blue Turquoise

Magnificent colors.

A Few Favorite Things

One morning we saw an educational schooner while walking with Mom & Dad. Didn't get a picture, but the crew on board gave us a brochure--seriously interesting opportunity for high school/college children. Fun to read their blog and see the difference between being a "traveller" and a "tourist."

We met a woman photographer who has a blog (Mom, what is her site?) who lives on this destination wedding island with her husband & family.

Coral I gathered but DID NOT take home.

My favorite/scariest thing?

Check out the great ORANGE on information docents at Lu's race. Madras plaid with orange is traditional St. Thomas pattern!

(I did buy this dress from thrift store--Hazel wore it around my house all day yesterday.)

Papaya from Mom & Dad's landlord's yard. Wonderful, smooth & rich taste.

Pissaro's Birthplace. Rubble Fill building method, crazy brick and coral and everything cemented with molasses/sand/lime.

Traveling with a Sister

Luanna is a bold, brave woman!

She ran a local race! A cruise ship from Canada was island hopping and racing, inviting the locals to participate.

Shaved ice at Rudy's blue truck across from Del Sol shop. Try it with milk!