From Darkness to Light . . .

The last week of 2008 will be remembered for our stunning Christmas Eve dinner, our relaxing and comfortable visits on Christmas Day, and our IN THE DARK Dec. 26/27.

Even though some throat issues are affecting both of us, it's been a good week, all in all. We enjoyed all of our company here for Christmas Eve dinner...though it was a bit hard to take without any of our own family here. Pierces were with the Pierce Ohana, so in some ways it was a smaller group here, but a friendly, congenial company seemed to enjoy the evening here with us. With so few children, adults were needed in the Nativity--even Ken and Lisa had starring roles.

Joining us for sandwiches on Christmas Day were the Pierce crew along with Nate and Christy Tilton and her brother, Jesse. At night, Ken, Lisa, and Sis. Taylor dropped by for a visit.

Friday was the "day we took the tree down"--re: Michael McLean--and by 12:30 we were normal once again. It is always hardest for me to take down the last area, the "in the meadow" with the snowmen and trees, and ornaments with my grandchildren's names. Mary's wallhanging made that so special, too, this year. The good thing is looking forward to NEXT Christmas with a new ornament for Miss Jensen, our anticipated granddaughter. Progress moves us on.

We thought Friday would be sort of normal, but we learned differently later. As the Cottle and Breinholt families from Utah left here [the Breinhold daughter was baptized at Alligator Pond] all of a sudden, THE LIGHTS WENT OUT! And they didn't come back on for 19+hours!!!!

We didn't realize what was happening island wide until a few hours later, thinking it was a "local thing" but it wasn't. We then got out our lanterns, candles, portable radio and played some hands of 2500 with the Rook cards. Bill drove to BYUH to check on students for a few hours, opening up the stake center so they could be in light if needed. Mostly international students only were still around. We heard the power would be back on in the morning, but they didn't mention that if you lived waaaaaaay out in the country that would more likely be mid afternoon.

We survived fine, and were grateful we didn't have to heat homes, provide milk for little ones, and just had to worry about us mostly. But having electricity is a blessing in our lives, and yes, we'd rather live with it than without it!

We're recovering from some throat/coughing issues, so it's good to just have days to spend at home, doing family history, reading [Bill finished his MAYFLOWER book today], and preparing my Sunday TFOT lesson.

We'll be in Honolulu Tuesday to Thursday, starting with a visit to Hickham Base for Nate's commissioning in the Air Force. Then we stay at Ala Moana Hotel to welcome in the new year with fireworks out on the barge in the ocean, away from smoke and noise from a Laie New Year's Eve here. It's then time to complete new syllabi for classes and get in the groove for 2009. I'm glad, SO glad, to have started this blog. I hope to expand my abilities with it in the year to come.

I count the many blessings of my life, gospel, husband, daughters and families, events such as graduations, births, blessings, several travel experiences, and the every day blessings of health, safety, a lovely home to keep organized and cared for, work which can be fulfilling, technology, and so forth. Just so grateful for ALL....so grateful for all of you. May the new year bring blessings the Lord sees we are worthy to receive. SCTTL--my lesson for the day--STAY CLOSE TO THE LORD.

N O V E M B E R & D E C E M B E R . . .

November Notes and December Doings

--It was so wonderful to have Erin and Avery with us for 15 days. Their extended stay came so that Wil wouldn't have to drive with them to Sydney twice, and it seemed to work well for all, even if it rained the first few days they were here in Hawaii.

Erin accomplished many things in a short time . . . Avery is now a dual citizen of Australia and also the United States. Wil has applied for his visa for their move to Pennsylvania. . . Erin has an updated drivers' license and new social security card. She took her GRE and passed--hooray! Mom had her annual wish fulfilled by playing our "Angels..." duet for RS enrichment night. We were able to shop for some basic life necessities and fun things for her family, plus she did her Christmas shopping at familiar malls. Special for all of us was having her and also John, Lindsey, and boys here for traditional Thanksgiving. Erin's yummy pumpkin roll was a hit. She and Avery enjoyed time with the cousins and L and J often, so it was good time for all. Kyle celebrated his 1st birthday, so we got in on his cake dig-in ordeal and celebration. Spaghetti Factory, Chilis, and 4 trips to Taco Bell and Jack in the Box for potato bacon cheese wedgies was also accomplished. Missed Jenny, Aaron, and Wil and Megan at Spaghetti Factory traditional Christmas meal, but we know J, A, and M [he-he JAM!!] will make their own fun Christmas in Pennsylvania.

During Thanksgiving time, Megan escaped to Logan to spend T'Day with the Petersons and Wil had a turkey sandwich since Aussies do not celebrate T'Day as we do. Megan is happy to be working two jobs now, one at Energy Solutions Arena, the other tutoring at West High near her LDSBC campus. It sounds like being a KHS grad is a help to her in dealing with some of the students she has in her stewardship. A quick visit with Lindsey's family was welcomed in early December. She now will be changing rooms in the dorm, moving 3 doors down with someone she has met this semester. We hope that goes well for her. Perhaps next fall she will be in an apartment. . . we'll see how it goes!! It sounds like she'd like to spend spring/summer in PA. . . but time will tell what is in store for her. With possibly a niece and a nephew there, she'd be a well-needed auntie for the summer season!!

Megan has now officially ended classes and has done well in her first semester at LDSBC, and is looking forward to her escape in a few days for PA. I think some skiing and other fun things are planned.

Jenny and Aaron moved into their home in Lock Haven. How nice to finally be on their own officially. It sounds like they are happy homeowners, but had to go through the usual initiation of challenges. It's great the rest of the Jensens are still close by so they have a support system if needed.

The semester has ended here, too, with classes done, and grades yet to send in by this Thursday, but can do. The local floods created havoc, though; we did have an opportunity to offer assistance with laundry and housing and meals for one family. This community is very nurturing, so many came to the aid of others. Laie is a good place if one is in need.

Graduation was a grand but somewhat soggy event...enjoyed very much President Eyring's talk about being a learner in all aspects of our lives adn that it's important to know how to work hard.

Travel time to Iowa was a welcome, wintry wonderland for us last week. We headed straight for the Hauschildts and experienced with them the "down home" variety of Christmas I have always wanted to spend. Dinner out, then home to their log cabin room for games, talking, snacks, caroling, fireside friendshipping, it was just. . . way, way grand. On to Shell Rock for visits with Grandma Lois Neal, Auntie Betty, and meetings for Bill. We got in a day of shopping, with no one at the malls, due to the seasonal "snow scare" and ice warnings. :D Good for us! Visited UNI one morning, and walked around our former campus. . . and yes, we'd both do it all over again, in spite of the changes, and cold weather. It brought back warm memories. . . and those will stay forever. We did some of our favorite places and new places for eating out -- Olive Garden, Panera, Gravy's Diner, and MAIDRITES. YUM!! Mallard Pointe is a grand place for retirement. We think Lois is really in a good place and wish her happiness there for a long time. The meals there were great, too.

We even surprised my mom in Des Moines on Wednesday, taking her and cousin Mary Ann out to a favorite restaurant, Latin King. Again, ice was in the forecast, but we did okay and no one fell down. That was fun, to see how she got excited that we'd come all that way for a quick time to visit.

Our trip back to Laie from the airport on Thursday seemed a bit different...so much water was on the side of the roads...and then we learned some friends had 2 feet of water in their faculty homes in Laie! Shocking! It is still threatening for part of the week ahead, but we hope to manage well, Lord willing. It's time for sun here.

More traveling . . . Lindsey, John and the boys had a winter getaway to Utah then California while we were in Iowa. They got to see Megan in Utah and play in the snow. Disneyland is also one of their favorite places, so it will be good to hear about their adventures when they return this week.

I've been commemorating this eventful week in my life thinking hard on my experiences from exactly 9 years ago. It was a surprise then, too--A Christmas Around the World surprise for Lindsey's performance, then home to some, uh, tests and biopsies. What seems like a dream now was very real then. Those days brought me to this: I'm so thankful for each day, and especially each cancer-free day.

These holiday times are very different from most with floods and after effects seen throughout the island, and with my four little girls now grown up and most on their own. . . but we have so much to personally be grateful for. We'll be celebrating in some usual ways. . . Christmas Eve, Honolulu stake concert on our 34th anniversary. Of course, the music is either on or playing on the harp or piano. Today I got out the Min-prepared CD of Megan's Christmas programs...and loved, of course, hearing my favorite trumpet player of all time in the solos and trumpet sections and whole band. What special memories those bring back for me. Yup, I'm tearing as I write, [oops, a little more flooding!] but it just means Megan, you're right here. I'm so happy for you to be in such a good place, and to be able to celebrate with your sisters. Hmm! That's you calling now on the phone . . . you must have known I was thinking of you. :D

Life is good, and the Lord is so good to each of us. May we continue to know Him and recognize His hand in all our doings. ly mom