25 Years in Paradise . . .

And I expected this to be a 3 year adventure!

AUGUST 13, 2009--Today marks Jenny's half birthday. . . and our 25 year anniversary of moving here.

Whoever would have thought our 3-year experience would have been extended this far! What would we have imagined back in 1984 if we had known this milestone would come?

We hope that life would have been the same in many ways, for our family internally, eternally, but we ponder how life might have been different for our family had we not come here. . .
educational opportunities in a multi-cultural setting, appreciating others who look different from us, tuition waivers for children, attending and graduating from church schools, growth professionally and through leadership roles, church callings including leadership roles, home ownership without snow shoveling, daily walks/exercise outdoors, travel opportunities, not needing to keep up with the Joneses or Utah "bigger/better/more" mindset, meeting general authorities and First Presidency members, meeting eternal companions and our amazing in-law families, performance/solos/family presentations in music and dance, frugality and simplicity, using mom's master's degree at university level, weekly spiritual fortification from devotionals . . .

Can you add to this list? Please share your thoughts... There was also growing up with cousins and an auntie & uncle for 5 years, also Aunt Dorothy was nearby for the first several, too, appreciating Koolaus and pineapple fields drives, hula, May Days, shave ice at Matsomotos, li hing mui, musubi, decorating Christmas trees while barefoot and wearing shorts, beach day for New Year's, hosting many family and friends on their visits here. . .

Bottom line, the Lord helped guide us to this smaller part of the vineyard, and we hope we have made Him happy with our labor. We have all benefited greatly from this journey, along with the typical life's road bumps to be expected along the way.

Love you all. Happy day to you.