A Season of Love:

November 21 Laie Temple Dedication was held in 3 sessions here. We were privileged to attend in the celestial room, noon session,seated in row 2. Bill's leadership in the hostessing booth allowed that opportunity. Words cannot express that adequately, nor the experiences in manning the booth daily. I was in DM for 2 weeks, so he was off to the temple grounds each day by 7 [excluding Sundays]. Serving others is Bill's forte. The Pierces were heavily involved, also, and sat across from us at the dedication. All 4 daughters attended in the temple also. Memory to last a lifetime.

November 25 Thanksgiving at our home--a privilege we'd waited for a L O N G time---All our children and their children were present. Photos captured that momentous occasion, our first all together in Hawaii--and that photo will remain in my heart. We'd been together in Iowa the year before, minus Mason and Bryson, though. so this was rare and so treasured.

December 2 Got a phonecall from Des Moines that afternoon. Mike was reporting that Grandma Reynolds had been readmitted to the hospital again, in ICU. He and Dan were first responders. I stood by, then on Friday morning got a call that the hospital was suggesting we all get there, that her life could be taken at any time. Bill and Joyce were flown in on a company plane. I spent the early morning hours finding a flight, then prepared my school FH lesson and sub, temple assignment subs, and FHC volunteering sub in preparation for a late flight that evening. Mixed emotions were involved here, as wanted to be in two places at once. Missed Megan's fall concert, Devotional performance, Salsa Band performance, and also one with the Concert Choir. That was very hard on me. Christmas shopping was still at the stores waiting for us. That had to be put on hold as the next 11 days were spent getting to and staying in DM and tending mom in the hospital.

December 4 Mom began improving and was moved upstairs to a regular room, nice and spacious, room 347 at Lutheran Hospital. Her bungled arm injection caused her to be weakened further, and her strength for recovery compromised. Could tell she was so tired, and she admitted that. It was determined that either nursing home care or hospice care was in order for her. We examined a few places, and through fasting and prayer, it was easy to tell her best option--The Taylor House Hospice, where my dad had been for 20 hrs. before he passed away in 2003.

December 9 Mom liked the idea of Taylor House when it was presented to her by Bill, along with us and Dr. Buchsbaum in the room. Immediately, it seems, she was transported this Thursday by ambulance there, while Pam, Joyce, and I brought items from her apartment--the drum table and items on it, photos from the TV, Stafi's Christmas boxes Xmas tree, and her nativity scene. The site was pleasant for her and for her family. Bill, Joyce, Mike, Pam and I were on call in the room. Couches, TV's, internet access, lots of treats and take out food available. We'd all take turns staying in the room and actually had bonding/family time like we'd never had in all our adult lives.

The first night there we had a "picnic" of mom's favorite food--Latin King cavatelli, and salad, and other things she loved. She ate well, and seemed to enjoy it and us very much. Aunt Ruthie came to see her, also cousin Mary Ann. Nice to be gathered all around her, enjoying what she loves, no attention any more to salt. The nights wore on, though, and she grew weaker. Some close to death experiences continued to be near and witnessed as we were there...about 6 or so of those since I'd arrived on the 4th. We'd watched her mouth Christmas carols we were listening to, comforted her, recalled early memories. . . but mom mostly slept.

December 10 - 13 I was so glad to see mom resting. She had lived a life of willingness to work hard. Time now to really r e s t . She ate for the last time that Friday, a taco salad the hospice chef, John had prepared and she liked it. She continued on her oxygen, but meds were stopped by Sunday morning since she was nauseated Saturday by those probably because of an empty stomach, I think. She kept hanging on, not much conversation here, but probably communicating intensely with those beyond the veil. At one time she asked me directly, "Did the baby get home?" Referring I'm sure to Avery's arrival finally to Erin in Hawaii. And was glad to say yes to that.

She kept telling me to go home [all of us, actually, and to get something to eat! always a mom] ...and with the lingering continuing, I tried to rebook my flight to Hawaii the following Sunday, so I could cover for the brothers who were needing some time back at their work. But . . . no flights were available this busy, overbooked weekend before Christmas from the midwest. I was either finding a flight on the 14th or 21st of December--and chose the 14th, only one day later than my original return since I needed to get back to grade late projects and the take-home finals, calculate grades, all by the 22nd. But . . . I could return if needed Christmas evening, and the brothers were supportive. Dan arrived again Sunday evening as he'd gone back to Colorado then on to Florida for business meetings. Mia the Friday nurse was straight with us, saying by Monday we'd know more about mom. The dr. told us Monday morning that she had about 24 hrs. give or take a few. He was absolutely correct.

December 14 The brothers were all out of the room for a time this early Tuesday morning and I took the opportunity to really visit with mom, even though she couldn't speak to me then. I told her I was going home as she had asked me to do, that she would be hearing good things in the world to come. I encouraged to let go of ill feelings that might not be accurate. Sometimes we don't know the whole story. Her sisters would want her to feel good about their children when she saw her sisters again. I also told her to go ahead, that if it were one of us 4 kids lying there, she would rather we let go, too. No one had mentioned these to her, that I know of, so maybe they were some other little steps for her. Shortly after the boys came back, the decision to take off the oxygen was suggested. Since she was breathing through her mouth anyway, it was fine. How very interesting the next several minutes . . .

The 4 of us went out to the great room to finalize some funeral arrangements. . . Mike came back from a visit to go back and get something in the room he needed and said mom's eyes were open, and she was hardly breathing. Was she waiting for all of us to be away??? maybe. We did return quickly, though, and it seemed we witnessed her heart stopping. It had hardly been beating that morning. The visual that remains with me is how at peace this was at the end. Her eyes were open, head tilted slightly to the right, and mouth dropped, as if she were seeing Something Wonderful. About 9:25 a.m. The nurse was called back in, told us after using the stethoscope, "Her heart has stopped." I could only wish to look like that when I pass. My last words to her were finally "sleep in heavenly peace." So, her song will always be Silent Night. I truly felt at peace. I felt like mom's life had been extended several times in the past few years, she was such a fighter. I was so grateful to have had the chance to bring all of my family to see her alive in June 2009. That was my plan and it was great then to feel it had come to pass. I felt it might be their last time to see her again. But Erin and Megan saw her in this summer's hospital stay, though, as they passed through Iowa onthe way to Utah.

Now it was indeed time for her final rest, and we all felt that relief for her. She is with dad now. And parents, and siblings, and many others, too. Of course, she is in good hands. His Hands.

After some hugs and expressions, we sprung into coordinated action, packing up and removing items from her room, signing off papers [Mike] and getting things ready for the airport run. An hour later I was seated in the airport, with new arrangements since my plane had been delayed in DM, so all other connections therefore had to be rearranged, too. But a sweet consequence was a helpful Delta agent, Tony G. I was booked through LAX, then would be on first class to Hawaii. Tony had previously had a good experience with Barbara Barrington Jones' New You group, and had stayed at the home of the Duponts here in an emergency layover situation once. He was kind, and nice to visit with. Think I needed that personal touch then, right at that moment.

Talked with cousins I hadn't spoken with in years while at the airport and during the hospital stay. Toni Fuller, Donna McFarling, Judy McNerney. Good to connect with these, also with Pat and of course Ruthie and Mary Ann. Sometimes these sad times are family connecting times. It's a fact.

December 15 It took an overnight in LA to finally get my final plane home. [It was my 32nd plane this year] It was a relief in a way to have a hotel room at the LAX Travel Lodge on Century Blvd. Clean, and spacious, I was able to repack and make that last trip to the airport at least for a while, I hope, more efficiently.

December 16 - 18 Finals and grade calculating, Temple assignment, FHC, tending the boys for Lindsey and John's 9th anniversary, Christmas shopping, and the Honolulu Tabernacle Christmas Concert/pre celebrating our anniversary [Bubba Gumps, and Kua Aina sandwich, too! spending our last 20 dollars cash anniversary gift from mom--our 36th card from her, this time in Mike's signature.] --plopped back into life in its busy-ness, but loved being here, reunited with Bill and family, at peace, and knowing mom was at peace, too.

December 19 - 23 Arrival of the Jack Petersons, shopping for Christmas dinners and other preps, helping Elizabeth Fong find what she needed for BYUH, wrapping presents, making povitica, addressing all the Christmas messages and sending them out. Christmas Night Lights and dinner at the Spaghetti Factory [reservation for 21--WOW!] Making 36 twice-baked potato shells. It was a concentrated Christmas preps time for us, but it all got done. We made our list and checked it twice.

December 24 This preparation day for our favorite night of the year in our house with family who could come and the Wagners. We worked hard...Bill cleaned and set up all day! Prepared toasting wassail, punch, and 16 stuffed birds, cranberries, and the veggie trays. We set the table for 19, but 2 basketball players didn't come. So, 17 in all, but 18 with Mason in his own chair. It was a great night. All went well, though we missed the acting out of the nativity. We need more little kids! Lisa's feel they are too big for that now. Maybe next year. I slept a bit before getting final things ready for Christmas while Megan, Elizabeth, and Bill watched Grinch. Later, we enjoyed a Kenny and Dolly song . . . We then waited up and welcomed Erin home from work and enjoyed being the first to wish her Merry Christmas. She felt it was good to be home. Her first time in 4 years. :)

December 25 Christmas Day It was a great day to wake and play an abbreviated harp carols concert with the tree lights on for Bill. It's one of my favorite things to do every Christmas, and I had done that most early mornings since my return to Hawaii. Enjoyed povitica, thinking of mom not being alone anymore at holiday time. Watched Avery enjoy his presents with his parents, and then got the lunch ready for my whole family! How fun to have them all gathered here on a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day--blue sky, sunshine, green grass. Wonderful time. Avery's jeep was a hit with 5 of these cousins driving around in the big back parkyard. It doesn't get better than this. We are so grateful for a wonderful Christmas Day. Visited the families' homes to see the kids' gifts from Santa and parents. Visited the Wagners home, too. Time for a long winter's nap--but prepared for a Sunday RS lesson first!

Being able to provide for our children and others is what we usually give to each other, that, and >"Knowing you're in love with me is the greatest gift of all." truly, "you make this a Christmas to remember!" Fun to have a husband who gets into the decorating and celebrating, entertaining, --and cleaning, too. Christmas is such a wonderful experience, the favorite among our favorites each year.

This was indeed a season of LOVE. . . and transition, and will always be remembered, cherished as long as I live.

Fall 2010 Title pending

Travels, continued: HONG KONG

Returning for August, it was time to prepare for teaching, and also a quick trip for my ASIA 101 experience with Bill from September 6 - 13. While Kevin and Jen Castle were here in June, they gave some recommendations as we tracked some amazing rates for a vacation package to Hong Kong on Korean Air. Since Helen and Charlie Goo were still at the HK Temple, it would be a good opportunity to do some concentrated time in the temple, enjoy the sites and our alumni, and attend a wedding reception of Brian Chan, a former student researcher of Bill's.

MONDAY Bill and I departed for the 7-day experience on Labor Day. So, while the annual gathering was held in our backyard, we were on board for our flight to Seoul.

TUESDAY evening--crossed the INT. DATE LINE-- We were greeted in Korea by PJ Rogers, our "son/little brother" and we stayed at his home in Seoul. Enjoyed his family so much, sweet 3 gorgeous daughters and handsome son and beautiful Lori. We ate at the Mad Garlic restaurant, a nice walk from their high-rise apt. building.

WEDNESDAY Then in the morning, we made it to HK. What a site to see from the air-- all those buildings looking like they rose from the teeny islands below! We traveled from the airport by train, with Stanley Fong greeting us and becoming our excellent, attentive tour guide for 5 days while in this populated, multi-island nation.

We obtained our Octopus cards, then headed for our central location at the Cityview Hotel. It proved to be a good spot, adjacent to the MRT station for either red or green line. We used both lines during our stay.

Shortly after we arrived, we rested briefly following a quick light lunch at Spaghetti House, then headed to the HK Temple on Cornwall. It was up the road about 3.5 miles from our Hotel situated on Waterloo Road in Kowloon. We were near a busy street, Nathan Road, where much happens. Good location for our visit! Enjoyed a snack with the Goos following our session, and went home in a taxi since it was POURING rain and a noisy thunderstorm, too!

THURSDAY We slept well, then woke to meet Stanley in our hotel lobby. We traveled via bus then Star Ferry to the real Hong Kong Island, on to Stanley Market. We didn't shop much, but enjoyed the bus rides at the front of the double decker. After a quick Goo lunch, I then went to shop in ShinShamPo with Helen [it was where she was raised as a young girl]and found the strawberry shopping bags- :) while Stanley and Bill headed for the music store to check out trumpets. I'm not much of a shopper, but enjoyed the cultural exposure all the same. We all got back in time so Bill and I could enjoy another session at the temple. And they had trumpet success! A wonderful salmon dinner with the Goos...she loves to serve others and loves to cook. She blesses the lives of many with this expression of her talents!

Final arrangements were made for the Friday night gathering with Alumni to meet at the Wanchai Chapel in HK. We did some odds and ends food shopping at the 7-11 across from our hotel.

FRIDAY Dim sum for breakfast...then we took the MRT to HK island to ride the cogwheel lift to Victoria Peak. So steep! It was a medium day, so we were grateful it didn't rain. Our mile walk around at the top was so wonderful! Great exercise and being able to see 360 degrees of this paradise. So many palm trees...and the bamboo scaffoldings...we saw much from this vantage point.

Naps were in order following a little shopping in Ladies Market, and we then gathered our souvenirs for the alumni to take with us. MRT again, and we found the high rise building, 9 stories for our chapel, and offices of the HK area.

It was a delight, an absolute highlight, to see our former ward members and BYUH alumni who had gathered to see us. We found out about them, enjoyed some snacks, and watched a video with them, huddled on the floor around Bill's computer to see the latest recruitment video. Some of the former students brought their soon to enter BYUH children!!!! The invisible connections to each other in that room, due to BYUH were evident, so very strong in that room. Seeing Kitty Tong, our eighth ward RS president at one time, was a memory to make and cherish. It had been nearly 20 years since we had seen her, but she still looked so young, the same! So many others I recalled, and Bill clearly knew. Seeing Sherry and Jones Lai, both recent graduates, was also a wonderful meeting. Sherry took my research class twice, and still is involved in FH plus a counselor in RS. David O. McKay's vision is living and evident with these strong church members. Each misses BYUH, the spirit of the campus. So glad, so very glad, we spent this cherished evening with them. They gave us a cloisonne plaque of the HK temple as a souvenir. We posted the photos on Facebook and added some additional "Facebook friends."

Another downpour met us as we exited the gathering, so, up to the MRT we walked in tunnels, sidewalks, intended to connect HK island.

SATURDAY Plans were revamped due to the rain. No hikes today, so we went once again to the temple! 3X in one week--a new record for us. Following that, we met and ate with more BYUH alums. Cora Wong, Candy Lau, her husband, and daughters and Stanley all gathered at a high-rise mall where we ate at a fine restaurant on the 14th floor. I used a fork. Too intimidating for me to eat with chopstocks!

At night, we took the bus to the harbor to catch part of the symphony of Lights. We caught it just in time. Then, we walked back through some of the large shopping areas and enjoyed some gelati, a custom in new places that Bill especially enjoys.

SUNDAY We got out for a little neighborhood walk then got ready for church. We attended with Cora and it was a ward with mostly sisters from the Philippines who serve as nannies. Very humble, and very female! Cora gave a lovely RS lesson, and we later got to meet her husband at the hotel. He'd been serving an audit during church time, so missed him at the building.

This was our night to attend the wedding reception for Brian. Stanley was invaluable in maneuvering us up to the north of New Territories for that. He was in new areas too, so an adventure for all. About an hour of train rides, and we were there. Brian seemed so happy that we would come. We had special photos taken with him. We also were in the company of other BYUH alums. These 4 seemed to be struggling some with being so far away from influence of the spirit. They sorely missed, it seemed, and wanted so badly to return to an atmosphere where the spirit could be strong. We didn't stay for all 9 courses of the meal, but enjoyed the experience of the 3 we participated in. I'm glad we brought the umbrellas!

MONDAY We awoke to the best day weather-wise of our travels, and of course that would be our day to bid farewell! We took the special bus to the airport train, then on to the terminal. Stanley was meeting Tod Sibley there. We traveled over Japan to Korea once again, with reservations to stay near the Incheon airport due to our early departure the next morning. We arrived near dark, and a Rogers Greeting Committee awaited us and ran out to greet us. Sweet! PJ steered us to a very local restaurant across the street, and we tried about 12 authentic dishes. Little Leah kept bringing me napkins. Yup, I guess this was messy food for me! She, Jaida, and Maya are precious. Can't remember if baby was there or not . . . Lori had school activities still, so didn't attend. IT is great to see PJ in this daddy role.

TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY We left on a Wednesday, crossing the dateline once again, and arrived in Honolulu on a Tuesday at 11 at night. SOOOOoooo nice once again to be home, but grateful for a unique and memorable adventure. As expected, the food was the hardest for me. But I was also surprised that HK which understood English so well, was still so . . . Chinese! Expected to hear more English spoken. We even used earphones for English translation in the temple, so that was a surprise.

I'm so very glad we went, but know now how strange our culture must seem to our Asian students who come to BYUH for 4 years. No wonder homesickness is so prevalent early in the semesters. It is different everywhere, but important, to go to their homelands to understand more how to assist these students when they arrive here. Reviewing in my mind the connections with alumni on those several occasions helps me realize once again we live in a unique place with a very special mission. How blessed for anyone to come here to school!

Cherish the Thought!

Summer days and adventures and now happy to be home --June--- was a pleasure as always to be in our paradise home in Hawaii. Life is taking a big turn for us, as we learned Erin will be returning to Hawaii for employment temporarily, then schooling, to advance professionally. Avery will be joining her soon, we hope, as he spends these days in Australia with family there. Preparations for moving Erin, household contents, and car from Pennsylvania and preparing Megan for a roommate sister were a big part of the June planning at our home.

Celebrating and packing and off we go! July--- got off to a good start with packing up for our mainland trip to Kansas City, Utah, and Iowa. As it turned out, we added in some other destinations, too, and our itinerary made some as-needed adjustments along the way. Departing on July 7, we arrived in Kansas City on the 8th. Enjoyed Independence, MO and also Liberty, Far West, and other special sites in our two days together-just-us there. Visited friend Al D., and enjoyed the Amish restaurant for lunch in Jamesport, too. Moving on to Salt Lake City, we met Megan and Erin there as they'd been traveling in the Ford Escape cross country since July 1. We all celebrated Aaron Jensen's birthday at Olive Garden at his request. Then each daughter returned to Hawaii from Utah, and Bill and I headed for Long Beach to deliver the Escape to the shipping dock. We enjoyed mountains in Utah and Arizona, and endured desert in Nevada and California before arriving in busy LA area in scorching July heat. It was a trip to . . . know we'd made!

Ripping books apart, magazines, too, is a way Bill and I endure and enjoy airports and plane rides. Nick Sparks' The Lucky One and The Last Song were ripped and enjoyed in the 7 airports and 11 plane rides total this summer!

Back to Utah, visiting friend Janice M. first, then we drove on to Logan to see once again our former Utah home and friends and acquaintances. The soda at the Bluebird was a huge treat, too . . . and fragrant campus floral plantings at USU fill my memory while we walked and viewed the recent campus diggings and new buildings. Aggie ice cream was a Peterson treat for us, along with visiting them, Bob and Kim Mills, Johnson and Candie Mak, Jay and Jane Monson, and seeing other old neighbors and ward members. Logan is still growing, many changes from our days when we could look out our window and see all the way to Hyde Park! Now it has all filled in with houses and commercial areas, and we hear it is large enough to support two Walmarts! The new chapels built in our old neighborhood since we moved number F I V E !!!!! That is indeed growth.

Back to Salt Lake via Ogden and the Litchford visit, then a day trip to visit Juhnyon Park and friends of Bill's in Orem. A highlight was staying next to the Energy Solutions on the 15th for our walk to the Carole King and James Taylor concert there. Loved those moments, and reviewing pictures in our minds while "singing the songs of long ago" and others. "How sweet it is. . ."!

Friday in downtown SLC we started our day with a visit with missionary Napua Baker at the FHL, touring the new church history library, the new Deseret Book store, even a little shopping, and met Janice for dinner at Lambs, prior to the MTC pioneer concert celebrating their 100 years of recording. Awesome! Great seats, too. A favorite way to begin our SLC experience [we'd attended Music and the Spoken Word the previous Sunday] and end it, also. We departed for the midwest the next Saturday, the 17th, with no delays in Denver this time, but the pleasant weather we'd previously enjoyed in KC area had turned very HAH--hot and humid!

Bill and I have a love for Iowa --it's green, rolling fields and . . . Maidrites...so our first stop on the drive from KC airport into Iowa was its first exit--lovely Lamoni, for a wonderful official maidrite--loose meat--sandwich. MMMMM! This is something we miss for sure. On to Des Moines, where we found my mom who had just been released from the hospital. The plans had been adapted so that I would stay with her for 10 days to help her recover. It was a good visit, and Bill spent valuable time with his mom and family, too. I made it to northeast Iowa to see Neal family, stay with Betty, eat at Olive Garden, and attend Grama Lois' 90th surprise birthday party at Melinda and Ray Cagley's new home in the country near beloved Shell Rock. How nice to see Neal farm, "Happy Acres" , outside the front window! The fields looked green and lush! It felt to me so much like home. A great feeling to be there. A feeling of peace, calm, and assurance, grateful to be close to the earth. It's been part of my life for over 35 years, more than half my life. Strong feelings -- I'll always be drawn to this place, in its own way a heaven on earth.

Our ten day visit drew to a close so it was time to head back to Hawaii, via MSP and Portland once we returned the car in KC on the 27th. We were rested and ready to return to our home and family, and enjoyed a dinner with Kevin and Felise Prine before departing the next day.

Grandsons and Kylee awaited our return. Seems like they missed us! And now August--- on August 5 at 9:21 p.m. new baby grand Mason Joseph William Jensen joined our family! Happy time, happy family, and this is what counts for us.

It's been a family focused summer in many ways...Erin's return here, joining with family in the midwest, tending mom and seeing her amazing recovery, visits with long ago family-like friends,[Brian S. and others] too, and now our grandbaby's birth. Too soon the routine of school and classes will arrive. Bill is already back and busy and my syllabus is being prepared. But it must be said, we wouldn't do life much differently. Still love our simple life, with some opportunities to travel.

My souvenir of meaning--So glad I brought home a bookmark leaf from Adam ondi Ahman and walked barefoot in the green silky grass at the temple grounds in Far West. How cherished to walk in all of these places, feel the spirit strongly in our Liberty Jail visit, taste our yummy maidrites again, enjoy sweet fragrances on USU's campus, hug dear ones, be uplifted by the MTC and CK and JT, reconnect with so many cherished friends and cousins.

It was trip to remember...and to cherish our blessings. I am grateful for each one.

48 plus 12 Years Experience!

A new decade begins for me. . . and I'm so grateful to be here to celebrate it. 10 years ago there were no promises . . . just statistics and hopes. Now, I have lived to see dreams come true, and more.

Healthwise, able to run/walk 2 miles daily and still touch toes, do crunches, stretches, toning, and more. Still have my teeth, original knees, hips, appendages. Nearly all body parts intact throughout, but not without some scares here and there. Hair returned! Curls have relaxed, mostly. Still dark brown, naturally, even.

Educationwise, teaching Family History for 20 semesters here at BYUH. Volunteering at the FHC provides additional opportunities to serve/learn. Taught 3 years for Home Econ--individ/family mgmt./planning class.
Still learning many things--preparedness, traveling the world, my harp/music, etc. Teaching lessons monthly in RS on topic variety.


Familywise, mother of 4 daughters, 3 sons in law, 6.8 grandchildren--love the Nanna dates and visits. All girls graduated with honors from high school, and we have 3 college graduates among our daughters, Jenny even completed her Masters. Megan is halfway through her college courses. Family brings greatest life joys. Wife of great and supportive, loving husband, of course! Annual visits, usually twice, with mother; brothers and families in contact electronically.

Still feel spiritually connected, growing, yet with more growth possible. The more I learn, the more I know I need to learn! ! ! Enjoy our daily scripture reading to expand understanding and appreciation. Music, many styles, brings me joy and peace, also. Emotional well being comes from many sources, trying new things, giving talks and lessons, but mostly is found among family and friends. I love my home and caring for it. Facebook, cell phones, and texting keep me connected, and emailing, too. Cherish the phonecalls, also.

Travelwise, we've visited Kona twice, Boston twice, NYC twice, DC for a 4th of July, Chicago, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, SLC, Denver, Long Beach and Disneyland [just us!], several temples, also Europe, esp. Croatia, then Australia, Canadian Rockies, and many trips to Iowa/midwest to visit family for sharing milestone events and most recently, Kauai, for nephew Matthew's wedding. We lead pretty simple lives from "owning stuff" point of view, but we do enjoy our traveling opportunities, especially Bill and I together.

The wrinkles are coming, though I still faithfully put on my "mortar" each morning. Yet I know I've earned every one of those.

Much memory and great gratitude --
♪♪"...'er I forget all the joy that is mine TODAY!" ♪♪

Life is good! I hope I always get to think that is true.

Semester's End, Spring Travels, and More to Come

The early end to the semester and April 10 graduation are the best things I can comment about the newer BYUH calendar. How nice now to have more free time to care for home, family, and continue old and begin new projects. Completing homeschooling with Trevor was also in this early April time. We had a great first grade experience in reading/language arts! He's such a good student.

SIFE regionals were a big success. The presenting team and several students and leaders attended this in Honolulu. Advancing to National Expo in Minneapolis May 11 - 13 meant more focused attention to scripts, reports, videos, travel plans, etc. But in reflection, it was truly worth all the effort. More on the Expo in Minneapolis later.

In one of our less planned trips, we arranged with one day warning to go to Kona, HI for a wedding of Will Wong and his bride. It was a lovely day to leave before dawn, be in the temple, and enjoy this day to ourselves after. We were home by 4:30 p.m., grateful for a brief yet welcome getaway.

Ho'omaikai Dinner honored BYUH employees with benchmark years spent here. Bill received his 25 year award [we've been here officially 26, though] and chose a gift of ukulele, and asked me to choose a black pearl necklace as a remembrance since I'd given that long to his BYUH endeavor too! That was a special observance.

Trip time again! This time to southern California. We traveled to Long Beach for Bill's WASC accreditation conference, then we enjoyed a time in Newport Beach Temple, a really beautiful time with Rebecca Waldron's mom and husband there and at the Mexican dinner following. The Italian lunch was special too--I'll always remember the beet salad! Delicious! From a quick trip then onto Balboa Island, we ventured to everyone's favorite place, Disneyland. We walked and walked to/from and while there, but had a most delightful time reliving our memories with kids and also making new ones of our own. The end of the day was a highlight as we exited the renewed Small World and stood to enjoy in the sky the ginormous firework display, in all directions. Soaring over California is still my favorite. Love those "fast passes."

After church and In and Out Burger, my first one [!], we returned the rental car
and flew to HNL. Always glad for a break away, but always glad to be home, too. And yes, another trip was in the works. Love spring!

It seemed like I wasn't home long before the adventure to the Midwest--to Des Moines to be with my mom for Mother's Day--a first. Then a busride to Minneapolis to support the SIFE team and see daughter Erin and Avery, a wonderful bonus, then tripping to Nauvoo, back to DM via a day in Cedar Rapids vicinity to surprise my Mary, and finally home after 2 weeks away.

Mother's Day began Saturday, with the edible bouquet arriving from Jenny and family. Loved the pineapple daisies with melon ball centers, mounds of strawberries, and skewers of grapes! A sweet surprise for us! Then on Sunday, I attended church with mom, then she, Mary Ann, and I traveled to Wiota, Iowa, where my cousin Dorothy was surprised by her children and they celebrated at the renovated farmhouse of my Aunt Mary. I hadn't seen some of these special family members for . . . YEARS! Perhaps I was 16 when I was there last? ? Still trying to remember when. Such good food and pleasant catching up time for us all. That night I heard about Megan's day. . . she had given a talk in church [about mom's/me] and has a new calling in RS presidency, so much for her to share in our phone visit.

The Minneapolis trip was a good one, though we wish the weather would have been more springlike. Erin was a trooper to bring Avery and endure the airline hassles which seem to always manifest themselves in Detroit. Note to self: avoid Detroit transfers! Uncle Mike Reynolds and Pam were excellent hosts and we even got to connect with their Bryan and Kayla, who both attend school in that area. Mall of America, MOA, was a main stop for most of the SIFE group, even Bill. Erin and Avery and Nanna and Papa got our fill of Nickelodeon Universe. A bit jiggly for some of the rides, but most for Avery were tame. A tour or MSP by Mike and Pam added to our enjoyment and appreciation for this grand midwestern city. Love the Abdullah chocolates made here! The two-story Target had to be our shopping stop the next day. By then the SIFE event was in full swing. Attended our presentation and -- how rare-- two judges verbally told them how fantastic it was! YAY--they advanced to the next round of competition for the busy Thursday.

Again, verbal praise given to the team, but their place was second runner up, or 9th - 12th place in the nation. We are SO proud of these young people and the PR they gave as well as the SIFE organization here and there many worthwhile projects. Time now to plan for next year! We're glad they are excited to get started.

Erin and Avery left us Thursday morning. We were very glad to see both of them, even though we know how hard it was to travel like this with a little one and that Erin spent her vacation time getting to us. Such a wonderful thing to visit, even if only for a short time. I value this.

The afternoon presentations were unfortunately delayed somewhat, so a decision to get a start on the road for our 7-hour journey was made after a few of the top four presentations. 3 vans and a rental car for us later and we were on I35 headed south for Nauvoo, Illinois. So glad we made it safely, as the next morning a flat tire was discovered and needed a repair. All wandered around the area and we even found a maidrite place--we look for these when in the midwest. The peaceful time alone in the sculpture garden Tribute to Women was a remarkable treat for me. Flowers blooming, I took many phonecamera shots and hope to learn soon how to post those!

The Saturday morning experience was most memorable, attending the Nauvoo Temple with 17 of our troop. A truly beautiful place, it captures the "as it was" feel one would expect to find inside. This visit was followed by the entire group traveling and experiencing the Carthage Jail grounds. Many were touched by being in this space. Photos were special here, too.

The visits in the afternoon to sites and so many fewer tourists than previous trips meant we got so much out of the experience this time compared to any time before. I feel like I know Nauvoo now.

For me, the travel from Nauvoo to I-380 exit 4 was much anticipated. I was staying at a hotel to wait for morning when Kelly Hauschildt Butzen and family would pick me up to surprise my Mary on her 60th birthday. We traveled to the Ox Yoke Inn in the Amana Colonies and yes, she was
S U R P R I S E D ! ! !

The brunch was fabulous and time was indeed memorable. I'm so glad it worked out to do this. Our Sunday was relaxing as we took down their camp site and enjoyed time back in Marion, their home. The new technologies made some of this so doable and the surprise easier to pull off. I'm learning how to text these days, though my thoughts sometimes appear to be Welsh! I hope I'll be improving in the months ahead.

Time to ponder on Monday, and accompany Mary to appointments, [prayers offered] then a busride back to Des Moines, dinner with mom and cousin Mary Ann. Met Katie LePorte, the graphic artist for the Yurich Directory and her husband, Mike. So glad to know these two cousins better! Whew! Much packed into that day, too!

Pleasant Tuesday, preparing for a trip back to HNL. Helped mom clean a bit, too. Travel day arrived, and it was enjoyable, quick transfers, so no time to waste in airports. That is good!

Returned to welcome all -- chidren and grandchildren and husband, responsibilities, projects old and new, and put life back together at home time. It's nice to be home, and...YES, there is another trip this week coming--to Kauai, for nephew Matt's wedding. I'll record that adventure in the next update.

Life is good. The Lord blesses us. I know He has done His part and is so willing to do so if I do mine. Peace always.

Spring in This Island Paradise

It's exciting to live in Hawaii always--university life brings variety and opportunity to assist others, we don't have weather to complain about, really, but things can get interesting when tsunami warnings hit. That was our experience the end of February, Saturday the 27th. We were supposed to go to a play that night on campus but both of us were tired. Then at 10 p.m.-ish Lindsey let us know of a huge earthquake in Chile that generated potentially damaging tsunami for the Pacific.

We had about a 12 hour lead on its arrival, so sleep was hard to come by. Preparations picked up by 3 a.m., and by 7 a.m. we had gathered all emergency items to the car, carried possessions/furnishings upstairs, wrapped items in tarp, and gone to Bill's office joining Megan and Jenny's family there to wait it out.

Fortunately, and because of much prayer, we were spared this time. Thank heavens! [And we did.] We learned much and were grateful for this emergency "dry run" with ample lead time. What will happen if it's a disaster that doesn't give lead time??? I hope we never have to know! At the all clear, we returned home and undid our preparations and rested well that night although many events in Hawaii were cancelled, even our big basketball game with HPU.

So, then on Monday night we played HPU at Blaisdell, and we joined the other boosters to cheer on our team-victorious, it was a great game!--and with a berth in the district tourny in Bellingham, Washington. A week later, Bill joined this entourage as the token administrator, and enjoyed a week away. It proved to be a good time for him to catch up and relax at the same time. I enjoyed my solo-ing at home but was glad for his return, of course. Although we didn't make it through the final match up, we watched the team who beat us become the final top team! We got within 3 points of them in our match, which is great compared to the other scores they had against opponents. We loved this season and hope they do it again.

Our stake conference and Bill's stake conference were the same weekend, and we welcomed President Aaron Shumway and Iafeta "IJ" Sao and George Reid to the Laie Presidency. Bill's stake conference hosted Elder Dalton, who will soon be the new mission president here in Hawaii. A good weekend, for sure.

The next basketball team we followed was UNI, our alma-mater, who made it to the Sweet Sixteen Division I NCAA. Purple and gold Panthers had great players and following. We watched live stream here at home--technology has a wonderful place in our lives. It was great to share successes with family on Facebook/FB who were also following along.

Easter holiday celebrations and a performing role for Primaries filled some days in late March, early April. I was tapped as a fill in for Mary Magdalene at Bill's stake Primary Activity, then was asked to repeat that for another Primary activity. Even got out the sewing machine to whip us a quick tunic for that. It was an honor, joy to portray for the children the way Mary M. might have shared her story. Easter weekend coincided with General Conference weekend, so we were enriched by that--and also having the family here for ham dinner, Grandma's deviled [doubled?] eggs, and egg hunt. Maddie Kite, Megan's roomie, also joined us.

We're having another grandson in August!--that's pretty significant news for us, and for Jenny and Aaron and Kylee. Kylee is still reigning Princess, with soon to be 6 Princes in the total family kingdom. As usual, my Family History volunteering, teaching, and spare-time-searching occupy my days--and even some late nights. It's been helpful to connect and find missing data and bring it into new.familysearch.org.

We're now enjoying the daylight earlier on our daily exercise, though the wind and rainy a.m.'s lately has made it not so pleasant for that . . . It's time to get back in to the regular habit we so much enjoy. Those walks, sometimes with Jenny, get us off to a grand start in our day.

The Conference of Champions for upcoming entrepreneurs brought a guest to our home, Kevin, from Shanghai. How nice that this campus brings others who can see and feel what a unique university this is. Another visitor, Elia Gourgouris, gave an insightful fireside and we enjoyed his company at dinner, too, one evening with wife, Sona.

The third Sunday each month we've been enjoying the company of BYUH missionaries for potluck dinners. We enjoy so many of these couples who give their time and talents to serve the Lord and also the students here in a variety of capacities. Someday, we hope it's the two of us who will be serving in some mission!

Homeschooling and dating the boys and visits with Jenny and Kylee round out my days. As I write this, Trevor has only 2 days left with me in Language Arts/Handwriting. He has zoomed right along and is quite ready for the second grade. He mostly enjoys his breaks, I think--cottage cheese, chocolate milk that he makes, and cookies if they are on hand seem to make his mornings here. Kyle now joins Trevor each Wednesday after the schooling, so he can get comfortable here with me, too. What energy this guy has! His speaking/conversation is really starting to roll along! His favorites at my house are bananas, and bananas. He likes jello squares and apple juice, too.

Devin is fun, fun, fun. His "Seasider" soccer record is perfect against my winless "Alligators" team! But he is complimentary when I make a good block. His favorites are tuna sandwich, a bit of cottage cheese, chocolate pudding, and jello, too. He loves to drink orange juice. Kylee usually finds time on Friday mornings before napping to come and hang out here with me and her mom. She's had a few bites of candle and golf ball foam lately, but it hasn't hampered her enjoyment here, it seems. It's great connecting time for those of my grandchildren here in town. We see Bryson here and there in the drop offs, and his smiles and scooting around show us he is a growing little one. We miss Erin and Avery in this mix, and have thought of them so much as they were here for a few months just a year ago before moving to PA.

Erin is talking more like schooling is again in her picture in the near future. We try to visit on her days off, after resting from her night shifts. Avery L O V E S their better weather and plays almost daily for an hour at parks in their neighborhood and beyond. I got to visit some when I was there last November and hope to get in on some visits with him in May.

Megan has performed recently in concerts and at a devotional so we've enjoyed her music making again. YAY! Proud parent moments, for sure for those pep band, brass band, and university concerts recently. She has changed jobs, liking very much her new one of tech/sound/TV production studios employment. Her major is becoming defined, a big move forward. We're so happy she is finding her niche. She may be home awhile this spring and summer before returning to campus in the fall, it seems. It will be strange to have our youngest out of teens...we spent 17 years as parents of one or more teenagers. We're okay in most ways that era will soon end for us.

Bill needed me to be a substitute receptionist for him in February and early March. I was glad to get an inside glimpse of what his days/weeks were like. I'm also VERY glad he has a temporary, Rebecca, who took over that role. Back to my life!!

Good things ahead--end of semester, Graduation [a first--it's in April this year!], SIFE regional, RS, to Long Beach with Bill for a conference. I enjoy the variety this spring is bringing.

Grateful for all that is good, for all that I'm learning, for what is in store, for what I can give.

What I Should Have Taught My Children Better

1. There is a difference between needs [most parent provided] and wants [not parent provided].
2. THANK YOU is the best two-word phrase in one's vocabulary and parents can't hear this often enough.
3. To be content with what you have is a great gift.
4. To be without something you want is normal and expected.
5. If you want something, prioritize, budget, and save for it.
6. There is more than one way to do most things right--and if you want it done your way, be willing to do it yourself.
7. A college education is an "extra" and not an expense required or expected of parents. Any assistance provided by parents is a sacrifice for them and a generous gift to the lucky, parent-endowed student. Make them feel like they are getting their money's worth.
8. Debt/interest never sleeps and is constraining. . . the sooner you pay, the sooner you are free. Receive interest, never pay it. . . a minimum payment is the credit card company's way of making a fortune. . . so pay off the bill in full each month--you don't need to make them rich. If you can't afford it now, you can't afford it at the end of the month. Save up instead and pay in cash.
9. Daily do-its include public areas clean enough to welcome company--living room, bathroom, kitchen including dishes. "Put the house to bed"--a ten-minute tidy-- and you'll have a fresh start when you wake to a clean dwelling. The other basic is 1-2-3: get it out, use it, put it away. You will never regret this.
10. Following counsel and commandments gives one the freedom to be happy and rich in ways that really count.

SOS, a Good Read, and other February Facts and Finds

Sugar On Sundays -- Bill and I accepted and signed up for the DMBA Health Challenge for Jan/Feb--no sugar snacks and 30 min. exercise a day. So far, we snack as counseled, and save our SUGAR ON SUNDAYS to really gorge ourselves on what we've been going without--the MOUNDS, cc cookies, etc. So far, so good...until this weekend--Valentines goodies did us in for two days. Our weight has stayed down when we've stayed faithful to the plan. YAY!

The Undaunted -- by Elder Gerald Lund has been a great break from the ordinary. With only one class to teach/plan, I do have Thursdays free, and with less homework to grade, record, I have actual READING time!!! This book has even helped me find a few pieces of my family history--chronicling mining experiences in England, as my great grandfather experienced during his era as described in the first 100 pages. I'm enjoying the sojourn vicariously with the pioneers who were missionaries to settle the San Juan River area in the 4 corners section of Utah including the courageous Hole in the Rock adventure. An 800 page uh, epic, it is quite a story.

Family History finds personally and in helping others has brought me joy and good times at the computer. I assisted a BYUH student the other day...she came in with one name and place of a grandfather. By the time she left an hour and 15 min. later, she had filled in many more generations back! Love Ancestry, and fortunately, her extended family had sent in their family trees. So, add that to historical records we found, and she walked out of there with many new generations of discovery.

I also assisted a friend with hers...found old familysearch.org still a big help in locating her ancestors with siblings. She seemed most pleased with this.

And then it was my turn. The Wales connection to my great grandfather's second wife has evolved now. Nice to cover the lateral lines. I'm now trying to find two babies who passed away before my great grandparents moved from Illinois to Iowa in the early 1880's, so we'll see how this goes. Let's hope my suspicions for Mercer County, Viola Cemetery are on the right track.

Valentines is always a fun day to observe. Family here, away, mothers, Bill's sisters, VT's--fun to give a little gift to...some with candy and quotes. Bill and I have enjoyed MTC's "Heavensong" CD for our gift to eachother--so lovely, as our wedding processional and recessional are on there: Sheep May Safely Graze and Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring. Many church meetings for Bill in town mean we get to listen on our drives there. Enjoyed dinner at Auntie Pastos for the last Honolulu one, and 3 LeiLei dinners/lunches recently with Sibleys, Wagners, Monsons. We like our haircut nights, too, so we can salad bar at Ruby Tuesdays at Windward. Fun to eat out. OH! Can't forget Hannemann's Kahuku Grill, too.

Family dinner this month was at our house. Liz Shropshire was guest, visiting from AZ, sharing her experiences this week about music with children in Kosovo, Uganda, and No. Ireland. Truly a peace bringer. She is a delight.

Homecoming Week/Alumni Week for BYUH--loved serving the hotdogs and also cheering at the victorious game Friday Night. Jet is back! We missed him. Aggressive and high scoring.
The bench is deep again, so nice to watch the comeback. Bill's stake enjoyed a Valentine's Dance where we dropped in to say hello after the game. Megan still plays in the pep band, so we go to support her also.

Flu has escaped our home, though Trevor and Devin and Kylee have had a few hard days in the past few weeks, one after the other. Now we'll see if we've gotten rid of that bug for good or will pass it around more. Hope the former!!

In other updates, our shredder got a work out at the end of January, taking 4 days to annihilate 12 years' worth of documents! I feel so much better knowing those are destroyed. Now it's on to getting taxes ready and files efficient and doable for the year. Our tree out back finally shed the rest of its leaves, after about 20 bags full, we're ready for bare-leafed branches, at least for a little while. Gardening beckons...hope the time comes back to do more of that. Pikake and spearmint, plus garlic chives thrive. Papaya trees are climbing!

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou! !

Wonderful Christmas memories-in-the-making have flowed nicely into celebrating arrival of 2010. The pre-holidays not yet posted included BYUH Graduation with Sister Julie B.Beck as speaker [we also got to provide her "to the airport shuttle"], enjoying the Honolulu Tabernacle Christmas Program--an annual "must see" for us, our 35th anniversary celebration while staying in town with the lobster tail lunch and shopping, making povitica, twice-baked potatoes at our home with Jenny, and festive-izing our home for Christmas Eve dinner for 24--family, dear old friends, new friends, too, enjoying Maddie Kite here with Megan for Christmas Day, all the Hawaii family here for the dinner and sandwiches, gifts also.

It was a beautiful Christmas season, but missing much our Erin and family in PA. We were glad to learn how much she did to capture as many Neal family traditions for her own, plus included in them the LDS missionaries who live upstairs from them in making it special. We're so proud of Erin--holiday fun she was able to share with others. THAT'S what this season is about--beyond self, focus on others. YAY ERIN!

Lull Week--between Christmas and NYr's is a fabulous take it easy time for us, but still very productive. Time to sort, organize, put away, rearrange all that is in our house. RELAXING?? Yes, it really is. Many bags to discard or give away. . . Xmas decorations put away, garage cleaned, shined all the shoes, checked all the pens for ink, finances settled--or at least the process is begun. . . these and other activities that don't always work their way onto the weekly to do list. Watched some football, too, and enjoyed other relaxing reading and seeing movies of interest.

Spending New Year's Eve at Ala Moana is becoming a desired tradition. Jenny, Aaron and Kylee also got a room and we all loved our Tanaka of Tokyo dinner that night, games and snacks in the room later while watching small firework displays in Honolulu neighborhoods from our high-rise room. I think I won at 2500 for the first time! Shocked! 2010 arrived with a literal B A N G--Toasting cider, then FIREWORKS at midnight, so pretty! A welcome sleep, then watched the Pasadena parade to start the day. We welcomed the year by helping out the Hawaii economy then returned home for the last half of the Rose Bowl game. YAY Ohio! and Penn State, too! Bread bowls of potato cheese soup. MMMMMMMmmmmmm.

Caring for our health continues to be one of our many goals. We're not sugar-snacking for two months, according to the DMBA guidelines, hence, the weight is dropping little by little. We're both glad to watch our weight and have always done that. It's been our philosophy since we got married. We are feeling better as a result. Love our SOS--Splurge On Sundays plan, though. Ice cream, cookies, etc. --we're allowing sugar then!! Exercising 30 minutes a day, the other guideline, was already in our daily routine. Love those early morning walks.

Prayer days and times grew in number, it seemed, so suddenly. We had many with news locally that did cause concern and truly deserved prayer these days. The Sorens, Nortons, Pierces, Wagners, Goos, and even some family members had challenges so were remembered often these days. The Lord's hands are the ones that help most, and often we are His hands for others. Updating frequently on all this news, I have a new name for FACEBOOK --- "FAITHBOOK."

New semester preparations started in, too, and some new traditions are set. Bill and Paul refined their b.c. class, and I did the necessaries for the Family History class, too. It's also nice to be back at the Family History Center for Friday volunteer time. Dates with the boys resumed--Wednesday is our day, and LOL is my subtitle for that!! Kylee-time was also part of the week, along with the Fast Sunday Family dinner which was here this month. Sharing the meal preps with daughters Lindsey, Jenny, and Megan is a new favorite event--a nice, full meal with such little effort!! I enjoyed watching the grands while the others had time to relax and visit. Papa Bill helped Trevor with his birthday Lego set in the other room, too. Ahhhh. So very nice. One of those times when I'd like to reach up and stop the clock hands awhile. . .

But other goals are set, life's demands are inevitable, routines are in place, travel plans are coming to mind, and 2010 comes marching in at a cadence we can't escape or place on pause. Like all the years lately since the girls have grown up, they seem to truly fly by sooooo quickly. I am so happy that so many of us are all still here, have each other to fill our lives, and have an eternity to look forward to -- ALL together then. For this perspective, and for so MANY, many other blessings, I am sincerely grateful and greet this year head on.