Ring out the Old, Ring in the New! 2011 to 2012

Ringing out the old is indeed sweet, as it has been a good year in so many ways. Years of some things same, some things changed, and some transition too.

So blessed to have family here, ALL here for the holidays! We all mostly lived 2011 in Laie, except for summer when Avery was in Australia and for Megan's Nauvoo mission/Provo move. Now, DEC 30, Avery is back in Australia, and Erin has traveled there just now, taking him to join Will there to live. Megan is home for a bit from Provo over break, so then will return back to live and try to work also. Residency is the goal. She will have a favorite friend for a housemate, so things look up for her because of that.

Our family activities and Christmas memories included our Spaghetti Factory feast and parade to see Honolulu City Lights. PCC Lagoon Christmas Story & Ride, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Sunset Beach sunset picnic, and just hanging time for all. Erin finished employment at Hyatt early enough to enjoy these activities with us all and had time to pack up also. Megan divided her time between us, Dominoes, and friend Christen. It's been a fun season.

Transition is still on the top of our minds as we consider where we will be before too long. Exploring here and there, and even in between, has been fun to play with mentally. It was so interesting that October brought Bill's move, the retirement seminar, Shane's assessment of our situation, and the preparedness status we have needed to keep in consideration. In November, the estate papers got finalized. Hmmmmmm. . . . It truly is time to start putting things in order and consider life on the mainland . . . . somewhere! Now THAT is the question-- W H E R E ?????

The hardest thing now is to be able to count the Lord's blessings for the year and not forget anything! We love our work, our service, our opportunities to be with family, our time to live in such a lovely home and environment, to be able to continue these in decent health. So Many Blessings!

We have felt the Lord's hand in so many ways, and pray we may continue to feel that. Wishing all that is good for those we love, too. Let's ring in the new!!! Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!

Travel and Trips, Twists, and Transition Times

TRAVEL Summer, 2011
Our spring travel to Salt Lake City for Conference weekend and a BYUH Leadership meeting launched a week which then took us to San Francisco. These places had drastic contrasts--snow with daffodils popping through in SLC, then on to the springtime in the Bay. It was great to travel there, and we enjoy both locales very much, for either business or pleasure.

Early spring took Megan on a TRIP to Nauvoo, Illinois to serve as a Young Performing Missionary. Her 3.5 months there were a unique opportunity. She did blow her lungs out, and did get a glimpse up close of missionary work. She met many people and we are grateful she was an influence for good. Saw her so smiley and seemingly fulfilled in many ways. Her growth was noticeable.

July in Iowa, and also Nauvoo, to see family and friends, provided its own set of TWISTS, especially as we traveled through airports. Never expect things to go as planned is a great motto this time, as in a few other summers regarding air travel. But we made it none the less to Des Moines, Nauvoo [2x], Waterloo, Shell Rock, and Cedar Rapids, plus Oskaloosa as destinations in those two weeks. Friendships renewed, families served, and time cherished crammed those days. We returned to painting time here, too, and renewing our enjoyment of being at home in Hawaii.

In August, upon Megan's release, she had made the decision, indeed a TWIST to go to Provo and look for a job while gaining residency in Utah, her next destination for schooling, if she so chooses to return. I was able to see her home off the airplane in SLC, then we stayed with friend Janice Morgan in West Valley City a few days to get things for her apartment life. She resides in Provo, though some turns in events have given her a new set of learnings about life and survival. She'll make it. She is tough enough, and she has a great background to get her moving along as she needs. But, these months have certainly given her an interesting new perspective about being on her own and becoming who she wants to become.

For us, too, it has been a TRANSITION TIME. For a good while now we have felt a change coming, though we weren't sure what it would be or when it would be manifested. We learned part of that in early October as Bill's role took a shift in locale and his responsibilities also more closely realigned in quantity to what he was doing 4 years ago. He welcomes greatly the chance once again to influence students in the classroom also as that is where he will be half time starting in January 2012. The new title seems appropriate, especially now that he returns more closely to the role he had back then before he took a retiring VP's responsibilities over. As a part of those new responsibilities then, he hired and trained a great man for one position and seemed to be successful in this as now the young man will stand on his own as a director. Although Bill will miss his large office adn all the personnel, he will have a less public location upstairs so he can continue into his 13th year [28th at BYUH] the administrative planning and assessment duties, plus others he's acquired along the way, with fewer distractions. His crew will be smaller, but is glad to continue with them in their university service. But it's no secret though, WE KNOW he loved all those distractions because he enjoys always working with people and being connected to so many. So now his influence will refocus on the classrooms of students. As long as I've known him, that's been his driving force in loving university association.

Our transition from working life to retirement life is approaching, though it seems we'll be here until 2015, possibly. But again . . . we'll see what the days and events hold for us, especially in light of those recent university changes and the prompt to look around while looking ahead. At least for now we are on track to enjoy Hawaii a while longer, fix up our home at last, and enjoy most of our family nearby. The bedroom changes have been most welcoming, and our home and yard, inside and outside, would still be our favorite haven.

The Fall getaway to Victoria over Labor Day was a pleasant, new experience. Great weather there, and seeing dear friend Diane who introduced us long ago and her husband added to our lovely time in the Pacific Northwest. Butchart Gardens, on our so-called "Bucket List/Sand Pail List'" lived up to its glowing reputation as a place of wonder and beauty. We also walked the inner bay, traveled on our hop-on bus tour a few times, and walked the streets to various destinations. Love, love that walking! Always my favorite way to see and experience a new place.

Teaching for me will also make a transition or twist as I expect to be teaching for the first time in 2012 Summer/Spring, what is known as "the Bridge." Finally, I can teach family history in 7 weeks, have a 5 week break, then resume the last 7 weeks of class. A new adventure! We'll see if the students agree with the extra time to know about and share their family finds. Who wouldn't love extra time to accomplish a goal, or take a class?

Fortunately, as I write this today near the end of October, ALL of my grandchildren still live here in Laie. Avery returned from 3 mths. Daddy Time in Australia this fall , and the sisters, minus Megan, help with his tending when Erin works at the Hyatt. Lindsey's family is in transition also as they raised their home and set it back. Renovations will take a total of 6 months for them. John's parents kindly house them for this time. Jenny and Aaron moved to their lovely home in spring, and the 7 GRANDchildren all seem to enjoy cousin time, family celebrations, and Nanna time, too. Devin says if I weren't a Nanna then we couldn't have Nanna Dates. :) These indeed are some of my favorite times of the week! Playgrounds, play dough, and lots of time spent just being at home here with me make my days, weeks, very fulfilled. I know this may not last forever.

I feel this in my very being. Change is good, helps us to grow, and gives us opportunities to be better pruned for life here and beyond and to benefit our families. How grateful I am for faith to know Someone Else is in charge, and He is to be thanked daily for looking after us, for all the blessings He gives.

SPRING, Birthday, and Moving Forward

SPRING--I so love this season! Bring on the plumeria, puakenikeni, other flowers, new life, green yard and lawnscaping, sunrises, daily outdoor exercise, sunsets, silhouettes before sunrise, watermelon, cherries, other delicious fruit, corn-on-the-cob from Nozawas, family picnic with lots of salads on Memorial Day and even beach time, travel for General Conference, AIR and SIFE, and of course, my birthday! Along with Christmas time, Spring is my favorite season. And I appreciate so much that this is the season I celebrate my birth!

Birthday--It's great to be 46! Well, so much so that it's my 15th anniversary of being 46. I'm not fond of ages that are prime numbers and it's one of those again now, so enjoying this approach so much more. Heard from many friends on Facebook, received some special cards and calls from dear far away friends who've been in my life for so many years, and also enjoyed angel food cake and strawberries and pretty flowers the day before with all my grands and family. Bill and I serve in the temple on Thursdays, so we led/followed a session for the first time together on birthday night. Celebrating then continued on Friday. We ate dinner at El Mariachi's in Kaneohe. MMMMMmmmm! Loved the guacomole, salsa, chips, and our "small plates" of enchiladas which were still too much food for us.

Much to be thankful for this birthday besides being still here, of course. Family, dear friends and a forever best friend, worthwhile opportunities, a missionary daughter in Nauvoo, enjoying good health so I can travel, teach, serve--even got a "promotion" calling--, enjoy family nearby, home and husband. Thanking the Lord for these blessings, and the ones I don't notice sometimes, too.

Life isn't exactly perfect--haven't moved to that cave I've pictured in my mind that would allow hermiting year round, not disappointing others, not being "in or of the world" etc. But it's a fine alternative most days.

Long for the cave sometimes. It is seeming like others don't get where I'm coming from these days. Especially in helping someone who is single and in recovering mode and has to be in bed temporarily. 11 years ago that was me. And I remember how much I would have loved someone there during those lo-o-ng days at home with me, just to look in on me or be available if I needed anything. I even remember very few phone calls -- because no one wanted to bother me. That was a very, very lonely time in my life, and it made such an impression. Wish my family understood that and thus my motivation to be there for someone else in the same predicament who doesn't have family nearby. It's also true that even now I would enjoy their support --and even some action--along with my efforts to help this someone else. Guess that is just too hard to understand if you've never been through it. I do feel sometimes like my cup is running on empty. And it's these times again I do feel those "alone" stabs of memory. Unfortunately, that does happen. I'm looking forward to my cup's refill. Sooner rather than later, I hope.

Spring projects include legal updating, and going through all my papers and sorting, throwing unneeded items, scanning family history photos and mementos, updating my personl history chronology. A good time always for me--Love to purge!

Travel days are coming, too--to Iowa and Nauvoo. I'm always looking forward to those experiences. We've also booked a mini-vacay to Victoria, BC, Canada for Labor Day. I enjoy the getaways spread out in the year. Even a "to Disney" after Thanksgiving is planned.

Life is joyful for me when there is peace in my heart and home, family and a few friends who care and seem interested in my doings and in just being with me, and having someone express being thankful for my efforts in their behalf, and having something to look forward to. Besides my faith in the divine, and temple service [which is very, very humbling, by the way] that's all the joy in this life I need. OH!~ and . . . Spring.

Family updates: Jenny's family has moved over the fence to a lovely, larger island-feel home on the edge of town. Very quiet neighbors--their back yard is in front of the cemetery! Lindsey's family is preparing to move up, and over! Their house will be lifted on its lot prior to a subdivision. Megan, that is, Sister Neal-- has "moved" into her Nauvoo Young Performing Missionary Mission--and will serve there this summer and eventually move to Utah in late August. This is such a great experience for her. Her photos document her joy, and it is easily seen on her face. Nice !!! We are so pleased she is having this experience and pray for her each day. Blow them away with that trumpet, Sis. Neal!

Erin is on her own awhile as Avery visits and stays 3 months with his dad in Australia. She will need to adjust to that a bit, knowing how much she will be/is missing him.

2011--January through March and then some

JANUARY
How quickly these months have gone! Normally blogging each month, it has truly gotten away from me. Perhaps there are some reasons for that. Teaching the Tuesday Family History Class at BYUH, temple service on Wednesday mornings and Thursday evenings, subbing for those who can't come, and the Friday Family History Center afternoons, along with Erin and Avery here and all my girls and their families nearby and the treasured Nanna Dates with my precious grands mean life is full... and I'm very grateful for it all.

A wonderful surprise, actually a late Christmas wish I had, came through in January. I had spotted in November's Church News an invitation to apply to become a young performing missionary in Nauvoo for spring and summer. It sounded SO MUCH like what Megan could do and gain from. . . . but her busy semester end made it impossible to complete an audition/CD to send in with an application. In January, she received an invitation to submit an application since they were short of trumpets! We encouraged her, she auditioned, and she did receive that invitation to go to Nauvoo then. So, it was my dream come true. . . I hope it becomes what she will value and cherish even more as the days come to be there and serve. I really felt she should give it a try. . .and knew that if it were what the Lord wanted for her it would happen. We will pray for her happiness and success in this unique service opportunity.

Erin made 3 months at Hyatt, and got a pay raise--great! Her car accident set her back in some ways, but seems to all in all have come out for the better after all, though it took 3 months for that to feel that way. Just grateful the Lord looks out for all of us. I'm very impressed that the 3 sisters have been so willing and caring for Avery's needs as she is away about 55 hrs a week from here. It is no fun being a single mom, but Erin does feel closer to us all now that they are living with us. Her birthday dinner was at a kid-favorite, Chuck E. Cheese, so the sisters could watch their kids play and have smiles. That was a great gift, I think.

In February, Jenny's Kylee got a super special 2-year-old birthday party on Saturday, February 19th at our house. Last year, her 1st birthday party got ":tsunami-warning'ed out" so a fun cupcake party, complete with cupcake decorating, apron painting, and bouncing castle, and of course FOOD made for a fun day for their family and other friends in our back yard. It was a perfect day! Jenny and hubby got away for J's birthday dinner and we tended for them. WE also loved watching our Saturday basketball games, sometimes watching both Trevor and Devin at the same time! They love the sport! Dad spent a unique week in the south Pacific, in Fiji and Tuvalu. His daily activities and mine are often in different spaces these days.

March came in and left like a lion! Oh, so windy and more rain, too. More weekly predicable routines, but that is good to report, also. The BYUH basketball team, unranked, made it to the final game of D2 NCAA and came very close. Our Jet Chang was MVP--he's been a guest at our home these past years at Christmas Eve dinner. We were thrilled with the success for the program and for our friends, Coach Wagner and Lisa.

The March 11 tsunami generated by Japan's horrific earthquake caused us to once again pack up the necessities and say a possible permanent good-by to our home. Fortunately, we were spared, but some big island places along the coast were affected, and also nearer in the boat harbor in Haleiwa. But, we do not complain. Instead, we continue to prepare our home and store basics. The economy finds itself even shakier than in recent months as the US is joining in a war in Libya, which is causing an increase in our gas prices, hence all other prices. We pray for the Lord to watch over us and our world. He is in control, and will manifest Himself and His works in His own time. I know this.

Lindsey had a March Birthday, along with Bill. Tending the two bigger boys allowed them a " with just 2 date" and she got to enjoy her sushi. A family dinner on Dad's 27th had a family TExas cake for both of them to blow out candles.

And now we are in April! We boarded a plane April 1 for Salt Lake City and stayed there for Conference and Bill's President's Circle meeting on Monday. While he was in the Monday meeting, dear friend and our SLC hostess Janice Morgan and I made our way around the city finding modest missionary-style clothing for Megan. We seemed to have success here and also found the fabric we needed for band uniform skirts. Time to sew when I get home! Keeping fingers crossed that goes well! Seems I don't sew that much now that these 4 little girls have grown up. A surprise was seeing and visiting the rehearsal of WE LOVE TO SING -- a choral ensemble of 300+ women [and a choir of men, too]under the direction of our dear Marilee Webb. She continues to influence not only some in the world, but the whole world as she directs music in church-wide meetings held in fall and spring. She is a blessing in the life of so many.

As I sit here in the Hyatt Regency San Francisco in our beautiful bayview room, it's wonderful to catch up a bit on the blog. It is always wonderful to travel together, and this relaxation time has been so welcome. We enjoy our travels as times to reconnect as a couple. Have to admit the days and weeks are very packed at home. Our getaways are welcome and do reunite us in our "couple-ness" if there is such a thing. Many service opportunities at the temple, FHC, SIFE, plus family, plus BYUH connections seem to fill our days and weeks. We are grateful to be a part of these things, and they do keep us busy in what we hope is FOR GOOD.

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.