Time and All Eternity

Happy ALOHA Friday to all. Catching up on our lives here and thinking of each of you.

Last night was a special night for us and for 30 couples in our family line. With the help of Megan to tend the boys, with John and Lindsey and Steve and Laurie Tueller, and Johnson Mak, also a fellow named Dave Paddock, we had the privilege of performing sealings of couples. One of the highlights was having Lindsey and John be the couple for Elzaver LINDSEY Neal and Roxana Whitcomb. How interesting after all these 28+ years that she would be at the altar at the time the person for whom she was named would be sealed! Also, L. acted for ROSE Lodge who was sealed to dad's Grandpa, James Wilbur Bearse. These were special moments. I was remembering all of YOU and the time we were all together in the sealing room a few years ago to do this.

At the end of our session, the Tuellers were at the altar when my oldest known ancestors on my dad's paternal line were sealed, too. John Walker and Catherine Barless as well as Joseph Falcuss and Eleanor ?? were couples married in the early part of the 1800's. Many others were significant in this group as well, plus Lucy Hay's parents. I was truly touched with the Walker/Barless and Falcuss/Eleanor couples, and feel now more "complete" knowing my/our eternal chain can go back that far. One thing is for sure, more work is left to do to get back to Adam! I think that my daughters get to help do that ! ! !

School week ended fine. It was the popular "credit card sandwich bar" day, so they were fed when they left and seemed to like that. Moving on to credit ratings, risk management and investments, then identity theft/fraud.

Life is good. I hope it is that way for you all, too.

Thought for the day: When we look for the good in others, we discover the best in ourselves. Martin Walsh

MARCHing in like a lamb....

The weather is so balmy and wonderful! I feel for those of you who are cold or in the snow at the moment. I hope Jenny made it home okay from Buffalo/Niagara Falls in the weather they were experiencing last weekend. Erin is cold we hear, even though fall is coming. Will I be ready for AUS in July? ? ? I keep my heavy black coat handy.

BIG NEWS: Mom has her tickets now for the trip on April 30 - May 12 for Graduation at U PA. I will see Grandma R. on the way, then arriving in PA on May 5. Dad and I were talking that we'd enjoy going to Palmyra area again...this time with perhaps additional peaceful surroundings...[AHEM] adn visiting the temple and other attractions. So, now my travel plans are finalized for spring AND summer. Uncle Visa is a grand ol' card! Now to work that so it's paid for by the time we come. Can't wait to go on both of these excursions. Much to see and experience.

The back bumper of the Toyota now looks as good as new. Once we get back from our spring/summer travels we'll have the front bumper done....and to think we had the van A L L those years without any dents that were my doing. I'm so glad we still have the van. Two vehicles is such a help to us being this far from campus.

Our dinner last night seemed to go well. Pres. Wunder mentioned being here for dinner at the beginning of his devotional thoughts [the warm up] . That was nice. They are neat people! What a good chance to get acquainted. For those who were curious, the chicken roll ups, fresh fruit, steamed fresh veggies, and rice, plus LeiLei's dessert were the menu. Yup, I did spend most of the day in the kitchen. Today we have a break--mom teaches, so it's McDonald's Salad Night for us. RS Birthday party dinner is tonight, and I have a part to share on the program: "What do the prophets say about doing family history?" Boy, I hope I can find something to say on that!!!!! Anyone have any ideas?

We are reading in ALMA [about 41, 42] about restoration...I hadn't thought as in depth about that until this time. I love this book and how some things reread have more meaning than times before.

Life is good. I'm well, and dad is getting better. We were able to run one time around and walk the other lap today. That's an improvement. We've missed more due to illnesses and busy schedules recently. It's a blessing to keep these legs moving!!!

Hope you'll catch up the blogs soon. I look every day for updates!!

Laws of marital adjustment: [aka Dianna's Laws]
1. There is more than one way to do the same thing right.
2. If you want something done your way, be willing to do it yourself.

Thinking of you!

SATURDAY, SUNSETS, and other beautiful things . . .

It was one of the best sunsets we'd seen in a while. It seemed to come quicker than I remember, though. Our Subway experience seemed to S L O W us down, but we did have time to make it to Ehukai, find a table, gulp down our sandwiches and chips, and then set up chairs on the beach and join the other worshipers and enjoy the sunset and accompanying color cloud show. We enjoyed that time together with Janice. She is seeing many people in 5 days! I'm glad we're on her list to visit.

Saturday held some usuals, also. Temple session, then time at home. Sprucing up the car and yard. Listening to the online feed of the BYUH-Hilo game--WE WON 2 AWAY!! So they're probably off to the tournament. One Uh-oh for the day: A new lawn mower is in our future. . .

But Saturday also brought a great treat in the morning--our GRANDsons here and Lindsey while John went fishing. It was a good waffle day, so we enjoyed those with them and enjoyed while they played here. Afternoon treat was Erin's call--I'm glad she is healthy and that she and Wil are making it through their work weeks...then our Subway picnic/sunset, etc. So a VERY Good day!

Megan is at the Priory for debate all day. . .and we hope to touch base with Jenny, too, soon. We know she and Aaron are in the "homestretch" and with student teaching [as I can remember 34 years ago] she is very busy, plus the coaching she is doing.

I woke up to read scriptures for SS assignment this morning--the 2 Nephi Isaiah chapters...I enjoy the words echoed regarding Messiah & about His coming. I can tell I need the "CLIFF NOTES" version for these chapters...I'll listen up in SS this morning!

Sunday's quote for the day: Alma 34:38 . . .live in thanksgiving daily . . .

Something to HARP about . . .

Aloha to my family.

This day is so welcome. It has been a bit unusual, but in a good way, for these past few days. As some of you know, the termites had taken their toll chewing away on my harp over the past few years. In fact, the tall pillar in front had actually caved in and knocked the bottom out. I didn't have any idea what I was going to do about this. Luckily, perhaps providentially, one day last month Irene Tukuafu, my harp builder, happened to call [she was visiting her children, lives in Nauvoo now]. She wanted to come over and see the harp. She appraised the situation and said she'd be back the end of Feb. to fix it. I ordered the parts she would need and sure enough, she came yesterday.

So, for 17 hours in two days, she designed, repaired, refurbished and made my harp almost as good as new. The all new strings and shiny brass eyelets look so nice. We sanded away some of the rust on the pegs, pins, rods, etc. With the new base and trim to the legs, it's a bit more wobbly, but that can be sanded down, too, I think. I do need a tuning pick up for my tuner, but it is almost ready to go and the strings will need to settle some, but it's LOVELY. It will look really nice with a little staining on the newly replaced wooden base. Some of the flowers need to be re-toll-painted toward the bottom, but it will soon be playable again, at least. I've really missed it!! She finished at 6 p.m. tonight, she leaves on the plane late. I'm so thankful she has these skills and talents.

We enjoyed Devin and Trevor last night while L, J, and K went away with P. Construction employees. WHEW! They keep us so busy. We enjoy so much and hope they like spending time with their ol' Papa and Nanna.

Classes are going well, I think [hope]. Religion students are into their personal histories, the others are into the money/credit section. Next week is "credit card bar" on Thursday, so they should enjoy that. They always do.

It's nice to have dad around more now that the exec. committee has come and gone. A lull--for awhile, anyway. Megan's next-to-the-last concert for orchestra is Sunday. Since it's the first Sunday of the month dad won't be missing any meetings!!

Janice Morgan arrived today. We'll do a Sunset Beach picnic with her this Saturday. I know you all remember those times, and that Janice enjoyed those so much we still do them when she comes. I think of last summer with J &A and E and W at the one in June. Dad, Meg, and I went in Dec., I think. Definitely a favorite thing to "get away" which we truly need to do more often.

I do enjoy blogging knowing that you all are not that "far away" when we communicate. And it seems you do like to stay in touch. That is truly something I've missed out on with my siblings...not that I didn't try for some years to encourage our communication. Guess my Grandpa Reynolds' saying rang true for us: NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS. I'm glad this family has a new feeling about staying in touch with each other and hope that will always be.

This Mom is tired...was up at 3:30 to grade students' folders and I even fell asleep when dad tried to read me some jokes tonight...I'm so rude. [SORRY, dad] Then with the harping all day after devotional and class...I'm ready to sleep away. No seminary for Meg in the morning--teacher's meeting. Will I sleep in?? That'd be a first!

Good night to all. Love you and have a happy Friday/Saturday down under.
Quote for the day: LOVE isn't something until you give it away.



Irene is a true conversationalist, so this mostly hermit mom, yes, the invisible one by choice, had a companion for almost 2 straight days. SHe is a delight, for sure. The workshop was partly on our kitchen counter, with some heavy-duty workshop tools being used at BYUH's woodworking dept. Shhh!!!! I was a little paranoid about that, but Br. Adolpho was her family's good friend and assisted her in her needs.

Routines and Variations...

Aloha this final week of February. Although classes are the same, the workload is greater due to assignments to check, tests to grade [done], and days to prepare for: religion has the new family search to get acquainted with, and financial management has productive assignments/discussions to outline.

My harp has been in need of repair for some time. I've missed playing it SOOOO much! Irene Tukuafu, my harp maker, is to be on island to make those repairs this week. I look forward to having my instrument back in good shape.

My "day off" today will be a busy one, with a trip to Wahiawa in the morning and tending the boys late afternoon/evening. They will come here for awhile since you may have read about their toy lesson. Until they arrive I'll be busy enough. Reading logs and organization projects and goal updates are in the folders to check for Mgmt. class. I'll get to the updated drafts of personal histories and quizzes for Religion class after Thursday.

Friday morning will include more assignment checking, then my afternoon at the Family History Center. Then, weekend is here!! I don't know what it is like for each of you, but the routines seem to make the week go by quickly.

Sunday we have Megan's hour-long concert at Kahala Mall...we'll probably stand out wearing our church clothes there that day as we watch her in the center court. That will be a nice change from our usual Sunday. Megan only has about 7-8 weeks left in orchestra, with the final concert on April 20. I have a feeling her trumpet will be turned in for good on April 21. ..we'll see if she ends her band experience then and skips the final spring concert.

I know you each are busy but I DO appreciate your blog entries. This is wonderful, and I'm so glad Megan has joined us, too. My life just seems not as exciting as all of yours, but it is fun to keep you, and me, up on my life.

The changes at BYUH and leaders visiting this week from the executive committee[Elders Nelson, Ballard, Sister Beck and others] confirmed to me that this school is led by inspiration rather than by either desperation or results of secular research...that its leaders come to us not by choice, but by divine design [good name for an HGTV show :D] it has great things in store if we heed the guidance and counsel given to us and progress "in the world but not of the world. " We were all counseled at the Monday meeting to "get on board" and assist in meeting the needs of an ever-growing, expanding church. The items in " " are my phrasing, not exact quotes from the meeting.

Wishing you all a very happy day. Until we blog again!!

MOTHERHHOOD comments

Lindsey and the family had an interesting Saturday. I smiled, remembering those times in my life, too. I remember Pam Palmer once made an interesting observation: Motherhood brings out our best, and sometimes, our worst. Or, at least what feels like our worst. I could relate to that.

This week I've been reading my students' personal history drafts of family life. Sounds like some parents feel as we did/do sometimes. One girl related that her family had a one month "Ethiopa Experience" because parents observed children's lack of gratitude at Christmas. No, they didn't GO to Ethiopa, they just LIVED at home for one month as if they were in Ethiopa. No toys, only 1 bathroom, one cover/pillow and slept on the floor all in one room. 3 sets of clothing, 1 for church, 2 for everyday. Eating was minimal [she mentioned they had oatmeal for breakfast everyday], no TV, computer, or entertainment, and they could only use flashlights and candles at night. Drastic, huh?

She said it was effective and they did appreciate even little things after that. I thought it sounded like an interesting adventure!! Would I have been able to pull that off? I guess we may have tried a FHE of Lehi's family in the wilderness, at one time, but that's about all the "roughing it" my kids did that I can recall, except for the "grabbit bag" for left out toys and doing "jobs." Lindsey's memories are pretty clear of the rest.

Enjoy your sabbath day of rest. Dad is always glad there is only one "day of rest" per week :D .

ly mom

Saturday Stuff

I'll try again...the cursor didn't work on the previous attempt to post. Please forgive me as I get acquainted with all of this. I'm the typical low-tech/no-tech mom! :D

Friday Highlights-- included time with Devin and volunteer time at the family history center.
Devin and I enjoyed creative time with playdough, running races, playing Hide Go Seek, and cleaning the upstairs shower--his favorite and regular activity. Attention span is growing--it's fun to see his growth and development each week. I can even figure out all he says...or nearly all, anyway.

At the FHC, I'm much of a rookie at the new.familysearch.org site that our district is now involved in. Many questions and situations require assistance from support in SLC; I hope we get those bugs worked out soon.

The BYUH musical was a hit! 7 Brides for 7 Brothers. Enough corny with fun and good musicians. WOW! It was well done, light and entertaining, and the auditorium was filled--a wonderful sight and experience. It was great to see the students support this production adn all of their friends. Perhaps they're here this weekend since it's midterms.

Saturday Stuff --started out with our same routine. Enjoyed the 5:30 session then donuts from Foodland.
We were off to town to pick up something for dad's work, so got his haircut in Kaneohe and later ate at a Mexican restaurant across from K. American Savings in the same errand. YUM!!
Megan slept in. After last weekend's madness, that was welcome to her.

This evening is a clarinet concert in Honolulu for mom and Meg, maybe Dad, too. Unless the last home BYUH game wins out. Go Seasiders!

Life is good! No complaints here. Love to see your posts...yours all seem much more interesting! The photos add so much!! Yet this is a good way to keep up on life's happenings and I'm grateful for this means to let you each know you are in my thoughts and prayers today. Life holds many miracles for us each day. Just being here to tell about the day is a miracle in itself.

Appreciating each of you and sending lots of love. ly mom