TWO ARRIVALS

Grandma, Bill, Chelsea, and Ryan
during an earlier visit this month.

My mother came home two day ago. She has been either in the hospital or the skilled care facility (nursing home) since June 4th. She's settling in and hopefully all will go well.

Janna with Shisa Dog at Shuri Castle

It's "Sayonara" to Okinawa and "Hello" to California. Janna came home yesterday and we're so glad to have her back. Wendy and Rick were great hosts. It seems they did something everyday to enlighten Janna during her stay. What a great trip!

鳶が鷹を産む。

Tonbi (or Tobi) ga taka wo umu

Literally: A kite breeding a hawk.

Meaning: A splendid child born from common parents.

COWABUNGA!!!!!

Janna on zip line

A brief report about Janna in Okinawa. She's having a great time. Can't wait to get more details about her fun vacation. It's obviously an empowering trip.

Four-character Idiom:

花鳥風月

Kachou Fuugetsu

Literally: Flower, Bird, Wind, Moon

Meaning: Experience the beauties of nature,

and in doing so learn about yourself.

Pioneer Day is Everyday

It's Pioneer Day and I wanted to express my thanks to the pioneers of old and of today. In both cases, I so admire and am inspired by their strength and testimonies.

"Whenever I think about pioneers,
I think of brave women and men."
Della Dalby Provost

"What Are We Busy About?"

Before we begin our week we try to go through our calendar and discuss as a family our schedules. For example, who has to go where and when, and then work out the logistics of it all.

We've always been a busy bunch and sometimes choices need to be made as we line up our doings with our priorities. One com-

ment, "Somebody's gotta watch the kids!?" is often interjected into the conversation by Hugh or I. It has become a standard statement of our frustration when we find ourselves on overload and it seems our lives are being pulled every which way.

We're always busy! That's nothing new, but my parents care has been added to the mix. I find myself saying, "Somebody's gotta watch Grandma and Poppy!?" I'm in a quandary as to what to do about their situations. We're riding out the summer for now with the help of family and friends.

"It's not enough to be busy. So are the ants.

The question is: What are we busy about?"

Henry David Thoreau

Poppy and Grandma during better days,
serving as missionaries in Nauvoo, Illinois.

OKINAWA OR BUST

We ventured to LAX yesterday to get Janna started on a two-week vacation visiting her brother, Rick and family in Okinawa. She happily, but tentatively took on the challenge of her first solo flight, which was international no less. She arrived in Okinawa today in spite of our worry and concern. I'm so excited for her! What a great opportunity.

Japanese Proverb:

虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず

Koketsu ni irazunba koji wo ezu.

Literally: If you do not enter the tiger's cave,

you will not catch its cub.

Meaning: Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

OR

You can't do anything without risking something.

HELLO OUT THERE!

You may have thought I dropped off the face of the planet, or maybe I'm just feeling that way. I have been extraordinarily busy. Busy with my parents mostly. They have been declining for some years now and they are especially down at this time. I'm not sure what we are going to do concerning their situation, so I pray and ponder, wondering what's next.







I've also been busy with Cub Scout Day Camp. It was four full days last week. I'm tired and trying to get back on my feet.





We've had lots of visitors just like last summer. Most the people are coming to see my parents, but we host who comes and are happy to visit too.

Even though my days are busy and sometimes overwhelming, I can still see miracles and blessings along the way. Today for example, the Hood family invited us for a 4th of July BBQ. They made my birthday-Independence Day celebration very easy. I'm usually cooking up something for the holiday and having a gathering myself, but it just couldn't be that way this year. Their invitation is just one of many small miracles that have come our way. The Hood and Jueschke families were delightful company.

I cannot begin to tell of all my doings this summer. I cannot acknowledge every kindness here either. It is sufficient to say, inspite of difficulties, I am feeling very grateful.

“Be patient in afflictions,

for thou shalt have many;

but endure them,

for, lo, I am with thee,

even unto the end of thy days.”

(D&C 24:8)