High Hopes for Tom and Janet

Elder Atcheson, Elder Blair (Tommy),
Elder Olsen, Elder Garcia
One of many missionary moments
from the last two years -
Serving at a soup kitchen

Sister Reynders (Janet) performing in

High Hopes and Riverboats

More than once I have referred to my niece's mission in Nauvoo as "Mormon Summer Stock"; meaning, she gets to entertain visitors in her calling as a Young Performing Missionary.  She sings and dances, but more importantly - TESTIFIES.  Janet is home now and heading back to BYU-Idaho for school.  Happily she made a point to stop by with other family and friends this weekend to celebrate Tommy's homecoming.

She was able to be here to visit and hear Tommy speak about his mission on Sunday.  We also had a little family fireside while she was here Saturday night.  We sat and talked enjoying each others company, but we also shared in their missions as Tommy and Janet told stories and experiences.  Again, more importantly, they testified of the divine truth.  Their testimonies touched our hearts.  What a great weekend we had together.  I was so glad to feel and be a part of it all.

Best wishes to Janet and Tom as they move on.

 

Gifts to Bring Home from the Mission Field

1. A knowledge of and love for God our Eternal Father and His Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. A knowledge of and love for the scriptures, the word of the Lord.
3. An increased love for parents.
4. A love for the people among whom they labor.
5. An appreciation for hard work.
6. The assurance that the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is available to each of us when we live for it.
7. An understanding of the importance of teamwork.
8. The value of personal virtue.
9. The faith to act.
10. The humility to pray.

Gordon B. Hinckley,

“The Message:

Gifts to Bring Home from the Mission Field,”

New Era, Mar 2007, 2–4

Here's TOMMY!!!

I can't believe we were late! The traffic was horrific. Really we got there just in time, but come to find out Tommy's plane arrived early. He waited 10 minutes for us. I guess the tradition continues. Hughie's parents were late picking him up on his mission return. He so didn't want to do that to Tommy, but it happened. Of course, any concerns melted away when we saw each other. What a happy reunion! And Hughie didn't take a picture of me hugging our son so I could put it on the blog!!!  AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! He was caught up in the happy moment too.

Tom was released that night with President Porter. He's Tommy Blair now and it's off to the dentist today to check out those teeth after two years. 

Sammy, Elder Blair, and Jeremiah

at the Long Beach Airport

"A mission can serve as a standard for the rest of a returned missionary’s life. . . .You can retain that same enthusiasm for your mission. Almost daily, you can draw upon the experiences you had and the testimony you built during those days. It would be foolhardy to throw away those months of growth and maturity or to become, once more, the same person who entered the field. Those who continue to nurture the personal growth that was so abundant in the mission field will one day be greeted by the Savior at the end of life’s mission with the words of divine approval: 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant.' (Matt. 25:21.)"

Bruce L. Olsen,“Home from a Mission,” Ensign, Jun 1991, 46

I Love to See the Temple

Remember how every year I'm setting another goal to go to the temple more often? I've talked about going more, but nothing has really changed. I get a few more visits in each year beyond my usual dozen. I have been so very busy with this and that, so I really never thought I could attend more. Anyway, I've continued to maintain my usual pace, but something has changed.  I have a great need to go to the temple. I don't even refer to as a need. I refer to it as, "I have to go." I don't know if I can keep up the pace, but I am going more often.  I've picked a day each week and gone to the temple three weeks in a row. I was worried about driving. I was worried about the time. But it's working out and I'm feeling the blessings already.

The LA Temple has been closed for two weeks for maintenance so I was off to Redlands.  Cassie went with me today. Last week I rendezvoused with my cousin Doyle and his wife Julie.  The week before was a trip with Becky to LA.  It's all so beautiful!  It's been a wonderful experience, my weekly venture.  I'm feeling hopeful.  I love to see the temple, but I like going inside too.

The Redlands California Temple

"Temples are places of personal revelation. When I have been weighed down by a problem or a difficulty, I have gone to the House of the Lord with a prayer in my heart for answers. The answers have come in clear and unmistakable ways."

Ezra Taft Benson, 

“What I Hope You Will Teach Your Children about the Temple,”

Ensign, Aug 1985, 6

Short and Sweet

My nephew, Jake Lockhart, came through town after a little trip to Provo, Utah.  He's currently working and living with my brother in Clovis, CA this summer, but he went back to BYU to go through the ceremony of walking with his graduating class.  His Dad and sister, Jessica, came out from North Carolina to watch and be a part of the celebration. We're glad he came by and gave us a thrill.  It was good to see him.  He wasn't even here 24-hours, but it was sweet.  Congratulations Jake!

"The future belongs

to those who believe

in the beauty

of their dreams.”

Eleanor Roosevelt

New Car + Vacation

Hughie lost his company car to a crash earlier this year.  Thankfully no one was hurt.  The company has bought several vehicles from a dealership in St. George before.  Happily they found a car to meet the company's needs and Hughie's needs.  We had to go pick up the car, so at the last minute we made it into a little vacation.

We spent our first night in Vegas.  We decided to walk the strip to get to the HardRock Cafe for dinner.  What were we thinking?!  Mama wasn't coping.  Daddy said, "Never again!"  Janna said, "Maybe I should come here on my honeymoon."  And Sam stumbled the whole way because I oh so wanted him to keep his eyes closed.  We got through it, but again, "What were we thinking?!"  Oh, I know, we weren't thinking.

The food was great, it was fun to see the HardRock Cafe memorabilia, and while we walked back to our hotel room we got to see the Bellagio water fountain display.  We tried to calm ourselves in our hotel room by watching a show on the Discovery channel.  Uhh, it was Shark week - that will do it!   We finally went to sleep.

Our next day was the drive to St. George. We hit all the Church history sites, had a couple of meals and our day was done.  We had a little time that evening to splash around in the pool and hang out in the spa.  Then it was back upstairs for some more Shark week.  Do we know how to party or what?!

The next morning Hughie picked up his car and we were on our way home in two seperate vehicles.

What we went for, Hugh's new ride.

2010 Hyundai Sonata

Janna and Sam at the St. George Temple.

Ready to tour the Jacob Hamblin home.

"We live in a world that is filled with options. If we are not careful, we will find every minute jammed with social events, classes, exercise time, book clubs, scrapbooking, Church callings, music, sports, the Internet, and our favorite TV shows. . . Families need unstructured time when relationships can deepen and real parenting can take place. Take time to listen, to laugh, and to play together."

M. Russell Ballard,

"Daughters of God," Ensign, May 2008, 109-110

Good Things to Come

"Always remember

the true source of your blessings."

Elder Ben B. Banks,

Ensign, July 2002, 42

My husband goes to the prison once a week and currently meets with two seperate groups.  Many times he doesn't meet even though he goes out there.  There are often extenuating circumstances where the prison areas are shutdown and prisoners are confined to their cells.  Hugh gets discouraged when he goes out there week after week and then doesn't get to meet with anyone, but then he had an experience (a tender mercy) that confirmed his efforts are appreciated.

The other day he reported that he had two good meetings and the LDS prisoners even brought a few friends.  After the meeting one man who had come for the first time and is not LDS commented to Hugh, "You know I've always been told not to meet with the Mormons, but I don't get it, all you did was talk about Christ."  He was very sincere, said he enjoyed the meeting and that he would like to continue to come to the LDS meetings.

I never get it either. The prophet Nephi wrote, "For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do... And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." We know the source of all strength, happiness, and blessings is Jesus Christ.  I tell this story in preface to this Mormon Message by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland where he testifies clearly of whom our blessings come:

What Have I Been Doing?

Playing with grandkids!

Dexter and I at Marina Park in Ventura, CA.

Making s'mores in the backyard,
 Jeremiah, the oldest.

Evelyn and Joseph
They're both going to Kindergarten in the fall.

Will - Age 3

Ammon - Age 3

Ryan

Eddie, the youngest,
 with his mother Wendy (Ricky's wife).

 All 8 of my grandchildren came visiting
with all of my children, except for Tommy
(Elder Blair) who's coming home Aug. 24th.

We Had Fun!

"Grandmas never
run out of hugs or cookies."
~Author Unknown

The Texan Missionary

Roll'n, Roll'n, Roll'n...

Move 'm on head 'm up

Head 'm up move 'm on...

Cut 'm out ride 'm in

Ride 'm in cut 'm out...

Roll'n, Roll'n, Roll'n...

RAWHIDE!

"Rawhide", 1958

Lyrics by Ned Washington

Composed by Dimitri Tiomkin

He left a Californian, but he's coming home a Texan. Yes! We have the official date - August 24th, Elder Blair will be returning.

We also have the date for a speaking assignment he's been given. Put it on your calendar:

August 29th,

9 a.m.

Sierra Ward Sacrament meeting.

Come Join Us!

Roll'n, Roll'n, Roll'n...

RAWHIDE!

Christmas In July

Each Christmas for the last two years we have submitted stories to our compilation titled, The Family from Yosemite.  Our gift exchange is the reading of these entries when we get together over the holiday. The boys (Rick and Bill) originally intended it to be a book of funny short stories about our family, but it has evolved with thoughtful writing of a more spiritual nature too like the one I submitted last Christmas.  Not that that's a bad thing, but we've talked and realized that a lot of the funny things that happen in our family are not stories per say, but comments.  Things that have been said in certain situations that end up earning a reputation in the family.  Some statements are even used again and again and then become, shall I say, BLAIRISMS, one-liners destined to be passed on through the annals of time.

The latest idea is to come up with a cartoon or illustration of an amusing comment or situation.  Billy sent me one to get the creative juices flowing.  Everyone in the family will be submitting a story and/or cartoon this holiday season.  This tradition has been an economical and thoughtful way to deal with Christmas gifts for our growing family, plus we're recording our family history one story/picture at a time.

I'm going to explain this illustration because if you're not in the family you probably won't get it.  If you know me, you know I can't hear.  And like my father before me would say, "I can hear, I just don't understand."  Meaning, he could hear something, but he didn't necessarily hear what your were saying.  I definitely follow suit.  There is plenty of fodder for mishaps having a conversation with me.  Here is Bill's illustration of one situation, my explanation follows:

One day Sammy had a little friend over to play.  After a while he came downstairs and asked if he could play on the computer.  I promptly replied, "No, we don't have any root beer.  Would you like something else to drink?"

He stood and looked at me with the funniest face and just stared for the longest time not knowing what to say.  I know I'm notorious for hearing things wrong.  It then dawned on me that I had made a mistake, so I started to laugh when I said, "You didn't ask for root beer did you?"    He shook his head.  I kindly asked,  "So what did you say?"

He said, "I just want to play on the computer."

I said, "Yes you may."  I then continued to explain my hearing problem to him.  He turned and happily skipped to the office where Sammy joined him - no root beer included. 

Billy asked if I was offended by his illustration of me.  NO, definitely not!  Billy has me looking right on with my crazy hair, hiking boots, sweats, and my beige sweater my mother's cousin crocheted for her many years ago.  It is so old and I still have it and as pictured I often tie it around my waist when I get hot.  What a life I lead . . . more to come in December.

"When someone in the family has a hearing loss,

the entire family has a hearing problem." 

Mark Ross, Ph.D.

WHAT THE HECK - A BUSHEL AND A PECK!

Wondering where I've been? Vacationing, gardening, trying to clean this house. Before we left on our little trip to see the cousins Hughie harvested all our peaches from our little peach tree. We were so surprised at our bounty. Good eating and I made a cobbler too boot.

Peaches galore from our little tree

Almost filling a laundry basket

Yummy, just like Grandma Cassie's,
my birthday cobbler instead of cake.

My mother use to sing this little tune:
"I love you a bushel and a peck
A bushel and a peck
And a hug around the neck. . "
Words and music by
Frank Loesser

The Graduate

I'm late getting this info out - Janna graduated!  Also, about a month ago Janna received an award.  It was the Outstanding Female Drama Student 2010.  Here she is pictured with her drama teacher, Mr. Schmidt. She had drama all four years of high school and Mr. Schmidt was her teacher those four years. He was a big influence in her life and she feels she's a better person because of it.

  Lots of friends to say good-bye to.

The Indie crowd gathered once again for Janna's graduation
party a week before graduation.  It was at the Burgess house.  They supplied the place, we supplied the food, and Janna supplied the friends.  What a combination.  Everyone seemed to have an enjoyable time and it was a nice prelude into her last week of grad rehearsals, saying good-bye, and the big day.

 
Khoa and Janna on the big day, May 27th.

Janna threw her hat before anyone else and must have screamed the loudest, "I've GRADUATED!"  We ended the evening as a family, out for dinner, talking.  The senioritis is cured.  Now it's time to move on to bigger and better things.

The BEST to you Janna! 

Janna after Seminary Graduation in May

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself

in any direction you choose.

You're on your own.

And you know what you know.

You are the guy who'll decide where to go.

Dr. Seuss 

"Who Am I Poppy?"

Teresa, our caregiver, comes to my father's home every morning and evening to take care of him. She does a lot of work tending to my dad.  He knows who Teresa is and is grateful for her care.  She is a great relief for our family.  In between, Cassie is there to assist my dad with his daily needs. She essentially "senior sits". We (Hugh, Becky, Janna, and I) rotate filling in here and there when needed, but Cassie is really the mainstay. Cassie also has her four entertaining boys to care for in the mix. What a household!  We are so thankful for her service.

Every day Cassie asks her grandfather if he knows who she is.  He doesn't or at least doesn't respond like he knows even though Cassie tells him every day. It is what it is; my dad has Alzheimer's.  Anyway, Cassie took a respite for a few days last weekend.  After she came home, my dad, who most of the time doesn't know who Cassie is, recognized her and even called her by name.  He seemed happy to see her.  She was so pleased by his awareness and energy.  They visited for awhile and Cassie took pictures of the happy moment.

Cassie with Poppy, happy because he knew who she was.

Poppy and Boys

“A true friend [/granddaughter]

knows your weaknesses

but shows you your strengths;

feels your fears but fortifies your faith;

sees your anxieties but frees your spirit;

recognizes your disabilities

but emphasizes your possibilities.”

 William Arthur Ward

Kate's Back!

My neice Kate is home from her mission.  Here's from her last letter:  I don't think it has quite hit me that this is all over and that I am entering a new stage of life. I am scared, but I am also excited to begin to exercise my faith and apply all that I have learned on my mission to my own life. I know that God answers prayers. I know he can give us direct revelation to help us. The more I ponder on the scriptures the more I know this is true. Nothing will bring us more happiness than the gospel. Something that Dad has always said is that the gospel is simple and as we do our best we will live with God again as an eternal family. I know that is true more now than any other time in my life. The gospel is simple. Gods plan is perfect! I love my mission with all of my heart and I will be forever grateful I made this decision. I know that my Heavenly Father is pleased with me. Thanks for all of your love and support! You are the best family and I will see you soon!

Here she is pictured with her parents, May 28th.  She's off the plane and into the arms of her mother.  What an exciting moment. Wish I could have been there, but we'll get to see her soon.  She'll be returning to BYU this summer. Can't wait to see her.  YOU'RE GREAT KATE!

A mission can serve as a standard for the rest of a returned missionary’s life. . . Almost daily, you can draw upon the experiences you had and the testimony you built during those days. . . Those who continue to nurture the personal growth that was so abundant in the mission field will one day be greeted by the Savior at the end of life’s mission with the words of divine approval: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” (Matt. 25:21.)

Bruce L. Olsen,
"Home from a Mission", Ensign, June 1991, 46

Good Citizens

 This month for the Student of the Month awards the emphasis was on Citizenship.  Mr. George, our principal, was happy to see some boys on the stand.  There were a handful of them with two times as many girls.  Sam and his classmate were two of the boys selected today from Mr. Nelsen's class.  Hugh and I were able to attend and enjoy the ceremony.

"This Nation was founded by men of many nations and backgrounds. It was founded on the principle that all men are created equal, and that the rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened." John F. Kennedy