Hau'oli Makahiki Hou 2011

We started the day serving at the Mt. Timpanogos Temple at 5:00AM with the coldest morning at 14 degrees, tonight(New Years Eve it is 3 degrees or lower)  We are both so tired, there were so many people who showed up at the temple this morning.  The last session was scheduled for 10:00AM, but that turned out to be a three session because of the overflow.  What a beautiful craziness....so many people who attended the temple at the last day of the year.

I took this pic as I was driving out of our driveway

Look at some pictures of our "cave" we have been living in all week. 

Did I say "NO Christmas?"

Faye and Laerle Fackrell, I believe

No Christmas here

It will have to wait until after the 25th of Dec.  We're still in a mess with what started on September 8.  But we have each other, and that is pretty significant....Mom, Jay and me, oh, and Boozer( he gets pretty anxious about all these people in and out of the house)

I love the Sabbath, especially Fast & Testimony Sundays

This Sabbath day began with Jay and I serving at the American Fork Hospital Branch, of the AmericanFork East Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I love that assignment.  Actually it is a High Priest assignment, and Jay likes to take me along with him when he serves there.  I always come away from there with such a love for my Savior and for my brothers and sisters in the world.  As we take the Sacrament to those who are in the hospital, and visit with the patients, I am inspired to do better and to love my fellowmen more. 
Then I went to choir for an hour, under the direction of our choir director Ralph Van Der Beek, we learned to sing with a strong testimonies of our Savior as Ralph inspires us.  We are preparing for our christmas Sacrament Meeting singing Gerald and Lynn Lund's Cantata, Come Let Us Adore Him.  It is beautiful and so inspiring. 
Then our church Block, was at 2pm, with Jay and I getting to church a half hour early to oversee our Library Assignment.  Mom served in her frist calling assignment, as a greeter.  She was fantastic.  Good for her!  She even stayed for the Fast & testimony meeting, which she usually skips. 
We only had two hours of church today because the cultural hall had been flooded by frozen pipes from the cold weather, so we could not use that space, and all three wards opted to cut their meetings by an hour, and Sacrament Meeting was held in the chapel and three other rooms in the building to accommodate the large congregation.  Sacrament was taken to those rooms for the overflow which was served by
TV from the chapel. We went from Sacrament Meeting right to RS and PH and Primary.  Our RS meeting was so inspiring, presented by the RS presidency, interspersed with musical presentations by several members of the ward.  All about our Savior.  And to end the day, we tuned in to TV to see and hear from our prophet and his two counselors and the Tabernacle Choir and orchestra on the Christmas Devotional.  A perfect day indeed.  I do have a testimony, and with great Joy, I write it here, that I KNOW that my Redeemer lives, that my Father in Heaven loves me, and that the Holy Ghost helps me to feel and know of a surety that we have a living prophet on the earth today, Thomas S, Monson.  That Joseph Smith did indeed under our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ's direction, restore the True Church here upon the earth for us today.  The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, and it's contents are true and it contains the true and undefiled teachings of and bears witness of Jesus Christ.  I am so grateful to have this knowledge for my very own.  To know of the Plan of Salvation that is ours.  As I listened today to the many testimonies, I became very aware that there are many in our ward who are truly struggling, but that through their faith, they are trusting in God...and that there are many in the ward who are bearing each other's burdens.  I love this ward, I love how everyone truly lifts one another.  I want to do my part to help too.  I mentioned that to a sister today, and she said that I had lifted her 12 year old son when I sent him a note of his accomplishments that inspired me.  It was a small thing that I did, but I know that such efforts are needed for the giver and the receiver.  I love my Savior. 

We're sleeping in the sunroom..no heat in there

It's nice when the sun shines during the day, and heats it up for the night.

constructing

Jay, Mike and other fabulous workers

more

3 generations

Soren's Baptism

Our trip to Boston was beautiful.  Filled with Thanksgiving dinner with James and Megan's family and their guests, John and Wei Chen, and their son Kenny..The Lunds; Mack, Maha, and two daughters, and Andrus and Kelli and daughter, and of course, the two g'parents from Utah.  We traveled out of the SLC Airport when a raging storm was approaching, and we got out in time before flights were delayed or cancelled.  Our plane's wings had to be de-iced before we could take off.  Jansen, rode 1st class and we were just fine in our economy seats.  All the hoopla about the TSA checking fliers thoroughly was not a problem for us.  We went through the lines quickly, and we were pleased that our flight was uneventful.  Jansen was so anxious to get home that a delay would have been dreadful.  Jay and I were thrilled with our seeing the family after two years.  Everyone has grown and matured well.  Oh and Soren's baptism was so spiritual.  The whole program was well put together and performed.. 

Leaves and more leaves

Walnut tree shedding, the Squirrels and racoons love the walnuts, and leave us leaves to rake.

Books, books and more books

I just picked up a couple of books on dogs.  Our Boozer is "spoiled" because he dictates what we do around here, sound familiar?  Well, he can tell time.  He knows when it is time to wake up in the morning, he dictates when he is to be taken on his walk, knows when it is bedtime, and also chases the racoons in the yard at night, when we are ready to go to bed.  He knows all the words for those activities....including, "we are going to church now, stay"...warns us when people come to the house, or drive up to the front.  We are totally his puppets.  I also got other books today, Secretariat, newly paperbacks, Greg Mortensen's new book about his adventures in the high countries in and around the hot spots in the world, like the Mt. Everest areas, all those "stans"....he's an amazing man.  I like real life, true story type books.  This one about dogs is a research book by Horowitz, who teaches Psychology now in New York City.  I have a list of books I want to read, but I will have to finish these first, and then I want to reread some books.  But all of that will have to wait until our bedroom is finished, and I will have a reading corner.  Sorry no pictures this time.  I will put pics on here when the house is finished.

Look what I'm missing

As it gets colder here in Utah, I'm thinking of this in Laie. 

I'm usually rejoicing in the cold weather.  I can put on sweaters and jackets, and sweatshirts, turtlenecks and socks and gloves, turn on the fireplace and cuddle with my sweetheart.  But he is also putting on sweatshirts, and jackets, and socks and sitting in front of the fireplace with our Chihuahua, Boozer, who shivers all the time.  But Hawaii, will have to wait another three months.  The leaves have finally all fallen to the ground here , and the walnuts and locust pods are still hanging on to the limbs, while we wait for a good wind to sweep them all away?   It's football season, and basketball has just begun with a flash of wins by the Utah Jazz.  BYU football is winning after a rocky start to their season.  Ahhhh Fall, it is a time to reflect on the past and yet look to the future with hope and much excitement.

Time change????

We didn't have time change in Hawaii, and this photo here is what we show for bringing the flowers in before the frost/snow.

It's raining, it's pouring, and it's cold

Well, only 40 degrees, but Jay and I are not used to cooler than 64 degrees, in the "winter" months.  We were spoiled while in Hawaii.  We are wearing socks all the time, and sweaters, and sweatsuits.  Brrr, we can't have it all.  But we're happy, and we're healthy and we're loving life.

Friday 11/5/2010

Another day of serving in the Mt. Timmpanogos temple.  I'm surrounded by angels.  The women who are training me are ever so patient and kind, and the rest of the women on the early shift are fabulous.  Now we are off for two weeks for Winter cleaning and then I will be in Boston(Needham) on the next Friday, so I will forget everything.  I need to pray harder for my memory mode to kick in.  Jay is so good, he is so needed, and he is being used a lot.  I'm so glad for him, he loves it.  We wake up early on Friday mornings, and then we come home by 11:30am and have brunch, and then rest, or keep active. 

Friday,10/29/2010......

.....my first day of serving in the Mt.Timpanogos temple.  It was most rewarding.  I had some wonderful trainers...Laurie Taylor, Donna Barnes...everyone was so kind and helpful.  All the worry beforehand was unnecessary.  Jay was able to step right in where he left off before.  He didn't miss a beat.  He remembered everything from two years before.  Laurie knew McQuiveys in Vancouver, WA.  Donna knew me from the AF 10th ward.  Ruth Baker was mom McQ's V.T.  and I saw Eva (Shelly) Wright.  Another gal knew Raul and Karen from VA.  and I was asked if I was related to Lee McQuivey.  I use my full first name on my badge, Mililani.  I love that name, that my g'mother Mana Nahale'a named me Mililani.  My generation has their Hawaiian names in the middle, but mine is first, then the middle name of Bess, yuck!  My sister Bobbie tells me my g'mother wanted Best, but our mother changed it to Bess.  I was teased Bessie the cow when I was growing up.  Oh well, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me"
Later that evening my dear friend, Gwen took me to a Pottigee Comedy show at Thanksgiving Point.  The comedians were, Frank DeLima, and Augie T.  I literally laughed, belly laughs.  They were so funny.  Loved it tons.  Augie kept talking about our mountain "tapaningos" and every other pronunciation he could destroy.  Soooo funny.

Roof before the Snow please...

more constructing

It makes our house look huge!

under construction

We are adding to our house a new pitched roof, a master bath, and master walkin closet.  The house extends out to the driveway 8 feet.  Our bedroom will be bigger, will have a reading/sitting area.  It's a mess, but will be such an improvement.  We love our house.

No Manual....

....for this new calling.  We got our first intro to "what is expected of us", by our RS President.  We are "mentors"(whew) and we will host these Firesides and Socials.  Our targeted group has about 34 couples.  But we will be lucky if we get half of that attend any function.  Some of these couples are not active in church.  We are already learning to be prayerful about this calling, as we see this as an effort to draw on the powers of heaven to assist us, even more.  Jay and I have known for some time now in our own marriage, that we both love to work with young people, and our mission to serve with Seminaries and Institute was evidence of the Lord showing us our talents.  This will be a very strong indication of our commitment to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Calling

Our Bishop believes we can raise Stripling Warriors in our ward.  To do this, we have been called to work with the parents, those young parents, who have their children in Primary.  The Bishop has a targeted group he will invite, but the group will be open to any and all ages or years of marriage.  We will have four Firesides a year, and two socials.  Issues such as, the obvious, parenting, also include, Intimacy, and even guidelines for books, movies, language, etc.

2 Ne.28:28

After reading in the newspapers here in Utah, and listening to the local news stations, I am glad to have the scriptures to confirm what the prophets say to us in General Conference.  President Packer is right on, and even Amos 3:7, which was quoted twice is confirmation also.  I have a testimony of the one and only true church on the earth today, the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter -day Saints.

We Thank Thee O God, for a Prophet

My Priesthood holders leaving for Gen. PH.

Judge Not, that Ye Be not judged..

The Sept.25 Women's Conference was so inspiring.  Pres. Monson's talk to all of us was poignant, and very emphatic, as he used illustrations from his own experiences to reiterate the importance for us to accept each and everyone, whether single, married, large, small, what we wear, it needed to be said.  The RS Presidency gave excellent talks, while the choir by the Kearns area Relief Society Sisters, was purely angelic, very powerful, I was truly uplifted.  Tears flowed freely while bowed in prayer.

Fall leaves up the American Fork Canyon

Mom McQuivey enjoying the leave with us.

My camera doesn't do justice to the colors.  Oh well, it's brilliant up there, and on a Sunday morning, we didn't have to fight the crowds.

Week ago today..went to St. George

with dear friends Beth and Neil Miller.  We saw the play "Tarzan" at Tuacahn, it was very interesting.  There were a lot of Apes swinging from above the audience, the story line was well done on stage.  The costumes were very well done and the singing and dancing was well choreographed.  Then on Thursday, the men went golfing with Jay's brothers Jerry and Ray at Green Springs, while Beth and I went to do a temple session for some of her relatives.  We later that evening went back to Tuacahn to see "Crazy For You" an Ira and his brother Gershwin play,  Songs and tap dancing more to our age group and style.  "Embraceable You" and other familiar songs that we didn't realize were in that play.  We returned home on Friday, mom's birthday, where we joined with brothers Roy at David's and spouses and mom and Jennifer, for a party.  A great birthday gathering for mom.  She just doesn't like to hear "and many more" in our song to her.  Cute.

O, Remember, Remember

This is the message that Steven E. Snow (70) delivered at our Regional Conference today which was aired to the 131 stakes in the Utah, Wasatch counties, and the 17 Stakes at BYU in the Marriott Center today.  He said, "Monuments are erected to remember the lives of those who went before us, we write in Journals, we go to the temples, we pray, and the Sacraments are means for us to Remember.  We Remember and we Covenant.  Remember and Renew....with our Testimonies. 
Julie Beck, "You are better than you think you are," and then she said, "but we're not doing as well as we could do."  She said, "Plan for Success, and Work for it.  If we weren't struggling, we woudn't be drawing closer to Him.  He will make us His people."    "You only need Faith," she said. Also, "The Lord will establish His House, and we will align.  Pray always, Read and study the scriptures, Prioritize our lives."  Elder Holland reiterized what the two previous speakers said earlier then he told of "Scouts sent to Southern Utah,  in P.P. Pratt's journal," he said, "this country is rugged and chaotic, and it is a country in Ruins."  Elder Holland talked of early saints who went through very difficult times, but it was their faith in God and in the Lord Jesus Christ that, "always has been and always will be the driving force to prevail."  Be spiritually girded, so when you're called, you go!  Call down for personal Revelation.  Testimonies need to be simple and deep, not complicated and superficial.  Build your family.  The Forces of Righteousness will always prevail.  If we have faith in our Father in Heaven, we will be safe and secure.   President Packer said, "From now on, it will be difficult and hard. "  He talked of when he was a Seminary teacher early in his life, he had a boy who was very difficult, he asked Antoine Ivins, 'What should I do with him, should I give up?'  and Ivins said, "what if he was your boy?" Pres. Packer further asked us, "What does the word Father mean?"  When Phillip asked the Savior to see the Father,'I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me.....we are one!'  Everything depends on you, what you make of your life.  Satan can tempt us, but we are the ones who have the power through our agency to say to the adversary, "get thee behind me Satan"  The Adversary does what we let him do.Get self control, to avoid evil.  Angels exist.  They speak by the power of the Holy Ghost.  You have to want to be righteous, then you have to know how.  OBEY....that four letter word.  Detach yourselves from those who are unrighteous.    (Tying into the previous talks)  "We've done all we should do at this point, we can do better.  "The Word of Wisdom is a monumental blessing.  We are a clean people. "  He then asked, "Are you so  touchy you can't be corrected?"(to which I poked Jay, I have a problem with him correcting me).  "A pattern for marriage is to teach by the spirit."  He then talked of his being corrected by Sister Packer, all she has to say is, "now boy".  President Packer said, "We will be protected and guided because the Father is in charge.  Never forget that you have a father.  Pioneer times were easy, now comes the hard part.  He then invoked a blessing on us, then counseled to "stay in concert with it".  I'm glad we went to our Regional Conference today which was aired in our building this morning at 10am. 

AF East Stake Conference

Saturday Night Session theme, "The New and Everlasting Covenant"........Everyone of the talks we heard tonight were exactly inspiring to all of us who attended.  Our Stake President Ivins encouraged us to keep the covenants we have made by attending, accordingly as we set goals to do so.  Keep our covenants, be worthy so when we ask for blessings, it won't be because of mercy that we will get our answers, but because we are worthy.  Ask, Listen and Act.  I like this.  I definitely see where I need to improve my life .  "Our pathway through life is grace filled", P.P. Pratt said that, and also explained what grace is.  We don't need to do it all by ourselves, the Lord is there to help us along the way.  We have all the attributes the Savior has, only, in embryo...but we can develop those attributes, and he can help us.  The power of the temple helps us to raise our lives.

Shakespeare and Football

in one week.  It was Shakespeare on Tuesday, and then Utah vs Pitt on Thursday night on TV, and then Saturday, we watched our former Seminary student Manti Te'o play for Notre Dame, and then our fave BYU beat Washington and finally watch TCU beat Oregon St.  Wow, we are in the Football season of 2010.  A long awaited season for us.  But now we have expanded our team interests to Kahuku, Kamehameha and even U of Hawaii.  Besides finishing the golf season, which has been of great interest to us too. 

The quality of mercy is not strained...

.....it falleth as the gentle rain..
This Shakespeare offering in Cedar City this 2010 season was most delightful.  Besides watching the characters who were speaking, you had to keep a watchful eye in your periphery to catch other things taking place on stage.  It was such a fabulous evening spent with  this, my most favorite of
Shakespeare's comedys.  Shylock was played by a most convincing actor,
Tony Amendola I believe.  He made me like the character, although I have always disliked him for his, "pound of flesh" and "bond"  and "revenge"....  The princes who arrive to select a casket for Portia's hand, are ever so delightful. 

The BnB we stayed at, the Garden Cottage, was perfect.  It was romantic and the host and hostess, Diana and Gary were so warm and inviting.  The breakfast was most delectable.

Guten Tag Elder and Sister Bangerter

Brother and sister, son and daughter of our bishop returned home from their missions to Germany,Hamburg and Berlin.  They gave awesome reports of their missions.  Their aunt(sister to Bishop Bangerter) was visiting, she is the RS president of the church....Julie Beck.  Her husband and Jay are old/dear friends from their Rotary Days together, and we women became acquainted back then in the 70's.  The choir, oh my, we sang Hark all Ye Nations!  We raised the roof, it was fabulous.  Our choir director is music director of Weber State, and he moved into the home right next door to our home.  Great neighbors!  We love them, but not their house right next to our driveway.  We are so blessed to live in a ward that is so committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I'm glad mom McQ is here with us to be embraced by the wonderful "golden girls" of this ward.  They genuinely care about her.  We love it.

No thoughts on a new blog.......

....I'm finding out that no one cares to read my latest blog anyway.  So I will just write for my own use.  I have lost 23 lbs. on the HCG diet, since July 22.  I am finding that I eat too fast, and then I don't know that I'm satiated until I've eaten everything on my plate.  Ugh!!!  Now, that I've been eating this low calorie way, I can see that I was eating just to eat.  Not because I needed food to fill me.  My eyes were bigger than my stomach.  I savor my few calories now.  I have 4 more days on this diet, and then I will go on a maintenance program for three weeks.  My blood pressure has been consistently down around 112/70 while still taking the BP meds.  I hope my doctor will take me off the pill when he sees my numbers that I have been diligent about recording every day.  Otherwise, I feel fine.  I don't have hunger pangs, nor do I feel weak.  I am looking forward to the maintenance though, for the variety that I will be able to eat, especially as the garden has been producing lots of goodies.  I like veggies, and fruit, that too will have variety from what I've been eating.

I'm thinking........

.......of starting a blog about mom/g'ma/g'g'ma/Lily.  She says the darndest things.  She makes us laugh.  So I thought if I set up a blog of her sayings and insights into her everyday world, you friends, g'children, and g'g' children might appreciate having this someday.  You are all so lucky she can still bake cookies for you.  She loves doing this, but it does take some effort on her part.  And when you let her know how much you appreciate her efforts, she is delighted.  So, I will do this, Any ideas out there on what to name this???

My guys are home, but at the temple as I write this

These guys are awesome, handsome and all that good stuff.

Separation

Jay has gone on a four day trip with our son James and his two sons, Jansen and Logan to Colorado.  Mom McQ and I are here at home with Boozer to protect us.  The guys report that they are having a great time.  They should be home late tomorrow night(Tuesday, Aug. 17).  James and Logan fly home to Boston on Wednesday, while Jansen will stay for a few days with both sets of g'parents until he has to go back to BYU for the Fall term. 
After Jay and I have been so closely tied to each other for 18 months, this separation is different.  We talk on the phone each night. 

Sanctification

“As we pass through the trials of life, let us keep an eternal perspective, let us not complain, let us become even more prayerful, let us serve others, and let us forgive one another. As we do this, ‘all things will work together for good to us that love God.’ ” James B. Martino, “All Things Will Work Together for Good,” Ensign, May 2010, 103


As I was reading the lesson for Sunday School today, I was impressed to read several references made by our latter day prophets concerning sanctification.  Howard W. Hunter said "We must strive to be pure in thought and action."  The Lord said, "And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you;  and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all thngs.  Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God,...." D&C 88:67  I want to be like this.  I wondered, "what shall I do to be more faithful, and truly have singleness of heart and mind that I might be sanctified?"  I love this lesson

The Uintas

We saw this moose by the side of the road and took his picture,  Boozer growled at him .  Too bad no horns yet,  or maybe it was a female.

This magnificent Provo River Falls at 10AM.  There were lots of people up in the Uintas, all trying to get away from the heat.

Routine

New for me, but Jay's forte'.  He wakes up at 5:30, goes to Fox Hollow to golf with Neil every morning, then by 8:30, he's home for a cereal breakfast then read the SL Tribune, and then outside in the yard all day, cutting, trimming, weeding, and comes in only when he has to do so.  While I sleep in, with Boozer, wake up then  shower, breakfast, and a day of reading, Sudoku and Crosswords, TV shows, wash, iron, and get on the computer.  I visit with mom several times a day, when I have something to share with her, or check on her, or have her check on me.  Anyway, this will change too when the weather changes.  We will have a new routine.  I worked outside of the home until the mission, so this is all new to me.  We do go to the temple once a week, and today we will do so, with the names we have been asked to do for the Ward members.  It's a good life, I have to agree.  I am sporting a cough that is annoying.  No nasal congestion or temperature, but I get these extended coughs that don't seem to leave for quite some time.  I am trying to diet at the same time to lose some weight, some of that Hawaiian diet that I took great liberty to imbibe when there for 17 months.  Very unhealthy, but now I'm paying for it, and I need to be diligent about it. 
Today we mowed the lawns.  I help with the big lawn.  It is hard, but I like to help a little bit.  I use one mower while Jay mows with the other mower.  Boozer just chases us back and forth on the lawns.

Moving Along

Yesterday I saw a huge bird fly in and land on the elm trees in our neighbor's yard.  It looked big enough to pick up Boozer if he was hungry enough.  So I am watching out for Boozer very carefully.  I took a picture of the bird sitting on the branches, but I'm afraid my camera doesn't zoom in enough to get a good view. 
Jay and I went to the temple.  We have gone every week since we've been home.  It's nice to have the temple just a block away from our home.  It is nice to have our temple all to ourselves again after 5 weeks of the Provo temple being closed and their patrons coming over to our Mt. Timp Temple.  It got so crowded, and we are spoiled enough to want to have space so one can have room to stretch. 
I've been on a diet again, one week now. I am under my doctor's care, and I am really being good, which means I am hungry often, but I'm determined.  My Blood pressure is 118/70, or there abouts from day to day.  Food on the TV ads look good to me, where I wouldn't even care before.  But I will be on this until Sept.1st when I will be able to eat other vegetables from the garden, like zucchini, and more tomatoes, fresh tomatoes.  Yesterday I had one fresh tomato from the garden, and it tasted sooooo good.  I will be able to mix my veggies too, right now I can only have one kind at a time.  Oh well, it will pay off.  I am determined.

RMs reporting at the 29th ward

We spoke today with the High councilman Russell Gunther.  We were assigned 10 minutes each, and I did 8 and Jay 12.  So we were fine.  My greeting of "aloha" didn't go over very well in this ward.  Lots of white people.  We did get reacquainted with the Liddiards.  Sam is a friend of Jace's from Marching Band Days. 
Their meeting started at 11:30, so we had time to get back home, eat a lunch then go to our ward which began at 2PM but we had to be there at 1:30 for we are now the Ward Librarians, and our ward is the agent ward, we have three other couples who are assigned to be in the library, so we take turns.  That's nice.  Especially as the librarians before us has things so well organized.  We are merely carrying over from a super couple, the Wildens, also RMs.  This is

Waterfall

This is what Elder McQuivey has been doing since he returned home to AmFork.  He loves to work outsite in the yard.  Building this waterfall was the combined efforts of he and his brother Roy.  This waterfall sits right in front of Lily McQuiveys entrance to her place.

Here's Jerry, while Jay takes Photo

Oooops, I got Jerry mixed up with Ray.  Now you see Jerry standing, Roy in front, David up top, and Ray on the right.  They had a great time bonding once again with each other, and golfing, hiking, playing cards too.  They like each other.  They are all in their 60s in age. 

The Brothers campout

Jay, Roy, David, Jerry, someone had to take the picture, So Ray had the honor. 

This is the Country

When reading the history of my birthplace, "Hawaii".....I can be overwhelmed with anger at how my beautiful Hawaiian Islands were taken by force by greedy American Merchants who convinced the President of the United States to overthrow the Monarch Queen Liliuokalani, and keep her prisoner in her palace for the rest of her life, while exploiting the people and the land.  But like the Native Americans, I can see that this was to be our lot .  I was pleased to attend a Fireside Monday night, where Paul Skousen, son of W.Cleon Skousen spoke on the latest book of W.Cleon, "The Cleansing of America".  I had read the book, and I was eager to hear from Paul.  It was enlightening, to say the least(verbal pause).  I have always been politically astute, and have done my share of political volunteering over the years.  I am still very interested in this endeavor.  Now, my greatest interest is in furthering the work of our Savior, and preparing for His reign when the kingdom of God comes to earth.  Everything else in this world, is but an appendage to what will be the only government.  There will be no "nations", only one nation, one people, one true leader, the Savior of the World. 

Having a great time

Jay took Kea and Taylor hiking up to the American Fork Canyon.  The only strange creature Kea saw was a beautiful green snake sunning himself on a white rock.  Check out Keastravels.blogspot.com. 
Then Lagoon all day on Friday July 2, Jay and I took Kea, Taylor and Jansen...more pics by Kea on her blog.  Jansen too blogged at hacollegematata.blogspot.com.  They also took loads of pics from the Stadium of Fire in Provo on July 3rd, which is when the day of independence was observed here in "mormonland".....July 4th was all about worshipping the God of this land, Jesus Christ, and bearing testimonies of his goodness to us all.  We truly are a blessed people. 
We celebrated here at home with a BBQ on Saturday evening with mom, her three sons David, Roy and Jay, with wives, Patsy, Christine and me.  And Jennifer(Dave and Patsy's daughter) came along to share a great dinner with us.  The three dogs, Kojo(Dave and Patsy's YorkTzu mix),Tiki(Roy and Christine's ShihTzu) and our boy, Boozer the Chihuahua.  Three very different breeds of dogs, but all beautiful with very distinctive personalities. 
Jay and Roy are building a waterfall just outside mom's apartment, it's beautiful.  When we get our camera back we will take pics.

Roy & Christine, "Our Caretakers"

We love you. Took care of the yard, the dog, everything for 18 months. 

Jansen & Kea, "The grands"

Getting to Know each other

Back Home with Boozer "the spoiled"

Physically Fit

We have been to Our GP to see if we are doing OK in the healthy department.  Good news!  We are doing well for our ages....71 here, and loving life.  Jay's health puts him in the 10 years younger group.  That means he's 59(?) in Health years....?  Wow, I am married to a youngster.  We are getting the works, with all the blood tests, and bone density for me, and mammogram, and he for plaque in his arteries(that's for the hereditary thing).  Our numbers are good.  I still have the weight struggle.  I am giving it another go round with trying to lose the weight and get to a healthy number.  I got new glasses after the eye checkup, and I still have to do the periodontist checkup.  This aging thing, is not fun.  We hope to have a quality lifestyle in our old age.  And so far, we have been blessed.  The mission didn't break the mold.  It increased our quality of life, in every way.
We reported to the Single elderly in our ward on Monday night, serving them salads, and rolls, and just talking about our service in the Polynesian Cultural Center.  Mom (Jay's mom Lil') hosted the ladies and one gentleman.  She put on a nice spread.  The evening was perfect, sitting outside her place, on the lawn and tables covered with linen.  She was the perfect hostess. 

Still adjusting....

.....but doing well.  Jay golfs every morning with Neil, they are best buds.  It's been "chilly" here, we're not used to this.  Had to get out the woollys to keep warm, and drink a mug of herb tea or hot chocolate to get moving around here, exercise and all that good stuff.  Yes, it's back to exercise.  We have doctor's appointments next week, had to have blood samples taken, so the Doctor could adquately assess our general health.  Hawaii was too good for me, I put on 50 of the 61 pounds I lost before the mission.  Now, it's time to get it back off.  We have been attending the temple again, that is a plus.  Jay keeps busy in the yard, all the trimming of overgrown trees and shrubs.  It's nice to have mom with us.  She has a lovely place downstairs, that overlooks the valley. She is a sweetheart.  We are so blessed to have her here with us.  We check on her as she checks on us. 
We also enjoy our Chihuahua, Boozer.  He is such a delight.  He loves to "go" in the car, or on his walk each night, or go to bed with us.  I have to worry that I don't roll over on him, he sleeps between us on top of the sheets, under his blanky.
We continue to read our scriptures, but not as religiously as we did during the mish.  That's all for now.

Planting, trimming, gardening, cleaning...

...fun things to try to get organized around here.  Actually, we have been blessed by having Roy and Christine McQuivey take such good care of our home, our yard, and dog.  They truly served a mission too.  We are truly blessed for having served, and been served also.  We love having Mom McQuivey(Lily) I hope she doesn't get tired of us.  We have had her join us for dinner twice, and she refuses to have us "make a habit of it"....she is delightful. 
Our Chihuahua Boozer, is so opihi, he follows at least one of us around all the time.  If we're not here, he has g'ma's lap to climb on and sleep.  He is definitely a lap dog.  We didn't think he'd come back to us, and we didn't expect him to.  He was spoiled by Roy and Christine, and their dog Tiki.  But Boozer knows the old routines, the daily walk, bedtime, and many other things.
This retirement is interesting.  I don't know what day it is, each day I wake up.  I have to look at the calendar and read the daily newspaper to register what day it is in my brain. 
I've had the eyes checked, and new glasses made, we have doctor appointments for physicals, and I need to have my periodontist to check on my teeth and gums.  I tried to take care of myself, we both tried on our 18 months in the tropical paradise of Hawaii, but the humidity and the different foods made for some changes.  I am 71 now and Jay is 69, so we have to take care of ourselves.  I take a Blood Pressure pill, and Jay takes a statin, that is all that we have to take for now, but we know that getting back to the exercise and eating right is the key to staying healthy.

It's been two weeks.........

....since we returned home to American Fork, Utah.  Jay has been golfing almost everyday, except for the weekend and the holiday.  He and Neil have had to "catch up".  He also works in the yard, which is beautiful, because of Roy and Christine's hard work.  But it needed some sprinkler fixes, and mowing, twice.  A lot of trimming of trees and shrubs too.  We are going to fill in two little ponds, because we have a lot of children playing in our yard now.  I can't find old pictures of the ponds right now, maybe next post. 
I have been doing "stuff"......washing a window here and there, repotting plants, vacuuming, putting away things, and discovering put away things.  Just "stuff"! 

We report to the AF 37th ward on May 30

We are excited to share our testimonies of our marvelous service in the Hawaii CES/SI Mission.  We learned so much about ourselves and each other.  We loved the leadership of the CES/SI staff.  Marlo Lopez, Nancy Navas, Kalake Fonua and Lory Mannering.  I wish I had taken the time to take a picture of each one of them, or the whole group together.  They will forever be our friends.  We look forward to seeing the Tefans here in Saratoga Springs in the future.  We hope they like Utah, and not want to rush right back to Tahiti. 
The Laie Stake Leadership was awesome:  President Eric Beaver, Bro. Enesa, Bro. Aaron Keo, who were released in March, we worked with them most of our Service there in the Seminary.  We love you brethren.  Also, since March, we served under President Aaron Shumway, Bro. Sau, Bro. Reid...and our High Council Bro. Makekau...Mahalo brethren for being the leaders that you are, and for setting such a fine example to the people there in the Laie Stake.  The Bishops are dear to our hearts too.  And all the Security brethren who served so faithfully, we pray the Lord's choicest blessings be yours.