Tis the Season

I did count my bounteous blessings at Thanksgiving--family, friends, health, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. But since life has a way of running interference with unencumbered joy, I rejoice in this season as I seek for comfort and peace from that divine personage who came to earth as a newborn babe. I know His love will be manifested in many ways--through other people, a particular scripture, a beautiful sunset, and the sweet whisperings of the spirit. I'm counting on it.

I will need to do my part. I will study the scriptures and talks by our modern day prophet and apostles. I will stay awake when I pray and make those prayers meaningful. I will submit my will and have faith that it is His will. I will serve Him and others.

The gift to me will be a peaceful heart, strength to carry on, and to be assured of His plan for me. All this because a God entered mortality the very same way each one of us did, pure and innocent.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. Count your many blessings, name them one by one! It just might surprise you, what the Lord has done! He is the giver of all blessings.

My Saturday

Last Saturday, November 14, I drove to Snowflake, Arizona with my mother-in-law to attend the funeral of a man I had only met once, maybe twice. By the end of the services I was really sorry I hadn't known him or been friends with him. The life story, the talks, the sharing from relatives was glowing and uplifting. He was a genuine family man, who loved everyone and everyone loved him. His funeral was the kind I would like for myself, or a close loved one. I'm sure this man wasn't perfect (there were some great stories told!) but he lived his life serving others and serving his God.

Harry and Ruth were married for 18 years. She brought three daughters to the marriage and he one. Her three are the daughters of my brother-in-law. They are beautiful women, inside and out, with children of their own. What makes this a unique situation is the Christ-like love all family members feel for each other. The love is palatable. I can feel it and touch it. What could be uncomfortable or even unbearable, isn't.

Funerals are so much more than sorrow felt, or grief, but a manifestation of God's love for each of us.

Some More Pictures from Hawaii

Turtles feeding on Algae at Turtle Bay, Oahu

A fun swimming hole at Iao, Maui

The Needle at Iao, Maui

My friend the Hawaiian Chameleon

Hundreds of swimmers in the water competing for the Xterra Championships, Nick Jr is one of them.

Sammy and Jake had a great time playing in the sand while their dad swims.

When my camera broke, I bought a disposable camera to use which really didn't take that bad of pictures, but I was afraid it would so I didn't get very many shots. So this is it! Oh, well, the memories are there.

I do want to mention with gratitude the sweet family we stayed with when we spent a couple of days on Oahu. Heather and Daniel Orr have four lively and beautiful young children. She was a classmate of my kids at Mt. View High School in the late 90's. We found each other through blogging! Daniel is in the Army and had just returned from Kuwait after having been gone for a year, but even though he was only home a week, they welcomed the five of us into their home, and took us to as many places as possible the short time we were there. Thank you Orr Family! One of the highlights was the Polynesian Cultural Center. The students of BYU-Hawaii earn their tuition by sharing with the tourists the various Polynesian cultures throughout the Pacific Islands. These kids are gorgeous and talented with their music, dancing, and craftmanship. This was my fourth time touring the center, and it was even better this time!

Riding bikes down Haleakala

During my trip to Hawaii I got up at 2:30 on Monday morning for a sunrise view of the only active volcano on the island of Maui. It stands over 10,000 feet with a moonscape crater large enough to fit all of Manhattan. Fortunately for the islanders and tourists it hasn't blown it's top since 1792! But what beauty when the sun began it's ascent to light the world. While waiting for that to happen the wind nearly blew us off the top. And it was soooo cold. I dressed in layers (had to buy a long sleeved Maui t-shirt, my souvenir) and was loaned a "cute" yellow windbreaker outfit by the bicycle tour company. It saved me from freezing!

The sun is up and we are getting ready to ride our one speed bikes for 30+ miles down the highway that leads up to the volcano. We began the ride at 7,000 feet. The road was very steep and curvy; I will admit I was more than a little nervous when we began. This was out of my comfort zone, especially since there were 6 young couples (3 were honeymooners) and the old lady. But I came to Maui to conquer some fears. So I got on the bike hoping I wouldn't kill myself or anyone else. Happy to say that didn't happen and once I got used to the bike it was FUN! But for anyone following me, if there were brake lights, they would have been on non-stop.

CUTE YELLOW OUTFIT

Eli (hippie guide) posing with me!

This was a big deal for me to do something so different, and to do it without friends or family. I needed to jump this hurdle.