Tony Turns 55!

 This has been a roller coaster week.  Tony turned 55 and celebrated by renting an electric mountain bike for a solo ride on bear claw poppy, a rhubarb pie, and the best steelhead salmon he's ever made.  NOT part of the celebration was sweet Harlow ending up in the hospital for two days and a night with dehydration and uncontrolled vomiting.  It was scary to see her so limp and lethargic.  Thankfully the whole hospital staff, drs and nurses were so kind.  The nurse who admitted her recognized Wendy.  Wendy had taken especially good care of her granddaughter at Vive and now she was repaying the favor.  Harlow was very dehydrated and constipated.  They removed 1/2 lb of poop, but even after discharge she continued to throw up and refuse to eat.  We still have some medical sleuthing to do.  We took her to the pool with her new blow up duck, but she just isn't back to herself yet.  Wilson was able to come see Harlow a few hours at the hospital, but not really step in and help.  I can't even imagine how overwhelming this must be for Wendy and I'm grateful we can be here for her.  

Sam has also had a hard week.  He quit his job, lied about classes, and is unable to keep his commitment to have every assignment turned in on time.  Because honesty and communication are the two most important life skills, it's clear we have some work to do.  He has great potential and is such a naturally responsible kid.  I know we can figure this out together.  

Weekend of Miracles

 Tony and I spent a beautiful 48 hours up north connecting with family and friends for two special events.  Saturday April 23 was Beck's angel day which is celebrated at the cemetery with a service project and rocket shoot.  We had invited Kate to join us, but on Saturday morning she cancelled because she wasn't feeling well.  Happily, at the last minute before we got to cedar city, she reconsidered and we were able to go back and get her. We even stopped to get ice cream in Beaver, Tony's best treat ever.   It was an especially happy surprise for Tyler.  Amazingly, the wind died down just as the rocket was shot and it almost landed on its launch spot.   We like those Beck miracles! 

 That night Tony and I grabbed dinner with Jeff and Betsy and joined them at the Provo City Center temple for the endowment of their friend from Peru. We experienced another miracle that night when the temple held the session so the young man could complete his initiatory work.  Many of those there were from Columbia and Tony was in heaven connecting with them.  Sunday morning we got to hear Owen give his sweet talk about his big brother whom he has never met, but who he wants to make breakfast for.  Pretty tender Sunday morning.  

We had the privilege of hearing Jake speak in his ward after blessing Pepper and it was so beautiful.  He gave a sentinel talk on the parable of the good Samaritan, emphasizing our need to be a little uncomfortable when we serve and I was inspired.  Peppers blessing was empowering and I believe Jake and Callie felt loved and supported.  Callie served a luncheon at the house so we had. chance to visit with friends and family including Audrey and the Holmes.  We love them so much.  We zoomed home fast so we wouldn't miss our English class,  the highlight of our week!  Kate got to do some serious adulting when she realized she had forgotten her keys and wallet at home!  Hopefully she got to see the love and support that is available to her when ever she needs it: Grandma and Grandpa lent their car, I lent cleaning supplies and gave rides and she had her keys by the next day-easy peezy.    While we were gone, Kimball flew home with the intent to serve a mission in Peru.  We were grateful for the opportunity to be apart of his life the last few months. He is a unique and very gifted person.  He is also a quirky turkey, with the most unregulated impulsivity I've ever seen. I love him and am proud of him.  

 

Easter 2023

 I love Easter.  This week God was determined to show Himself to me.  Everyday this week I saw or heard Him, which is my definition of miracles.  

We've been fighting to transfer some money out of our investments to another government account. Tony has spent hours organizing documentation and talking to incompetent customer service reps.  We decided to tackle it together, but paid tithing first.  The money immediately showed up in our account and we saw God.  Later that week we got a call from Aunt Clara at the St George shuttle.  A man and his daughter were stranded after missing the correct shuttle.  They only spoke Spanish and were low on resources.  Dad and Tony and I picked them up, were able to communicate, got them food and a hotel room.  We saw God.  The bossy posse stayed with us for spring break (Maren, Mili, Kolby).  One morning the girls went to Lins for donuts and Kolby lost her phone.  We jumped on bikes and rode around trying to find it.  Finally I stopped and asked the girls to pray.  Just then Maren looked down to see the phone in front of her feet,  and we saw God.  My beautiful friend Corrie came with her kids from St John and we spent a perfect day in Zion Park.  At every turn we saw God in that beautiful place. My favorite evidence of God this week was a text and picture from Max of his morning sunrise run.  Only God could make such a miraculous change in Max and I'm so grateful.  Of course I see evidence of God every time I hold sweet Harlow and have to trust that God will navigate the complexity of her life.  I love this beautiful holiday.  I love the sure knowledge I have that Jesus Christ is alive and because of this, things I think are dead (relationships, opportunities, peace) will be too.