Anniversaries on Wheels

Blessings commemorate goodness. “This week for our Come Follow Me study, a seven year old grandchild read to us about the Father of Lights.  Who are the lights? “Every good gift and every perfect gift cometh down from the Father of Lights with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

Kristen and Zach celebrate their anniversary the same week we do. Twelve vs. twenty-eight--they are catching up!. 

“Would you, could you, watch our children?”  Of course. 

Only one hump to cross.  On May 5th our Toyota Corolla was pronounced officially dead.  Val describes our car as suffering a heart attack, limping.  Grateful that our mourning was for an inanimate object,  we put on our thinking caps and began looking. Maria sent links.  Expert automotive cousin said, "Drive them!"  We tried and narrowed:  Reliable. Quiet. Leg space. 

Going on a month without wheels, an idea arose:  M. Russell Ballard described an airplane spiraling and committing "to Heavenly Father that...I would be what he wanted me to be.”  The Lord took him at his word. I accepted the invitation to --“write down a date,” and days ticked by.  On June 5th, when the best possibility appeared to be an import from Florida, a nearby helper invited us to look again--helping us agree on something we had before tried--reliable, older, low miles.  Grateful for heaven to bless the search to end a day early. 

That day's double rainbow was not lost on me! 

 Next to make space, then USE those wheels! 

Our first day trip, on suggestion by Val’s sister was to view budding trees in Big Cottonwood Canyon via switchbacks of Guardsman Pass toward Midway, Utah.

 

This outing cam on the heels of an impromptu visit from two brothers. An elder one picked up a younger in Logan , coming from Washington State.

What better way to celebrate the Seattle temple sealing of our daughters' cousin Eli, to Ashley. 

than with eating, visiting, and endless singing into the night !

A week later, we hiked above the Church's youth camp in Heber

 and stayed at a bed and breakfast where we met a nice couple from New York city with a cute dog, who were moving to Heber by way of Montana.  The husband was an engineer.  The wife, a doctorate in teaching reading, taught us if children have limited attention, we can teach in spurts—good information to be used the following week with four visiting grandchildren. 

One way is to come up with questions.  

What are yours?  

Here is a question we tried:  

"What quickens you?"   

Translated, it means tell us what lifts, energizes, engages, gives you life?  

What is YOUR answer? 

I have a brother who grows and mother who love eagles,

inviting others to fly.  

 

(Blessings to celebrate the youngest son to Cherie and James, inching his way into becoming the family's youngest Eagle Scout) 

A few of us like growing butterflies and preparing welcoming settings 

(the package of caterpillars came with a packet of wildflower seeds to sow.)

Joy attends butterfly hunting!

Clearing debris from our lives, we discover unexpected fruits!

Remarkable, what is uncovered weeding, walking!

Grandma Lolly has learned hemming for a departing missionary,

clutter can be cleared on the way!

  

Heirlooms can offer pizazz to creativity.

Some people love rescuing.  Animals.  Boards.  Drooping tomatoes.

Some like pruning peaches

Others enjoy piecing puzzles, 

reading,

or making healthy recipes to honor Dads.

Some craft hairstyles

Others crave home made bread enough to travel for their wheat.

Some relish homemade strawberry jam 

others, fruit pizza.

Some think trouncing Grandpa in ping pong, 29 to 27, is energizing. Others beg and beg to PAINT.  

Why not use what Grandmother Pearl left behind years ago to paint a rooster in the garden?

The roses nearby, sent by friends at Grandma's death,
are now cheered by neighboring colors. 

Some like swinging and learning Gee Rook.  (When sister got four ONEs and a Rook, older brother warned not to expect this hand often!)

Great Grandma (ninety one and a half on the Fourth of July) visited to share stories and games, postlude to a Kaysville Park Charles Peterson Saturday reunion. 

Our grandchildren's parents scooped up their family after completing a 120 plus mile bike ride (Brigham City to Provo plus) where scenery is seen in a different way than at freeway speeds.

Capturing the adventure spark, Grandma Laurene and Grandpa Val drove the trail north to discover

 a replica of two railroads meeting at "The Golden Spike."

After this, we recaptured the memory of touring with Grandpa and Grammy Gee plus children 

with little ones Brigham City's temple open house.

Then, on the real day, why not teach and practice lawn mowing 

and applaud those with courage to purge a garage! 

Reliving best  moments—drying dishes together--how does CLEAN compare with being PREPARED? How can FAITH precipitate JOY?  How could CLEAN or GREEN carry us through yellowing lawn or flickering lights?  Amazed that pages of penciled brainstorms with grandchildren help to cool a house more than a reminder to “Shut the door!”

Celebrating connection brings joy. 

(So fun, to be available to celebrate weddings with cousins, and twins this month!)

As we reflect on commemorating a 20th anniversary in Honduras, 21st in Guatemala, 26th in California--we anticipate adventures ahead, appreciating moments and people who ever add abundance.  

We love you!  Laurene and Val