Blast from the past

I took a creative writing class at Dixie. I got into writing poems. Wendy brought one that I had forgotten I had written.

Some of my thoughts before I served my mission.

Wendy Roommate

Wendy came and visited from Colorado this weekend. I was telling Thea that she and I have been friends for over 30 years. That is a bit crazy. We met our first year at Dixie, but became roommates and best friends our second year.

I took her to the Newport Beach Temple. Maybe an odd thing to do on vacation, but it was a good day. Our little temple is sweet and a good way to spend part of a day.

It is pink with Spanish Mission architecture. The steeple is unique and Moroni is rather short, but still beautiful.

Saturday we went to Corona Del Mar and hiked the jetty. This is a picture of the Wedge in Newport Beach. It is across the channel and the tip of Balboa Island. I've heard that when the tide is big, the waves are spectacular as they crash against the Wedge. One day I want to be there to witness the wildness of the ocean that looks so tame in this picture.

I love pelicans. They are beautiful in a gangly, awkward way.

The end of the jetty. Last time Craig and I didn't make it all the way to the end. This time I wore better shoes. No flipflops for me on the rocks.

Looking back at Corona Del Mar. The Ocean was beautiful and we clearly saw the orange girabaldi fish in the seaweed up against the jetty.

A selfie before we headed to find some dinner. I think we were still on the jetty.

A beautiful sunset when we were done with dinner. Pictures don't really do sunsets justice. The colors were even more brilliant. Heavenly Father is a true artist - I can tell he loves color and texture.

We tried to get the sunset in the background, but it didn't really work.

Today I took her to the Lindt store and we bought chocolate. Yummy. 

The loot. I spend way too much on chocolate since I found this shop. But, dang, it is so good!

We love visitors

Craig's mom came to visit. We had a lovely time. I didn't get the camera out except to text Craig this picture at the end of her visit.

Truely she has lived an abundant life. A good example to follow.

Scripture - John 10

The abundant life. What we all desire.

This came as a contrast to the thieves that kill and destroy. They that seek to take away.

Christ comes to add unto. Start with what we have and receive an increase.

This comes as part of his role as the good shepherd. As we follow Him we are led to the good pastures and the sweet waters of life.

Scripture - Luke 22

Josh has been studying the New Testament this year in seminary. I started the New Testament after I finished the Old Testament.

I have read familiar stories and parables and wondered what to put here. 

Sunday we had family visiting. Craig's mom and his sister, Sandy, and her husband, Alan. We all went to church together and later had dinner at our house.

It was Fast Sunday. I was totally floored when Josh got up to bear his testimony. Truthfully, I was crying before he even said one word. He said that if he always felt the way he felt then that he would never want to sin. And that perhaps that was one of the differences between us and Jesus. We have that over-whelming spiritual feeling on occasion. He must have had it all the time, and that was how He was able to live perfectly.

In a way, this scripture reminded me of what Josh said.

To know that Jesus prays for us - Amazing!

To hear your 16-year old son get up in Sacrament Meeing in front of his peers and the adults - Amazing!

Remembering my dad.

Yesterday was 12 years since my dad passed. I rummaged in some of my pictures to see what I could find.

A picture of him with my grandparents and uncle. This was from before I was born. I'm not sure of the year.

May. 1986, Dad pretended to throw me in the fountain when I graduated from Dixie Jr. College. I do love this picture, and this memory.

I crocheted this for him for Christmas.

Meeting Gena at the airport. I think she was headed off to North Carolina. Before 2001, we were able to meet passengers at the gate and say good bye.  From left to right: me, Gena, Brenda, Dad, and Joyce.

Dad and Joyce dancing at Carl's wedding. January 1994.

Me dancing with Dad at Carl's wedding. I love this picture too. 

End of season PR

Craig had to work. I was worried about having to figure out the course and stuff. I went early to get a good parking spot. I had time to discover the course - I went to the time table and asked about the course and where was a good place to watch. He was helpful.

I didn't get great pictures.

He was warming up and didn't want me to take the picture. That is an annoyed with his mother look.

The JV team doing part of the warm ups.

Coming around the lake. He was running strong.

A good picture.

I was working the stop watch at the end and didn't get a picture. But my time was way off. Oh well. I saw the official time when he crossed.

He got a 17:05. He cut more than 20 seconds off his best time.

Amazing!!!