Andrew

Andrew doesn't come home much these days, too busy living life, but when he does come, we sit up and take notice as it's usually for something pretty important, like a not brand-new, but very cool truck! 

 Love this young man very much!

Life's Boot Camp

I received this text out of the blue the other day: "Your missionary daughter is wonderful! 

She'll be here tomorrow to do some service and I'll text you some pictures!"

After a few more such exchanges, I "met" Trisha Snow, a sweet member in Wassau where Beth is serving now. 

We love and miss our missionary so, and there was something truly wonderful about receiving this darling photo, taken just minutes before I received it, knowing she's happy and doing so well, and is appreciated and loved by marvelous people far away. 

I also reflected on what a beautiful soul Beth is and has always been, and the great blessing this missionary service has been for her thus far, and how it will continue to bless her forever! 

I recalled also my own missionary days, over 30 years ago now and something William wrote home about while at Camp Pendleton: 

"I think it would almost always be worth it to go out and do something new. You're home and family will always be yours (if you're righteous) but experiences are yours only if you go get them. This life is just one big 'Boot Camp' preparing us for our Eternal Life.... It is better to have memories of something you didn't enjoy, or something that was hard, than to remember that you didn't do anything. My biggest regrets are things I DIDN'T do, opportunities I didn't take advantage of."

(Pretty wise for an 18 year-old kid I remember thinking, but then Weed was born wise.)

Even as I write this, I can't help but think about so many opportunities that come my way every day - that come to each of us from a loving Heavenly Father. There are opportunities to learn and grow, to serve others and experience all that this wonderful life has to offer. This is the only mortal experience we will ever have! Just this brief time here on earth right now! 

I want to try harder not to miss any of these blessings. 

Yeah, right.

Isn't it funny, that you can read a fortune like this one, and want so much for it to be true. You know it's ridiculously random, but somewhere in your heart, you still wish it would come true. 

Sister Tea

One of the sweetest gifts my mother gives her daughters and daughters-in-law each year is a Sister Tea

Each have had a theme with planned activities, and scrummy treats, and often a sleep over, but

this year it was a simple one day affair, with a crafty-embroidery theme. Not everyone was able to be there,  but those who came laughed and created and ate and had a marvelous time! Above is a collection of sewing items from Grandma Niven's sewing box, and a few more recent additions. 

  

We gathered early enough to begin with a breakfast of fresh fruit, croissants and hot cocoa, complete with marshmallows. While it was frosty outside, we were warm and toasty inside together.

Daddy and his girls. He has always taken us to breakfast at the Crackle Barrel in the past, and patiently put up with all our nonsense, but this time we treated him to breakfast in his office while he worked on his personal history.

When the breakfast was cleared away, we started making charms for necklaces.

There were some wonderful creations, but these childhood ones were some of my favorites. Such memories.

Daddy concentrating very hard on something at the kitchen window.

 We enjoyed a lovely tea with a delicious salad, bread bowls, a "Glogg" and of course the traditional cheesecake bites and cream puffs.

We enjoyed "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" while embroidering some very traditional tea towels. 

(Bother! I didn't get a photo of the finished work, but then most of us didn't finish them at the tea. I'll post more later.)

 Leslie left a permanent reminder of her tea towel on the ironing board!

It was a wonderful day, and when evening came we all said goodbye until next time. Of all the wonderful blessings in my life, I am most grateful for my wonderful family, and most especially a wonderful mum, and 6 of the dearest sisters/sisters-in-law in the world!