Jodie

Sometimes things happen that are so special that its hard to share in words the feelings one has inside. I once told someone that I had been dreaming of this day for years, then months, weeks, days. To be living through this time... And now, they are memories..

Memories filled with warmth, family, togetherness, and sacredness.
It started with Jodie, my youngest, becoming active and working on going to the Temple for her own Endowments.

Jodie and her boyfriend, Tom, drove from Lake Havasue City, Arizona, to our home in Utah. They arrived Tues night, and have to be back to work Sat. So this was going to be a fast week.

Wed. Morning, Tom, Jodie and myself, drove from Grantsville to Pauli's home in Salt Lake City, in Tom's Cherry Red Mustang car. We picked up Pauli and drove to the White Elegance store in Sandy, to try to find a Temple Dress for Jodie.

White Elegance had some very beautiful dresses, and Jodie found one in her tiny size that she was looking for. She looked so Beautiful, all dressed in white. We all agreed, it was the most perfect dress for her. We also found a beautiful dress that seemed to fit Pauli's personality, and looked absolutely beautiful on her.

Lunch was needed to keep our driver happy, as it is not the easiest to follow three women around shopping. So we stoped at a Chinese restaurant for a light lunch, then off to the LDS Distribution Center on Redwood Road.

At the LDS Distribution Center Jodie received the rest of her Temple clothing. I am sure she was quite overwhelmed with everything.

A few things always fall in ones path when they are trying to go to the Temple. One of the things that happened at this time, happened about two blocks away from Pauli's house. The car started overheating, and refused to run any farther. We were all surprised as the car had been worked on, and was ready to go on the trip. I was surprised how calm Tom was, when this problem came up, he was repeating "the motor is fried, I fried the motor". I have found most men to be loud, and showing their frustration at a car's break down. However many prayers were sent to heaven from inside the car and one was sent from outside.

James, Pauli's Husband, came. The car had cooled enough that we were able to drive to Pauli's house. James talking to Tom said "I can fix anything, but you have to tell me what to fix". That is very true, James is very good with his hands.

They called David, my son, who works as a auto mechanic, and asked him about the car. He said to feel the top water hose. It was hot. Then feel the bottom water hose. It was cold. The thermostat was stuck and needed to be replaced. James and Tom came back with a new thermostat from a car parts, and replaced it. The car was running again, and it seemed to have taken about thirty minutes or so... That was another blessing.

Jodie and Tom had been invited, by Pauli and David, to attend a Haidong Gumdo class, A class of marshell arts, using sords, they decided to go.

I found the Haidong Gumdo class to be most interesting for me, because all were black belts, except for Jennifer who is a blue belt at this time. Pauli and David are both black belts. Jodie and Tom were given the first class lesson and seemed to enjoyed the class.

There were lots of warm feelings, as the family enjoyed a evening just being together, having fun and working out in a physical workout class. It didn't matter if they were all at different levels, they just enjoyed doing something together.

Thursday Morning, Temple Day.
First thing Thursday morning I hemmed Jodie's dress. I was not able to do the outside dress as I did not have enough time. but the most important one was done.

Jodie had to be at the Salt Lake Temple by 11:30 am. The bridge on North Temple, that covered the railroad tracks, was closed due to construction, so we had to go around it.

To our surprise we met Pauli and James on the elevator, in the car garage. under the Conference Center. We were able to walk into the Temple together. Jodie, Pauli, James, Lynn and myself. Tom still has about 3 to 4 weeks before his appointment with his Bishop for a Temple recommend interview.

Jennifer's babysitter canceled, Tom was willing to watch Jen's two girls, Sarah, five, and Violet, one and a half, for about five hours, walking around Temple square, so that Jennifer could attend with her sister Jodie. I feel he deserves a platinum Halo for wonderful service.

It is incomprehensible Joy for a parent to be in the Temple with their children, all dressed in white. As you share with them, the teachings, and promises the Lords has given.
Pauli and I were Jodie's Escorts. Jennifer came in with the main group and was seated a couple of rows behind us.
I was surprised to see how small the number of people were in attendance, usually the room is filled. This made it real nice for Jodie.

To be in the Celestral room where someone from the family says "group hug!" and automatic the family gathers together for one big hug. It felt so good. I wondered if heaven will feel so good like that.

We also visited the sealing room where this family was started when Lynn and I were married.
We missed Launie and David, as they were not in attendance.
I look forward to the time when our whole family will be together, in the Temple.

Frustrated Robins...

We have lived in our home for 5 years. Our new lawn is about 3 to 4 years old. So the worms in the lawn, which is good, are smaller. I have found it interesting to see how many short worms, about 1 to 1 and half inch in length, are found on the cement after a rain storm.

This spring we had a couple of day-long days of rain. And of course the worms came out onto the sidewalks, and ended up drying, and gluing themselves on the cement. They even made it up and on, to the steps of our front porch.

We have had alot of Robins in our yard this year. It is a good sign of spring, along with the daffodils and tulips.

The funniest thing I have seen, are the Robins trying to get the "freeze Dried" worms off the sidewalk.

Can you imagine a bird thinking, "Look at all this free dinner, just for the picking".
And then not be able to get them off the cement...

Beautiful December...

It has been a very long time since I have written here, how ever it has been on my mind for the last few weeks.

I have received many blessings, some I hadn't noticed until I started thinking about Christmas and putting up our Christmas tree. I remember two years ago that we had our Christmas tree up, but didn't have time to decorate it. So there it was, standing tall, with all its lights on, and nothing elts.

Last year I had my first Hip replacement in March. I was still walking with crutches and in alot of pain. So much was going on in our lives at that time, that the thought of putting up a Christmas tree seemed impossible. I had a porcelain tree I had made back in 1980, and to my surprise it still worked. So that was our tree for last year.

I guess it was in Oct when I started thinking, about when I was going to put up the tree. A few weeks later I realized my blessings. I had the 2nd hip replacement this last June, and I was already off the cane. The 2nd Hip was worse than the first.
It is a great blessing, to be walking again.

Another Beautiful Surprise came today. We came home from church and found a Beautiful, dancing, snow storm in our front room. Well not really, but my surprise gift was beautifully hand cut snowflakes, hanging from my celling around our Christmas tree. Even a small one that looks like a star, was placed right over the top of the tree.

My Daughter Paulette and her husband James, had waited around the corner of the street, for us to go to church. Then they came in and hung snowflakes to surprise us. We have a lot of frost outside today, it has been fogy for the last two days. As we were coming home from church we discovered a frozen hand cut paper snowflake taped to our windshield. It had no name on it, but both Lynn and I said "its from Pauli".

For Years, we have hand cut, snowflakes, and included them with our Christmas cards, for friends, and family. I have kept most all the ones I have received. I started writing names and years on them, and last year I started putting them in plastic, so as to keep them. They are beautiful memories. And some of them are very delicately cut. Every one likes to look at them on the windows, and remember the year, they had cut each one. I even have two snowflakes from Auzie, Paulette's Jenday bird.

Another blessing that is coming, is most of my family will be here for Christmas. I am sooooo looking forward to being with my kids. Jodie and Tom will be here for a very short time, but Jodie has made arrangements for our family, on the 24th at 9:00 AM, to go to the SLC Temple and do baptisms for the dead. What a wonderful way to start Christmas together.

Another blessing I received last week was to listen to two of my daughters play a piece by Mannheim Steamroller's "Stille Nacht" (Silent Night) in two wards. One on Harp, Paulette, and Jennifer on Viola. To watch and understand the masterful touch of the instruments, and listen to the deep feeling, and quality of the music. Each of them have been given a great blessing and talent of music, and we who listen to their playing are deeply touched, and our lives are enriched because of their willingness to share.

Bishop Grua in a talk, asked that we take time to enjoy the beauty that is all around us every day. The last three days we have had fog here. Fog is very moist, and has been freezing on the trees and bushes. It is looking like a winter wonder land.
At close inspection of some of the trees you can see the ice crystals growing longer, like tiny spikes all over. Very Beautiful.... but extremely cold. The antenna on Lynn's truck looks like it was covered in long white fur.

I have another blessing that happened tonight, but I will keep this one until after Christmas. I will think on this one for a while...the way you do when it mean alot to you.
(update) This neet blessing I received was a calling as a Service Missionary.
I am pleased to serve. I will be helping in the Employment Center in Tooele, for a year, and possible extensions.... :)

I WISH YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS, AND HOPE YOUR NEW YEAR IS EVEN BETTER THAN THIS ONE.

I am still here...

Just wanted you to know that I am still around and have not fallen apart yet... Last June had hip #2 replaced. I am doing well...

Remember the Fireworks...

I remember when as a family we would go to the grassy lawns, of Glendale Comiuty Collage, in Glendale Arizona. Hours before the fireworks. Our kids would often play games of catch with either Frisbees or lighted neckless. We would sit on blankets with the rest of the crowd of folks doing the same thing. Most all the kids around had lighted neckless that became neet flying objects high into the sky.

It was a good feeling, seeing my family having fun with each other.
Lynn would bring snacks, or go buy some ice cream at the snack trailers.

Sitting together watching the fireworks and greatly enjoying them. Once we saw the space shuttle, and something elts that had been hooked on the space ship flying across the sky. And one year we had extra fireworks, as a large lightening storm displayed itself in the background of the fireworks.

I miss my family, today all my kids have families of their own. This year Lynn and I sat in two lonesome chairs, on the side of a road, about a block away from the park where the fireworks were. With the Oohs and Ahas only to myself.
I watched the house behind us with their family, I felt lonesome for the lafter of my own kids.

I have learned to treasure the time you have with your little ones. They will be grown and gone before you know it.

Its never comes back, and you are left by yourself to try and be happy.

Happy Birthday, Mom...

I received a phone call from my brother Verl yesterday.... He had been down to the Provo Cemetery to see Mom's grave. And wish her a Happy Birthday.

Mom would have been 100 on the 4th of July.
Ivie Hartley Brimhall

It does not seem she could be that old. It gives me funny feelings inside when I think about it, as it relates to my self.

Just Funny...

Last Saturday I decided to take the car and drive over to Tooele, which is about 10 miles away from my home. It had been a while since I had been driving by myself, as Lynn is home mostly now, and he likes to do the driving.

I was going on my way, minding my own business, and enjoying the weather and scenery around me. We live out in the country, and not much car traffic. As I turned on to the main road to Tooele, I noticed I had a few vehicles behind me. This happens to be a rather long and straight road, and often folks like to go faster than the speed limit. And this seemed to be the case to day. I had a truck following close behind me, I thought he would pass by me as soon as he had a chance to do so, as I could see his hood and front window in my rear view mirror.

Soon a space came up, but not quite large enough, as the speed was 60 miles per hour.
The next car coming toward me passed by, but the space was still too small. The truck behind me, was now hugging my back bumper. Finally a larger space for passing came, and the truck behind me gunned the gas peddle and the motor roared loudly as the truck flew by me. Once past me he slowed down, and I soon saw a man's arm and hand pointing. Motioning for me to pull over and stop.

He pulled over, and I pulled over and stopped, and the car behind me pulled over and stopped, and the car behind him pulled over, and the one behind him, and also the one behind him stopped.

Then the door of the truck opened, and my son, David, jumped out. He was wearing his black Haidong uniform, from his martial-arts class. He explained that he had been following me from my house and was trying to stop me. He had come for a short visit, as he lives in Springville, and didn't want to miss me......I was surprised to see him...

I wondered what the other drivers must have thought, as this truck was trying to stop me, with flashing lights and strange driving....Perhaps, maybe, a Policeman?

But, they too, pulled over...


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