June-August

June was a milestone year for Steve's parents. They had their 60th wedding anniversary. We loved being able to join them on the beautiful Oregon coast and celebrate their achievement. They were excited to get to see Andrew again after two years.





Notice I am wearing a coat on the last week in June...INSIDE the house? It is cold in Bandon--but it didn't snow.

Then in August all of our children headed to Nauvoo. It was our first family reunion in almost 4 years. It was a blast!! We rented a home big enough for all of us and we had a great time together. We prepared meals together, we played together, and we were touched by the spirit that permeates the place. We went on wagon rides and ox cart rides...and didn't need a coat!




I loved being with my children and my grand-children. I am so glad they all made the effort to come!!

April-May

Then in April, Andrew went to visit his siblings. We were able to be there for Natalie's graduation...And SNOW IN APRIL!! A big shocker for those of us that live in Houston or just spent two years in Samoa.



Then we did a short hop to Denver to celebrate Matthew's birthday with Matthew and Debbie. Did I mention I have poor photography skills? We will need to do a retake next time we are in Denver.

A long long time ago...

I used to write on this blog occasionally. If you were worried we are fine. I just didn't have the enthusisam to try to remember how to post pictures and commentary without it being a jumbled mess. We will see if I am successful...

A few highlights from the last 7 months or so has to include our trip to Samoa.

In April...We went to Samoa to pick up our missionary son. It was an amazing trip. We were able to experience the culture...

<
admire the beauty....

meet wonderful people, and hug our son a lot!"

He was waiting for us at the airport and he saw me coming through customs before I saw him. One of the other Elders asked him if he thought I knew he was waiting for us on the other side of the partition. Andrew replied, "No, she hasn't seen me, yet." The Elder asked, "how do you know?" He replied, "She isn't crying!! (Ignore my red tear stained eyes.)

I finished a project!!

At Christmas, the girls and I (WOW did I wait a long time to say that) went to the fabric store. It was one of my favorite parts of the family visit. I loved watching them pick out their fabrics. I loved the fun they had helping each other and tossing around ideas. It was a great girl bonding experience for me.

Then I made their purses. It was nice to finish a project and to have them seem so happy with the results. Happy day!

Earthquakes in Chile

I served a mission in Chile Concepcion many years ago. The destruction there made me feel so very sad. This article http://www.ldsmag.com/churchupdate/100303chile.html is a nice testimony that the Lord LOVES His missionaries. My son in Samoa is also fine--the threatened tsunami did not materialize! :)

Happy Birthday, Dad

We celebrated my Dad's 80th birthday last weekend. I loved having us all together. It may have been a party for him, but I think we all got a present of memories.

All of his children and grandchildren were there except for the three young men on missions. So we had them represented in cardboard form.

One big happy family!!

I can now breathe!

As you have probably heard, on Tuesday, September 29, a magnitude 8.3 quake struck off Samoa at 6:48 a.m. local time. The islands felt the earthquake and about 15 minutes later the islands were engulfed by four tsunami waves 15 to 20 feet high that reached up to a mile inland. It appears that American Samoa was hit hard as was the south side of Upolu.

My son, Andrew, is an LDS missionary in Pago Pago on American Samoa. The stories I have been hearing from some of the other missionary moms have been scary. Elders climbing trees to avoid the water, homes moved off of the foundation with missionaries inside, cars washed around like pin balls with missionaries inside, and missionaries on a ferry in the ocean during the earthquake/ tsunami. It is truly miraculous that every single missionary is safe.

Andrew called home to assure us of his safety and emailed us details today. He said that having never experienced an earthquake--he watched Elder Pepe jump over the bed and under the table and just sit there. After watching him under the table for about 30 seconds, Elder Pepe said "come under the table lest you get hit by a falling ceiling..." (translated exactly) So Andrew moved under the table.

I am so grateful for the safety of all the missionaries.