Anniversary Part (Day) 3

 

On Friday, the 29th, the ACTUAL day of our Anniversary, we spent the early evening doing a session at the temple, and then out to dinner at a new restaurant that Lexi had suggested.  It was a great conclusion to the whole 40th anniversary celebration.  Better than any cruise, vacation or other get away we could have scheduled.  It was perfect.

40 years with the one I love - doesn't get any better.

Anniversary Getaway - Day 2

 

When we first made plans for this trip, we thought we would just get up in the morning and drive the 7 hour trip home and call it a day.  But then Del realized we were only an hour or two away from church historical sites that I had never seen before and thought I might enjoy seeing them before traveling home.

I'm so glad he did.

Breathtaking - pensive and thought provoking - beautiful.  I was amazed by it all.

First, we drove to Adam - ondi- Ahman - which is over 4000 acres of land that the church has purchased in Missouri, and believed to be the future gathering place of the Saints when it is time for our Savior to return.  As Saints, we also believe it is where Adam, before he died, gathered his posterity and gave them blessings and instruction for their future.  Some pretty significant land.  The church currently has the land in beautiful fields of corn, soybeans and other vegetation that is just beautiful look at.  When driving through the area, we found this little baby doe hopping through the forest.  As Del and I stood and overlooked this vast scene in front of us, we discussed how wonderful the Lord's plan truly is and how He has promised us such blessings of a gathering n that beautiful place.  I did mention to Del that while we were there, it might be nice to take a stick and rock and maybe 'stake our place' in the  4000 acres so we don't have to leave our home until the last minute (wink wink).  Nope - he wouldn't even let me take a rock from the premises for keepsake.  

Next, we drove to the historic Liberty Jail, where Joseph Smith, along with about 5 others, were jailed for a lengthy time during a winter.  They were cold - no visitors until near the end - innocent victims having to suffer such cruelties and discomforts.  They only had small little windows on the sides of the building where food was slipped into them.  There was an upstairs and a downstairs - with a small dropway down a ladder to where the prisoners were,  The tour guide gave an amazing history and stories about Farr West, Haun's Mill and then what occurred at the jail that she had me entranced with her words.  I was very touched at learning some of the details.

Lastly, we drove to the Kansas City MO temple grounds where the flowers were in full bloom and the building, like many of the other temples, was majestic and stood out for all to see from the freeway.  It doesn't get old for me, seeing a new temple I've not seen before.  Each one, though a lot like another one, has it's own uniqueness and majesty.  I loved it!

Our drive home.

Del drove the whole way home.  Not that I couldn't have helped, but I think he wanted to.  And he became very talkative.  I asked him a few questions about his family growing up and his parents situation - You would think, that after 40 years, I would know everything there was to know about Del.  But he shared some things with me during that drive home that I had not only NOT heard before, but he asked me to never share them with anyone else - ever.  They were spiritual and personal in nature that he had just never told anyone.  He cried.  In fact, he sobbed.  I was deeply touched by his desire to tell me the things he did.  He was raw; and very vulnerable.  His heart was tender and in seeing all these feelings from him and hearing his stories, I was profoundly moved by the young child to young adult to wise man he had become BECAUSE of these experiences and how now, those experiences have allowed him to serve our Father in Heaven and Savior in a significant way.

My heart was overflowing with love for Del.  Such an experience I will not soon forget. We arrived home around 9:00 at night, unpacked, cleaned up and then we went to bed.

Before falling asleep, I pondered on the events of the weekend.  And as much as I love Josh Groban and how his music makes me feel, I was much more moved and spiritually touched by our last day - in all that we saw, all that we heard and all that we shared with each other.

Hopefully - never to be forgotten.

Anniversary Getaway - Day 1

 Josh Groban.

My favorite male singer of all time.

Del found out he would be in concert in Kansas City MO the week before our anniversary.  Only an 8 hour drive.  So he gave me the thumbs up to buy tickets and a hotel room for that night.  I was beyond excited.  

The drive over was easy and simple - we talked the whole way, stopped and took fun pictures at a rest stop and then got there early enough to rest a little in the hotel and grab something from Chick-fil-e before heading over to the stadium.

I was filled with excitement and anticipation.  I saw Josh Groban for the first time, 9 years ago here in Texas for our anniversary.  It was THE best concert ever.  I literally just drooled the whole time and got teary eyed every other song.  This concert was a little different.  It was only one or two of his old songs, and it was promoting his new album.  I will be honest.  The concert was wonderful - such talent he has in his voice and accompanying violinist and orchestra.  BUT, it was not as good as his first.  I didn't know these songs as well so I was only able to sit and absorb them for such a short time.  But his voice hasn't changed at all.  Still pristine.  Velvety smooth and chilling.  I was mesmorized to the last song.

Del is so thoughtful to think of me on our anniversary.  He likes Josh Groban's talent also, but of course, he knows my extreme emotion and tolerates it.  He's such a good sport to take me and watch me in the over 2 hour trance I tend to find myself in.  Poor guy doesn't get much attention from me until after the last song, but he knows how much I love it and what mood it puts me in - wink wink.  I love him for his wanting to make me happy.

And I was.

Forty Years and Counting

 
He's the love of my life.  And marrying him was the best decision of my life.

We've had the lowest of lows and the highest of highs in our marriage.  And through it all, I only wanted to experience it with him.  Del is solid.  He is never wavering in his devotion - to God, to me and to our children.  He has never lost vision of our eternal goal.  So he has been the patient one - the forgiving one - the rock in our marriage.  He brings depth to our life - to our marriage - to our purpose.

Over the years, I have finally come to where I feel ALMOST equal to his person.  I don't come near to understanding scripture and doctrine as he does, but I am striving to become that way.  Del's thought processes are way different, in that he tries to understand multiple levels of understanding on scripture references and life in general.  I tend to understand only what I need to and let others research for me.  But our discussions and thought sharing has become more intense over the years to where I love what we learn together.  I have been able to help Del ENJOY life a little more, in the relaxing and taking time to smell the roses in life.  He now enjoys SEEING things more - participating in life's offerings.  We bring out and enhance each others strengths and desires.  We enjoy more things together, yet still allow each other our private and personal likes and dislikes.

We are blessed - and we have been a blessing to each other.  I truly believe our Heavenly Father is pleased with what we have done and plan to do in the future.  Our feet are jointly on the path to returning to live with HIM again.  While still complete opposites in so many things, we are united in the areas of our life that will benefit us eternally.  I love him dearly and still try to do things to let him know, I'm with him - in this life and in the next.

She Still Remembers Him

 

This is Lydia.

She loves Del and has for over 4 years.  After Del was released as Bishop, he and I were both called into the Nursery where Del served for 8 months before he was called into the Elders Quorum Presidency.  I served for another 2 years + after that.

When Lydia first came into nursery, she was a mess.  Sobbed - clinging to her parents for dear life and wouldn't stay longer than a few seconds.  Del and I would usually be with other babies needing special love also and not able to settle them quick enough to give Lydia the love she needed.  So she would leave with her parents and we would try again the next week.

About a month into this routine, I noticed Lydia had a special eye for Del and seemed to search for him every time she came to class.  Finally, one Sunday, Del was available to take Lydia in his arms when she came to class.  From there, it unfolded into a beautiful and tender relationship.  Yes, she cried at first, but within minutes, Del was able to calm her - she would sit with him almost the whole time, but would get down to ONLY play ball with him.  Then back to being held.  This went on the full 8 months Del was in Nursery.  When he left Nursery, she moved up into Primary.

It's been over the past few months that she has once again, remembered how she feels about him.  For weeks now, she has found him either before or after Sacrament meeting, wanting to give him a hug before she skips off to Primary.  When trying to tell her mom or dad who she wanted to go see, she would describe him as 'you know, the man with the hair on the side of his head' - meaning no hair on top.  Hee hee - he got a real kick out of that.

Two weeks ago, she spotted him during Sacrament meeting.  I watched as she hopped up off her pew and just made her way across the aisle and up into Del's lap.  Her parents didn't even notice her gone until I caught their eye and motioned to Del.  They smiled.  I smiled.  Del was already smiling.

Lydia fell asleep for just a short 10 minutes as Del held her.  My mind slipped back to 4 years earlier, remembering the many Sunday's that he held her just like that, calming her fears and enveloping her in love.  She felt safe with him.  She felt loved by him.  She felt him.

That's Del and Lydia - that's Del and a lot of people.

He makes them feel safe - loved - 

Including me.

A Sabbath Day Scare For Becca

This is Lance - Becca's husband.

She sent out an early morning text to the family yesterday morning, that she was in the hospital with Lance, who had suffered a grand mal seizure.  Hearts dropped, concerns were expressed and immediate prayers were offered from us all.  From a text sent by Elaine, I could see she had called Becca to get details and then shared with the family.  I didn't dare call Becca also, as I knew she was with Lance and wanted to concentrate on him, so I sent personal texts to her to let her know my thoughts and feelings.  As the day progressed and Becca was able to bring Lance home to rest, I sent a final text expressing my love for her and Lance and giving her time to gather her thoughts and emotions of the day and experience.  She called me later last night.

Apparently, Becca was awakened by Lance screaming out in what she thought, was his sleep.  She looked over to find him shaking from head to toe, so placed her hand on his body, thinking he was having a bad dream and her touch would wake him up.  She rolled him to face her and found that he was foaming at the mouth and his eyes were wide open, fixed and dialated.  He was having a seizure.  She tried desperately to shake him from the seizure but resorted to immediately calling 911.  

After explaining to the 911 dispatcher what she was observing in Lance, Rebecca was told to get him off the bed and on to the floor to hard surface where she could perform CPR when needed.  Lance was dead weight, so it was difficult for Becca to move his body to the floor, but finally got him down.  In realizing the EMT's would be there in minutes, she quickly put on a house robe and ran to unlock the front door before returning to Lance's side.

The seizure continued enough that the EMT's determined Lance had to be taken to the hospital and they were gone within minutes.  Becca dressed quickly and followed to the hospital where she found that the seizure had finally stopped and they were working on getting testing done on Lance.  Lance was clueless as to where he was, what was being done and what had happened.  All tests came back normal, and after hours, they finally allowed Becca to take him home to recover.  

They will see a neurologist this week and have an EEG done to see if there is any brain damage or symptoms of anything else.  Rebecca fears maybe epilepsy.  But her faith is strong and she is hopeful for a complete recovery.  But she has had an experience that has affected her deeply.  She said it was horrific.  When I asked her if she had feared he would die, she said that 'No - in seeing him during the seizure, she was afraid that he would be brain dead - a vegetable - and live'.  

After another few minutes of discussion, we expressed some other thoughts and feelings and then hung up from our conversation.  I sat for another 30 minutes or so, just pondering everything that had happened during the day and everything Becca had shared.  My heart was so tender for her and all she had been through.  I ached for the fear she had experienced of losing Lance and then maybe having to deal with a life changing rest of her life with Lance.  No calm or peace came to me for some time.

It wasn't until Del came in the room and we were able to visit for awhile about the experience.  Del was able to calm my thoughts and feelings.  His eternal perspective of things always gives me such peace.  I was grateful.

Heavenly Father is watchful.  Ever present.  And answered our desperate prayers.

We are grateful.

PS - After further testing and extreme pain, Lance was found to have broken 6 ribs during his seizure and he's been diagnosed with Epilepsy.  Because of the seizure, he cannot drive a car for three months, so Becca is having to take him to all his business appointments and house showings etc.  It will be quite the burden for her over the coming weeks, but one she is grateful to do if it means having her sweet husband with her.  He will require medications the rest of his life to avoid further seizures, but then should be able to live his life as he has in the past.  Such a blessing to have results and prayers answered.

 

My Favorite Puzzle EVER (or so far)

 

The moment I saw this puzzle, I wanted it.

Love Indian culture and folklore.  Love the Indian Princess.  Her eyes - 

It's the only jigsaw puzzle I have ever glued together and now have framed and on my wall.  I love it.  I have now started another one.  If it turns out as nice, the one I just hung up will have a next wall neighbor!!

PS  Check out the backside of the puzzle..  WAY cool.