One of my favorite journal moments came last summer at Bear Lake, encouraging an enthusiastic eight year old with a hot chocolate diary
He looked up after writing awhile and announced. “I can't write anymore, I have to go and LIVE something to write about!” Most days we get so caught up in living that we forget to capture the beauty and goodness around us that happens on the way.
As our neighborhood is preparing for a pioneer handcart trek
planned for early July, preparations include walking together each Saturday morning, adding ½ mile each time (we are approaching 7 miles this coming week.) We learned Tuesday while making bonnets with the Young Women that Brigham Young encouraged the pioneers to set their sights on the valley (or the “Promised Land” rather than fix their vision upon the sagebrush, stickers, ticks, and other annoyances accompanying the 1000 mile cross-continent walk. I appreciate the advice...but I also am glad to resonate with the thrill of a home-from-India twenty year old at my side looking up and exclaiming at the beauty of “our little mountains,”
our vision on the way! Utah brought rain, snow and hail to Amber's first day home—quite a welcome for April 7th.
[This shot, April 7, came when all helped Maria hunt eggs early to answer a request to go to prom.]
While we are thinking about prom--let's fast forward to 16 April and see stars:
(day activity--thrift store costume to spice up bowling)
(Sister fixit via youtube)
date too little
pinning on boutonnier
getting results
ready for music a la capitol
all on a full moon!
Beach towels, sunglasses, reunion regalia, and current and aged photos had been scoured from home and Grandpa Larry's potpourri collection, piled together with David Gee's illustrated child's book, “The Fishing Grandpa: A True Fish Story.” An online newspaper article about Grandpa Ivin's brother Merrill who served as prosecuting attorney in the Nirenberg Trials rested on a copy of Mom and Dad's wedding scrapbook and Uncle Laurence's collection of Gee family history pioneer conversion stories, packed next to the porcelain doll to set atop Sister Chadley’s doll story from the ward Pie (or Pi) Night talent show.
My only missing utensil for the display was a packet of 3M hooks earlier purchased to plaster grandchildren and grandparents in a moveable way on rag-rolled walls. I knew I had those things, but where were they? Up early, early at 4 am, looking, looking--those elusive hooks, refused to unveil their face. It took fervent but occasionally faith-barren prayers, followed by a detailed treasure walk led by little hints (“do the laundry, take out the recycle”...) then, sitting right next to the recycle bin sat a pile of 3M hooks staring back!
It sometimes takes prodding to actually see. How often can a person look past needed items, wondering where those silly things might be—they must be in a SPECIAL place!
Hence and hereafter, we are avowed to follow Amber's encouragement to LOOK—special place or no!
Hence and hereafter, we are avowed to follow Amber's encouragement to LOOK—special place or no!
Other advice Amber resolved to follow in India, came from a song accompanied by Kristen that Maria, Zach, and I presented at the ward talent night--You Never Walk Alone (from Carousel.) Maybe this daughter will change her mind, but until then,
we are enjoying pleasant treks, padding over paths near our “little” mountains,
looking right and left to document hidden signs of springtime,
grateful to look in our hearts for happiness that sometimes hides.
Blessings to you, and Namaskaramandi! (an Telagu Indian “hello!”) from friends featured in that “hot chocolate” diary. A happy new May to you, after counting down days, we have recently celebrated our New Zealand missionary grandparent landing!
(See the homecoming in person! Click on this link: ) The Gees Fly Home
To get a flavor of "anticipation" try this link:
(See the homecoming in person! Click on this link: ) 
Love to you, the Kaysville crew
