Kappa Kappa Gamma

We've made it a tradition to take our guests to our favorite 

ice cream spot on their last night in town and tonight

after a spaghetti dinner, we all jumped in the car and drove out to

 Maple View Farms where we waited in a gigantic line 

for fresh peach and blueberry ice cream.

When the sun went down and a few faint fireflies came out, we listened

to Neil Young sing harvest moon then packed up and headed home.

Earlier we drove around UNC campus and found her college sorority (fraternity)

Kappa Kappa Gamma when she attended the University of Utah in 1964.

On the first day mom arrived, Lottie made her a bead necklace and she wore

it every single day she was here.

I've loved driving mom around my town and neighborhood, going for walks, 

and lounging on my living room couch.

But mostly what I'll miss is hearing her upstairs with the Nies

 laughing hysterically.

At lunch, we sat on our front porch swing eating tuna fish sandwiches that Gigs

provided since it was his lunch day, and we

  talked about the color of paint she was planning on painting 

her living room when she returned home.  We talked about the upcoming holidays,

plants, flowers, and church service.

I'll miss you mom, please come back soon... and bring dad too!

And your necklace.(I need a haircut realllll bad)

OKI

 The one good thing about home and virtual school is that we can go out 

of town and still attend school on the road.  

Truth is, I'm not really keen on virtual school.

It's been confusing, hard, and overwhelming.  

I'm getting information overload every day in my inbox.  

Today I got 20 e-mails from different teachers in different schools,

and different classes, with different passwords, and different options.

I'm pulling my hair out!

But I'm really proud of my Nies for getting

up early while on vacation to attend their zoom classes

 and focus on school while the waves roll up on the shore nearby.  This morning we went to a delicious donut shop for breakfast

then explored the OKI (Oak Island)And then we drove Umi into historic Willmington for lunch

 and to check out the old homes,

 war sites, cemeteries, and of course we visited Micahel Jordan's high school. In the car, Umi asked me if I thought Topher was happy in heaven

 and then we had a good conversation about what we thought he was doing.  

 I'm so thankful for the knowledge that I know where Topher is.  

No speculation. I know.   

And I know he has no pain, and most of all I know that one day

 I will see him again glorified and strong.

Not a day goes by that I don't thank my Father in heaven for His son,

the Savior Jesus Christ because He IS THE PLAN.

“There will be times when the path ahead seems dark, 

but keep following the Savior. He knows the way; in fact, He is the way.”

 —Brother Stephen W. Owen, 

Oak Island with Umi

We brought Umi to Oak Island to enjoy the warm Atlantic ocean water

and the humid salty air for a few days.

Oak Island is such a beautiful place straight out of a Nicholas Sparks

movie...literally!  This is where the movie 'Safe Haven' was filmed.

We planted Umi's chair on the edge of the shore while she

watched everyone swim and play.

After a lunch of peanut butter sandwiches, it began to rain so

Umi and I huddled under our sun tent while

 everyone stayed in the water swimming. 

There was something exciting about

being on the beach in the rain, and the Nies couldn't get enough of it.

The ocean is so healing and soothing and I love that 

I've been able to share it with my mom these past few days.

Home Church Week 24//Hear Him

Home Church this week was very special because UMI was with us!

We talked about our new 2020-2021 school theme:

"Our Father knows that when we are surrounded by uncertainty and fear, 

what will help us the very most is to hear His Son.

Because when we seek to hear—truly hear—His Son, 

we will be guided to know what to do in any circumstance."

The theme came from a talk given by our prophet, Russell M. Nelson

 in his most recent conference talk entitled Hear Him.

We also talked about the new Restoration Proclamation and how our

"prophet counseled us to "study the message of the

 Restoration and act in faith will be blessed to gain their own

witness of its divinity and of its purpose to prepare the

 world for the promised Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."

Then after church, my eyes started itching and I made the mistake

of rubbing them vigorously for probably 60 seconds 

which made them worse because they became itchier so

 then I rubbed them more and before I knew it,

my eyes ere swollen, red, and painful.

I took Benadryl, iced them, and then used my face mask to cover my eyes

for the rest of the day.

We had such a fabulous Back to School Feast last week

and I am really excited to share more about it!

Mom is Here!

 

Mom is here! 

It's so nice to have her close to me and to my children.

This afternoon I found her on the couch with the Nies crowded around

her talking and laughing.  

It's been so sweet and has made me miss living so close to her.

She just had knee surgery and is doing better, but I worry about her since

her room is 15 stairs up on the second floor.

I told the Nies that she was never to go up or down the stairs unattended.

I know we're driving mom crazy by being overly attentive.

We have some fun plans for the week she's here

starting tonight as we celebrate our Back to School Feast!

This year will be one of our best feasts (I say that every year!).

* * * * *

Spiritual Enlightenment: Spiritually Defining Memories

“Tonight, and tomorrow night, you might pray and ponder, 

asking the questions: Did God send a message that was just for me? 

Did I see His hand in my life or the lives of my family?”

 Faith, obedience, humility, and real intent open the windows of heaven."

Back to School Feast 2015