Joy in the journey

We have so many amazing things and people in our lives. We often find ourselves counting our blessings and marveling at the love our Father shows us every day through so many things that bring us happiness.
Our family brings us constant joy. This picture was taken a summer or two ago, and is very outdated ~ we have several more grandchildren now ~ but it is a favorite. Whether through phone calls, blogs, email, facebook, Skype, or otherwise, we love being close to our kids and their families! (Robin and I shared a great Carter moment yesterday, thanks to Skype.) We see Steve, Krista, and Cache several times a week, although it is never really enough. We hear from Rick frequently, at least once a week. Robin calls or Skypes several times a week, and Rachel calls and sends pictures every week too. Jonas was with me in my dream a few nights ago, and it made me miss him even more.
Dave's sister Suzanne and her husband Jay came to visit last week, we had a wonderful time. We love visitors and spending time with those we love.

A few days ago we decided to include a 'scripture minute' before we pray together each night. It's a time to share our feelings and insights about the scriptures we read that day, a few sweet minutes to end our day.

Our opportunity to serve in the BYU stake is another joy in our lives. We have met such great young people, we have grown to love them all. The Relief Society had a luncheon a couple weeks ago, just before the semester ended. They didn't all attend (there are 72 women in the ward), it was held just before finals. They are amazing, so smart and talented, we hope they will keep in touch with us when they leave.


The winter semester ended last week, and quite a few of the students left for the summer, or just moved to another apartment complex. We didn't want anyone to leave without having been guests at our home for dinner, so we invited 'anyone who has never had dinner at the bishop's house, or anyone who wants to come again' to join us for dinner after church ~ about 30 came. Luckily it was a beautiful day, warm enough to eat outside. It was a fun time, and they ate all the food! We will miss those who left the ward, and look forward to meeting those who will move in.


After many years living far from a temple, we are enjoying having the Provo temple so close. Many beautiful and sacred experiences await in any of the holy temples; they are dedicated to the work of the Lord and the things we do and learn there turn our thoughts and hearts to eternity and bless our lives greatly.

And now for a tour of our yard, we love spring!

Our bleeding heart plants are growing nicely.

The peas are coming along too, hopefully we will get a good harvest before it gets too hot.

And there are blossoms on the strawberry plants!

Some of our tulips ~ to tell you the truth, they looked better a few days ago.

We also have carrots, lettuce, and spinach growing, and Dave has mowed the lawn about 4 times already.

We also love having Cache here. He is such a delight, he entertains us just likes our other grandchildren, and their parents. Today he learned to climb up on the kitchen chairs, and he loves to play 'where's Cache?' Krista is looking forward to the end of the school year, but we will surely miss having him here during the summer.

One of the things we enjoy most about this time in our lives is that we get to spend so much time together. This picture is 4 years old, but we don't have that many ~ Krista has promised to take a great picture of us this summer.

We have learned in the many years we have been married that life holds its ups and downs, good times and bad, sorrow and happiness. We are grateful to know the purpose of life, to have the gospel of Jesus Christ to guide us through all that life throws at us.
And we love having so much that brings us joy on our journey.