We took the kids out of school for a week and headed to Twin Falls for a little vacation to see family. Christine, Trish, and I got to spend a few hours window shopping. We also walked down to the canyon to see the gigantic flag suspended there, what a beauty! Trish said it's 400 lbs and each start is five feet tall. And then we enjoyed lunch with Sally.
We had to take Murphy with us on this trip and he travels like a champ.
Savannah asked me to be her temple escort which I graciously and enthusiastically said yes! It has been such a tender mercy to witness her conversion in the last 9 months and be a little bit involved in her life in that regard. I enjoy our texting conversations about gospel questions she has and keeping up with her zest. She's got a really infectious personality, everybody wants to be around her and buoyed up by her optimism!
She has thoroughly prepared for the temple and didn't have too many questions during her session. When we received instructions from the matron, I was surprised to see that it was Kathy Harris and what a great blessing that was! It reminded me of my own endowment when I received instruction in the temple from Grandma Watson, what a privilege.
In the celestial room as I waited for family to come through, I was approached by a rather large man who asked, "Are you the aunt from WA?" I said yes, questioningly. He introduced himself as Savannah's bishop and went on to explain how he just had to meet the Aunt who lit the gospel fire in Savannah and what a profound influence I have been and also that my home has been. Those words were a humbling and shocking and I didn't know what to say. I certainly don't think it was me who lit the fire, Savannah is a chosen daughter of God and that spark has always been within her. Charity and Croft have been immensely influential in showing her happy and righteous ways to live; that influence has certainly gone both ways! But it did make me feel like I am doing the right things even when it doesn't seem to matter or isn't appreciated. My house isn't always clean and sometimes there's yelling or bickering and all that frustrates me. But I try to always have the spirit in my home. I try to have an inviting place for guests. I try to have a calm and peaceful entrance so when the kids get home from school they can feel the spirit and know that they are "home." I don't always succeed but I do always try and try again. I felt a bit of relief and lots of gratitude from her bishop's remarks, that what homemakers do actually matter and it's the care and love that makes our own little world go round.
The rest of our time was spent with the Coxes - Kempton's family is finished with their post in Russia and are home! We spent a few days at Donna's with them followed by a Cox reunion at the cabin. Kimball and Isom are inseparable, they did everything together. Moop is just the happiest and quietest little squish. She doesn't squawk or cry, she just walks around with a smile on her face - all the time. What a sweetheart. At the cabin we enjoyed four wheeling where I let kids drive the Razor's by themselves after a bit of practice, they felt really big. Kimball is a natural driver, he does great. We did some shooting, drove up to Independence Lake and the lookout, swam at Durfee's, played games, had lots of yummy food, the usual Cox singing, and celebrated John's 79th birthday. He never thought he'd make it to this age and he's doing really well!
Lance won the prize for guessing where Kempton's next assignment is and was given this fox hat. It doesn't get any more Russian than that.
Independence Lake was pretty cold and John was more than happy to wear the hat.
Apparently I'll do anything for a good smile, lol.
