Guess what this is going to be? 
Yep, we are going to try our hand at a winter garden. My talented husband can make almost every wish come true.
After returning from their visit with their parents, Hunter and Ellie helped with the finishing touches—a weatherproof coating.
This morning I had a question come to my mind: How do you become Gadianton? Moroni describes him as an expert. He says he is an expert in many words and in his craft which is secret works of murder and robbery.
How do you become an expert in anything? You learn and then practice what you learn, right?
So the lesson I take away is that it is important to have the right teacher. I must live worthy of the Holy Ghost so that Jesus is my tutor. AND that I practice being good. If I practice I can be an expert at not judging, controlling my thoughts and desires, being obedient and having my heart in the right place.
We had a wild monsoon storm yesterday! It was crazy. The wind blew so hard it took my patio chairs clear across the yard. If you look closely you can see one in the tree. 
We had so much rain the wash was running that I could see it flowing even from the house. That is not usual. We even had some hail. It started about 5 pm and then lasted for about 45 minutes to an hour. When the rain let up I went and took pictures of the wash so that we could remember how deep and fast it was. 
I tried to take video, but it didn’t work. I guess I didn’t know how to work the video right on my camera…but now I do. Looked it up this morning so that won’t happen again. Ha!
I had to go pick up Hunter and Ellie form their visit supervisor because she couldn’t get past some the floods in the roads on her way here. We saw downed trees around town and lots of debris. It cooled off rather nicely after that so the kids actually played outside for a bit.
Exciting times!
Each night we took a walk a long the beach. We would just walk and talk…and play with the camera. Here are a few of our photos favorites.
The beach was quiet at night with just a few others enjoying the sandy shore, the sound of the waves, and the smell of the salt air. When it was dark, it was like we were there all by ourselves. We took a picture of the hotel and night. 
We also spent a lot of time trying to get a picture of the moon reflecting off the water…hey, we had a blast doing that!
This is such a beautiful hotel. Each time we have come to Coronado Island we have come to the hotel, even though we have stayed somewhere else. This time, we actually stayed at this historic site! Wow!
Our room was in an addition 
called the Towers, so we weren’t actually in the original part. But we did take advantage of our registration and go and check out the old hotel lobby, courtyard and even some rooms! shhh…
Here is a picture of our room, so comfortable. I have to admit—it was a little disappointing that for the price that the girls paid, the room wasn’t really that much better than other places we have stayed AND there were no amenities included, which kind of made me frustrated. But it is fun to think we stayed there and will remember it always. Cross that off a bucket list somewhere.
The hotel was celebrating their 125th anniversary so they decorated with this huge golden bow on the roof. The package Maryn got included a free book about the history, which is really interesting. I am glad we were able to get that.
We didn’t go anywhere on Friday—well, no where that we couldn’t walk to. So we did go to the beach, the pool and walked around town a bit to find some yummy food!
We relaxed at the beach, played in the water, catching some waves on our boogie boards. Then relaxed some more at the pool. It was heavenly.
The water was a little cool at first, but it didn’t take long to get used to it. It was just so fun. The beach was pretty crowded, but it was just other families trying to relax and have fun together. No crazies!
I didn’t remember the beach this way last time,
but it was so shiny! The beach had gold flecks in it and was just so beautiful.
Our sweet daughters pitched in to give us an AMAZING gift. At Christmas they told us they had reservations at the Hotel Del at Coronado in August, just before my birthday! We would spend two nights there to celebrate our birthdays and our anniversary. What a truly heartfelt, thoughtful gift, one that they sacrificed to give us. What is more amazing…this was given before we would ever know how much we would need it. We didn’t know that Hunter and Ellie were coming at the time, nor did we know that they would still be with us. They were truly inspired. We had a wonderful, amazing four days together, just to relax and re-connect. I will forever be grateful and remember these four days—thanks to my sweet daughters.
When arrived on Thursday, we checked in and then went to the new Mormon Battalion visitors center.
It was so delightful, informative and entertaining. I felt such love and gratitude for the pioneers, reminded of what they have given me. I was strengthened by their example, feeling a sense power that I can perservere by doing what they did and simply relying on the Lord. Everyday being willing to lift my head and eyes to the Lord, outstretch my arms and desire to walk…just as Elder Ashton said.
Such a little word, yet sometimes it carries a ton of weight. Other times it seems to indicate something so easy.
I believe this.
But today thinking about doing my part seems like a heavy, almost impossible offering. Thankfully He accepts the smallest effort as ALL I can do.
Sister Shimizu is being transferred…oh, we are sad to see her go. It is always hard to say goodbye to the people in your life that have brought good things to your life. Sister Shimizu is one of those people. She has come here every week for 8 months bringing her testimony of the Savior and sharing it with us. She has taught from the heart and we have been strengthened by her as she shares her feelings of the restored gospel with us. We will miss her. I don’t know if we will ever see her again in this life, but she is now forever a part of me.
She and Sister Bishop came by to say goodbye and left this message for Ellie and Hunter. It says: We (heart) you 2! And then “Ellie and Hunter I love you. Keep being awesome”
This is an article in the Spring 2012 BYU Magazine by Bruce D Porter. I have enjoyed reading it very much. My favorite simple quote says: When we pray, we borrow strength, love and light at the very door of eternity.
I just love that imagery and message, so beautiful and simple, yet filled with awe and power.
Another point he makes that I found interesting is to make sure we are saying things we really mean when we pray. Seems so obvious, yet we need to remember that God knows our hearts, probably more than we do so our prayers need to come from the heart, our innermost, truest feelings. It isn’t just a list of things we are thankful for, then need, it is about understanding God, truth and His will. Then when we know that, we come to Him, changing our will to His. Then we see the fulfillment of D&C 88:63 “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you”.
I also learned a more true meaning to Kelsey’s favorite scripture D&C 89:2-3, when the Lord told Oliver Cowdery that he will tell “you in your mind and in your heart”. I always thought of that scripture teaching us where we would know and feel truth, two places. But the and in that scripture is important. Real answers will come to both places at the same time! When the feelings of the hear and understanding of the mind come together, we can feel confident in our answer. He also cautions against thinking that the feelings that come are not highly emotional, to remember it is still and small. And to move forward in faith, not in fear. Prayerfully ponder a course, make a decision, then go to the Lord and seek confirmation. Be open to promptings and impressions of the Sprit and follow them.
“Prayer can be among the most exalted of privileges we enjoy in this mortal sphere”
I am in the middle of Alma, in the middle of the war chapters. Mostly, these chapters talk about defense and you can’t help but draw a correlation between fighting physical wars and fighting personal, spiritual wars against Satan. While I can also see some of the same tactics being used by real live people today, trying to thwart God’s kingdom and our way of life and government, I think the message of these chapters is more personal in nature. We can learn so much from Moroni. Moroni spent most of his time preparing for defending potential attacks. When we study scriptures and modern-day prophets, pray and serve on a daily basis, we are following Moroni’s example and preparing to defend ourselves against Satan. Just as He told Moroni, the Lord can tell us what to do specifically for our own circumstances what to prepare for and how to prepare for it. He knows all and can teach us all. Moroni looked at the weak spots and made them stronger. One of our best defenses is to honestly look at ourselves and admit our weaknesses, so that we can work to them strengths. We have a promise from our Savior that if we come to Him he will make our weaknesses strengths. At one time the Lamanites came to the same place to start their war as a place where they had won before. But Moroni had already thought of that. I see that as learning from our mistakes. Through repentance we can correct our mistakes, and part of that is to not repeat those mistakes. Also, difficult times and trials can be experiences that can make us stronger. In Alma we read a descriptions of the defenses that Moroni made to many cities, strongholds. They included ridges of earth, timbers, then pickets on the timbers, towers and then places of security in the towers. We have been counseled repeatedly on having many layers of defense: study to gain knowledge of God’s laws, stand in Holy places, follow the prophet, live worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost, hum a hymn, choose good associates, prayer and many more. Obedience is the key. The Nephites won and prospered when they were obedient. Only fighting from within and then wickedness led to their destruction. And so it is with us, Satan can only win, if we are disobedient and let or defenses down.
Look at Hunter’s new wheels! Norma Allegrezza gave this bike to Hunter when we were helping them load their truck for their move to Utah. She simply has a heart of gold. It needed a few repairs and Hunter could hardly wait to get on it. He asked Kelly over and over when he could fix it up. So Monday night Kelly worked on it and it still needs some work on the brakes, but it ws good enough for Hunter!
Ellie has been taking swim lesson twice a week during the summer. She has learned all four strokes and how to dive. She was afraid to dive, but now she is diving from the board. She decided to swim during August even though school started. She has improved so much! We are so proud of her.
Ellie and Hunter began a new year of school today. I was so excited…not sure they were as excited. We snapped a picture on their way out the door this morning. Ellie is beginning 6th grade and Hunter is now a 2nd grader. I hope it is a great year for them.
Last night, as we walked back in to the house through the garage after saying goodbye to Maryn and Kelsey…we saw a snake! Yikes! It was pretty small and it took us a while to see it fully so we could determine what kind it was. Or I guess to see if it was a rattler or not, really. Once we saw that it wasn’t poisonous, Kelly quickly made a snake catcher out of a rope and pvc pipe, caught it and we let it go in the ditch up the street.
Today Kelsey turned 24!
TWENTY FOUR!!
How can that be? I don’t feel old enough to have a child that old, especially my youngest child. We spent the day together which was a wonderful way for me to spend it. But, I am not sure this will go down as her favorite birthday celebration! The morning was spent at Ellie’s baptism, so our birthday celebration didn’t really start till we went to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. She has been wanting to eat there for a while now, and they sang to her, so that was fun. When we got home, she opened her gift. She has been wanting a new MP3 player, so she was excited to unwrap that. And then that was pretty much it!
I love you Kelsey. I always have and I always will. I am thankful for the young woman you have become. I am thankful for what being your mom has taught me and helped me become.
Happy Birthday sweet girl. May this year bring much joy.
It was a very exciting day for us today. Ellie was baptized!
Since she is 11 her baptism was a convert baptism, so she got her very own baptismal service. Not only was she was able to choose who would perform her ordinances but she chose her program as well. The spirit was very strong, and I was emotional, but tried to keep it in. I did pretty well at that. It was wonderful to see all the people that were there to support her. And I felt loved and supported as well, because I know that some of them love them and know them because we have them in our home. I worry about what will happen when they leave, but I feel like getting baptized will help them. They understand and wanted to get baptized, so hopefully they will be able to keep those desires strong. I am grateful their on the records so that there will be youth leaders aware of them. And if they do start to get lost, there will be rescuers.
Here are pictures or our day--
Great month!
Hunter was baptized, we celebrated Kelly’s birthday, went on vacation which included trips to many temples, a family reunion, and hikes, we went swimming…a lot and Kelly and I celebrated our wedding anniversary by spending a Saturday together.
