Nighttime

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!

The Hotel Del

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.

Friday Beachday

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.

AMAZING!

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.

All

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.

Saying Goodbye

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”

Did You Think To Pray

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”