a simple inspiration

water fight

A favorite summer time activity.  The teams constantly change and they children wish there was more than one picnic table, but it became the coveted spot and the teams went back and forth defending the table. 

Some children look more menacing than others.

 

I love watching my children play happily together.  There is something wonderful about hearing them laugh. The boys were good to try and let Loaf participate even though she would get really upset if she got wet. Of course she loved getting them wet.  Silly girl.

Ellie ran around for a while, but I found her at the door waiting to be let in.  She didn't like being squirted.  

I wish everyday was filled with such joy.

 

humanitarian work

Arnold has had the unique opportunity the past few years of traveling the different parts of the world and working on various humanitarian projects.  Her life is forever changed as a result of these experiences and as parents we have seen tremendous growth as she has seen the impoverished circumstances that other people live in and the joy they share.  

We haven't wanted to talk about it very much because service is such a special thing and the experiences she has had are sacred in many ways.  I also know that not everyone is able to have these unique opportunities.  It is truly a blessing, one that I hope each of my children will be able to have... with the exception of Whitney because she is too old to participate in this particular program. However she has had her on special view of the world and I'm sure it will continue to expand as the years move on.

Fiji (2012)

Peru (2013)

Cape Verde (2014)

As I have prepared the photos for the posts and thought back to the the things Arnold has shared with us, I was humbled once again by these special opportunities she has had.  More importantly I was reminded that it is not necessary to go across the world to find ways or people to serve. In our own communities and homes can and should our influence be felt.  I am reminded of this quote by President Eyring,  "When I was a young man, I served as counselor to a wise district president in the Church. He tried to teach me. One of the things I remember wondering about was this advice he gave: “When you meet someone, treat them as if they were in serious trouble, and you will be right more than half the time.” (Henry B. Eyring, “In the Strength of the Lord,” Ensign, May 2004, 16)

We are all struggling in some way, some difficulties are more visible than others, but each of us can use added strength from someone who cares about us.  That is my hope for my children, to always remember to serve no matter where they are and no matter who they are.  They have a great example of that in their father.  Arnold recently said that the only friends she has ever met of John's have either been ex-convicts or people who would otherwise be ostracized by the world (due to physical or mental limitations).   How blessed we are.

"Serving others need not come from spectacular events. Often it is the simple daily act that gives comfort, uplifts, encourages, sustains, and brings a smile to others. May we always find opportunities to serve." (Elder Michael J. Teh, "Out of Small Things," Ensign, Nov. 2007, 37)

 

monday mail

John's letter to Whitney. Not to many more weeks of Monday Mail posts, seven... but I'm not counting down.  You will probably get tired of hearing this count down, but I'm so excited to see my daughter and give her hugs and kisses.  

You can read her letters home here.  

I don't have any photos for this week's letter so I am included a couple that Whitney sent last week.

With her companion at Zone Conference

07/14

"I spent a couple of days with Arnold at her university orientation.  Two days long, with a parent in order to register and enroll.  Both Arnold and I thought that was quite excessive, but I figured I would go into it with a good attitude so I brought a good book, did a lot of work while I was there, and actually learned a lot from the sessions.  Did you know that any time you are on campus and feel unsafe walking to another building or your car you can call for a police officer to accompany you?  Did you know that sitting in a hot tub qualifies as light exercise?  Did you know that professor office hours are hardly ever utilized by students but are a great opportunity for learning and developing relationships with professors?  All this and more we learned.  Some of the sessions were joint, and some were split up.

Late in the afternoon of the first day we had a parent question and answer session, and I asked, "How early can we get out of here this evening and still be allowed to register tomorrow?"  The student orientation counselor said, "Maybe at 8:45, you just have to check with her assigned counselor."  Arnold reasoned with her counselor, and we were out by about six thirty.  Her counselor finally said, "OK, just watch us go through the food line, and then you can go."  So she stood and watched the rest of her group get their food and then waved and left.  The whole thing felt quite controlling.  I was coming up with lyrics to a song patterned after "Happiness Is" called "Fascism is":  It's quite catchy.   Even with the goofy orientation I think the university has come a long way and has so much to offer."

A man in Taranto who remembered John as a missionary.

07/20

"Whitney,
I love you very much.  Unless I misunderstand, you will have just spent a week in Taranto--bello Taranto.  Sono sicuro che e cambiato un po, pero una citta cosi vechia non cambierra troppo.  I was there beginning in August, and when I got there we had no investigators, and it was Ferragosto, and World Cup--fun.  I loved the city and the people.

Much of my past week was spent out of town, first in Las Vegas and then California.  At one point in Las Vegas the thermometer in the car read 117.  Maybe there was a little malfunction or excessive heat because of the car being parked in the sun, but it was certainly hot.  California was good too.  I always try to spend some time walking on the beach if I am close by.  This trip my opportunity was at 9:00 at night, but it was still good to be there at the ocean.  The ocean is a religious experience for me.  The trip was very productive in general.

On Monday night I gave a lesson on the power of kindness in family home evening, starting with a Kid President video and then a Ted Talk.  It felt like everyone paid attention and got the message, but right afterwards there was a major battle.  Anyway you do what you can, and kids are the best.  We sat in front of the R___'s today in church, and one of the twins kept poking me with his finger.  After the meeting I told the R____'s I had no problem with the touching, but that next time they should tell him I have a knot in my muscle connecting my shoulder to my neck.  I could really benefit if I do this right.  Think about the deep tissue massages those boys could do as they get bigger.

Well, Tank is doing football.  He will start practice in a week.  We went to a clinic, and all the coaches were very impressed with his size.  It could be fun to watch.  Maybe you can catch a game or two when you get home.  He will definitely be on the line.  The little guys did a soccer clinic this past week and really enjoyed it.  Rock has decided that he wants to do tennis instead of lacrosse as his main sport.  Everything is lining up well for an active time.

One of the coolest experiences I had this week was in California when I was returning to the hotel late at night.  I held the elevator open for a group of people.  They thanked me, and then started talking among themselves in Hebrew.  I asked them if they were from Israel, and we had a good conversation about biblical Hebrew.  I have a great love for the Jewish people that I don't know that I can give justice to in words.  There are so many things they are going through now that have happened to them in the past.  "Hamas" is an interesting word.  In Arabic it means courage, fighting spirit, and zeal, and of course is the name of a terrorist organization; in Hebrew it means violence, cruelty, and injustice, and it is condemned repeatedly in the Old Testament.  In addition, the Old Testament warns that those who practice hamas in the future will be eventually destroyed.  It is interesting that the Arabic is almost certainly a cognate of the Hebrew, but it is such a polar opposite view of the same principle--just as is carried out in life.

Well, I love you so much.  I pray for you and hope all the best for you.  You are such a good person and a blessing to all those around you.
Love, Dad"

spiritual stamina

(image source)

“Though we have rightly applauded our ancestors for their spiritual achievements (and do not and must not discount them now), those of us who prevail today will have done no small thing. The special spirits who have been reserved to live in this time of challenges and who overcome will one day be praised for their stamina by those who pulled handcarts.”  (Elder Neal A. Maxwell, "Q&A: Questions and Answers,” New Era, July 1997)

pioneer trek

“There is something about reviewing the lessons of the past to prepare us to face the challenges of the future. What a glorious legacy of faith, courage, and ingenuity those noble early Mormon pioneers have left for us to build upon. My admiration for them deepens the longer I live.” (Elder L. Tom Perry, "The Past Way of Facing the Future", General Conference, October 2009)

We have a rich ancestry filled with all sorts of pioneers.  We try and teach our children about the people who came before us and sacrificed so much so that we could enjoy the freedoms and prosperity that we do.  This summer our stake held pioneer trek and Gus was able to participate.  It was delayed a day by a crazy cold front that came into the valley and brought snow into the upper elevations where the kids were going to camp.  

The committee planning this activity for the 334 youth of our stake was thorough ensuring that the youth were well taken care of with plenty of food, water, and medical attention on the trail as needed.  It was an impressive and massive undertaking with countless hours of service.  It was a labor of love.

With the activity shortened by a day a new trail was created for the youth, one that was originally thought to be slightly shorter but that would still fulfill all the important activities that had been planned.  However the trail ended up being a little longer and more wild than the originally planned trail.  The youth traveled 27 miles: 10 the first day, 12 the second, and the remaining 5 the final day. As we, the parents, were waiting for the company to come into the little valley one of the leaders shared some of the general experiences the group had endured.  I welled up with tears as he talked about the women's pull (a portion of the trail where only the women in the families pulled the handcart).  I remembered my trek experience and the emotions came quickly. Perhaps I will have to pull out those photos and write a few things some day.

“We must be sure that the legacy of faith received from the pioneers who came before us is never lost. Let their heroic lives touch our hearts, and especially the hearts of our youth, so the fire of true testimony and unwavering love for the Lord and His Church will blaze brightly within each one of us as it did in our faithful pioneers.” (Elder M. Russell Ballard, "We All Share a Legacy")

I don't know how to describe how touching this sight is.  You stand watching as your loved ones come down the path and your are overwhelmed with gratitude for those who crossed the plains in search of religious freedom. Of course you know I'm overly emotional and sentimental so perhaps it's just me, but I wasn't the only teary eyed family member waiting.  I missed Gus, but 3 days is a tiny drop and I wasn't ever worried about her health or safety.  She is strong and resilient.  My emotions took me back 167 years to a time when a parent didn't know if they would see their child again after such a long journey.  I thought about how little communication people had with one another and how blessed I am to hear for my children constantly via text messaging or emails no matter where they are in the world.  

"Let us never forget the faith of our fathers and the selfless sacrifice of our mothers, those pioneering Saints who set such an inspiring example of obedience. Let us remember them as we strive to be valiant servants in our work to ‘invite all to come unto Christ’." (Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Faith of Our Fathers", General Conference, April 1996)

I knew there might be a few new blisters and perhaps sore feet, but I knew they would not be bloody from lack of shoes. I knew she was warm from the elements and she had food to eat.  So many basic needs that we take for granted on a daily basis, that our ancestors fought for and knowing the people today in many parts of the world still struggle with.  As I watched Gus I also knew that she had learned a few more things about herself.  Perhaps it wasn't life changing, but it filled her with the same sense of gratitude for all that we are blessed with, except perhaps a mother with a camera and a blog. (I didn't take photos of the big girls as they came down the trail and I was not going to make that same mistake again.  You can see their cute departing photos.)

"We are all required to make journeys of faith. That is the gospel plan. Our path may not be crossing an ocean or walking alone from an empty train station. But whatever it is, it will demand faith in every footstep. Years from now your grandchildren will tell with amazement stories of your choices which changed their lives. You will be called their pioneers. Have you ever thought that as you step into the unknown you are showing others the way? " (Bonnie D. Parkin, "Finding Faith in Every Footstep", General Young Women's Conference, April 1997)

I hope that as Gus looks back on this experience she will have a greater appreciation for the sacrifices made in her behalf.  I hope that she will continue to find faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and that she will remain steadfast and immoveable in the defense of the Lord.  She is a very special young woman with a bright future full of beautiful promises.  She has an important mission to fulfull and I am honored to be her mother. 

thanksgiving recap

I am nearly through the photos for 2013 and hope to have this week be the catch up week and then I can have the 2013 blog book printed.  That has been one of my goals for the year is to have the blog printed. It will be nice to have that crossed off my list.  I can't tell you how much I love the Lightroom program for photo editing and culling.  Here is a recap of our thanksgiving holiday from 2013.

gratitude poster (complete)

Thanksgiving with my side of the family.

Thanksgiving at the Kimball's.

*monday mail

A few excepts from some of John's letters to Whitney.  You can read her letters home here.

 

06/15

"Arnold  is still working hard in Africa.  We will have to feel her biceps as soon as she gets back before they soften again.  She should be pretty buff after all that construction work.  It looks like she is having a great time, both working, as well as it looks like she is teaching the other kids some card games.

 

Gus is going on trek this week.  I am looking forward to going up to see her come in with her cart on Saturday.  Again, she is so strong that I would like to be a fly on the wall to see her do the women's pull.  Hopefully we can get some intell on that.  Mom isn't as interested in that, and she thinks I get a little to competitive on things like that and on things like "Likes" on instagram.  Dash appears to draw the most likes, although you have done well lately on a few pictures.

 

Fred is doing well.  She is reading all the Harry Potter books again, so she is fairly scarce.

 

All the little kids are having a great time.  We have them in somewhat of a system.  We started a program of weed pulling where they each have to pull a bucket full of weeds every day.  It will be interesting to see if we can catch up and maintain the garden area based upon that program.

I don't know if I am just really tired, but I can't think of any funny things that have happened this week.  Maybe Summer vacations don't provide as much entertainment value.

 

I got nine ties for Father's day, which is more than I have received in the last fifteen years, so I should be set for a while.  I asked Fred if they came with fashion consultation.  That is one advantage of wearing the same tie for a year.  You know where you're at.  You have some confidence in what you're doing.  Now who knows?  Fred will provide the consultation.

 

Well, I love you so much.  Loaf is going nutso in the next room so I better check.  I pray for you always."

 

 

06/29

"Gus had another horse show last Monday.  Mom, Fred, and Arnold went to it, but Arnold came home early with grandma and grandpa.  I asked her how she enjoyed the show, and she said, "I love Gus, but I don't love her choice of hobbies."  The time I went, fortunately, I had an interesting book and could keep myself occupied between events.

 

The boys, while they have not been watching world cup soccer, are playing soccer and calling it "world cup".  It is good to see all four boys playing together and getting good exercise together.  In addition, they are doing some good work.  Each boy is in charge of picking a five gallon bucket of weeds per day except on Sundays.  Tank is picking three buckets full to make up for some transgressions.  They are doing a good job with that.  Outside time and work are good for those little people.  I have also been taking them, Loaf, Gus, and Fred if they are available to the rec center which has been fun.  Loaf is the only one in danger of drowning so it is fairly easy to manage.

 

The most noteworthy event of the week is that the girls and Mom painted the upstairs.  It is a nice gray.  We also fixed all the holes, so it looks very nice.  Mom also wants to redo the carpeted area in the living room with wood or an engineered product in a Nantucket style.  I told her it is OK with me as long we can read Moby Dick as a family after the floor is installed.  I think that would be appropriate with the Nantucket theme.  Also, if it is OK with you, I would like to postpone the annual summer reading of Jonathon Livingston Seagull until you get home.  Would that be OK?  Also, you should read that book in Italian sometime--beautiful translation."

gratitude for pioneers

(image source)

"How can we pay our debt of gratitude for the heritage of faith demonstrated by pioneers in many lands across the earth who struggled and sacrificed so that the gospel might take root? How is thankfulness expressed for the intrepid handcart pioneers who, by their own brute strength, pulled their meager belongings in handcarts across the scorching plains and through the snows of the high mountain passes to escape persecution and find peaceful worship in these valleys? How can the debt of gratitude possibly be paid by the descendants of the Martin and the Willie and the other handcart companies for the faith of their forebears? . . .The descendants of these pioneers can partially settle the account by being true to the cause for which their ancestors suffered so much to be part of." (President James E. Faust, "Gratitude is a Saving Principle", Liahona, Dec. 1996)

studio saturday

The studio has been filled with this and that this week. Fred made a skirt.  The boys played games on the computer, Loaf tried to vandalize the sewing machine again.  I adore that everyone likes to spend time in this room with me.

This week has been filled with getting quilts finished.  Gus made two fun quilts for Dash and Brick at Christmas time, but they some how ended up that the bottom of a bin only to be found this week.  Arnold quilted them and I am adding the binding.  

I have been putting blocks together that my Guelita can stitch.  As her health is failing she is having a harder time working on projects, but she seems to enjoy the simple embroidery.  I am adding the borders and sashing. 

I ignore this side of the studio as much as possible. It seems to be never ending, even with with the girls help.

Starting a new layout.  It's already changed since I took this picture.  It will be interesting to see how it ends up.

Our week has consisted of cleaning out rooms and getting ready for the new school year.  We are still painting and haven't even started on the baseboards.  I am thankful that we can work hard, the girls are already hard workers. It's wonderful to see the boys starting to step up and learn the value of work.

open scriptures: free download

My favorite books.

I am trying to get back into offering downloads, but I will not be doing huge kits for the bit.  Just small things like this that I can quickly complete and leave me more time to spend feasting.

Download Akimball_church_scriptures1 (zipped png files)

Download Akimball_church_openscriptures1 (pdf printable versions)