Vancouver Island

Ron is taking me on little excursions to show me the beauties of the Pacific Northwest. Not that he need take me any further than our own little town for that, but it has been fun to see all these places through his eyes. Leaving Port Angeles on our way to British Columbia. I love that I get near the water, any water, and suddenly my hair turns into a Chia Pet! Eeesh!

We had set the camera to take the beautiful Olympic Mountains, with a small view of us in the foreground. Then we asked a lady on the ferry if she'd mind taking the picture for us. While we were standing there, she started moving the settings on the camera..what?? who does that? So here is a BIG shot of us and no Olympic Mountains! I guess she minded taking the picture! hahaha!

Coming into the harbor...so beautiful!

Coming back to our car from the restaurant we walked past a phone booth. When was the last time you saw a real phone booth? I didn't know they still existed!

Tomorrow: Butchart (pronounced, Boo-Shart, NOT Butt-Chart) Gardens. Can't wait!

Childhood revisited

The window in my art room is open. A warm breeze occasionally whispers in through the screen, along with one of the best summertime smells ever, freshly mowed grass. I can hear the squeals and yells of older kids playing nighttime games in the neighborhood behind our house. I am transported back to 1973, playing "kick the can" and "hide and seek" with all the kids on First Street. It is a welcomed delight to the senses. Hello Summer. I've missed you.

"I have long felt that happiness in marriage is not so much a matter of romance as it is an anxious concern for the comfort and well-being of one’s companion.” - President Gordon B. Hinckley

A Sacred Experience

I was sealed to my Eternal Companion yesterday in the Seattle Temple. It was the kind of sacred experience you want to share with everyone you love. I truly wish everyone could feel the Spirit we all felt in that sealing room. It went beyond anything I have ever experienced. Words cannot express the gratitude I feel to my Heavenly Father.

Here are some of the people who brought the love... Jack and Sue Cousins, our dear friends and Home teachers.

Bob and Heather Call. Extra special, because Elder Call's "free time" is so limited and sweet Heather was recovering from Bronchitis

Becki and Chris Blackner. Our dear friends who are just so special to us. A big thank you for sharing your talents and surprising us with these pictures, sweet girl!

Tracie and Rick Hartman, our forever good friends!

Chris Blackner with our Bishop and dear friend, Don Scott (JoLynn was away at a soccer game for Kirsten)

Our Stake Pres. and his wife, Gary & Debbie Gessel. Our back door neighbor and dear friends.

Jim and Jane Dewey. President Dewey performed our sealing, (even though he was recovering from pneumonia.) He made it such a beautiful, personal, ceremony.

From left: Chris and Becki Blackner, Bob and Heather Call, Kathy and Ron, Debbie and Gary Gessel.

The only couple we didn't get a picture of was Gary and Denise Shaw. It was so sweet of everyone to drop what they were doing to come to the Temple on such short notice. Everyone has such busy lives, and Ron and I appreciate the love and support that was shown to us that day. It really was a day to remember.

Grandbaby #17!

Ben and Erin gave us our 17th grandbaby. Bringing our total to 13 boys and 4 girls. Blake Talbot Abrams. What a precious little guy. I love baby boys.

Fave Photos of the week

Our Call to Serve!

When we got home from our trip, this is what was waiting for us on our bed! It's our Mission call! We were able to skype with most of our kids and one of my sister's, and call with Shannon and Ron's mom while we opened it. We have been called to serve in the Colorado, Colorado Springs Mission! We are thrilled to be able to serve the Lord and we look forward to sharing the Gospel with everyone in our new assignment! We have started a mission blog that will just talk about us preparing for the next 4 months and serving the following 18 months. The address for that is ourmissionispossible.blogspot.com. Join us on our journey!