We went down on Thursday so that we could be there for the Mirmar Air show on Friday. It was so much fun watching all the different types of planes. We got to see the new Raptor fly. The Canadian Snowbird precision team was there as well as F-16’s from Hill Air Force Base. The highlight was a performance by the Blue Angels . I wish I could have recorded it for you. They fly 18” from wingtip to canopy of the next plane. Tight formations and they do incredible things.
We watched conference on Saturday and Sunday. When Dad and Corey went to Priesthood meeting Sarah, Madison, Megan, Adam and I held a dance. It was quite an occasion!! We gathered all the Barbie, Bratz, and Ken and GI Joe dolls as well as lots of little dolls. We dumped out the bin with clothing and accessories and dressed them all up. Then we grouped them in pairs and maneuvered their bodies to assume a dance pose. All the little dolls we put in a nursery outside the ballroom. Megan was in charge of the music for our dance and Sarah and I took pictures. Adam had a ball crawling all around them dancing to the music. We got so caught up in it that Sarah, being the terrific professional photographer, took individual couple photos just like at the Proms!! I have attached a few photos of our fun. Sydney was at a friends’ house so wasn’t in on the Dance of the Season!
On Monday morning we left early so that we could take a side trip to Ventura to pick up some Handcart wheels that we had taken there to be repaired. The traffic was bad as usual around LA and so it took longer than we thought. Next trip we are going to try an alternate route—longer miles but should be better time. How fun it is to be so close to family!
I want to tell you about an experience we had this weekend that was a testimony strengthener to me about the simple things of the Gospel. I have had many spiritual experiences in my life but this one is so precious to me because it concerned simple things.
On Sunday morning as we were watching conference your Dad told me that he couldn’t find one of his hearing aids. He had put them on the table in the room we were staying in before going to sleep the night before. I went up stairs to look around but couldn’t find it. Every time there was a break in conference I searched as did Dad and Corey. We went through suitcases, pockets of everything he had worn that day but nothing was found. I thought that I might have scooped it up with the clothes I washed- but nothing. I went through the garbage. Many times I took everything out of Dad’s suitcases, even ran my fingers around the seams etc. I just felt that it was gone.
On Monday morning while dad was showering I once again went through everything, moved furniture but no hearing aid. Finally I did what every Primary child knows, exercise simple faith and ask. I got down on my knees and told Heavenly Father how much we needed to find it, that Dad was working hard to serve and he needed to be able to hear, and that we couldn’t afford $4,000 for a new one.
I looked around one more time then we left for home. When we got back to Wasco Monday night I put all the luggage and dirty clothes bag on the bed and one more time went through everything. I got to the last bag, a small travel bag that dad used. It had his dress shoes and belt, a few toiletries. I had gone through that bag many times. One by one I emptied them out and put them away. The only thing left was a folded white handkerchief. I picked that up to put it away and in the center of the suitcase was a hearing aid. My first reaction was, How could Dad just throw the only one he had left into the suitcase and not put it in the container where it goes?
I went outside to find Dad and asked him to turn around so I could check his ears. I asked him if he had a hearing aid in and he said yes. Then I opened my hand and said here is the missing one. I want to testify to you that Heavenly Father is very much aware of the small things in our lives. It is so easy to become complacent and too independent that we forget to exercise our Faith that He is real and we are his. If it hadn’t been found my faith wouldn’t have been shaken but by this experience I once again learned how simple the Gospel really is and how we complicate it with worldly things. It is so easy to become complacent or prideful. How grateful I am that He felt the need to teach me the power of simple faith!
The work is hard and fun. We miss you all but know that this is where we are to be at this time. We pray daily for each one of you that you will realize who you are and the potential that you have for doing good on this wonderful earthly journey. You are choice, and chosen. May you come to know that!
With all our love,
Mom & Dad
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