On the Road

Visiting family is a joy to me. But getting there...not so much.  Layne and I decided to drive out to California and spend a week with our family there, and take in grandson Isaiah's missionary farewell.  Isaiah is headed to Louisiana this week for his two year mission.  We hurried our drive so as to be with Isaiah when he went through the temple for the first time, a week ago.  It made for a tiring trip.  But it was worth it to be with Zay in the temple.  His departure this week empties Audrey and Cliff's nest.  Audrey is in mourning.  I remember those days of seeing my own family grow up.  I mourned my empty nest too.  For awhile.

Here's Isaiah all decked in his missionary duds.

Chris and Jess also came to support Isaiah.  It was so joyful to be united with all of our mainland children!  We loved spending time with all of them together.

Chris and Jess.

Peyton (Chris and Jess) playing with Olivia (Ben and Jess).

Isaiah with the Gendreau family.

Jacqueline and Alexis (Ben and Jess) and me.

Our week with family was going to end the day after Isaiah's talk, but our dear friend Lila Bringhurst died quite suddenly.  Her memorial was this past Saturday.  Layne was asked to speak at it, so our week's visit moved to the week following Isaiah's farewell.  As it turned out, it was a good time to be with our California bunch.

Three of the grandkids had promotions and one, James a graduation ceremony.  Between us, we were able to attend all of them.  I so love those grandkids!  Our week was full of fun times every day.

Jacqueline's Promotion, here in pink with her friends and sister Abigail.

James at his graduation with girlfriend, Bella.  Both are scholars!

The Reed and Dorothy family:  Timmy, Vincent, Layne, Dorothy, Bruce, James, me and Dorothy's sister, Emily.

Timmy, caught up reading.

Bruce, in his brother's graduation hat.

Vincent with a Rubric's cube.  He can solve it in 26 seconds!

I really wanted to visit my cousins and my Uncle Mike, who turns 97 in August.  I've lately been regretting not spending more time with this part of my family.  But visiting Uncle Mike isn't easy.  He lives in Healdsburg, which is a three hour drive from Audrey and Cliff's home in Mountain House.  We decided to make the trip with my cousin Judy and her husband Stan.  We had a great visit on our way, spent several hours at Uncle Mike's, then headed back.  My cousin Michael met us in Healdsburg.  Judy and Stan are great people, with tender hearts.  I like them very much.  Uncle Mike looked good; healthy.  He can't hear very well so it is hard to tell if he missed some of our conversation or was confused at times.  I think Michael is struggling with his health a bit; he acted like he didn't feel particularly well.  I wish I could spend more time with all of them.

Layne with Stan.

Uncle Mike and me.

Judy, Uncle Mike and Michael.

Lila Bringhurst's memorial was this past Saturday at 4 PM.  It was in Fremont.  Her children presented her life very well.  Layne spent 5 minutes at the end on the basic gospel message.  He did a fantastic job.  I believe it was the best memorial I've been to.  The chapel was full of people from our Fremont days.  People that I love.  I felt embraced by their affection and friendship.  Their names flowed into my mind; no one was lost to me.  It was a joyful experience; perhaps a little piece of heaven.  Relationships really are the joy in life.

We rushed out to our car to begin our journey home soon after the end of the memorial Saturday.  We had to be home by 11 AM on Sunday to speak about pornography.  Again.  So we drove until 1 AM, slept 4 hours in Winnemucca, then drove the remaining 4 hours to Idaho Sunday morning, making it to our meeting just in time.  Wouldn't you know, our presentation was one of our best.  Perhaps being exhausted adds a bit of soggy whimsy.  Or perhaps the Lord gave us extra blessings because of our marathon efforts to keep our commitment.

It is Monday and we are so happy to be home.  As wonderful as it is to be with family and friends, being home has its joys as well.