From Snow to Sun!

Rick and I came home from Dave Perkin's funeral and ate a quick lunch, packed up the car and headed to Vegas. A storm was just rolling in, bringing rain to St. George and Snow up north. We had a nice discussion during the two hour drive and dropped our car off to a hotel and rode the hotel shuttle to the airport. The normally bustling LV airport was quite empty thanks to Covid and we didn't have to wait in any lines to check in our luggage. Then we boarded a plane to Denver, Colorado. The flight was less than an hour an a half. It was freezing in Denver! For once I was grateful for my face mask as it helped to keep my face warm in the frigid temperatures as we waited for our shuttle to the next hotel! 

We were starving by that time and were informed that Colorado wasn't allowing any dine-in at restaurants due to Covid. We were going to order food to be delivered to the hotel, but many were not delivering and others had at least a 30-40 minute wait.  It was already almost 9:30 and we didn't want to eat a big meal right before bed.  So Rick ended up talking to the hotel clerk to see if they had anything and she just offered us some simple food that they use for their breakfasts -- yogurt, cereal, and fruit. That was the perfect little snack to satisfy our hunger and didn't cost us anything!  

The next morning was a little stressful! The shuttle to the airport was only running once an hour or something like that. We had reserved the 7:30 a.m. shuttle thinking that would be plenty of time to catch our flight, which was at 9:20. The hotel clerk also recommended that time. They normally recommend you be at least two hours early, and this would be a little under two hours. In hind sight we should have chosen the earlier shuttle (especially since we were traveling internationally)! The shuttle was a little late due to the snow and it took a little longer to get to the airport. When we were dropped off we couldn't find our terminal. He had dropped us off on the wrong side. We asked two or three people for directions but still couldn't find it and were walking around in circles for a while. I guess there was some construction going on which blocked off the regular pathways to the terminal. We finally found it and went through the international check in. The clerk said that boarding started at 8:40. Now we were really stressing as it was already 8:10. When we arrived at the check in point and put our passports through the scanner they were not accepted. She said we would have to go back to the place we checked in so that they could enter the information in manually. We were worried that we would miss our flights! We were practically running at this point! We went back to the check in and they manually put in our passport information and then we went back to the other check in. Thankfully the lines were not long! We barely made it to our terminal with about ten minutes to spare before they started boarding. So it all worked out thank goodness, but we cut it way too close! Once we were on the flight we were able to relax! 

The flight was about 3 1/2 hours and I slept part of the way. Luckily for me I can actually sleep on planes! We had downloaded some movies on our laptops for the plane ride and also brought our own water and snacks because apparently they don't provide that for free anymore! (Although they did on our shorter flight, so I guess it depends on the flight). We watched a hallmark-type move called "A Christmas Solo." We enjoyed it (I even cried). Our teenage girls would like it. Rick had gotten a little device so that we could both watch it using our earbuds. I didn't get sick at all on either flight, so that is good!  When we walked out of the airport in Mexico we were hit with a wave of hot humidity! I remember the same thing happening when I first arrived on my mission in Georgia. It is just such a different feeling until you get used to it. 

When we arrived we picked up our luggage and went through customs and everything and then found the shuttle to take us to our resort. We were hot and tired but had to fill out more paperwork on our phones. We scanned in a QR code which brought up a form to fill out that included questions about Covid and so forth. It was nice when we finally made it to our room! The resort is beautiful -- and our room is really nice! I told Rick, "We certainly don't get a room like this on a cruise ship!" We went and checked out the all-you-can-eat buffet and it was amazing! There was so much food to choose from and it was delicious! Because of Covid they served everything instead of us serving ourselves. We then walked around and checked out the resort. We were tired from traveling and so we didn't do much tonight. We decided to just stay in and watch one of our Christmas movies that we had downloaded (Rick had brought a cord to hook it up to the TV). It was a great "marriage" movie called "Three Days." Great story -- I highly recommend it!

  

I asked Rick, "Why is there no baby Jesus in the manger?" He gave a lame joke saying, "Because it is an adults-only resort!" When we went on our first excursion we noticed that there was no baby Jesus in their manger scenes either. So we asked one of the workers why and she said, "Because he wasn't born yet." So they don't put baby Jesus out until Christmas day -- the day they believe He was born. Interesting, huh?

We slept great tonight -- I didn't wake up in the night at all! Monday morning we ate a delicious breakfast at the buffet and then went to the beach! We swam, and relaxed on the beach chairs, and went swimming in the beautiful pool. Lunch at the buffet was delicious! 

Look at this gecko that was peeking out of the bushes! It is huge! There are also these different looking raccoons everywhere.

Dave Perkins Obituary

This morning Rick and I had the opportunity to attend the funeral of a great man -- Brother David Perkins. Dave passed away on Thursday morning. Rick had to opportunity to go see Dave before he passed away and gave him a beautiful blessing. We have known Dave and Liz for many years while working with the deaf in our area and they are dear friends. When we served in the Deaf Branch, Dave was our home teacher.  Since Dave couldn't drive, Rick would drive into town to pick him up and bring him to our house so that he could home teach us. I was also Liz's visiting teacher and enjoyed going to her home to visit. We haven't been able to see Liz and Dave much this past year since Covid has kept them confined to their home much of the time. I am sure that this past year has been a very lonely time for them.

Dave had many physical challenges -- he was deaf, mostly blind, relied on a walker to walk, and would shake due to palsy. But what he lacked physically he made up for spiritually! He has the strongest spirit of about anyone we know! He is very intelligent and was constantly studying the scriptures and gospel at home. He was always ready to jump in and teach a lesson if a last minute sub was needed. He was amazingly positive and was never one to complain. I learned during his funeral that he had recently written his life history. A copy was sent to us and I have just started to read it. It is amazing! I can't wait to read the rest of it! 

In his history he talks about how his life was a "fairy story" and he wouldn't change it. How amazing and humbling that someone with so many physical challenges could have such an amazing attitude! Rick and I both found ourselves deeply touched and quite emotional throughout the service. The branch president and his wife didn't know that we would be able to attend since we were heading to the airport that day, or else they would have had Rick speak at the funeral. But we were happy to be on the receiving end and the three speakers did a fabulous job. I for one was deeply touched by the spirit! Heaven just received one of it's most celestial spirits this week! 

Here is Dave's obituary, which Rick informed me Dave wrote himself some time ago: (except for the information about his passing and details of the funeral and memorial service, of course).

Dave Ross Perkins returned home to his precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 10, 2020. Dave was the second of three sons born to Daniel Ward and Winnibelle Binion Perkins on Nov 2, 1941 in Riverside, California. Dave’s life had its challenges. One was deafness at age 11 in 1952 caused by a progressive hearing loss from German measles and a high fever at age 5. Dave’s life was turned upside down. Remembering his childhood church experiences of God, prayers and scriptures Dave was given faith comfort and strength to go on with his life. Dave had faith God did hear his prayers and help him carry the burden of deafness.

Dave attended high school at Calif School for the Deaf Riverside learning a new language and culture. He excelled in academics graduating with honors in 1961. Dave also attended Gallaudet University in the world for the Deaf in Wash. D.C. from 1961-1966. A second challenge for Dave came shortly after graduating from Gallaudet. Dave had a stressful time there and shortly after graduation he suffered a mild nervous breakdown becoming visually impaired. It took Dave 8 years of working with his father at odd jobs to get his life back together again. It would be 8 years before Dave got his life together to try again with encouragement from his mother and VR counselor not to give up his dream to become a teacher for the deaf. Dave attended Calif St Univ Northridge from 1974-1981. 

On March 30, 1974 the most important (event) in Dave’s life happened as he was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Accepting the Lord’s challenge to pay his tithing Dave was blessed as he earned a BA in liberal studies, a MA in Special Ed and a Calif Teaching Cred. He taught priesthood and Sunday School classes to the deaf for many years. Professionally he taught adults with learning disabilities in Fountain Valley, Calif. The second most important event in Dave’s life came as he married Elizabeth McClellan Perkins on Oct 16, 1982 in the Jordan River Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah for Time and eternity. 

Reflecting on his life Dave said it was like a fairy story and you can see what the Lord can do with an average person. Preceded by his father in 1990, his mother in 2000 and his older brother Dennis in 2008. Survived by his wife Elizabeth of St George, Utah and his youngest brother Tim of Banning, Calif. Viewing and memorial services to be held at the St. George 7th ASL (American Sign Language) Branch in St George, Utah on December 12, 2020. Viewing and funeral services at the Southwind church building at 1155 N 1400 W, St. George Utah. The Viewing will be from 10:00 – 11:00am, the funeral will be from 11:00am – 12:00pm. Online streaming through Zoom will be available for the funeral. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday December 16, 2020 at 1:00pm, located at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery, 3401 Highland Dr. Salt Lake City, Utah 84106

Duet: Some Things Are Meant to Be

I am so grateful that my girls were able to participate in the Musical Revue at Snow Canyon High School this past weekend! After practicing for weeks they ended up in quarantine when several members of our family got Covid. The show was scheduled for that week and the girls were so sad that they were going to have to miss it! After several stressful days we received the announcement that all extracurricular activities would be shut down for two weeks. While this was certainly not good news for many, the timing worked in our favor since the show needed to be postponed to a later date. This meant our girls were back in! The day before the show the entire cast and crew had to be tested and it was such a blessing that every single one of them tested negative! I am so grateful that during this crazy time God sees fit to bless us with little tender mercies -- like being able to watch our children perform in a school musical performance -- things we always just took for granted before this past year. I've included a link to their touching duet. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! 

Click HERE to see their DUET!! 

When I put this collage together I totally forgot to include a picture of Jaiden's trio! Here is an audio recording of  "The I Love You Song." Jaiden is the daughter, Ellie Bearden is the mother and Hayden Mecham is the father.  

Janelle's Senior Pictures

Janelle got her Senior pictures taken yesterday and they turned out so pretty! Our friend, Melissa Julien, took them for us. Melissa said that she was pretty much retiring from her photography business, but that she would be happy to do them for us -- and even gave us a half price deal! We did them at the St. George Opera House. She took them all in about thirty minutes and had the digital photos ready for us to upload later that night! We were so happy that she could do them on such short notice and get them back to us so quickly!

 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

We had a lovely Thanksgiving! Yesterday I spent most of the day cooking. I made gluten free pretzel jello and four step pudding (with some help from Jenna), gluten free stuffing, Candied Yams, and prepped the rolls. I also had a hair appointment and went for a walk in the sunshine with my hubby!

This morning I got up and put the turkey in the oven and the kids helped to prepare for the mashed potatoes by cutting and peeling the potatoes. Rick had a list of "Gratitude Chores" for the kids to do in order to get the house and yard cleaned up (which they weren't very happy about). We ate our Thanksgiving meal around 1:30 and everything tasted delicious! The turkey was moist and delicious and all of the sides were yummy too! We had all of the above mentioned items along with corn, carrots, and stuffing. Unfortunately Josh hasn't received his taste and smell back yet. Jared's is starting to come back and Jaiden's is partially back. Thanksgiving is not a good time to not have your taste and smell! 

Rick read Uchtdorf's quote about gratitude and had all of us share a miracle that we were thankful for and we toasted to each one. (He always uses one of the kids' "creations" from ceramics to represent the "Bottle of Bitterness). This particular one was made by Jaiden. Here is the quote:

“It might sound contrary to the wisdom of the world to suggest that one who is burdened with sorrow should give thanks to God. But those who set aside the bottle of bitterness and lift instead the goblet of gratitude can find a purifying drink of healing, peace, and understanding.”

For dessert later we had the four step pudding, a chocolate pie, and a huge apple pie (compliments of costumer appreciation from our Realtor's office) with vanilla ice cream. I look forward to leftovers tomorrow! After we ate we all took naps! We were planning on going to the park for ultimate frisbee, but it was a little chilly and windy outside so we opted to stay in. Jenna set up a massage parlor in the basement with a massage table and candles around the room and soft music playing. It was free for a one minute massage, but $1.00 for the whole massage. She is quite the entrepreneur! I bought one from her. It was really nice! 

Jared taught us a fun game called "The Name Game" and we played a few rounds of that and then watched the movie, "Miss Congeniality." The reason that came up is because Jared was doing the dishes and started rubbing his finger around the top of the glass making a ringing sound. I said, "Hey, isn't that in the movie Miss Congeniality when she does a whole musical number by rubbing her fingers around the tops of glasses?" Then Jaiden said, "I have never seen that movie!" So we got the DVD from the Phillips and watched it tonight for those in the family who hadn't seen it. It is such a funny movie! 

After the movie Jase, Jared, Josh, Ellen, and Ky all went to the church to play a few rounds of Spike Ball. That was pretty much our day -- pretty chill! We missed not being able to have other family members come, due to Covid, but we were grateful we could have such a nice day with our kids (except for Janika and Brandon who were with his family in Bear Lake.)

Jenna's Hideout

Jenna has a vision and creativity that alludes me. She is always coming up with interesting and innovative ideas. Her first idea was to make a hideout behind the shed. This idea occurred when she  was helping her Dad clean out his work shed. She noticed that the area behind the plastic shed contained some old broken bikes and other useless items. She thought it would be fun to clean out the area and decorate it so that it could become a little hideout for her and her friends. She cleaned it up and decorated it like a little home. It looked so cute! The only problem was that the sky was cloudy and threatened rain and so I was worried that her cute little decorations would get ruined. It was a nuisance trying to cover everything up whenever it looked like a storm was coming! But she and her friends had a great time playing in their new little home and spent hours playing house there. When Jenna was in isolation with Covid, her friend Clarissa would leave little notes in their hideout for Jenna to find! It was really sweet! 

This led to Jenna's next project -- cleaning out the entire shed for a new hideout -- this one a little more durable since it was "inside." I wish we had a "before" picture of the shed before she went to work on it. It was filled from floor to ceiling with who knows what. Everything was just thrown in there with no organization whatsoever. She did think to take a picture while they were in the process of emptying the shed. I had been meaning to clean this shed for years, but you know how it is -- out of sight, out of mind! 

Jenna called Clarissa and Anna over to help with the project and they got to work. They worked Thursday night until it got dark. Then again after school on Friday for several hours and then most of the day on Saturday! I tried to come out and help a few times but Jenna kept kicking me out. They took everything out of the shed, braving the spiders, and then swept and mopped the floors and the walls. 

They filled up both of our big garbage cans to overflowing. (I did check in to make sure they were not throwing anything away that wasn't supposed to be thrown away.) They also had a pile to be donated to the DI and another pile of things that could be kept but that needed to be cleaned and washed first. They pulled all of our 72 hour kits and went through them. Jenna's 72 hour kit contained diapers and pull ups! That is how old they were! She is 12 now and was probably 2 when we filled them -- so they haven't been switched out for ten years! Pathetic, I know! One of the items in the shed was leftover carpeting and so they used that for the floor of the shed. When they finished I got a couple of pictures. The next day they decorated their new "home" with Christmas decorations and spent hours playing in it! 

Now I just need to figure out what to do with the leftover items that we normally store in the shed! 

 

Sunday night Rick even had our Come Follow Me in this new space, along with the sacrament. The lesson was on the Brother of Jared and his family departing across the ocean in the barges with the stones of light. We all sat down and it was cold and very dark. Then he turned on the lamp which lit up the "barge" and we talked about the symbolism of having the light of Christ lead us in our life's journey. We sang a few hymns, including How Great Thou Art. If any of our neighbors were outside I wondered what they must be thinking to hear this hymn, sung in beautiful harmony, emanating from our little shed! We closed with the sacrament. Leave it to Rick to come up with a lesson in our shed! These are the kinds of lessons our children remember for years to come! 

Gratitude for Marriage

I thought I would save Rick's post since I thought it was sweet! Click HERE for the full post with pictures and comments!  (For his gratitude posts so far he talked about his mission, Hands Up, Sunburst Singers, friends who helped him graduate from USU and now marriage). 

Another progressive step I felt I needed to take in my life I knew was marriage. At this time it had been on my mind for at least 4 years. I had friends and missionary companions getting married all of the time - but I wasn’t. 😟 I was extremely nervous for marriage, and by the time I had reached this point in my life, I was actually wondering if I even wanted to do it. I had dated a number of phenomenal young ladies who would make wonderful marriage partners…… but I just didn’t feel “eternity” with those relationships. It wasn’t until I met Wendy Westra that my thoughts began to change. We became fast friends, and then our relationship developed into even more. I knew within the first 3 months of our dating that this was someone that I could get serious with. It was the first girl who I had dated that I decided I wanted to exclusively date (which was a huge deal for me!). Over the next year, our relationship took the time needed to flourish and they are years I cherish!

From then until now, we have been married 26 years. I have always loved kissing my wife, holding hands with my wife, signing with my wife, and being with my wife. She is a joy to me. Have we had our ups and downs? YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT! Do we agree on everything? ABSOLUTLEY NOT! The important thing is that we WANT to be together (we’ve had this discussion a lot). Our marriage is not just about being stuck with each other. We desire to be with each other – and it’s awesome! I’m grateful for the institution of eternal marriage. I’m particularly grateful for the partner that I chose as my eternal partner and that she chose me. I hope as the years go by, as family gets bigger and more complex, and as life becomes a little less chaotic through our “golden years,” we continue to choose each other. I sure love this lady! #givethanks