A different time.~

It is surreal to me that our buddy has moved out. I think we have kept ourselves busy trying to come up with new things to do. The dynamic in our family has shifted. It has been a blessing to have Emmy in town. We went to the Oakland temple the first Saturday to fill the void of driving our buddy around everywhere all the time. We have visited him a few times, but it seems to upset and confuse him a little bit.  His best helper Chris says Spencer seems to like the freedom. He doesn't have to many demands and has a lot of help when it is on his terms.

We have played card games together and gone out to eat, shopping and everything we weren't able to do before. When  Joe and Celia needed to go to the dentist, I had a conflict at that time. I needed to go to a meeting for Spence. I was torn and concerned. It was so nice to see someone from the meeting at the dentist. Se let me know she had me covered and didn't need me to come. Joe and Celia hugged me and said they were happy I was able to spend more time with them now. Joe said another sweet thing. I told him I was missing Spence and he said I'm sure he is missing you too, I know I would. 

The Lord has been in the details of my life lately. I went to the temple and felt of his love and awareness of me. I was even blessed to feel the peace of seeing an apostle. I am amazed by the great commitment to exactly keep the commandments the apostles must have. It makes me want to do better and become more Christlike. At the Oakland temple, we learned of families and we were asked if we thought the family was important. I kinda laughed to myself,. That missionary representative has no idea how much I care about family and always have. It is in my very being to love and cherish the family. I was so pleased to see Emmy is doing some volunteer work over at UVU that helps strengthen families in the area. I thought the videos she was training with were corny, but what wonderful precepts they taught. Mindfulness, positive parenting, and respect for one another. I will miss Emmy, but I am so excited for her senior year and all the growing up she will do. I sure loved the BYU time of my life. Learning, growing, meeting Brian and doing exactly what I was supposed to do for that time in my life and relying heavily on the Lord.

August , Not too Shabby

I feel so blessed, calm and happy. My Birthday was so special with Emmy coming to visit and spending time with my folks. Celia, Joseph and Emmy went with me to Santa Cruz. Lately, I have had one on one time with each of our children and  It has been a blessing.

  After many months and preparation for a long while, Spencer is moving onto the rest of his life. He is transitioning to life as a young man. I feel the Lord is delivering us. I hope that this new transition will help our loving relationship with Spencer to grow even more. We will always be there for him. He is etched in our hearts. He has taught me so much and serving him has refined me in ways I could not of experienced otherwise. He has the best smile and will bring joy to all who care for him. He seems to want a change, I do believe that. Who knew he would fly away or launch to more independence in the community and have the opportunity to be with adults like him more. He can have diet changes that can benefit his life and so many experienced professionals to work through challenges. We have been blessed and help all along the way in his life and he will continue to be supported in his life, but not only from us and not only at home.

Last night, Joseph and I were able to see President Oaks at a youth devotional at the Mormon center. So much truth came from that man and those he felt inspired to as to speak on the spot. I love that there were so many friends an familiar faces of those brothers and sisters in the gospel. I feel as though I am being watched over and blessed and that the Lord watches over him in my life. Gates that have been shut and roads that have been denied access to me are now being opened. It isn't scary, it is fantastic. I feel so much peace and joy mixed with sadness at times. The Lord is good and I am so grateful to be an integral part of Joseph and Celia's life. They have started school and Joseph has started seminary. I am hopeful for the things they will learn and accomplish this year. I love the unity of our family and I hope that never changes.