Clark's Scout Camp and Jazz Camp
Now that Clark is 12 years old, he got to spend a week away from home at the Bear Lake Aquatics Scout Camp. Besides getting sunburned, really dirty and having a ton of fun with his friends, he was able to work on several merit badges. He did photography, canoeing, rowing, environmental science, orienteering and aviation. The ward asked him to write up an article for the ward newsletter which you can read if you are interested.
The very next week Clark was able to spend each morning in a Jazz music camp. He really loves music and has a great teacher who is helping him with his goals as a jazz pianist. All the teachers involved with the camp were excellent and it was a great experience for him to get to play with all of them.
The Newlyweds had a wonderful two weeks honeymooning in Paris France. Anne had been there before and was excited to show Loren everything! They did a lot of sightseeing (especially art museums) and a lot of fun cooking. As a surprise wedding gift, Anne had arranged for them to take a couple of cooking classes. The classes are in English and are specifically for tourists. They both love to cook and enjoy great food, so it was the perfect thing. Who knows, maybe one day they will own and run a restaurant! They got home safely and are now setting up house in Provo and working until school starts again for Loren in the fall.
July 15th finally arrived and Tess reported to the MTC to formally begin serving her mission. The night before, President Holbrook and Brother Blood came over to our house to set her apart as a missionary. Grandma and Grandpa joined us and we had a really nice evening sharing our testimonies of missionary work and of course expressing our love and support to Tess. We were all a little teary, but it was a "happy" sad. Wednesday morning Tess and I both woke up very early feeling a bit on the nervous side, but after some prayers and a little breakfast, we had her packed and ready to go.
Because they have dispensed with the traditional MTC missionary program and only allow the family to say goodbye at the curb now, we decided that all of us would just say goodbye to Tess at home and Alan would drive her down on his way to work. While it was still a bit sad to say goodbye to Tess, it was infinitely easier than when we said goodbye to Loren and to Phillip. I'm a big fan of the new program. Alan called us after he had dropped her off and let us know that she did fine when she got there and seemed excited to be on her way. It was fun that my Uncle Mark and Aunt Susan (serving in the MTC mission presidency) were right there on the curb to welcome her!
We've had a couple of letters from her and some fun pictures. Learning Polish is definitely a challenge for her, but she is being blessed for her efforts and is progressing well. Loren who works at the MTC in the Referral Center gets to see her several times a week and is able to call us with messages and reports — pretty fun to have "insiders" there!
Just a few hours after saying goodbye to Tess, I went to the care center to visit Aunt Shirley. She wasn't feeling very well, but since I couldn't really do anything to help her, I tried to calm her by visiting with her and singing Primary songs with her. When it was time for me to go, I didn't feel like I could leave her, so I called home to make arrangements and I am so glad I did because she very quickly became much worse. She began having several "seizure-like" episodes that were very intense and difficult for her and for us. I called Alan and his Dad to come and of course I called our Hospice nurse. We got the help we needed and she was able to receive a priesthood blessing and become calmer. She never really rallied again after that and lived only another day and a half — quietly passing away Friday afternoon with her brother Wally at her side. I had been with her that morning, but had had to leave to listen to Clark's Jazz camp concert and to pick up Loren and Anne at the airport as they were returning from their honeymoon.
Shirley's funeral was the following Wednesday and everything went very well. Wally and I both spoke and our family also did a musical number. I think she would have liked it (see the program and obituary). Many family members and some of her friends from the past were able to come. Everyone kept thinking how wonderful it must be for her to finally be free from her difficult body and to be with her husband Bob and of course her parents and many other beloved relatives. I think it was relief for all of us that she could finally have her "special day" and go home. We have appreciated all the prayers over the years on her behalf.
Two days after the funeral our little family (only 3 children this time) headed off for a week on the Oregon Coast. We drove the 16 hour drive all in one day and then basically did nothing but rest and relax for a whole week. I always find the ocean to be very calming — it is a good place for me to regroup. We spent the week reading books, doing puzzles, watching movies, walking on the beach, swimming in the river, eating and napping. We particularly enjoyed a couple of campfires on the beach (watch the video). After a three week period of wedding, mission and funeral busyness, it was nothing but glorious to have absolutely nothing to do. The timing of this vacation was inspired and for me personally a tender mercy from the Lord — a chance for my spirit to heal and rest. How blessed we have been this month.