Easy as 1 - 2 - 3

From time to time, I receive comments about our travels.  Sometimes folks are envious of our vacations.  I think I need to explain a few things. Although we do indeed get around, and across the waters frequently, we live by a few rules and guidelines.  I will try to share the background and the guidelines. 

#1  We did not really travel until our 25th anniversary.  We did take a few vacations to Disneyland during the 1990s, but we usually stayed with family and were able to travel cheaply.  Mostly, tried to follow the counsel of the Apostles, and to get out of debt.  Once we were able to pay off all debts, we felt more free to use our resources to see the world.

#2 One night, as we approached our 25th anniversary, I could not sleep.  I was searching the Internet for ideas for places to go.  We did not go on a honeymoon when we were sealed, and it seemed appropriate that we find a place to celebrate 25 years of faithful marriage.
The next morning, I told Kayleen we were going to Kauai for 5 days.  She said OKAY. We stayed at the Sheraton on the southern tip of Kauai, we saw whales, kayaked the rivers, and snorkeled in the ocean for the first time. 

We have and will see places around the world.  But far more important than experiencing new cultures and far-flung places, are our children and grandchildren.  We try to walk a fine line of being involved, without intruding.  We are proud of each one of our children.  We love all our grandchildren.  Each is different, each has unique talents and gifts.  Each carries the divine spark as an Deity's offspring, with the capacity for exaltation and eternal life.

Much of our travel effort and budget is focused on ways to build memories for our children and grandchildren.

 The trap is to make sure that the travel is not the focus, but to keep the memories as the focus.

At times we have had to bypass seeing things we wanted to see or experience, because the needs of the family took precedence.  Oftentimes, we have been fortunate to go back and have the experience, but we have also given up many for good.

 #3 The travel takes planning.   We are usually looking out 1-2 years for opportunities.  For example, the cruise we experienced in April 2012, we had planned for over 18 months.  Because of scheduling and promptings, we changed the dates twice, but the plans did come to fruition.

 We once had a trip planned to the Bahamas.  We had been working towards this for almost a year, when the spirit prompted that we cancel.  I felt bad, but followed the prompting.  We canceled the trip.  During the time we would have been at Atlantis, my mother passed away.  We plan, but we always try to keep options open and to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

  (To be Continued)

June 9th

Big day for us.  We started out by attending Peter and Ben's T-ball Game. Peter started off with an infield single.

 Ben followed by a swinging bunt single.

 After the game, we waited for team photos.

 That night we attended my 40th High School reunion. I saw a lot of old faces, emphasis on the old.

 Sunday morning, we went to church with Tim, Tiffany, and their family.  Tim welcomed Sierra into mortality by giving her the Name and Blessing ordinance

 I did catch Hunter sneeking into the team snacks for the t-ball game.