find joy in the journey

story sunday // grandpa rene

This week my Aunt posted a few photos of my grandfather on Facebook with the note that this would have been his 100th birthday.  

He passed away in December 1982 at age 67 when I was just 3 years old.  I have just 1 or 2 small glimmers of a memory of him, but stories of Grandpa Rene have always been a part of our extended family's narrative.  He had a dynamic personality and everyone talks about him with a smile.  In addition to how much he was loved and being the patriarch of the family . . . that was a loss all it's own . . . but his death also brought a big blow in regards to the family business and would forever affect the course of my parents' life - who at that time were just starting out, essentially newlyweds.

In my perception, Grandpa Rene's death has always had a dark cloud around it (not that any death is cheery) but his was/is associated with many, many hard years of struggling and trying to get our feet back on the ground.

But this post is not about those hard years.  I guess I just share that to illustrate what an important role he played in the family and when he was gone his presence was severely missed.

My memories of Grandpa Rene:

Near the end of his life - he was suffering from prostate cancer - they brought a hospital bed into my grandparent's home and set it up in the front room.  This is where he slept, lived, everything.  I remember coming over to the house one day (we lived next door) and visiting him while he layed in the bed.

I also have a memory (although I'm not entirely sure that it is a real memory or an image that I created in my mind after hearing my grandmother tell me this story so many times) . . . I would come over to their house and climb into bed with him and "read" books to him.  Note that I was 2 or 3 and did not have the ability to read.  I would simply hold the book open, turn pages, and share whatever story or jibber-jabber came to mind.  

Stories of Grandpa Rene:

He had a special drawer - the candy drawer - and it was filled with candy (obviously) that he would give to the little grandchildren whenever they came over.

He played the organ.  And from what I hear he would tear up that organ busting out boisterous, jazzy, upbeat tunes for everyone to hear.

My grandpa Rene first met my grandma at a party and began flipping watermelon seeds at her to get her attention.  He was kind of a big tease.

He had a special love for Disneyland and thought it was important that every child had a chance to go.  In addition to his own family members and grandchildren, he paid the way for numerous others to spend a day at the happiest place on earth.

He loved his granddaughters.  He just loved children but the girls were special and he would do fun things like buy them pretty dresses and heart-shaped boxes of chocolate for valentine's day (this is something that my dad does too).

I've heard that it was a regular occurrence for him to go out and purchase groceries and deliver them to families in need.  He was always helping people and trying to give.  After his passing many people came forward and shared times when Rene had assisted their families, saying that they didn't know what they would have done without his help.

He played a big part in establishing a new branch in the area I grew up in.  He was the first Branch President, and later when we got a church building he donated his equipment to help clear the property and get it ready for construction.

He started a nut company - Andersen Farms - and that is the company that my dad and eventually his brother (who was on a mission at the time of his death) took over after grandpa's passing.  They still run that company today and despite those HARD, tough years it is doing really well.  This past week my dad and brothers prepared the pad/foundation to build their 3rd (or 4th?) warehouse to store all of the walnuts during the nut season.  They keep running out of room!

He was a hard-working farmer and began farming early in life.  This is what I call the iconic Grandpa Rene photo -- working the irrigation pipes in the tomato field.  This photo was framed and has hung in the nut office for a long, long time.

There are many, many more stories of Grandpa Rene . . . these are just the ones I can remember from off the top of my head!

I can't wait for the day when I can meet him again and really get to know him.  Even though he passed away when I was so young, he has always held a special place in my heart.

february stories

Back when both of our parents came for Payton's priesthood ordination weekend we had a big breakfast at our house before church.  Sausage, bacon, fruit, pancakes.  Scott makes THE best pancakes!  Seriously, so good. And he looks pretty great in an apron too.  :)

He also grew his hair out to epic lengths and achieved this pretty amazing flip on the back. It was a pretty big topic of conversation in our house in February.  Payton referenced this hair flip on his love note to Scott -- "I love dad's hair . . . from the side."  And Scott apologized for his hair laziness on his love note to me.  He has since had a haircut.

I love it when the kids vacuum out the van.  Pretty nice to have a few in-house car detailers.

I bought these wooden arrows from a local shop called Amber's Umbrella and then gave them to myself for Christmas.  Ha!  Anyone else do that?  Anyways, I finally got them up on the wall and I LOVE love them!

Anna decorated this box at home for her Valentine's Day class party.  Oh my, her creativity just blows my mind sometimes!  The 3D elements, the sun rocking out with headphones, and even starburst wrappers turned into bows!  And I love that it looks like a 9 year old made it.  Simply adorable!

Our first family bike ride!  Now that we all have bikes we'd like to do this more often.

On Valentine's Day morning we had our traditional Love Day breakfast.  Chocolate chip muffins, strawberries + kiwi, ham, and orange juice.  The kids got a small heart shaped box of chocolate, a small gift (under $10), and a coupon for an ice cream date with mom.  I loved that Valentine's Day was on a Saturday this year so we could really enjoy our breakfast and family time together!

And a Valentine's Date for us!  We had really late dinner reservations so we killed time by getting dessert first at Sweet Addictions (ice cream cookie sandwiches!), Target for miscellaneous toiletries, 7-Eleven for gas and a soda, Williams & Sonoma where I bought a cheese grater, and finally to dinner at a fish house.  It was probably the most random date EVER but we had a great time and just goes to show it doesn't matter what you are doing but who you are with.

On February 21st we drove up to St. George for the day.  Jenn's daughter Alyna was going through the temple for the first time and we wanted to show our love & support on her big day.  It worked out so nicely that St. George is only a 2 hour drive -- so glad we could be there!  Plus, we had never been inside the St. George temple so it was a treat to get to see this beautiful building.  Built in 1871, it definitely has a place in church history.  And if all that wasn't enough, after the temple session we met up with Jenn's family to watch Alyna open her mission call -- she will be serving in Sao Paulo Brazil for 18 months!  Talk about a BIG day!

Sadly, I didn't get a single photo of any PEOPLE.  Ugh.  But we had a wonderful time.

I DID get a photo of the Waffle Truck and the waffle that I ate on the drove home that night.  I may need to take a look at my priorities.  :)

On the bright side, we got to see the Habels again a few days later when they returned to Vegas for their flight home.  They stopped by our place for a short visit -- Anna showed Belle & Josie how to make rubber band bracelets with a  fork, the boys holed up in Conner's room to talk boy stuff, and I got to show Jenn the updates to our house since the last time they were here 2 years ago and have a little debrief on the big event/changes happening in their family.  So weird that my best friend has a daughter going on a mission!  Guess it means that we are getting old!  :)

One last story for February . . . I've been working hard at my LuLaRoe business!  I plan to share a post all about it very soon.  It has been a lot of work the first month and a half just getting everything set up and rolling but now I'm feeling good and know what I need to do.  Here is a photo of me after a big party - the back of the van is a MESS, but a happy mess because it was a successful party.  I really should have taken a photo before I left -- haha!  Noted for next time.

finding answers

"The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life."  -Julie B. Beck

This has long been a favorite quote of mine and has just stuck in my brain for many years.  I believe that we can pray to a loving Heavenly Father, he hears our prayers, and he will answer them.  I know that those answers come in many ways and on the Lord's timetable so we have to be prepared, still, and sensitive to the spirit so that we can receive them.

There have been several moments in my life when I have received extremely clear and distinct answers to prayers and I forever cherish the feelings of those moments.  Feelings of love, peace, certainty, even surprise (hey, I wasn't expecting that!), knowing that He is completely aware of me, and that there is a purpose/plan/reason for everything.

graphic from The Small Seed

Thinking of these moments makes me realize what an incredible gift personal revelation is. I want to strive all the more to be worthy of it!  The scientific mind in me would LOVE to have a formula for achieving answers every single time -- read this many scriptures, pray for this much time, complete X number of service acts, attend the temple so many times, etc. . . . 

But I know that is not the case (darn it!) and so often times we get to do all those things and wait.  And wait. And have faith that the answers will come.  Because they will.

Sometimes the answers come all at once.  And sometimes the answers come in tiny bits and pieces at a time.  You want to see the big picture, but you only get to see as far as 6 inches in front of your face. Which is hand-wringing torture for a planner like me.  But it is also a wonderful blessing, and comfort because those little bits are a reminder that He is in control.  

So going back to my original quote, the ability to qualify for, receive, and act upon personal revelation is a skill that I want to develop.  And I'm sure I will spend my entire life working on that skill!  But anything of value requires work, right?

Along that note, I have loved reading the blog series over at The Small Seed called "Finding Answers".  It is a series of interviews of individuals from all walks of life with varying struggles who have found answers.  Anytime I hear personal stories of individuals who have received answers to prayer - at church, in the scriptures, talking with friends -- I feel inspired, uplifted, and encouraged to continue in their example.

Go check it out.

"Therefore, dearly beloved…let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power;

and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance,

to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.”

Doctrine & Covenants 123:17

payton's best week ever

Payton celebrated his 12th birthday in early February and after reviewing the events of that week it would be easy to conclude that he was having the best week ever.

It all started on MONDAY with his actual birthday and, hello? This brand new spankin' bow!  I mentioned in another post that he joined the Archery Club at school and was really really enjoying it.  And Scott was taking him to an indoor archery range each Saturday so we thought he would love to have a bow of his own.  Blue, of course.

He requested an ice cream cake for his birthday and the day ended on a pretty great note.

On THURSDAY we took him to an archery event called Practice with Pros.  It was a free event for kids to come with their bows and practice shooting in a big area next to some professionals.  He was super excited at the idea.

But then they started super late -- an hour later than originally planned.  And the targets were much farther away than he was used to shooting so it was a challenge for him, especially as a new archer.  He did his best and we tried to encourage him along the way.  It was TOUGH, but he did get a few good shots!

On FRIDAY morning he got to attend the Breakfast of Champions at school and be honored as a Student of the Month!  

And the big event came on SUNDAY when both sets of grandparents came to town, we attended church, and he was ordained a Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood.

He was the star for the week and we love celebrating this kid!  He is smart, funny, quiet at times, and LOUD at others, creative, helpful, has the most random thoughts, the cutest grin, and he is a lover of BBQ sauce.  (Don't let that t-shirt fool you!)

be of good cheer

Let me just tell you that I cannot believe that it is March 1st already.  !!

February was a busy month.  Not CRAZY busy, but busy enough with my head in other projects & assignments that I knew I needed to take blogging off my to-do list to maintain some balance.

I'm feeling a little bit rusty, if I'm being honest.

And before my "break" I was starting to feel like my blogging was a little blegh.  It felt very informational to me - reports of date nights, parties, FHE outlines, etc -- alllll great stuff which I love, but missing a bit of the heart and sharing that I typically like to put into this space.

That is partially due to the fact that sometimes stuff happens in real life that you can't put out there publicly. At least not while you're in the middle of it.  Maybe when there is an "end" and a nice pretty bow is tied on this chapter then I can share.

We are doing fine.  We are working through a challenge, and there are prayers, patience, and a lot of faith involved.  We know things will work out in the end . . . but maybe that's why my heart isn't completely here, because I can't lay it all out there on the internet. 

That being said, over the past 8-9 months I have learned a lot about

waiting on the Lord

prayer

faith in action

And my one little word has definitely come into play as I have been reminded through the scriptures and the spirit to "Be of good cheer."

And truthfully, I need that reminder!  That is a big part of the reason why I chose CHEER as my one little word for 2015.  Last year I began to notice that I was grumpy a lot of the time.  Like, much more than I should have been.  Scott noticed it, I felt it and I had a hard time shaking it.  Maybe it's because this challenge was a part of our reality for most of 2014, or maybe I had become personally lazy, or ungrateful, or whatever.

But I needed to fix it.  Because I didn't want to be grumpy for my family.  They deserve better.

And the words "be of good cheer - I will not leave you comfortless" kept returning to me and I knew that was the message I needed to carry with me this year.

Today I was reading in the New Testament.  Christ's disciples were on a ship, being tossed on the waves at night, when He appears to them walking on water.  They become frightened and cry out in fear.  Immediately He calls out to them,

"Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid."

When you have uncertainties and fears, what better comfort is there than the mere presence, attention, and love of a single incredible individual - Jesus Christ.  He is enough to make everything alright.

And what comfort comes in knowing that our Heavenly Father is aware of us.  That can be easy to forget.  Especially when you are waiting for answers, direction, solutions and it doesn't come quickly.  It is easy to start feeling lost or even forgotten.  Today I also read in Matthew 10:29-31  

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

And that was the message that I felt repeated in church today - and I needed to hear - that our Father is so very aware of us and all that we do.

I'm thankful for Sundays to recharge & inspire me and get ready for the week.

I am thankful for my truly amazing family.

We are blessed everyday.  

Answers will come.  We are learning as we go.  We are staying positive.

This week Scott and I enjoyed a picnic lunch at the park and as we talked on these things I wondered aloud, "It will be interesting to look back on this chapter in 5 years -- I wonder if we will have clarity to see the reason behind all of it, to understand the pieces that needed to come together to get us to where we are supposed to be."

I know there is a plan for all of us.  All of us.  We simply need to have faith, do our best to let the spirit guide our choices, and enjoy the ride.