Parade

There was a primary activity today. It was a 4th of July parade. The children looked like they were having a good time. The first photo was taken toward the end of the parade when kids were heading back to the seminary building.


Anthony is on the bike in back with the windmill flag.


Anthony is at the far left of this photo. The flag carriers were walking and the others were to stay behind them. Those riding bikes were feeling rather slow. Those walking were feeling rather rushed.

Addresses

Michael requests mail :)
Elder Michael James Hebdon
MTC Mailbox #228
JPN-FKU 0907
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, Utah 84604-1793

Surely Skyler would like mail too;
Elder Skyler D Hebdon
Argentina Salta Mission
PO Box 30150
Salt Lake Utah 84130-0150
(Skyler's address above is for a one page letter folded in a tri-fold and taped down, with the address written on one side. It takes a regular stamp. Or the address below can be a letter in an envelope, but takes over .80 cents to mail.)
Elder Skyler D Hebdon
Argentina Salta Mission
Los Eucaliptus 75
440 Salta
Salta
ARGENTINA

Hai Genki Des! = Be of Good Cheer!

We just found an email from Michael. I'd been watching for one, thinking that he would be able to email on his p-day, but unsure of what day of the week his p-day would be. Last night I was sure it had to be Wednesdays, because I had not yet seen an email from him. This morning I decided to empty my Deleted and Junk files, but of course I looked through them to see if there was anything in there that I needed to save, and TaDa!, there was a letter from Michael in my junk mail. Well, we can't have that, so I immediately put him on my safe senders list. It had come Tuesday, so that means that both of our missionaries will be emailing on Tuesdays for awhile. We did get one from Skyler yesterday as usual and were pleased to hear that he was doing well. He is still going strong and finding new insight and strengthening his own testimony as he shares with others. Missionary work is a special work. It blesses our own lives so much as we try to hard to bless an others life. The benefits are great and innumerable.
Michael sounds like he is soaking in all that he possibly can. He is generally a pretty happy guy anyway, but there was a definite tone of happiness in his email, and today is one week in the MTC. It felt good. When he got to orientation they told him to keep his smile on and never get down. Surely he will find some discouraging moments, but for now, he is UP and going strong, and is senior doryo/comp.

Happy Father's Day!

Fathers are so special. I love my father. I love him for being the father he is and for being an awesome grandfather for my children. Each of my children feel loved by their grandfather, and that is a special thing.We have lots of memories to cherish forever and we have some traditions that we will continue to look forward to, like the m&m tosses.

I must now take the opportunity to express my love and appreciation for other fathers that are important in my life. I am grateful for Terry's father, he is a good man. He has surely played a large roll in helping Terry become the man he is, and I am grateful for that.

One more father - the father of my children. I love Terry so much and feel so blessed that he is part of my life. I wanted to write of him each day too, but held back because it was father's day, not husbands day or best friend day. I'll find an opportunity to do something similar for him sometime in the future.

Happy Father's Day to everyone, especially to my favorite fathers!

My Dad

Many men enjoy going out with the guys, hunting, fishing, watching the games, or whatever it be that the guys do when they get together. But this was not something I knew my father to do. He did have hobbies and activities that he liked to do, but they most always included my mothers company rather than a bunch of men.

My dad had many friends, but his best friend was and is my mother. They enjoy being together. Mom would ride with my dad in the farm equipment, they would enjoy a day snowmobiling in the mountains, spend hours antique shopping, working in the yard together, baking bread together, Christmas shopping, etc.

A couple years ago my mom and dad celebrated 50 years together and they still like being together. That is not very common now days, but I know it is because they have always tried to make each other happy. It is the selfless acts, instead of the selfish acts that bind two hearts together.

I was going to publish a post each day this week about my father, like I did for my mother the week before Mother's Day, but something went wrong. I just realized that Father's Day is Sunday and I haven't seen those posts on my blog like I should have. So I'm going to be playing some catch up now. I knew it was going to be a hard week with Michael leaving, so that is why I wrote them early and scheduled them to enter the blog each morning this week. I guess my train of thought was gone long before this week, because I messed up somehow. I think I must have saved instead of published and that means the posts didn't enter the blog on the day they were supposed to. They are saved in my list on the right day, but not published. I'm so sorry!
...
Meant for the 14th -
Thoughts of my father and my childhood came to my mind as I was at a funeral a few weeks ago and listened to one father's children share experiences they had with their father. My heart was filled and I felt blessed to have some equally memorable experiences with my dad.

Since Fathers day is coming up I will take the opportunity to write something about him everyday this week. He has a lot of great qualities and talents that make up the man he is. Some of those qualities and talents will be shared here this week. I am happy to call him my dad.

My father taught by precept and by example and I have learned much from him.
...
Meant for the 15th -

I grew up on a farm in Warden and watched my dad worked hard and for many long hours. This wasn't just because farm work is hard, it was because he is a hard worker.
After moving to Longview he continued to work hard in his new business; Chem-dry carpet cleaning and water and fire damage restoration, a business much different than farming. There was difficulty ahead just after this change, but he forged right through it and his business came out on top because of his determination and dedication to it.

Mom was at his side every step of the way on the farm and in the new business. Surely that has been a great strength to him. As important as that is, even more important is the fact that we must turn to our Heavenly Father for strength and support. My father knows this and does this so we have all been blessed because of it.

...

Meant for the 16th -

My dad is a great carpenter and I think he could build most anything. One of my favorite items that he built is a wooden train. Another favorite is his chicken condo. The grandkids have enjoyed both. He has done many house projects and has transformed many rooms into something much more beautiful and serviceable. He can repair and make better most any place. We have been encouraged to keep our part of the world clean and beautiful. I have seen throughout the years that my dad can do that well and finds joy in it.

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Meant for the 17th -

As we were growing up dad was often going to meetings. There was never any question of his testimony, we could always feel his love for the gospel in the way he spoke and the way he lived. I always felt that he had a great knowledge and understanding of the gospel and I trusted his words. It is easy to see why he was called to serve in the callings he has been called to, which include: a counselor in the bishopric, a bishop, a high councilman, a counselor in the stake presidency, and now as stake patriarch. He truly desires to bless the lives of others as he serves, and he does. He has also blessed the lives of others with his beautiful voice. I love to hear him sing or speak. As I was growing up and attending stake meetings and activities there would always be someone that would come up to me and ask if I was Ron's daughter. They would then proceed to tell me of what a wonderful man he is. He is loved by many.

...

Meant for the 18th -

A man shows great strength when he is tender and kind. Darryl, Dad and I were out in the yard playing ball. Dad was trying to teach me how to use a mitt to catch a ball, like a real catcher. I was down and ready, with the mitt in front of me just like he said to hold it. He threw the ball to me and I missed it, but it didn't miss me. It hit me in the nose and I had a nose bleed that wouldn't stop, and the pain to go with it. I remember that he felt so terrible and sorry. The next thing I remember about it is that I was in my bed and dad was sitting beside me, expressing how sorry he was and how much he loved me and that he didn't mean to hurt me. I think I remember this experience not because of the pain, but because of the love that was shown to me in such a tender moment.

...

Meant for the 19th -

Dad always tried to help us understand the importance of doing what we were told or what was expected of us. Obedience is important, no matter how simple the command or rule. One rule at the stake dances was that we should keep our shoes on. I apparently didn't think it was a very important rule at the time and would take my shoes off so that I wasn't so tall. I wore long dresses and thought it would not be noticeable, but my dad wanted to make sure that I was obedient none the less. He would make his way over to me and stand beside me and reach his foot over and tenderly step on my toes to see if I was wearing my shoes. Maybe he already knew that I wasn't, either way the message was the same, but it was done with a smile on his face and in a fun way, not to upset, but to lovingly correct and teach his daughter.

After I had written this, I was reading the talk that Elder Kevin W. Pearson gave in our General Conference in April 2009. He was speaking of Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. As I read parts of it I reflected on what I had said here about my father wishing for his children to obey no matter how simple the command, and realized that there is even more to it than that. As a parent I see how true it is, but have never really put it into these words, even though they are words I've heard before. I guess I had this experience in my mind and it just fit so well with it. Here is what he said;

"Faith requires an attitude of exact obedience, even in the small, simple things." and, "Desire, hope, and belief are forms of faith, but faith as a principle of power comes from a consistent pattern of obedient behavior and attitudes."

As I read this I recognized that my father was not only trying to teach me obedience, but also faith. And as I continued reading I recognized why.

"Faith is a gift from God, and one possessed of it can receive enormous spiritual power."

My father wanted us to be worthy of that enormous spiritual power to help us through our lives and back to our Heavenly Father to live for eternity in happiness and peace, and with our family forever.

I think I knew this all along, and I have this desire for my children, but I love the way Elder Pearson says it here, it touches my heart.

One of my favorite lines from this conference was uttered by our prophet, President Monson, when he said, "Your future is as bright as your faith." It fits quite well with this post.

I have posted these two messages in my "waiting patiently on the Lord" blog. Click here to read them if you wish. http://waitingpatientlyonthelord.blogspot.com/

Missionary Report!

We are really focused on missionaries right now, and it is so fun. Here goes:

• Jeremy (my sister, Jennifer's son) received his call to Ghana Africa. WOW! He enters the MTC in October. We are so excited for him. Congratulations!


• Michael did not have to ride the shuttle from the SL airport to Provo. Stanley's gave him a ride and helped fill his last couple hours before entering the MTC world with some really great memories. Thank you! to the Stanley's for being there for him, and for us. You can check out some photos of Elder Michael Hebdon on her blog. Look on our blog list at the right and you'll find the link.
  
• I got a call from Melanie. She was checking up on me, making sure I was okay, knowing herself, how it feels. It will be fun to visit back and forth for the next two years and share missionary experiences about our sons. We are anxiously awaiting the news that Elder Jacob and Elder Michael got to see each other, but we're not sure if it has happened yet. There are 4 boys from Royal there now. We are so excited for them all.


• Elder Michael got to have lunch with Elders Dexter and Austin. It sounds like Michael is having several exciting experiences. Surely some we are not aware of, because we have not yet heard from him. Dexter wrote to his family and shared with them, and Maria left a comment on our blog. She also called Chris and Chris called to share the news with us. What a support system we moms will have here in Royal with our sons out at the same time. And what a joy it must be for those boys to be able to see not only a familiar face, but a friend, whom they love.


• Elder Skyler Hebdon is doing well. His last email was filled with testimony and excitement for the work he is doing and the Spirit that is there. On the lighter side - his companion tells him that he was in the movie High School Musical 3, and says to watch for him towards the end, in the graduation scene, wearing a bright red tie, behind one of the main characters parents. We haven't seen it yet.

What a wonderful time this is! We haven't even heard from Michael since he got on the plane, but we know of some awesome experiences he has already had. We keep in touch with Skyler weekly and almost get real time news because we have the internet to get the message to us that very day. We don't have to wait a week or two to receive mail. A wonderful invention for sure, so long as we avoid the evil that exists in the same type of format and so readily available to us.

I thought it might be good to end with a "Capsule Sermon" or "Food for thought" or "Words to live by" -

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you do with what happens to you.

Have a great day!

He's Gone!

Michael was set apart Tuesday night after a long day in TriCities purchasing the last minute things he needed to take...

BJo, Anthony, Elder Michael Hebdon - there's Japan
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TaDa! I think we are all smiling ?!!?!?
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Michael checking his things to board the plane. We stood in line forever and then after getting his ticket she told him to run! We got there just in time for him to give each of us a hug and turn in his ticket. One more gal came behind him and they closed the door.

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There he goes! (the plane is heading upward, between the trees) On his way to the MTC. We think he got to Salt Lake before we got home, because of the traffic stops we had due to construction. Some friends were to meet him there at the airport, so we think he had a nice reunion with them before taking the shuttle to Provo. He should be in the MTC now, and could see a few friends there today or within the next few days.

He will find his world a bit more filled, and I hope to find mine a bit less filled. It's crash time! We are tired and emotional today, but we will survive!

Michael's farewell!

What a nice day! Michael spoke in church about service, and then came home and practiced what he preached by bar-b-quing kabobs for everyone. We had just over 50 people here and enjoyed the company. For the first little while we were anxiously preparing food and then making sure everything was going fine, and it seemed to be going fine. I was able to get a few photos, but noticed that I don't have everyone included in them, so now I feel bad.

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Thanks to everyone who came and supported Michael! Thanks for sharing your time, food, friendship and encouragement with him and with us. We also celebrated a special occasion for Evan, Keith and Aurora's oldest son, who just received the priesthood. Congratulations to him. What a wonderful young man he is becoming.

Farewell to Michael

Michael will speak Sunday in our Sacrament Meeting (it starts at 11:30), and we will then have dinner at our house (about 4:00). We were going to take him to the MTC, but received a letter telling us that there is no longer a meeting with the parents, and that the Elders could be dropped off at the curb, but no one other than the missionary could enter the building. This came about because of the occurrence of swine flu. No need to bring in hundreds of people who might pass around some illness causing the missionaries to get sick and have to delay their departure. Because of this info we decided it was a long and hard drive to drop someone off at the curb. We can go a bit beyond the curb at an airport, so we are taking him to the Pasco airport to catch a flight to Utah, 6:30 am Wednesday. He will get there so much faster that it sounded better to him. We only have a few days, it seems like only a few hours. I feel like I'm cramming for a test - I'm sure this is a test - and I hope I pass.

Happy Birthday Michael!

Michael's birthday was Sunday. It was fast Sunday and we didn't have breakfast that morning, so we had his cake just before eating dinner. What a great appetizer! We have just over one week left with Michael before he leaves for his mission. It's coming up too quick.

Fun Visit

We had company for a few days, and we sooooooo enjoyed it.
Gregory and Adena and Tawny and Brayden came to visit us.
We have the cutest grandkids!!!!! (no offense to anyone else, because we know that some of you have some pretty cute grandkids too.)


Tawny riding in the truck, Anthony pushing it and Brayden enjoying the ride from a different view.


Connor, Tawny, Brayden, BJo, Anthony playing "the monkey game", a gift Brayden got for his birthday and brought to play with us.

Tawny, Anthony, Brayden under the kitchen table.

Brayden, Gregory and Tawny, BJo, shooting the BB gun.

We had so much fun.

HS Play

Chase and Connor participated in the play that the HS Music Dpt. and Drama Club performed this spring, titled Little Orphan Angela. Chase played in the orchestra and Connor was helping back stage until he was recruited for one of the Townspeople.

I have two not-so-good photos, but I'll share them anyway.

Chase is at the right, in the blue shirt.

Connor is standing in the center of the group, arms folded.

A peculiar mind at work,

Just happened across this today, and thought it was worth sharing. Hope you enjoy. Some might be familiar, and there are a lot, so read fast :)

If you're not familiar with the work of Steven Wright, he's the famously erudite scientist and comic who once said: "I woke up one morning and all of my stuff had been stolen and replaced by exact duplicates." His mind sees things differently than most of us do, to our amazement and amusement. Here are some of his gems:
1 - I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize.
2 - Borrow money from pessimists -- They don't expect it back.
3 - Half the people you know are below average.
4 - 99% of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
5 - 82.7% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
6 - A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good.
7 - A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
8 - If you want the rainbow, you got to put up with the rain.
9 - All those who believe in psycho-kinesis, raise my hand.
10 - The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
11 - I almost had a psychic girl friend.....but she left me before we met.
12 - OK, so what's the speed of dark?
13 - How do you tell when you're out of invisible ink?
14 - If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.
15 - Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
16 - When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
17 - Ambition is a poor excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy.
18 - Hard work pays off in the future, laziness pays off now.
19 - I intend to live forever......so far, so good.
20 - If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?
21 - Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
22 - What happens if you get scared half to death twice?
23 - My mechanic told me, 'I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.'
24 - Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?
25 - If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
26 - A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.
27 - Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
28 - The hardness of the butter is proportional to the softness of the bread.
29 - To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.
30 - The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard.
31 - The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.
32 -The colder the Xray table, the more of your body is required to be on it.
33 - Everyone has a photographic memory; some just don't have film.
34 - If your car could travel at the speed of light, would your headlights work?
~steven wright