Sea Cucumber anyone?

We have just returned home from another safe journey to China. I was able to get some reading and work done while Bob was at meetings. I realize now that the anxiety of traveling to places like China is being so far away from home and not knowing an area and more importantly a culture. With it being my second time there I was far more comfortable exploring a bit of Beijing on my own. Sharon (not sure of her Chinese name) made every effort to ensure our visit was enjoyable. She took me to lunch just to visit about anything but work. She then invited us to attend a concert at a church. We did not understand the magnitude of the invitation. It was very exclusive and had guards standing around the church every ten feet. Amazing orchestra, choir, and soloist from Germany!

We had to ride the subway to get to the concert. As we stepped out we found ourselves in Beijings version of "Time Square". It was beautiful and by the way, their subways were much cleaner than NYC!

The people here have been so kind. OK, so maybe not the taxi cab drivers. I learned that though their voice inflections are severe...and a bit raised...that is just the way they communicate. They could be proclaiming there undying love to someone and sound like they wanted to punch them in the nose. This was something I had to get use to. We did get to experience more of the food eaten by the locals.It is always a bit risky. I was able to get through almost every meal without too much anxiety. Bob on the other hand had a business dinner that defied all logic. This particular blog is not for those with tender stomachs...so ye be warned! The picture of Bob and I is at a restaurant used by the locals. The black things were fungus. Yes, I just kept telling myself..."it's a mushroom". It didn't help.Bob had the opportunity to be served a "sea cucumber" at a business dinner (no I was not there). He asked if it was a vegetable and much to his dismay his host said...No...it's a worm. They mine it from the bottom of the ocean and it is a rare delicacy. They take out all the insides, make it into a chunky gravy and serve the flesh of the worm, whole, on top. Hmmm...yummy. The picture that looks like a cucumber...yes that is what they served him and no he did not eat it...well one small tiny bite just to be polite.
As always it is good to be back home. I could not blog while in Beijing cyberspace so here it is ... a bit late and forgetting something I'm sure.
My next blog will be about fish you catch from the "top" of the ocean like salmon...
Loves...

I love you Dad...

Today was my fathers 80th birthday. Those of us that live here in Arizona, came to celebrate it with him. Cathy, Barry and Christina were there as well as Brad, Lael and kids and Chelsee and

Ben. Mom wanted to make sure to mark the event with family, pictures and of course his favorite dessert...Cherry Cheesecake. Now that he seemed to remember! My Dad is in the final stages of Alzheimers and this disease is nothing like what they show in the movies. His words are gone except on a few rare moments when he can respond with a correct yes or no. Even then, I think we just get lucky. For me, the best moment is always when I come to visit and he looks at me and in just a few seconds begins to smile. This is always followed by a warm hug and a kiss. His brain cannot remember my name or that I am his daughter but his heart remembers...I am certain of it.

So with my blessing of memory I would like to share with you who my father was to me. He was big and strong and always carried me to my bed when I had fallen asleep in the car after we had all gone to the drive-in movies in Emmett Idaho. I was always just awake enough to be aware that he was doing this for me. It still warms my heart to think about it. He was handsome. I was always proud of the way my Dad took care of himself. He struggled to provide but never stopped trying and Mom always made it stretch enough. My mom use to say that a woman can shovel more out the back door with a spoon than a man can bring in the front door with a shovel. Mom was always careful with her spoon. My Dad loved me and I knew it. I use to think that Dad called me specifically everyday to tell me he loved me. Now I realize I probably just answered the phone a lot. But it made a difference in my self image. Fathers have no idea the influence they can have on their daughters self worth. If she feels loved and accepted by him, they will not go try to find approval in the wrong place with the wrong boy. His greatest lesson to me was love. Dad and I chose different religious paths. Regardless of that difference he never discouraged me from my activity in mine. It was not until I was in my adult years and a parent myself, that I realized what his actions meant. He loved me enough to let me choose, regardless of our difference. That took a lot of unconditional love and I will always be grateful for his example and tolerance.

So Dad, here's to you and our memories of the heart.

I love you

Christi

When life gives you berries...

This is a family vacation with the Cheneys in Cascade Idaho. We picked berries...

It has been some time since I have written. In my efforts to be productive after Annie left, I out did myself. The cobwebs and dust have been flying as I immerse myself into all kinds of memorizing. Not only am learning Spanish but am serving as an Ordinance Worker in the Mesa Temple. I'm certain that the temple will be a peaceful sanctuary again someday but for now there is so much to learn! As for my Spanish...I can ask you your name, where you live, numbers, how to ask for and tell time and all about the verb "ser". This is going to take a long time!

It feels like peace and turmoil are at odds more often lately. Current economic and personal challenges have a domino effect and it seems to be touching everyone. So everyday I remind myself that I am equal to the challenges, allowing my faith to dominate my fear and worry. This reminder is my gift to my family and to myself. Living by true principles allows me to act and not be acted upon.

We had some time with our family at the ranch for Labor Day weekend. I planted blackberries three years ago and have had almost no harvest. Much to my delight on Saturday morning my son asked me if the berries were edible... I thought "berries?" Do I have berries? Silly Brad, I plant everything knowing Cole will try to eat it! So I had great fun harvesting the ripe berries with my grandkids. Most wanted to pick them but did not want to step into the dirt and get their feet dirty...who are these kids?

My prayers to all those who struggle with what tomorrow may bring... Remind yourself of what you simply can't lose and then all the rest just doesn't matter.

I am reminded of a saying I learned from a branch member:

Caras vemos, corazones no sabamos! (We can see your face but cannot know your heart) It reminds me of the verse in a hymn - "In the quiet heart is hidden sorrows that the eye can't see". May you have strength against this day...and tomorrow too.

Mucho Amor...Christi/Mom/Grandma/Friend

"Strength against the day"

Kendra and Nathan came to visit us here in Arizona several weeks ago.   Every moment can hold a moment of inspiration if we are open to it.  Mine was one morning at breakfast.  Kendra and Nathan made breakfast because I am such a good hostess?!  We sat down and I had Nathan offer a blessing on the food.  He was doing all the work that morning apparently....I hope I did the dishes at least.  It was a just a few words buried in the prayer that caught my attention and my heart.  He asked that the food "give us strength against the day".  He didn't say "for" the day.  He said "against" the day.  That's different.  I have given this much thought since. This earthly experience was never meant to be easy...each day requires some strength to get through it.  It feels like an emotional friction.  

Where is my source of strength?  

• Loving my grandchild
  
• Laughing with my husband
• Holding my daughters hand when we are walking
  
• Going to the temple with Lael and Chelsee
• Time with God
• Music
• A clean home
• A chance to help
• Faithful observances
• Faithful friends
• Faithful family
• My sister
• Lunch with my daughters
• Convincing Wesley and Cole that Grandmas kisses are "precious" not "pooky".
• Fall in my gardens
• When my son teaches

My greatest hope is that I not rob anyone "strength against the day" with words that I may say but that they leave feeling encouraged and ready to fight the friction around them...  

Thanks Nathan for inspiring me with your prayer. 

Much love to all that reads this...

Stepping into the darkness one foot at a time...

Sometimes I think I think to much.  As I gather up the courage for this next season I rarely here from older women the struggle I seem to be going through.  My greatest fear is that I will become obsolete.  As your children become adults they begin to make decisions separate from the council of Mom and Dad.  It's is the greatest blessing of a parent to see your children independent of you and making decisions...good and bad.  It's how we learn.  So after anguishing through many trains of thought I finally realized I was simply stalling.  For all the times I have told my kids to have couarage, do the hard things, keep progressing, I was not listening to my own council.  So two days ago I called Mesa Community College.  It was just a phone call.  I was not committing to anything.  I talked to a very nice man that informed me that taking a spanish class would require that I take the Placement Test!  OK, so forget the whole thing.  I haven't taken a test in 30+ years and even then I was not very good at it.  I realize that they just want to determine what level of skill I was at in reading, english and math, I did not want to expose myself to possible humiliation.  The last test was at 5:00.  I had time to make it.  I don't know what forced got me in that car but I found myself driving to the school.  The entire time I challenged myself if this was the right thing to do.  I was struggling to find the testing center when a man came up to me and asked if I needed help.  To my surprise it was the encouraging man on the phone just several hours before.  My first tender mercy.  He calmed my fears all the way to the testing center.  I find myself in a room full of 20 year olds...again the doubts come but I was stuck in that room rather I liked it or not.  I took the test and found that my english was above average, I tested out of reading and I bombed math.  No surprises there.  OK, now I have done the hard thing, I can go home and feel good about my step into the darkness.  Not sure I want to commit to the next step of signing up for a class yet.  

The following morning Monica Reyna came to visit teach me and the message almost took my breath away..."Seek Education and Lifelong Learning".  My step of faith just received an answer!  It was a moment of tender mercy.  It was Elder Hales comment that sealed my heart to the idea of taking that spanish class.  Here is his council:

"A few of the basic attributes needed to become a lifelong learner are courage, faithful desire, humility, patience, curiosity, and a willingness to communicate and share the knowledge that we gain.  My dear sisters, don't ever sell yourself short as a woman or as a mother.  Do not let the world define, denigrate, or limit your feelings of lifelong learning and the values of motherhood in the home - both here mortally and in the eternal learning and benefits you give to your children and to your companion.  Lifelong learning is essential to the vitality of the human mind, body, and soul.  It enhances self-worth and self-actuation.  Lifelong learning is invigorating mentally and is a great defense against aging, depression, and self-doubt."

I got in my car and drove to MCC and signed up for Spanish 101, T,Th from 1-3.  

I am very nervous but it is my turn to do for myself what I have helped everyone else around me do.  I have been the wind beneath everyones wings...it is time for me to be the bird.  Wish me luck!

Give me wisdom...

It has been a while since I last wrote on this blog.  Since we have been home from China there have been a few challenges which make my heart heavy.  My husband is shouldering the world it seems as he works day and night to wrestle with the effects of the economy on our business. I struggle between two thoughts... 

1. Are we holding on to what is slippery and all that that implies about Gods will in our lives?
2. Is our steel being tested and is giving up Satan's victory?

What council do I give Bob?  I can justify both thoughts. 

Our daughter Katy has just lost her best friend, one she had hoped would be hers for for ever. How do you comfort a child's heart when it is broken like that?  The first and obvious words of council is to help her feel that she is better off, that God has a better plan for her but it is hard, in times like these, for the brain to reason with the heart.  If I have learned anything is this life, it is that the answer is rarely that obvious and is always elevated from worldly reasoning.  

One of the phrases from my current "favorite" songs says this...

"Lord grant me thy abiding love and make my turmoil cease". (Hymn "Oh May My Soul Commune with Thee)

So to Bob and Katy (and to all those who are suffering) I pray for the Lords abiding love to bring them peace and hope that their "turmoil may cease".  

 

As always...I love you

Christi and Mom

 

The Great Wall of China

Photo #1 - Yes, we cheated

Photo #2 - Yes, Dad and I thought we were in Hawaii...

Photo #3  - Yes, China needs help on their english translations for their signs...  I tried to resist adding this one but my humor won.

The Great Wall of China!  I called Katy but realized it was like 3 in the morning...sorry Katy!  Then I called Annie and talked to her!  Amazing phone service.

We were finally into some flora and fauna!  It was beautiful and slightly cooler.  Enjoy the pics.