Eve'n'Steven

Trekking

2010-07-13T17:12:00.000-07:00

In June, Eve and I had the opportunity to accompany the youth as adult support for their Pioneer Trek. There were over 200 trekers. Eve served as the nurse, attending to sprains, broken toe, burns, belly aches, heat exhaustion, dehydration and multiple other ailments. Steve had the opportunity to portray our ancestor, Luke S. Johnson, all during the event.

Why did we go?

To gain a little bit of insight and appreciation for what the pioneers went through as they migrated to the west, seeking freedom from persecution.

What did we learn?

Walking in the sun for 3 days, in 95+ weather, with no shade, is more difficult than we ever imagined.
We can't do it alone. We came to rely and count on all the members of our company.
We are not alone. The blessings of our Heavenly Father were evident as we struggled along the trail.
We are eternally grateful for the sacrifices of those that went before. They had to have been a rugged, dedicated and determined people to endure, persevere and press forward.

Was it fun?

There was fun to be had. But, the trek was a lot of work, hard work. We were all exhausted at the end.

Was it worth it?

OH, YES!

Valentines Weekend

2010-02-21T16:01:00.000-08:00

I was going to write a long story about the February Camping Trip.

But Kristen did such a great job, I will refer you there.

http://jkmoss3.blogspot.com/

2010-02-07T20:00:00.000-08:00

I have a witty saying on my blog.

I liked this one.

People come up to me worried.....

That I might reproduce.

Emo Phillips

Too late.

Multiplication

2010-01-01T20:14:00.000-08:00

We received word in December of two new grandbabies due in 2010. And so our family grows.

We worry for them, but then suppose that our parents worried for us. We haven't done so bad.

Looking forward to getting to know and enjoy these new members of the clan.

Celebrating 33 Years of Wedded Bliss!

2009-11-16T19:48:00.000-08:00

Eve and Steve decided to spend the anniversary on the coast (again). This time was a bit different flavor as Gladys Knight was performing at Spirit Mountain. Eve went for a massage while Steve worked on his GPS and was lazy. That evening we ate a rushed snack at the Casino Deli. Then took in the show and had a great time. Stayed at Salishan Resort with the coupon prize from Steve's work's United Way Raffle.

On Saturday, we found a sign for Drift Creek Falls, so we followed it. Who would have thought there was such a place as this. From the trailhead it is a nice 1.25 mile hike downhill to a suspension bridge that overlooked this spectacular waterfall. We ate a nice picnic lunch while we admired the engineering of the bridge and even more spectacular was the engineering of the falls. Then it was a climb back out to the car. Nice couple of hours spent in the spectacular old growth forest.

Halloweening on the Bay (except the bridge was closed)

2009-11-16T19:20:00.000-08:00

Karly, Kristen, Jared, Kroten, Eve and Steve all hopped in our friends Suburban and trotted off to the Bay Area for a Halloween weekend adventure. Tammy and Jeff were blessing the baby so we used it as an excuse to party. (Not that we didn't want to share this special occasion with them anyway.)

We arrived in San Francisco on Friday, after enjoying In 'N Out in Fairfield. Spent the afternoon on a treck across the Golden Gate Bridge and stuck in traffic create by the broken Bay Bridge. We ate on Fisherman's Wharf, lot's of seafood and yummy sourdough bread. Went to Coit Tower after dark but couldn't see much because the shrubs have all grown. Went down Lombard Street in the Big SUV. Then ventured up North to get back over to the East Bay and our Hotel.

Saturday we ventured on BART to see Union Square, great Sourdough Pizza at Blondies, and shopped at the Four Story Old Navy.

Then it was time to get back across the Bay and get ready for the Halloween Bash at Tammy and Jeff's. It was great to see a good number of family and be able to enjoy pizza, Dim Sum, and Gae Mae Bao! We had a great time and appreciate Tammy and Jeff opening their home to us all.

California Vacation

2009-07-17T18:56:00.000-07:00

We spent a week in California visiting with Mom, The Barros Family, The Mike Phillips Family, Jean and Ron, and Sara! We saw Tammy and Jeff for a little while as they let us crash in their new digs. Thank you!

We had a lot of fun at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, San Francisco, San Simeon and Cayucos State Parks, and ate In n Out!

Karly celebrated her 15th birthday with Grandma, Aunts, Uncles and cousins.

What a fun time!

Back Home

2008-11-16T18:59:00.000-08:00

We are safe back home after a week of cruising. We had a good time.
Everyone wants to see pictures so here are a few.

Hurricane Cowers at Our Approach

2008-11-09T08:03:00.000-08:00

When Paloma hit the Cuban Coast, it quickly dissipated into a Tropical Storm. Projected to be a Tropical Depression, many miles from Nassau when we are there on Tuesday. We are excited.

Temperatures in the Bahamas for Tuesday and Wednesday forecast for upper 80s, with real feel in the 100s. It will be a hot one. Snorkeling should be great, if there aren't too many waves from the leftovers of the storm.

Sailing Into A Hurricane

2008-11-07T07:08:00.000-08:00

So, I have never been in a Hurricane. Paloma is now an official Hurricane and is forecast to be over the Bahamas on Monday - Wednesday.

We depart Miami on Monday, scheduled for Nassau Tuesday, and Cococay Wednesday.

Life seems to be like this for us these days, bouncing from storm to storm.

We have our scopalamine patches and are charging forward. What else is there to do?

It will be an adventure at any rate! BON VOYAGE!

Hey Mon! We be goin' cruisin'!

2008-10-18T17:21:00.000-07:00

Eve and Steve are going to the Carribean!

We got a deal so decided to spend our 32nd anniversary aboard the Majesty of the Seas touring the Western Carribean. Having never cruised before, we are excited to try out this new experience. We leave on November 10 from the Miami Sea Port.

Our itinerary includes Nassau, Cococay, and Key Largo. So, the snorkel, mask and flippers are packed, and we are anxiously waiting for the time to pass.

We have met with health challenges with extended family members of late. It has been stressful but very enlightening and humbling to know we are powerless, except to lend support where we can, and to trust in a Heavenly Father and our Savior. Our thoughts and prayers are with these loved ones in their struggles and want them all to know how much we care and love them.

Closing of a Chapter

2008-07-27T11:00:00.000-07:00

This week the Stake Presidency extended a release to our Bishopric.

For five years I have sat at the right hand of a faithful Bishop, attempting to be of assistance to the man with the awesome mantle. I count it a privelege to have served with Bishop Glazier and to have rubbed shoulders with some great men as we served. I marveled at Bishop's dedication, his perseverance, and willingness to sacrifice his time and talents.

Although there is a sense of relief that comes with the release, there are also many mixed emotions that accompany this change. I will miss the constant spiritual nourishment and bouying of my spirit that comes with service at that level. I will miss the interactions with the membership in that capacity. I am sure that there are other voids that come with this change that may not be immediately apparent as well. I look forward to sitting in church with my family once again. It seems like a long time since we have been able to do so.

My regards and best wishes go out to our new Bishopric. I sustain and support them in their new callings. I appreciate the daunting task that lay ahead for them. These are great men.

As with all seasons of our life, as one ends, another begins. I am anxious about how this one will play out. Whatever is in store, I hope it will be as fulfilling as the last.

Daughters

2008-07-21T19:08:00.000-07:00

I wax nostalgic.

With every child born, there comes into my life a wonder, a love, a joy that knows no bounds. Sons, daughters, grandchildren, all bringing more into a heart that seemed full already.

With apologies to Darris, Doug, and now Ben, Xander and Kroten, I must share tender feelings for the special place in a father's heart for daughters. Not that I love you less, just different.

Last night I went to a Celebration of Life for a man, Daniel, who's untimely passing leaves two beautiful young women, his daughters Courtney and Lisa. As I watched them, I could not hold back thoughts of the three sweet spirits who have graced our home over the past many years, which seem like so few. I think of --

Little fingers wrapped around mine,

Soft, pink dresses,

Giggles, sometimes incessant,

Sleep-overs,

Slips and Falls,

Wearing Daddies Shoes,

Excruciating trips to ERs,

(girls shouldn't be allowed to get hurt)

Braces,

Whispers about boys,

Embarassed pride of approaching womanhood,

Camp (tents and tarps)

Dances,

Dates,

Proms,

Hopes,

Dreams,

Beaming faces,

Tears,

Drama,

More Tears,

Tender questions,

Testimony,

Blessings,

Aches over lost friends,
(Daddy can't stop the hurt,

he would, if he could)

Daddies Tears,

Choices,

Growth,

A butterfly emerging,

And then, in an instant, a young man comes into their life, and Daddy's little girl belongs to another. He says he loves her. He says he wants to be with her forever. "No! Go Away!" But instead, "Please take care of her. Please be there for her. Please accept her as she is."

I endure, praying that this young man is one of integrity, one of character, one who will hold this precious spirit in the highest regard. Hopes that this young man will cherish her, worship her, and honor her as one who carries a spark of divinity and special partnership with her Father in Heaven. I cannot choose for her. I can only hope, and continue to pray for her.

And then she is gone. Close as a phone call, or a too short visit. I long for the little finger wrapped around mine, a whispered secret, a shared moment of discovery, a tender hug and caress. You will always be my little girl. I love you!

July

2008-07-12T13:15:00.001-07:00

I am told that I need to add posts to the blog in order to make this place interesting to others. So here is my first post.

As I reflect on my life, July stands as a prominent month, with many fond and tender memories from childhood and beyond.

reunions,

vacations,

floating the river,

nectarines warmed and sweetened by the sun,

fried chicken,

shrimp salad,

bare feet,

grass,

rhubarb,

gooseberries,

fireworks,

parades

(holding back tears as

the color guard passes by),

popsicles,

Orange Crush and Grape Nehi,

celebration,

swimming,

waterslides,

water fights,

Kingsburg band concerts

(playing percussion without any beat),

cherries,

lemonade,

green apples,

hot asphalt,

fishing,

hiking,

dew on the tent,

rafting,

whitewater,

friends,

family

Then there is the reminder of heritage and patriotism that floods in July. Gratitude for those who gave so much to gain and preserve my freedoms and my faith; patriots, soldiers, statesmen, pioneers.

I hope that I have not kept this all to myself, but that I have passed on the heritage to others. That they too can appreciate the simple, yet so precious joys of this life. What a shame if my children and grandchildren cannot relish in these things.

They Walked And Walked To Zion
Robert D. Talbot © 01/12/04

Persecutions for their belief finally drove them away,
left Nauvoo behind, walked to Zion, they could not stay.
Shared together tears of joy and shed tears of pain,
with great focus press forward, through driving rain.
Wheels of their wagons would stick in heavy mud,
each must part with belongings they cherished and loved.
Oh what faith the Saints had on the trail in those days,
they walked and walked to Zion Singing songs of praise.

Leaving family and loved ones, Winter Quarters behind,
moving forward on the trail, promised land eager to find.
Tucking children in, one would lay down for the night,
often awaken to a loved one who’s spirit, had given flight.
Broken hearts they all suffer, cannot break their strong will,
leaving loved ones alongside the trail, underneath a small hill.
Oh what faith the Saints had on the trail in those days,
they walked and walked to Zion Singing songs of praise.

Soles worn from their shoes exposing cold frozen feet,
trudging through the deep snow no ready source for heat.
Blizzards blow frozen wind, frost bitten feet in the snow,
saints of all ages share tears of joy and pain as they go.
No food for them to consume, no provisions to share,
each starving, life on the line, not a grain to declare.
Oh what faith the Saints had on the trail in those days,
they walked and walked to Zion Singing songs of praise.

Leather from their shoes tongue, a broth boiled to drink,
this saved them on the trail from deaths impending brink.
Over majestic mountains high, and through valleys low,
The Lord’s faithful saints had, but one place to go.
Though less in number triumphantly they had arrived,
the promised land of the Lord, grateful joy felt inside.
Oh what faith the Saints had on the trail in those days,
they walked and walked to Zion Singing songs of praise.

(To Bro. Talbot, your poetry moved me and I wished to share.
If I have violated your literary property, my apologies, and I will make amends if you will let me know.)

Well here we are

2008-07-05T21:14:00.000-07:00

New to this blog business, but have to try to keep up with the kids.
We will see how this goes and how long we can keep up with it.
Terrible picture of us and our Christmas tree, but it will have to do for now.