Father's Day Celebrations!

Saturday June 16, 2012

Today was a very busy day getting wedding things taken care of and then we got a call around 11:30am from a neighbor who had borrowed our Suburban to take some of the ward's young men on their High Adventure Camp to Moab in southern Utah this week. They  were on their way home and the Suburban died on the freeway about 3 hours south of our home. Linc spent an hour or so on the phone trying to find someone who had a truck with a big enough engine that could be used to tow the Suburban home. Unfortunately anyone who a big enough truck was up at our Stake Property getting things set up for Stake Girl’s Camp which begins on Monday.  Lincoln was finally able to someone home who was generous enough to let Lincoln use his truck. He got ready to head down to Green River, UT. Linc rented a long flatbed trailer to put the Suburban on for the tow home. Tyler was at work, Ashley was gone and Linc was concerned that I would be more of a liability than an asset with the hot sun and strenuous work of loading the suburban on the trailer. lol So, he took Lexy to help. Lexy was willing so off they went! I told Lexy that Dad was a little stressed about the situation and to not get her  feelings hurt if he might be a little impatient with her.  She said she’d try!

Around 6:30pm, Linc emailed me a photo of the Suburban up on the trailer, ready to be towed home. It was entitled “Funnest Father’s Day Ever!” I’m so grateful that it all worked out! They arrived home about 9:30pm. 

Lincoln's Father's Day Adventure!

Our wounded Suburban, making it's way back to Lindon.

Tyler & Andrea were here. Ashley and I made his favorite dinner and had it hot & ready when he got home. Since tomorrow we will be at church and then drive up to Bountiful to celebrate Father’s day with his dad and family, we decided to give him his gifts tonight. He got a yummy basket from the local bakery, fill-in-the-blank form letters from the kids that made him laugh and . . . the biggie . . . we bought a really nice trophy case and put his autographed BYU National Championship Rugby Ball in it! He was so excited! He couldn’t stop smiling about it! That made the rest of us happy too!

The last request from Linc was to watch a movie together as family. We made it a BYOP Party. Everyone brought their own pillow and we gathered in our master bedroom to lie on the floor, curl up on our bed and watch a cute movie called, “We Bought a Zoo.” It was a crazy wonderful day and most important our Dad knows that we love him very much!

Lincoln with his autographed 

BYU 2012 National Championship Rugby Ball & Case

We love you, Lincoln!

Covenants Bring Peace

Friday June 15, 2012

This morning I had the opportunity to attend the temple with two of my dear friends. It was such a beautiful, peaceful experience. There was a young man who was going through for the first time as he prepares to serve an LDS mission soon. There was also a young woman who was going through for the first time as she prepares to be sealed to her sweetheart for time and all eternity. My heart smiled as I thought about one week from today when Andrea will go through the temple for the first time as she prepares to be sealed to Tyler the following day.

How grateful I am for temple covenants that bring us promise and hope in the eternities as we remain faithful and true to our Heavenly Father. I walked in to the Celestial Room and the sun was streaming through the cut glass windows flooding the room with a soft, warm light. I felt my Heavenly Father’s love wash over me and I was overwhelmed by His goodness and the blessings in my life. I know that I am a daughter of God and that he loves me and he is aware of my circumstance. I feel his love in my life and I know that I can hold my head up high with a smile and do hard things with his help. My testimony of my Heavenly Father and of his son Jesus Christ are the foundation of all that I hold dear. I am grateful for my life, for my testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and for the gift of family.

Mount Timpanogos Temple 

Bunco Time

Thursday June 14, 2012

Today was another fantastic productive day. Every day my ‘to list’ is being accomplished as we get ready for the wedding on June 23^rd. This morning was making phone calls, typing lists, emailing, and coordinating with people on the wedding. This afternoon I forced myself to lay down and take a good 2 hour nap.

This evening I felt well enough to go next door to have Bunco Night with eleven of my good friends. We get together once a month to have dinner and play a silly dice game. I love the chance it gives me to see my friends and hear about what’s going on in their lives. I have been playing Bunco with my neighbors for more than 15 years! By 9:45pm, I was tired and ready to go home and go to sleep, but it felt so good to see my friends and to rub shoulders with them. They are amazing ladies doing so much good in the world. A number of them asked how they can help with the wedding and volunteered to help with the wedding dinner and reception. I feel loved!

Serving & Being Served

Tuesday June 12, 2012 

This morning was a beautiful summer day! I had plans to get a lot of things done in preparation for the wedding. The first few steps out of bed let me know that my feet did not agree with my plans! Today was a bad day for my feet. The neuropathy was quite intense and I felt the pain with every step I took. Wearing thick socks & slippers in the house and taking Tylenol helped a little. Among other things, I was really looking forward to planting the gorgeous annuals that I purchase several weeks ago to brighten my backyard. Ashley saw me walking gingerly around the house and sent me straight to my room to lay down and rest. Then she & Lexy went to work potting the 6 large pots I have in the backyard. The pots turned out gorgeous! I can look out my bedroom window and see their colors from my room. I am so grateful for my girls and for the help they offer around the house. It means the world to me.

Later this afternoon, we did go to the store to pick up a few items to help a neighbor who was in need. As we took the dinner over to their home and offered a hug of support and love, it felt so good to be on the OTHER side of service! The neighbor expressed her appreciation for being in this ward and for the support of her family at this time. I'm grateful for a Heavenly Father who has blessed me with the opportunity to serve in some small way and pay it back for all the good that others have done for me. It just feels good to do something for someone else! J

'My lovely daughters, Lexy & Ashley'

PLUS 'Beautiful flowers'

EQUALS 'One happy Momma!'

Uncle Bob & Aunt Jane

Monday June 11, 2012

Early this morning, my Uncle Bob Kimmell and Aunt Jane stopped by on their way from Napa, California headed to Montana to meet my other Uncle Pat Dougherty & Aunt Lynne. Uncle Bob is my dad's only brother. It was so much seeing him. He reminds me so much of my dad that it felt a little like my dad was here. Bob & Jane brought two of my grandfather’s captains chairs for Tyler & Andrea as a wedding gift. I haven’t seen my aunt & uncle in many, many years. It was wonderful to visit with them for a short time. 

As Lincoln was visiting with Uncle Bob, I had a chance to chat with my Aunt Jane. She was concerned about my diagnosis and how I'm doing with everything. I reassured her that I feel a great peace that all will be well and that I truly believe the Lord has a lot more in store for me to do here upon the earth before my time is through. 

At the end, my Uncle Bob said, “Now Lisa, you are my genealogy connection. I recently found out about a cousin that I never knew I had and she is very into family history. She has s website with a huge amount of information regarding your grandmother Geraldine Mills Kimmell side of the family. It is the Selover Family. I’d love to give you a dvd and show you the website with all that information, if you are interested?” 

I was thrilled to find out about it. He said this website has names, dates and lots of photos of the people from my grandmother’s maiden side of the family. How exciting is that! I have a lot of work to do when I get through this chemo and get well again.

See, I do believe that the Lord has a lot more for me to accomplish before my journey here on earth is over. Today was another ‘confirmation’ that this is truly the case. I’m so excited to get to work on it.

Aunt Jane, Uncle Bob & Me

Lovely Sundays

Sunday June 10, 2012

Today is Day 10 and the last day that I have to be SUPER careful about being around large crowds and germs. Well, I always have to be aware and cautious around germs, but it's not as intense as during days 7-10. I felt really good. I slipped into church just before it started and left during the closing song so I wouldn’t be around too many people. Sacrament Meeting was terrific because I was able to listen to Elder Radmall give his mission report. It was wonderful to feel the spirit as he talked about his experiences sharing the gospel in Paraguay. Another young man, Elder Williams, gave his mission farewell. He will be serving in Ohio. What a great ward!

I spent time this afternoon typing up wedding dinner details. Andrea & Tyler received their bridal/groomal photos and were busy choosing which pictures we will blow up for the wedding reception. They look gorgeous! I’m excited. A terrific couple in our neighborhood stopped by on a walk to talk about the photos. They have offered to do the enlarging of the photos as the wedding gift to Tyler & Andrea. We are so grateful for their goodness and generosity.

Later, my friend Karen came by on a walk and gave us a wedding gift for happy couple and brought me a vase of roses. It was fun visiting and catching up on what’s happening in her life.

Another family stopped by a little later and brought us some dinner and homemade rolls. They are so kind to our family!

Then Ashley, Lexy, Lincoln and I curled up on our bed and watched a fun movie together. I love spending time with my family. They are the best!I love Sundays!

We are not alone

Tuesday June 5, 2012

“Our Heavenly Father is a powerful, moving, directing being. While we may, at times, bear burdens of sorrow; pain and grief; while we may struggle to understand trials of faith we are called to pass through; while life may seem dark and dreary – through faith, we have absolute confidence that a loving Heavenly Father is at our side.” Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, Nov. 2002.

I know that we are not alone. I know that He is with me.