Freedom

So, even though we felt we couldn't afford it, we went and bought a second car. With Bill's work picking up, and mine staying at one or two days a week, we needed something. We bought a '93 Pathfinder. It runs well,and is in very good shape. It has it's character points: the hatch doesn't stay latched...but it has a gate over the hatch that does latch, if you have the physical strength to lift the gate, and slam it. Not me. LOL. THe stereo is a lot of work to get going, and keep going. THen when you shut off the car, it goes back to an invalid station. Reminds me of when we had to take the posts off the battery each time we shut off the car, and then reset the radio every time. It is a royal pain. Bill has taken to just hooking up his zune and bypassing the stereo altogether.

I get to keep the Ford. Whoopee. Every trip I take is weighed out before I leave. Is it REALLY worth it to climb over the center console to get out?? Now, if I take a kid, then I am fine. They don't mind coming around and letting me out. I tried a shortcut to church and now I have a slow leak in my front tire. The Terra Cotta dirt road to Nichols is just not worth it. Other than that the Ford is great....as long as there are no hills on the way. The transmission is still garbage. If the tach doesn't spin on take off, then it can't hold it's speed on long hills. You will find me in the far right lane, holding up the big rigs. Two more years of payments and this treasure is ours!!

The goal at this point, if work holds steady, is to pay the car off in the next six months, and buy a work truck. A big Chevy( never EVER a Ford again!!) dually with tool boxes and a sweet ladder rack. THEN we will go get a skin and advertise Bill's company. LOL.

I went to the cemetary today and had a nice visit with my brother. His headstone is lovely. I felt much better afterward, and the guilts are not as bad. The comfort and peace I felt as I sat there, enjoying the sunshine and pouring my heart out to him was just beautiful. I left with a smile.

So, last week, was Menifee Stake's Day in Heaven. The goal was for every family to do the work for one name. We had a few struggles along the way, but I think that is the adversary, putting up roadblocks to see that we truly want these ordinances done. My mom has worked tirelessly to get the work ready for Bill's mom and dad. We then went to the San Diego temple to complete the work.j

Thursday night, Bill and I and the two boys, Hunter and Chandler went down to the temple to do the baptisms. Hunter was going to be dunked for Bill's dad, and me for his mom. Grandma and Mom rounded out our group. There was a family ahead of us, and while we waited, a bunch of kids started filing in. How pleasantly surprised were we when we realized it was the youth from my mom's ward. I am sure it must have been hard for her to see them there, knowing Arik should have been with them. Her bishop, Bishop Elkins, lets no moss grow under his feet, and within minutes I had ten more names to do and Bill and Chandler were changing into their whites so they could participate too. It was beautiful. They had Bill help with the confirmations, and witness the baptisms. They rushed him back and forth so he was there during his own parents turns.

Bill confirmed his mother, with me as proxy. He choked up, and had a hard time talking. Bishop Elkins was there with him, and told him to take his time, there was no hurry at all. LOL. Only 20 youth waiting thier turns to do their ten names each, and still get home in time for early morning seminary the next day. But Bill finally was able to do it, and what a touching scene.

Hunter was baptized for his Grandpa, and he wondered if Grandpa remembered him. It was a valid question, as Grandpa died five years ago, and had Alzheimer's for many years before that. While he was being confirmed, he heard a small voice say "I remember you". How touching it was to see his face, and the tears in his eyes, as he told us of his experience.

We got home late, and fell into bed. Mom and Grandma were smart, and rented a hotel room outside San Diego. Bill and I wanted to, but it was a school night, and what would we do with the kids?? So, we got them off to school Friday morning, and hopped on the freeway to meet Mom and Grandma by just before ten. We started with initiatories, and how fun it was to run into my new RS president. She was in my group, so we waved when we could. I had extra names again, which is good. I have only done it once before, when I took out my own endowments, 13 years ago. I didn't remember anything about it, so doing it for 8 people helped me out. THese ladies doing the ordinances are so sweet and so helpful to the dummies who come in, namely me. You know they have this down, and have seen much, and not much surprises them anymore. Anyway, one of these sweet ladies broke down crying at the spirit in the room as I did my MIL. I had felt it and feel like my efforts were welcome, and well received by my MIL. But to have this wonderful lady feel it so strong that she had to stop and compose herself, and then give me a big hug was really neat.

The sealing was really neat too. My Oma has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and it explains a lot of her recent behavior. She has really degenerated in the three years (today) since Opa passed. Her getting confused, and frustrated is now a part of life for us, and we do everything we can to make her happy, and content. So, the sealer had Bill and I do his parents. Bill has just been over the moon about all of this. The sealer had a few more names to do and asked if I minded if other ladies in the room could proxy with Bill to do them. The only other ladies were Mom and Oma, and I laughed and said it was my mom. He then promised Bill he would not seal him to my mother. LOL. It was neat to be a part of all this. Later, Oma mentioned how priviledged she felt to be able to seal Mary. My mom gently reminded her that I had done Mary, and she actually did strangers. Oh. Later still she said it again. By the third time, we just let it go and let her think what she wanted. Why worry about it??

I am looking forward to going back and doing other names my mom may find. We are planning a trip in January to do Arik's work and to seal him to my parents. I can't wait for that.