Happy Birthday to our path blazing firstborn - Aaron Michael - born on a Sunday morning 45 years ago. He is unconditionally devoted to the family he was born into and the family that is his, the protector of each and all, and an example of one who loves his Father in Heaven and his neighbor as himself. He has been ministering all his life.
(Sharing a bonding moment with his namesake, Craig and Krishelle's baby, Ehrin Michelle.)
From Nevada - our much loved Aunt Claudia's annual Easter egg hunt.
We got in right at the end of the Sante Fe College Art Festival - it was a rainy afternoon, which in Florida means within an hour it can drizzle, pour, mist and the sun will shine. They tell us that Floridians really don't bother with umbrellas because they know the weather will change soon. However, most stores have racks as you walk in the door that have plastic umbrella bags so they aren't draining all over the floor.
This is held downtown where Gainesville began and the homes are old and southern. They have individual zip tents for those who are selling food or have art or merchandise to sell.
They always have a lot of vendors with jewelry, but also this time there were quite a few artists. Most pretty good, but these by Gerard Erley have a reverent feel. This first one looks like someone trudging faithfully through life, following the path that leads to the light. We were tempted until we saw the price tag. He was kind enough to let us take pictures.
This is all done in embroidery from another vendor. It was so delicate and beautiful. She said she used silk thread and then even split it in half. We do love our beautiful world with all the variety and color and everything else that makes it "please the eye and gladden the heart." I had a roommate once who said she knew our Father loved us because he didn't make the world black and white.
Spring is coming to Florida - and with the climate thee plants grow fast. We don't know what it is but it is fun to watch the growth and the change.
This is a loquat - guess you can eat them but we waited too long and the low ones are all gone.
One of our YSA is planning on being a veterinarian. UF has a prestigious program. So, we went to the open house for both the large and small animal hospitals. We didn't realize we were a week early nor that we were late, but when we came in they good care of us and quickly got us with a tour group, the last one for the day apparently. It was a few minutes in that we realized that the real open house with all the demonstrations and events is next week. This was the general tour for community leaders, etc. and we just got the tail end. We were dressed up with missionary tags. Guess they thought we belonged.
But the interesting fact gleaned from all this - they actually have donor cats that live at the small animal hospital for 2-3 years and give blood every two or three weeks for cat blood transfusions. After those two years, someone adopts them. Their animal hospitals are equipped just like a people hospital, surgery rooms, everything. A huge tortoise had a tree fall on it during one of the storms and break its shell. They brought it in - did an MRI on this huge machine to make sure there were no more injuries and then fine-wired the shell back together.
Sometimes we have those "homesick for family" pangs, but we know we are where we need to be and are so grateful to be here together, so we tuck those feelings back and move ahead. We're eternally grateful we have a family that we love and can miss. Some don't have that. We have met some of those wonderful people our Father has all over the world. Our love for our Savior, for this amazing gospel, for each other and for our family has grown in this Florida climate.
"Shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage and on, on to the victory. Let your hears rejoice and be exceedingly glad." D&C 128:32
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