Conference Weekend

The past three days have been totally low-key. Our lives have pretty much revolved around Jake's pain medicine schedule. Three days of leg elevation down...three more to go. I feel so bad for him...he gets so uncomfortable having to lie flat on his back. He's tried going to either side, but the cast rubs on his ankle bone. It seems like this will go on forever, but I know it won't.

Jake hates the oral pain meds. He can't stand the loopy feeling. Pssshhh...I wish he could share, I could use some loopy right now! But no, I need to stay conscious to be able to fetch our meals and such. Jake gets really anxious whenever I have to leave. Traffic can be bad and there is nothing close by, so I feel really bad when I have to leave and so I try to rush back, but it still feels like forever to him. Luckily we have a little fridge and microwave. I try to only leave once a day.

I've become addicted to OWN (The Oprah Network). What will I do when I have to return to the world of AFN channels? Oh Oprah, I will miss you. Between her programming and "The Hunger Games" series that Jenn lent to me for the trip, I've managed to stay occupied.



Lucky for us, it is Conference weekend...which really lends itself well to just laying around watching TV. On one hand, we were very lucky to be in a US time zone so that we could watch it live. If we were still in Japan, we would have to wait until next weekend to watch the rebroadcast at church, or try to stream it over our slow Internet connection on the Mac. On the other hand, since we are in the Hawaii time zone, that means we have to get up at 6 AM to watch the first session. Since I'm kind of a night owl lately, that didn't go over too well. I went in and turned on Jake's TV and told him it was on, but I'm pretty sure he slept through both morning sessions. I probably slept through half of them. But I was awake for both of the afternoon sessions and they were great.

My favorite two talks from this conference:

Richard G. Scott-He spoke on the blessings of eternal marriage and developing unity through trials. I have a love/hate relationship with this concept. On one hand, I know it is true. When I look back on the experiences Cliff and I have had in our 20 years, I know that the trials strengthen our bond. On the other hand, sheesh, sometimes I wish life could be a bed of roses. He also told the sweet story of caring for his sick child through the night, and when he died unexpectedly a few months later, how grateful he was to have the precious memory of holding and caring for his son during that night. It made me think of this whole experience with Jake (and the one we had 12 years ago). Even in all the craziness, I'm grateful to have the opportunity to care for him.

Lynn G. Robbins-He started off his talk with the famous question, "To be or not to be" and then went on to talk about "to do or to be" I loved the part where he asked, "Can a child ever be checked off as done?" Sometimes, I can't really think about this concept because it makes my throat start to close up. Parenting is never done...even when you're a great-grandparent. Someone recently told me, "You're only as happy as your least happy child." Oh, this is so true. When I start to think of what the future could potentially hold, with four children raising families of their own, I realize I will never be able to check them off as done. I just pray they make wise decisions...the most important being with whom they will raise their own families. My favorite part was his analogy of "Parenting 101" vs. "Parenting 505." When kids/teens bring challenges with their choices, it's hard not to think of those challenges as a burden. But when he asked, "With which child will your patience, long-suffering, and other Christlike virtues most likely be tested, developed, and refined? Could it be possible that you need this child as much as this child needs you?" It really made me think of things differently. Not that I'm looking to have my patience and long-suffering challenged, believe me!

I look forward to getting the Ensign so that I can read the talks I dozed through. Heaven knows, with no Oprah network, I'll have enough reading time on my hands.

2010 Conference Recap

This trip was awesome for so many reasons and we are so grateful for the opportunities it afforded us. We met and/or spent time with some amazing people...the best of which we happen to be related to! #1 on the list was definitely meeting Evey. She is just a ray of sunshine and it was hard to leave her. She's going to be a different girl next time I see her, I know. I so wish the kids could have met her, too. It just kills me they won't have the opportunity to hold her as a baby. As great as it is to have the opportunity to live in another county, it's times like these that it bites, frankly.

Even aside from that, we realized how many conference traditions we have established over the years with the kids, so we were missing them at every turn.


Like on the first day, when we drove past here. Coree's favorite place on earth.



Or on the way up to my dad's, when we drove by Jake's favorite place on earth...the Hill Aerospace Museum.

It just wasn't the same without them. I think we will try very hard to bring them next year. Some things are just worth it.

In addition to seeing awesome people and places, we got to check some culinary experiences off of our stateside list. As awesome as the dining is on Okinawa, there are some things you just can't get there.



Oh, they have Starbucks everywhere on Okinawa...but no signature, salted caramel hot cocoa. I didn't have to travel father than the hotel lobby for this baby. And the barista took so much pride in it. He brought it to me without the lid and asked me to admire it first. I think he was ultra proud when I brought out my camera to memorialize it.



In N Out. Animal-style fries. Enough said.



Chick Fil A. Polynesian sauce. With extra for dipping the waffle fries. I dream about this meal all year.

And these are just the ones I thought to photograph. I already mentioned the awesome BBQ, the Buca Di Beppo, the Cafe Rio, the Church cafeteria. There are others I'm forgetting, I know.

But I think we put enough checks in the boxes for this year, and we are ready to head home to the family, who I wouldn't trade for all the Chick Fil A nuggets on earth.

Conference Weekend 2010

Before we knew it, Saturday morning was here and it was time to join the throngs of Saints headed to the Conference Center. We stayed at the Downtown Marriott this year, so we were the closest to the Conference Center we'd ever been. Made for a nice leisurely walk, actually...


And right across the street from the Conference Center is about where the protesters start...



Sometimes, I look at these signs and think..."WHO are they preaching to, exactly? What do they THINK WE believe?!"



It is a bizarre phenomenon.



I've also made some other observations over the years:

(1) If my church was represented by preachers shouting at people and calling them fiends and serpents of the eternal pit..and telling them they were going to Hell because they have obviously pledged their soul to Satan by wearing a military uniform (yes, these are actual examples we have encountered) I would RUN...not walk, the heck out of there.

(2) If someone wants me to listen to them, they are sure as heck not going to succeed by shouting insults at me...or my husband.

(3) If this were ANY other church in America...this would be on the evening news and there would be such outrage over it. Can you imagine this happening in front of a synagogue or a cathedral in the USA? But yet it happens at every. single. conference. Every six months, they are there, exercising their right to free speech as we exercise our freedom of religion. I guess we should count our blessings it's no longer legal to kill us, at least?



Still, it was such a lovely day...and so wonderful to see so many beautiful, smiling faces...



From all around the world...



And ESPECIALLY this one. (Chika-bow-WOW!)



These pictures were taken over the course of Saturday and Sunday's sessions. Saturday night, Cliff picked up the Navy Chief of Chaplains and his aid. We they were VIP guests for this year's Chaplain Seminar. We brought them to the morning session of General Conference on Sunday.



This little platform is where many wedding pictures are taken, with the temple in the background. This family was adorable, trying to get everyone looking in the same direction for the camera. I couldn't help stealing my own shot of them.



This is the other side of the Conference Center as we are headed over to the Church Office Building for lunch on Sunday. I always wondered how they fed all of the "official" people, who are stuck in town, between sessions. Since we were escorting a VIP, and therefore honorary "official" people for the day, we got to see for ourselves. We were fed in the Church cafeteria...only instead of having tons of choices like we do on a weekday during the Chaplain Seminar, they just hand you a plate of food. It was Thanksgiving dinner*. Yum.



One last shot. This one was taken on our way back to the hotel on Sunday. Just a dude and his dog (in sunglasses) out for a typical, Sunday drive.


*Since this talk had just been delivered in the morning session, there were plenty of Jack-rabbit jokes...even from our VIPs.

Chaplain Seminar Banquet

Like I said, we get to our hotel room Thursday around dinner time. We were so exhausted, and as I mentioned in the last post, the altitude had done mean things to my feet, so I HAD to lay down. We decided we'd just nap for a couple of hours and then go to dinner. Who were we kidding? Neither of us had the strength. We found ourselves setting goals like, "We'll get up for the last half hour of dinner in the concierge lounge." That didn't happen. Then, "We'll just go down and eat in the restaurant about 8." Neither of us moved. Then, "They serve dessert in the concierge lounge until 10...we'll go up at 9:30." Nothing.

So, we slept until about 3:30...and we were both wide awake and starving. Finally, at 4:30, we got up, showered, and were waiting at the lounge when they opened for breakfast. Because of our escorting responsibilities this year (which I'll go into later) we didn't have as much free time as usual...and that's usually very little, anyway. Sine we wouldn't be able to do our usual Sunday dinner at my dad's (we wouldn't really get to spend any time with them until the following weekend) we decided to see if he and Garrie were available for lunch. Lucky for us, they were. They aligned their lunch breaks so they could both meet us at Applebee's, and we had a very nice time. It was so great to see them and laugh with them.

All too soon, we had to head back to SLC to get ready for the opening banquet of the Chaplain Seminar. Let me tell you, though...it is the most awesome night. We all gush about how it's our favorite, because we know we will be seeing so many people we love, for the only time of the year we get to be with them. My heart just skips a beat when I see lovely faces like these:


Let me tell you, these women are incredible. I love them so much.



There's never enough time to say all we want to. They always end up shooing us off the 26th floor at the end of the evening.



Some of our dearest friends. Oh how I love these people. We will be friends forever. We've been in this together from the beginning. We are raising our kids together, even though across the miles.

It was a very special reunion this night, though, because before this, we didn't know if we'd be seeing Brandon here again. He suffered a brain hemorrhage several months ago, and his chances of survival were so slim. We had braced ourselves for the reality of this, while spending many hours pleading with our Father in Heaven to spare him...trying to have the courage to accept whatever His will, but at the same pleading that it please, please, please be His will that Brandon live. (I know, that's weenie, double-talk...but there you go. A little glimpse into the depth of my faith sometimes.)

While he was in ICU, I woke up every morning and the first thing I did was check Facebook for an update (which Amy was SO wonderful to provide to us almost every day, even while she was in the throws of dealing with all of this and their five children). Some days I was jubilant and hopeful, some days I pleaded, "No! You CAN'T take him...please!" But I knew that sometimes it is His plan that people die. Even when they have a loving spouse who will be devastated, even when they have little kids who need them. I've seen it in my own family. I've given up trying to understand why...but even in my lack of understanding, I know that Heavenly Father loves every one of us and uses all circumstances for our good. Still. I just couldn't believe this was what was supposed to happen. We are so grateful that Brandon has made a miraculous recovery. Grateful beyond words.

So, I'm sure you can understand why, when I saw them, all I could do was hug them and weep. I can scarcely think of them without getting emotional. We are blessed with some fantastic friendships, that is for sure...and it is through the trials which we share...even if only from a distance...that those bonds have grown stronger.

Like I said, they had to chase us out of the banquet room...we could have gone on for hours...



Here we are, ears popping with our rapid 26 floor decent. Felila is telling us to get ready to jump at the bottom (which was a sight to see...a bunch of grownups in uniforms and dresses). I tried to take a pic, but we were just a big blur, darn it.

Tomorrow, General Conference will begin, and in a blink, four days will have passed and we'll be saying our goodbyes once again. It's so unfair. Every year I try to soak in every moment, to see if somehow I can make it last longer by being more conscious . It doesn't work, dang it!

Our Journey Begins

It's that time of year again. Time for our annual pilgrimage to Zion for LDS Chaplains' Conference in conjunction with October General Conference. But this year, for the first time in seven years, we'll be making the trip sans children. And to top that, we'll be leaving all of them on a small island in the Pacific to fend for themselves while we're gone. Having a kid who's also an adult isn't so bad after all.

I stayed up most the night before we left, packing and attempting to get quilt squares prepped for travel, to take advantage of the "down time" on the plane. Things pretty much went downhill from there. At 2 AM, it occurred to me to check the passports for the reentry stamp. It had expired yesterday, from last year's trip. (Shocker!) So, add that onto the list of things to do on our way out of town.

When we got to the IPAC, we discover we were supposed to bring a copy of Cliff's PCS orders. Since we've been here going on 2 years now, we both try to mentally inventory the places where such documents might be. We got nothin'. Then, Cliff remembered he had a copy in his office. Which was actually closer than going home (bonus). We got to drag our lovely friend, Jenn along on this adventure. I'm sure she appreciated a routine ride to the airport turning into such a debacle...but she didn't complain a bit.

This was just the beginning of our troubles. When we got to the counter (A little later than we should have. See above.) they had no reservation for Cliff. My travel (arranged through the Church) was fine. Cliff's (arranged through the broken embarrassment that is the US military travel system) was MIA. Cliff had orders. Cliff had an official itinerary. Cliff had a printed CON-FIR-MA-TION-NUM-BER for crying out loud...which you can ONLY get (shocker) when your travel is CON-FIRMED!!! Thanks to modern cellular technology, Cliff was able to get on the phone with the Sgt. at admin while I called Cliff's boss...who said he was running down to the comptroller as we spoke. The one side of Cliff's conversation I could hear did not sound promising. At all. I attempted to inquire of the desk agents (through slow, loud speech and interpretive dance) if my ticket was changeable. Turns out...no. If I didn't fly now, even if Cliff's ticket was straightened out for a later flight...I'd be out of luck. I fought back the tears like I was a nine year old, having to fly on my own to see Grandma, for crying out loud! While it was true that even the later flight off of Okinawa would make him miss the Osaka connection to SFO and he'd be arriving in SLC a full day behind me, I am a grown woman capable of international solo travel! Still, I was SO bummed out. I was looking forward to the long flight with Cliff...now, it would just be drudgery.

We kissed goodbye and I pouted all the way through security and to the gate. I stared out the window at the rain, making it harder to fight back the tears. I sat there wondering if they'd let me check into the hotel or get the rental car without his govt. charge card, and in general, just felt really sorry for myself. The plane filled and the flight attendants prepared for departure...and at the very last minute...who should run aboard, sweat pouring down his forehead, but Cliff. It turns out, the day before, someone had opened up Cliff's travel account and changed something in error, causing it to get kicked back through the approval process, canceling his reservation without his knowledge. Crazy? Yes. But, by getting a hold of the right people, they were able to rush it through the approval process and resubmit it, ALL while the desk agents waited patiently, refreshing the screen every few seconds. Cliff said the three ladies kept shaking their heads...then suddenly one brightened up, the others looked at the screen, then rushed to other screens and typed madly. They tagged his luggage, printed boarding passes and he got the running, high-heeled escort to the gate we've come to know and love.

I was SO grateful not to be making this trip on my own...and especially to be making it with my favorite person...


Even though it looked like this outside...I was all warm and toasty inside.



We had a decent sized layover in Osaka, and we were starving by the time we arrived. There were many choices, but we stuck to our favorite Japanese cuisine. You just can't go wrong with tempura, miso soup and a sushi bowl.



When we finally landed in Salt Lake City, my ankles were the size of tree trunks and I couldn't wait to find the hotel. As we were headed out to the rental car shuttle, we saw this little slice of local culture below and had to gawk a bit...families welcoming their Elders home after their missions. SO sweet. Love me a good homecoming!

We tried to stay up until bedtime, but when we got to our room, decided to take a nap for a couple of hours and then get some dinner. That never happened. We just went to bed and called it good...then woke up starving in the middle of the night, wide awake. Finally at 4:30 we just got up and got ready for the day, and were at breakfast when it opened at 6.

A great start to another wonderful conference!

"I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ....

...of Latter-Day Saints. I know who I am, I know God's plan, I'll follow Him in faith...."



I love that song...and I love this sign. I love that our Church is the same the whole world over...whether you are in Salt Lake City or Switzerland, Oklahoma or Okinawa...the hymns are the same, the lessons the same, the buildings look virtually the same, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the same. No need to "church shop" when you arrive at a new location. You let your church leaders know where you live, they let you know where and when you are assigned to meet. SO easy!

Since Cliff is a Chaplain, every October we have to {get to} attend General Conference...all sessions. It can be overwhelming...especially considering it's followed up with two more days of more spiritual feeding at Chaplains' Conference (and we leave SLC feeling like one more spiritual thought will tip the balance and we'll explode).

Anyway, I bring that up because I love it when we get seated in the section with all of people wearing headsets for translation. The reason I love it is when it's time to sing. I LOVE to hear so many different people singing the same songs in their native languages all together. It may sound like an unorganized jumble to some...but to me it's sweet harmony. It moves me to tears.

(Trivia: We share our church building with an Okinawan ward {rather, they share it with us}. On Sundays, we meet at nine and they meet at one. We also share use of the building during the week for other activities. Because of this, we sometimes get the opportunity to eavesdrop a little. {I wonder if they find us as fascinating as I find them?} There are also Karate lessons taught on Tuesday nights for free {by their Bishop...Mr. Miyagi, no less} and Japanese language lessons on Thursday nights, also free.)

I'm not quite sure why hearing/seeing the Gospel in other languages is so emotional for me. (And don't get me started about people sharing their conversion stories in broken English...that gets me really blubbering!) I guess it's because the Spirit knows no language barriers...and when we are coming together to share with one another the MOST important thing...all the other things which make us different...either don't matter, or we embrace them and appreciate them in each other.

Yeah, maybe that's it! Anyone else have any ideas?

Conference 09...Day Four...Rain, Cousins and Puppies

We woke up to pouring rain on Sunday morning. The skies looked pretty dreadful. Just the same, we pressed forward.

Stalwarts, braving the elements for their faith!

The session was fabulous! What a treat. Can't wait to read some of those messages again in the Ensign. Another General Conference came and went too quickly. What a blessing it is to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the wonderful leaders of His Church.


The rain had let up a bit as we walked back to the hotel...which brought out these troublemakers. I tell ya...those protesters get worse every year. Anyway, we rushed so that we could get up to Grandpa's house and Sunday dinner...and the most important attraction...



Baylee!

(We sent her this Super Girl scarf while she was undergoing her chemo.)

We were so excited that Jimmy and Shellie and family could join us at Grandpa's. Last year at this time, Baylee had just started aggressive, daily chemo and radiation for brain cancer. By Christmas time, we nearly lost her. But Baylee is a fighter, albeit a kind, happy, sweetheart of a fighter! It was SO good to see her like this. Her hair is growing back, her scans are stable...and the family is headed to Disney World courtesy of Make A Wish! The best part about that is...it means she's healthy enough to make the trip...they had to get the Dr's permission for her to travel. She is still having problems with nerve damage, so she's either in her wheel chair or crawling, but she is making more progress all the time.


The second best thing about Grandpa's house? PUPPIES!!


Cassidy, Grandpa's soft-coated wheaten terrier, had SIX beautiful puppies just 3 weeks before our arrival. Five boys and one girl. Goatee (pictured with Coree above) is Coree's favorite. She was in dog heaven!



Is there anything cuter than puppy dreams? I didn't think so.



We brought lots of Japanese presents for everyone, including these super hero masks. The character names are priceless. I believe Baylee is being Glamorous Pink and Alden is Gentle Green. Our kids always argue over who gets to be Narcissistic Blue.


LOVE my brother Jimmy and his family.


Cassidy just checkin' on her pups. She's such a good mommy.


Is there anything more serene in the world than a pile of sleeping puppies? Cliff doesn't think so.



Grandma Garrie and Aunt Erin cheesin' for the camera


Jake and Alden had a great time with Jake's new RC vehicle


"Hop in...where are you headed, Sumo buddy?"



Coree (the dog whisperer) with her favorite Goatee


Beautiful cousins!

We had a lovely visit and the time went too quickly. Cliff and I had to leave at a reasonable hour so that we could get up for Chaplains' Conference in the morning. Unfortunately, our Church doesn't believe in "Boondoggles" so things were kicking off bright and early. The kids were excited to be staying, though. Grandparents, cousins and puppies...who needs parents?!

Conference 09...Day Three...Saturday Sessions

I didn't realize how much I missed the USA until we were back. It is just so beautiful. Especially Utah...it's a pretty gorgeous state, I must say. What I found most striking were the buildings. We have lots of pretty greenery on Okinawa...and lovely hills and beaches...but for the most part the buildings are completely uninteresting. They are built to resist typhoons, not to win any aesthetic contests. I didn't realize how their drabness was such a stark contrast to most buildings in the US.

Anyway, it felt great to be here. It was WAY colder than we were used to...Utah fall is generally more mild in October...but we had only a short walk from our hotel to the Conference Center, so it wasn't bad.

Cliff took Jacob to the Saturday morning session while Coree and I watched on TV...then we went down to the hotel deli, bought lunch and walked to the Conference Center to meet them when the session ended. The choir was singing the closing hymn when we got there (Come, Come Ye Saints) and this is what we saw:


They were filming the little stream for one of the shots while the choir was singing.



Then I had to snap this shot of the temple across the street.



This was just after the closing prayer...just a few people milling about. We knew we'd be waiting awhile for the boys since they'd be sitting down front, and it takes some time to empty a venue of 22,000.



Getting thicker...



They should be here any minute now.



We were enjoying our turkey sandwiches when I spotted these beautiful sisters from Africa and had to ask them for a photo.



Seeing this pic makes me miss Troy and Patrick...it just wasn't the same without them.



Jake and I said goodbye to Dad and Coree and made our way back to the hotel to watch the afternoon session on TV. These Segways were something new this year. Wondering what advantage they give?



As wonderful as it is to be in that Conference Center, there is something to be said for having a front row seat AND a comfy place to rest.




Especially after lunch.

That evening Cliff went to the Priesthood session while Coree, Jake and I headed back to the Gateway mall to meet up with some other Chaplain wives. I turned the kids loose with some money and the ladies sat down to enjoy some Thai food. And for a special treat...when we were done, Grandma Garrie met us back at the hotel to take the kiddos back to her place. Anything we had to offer couldn't possibly compare to Grandpa's house!

Conference 09...Day Two...Sleeping, Shopping, and Eating

We got out of bed around noon on Friday. That time zone difference is a killer! First on our "to do" list (just like last year, oddly enough) was to go buy shoes for kids. And go to Build A Bear (where I bought a Turkey I named Stuffing, over whom I am giddy). And just wandered around worshiping at the alter of consumerism in general. It was pretty sweet.




Then that night, we attended the opening banquet of Chaplains' Conference on the 26th floor of the Church office building. It's always SO much fun, and this year was no different. This is where we get to reconnect and count who is here this year. I forgot to take pics at the banquet...but I did remember to snap this one of this most handsome (Lt.)Commander of my Heart as we were waiting for the hotel elevator.