The SWARM

Day 73 of Our Adventure.
Can you believe it has been over 9 weeks since it all began?
I was thinking about that a lot this morning. Some of it still seems very surreal. The rest of it is a reminder that it is VERY real. It's all good, in the big picture of life.
Both Kirk and Bryn have been sick this week and they were kind enough to share their good fortune with me:( They both missed several days of life/work and both seem on the mend. Being an overachiever, I intend to make short work of the gift and be 100% tomorrow...wish me luck.
Kirk was invited to a SWARM on Saturday and, wanting to spend some more time with him, I invited myself to go too. I had to ask him what a SWARM was, I am pretty sure you might be wondering too. A SWARM is kind of like a remote control mini-convention for those who fly RC Planes. They all stand on the pre-determined "flight line" and release their planes at the same time. It sounds like a swarm of bees and is actually pretty darn cool to see. Here is the video footage I took of it:

One of my favorite parts of the SWARM were the two little commentators on the lawn in front of me. I have no idea who they are but, dang it was fun listening to their views on the event.
A couple of The Brethren, current and retired, were there making planes, flying them and having all manner of fun as they attempted to take the planes with the streamers out of the air.

















A big shout out to Ralph Derico, Jake Ervin and Dan Holdaway. It is always great to see you boys. I did ask Kirk why Cheryl and Kim weren't there and he said, "This is kind of a guy thing." Whoops;) Maybe next time.
Over the last few weeks, almost everywhere we go, someone we run into mentions the blog, that they read it, enjoy it and share it. How beautiful is that!? Thank you. We are humbled and inspired and hope that you find something of value in Our Adventure that can help make your life better.
I love this picture of Kirk at the SWARM. Yes, he does have his brace on under the sweatshirt.....otherwise he would look even skinnier! I keep trying to fatten him up without success.




I don't know that we could say this enough........THANK YOU. We are so grateful for the wonderful, genuine friendships we have come to count on in our lives. Your thoughts and prayers, positiveness, service, example and love have held us up through some of the most difficult times we have know. There truly is strength in numbers, especially when it is focused on good.
Love to you all!
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How Firm a Foundation

48 days since Our Adventure began.

We were able to go to sacrament meeting today and it was wonderful to see our ward family, in person, and be uplifted with music and their testimonies.



Because I Have Been Given Much was the first hymn of the meeting. After the earthquakes in Haiti, Kirk was able to serve the amazing people there with the Utah Hospital Task Force for 3 weeks. This hymn was one the group sang on the flight to Haiti. As soon as I realized what hymn we were singing, I looked at Kirk, knowing that it holds so much meaning for him. I opened the hymn book and Kirk, very emotionally, said, "I can't sing it." Only a moment passed before I heard him say, "Yes I can."

"Yes I Can" seems to represent Our Adventure perfectly.

At the end of the meeting was another powerful hymn, How Firm A Foundation. I found myself recognizing the last 48 days in the words of the hymn especially, very literally, the third line of the third verse.

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

In every condition, in sickness, in health;
In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth;
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be.

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

How grateful we are for the small and simple things that bless us each day. I hope you take the time to recognize the lessons that are so freely given. Our Adventure has made us much more aware of these things that used to pass us by.

Love to you all!

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Normal

Day 42.

Kirk and I just got back from a short walk and got to visit with several of the neighbors on our street. They would each come out as we passed by their home and share some of their strength with us. It is so inspiring to feel the love and concern they have for Kirk and our family. Another blessing of the Adventure.



As we crossed the street from the neighbors house to our home, Don and D'Anne Blackburn pulled up and visited for a few minutes. They are simply amazing neighbors, very spiritually strong and not afraid to share those deep feelings that most of us cannot even put words to. I appreciate that so much from them. It seems to give me more strength and ability to share my feelings with others.

Kirk and Don talked on one side of the car and D'Anne and I talked on the other side while the dogs circled the car in the middle of the road. Some of the best visits occur in the oddest places:)

Kirk and Don talked about lessons we learn in our lives, especially in situations as our Adventure. We seems to learn something every day. Every minute! I am amazed at the multitude of lessons that are available to each of us, if we will just make an effort to recognize them and be grateful for them. Being grateful for every lesson can be the difficult part. They aren't always happy lessons. Sometimes the lesson can reveal truths about yourself that you aren't willing to accept, improve or change.

Don suggested that going through these kind of experiences can help us learn to help others in their difficult times. We totally agree!

Until you are homebound, you will never understand how important a phone call or visit is to someone.

Until you lose the feeling in your legs, you will never fully appreciate the ability to wiggle your toes.

Until we walk in someone else's shoes, we will never understand what they are going through, or how uncomfortable they might be;)

The bottom line? We had no idea how much others may be struggling, until our Adventure began. We were too busy with trivial things to notice what was right in front of us.

Our life is now at a much slower pace and the view is like nothing we have ever seen before. That perfect sunset. It is precisely where we need to be.

As much as we both think we would like life to get back to normal, we wouldn't trade the Adventure or the lessons we are learning. It is our new "normal". We will adjust and we will embrace it.







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