17 different beda

Since August we have traveled and visited almost all our family,( we
will go to Dallas, Tex, Virginia, and Washington st in 2013 ) and we
have had 17 DIFFERENT beds! Karina had the best pillows, Valerie had
the best view, Derek's bed is high easy to get out of and beautiful.
Nikki had the best home movie set up. Many of the beds we  stayed in
Europe were unique, but now we get our own. Jim has worked very hard
staining the bed and doing the ceramic tile in the down stairs of the
Orem home. I have enjoyed caring for grandkids, organizing, and
preparing the kitchen for move in. Our new address and bed is on 684 E
1200 N Orem Utah 84097.
It has been beautiful and cold here. We enjoyed the change of weather
on our mission and  we will get used to the extra cold morning walks
looking at the beautiful Mountains by Provo.
So. now What?  We are looking forward to settling down , finding
service in the community and church. When I went to the Senior center
to sign up, and I saw that everyone looked like my parents, I decided
that teaching movement/dance/ yoga there would be a better idea. Our
ward has a good mix of old and young, which is what I love.
We want to have company as soon as we get our house in order, which
now amounts to...finishing the ceramic tile, (and then of course all
the clean up after ) and then going to Southern Calif and driving back
all of our stuff, This will happen after thanksgiving. I know I wont
be able to see everyone I love and care for there and I do not look
forward to trying to do that ,as I am sure to miss someone so I will
be there 2 days, one of which I will be at Kaiser for 3 medical
appointments, How does one close the door to 40 years of life  in
which I gave birth and raised all my children, struggled with the
death of my little Erik only to turn it into a blessing by working in
Special Education for 20 years.??? These are fond memories which I
cherish. So we are keeping some doors open there in Simi Valley. What
a great place to raise kids!
So back to the bed...it is built high off the ground with storage
under with a European feel.  In fact, I think it is big enough to be
buried in ,,and maybe this will be my last resting place....BONNE NUIT
Before I send this off,,, Our stake President was just in town and
came over and released us from our mission,,,so now we are officially
done,but do not despair, we are just refocusing and refueling for more
adventures in serving communiity. family and church.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Love , MOM < Pat

Victoria's baptism

We have enjoyed the raking and blowing of the leaves..again and again
but now it is getting colder and windy.
I find myself looking for the little spots of sun where ever I go.
Jim is trying to find wool socks and I have learn how to make leg
warmers. Jim is already wearing his every day.  Yes, we served in
Europe and yes there were good winters there, but  we were
missionaries and I believe we had extra warmth with us.
And then the storm Sandy hit America! We got wind and rain here in
Michigan, so we were blessed not to have any destruction.  We were
blessed to just be at the end of it.  We kept warm by the fire
                 
We gave a fireside here in Canton Michigan last Sunday and the
preparation reminded me how much I learned on our mission,how hard we
worked and how much we were blessed.  Tonight we will serve at a
Spaghetti dinner given by Valerie's neighborhood for a family that
lost their dad . There are always ways for us to find opportunities
for service. Jim is always ready.
We are preparing to leave Michigan the day after voting day and begin
our trek back through Chicago to see Jim's sister Tanya who just had
hip surgery a month ago. As we prepare I am reminded of the Pioneers
who crossed just before the winter, praying for a safe trip. Our
Pioneers sacrificed so much and I am thankful they were strong and
overcame so much.
We look forward to more family visits and will continue to see old
friends as we drive west.

But the highlight of this trip was Victoria's Baptism, her sweet testimony and understanding of it all