We had ourselves a merry little Christmas!

 

Everyone was here for Christmas!  All six of our kids, their spouses and kids.  We made some wonderful memories, and I even got a few pictures, although I am hoping that more will be posted by others on facebook or in blogs.  Here's a very quick look at what went on in the Merrell house.

 

 

Decorating gingerbread men for Santa

 I didn't have my camera ready for the actual shot, so these two hams recreated the scene!

 

 

 This is one of my favorite ever pictures of TJ

 

 

 Mary and Joseph with baby Jesus

 

 

 What a sweet little shepherd!

 

 

 Here come our wisemen!

 

 

 My favorite picture of baby Jesus!

 

 

 A beautiful angel holding a sleepy little star

 

 

 Another sweet shepherd!

 

 



Christmas morning with our four beautiful little princesses! (and it looks like one of Santa's elves is in the background!)

 

Oh my!  An armed Cinderella! 

 

After they all left to go home, we cleaned the house from top to bottom.  This was all that was left behind.  I miss those little fingers and toes already!

Visit to Lewiston for Mom's 80th birthday

I flew to Lewiston to see Mom and Dad earlier this month.

 

I loved the decorations that Dad put up!

 

I was there in time to watch mom open the last of her basket of birthday gifts from the Barker, Merrell and Stevenson families.  Mom really had fun with this and would often ask dad if she had opened her presents for the day yet. 

Each afternoon, we would go for a drive to look for "critters".  There are several deer behind those weeds.  Most nights we counted 20-40+ deer! 

Here's another picture of mom opening her gifts. 

This was my favorite picture.  I took it as mom and dad were kneeling on the couch, looking outside at the rain. 

We had a wonderful visit with Uncle Bill and Betty.

Dad and I made mom a pink lemmonaide cake with fudge frosting.  It was delicious!  I have been looking for the cake mix here, but have not been able to find one.

 

 

 

I had a great visit!  I feel so blessed to have such wonderful parents.  They have always put family first, and continue to do so "long-distance" now that the long drive has become more challenging to make during winter months. 

And a little child...

I just got a new camera and am still learning how it works.  Imagine my surprise when I returned from a visit to Vince and Meagan's and discovered this cute video that Brooke helped me take.  Watch through to the end to see the good stuff. 

I wish I had Annie here to title this properly!

We have had a very full summer and I might blog about the activites someday.  But, today, I wanted to share this picture.  We were way up on the mountain with Sasha and Jason  4-wheeling  with some other friends from Maeser 3rd ward.  At one of our "rest" stops, this butterfly lit on Taylor's thumb.  It just stayed there!  Mike was able to get a few pictures.  I've been wanting to post on facebook and finally got around to it.  I was amazed at the number of hits it has received! 

 This is the original picture, before I cropped Jason out of it.  (sorry, Jason)



 These next two look almost identical, except for...

 

 

 ...the butterfly wings!  This one is my personal favorite.

 

 And this was just before the butterfly took off...

 

I think these pictures are amazing!

 

Sadie's Day..."Almost like Disneyland!"

Sadie's big plans for the summer got put on hold when her Dad had to have an operation on his back. Aspen suggested that this was the kind of disappointment that was better suited for a grandma to soothe than a mom, so plans were drawn up for a day to remember.  After being given three options, Sadie chose, "Almost like Disneyland" which included as many fun stops in St. George that we could squeeze into a day and a night, with a friend invited to help share in the fun. 

 After picking up Journey, we headed over to Anti-Gravity.  Our photographer/Grandpa took this picture just before we entered the building. 

 The girls spent the first few minutes lounging on one of a gazillion trampolines in this amazingly fun place.  They jumped, they bounced, they somersaulted and played dodge ball.

There were lots of other bouncy things to play on.  We went early on a Thursday and did not have to fight the crowds which was nice.  The girls played for an hour and had a great time. There was an arcade there that was very disappointing.  The games took your tokens and either did not work at all, or worked, but did not pay out tickets for wins.  When we complained, we were told by a worker that they didn't own the machines, they only redeemed the tickets. (he was very apologetic)

 Our next stop was at Tuacahn where the girls took advantage of a great photo-op.

 I think their favorite place at Tuacahn was the gift shop. They got to pose with Jasmine and Aladdin.

  Grandpa has taught his daughters and granddaughters that boys are ugly and they stink.  Looks like Sadie agrees.

After all the jumping and climbing, it was time for lunch.  The girls asked Grandpa to take a picture of them making a face while they waited for their pasta.

 From there we tried out the St. George Carousel in the center of town.  They loved this ride.  They begged to go again and again. 

 Our next stop was at the St. George Temple grounds/visitors' center. The perfect change of pace.  We got to see a short video about a miracle that a young girl and her little brother experienced, and one of the missionary tour guides gave the girls a piece of quartz from the mine quary for the temple.

 It had been at least ten minutes since the last snack, so the girls chose to go to Baskin Robbins  to load up on ice cream. Sadie emptied out the ice cream, but couldn't quite finish the waffle cone.  Journey managed to eat all of hers!


From here, we made a quick trip to Mountain America to take out a loan (just kidding- we used our Dixie Direct card to get great deals on nearly every place we went so the day's entertainment was fairly inexpensive...way less than Disneyland!)  We thought Sadie would like to pop in and say hi to her mom.  But our photographer left his camera in the car so you'll have to use your imagination.

 The next stop was Laser Mania.  This was definitely a fun place.  They absolutley loved the miniature golfing.  Not because of the golf, but because of the florescent lights and fun themes that went with each hole.

 Sadie thought the Spider Man hole was pretty cool

 This girl is right at home in any picture!

 Even if she's in jail!

 And-look closely to see the golf ball in one hand and the raised finger-her first hole-in-one!

 The bumper cars were also fun for the girls, although it took a little practice to learn to steer away from the sides.  They also loved the laser tag, but we did not get good pictures of that activity.  We would love to have stayed for the 4D laser movie, but the afternoon was fast ending and there was stil one more place Sadie really wanted to go.

 Fiesta Fun!  The water boats were the perfect way to cool off after a day of hard playing.

 Did they get wet?

 Oh yes!

I have to say something about these two girls.  They were the perfect ones to spend a day like this with!  I could not have asked for two more cheerful, well behaved girls.  They both really enjoy life and their enthusiasm is contagious.   Sometimes they would ask for something and I would say no, but there was never one word of complaint-just a lot of thank-yous throughout the day.  I especially loved that they loved the temple visitors' center!   I just cannot say enough good things about these two. 

After dropping Journey off at her home, the second half of the fun day began.  Plans called for dinner and a movie, but we were completely out of time, so dinner was a super large buttered popcorn, a box of mild duds and a pink lemonaide that we ate while watching Mirror Mirror.  Poor Sadie was still soaking wet from the water boats, so I had to give her a jacket I keep stashed in the car for emergencies.  She was a good sport and I think she enjoyed the movie despite being cold and wet. (Again, no whining...even when it was now just Grandma and Grandpa and Sadie---is she a great kid or what?!!)

Once we got home, Sadie headed straight for the bathtub where she warmed up quickly and was ready for a late night snack before falling asleep maybe five seconds after I tucked her in. 

All in all, I'd say this fun day was a day to remember.  Love you, Sadie! 

There's no place like home!

One of my all-time favorite movies is The Wizard of Oz. In it, Dorothy finds herself uprooted from her home and family and now in a place that is so beautiful and so colorful, surrounded by people who immediately love her; a place that she decides must be somewhere over the rainbow.

Like Dorothy, Mike and I found ourselves uprooted from our home and family and living in a place that was beautiful, colorful and although they definitely weren't munchkins, we were surrounded by people who immediately loved us.  We weren't over the rainbow, we were in Samoa!

Throughout the movie, Dorothy makes some wonderful friends who journey with her to the land of Oz.  As she later describes this journey she says that some of it was not very nice, but that most of it was wonderful. 

During our mission to Samoa, we, too, could say that some of it was not very nice, but that most of it was wonderful!  And when the time came for us to return home, we, like Dorothy bid a tearful goodbye to our many new found friends.  But, as difficult as it was to say goodbye to Samoa, there was never any doubt that we were coming home!

Each one of us left our heavenly home and family to come and serve a lifetime mission on earth.  We are surrounded by beauty, color, and family and friends.  While it is true that some of this journey is not very nice, most of it is wonderful.

My goal is to return and live with  my Heavenly Father and Mother.  I know the path that leads back to them.  It requires faith, hope and charity, which is Christlike love.  I have made covenants that I must keep.  I must be willing to stand as a witness of God at all times and in all places and I must  be willing to do it for as long as my mortal life lasts. 

I testify that when the time comes to return to live with my Heavenly Father, I have no doubt that it will be worth every step I took to get there, because there truly is      no place like home!

Bonus Blessings

As Mike and I served in Samoa, I began making a list.  At first, I only included bonus blessings-things that we experienced or learned that I hadn't realized would be a part of a mission.  It included cultural, educational and social blessings.  The longer the list got, the more I realized that even these unexpected blessings were spiritual in nature, because each bonus blessing came as a result of being obedient to the call to serve.  Heavenly Father has so much in store for us if we will only choose to obey. 
These are a few of the bonus blessings we received.

• I learned to speak a few words of Samoan, and although my gift of tongues was only a tiny one, I am so grateful for it!  It was interesting to me that after we spoke in Sacrament meeting, my son-in-law, Will told me that his favorite part of my talk was my testimony in Samoan.  I came so close to leaving that part out!  We all do that-hiding a tiny talent because we are ashamed it is so small. 

• 

  Mike hand-fed giant turtles.

• We learned what a blowhole is, and saw one up close.

• I learned to weave a place mat from coconut leaves!

• We participated in a Samoan Christmas Choir. Our favorite song was the Hallelujah Chorus.

• I enjoyed trying out delicious new recipes with fellow senior missionaries.  One of my favorite memories was making flour tortillas with Sister Krogh.

• I was fascinated to learn how a pineapple grows!  It takes over 18 months to get one to the mature stage where it is ready to be picked.  We had one in our front yard that I waited our whole mission to see signs of growth.  All it had was the stems.  I was convinced it was not ever going to produce.  But, sure enough, about 6 weeks before we left,  a tiny pineapple started to develop, but it wasn't big enough to pick before we left.  The one above looks about ready, though.

• I learned to do amazing things on my computer!  Seriously!  This was one of the biggest of the many bonus blessings I received.  And it will continue to be a blessing for the rest of my life as I incorporate these skills in countless new projects such as family history work, church callings, household projects, social activities....this blessing is huge!

• I learned to drive a rightside stearing vehicle on the left side of the road.  This is Henry.  He was dependable and accomodating as we shared him first with the Kellys, then with the Curries, then with the Hansons and briefly, with the Partridges. He was scheduled for retirement last fall, but it didn't happen.  That's okay.  Good old Henry!

• I learned where Samoa was on a map, as well as Australia, New Zealand and Tonga! 

• I learned that there is a place for "fluff" and that 2nd mile efforts, when directed towards people can bring enormous results.  A few of my favorite 2nd milers were...

Sister Haleck, who has no equal when it comes to setting a beautiful table...

Sister Kelly, who had a place in her heart for everyone...

Sister Eves, who prayed everyday, to find someone to serve.  Here she is with Elder Moala, one of the finest Assistant's to the President I was priviledged to know and another 2nd miler.

The Aveis and the Webers.  Sister Avei always remembered to send us cards for special occasions.  She and Elder Avei did so much behind the scenes shepherding, not only to the senior missionaries when they were zone leaders, but to many, many others as well.  And Sister Weber was my inspiration for seeking out investigators of the Church.  She always had an eye open for a potential convert.  (sorry Pete, I guess you were filling teeth when this picture was taken)

Okay, back to the bonus blessings.  Just a couple more...

• We were blessed with a family we could love and who were able to fill the lonely void that was created when we left our own children behind.  This is the Faumuina family.  Sione and Palota Pine's daughter, son-in-law and six children.  The two little girls sobbed and hid when we first started visiting them at their home.  We'll never forget one Sunday when tiny little Toefiliga (who is being held by her dad in this picture) shouted out "Merrell" as we passed by them after church.  Our first break- through!

• The last bonus blessing I want to mention is this guy here. After 33 years of marriage, it took serving an 18 month mission with him for me to discover some really remarkable qualities I had never fully appreciated before.

 I always knew he was a tease and it sometimes drove me crazy.  Still does.  But I hadn't realized how much others loved this side of him until I served with him in the office. I remember one day the Leota girls had been gone for a couple of days and both of them, at seperate times came into the office, looking for Elder Merrell.  Each one was so disapointed when he wasn't there.   He has a natural wit about him that sees the humor in everyday things.

 I always knew he had a flair for decorating, but I didn't realize how good he was at it until I saw him decorate the office for Christmas each year, and how he would help with table decorations at various dinners. 

 I began to see how deeply attached he became to the people he worked with on a day-to-day basis.  It was never strictly business with him, he always became friends with them.

I was continutally amazed at how organized he was.  He was always doing things for others.  He didn't have to come up with a long, drawn-out game plan.  He just jumped in and got things done.  That was probably one of the things I needed to learn the most; how to make good use of my time.  I am  better organized and get more done in less time than I ever did before.  I am grateful for that lesson.  I still need to work on it but I am getting better. 

I loved the way he embraced the culture.  Here he is in his "skirt".  He determined early on on his mission that he was going to wear it to church and he got busy and got himself one and started wearing it...white legs and all.  Took me until last Christmas to get brave enough to wear a pulutasi. 

I know there were many times that I tried his patience and many times when he was frustrated with me.  But he was pretty classy about being a gentleman through it all and hardly ever complained.  I was blessed to have him for my companion the whole 18 months.  Realizing all over again what a wonderful companion I have for all eternity was probaly my best bonus blessing of all.