Loved AGAIN!!!

GrandDad FINALLY LOVES ME AGAIN!!!!! He was HAPPY today...he really wants me to come.. ..he said I could stay for 2 weeks if I wanted cause you know it can be lonely up there and I should bring the boys! Well, not sure if or when I'm going back ---but the huge relief is that he WANTS me back and is talking to me again. He apologized to me for being an 'ignorant, stubborn, selfish individual" and that he can now see that I really do love him. "what is past is past and we won't mention it again, I PROMISE...just think about a visit." He listed the house again....(way too high), hasn't had a nose bleed in 24 days (yes, he counts) thinks he should re roof the garage, took Olive to lunch yesterday and to the Dr's with him, went to the last 2 dances---is sad the Clinton dances are so far and go so late---he won't drive that far in the dark anymore, but those are his favorites. (He's been pulled over twice now outside of Clinton on the way home and I think its more his fear of their taking his liscene)If and when I go I'll have to plan around a Clinton Dance for him. God knew I needed him to make things right for me to feel at peace. Love really does conquer all. So HAPPY It is flowing freely both ways again.

It's been a crazy week Lovey...but not that much has happend...well, I guess ALOT has...let me first start by breaking the news we've decided to go on a Family Cruise in October. I realize that this is totally UNFAIR and then to do it in your birthday month...ARGH!!! But the prices are SO LOW right now and Megan was pretty unrelenting. I'm pretty scared about the whole sea sick thing...you know me and motion...so I'm going to start VISUALIZING now and read up on EVERYTHING I can do to prevent it. It will depart out of San Diego---its just a short one--4 nights 5 days...to Ensenada and Catalina Island. Good, now that THAT is over with...you KNOW we will be missing you and that we won't see a single Giraffe or Lion.....The Kohlert's have decided to come with us and we are hoping the Saunder's, Clegg's, Torgerson's and Peterson's will come as well....

Yep...Sam did a geography project on Tanzania and keeps saying how surprised that it is Savannah instead of Jungle :) He is now our resident expert until YOU get home to give us the skinny on it.

Tonight we went to Clarke's and had a mission report/catch up with Michael and Danaan. Michael has had 5 friends spending the night here inbetween thier winter and Summer BYU Housing contracts...its been a party. The extra kid in the Clarke picture and at home pic is Alec and he is from England (one of Michael's old mission comp) Michael has had 5 friends staying here the last few days in between their BYU Housing contracts for Winter and Spring semesters. Our basement has been college boy heaven. Some serious food has been prepared, served and consumed here. Michael leaves TUesday morning for Miami and I've had just about ENOUGH of all this leaving crap. I really do want him to go...it will be a fantastic opportunity and he'll get a small taste of my growing up...I just hate the whole leaving thing....as YOU know. Anyway. I'm glad Matt Matheson is going with him.

As you can see....Megan's friend's Jacob and Kylie came for dinner tonight as well...Michael is letting ME babysit his TV so Jacob set the hummer up in MY ROOM...OH SO LOVELY!!!!! i am going to schedule at least 2 stay in bed all day and watch DVD's while he is gone. Kylie sends her love....Jacob has become our own personal IT/electronics guy...Megan could marry him...we need his brain and genes....

I put this picture of the little couple I helped buy their first home --we closed this week...she is due in 3 weeks...she is SO TINY you'd never guess. But, they are ADORABLE and I just LOVE them...there are so many times I can't believe how LUCKY AM I that I get to do MY JOB....and then there are those other times...but you know...I haven't had any of those for a long time!!! Yeah! The older man behind the desk is a closer for the title company and the woman is a new mortgage gal I have found that is an amazing sleuth and finding just the right loans for the individual couples helping them to get into first homes....

I got jessica Olsen and her husband Ty under contract in a darling condo off of 72nd...thier baby is BEAUTIFUL!!!! He is all Olsen...he gets in the hiking postion and then tosses whatever he has in his hands between his legs. I can't wait for him to be able to talk!

Becky ran the Boston in 3:56! She says she is recovered enough to start running with me again tomorrow. The weather is still just being miserable! I came out of church today and it was SNOWING and the Sequoia was COVERED...I just wanted to cry. Hey..Jason Berry got his mission call to Greg's mission only Spanish speaking!!!!! Steve Mortenson is hoping to get his this week. All the college kids are coming home now to work for the summer. SO GOOD to have them back....

Spencer is putting his "MAN" on ...he is really broadening in the shoulders. Sam is now officially taller and you can imagine the flack. Actually Sam is pretty good about it until Spencer pushes him. Megan just being Megan and now the ward travel agent for the cruise. We sign Sam up for his classes at Timp tomorrow...That is going to be WIERD. His games were rained out on Saturday...and it was COLD. THey started and FINALLY called it.Spencer has Prom on Saturday and they are coming here for dinner so I get to put on the BLITZ and I can't wait. Next week there should be some great pictures!!! I'm hoping to do it outside with LOTS of candles....

Ron looks tired. He is working 14 hour days up in Bountiful for Mitch. Dianna and Guilanna ALWAYS stop to talk to me about you. My friend Carol with Cancer in Sweeden needs extra prayers...they can't begin her chemo until she fights off this infection she is currently in the hospital with...I love her...and dang it, I want it to be easier for her!!! please keep her in your prayers.

I love you. I love you. I LOVE YOU!!!!!! 25 weeks Tuesday!!!! I heard all about this ASTRAL travel this week where people have left thier bodies and visited other places while they were sleeping...Buddy...I am SO Checking in to that!!!:) :) :) if I show up its cause I willed it so...or however it works....I so couldn't help but want to do it and go to YOU!!!! Like what could anybody say? So....your Mom visits you in your dreams??yeah sure....you just keep watching for me...they say there are even books on it :) Gonna get me to a book store.....

Until then, praying for you with all my love and postive -vibing you all through the day. You're beautiful...we ALL missed you at Clarke's tonight for what it's worth...ALL your brother's LOVE to tell the blood drinking story....I HOPE none of them top that!!!!

Starting the countdown over again until next Monday!!!!

MOM XXXXXXXXXOOOOOOOOOOOXXXXXXXXXXXXXXOOOOOOOOOOOOOXXXXXX

Talked with Mike Berrett yesterday and loved some of the things that were said...but when touching upon doctrines of religion that don't FEEL good, he said, "I'm just a simple guy....I've found that it's easier for me to just focus on the things I know are true rather than spending alot of time trying to figure out the ones that don't make sense to me"....and then he shared one of his favorite scriptures in the Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 11:17 "I know that he loveth his children;nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things." I LOVE THAT...I like it even better transposed....I do not know the meaning of ALL things, nevertheless, I KNOW that HE LOVETH his children . And I do...I KNOW that. I'm 46 and still working on figuring it all out. Mike's approach was fresh air to my tired brain.

This picture of him is so dated...but when I found it I couldn't resist putting it up. Never new him in the facial hair/more hair days.

Missing pictures for Josh's post

Letter from Josh 20 April 2009

Hey Fam! So i dont have any crazy story this week, wish i did, but i dont. and the blood didnt make me feel sick at all. although i got an e-mail from Shraderbabe telling me i probably got AIDS from it. She oesnt understand the amount of protection God gives to his missionarys, although i will be more carefull about blood stuff for now on. Silvia, Anita and Steve were baptized on saturday and confirmed yesterday. I absolutely love that family! I tracted in to them one of my first days here in Arusha andit has been great to see them come so far and grow so muh closer to Christ ad to see them gain a testimony of Joseph Snith and the book of mormon. it never ceases to amaze me just how much our religion hinges on Joseph SMith and the Book of Mormon, it truly is the key stone of our religion. As far as other investigators go, Steve and Faiza are planning their wedding so that they can be baptized and Julius (the masai guy) is coming along but we didnt get to see him this week cause his son had his apendix removed on the day we were suppose to meet with him. Those are our only serious investigators right now, we need to drop a few of the others and do some finding, but all is going well. Dad wanted to know what i have been studying. so for my morning studies i always stay in preach my gospel and the scriptres that it refers me too, and i read EVERY scripture it refers me too. sometimes it takes a few days to read through the list, but it is worth it. i just finished the section about recognizing the spirit and am working my way through Book of Mormon section now. But then i also read from the scriptures each night since we are generally in by dark. I have read through the Book of Mormon, The New Testiment, The Book of Mormon again, and i am now reading the Old Testiment. i finished Genesis saturday and am just starting Exodus. I also make time to study anything mom or dad has shared with me in their letters. so you can be sure i will study about Justice and Mercy this week.I love you all and i wish the best for all of you! i hope work and school and everything is going well. Spencer, hang in there with school bud, and remember tat grades equals scholarships, i know homework sucks cause i have done a lot of it, but its better to do the homework than to have to pay your way through school. Love,Elder Harris P.S. Greg the popcorn challenge doesnt quite cut it, maybe you should incrase it to 3 bags and it might be close to equal.P.S.S. Jake, i started reading your e-mail in an english accent outloud cause i couldnt do one in my head and everybody at the cyber started to laugh and stare at me. you will be happy to know that i finished the whole thing aloud though. my comp was pretty mad.P.S.S.S. Chad, i am glad you are having a great time. i wish you all the best wether you get transfered or not!

Josh XXOOXXOOXXOOXX

Josh...I've some computer glitch going...if there aren't any pictures here this morning they will be next week.
Dad pretty much gave you the low down...I'll just fill in the few places he missed. This is Spencer getting answered back for Prom...it's May 2nd and 6 of his friends are in a group and I'm going to make them LUCIOUS dinner by candlelight in the back yard...

Travis just showed up tonight...we haven't seen him around for awhile?! Today is Braiden's birthday and he is on his way home from Standford where he decided to go this fall for grad school. He leaves in a week for DC to work with Lockheed. Megan seems fine with it all.

FINALLY today we have a SPRING, sunshiny day!!! Usually I have the garden planted and the whole yard up to snuff by now, but it just hasn't been possible with all the snow!

Becky (Hainesworth) is running the Boston Marathon tomorrow without me. I thought I would be more sad...but I'm not...not even a smidge. It is cool because they have this technology where they will text me at certain intervals during the race to let me know her times. Reed went with her and this is their FIRST trip together since they've been married ALONE....

Hometeachers came today and asked about you...still Jared and Bro. Gilles.

The whole blood drinking thing was strange for a mom, but the TV blurb the next day really helped me to see just how cultral it is...just remember you DON'T have to do ANY of that that you don't want to....I think it will win out with any Greg or Jake or Chad story though....

Last night Dad and I went to the Berrett's hot tubbing and we saw the MOST incredible meteor fall...it was at LEAST 20 seconds and HUGE....I so thought of you and wondered if you were seeing it in Africa. I forgot to watch the news today to see if there was anything reported on it. They asked after you as well...that Raquel sure is a NICE PRETTY girl.....

I love you LOVEY!!!! 24 weeks on Tuesday....wierd that it won't be officially 6 months until the 4th though. I think of you so often...it's ok cause it's my job:) ---and I LOVE my job!!!! This week I have been studying justice and mercy in Alma 42....I especially like in 15 and 16 when justice is defined more or less as being removed from the presence of God...and then that through the atonement comes mercy...What I love, is that justice is only for those who don't ask for mercy....I am asking...mercy PLEASE....please please Mercy.....
Where are you studying? Any place in particlar?

Can't wait to wake up to find you here....LOVE YOU LOVE YOU LOVE YOU LOVE YOU!!!!!
Mom
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

This weeks reads....

Nechol johnson from North Carolina.

Tonight I had just finished feeding Spencer and Sam and 5 other friends chicken fettcini...I sat down to finish SURVIVOR when 44 year old Nechol knocks on the door. Every year "they" come and sucker me into buying their too expensive cleaning product....but this year....I even wrote on the check...out of PURE LOVE....this woman talked faster than I could almost follow...she laughed all the while and in less than a minute I new her age, that she was a granmother, no longer on welfare, staying at the Airport inn, here for the summer, was in Heber last summer, her back hurt from carrying the bottles, she felt like a slave to this business, wished she had a home, she thought I was lovely, couldn't believe that i would go through that pain 5 times, how could I possibly have all those man children in at that table?, the names of the neighbors on my street who had bought......no, I wasn't going to be able to say no to her and I loved her for her spunk...I WANTED to share my money with her. I tried to just give her the money and not take the product...and she wouldn't have any part of it.....she said 'NO MAM...I EARN my money just the same as you...but thank you anyway...I CHOOSE this job. Grateful God gave it to me".....

Now...think about that for awhile.....I CHOOSE this job....GRATEFUL GOD GAVE IT TO ME...
I am humbled, inspired and will try harder to be better...thank you Nechol Johnson from North Carolina.
Wish I had a picture of her, but believe me, she is BEAUTIFUL~~~~

Spring break April 16 2009 no words needed

Aunt Heaven....

Haven lost another tooth...the tooth fairy paid her 5$ because it was a FRONT tooth...wish she'd had those rates when I was young! Elle realized that Uncle Don's shirts were at her level and that she could just pick them out herself. When I was telling her that they were his shirts and that we should only take down a few she says"NO they not...they're PRINCESS dresses" Soooo Uncle Don is wearing princess dresses everyday...she changed at least 5 or 6...we loved it!!! Graham is officially off oxygen in the day!!!! He is sitting up pretty well and making all those BOY sounds that makes us excited for Jeremy in years to come!!!

I just gag

I have such a vivid imagination. I just gag when I think of poor Josh drinking that fresh cow blood. I immediately went to Google to check out the Masai and their culture...so DIFFERENT from anything this country Florida girl misplaced in Utah has ever experienced!!!! Really...we MUST choose WHERE we come to before we come to earth...and believe me...I WOULD NEVER CHOOSE AFRICA...that is for the highly developed Spirits...give me comfort and hygene people.

Then tonight on the food channel they had this guy doing this whole show on FOOD (EXOTIC FOODS) in Tanzania and specifically on the Masai...I am STILL GAGGING!!! I couldn't watch him eat half the stuff he tried with them!!!! I am a weenie and proud of it...you give me McDonald's anyday baby...I DO NOT NEED ExoTIC ANYTHING!!!!

Josh buddy... you are my HERO...but lovey...you don't have to drink or eat ANYTHING you don't want to...EVEN TO BE POLITE....you just FORGET what your momma taught you previously in that regard. K?????

SURVIVOR MAN JOSH letter from 13 April 2009

Hey!
So on Wednesday we went to an appointment with a man named Julius. we have been teaching him for a while and got through all of the lessons but he just wasn't really progressing, but still wanted us to come visit him. So the last few times we have been re-teaching certain principles and lessons. last week we re-taught the plan of salvation. and you could just see everything starting to click and make sense to him and at the end of that lesson he said "i cant believe i have been going to my catholic church every week since i was a child and i have never heard about the celestial kingdom until you two came." anyways, this week when we went he had his god-father and real father there to meet us so that they could "pass their judgment" on us, and his father is crazy. His father is a Masai and is very traditional except that he can speak English. He told us after a few questions about the church "we like you. we would like to do something special for you. so you WILL be staying here tonight." as we tried to explain that we couldn't without permission he told us to call whoever it was we needed to call and that he would talk to them. So we called the ZL's and gave him the phone. i guess he thought we would be to scared to do it cause once he heard the ringing he just hung up and told us we could arrange for a different time, but that there was still something we needed to do. It was dark by this time but only like 7:30 so we started to follow him. as we followed him he explained that in Masai tradition one of the last things the boys have to do is to drink a liter of fresh cow blood before they are considered men and can go with the other men in the tribe to herd the cattle, and that he was leading us to his cow pasture so that we could bleed a cow and each drink a liter of blood. He stuck a hollow read into the cows jugular and then let the blood flow into liter sized cups for each of us. It actually didnt taste bad. it was warm and salty. it was just wierd to think that i was drinking blood. i wish i would have had my camera to get pictures, cause i am pretty sure that is a once in a life time event.Anyways, this week was good. It was kinda like Easter was non existant except that everything has been shut down since thursday and wont open again till tomorow, i am at a muslim cyber today to write to you all. Zone conference was good, but what was better was having Pres Taylor tell the branch president that he has to give people callings, even if the calling is just to shut the windows after sacrament, that should help so that the missionarys can stop teaching ALL of the classes at church. Dad, just so you know i can prit stuff at a few of the cybers but it is expensive and i prefer not to, and it is better if you send me your message threw hotmail and not the blog because it is hard to pull the blog up some days, although it is nice to have your questions on the blog so that i can switch back and forth to make sure i have answered them all. I am glad you all had a fun easter and that everything is going so well at home. and i am sad i missed sam trying to spit jelly beans into megs mouth, sounds hilarious.please make sure greg is getting my e-mails, and thank you for all of your effort to get me his and chads and jakes. i love you all so much! i hope you all have the best week ever!
Love, Elder Harris!

Easter

We had steak, mashed taters, salad, rolls....nobody wanted ham and fixings. Since nobody is HUNTING anymore I took a big basket of eggs and we passed it around and you had to take the first one you touched so no shaking ahead of time....inside with the candy were dollar bills, a twenty, gift certificates to Daylight Donuts, juice press, carmike cinema, backscratches from mom, mom to make food item(s) upon request,Blockbuster rentals...it was fun...think it will be the new tradition so we'll still be doing it when you come home Josh!!! We got the expansion pack for Settler's...Sam won finally!!!! The boys spent most of the afternoon watching the MASTER's...Tiger didn't win...neither did Perry who Spencer wanted...now I can't remember the guy who did...anyway....Spencer has NO IDEA that I got this shot of him MOCKING older men and the way they wear their shorts...attractive no??? I wish I could get half the stuff that goes on here on tape. Today Sam put a jelly bean in his mouth and told Megan to open hers and then he tried to spit it into her mouth...yeah...she about killed him...we were all on the floor. You NEVER know with these guys....The boys have gone out to the fire pit and friends are quietly arriving...I said they could come without asking Dad, but Dad doesn't feel great about it since it's the Sabbath-hence-QUIETLY arriving. Last night they burnt some old lazy boy chair back there...THAT was a fire...Mike Cooper was in charge of starting it and used plenty of gas and I was relieved when the fire department DID NOT arrive. I sure love those boys. I LOVE that they choose our house to make some of their forever memories! They have spring break all this week ...we are just staying here with Sam's baseball and the economy. I imagine we'll rent a few video's and play some more board games, and for SURE THEY will be sleeping in....IF we can get the sun to come out and the temperature to raise, we have PLENTY of yard work to start.

GrandDad and Olive are skipping the Easter Dance tonight because he's not feeling so great. Jeremy, Kori and girlies are out in Fillmore doing his weekend in the sticks...Preston and girlies are in Logan. Dad is somewhere with Chris no doubt. Still haven't seen David Chester since Jake left. Michael made his first security system sell here yesterday. Some kid who sold over 300 systems last summer took him door knocking to train him and then he went for 3 hours on his own. He's excited to get going and tired of school. Matt Matheson is going to go with him and install. I can feel the FUN in their summer in MIAMI already!!!

Dianna told me today that Greg has not gotten your last few e-mails...i have no idea WHY...i forward them and will send this blog link to him again tomorrow...so he should be getting it DOUBLE...but just wanted you to know so you didn't think anything weird was up if you don't get anything from him. I also forwarded Jake's so let me know if you aren't getting them.

This week I have still been studying the TAO...maybe I could be a Philosophy major??? I love the TAO (which translated means THE WAY) as much as the scriptures...with principles like these, who couldn't??? *end on LOVE no matter what*Be a GIVER--give give give*gather as much VIRTUE as you possibly can*replace all negativity with LOVE*Pay attention to the FLOW of your life*Be soft as water....absolutely truth and Spirit filled.

I've also been reading this great book by a woman named Louise Hay called YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE...I hope each of you kids will read it at some point. Just a few quotes from her book for you to chew on and cross reference with your scripture study:)
"What we think about ourselves becomes the truth for us. The thougths we think and the words we speak create our experiences. When we create peace and harmony and balance in our minds we create it in our lives.....Our subconscious mind accepts whatever we choose to believe. They both mean that what I believe about myself and life becomes true for me. What you choose to think about yourself and about life becomes your true for you. And we have unlimited choices about what we can think.....
I find that when we really love and accept and APPROVE OF OURSELVES EXACTLY AS WE ARE, then everything in life works. It's as if little miracles are everywhere..."
This is just the tip of her understanding...I want you to all get the whole thing...cuz right now you might want to discount what you just read and say...WELL no one should approve of everything I do---much less me...I'm NOT perfect!!! She goes on to help you through all of that as well...ANYWAY...just think about this little bit for a while will you? AND BE SO NICE TO YOURSELF LOVEY...LOVE YOURSELF!!!! You ARE PERFECT for right now...for how long you've been here, for all you've been through and haven't been through...for your choices to look outside yourself in love...you ARE perfect... I encourage you to watch what you think and try to change your thoughts so that they only reflect what you want to SEE in your life. I am surprised at how hard it has been for me this past week as I have practiced...I had no idea how mean I am to myself...and how often I think things I DO NOT WANT to bring to me. ANYWAY...back to the plain and simple LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!

I DO LOVE YOU!!!! I miss you. I am excited for all that you are learning and sharing. I'm excited (and a little jealous) for the people who get to be with you. Take it all in and bring it back to me....
With all the love in my heart..which I hope is growing every day!!!---I am one proud Momma.
EVen though you weren't here to take your eggs from the basket...there IS gonna be a make up plan when you get home!!!!
Tell your companion I love him.
MOM
XXXOOOXXXOOOXXXOOOXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Dad asked me to post his letter here this week....

Hey son, He is risen! And because of Him, we will all be resurrected! And those of us that do our best to be His disciples and follow Him and keep our covenants (and repent a lot ;-)) will all be rewarded with life eternal. I’m sure you’re enjoying teaching of the Savior, his atonement and the hope we have in his forgiveness, mercy and resurrection. I’m so happy you’re able to devote 6.5 days a week to bringing happiness to the people of Arusha – teaching of the Lord and His gospel principles and the role that making and keeping covenants plays in our happiness. My prayers are with you. How’s your week? How was Easter in Arusha? How are your investigators doing? How was zone conference? Sorry you won’t be getting conference. Too bad – it was great. In case you want to print a talk or two, I’ll attach a few links that I think will most interest you. Actually, now that I think about it, if you have access to the net, you can get on the church’s site and look yourself. http://lds.org/conference/sessions/display/0,5239,23-1-1032,00.html I’m so happy to hear you got to go to the falls at Mt. Meru – I’ll bet that was a beautiful trip, but sorry about the sore bottom. Can you print anything at the Internet cafe? Is it tons better for me to put these messages on a blog? If so, I’ll either ask Mom to put it on her’s or I’ll create a blog specifically for your messages. This week was good, except the weather was mostly rainy and cold. Today on Easter Sunday it’s been blue skies and sunshine and nice shirt sleeve weather. The yard is starting to turn green and the leaves are appearing on the trees. Michael came for Easter today and joined the rest of the family, so the 6 of us spent most of the day together. Meg’s busy planning her next cruise, Michael’s busy learning about the security system sales, Spencer got the job at the golf course a few days ago – he’s very excited and so are mom and I. He’s busy with school, friends and golf. Sam is busy with school, friends and baseball. He had 3 games this last week, and they won 1, but really should have won 2. He’s not hitting great yet, but he’s pitching and fielding well from 3rd base. I’m really looking forward to your letter tomorrow – the longer and more news, the better. ;-) Please answer my questions for me. Have a fun, productive, happy week! And let us know what we can do for you! I love you son, Dad President Monson’s address – Be of Good Cheer - http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1032-28,00.html (A great talk about faith and being happy in times of adversity) Elder L. Tom Perry - Bring Souls Unto Me - http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1032-34,00.html(missionary work – serving with members to help bring people to Christ) Elder Holland’s talk – None Were With Him - http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1032-27,00.html(a great talk on the Savior and how he helps us all through tough times, especially directed to those who feel alone) Elder Neal L. Anderson – Come Unto Him - http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1032-24,00.html(the newest member of the council of the 12 apostles – come unto Christ)

Sam's double header in the rain and freezing cold!!!

Actually...this was Friday's game at Lone Peak...it was fun for Sam to see his old traveling league buddies...he just wished that they were still all on the same team. This weather has been NUTS!!! The wind and rain make it not so much fun....then Saturday morning I had him at the Provo field at 9:30---it was raining and 38 degrees...the coaches kept them there until the game start time of 11 out in the weather 9under a pavillion---and then hitting whiffle balls in the rain until 11:25 when they decided to go ahead and play. WHAT CRAZIES!!!! FINALLY In the second game they called it...it was 3:30 and I had already been in the car for an hour watching from there. Sam's hitting is not up to par...but it'll come....his pitching is phenomenal!!! This team has no idea what SLAMMIN' SAMMY can hit...I'm excited for when he unleashes it....

Happy Easter

Just wanted to say thank you for the sunshine yesterday...and the roads they paved last year on my running route...and for human anatomy coloring books that are reteaching me about my insides...and for all my facebook friends who banter with me...and for books with things I love to learn and those that are just for escape...and for warm showers...and for healing those we love....and organized rooms and drawers....and for rooms soon to be organizes....and for sweet clients...and for all the people who love me---and LIKE me....and golf course administrators who allow Spencer to trade service for tee times...for Baseball games...for the postal service who can deliver a package all the dang way to Africa....and for today with ..10,000 possibilities....yep...today COULD be the day...wait...TODAY IS THE DAY!!!!

GrandDad

A quick update. GrandDad sounds older and very tired on the phone. He's mad at Olive for leaving him yesterday to go to Detroit with her sister whose 90 year old husband had surgery( I guess they wouldn't preform the surgery in Canada, so they came State side--I have no idea what the surgery was for). They had new snow all day yesterday...so, I guess we aren't alone in the whole spring is NEVER coming thing. He is on iron and it is making him nauseated. He hasn't had a nose bleed in 5 days (i think its been more like 8). The blessing of all of this is that the girl still comes for him while he showers twice a week and another gal comes 3 days to help strengthen his legs, and Olive goes on Sundays....so I FEEL REALLY GREAT about everything that happend...it just gives me peace of mind to have people actually IN HIS HOUSE TALKING to him on almost a daily basis. I know he likes it too whether or not he admits it. In the book FEELINGS BURIED ALIVE NEVER DIE...a book that talks about how our psychology becomes our biology...it states that nose bleeds probable cause is a need for recognition--feeling unrecognized and unnoticed...crying out for love. Seems like a perfect match to me...and now, he gets extra attention WHERE he wants it...at home.
Call him when you get a chance K?

Letter frpm Josh 6 April 2009

Hey Family!!!

i will start with the bad news first. There was no conference here and there wont be, i will get the ensign next month with all the conference talks in it, but i wont get to watch it at all. A few places in Nairobi got a delayed broadcast, and most branches will be getting a copy of the conference on DVD but since this branch is still new and we dont have a tv yet, we dont get it.
I cant believe Jeremy drank the egg dye, doesnt that have vinegar in it? must have tasted gross.
I am glad Connie Harris called you, i am suprised it took her this long, but she does seem like a super busy person (although i think that is only because she wants to be). and mom, i dont care if you never love africa like she does, as long as you will come back here with me at least once.
I feel bad for mike going to Florida. I was only in Dar for a few days but that was enough to let me know that i never want to live in a humid place, have fun though mike and sell lots, just dont get too attached to any of the girls there, cause you will just have to leave them.
I am very happy to see that horse going to Ty. i did love that thing, but i think i would break it if i tried to get on there now. and even if it is leaving the house, at least it is staying in the "family"
As far as the pic from Dar goes, i have lost some weight, but it is not because i am not eating enough, i eat way more here than i did at home because everybody wants to feed you whenever you come over, its African tradition to feed guests, nd they get offended if you dont eat, so i stay plenty full.
getting mail is very unpredictable here, cause president comes down every six weeks for Zo-Co, but then one of the couples, the Elams, come down whenever there is a big enough need. so president is coming this week for Zo-Co and i will get any mail then and i dont know when the next time i will get mail is, maybe six weeks, maybe sooner, but i coudnt really tell you.
So this week we had a district activity that was way sweet! We had one of our investigators take us on a bike trip up to the waterfall on Mt. Meru. it was way fun. the only problem was that it was a 52 Km trip and none of us had been on bikes in forever, plus the bikes we rented werent really made for mountain biking, we were just lucky that the bikes had gears to make the uphil a bit easier. i was glad that my legs werent sore, but i cant say the same for my butt. Those seats were hard! i took a bunch of pics and i will be sending the card soon so that yo can all see everything that has been going on and so that mom can have more pics to put on the blog with my letters home.
Anyways, I love you guys! I miss you lots! have a great week and a happy easter to you all!

Love,
Elder Harris

Conference Sunday

Crazy Jeremy put the egg dye in his mouth and stained his teeth! Only a Dr.!!! We had Dad's birthday dinner today since he was in Brazil on his birthdday. My favorite Egg of the day I think was Michael's that I tried to show here that said..."your MOMMA was a CHICKEN":) Can you tell that Elle's favorite color is PURPLE? I wish you could have seen her fingers when she was done! Wish I had a picture! We decorated eggs while listening to Conference.

I had a SWEET FUN call from a CONNIE HARRIS that met you in Arusha Josh....she said you were and absolute DELIGHT! She said she was so thrilled to have run into you and been able to have breakfast with you. She said you were adorable and I assured her you ARE...I told her I prayed her there and THANKED HER for FEEDING you!!!! They are going back in January...IF you are still there she said she'd deliver a package for me. I am awed at her love and enthusiasm for Africa. It made me wonder if you wished I was more like her. Well, I'm not. I still just like HOME best!!! But, you can always marry someone who is more like her. But since YOU are already the ADVENTURER...maybe you want to balance yourself out??? You have plenty of time to figure all that out.

It has been a nice slow and easy day...missed you. I imagine that you are watching a delayed broadcast of not at all...????

Michael is going to Florida to work for the summer. I am a bit envious...but he will be in Miami--I have no love for Miami, but Melrose is on the way!!! Matt Matheson will drive with him there so he doesn't have to road trip it across the country alone. He'll be gone all summer. He is hoping to make the big bucks....I am tempted...He'll be with Pinnacle Security. He'll sell and Matt will install.

I've thought alot about your companion situation with the money....I think you are handling it PERFECTLY! What great marriage prep! Communication is a big key---you are a fantastic communicator and this will only help hone your skills. I wish I could be a fly on the wall to hear you. Let the love gush while you firmly hold your truth. :)

When is the next time you get packages? 3 weeks from now?

Graham is still on his oxygen, but off all his meds...hoping to get him on Oxygen nights only in the next week...little by little.

As you can see, Spencer buzzed his head this week. The cat is bringing me dead mice and placing them on the door step. My close for this month has been delayed until the 28th...but other deals looking possible. Megan planning another cruise. Sam's games have all been cancelled due to all the dang snow.

I love you. Not much new this week. I LOVED putting your package together. I hope you can get it as fast as the last one. If the other Valentine's package doesn't make it, I still won't be too sad...you've gotten 4 of 5 right? Not so bad for what I originally imagined! You just tell me what you want and I will figure out how to get it there.

I LOVE YOU, I love you, I LOVE ya....BIG....hoping you are smiling RIGHT NOW and that you are HAPPY!!!!

MOM XXXXXOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOXXXXXXXX

Spareribs before Priesthood mtg...

I'm still on my radical basement clean out...It about broke my heart, but giving WONDER horse to TY was about the only way I could part with it...If Katie hadn't of said she would take it, I would have had to of taken it back down the stairs. Josh...the HOURS you put on that horse!!! You loved it more than the others for sure. I promise to buy one for your kids when the time comes. Ty was truly MUCH more excited than what I could capture in the pictures I took!

Stephen and London stayed over for Spareribs, tator wedges, salad and biscuits before Priesthood Mtg. with Dad...they all had 1/2 gallons of ice cream afterwards.

I rented SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE and was impressed...deep down impressed. The writing was as beautiful as the message. The abuse to the children about lost me, but by then I was sucked all the way in and NEEDED to know how it ended. The whole IT IS WRITTEN theme stays with you and pricks your own mind as to what things you have experienced previously have prepared you for NOW...EVERYTHING!!!! Anyway...

Also cried at Marley and ME...surprised at what a sweet offering it was. It's great when you watch a movie with no expectations and are pleasantly surprised. I know Spencer is going to be at me BIG time about a dog again....sure hope he marries a woman who wants one! Cause...for now...his momma is DONE.

Stuffing myself

Just some things I've been "stuffing" myself with and LOVING....

I LOVE the TAO!!!!!

I am hoping to be soft as water and just as flexible.

I am so imperfect at living truths I KNOW. I am grateful it is NOT a race and perfection is NOT expected. Just love and light...light and love...I want to BE both!!!!

Sam and Boys WORLD FAIR Project

The last week has been fun with the MEN in our house preparing the World's fair project...another testament to me of how DIFFERENT men and women are in approaching things. The sweet part was that all I had to do was WATCH...they did it all themselves!!! Hooray for Independence! I've just gotten back and my hand is tingling from signing all the pass ports. If you are wondering likeI was WHAT Sam is wearing...????It is his version of a Bullfighters outfit:) VIVE ESPANA!!!