Restoring Honor Rally, 8/28/2010

"These are the last days."  How many times have I heard those words?  How many times have I thought them as the situation in the world seems to worsen?  But, it has been the 'last days' for a long long time.  Are these really the last or is there a LONG way to go still?

Modern day prophets tell us not to be fearful but filled with Hope and Faith.  God is at the helm.  All things will work according to His plan.
This land is choice land. America. The Declaration of Independence.  The Constitution.  Founding Fathers.  Abraham Lincoln.  All gifts from God.

  America has a Divine Destiny. Craig and I love America.  We study the lives of the great men who dedicated their lives and honor to it's birth.  We honor those who have dedicated themselves to protecting America.  

We feel helpless.  Does our vote matter?  Are there good, honest people who stand for American principles?

Last week Craig and I joined with more than 500,000 people who feel the same as we do. We stood between the hallowed memorials of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in Washington, D.C. 

The masses cheered, applauded and hooted:

The miracle of the Geese occurred, 

as the  national anthem was sung,  

for heroes,

when told that America is a chosen land with a Divine Destiny, 

at the suggestion that America will be stronger as each person bends their knees and prays, 

is honest and pays their tithing!  

They clapped!  

They were from various religions but all AMERICANS.

They were from many states even countries.  They clapped!  We are not alone.  Over 100,000 watched the event on Facebook.  Many watched on C-Span.  More wished they could have attended but were unable.  We are not alone.  There is reason to Hope.  I have Faith.  I pray for Charity.

(We stayed with our friends, Scott and Debbie Jones in Virgina. A big Thank You to them!)

Some other highlights of our trip:  The Washington D.C. temple is beautiful inside and out.

We walked and walked and walked in the hot muggy heat.   We loved it though.

Scott and Debbie Craig and I spent a marvelous day at Monticello.  Thomas Jefferson an amazing man.  It was wonderful to get to know him better.  This gorgeous home was designed by him.  It is filled with his ingenious ideas...and so are the beautiful immense grounds.

The 3rd try is a charm was a true adage for our arrival at the Jefferson Memorial

Another favorite experience is walking through Arlington Cemetery. 

These hallowed grounds have been a cherished place to me since 6th grade when President John F. Kennedy was laid to rest there.  

  We were grateful to make it just in time for the changing of the guard....which to see was a dream come true.

I am a different person because of this trip.  Attending the Rally was a highlight of my life.  Craig feels the same.  Scott feels the same.  Why?  Because: we sacrificed to attend, we have never seen in our life that many people!!!! Never....not even in Disneyland at Christmas time.  We are one of MANY who love America and it's founding principles.  There is HOPE!!! Rejoice Evermore...

November 22, 2008

Hobby Lobby. We went in search of some crafts to do together when we went to Arizona. We found lots of fun things.



After Micah asked for Silly Putty and I said 'Yes'

Makayla asked if she could have something. She wanted a flower bouquet for her bedroom



Later we went to Bobba's (Great Grandma Horton) house. Makayla and I did some house cleaning.

Even though we have been home for 5 days and there have been piles of mail and laundry, hundreds of email and phone calls to attend to, dust and duties I am still RELAXED.
15 days away is just about right.

Did I mention...

That Hawaii is BEAUTIFUL?
Or that we saw amazing botanicals?

Hibiscus flower

This looks like a yellow (which I have never seen before)
Hydrangea but the leaves aren't the same.

Does any one know what it is?

A Banyan tree that covers a park

OR
That we waited up past midnight in the COLD WIND to see an active Volcano

The night was black as pitch. You can imagine our emotions when we spotted this phenomenal natural wonder.....There it is! We would rather have been sleeping!

OR

We laughed at the towel creations made by our steward

This is a reptile about to strike at a darling little bird

Or that we made friends with a very nice Homosexual couple
This is Terry and Brian. We met them on our Kayak tour. Only 5 of us had signed up for this experience. In 3 two-man kayaks we traveled across a bay then into a river which took us to a lagoon with waterfalls, banyan trees and cliff jumpers. Terry was especially fun. He stalled their kayak under a fall SOAKING Brian. Craig didn't dare do that to me. We kayaked about 2miles or more! Another act of COURAGE on my part.

OR

That we played pool on a table that moves up and down to stay balanced as the ship moves with the waves

We challenged Dan and Cherrie to a game of pool. We won (no thanks to Me). Well, I did make 2 amazing shots in a row where the balls actually went in the pocket..but the next shot I barely hit the cue ball.

OR

That I had FUN!

Well, Let's get the record straight............
Craig+15 days+ Hawaii =

1 Happy Kris

SUNDAY SIX

On this beautiful Sunday afternoon I have so many reasons to REJOICE! I will share a few of them...Six to be specific..

1. VACATIONS! 2 weeks alone with Craig. No phone (to speak of), no computer, no housework, no meetings, no assignments, no work....just relax, eat, play, talk, eat and watch the sea and eat some more!

This is the pool area on our ship...where we spent some very restful time. The ship was beautiful. We love to be on the sea. We love everything about cruising.


2. BEAUTY OF THE EARTH Hawaii is so very beautiful. The green is beautiful. The flowers are beautiful. The colors of the ocean waters display more hues of blue than can be described.

We saw Banyan trees, waterfalls in a lagoon that we kayaked to, chickens roaming free, beautiful skies, stars galore and many beautiful people.

Craig and I will go back and explore more of Hawaii someday.

The ocean is magnificent. We love being on it; the swaying of the boat, the crashing of waves, the fresh air, the surprises in the weather, the power of a huge ship floating through the vast sea.

3. COURAGE
I admit that the whole idea of snorkeling made me nervous. We went way out into the ocean to a crater to snorkel. The captain of the boat that took us there said the water was 100 feet deep! All we had to do was jump in the ocean and stick our face in the water and breath just right to see we were surrounded by fish. Well, there are a whole lot of elements to that last sentence to cause CONCERN!

But, I did it! I stuck my face in the water and was AMAZED at the beauty. It was an entirely different world. The turquoise water was crystal clear. Pink and bright yellow coral decorated the bottom of the sea while amazing fish glided all around me. It was one of the best hours of my life.

4. CRAIG
Craig is such a fun traveling companion. This photo depicts him in his tuxedo. Isn't he a good sport to get all dressed up? He knows that it means a lot to me. I'm a 'Fancy Nancy'. So, Formal night on a cruise is just pure delight to me. Isn't he a hunk?

Craig is fun in more ways than wearing a tux. He has a fun sense of humor, he is so interesting to talk with, he loves adventure, he is a good sport ( he let me win most of the ping pong games but he killed me in pool), he talks about the gospel often, and best of all he loves me. He knows how to make me feel loved. He says and does just the right things.

5. HEALTH
This is a photo of us looking sad. Poor Craig contracted an intestinal bug during our cruise. On the 3rd day of it he went to the ship doctor to see if they had better medicine than our regular old Imodium. BANG! He was placed on 48 hour quarantine and 24 hours for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, this is a photo of us in Honolulu ! That beautiful sight out our window is all that Craig got to see that day!
And he never saw Kona. I did. He insisted that I go without him. It turned out to be lots of fun. Before I ever left the ship a gentleman asked to be my traveling companion. So, I went on a date in Kona. Here is my friend, Bill.


6. GOSPEL FRIENDS

To our delight Dan and Cherrie Martin were assigned at our dinner table. They are from Utah. We had wonderful conversations with them. It felt good to associate with people we had so much in common with. Their son had received his mission call the very day our cruise began. They had invited us to tour Honolulu with them. Dan gave Craig a priesthood blessing before they departed for their fun day. It was a comfort to have the priesthood available.