JOY AND REJOICING IN MY POSTERITY

My antecedents support me here as the
old wisteria at the corner supports the
house.
from: Angle of Repose
By: Wallace Stegner

It took LESS than 24 hours before I began feeling the expected repercussions of having a righteous return missionary among us. Im already longing to be a better person!! And who better to help me than my own sweet daughter?!

Reality here is almost too much for her. You may know the look...A doe caught in the headlights....
But she is so strong, so wise, so close to the spirit. She's going to be fine...Better than fine really; shes going to be GREAT!! Shes going to carry on being the best example to me and her family and all those she meets.
Here are the major highlights thus far:
-There's the large, loving crowd at the airport to greet her as she arrived in sunny St George.

-Then there's the babies, and more babies. Her nephews-one she hadnt even met yet and the other one so big she hardly recognized him. And then there were good friends with their own babies in their arms!! And best of all, she spent the first evening snuggling with the adorable babies. A pleasure not to be enjoyed while serving. This helped to take some sharp edges off the real world. Bliss!!!

-I am being followed around by the most adorable lost puppy dog girl. She is so missing the security of a constant companion. She doesnt feel right without one. (I personally hope this residual by-product of missionary service lasts a long time!! I LOVE being followed by this sweet thing!! We're having 'sleep-over's' for a few nights!!)

-Her gratitude is palatable!! Phone calls, blog comments, prayers, and blessing are overwhelming and so appreciated. You are all so awesome!! Thank you Thank you!!! We all feel your love and support. Also; as she unpacks the boxes that were stored away for her here, she is shocked at how spoiled she was/is by the quantity of clothes she owns. She is embarrassed by the excess.

-Rising early in the morning with her. (Good thing hiking has gotten me well acclimated to this procedure) Breakfast together. Her daddy hid away a few precious servings of 'Grandma Granola', since Christmas time, just for her to enjoy. You should have seen her eyes light up when she saw that little bag of the most tasty morsels!! And fresh blueberries were an extra bonus!! YUM!!!

-Watching her struggle with the restraint she feels when she would rather just walk up to the folks sitting on the bench or at the table next to us, and strike up a conversation about the Church. Its breaking her heart that she feels like she cant do it the same anymore.

When I begin comparing (I know, I know, shame, shame, shame on me for "comparing"!!) my life to the life of a valiant missionary who has served faithfully and with such heart, for 19 months--I realize what a sloppy mess I am!!
Boy do I waste too much time in a day
I listen to the wrong music
I watch ridiculous things on tv
I speak too loudly
I dont look at people when Im talking to them. Meaning, I dont REALLY look at them with penetrating eyes.
Already she's become a catalyst for change around here! Already!!!
Friday morning we were out the door and headed for the St. George Temple. We had 6 of us spending time together there!! We spent a good part of the day there, at least for those that didnt have babies waiting for them at home. (Thank you, thank you dear Joe for watching the babies, so that we ladies could all do this together.)
If you want to disconnect from the world....or at least avoid reconnecting for as long as possible, head to the nearest temple; with people that you love, love, love, and bask in the spirit of a loving Heavenly Father. Ahhhhhhhhhh.....
Life is so good!!
It is so, so wonderful to have Anna back with us!!! Though it is quite obvious that she left a HUGE hunk of her heart in Texas!!

WHAT I KNOW:
Im grateful for her example and all the previous example in our family of great missionary service. The blessings cant be numbered that we have enjoyed because of their service and sacrifice in behalf of our Savior. Rich blessings. How delightful it'll be to watch now, as blessing for Anna unfold before our eyes!!