The Swing of Things

So, I'm still trying to get the hang of this.  I forgot to mention in the "Long Time no Blog" blog-that Last month was AMAZING!  One of the most intense months I've had in a while, but oh so great!  Here's what happened:

     On February 12, my big sister Robin, was set apart as a full time missionary.  For the next 18 months she will be known as Sister Johnson to the people of Fresno California (and surrounding areas).  The very next day (or just later that night) we hopped on a plan to Boise Idaho, as the first of many stops on one super vacation.  Once in Boise we drove to our Uncle Dennis' Hotel where we got to visit him and his family.  Even Cooler, was that at 2pm Dennis and his wife and 4 daughters went through the Boise Idaho Temple to be sealed as a family for all eternity!   I was the designated babysitter of a very sleepy Elyse and Liam, but I hear it was a beautiful ceremony and I know that Families can be together forever.
      To be honest, it was really REALLY hard for me to sit in the car while my mom, sisters, brother in law, grandma, aunts, uncles, cousins all went into the temple without me-I couldn't help but to cry because I so badly wanted to go in.  The Temple for those who don't know, is the most beautiful, sacred and peaceful place anyone could go.  Its is where we go to be sealed as families and to make covenants with our Heavenly Father-two way promises between us and the Lord.  We promise our Faith and Obedience to his laws and commandments, and he promises blessings unmeasured, and I can testify that he always holds up his end of the deal.  I have been so immeasurably blessed because of the covenants I have made-like my baptismal covenants-and the covenants my parents have made, like the marriage covenant in the temple-I can't even begin to describe it.  I look forward to the time when I get to go to the temple and make those sacred covenants.
      After the temple, we all went to Chuck-o-Rama for dinner.  It was so nice to see my Johnson family again. Wish that everyone had been able to be there, but the Following Tuesday we did get to go to dinner with Karla and Roger, whom I must say, I love so much.  They're just fun!  On Sunday of our Trip all of the Elmers came to Tremonton and we just had a fun relaxing evening with Cousins and aunts and Uncles.  I sometimes hate being so far away, but it definitely makes the visits that much sweeter.  I believe we saw almost every Elmer but those in Arizona, the Charbonneau's in Washington, and a few cousins who are scattered about at school.  It was again, so nice to see everyone!

     On Wednesday we were in Provo, and we dropped Robin off at the Missionary Training Center (MTC).  She was SO nervous, she couldn't eat lunch before she went in, but when we got there two strapping young Elders in Suits helped her with her bags, and then as she was escorted in a group of 10 or more gathered around.  She had two large bags but noticed that everyone else was only carrying 1 bag-after talking to a friend who reports in a couple of weeks, I understood.  He's going to some Islands close to Africa, and he has a single bag limit that must be 44 lbs or less because of boats from island to island.  Good thing Robin is staying state side, I know I couldn't condense it to one 44 lb bag either!
   The rest of the trip just included visiting family and Friends. I was happy to spend time with Amanda and Jordan-they both graduate from BYU in May and then will be headed out to wherever work takes them.  We probably won't see them as often from now on.  And we spent lots of time with Grama and Grampa Elmer.  Grampa has Amyloid Heart Disease and congestive heart failure.  He was diagnosed last summer and we don't know how long we still have him, so seeing him again was so good.  I also got to run up to Rexburg for a quicker than quick visit to see some of my former roommates and friends!  Those girls make me happy, and thanks goes to Ariel and David for the couch and food!

    Our last leg of the trip was an overnight layover in LA so that Elyse and Liam could meet their Grandma and Grandpa Jensen.  The day we flew home was Liam's 1st B-day.  Elyse got sick so we didn't have the cupcakes that Grandma Jensen had, but that doesn't matter.  The grandparents met the kids and they let us on the plane!