Happy Places

Everyone who knows me knows that Maui is my HAPPY PLACE!  And while we love it there, in 2020 we decided that our Hawaii trip would be to the Big Island.  Since we'd never been there before we thought that we should branch out a bit and see something new.

I admit that during the first few days, we spent a lot of time comparing things to what we were used to on Maui.

On our first excursion we could even see Maui.

That mountain you see at the end of the road is actually about 30 miles away across the ocean.  It's Mt. Haleakala on Maui! 

By the 3rd day we had settled down and found all kinds of things to love about the Big Island.

The Marriott Resort is very nice!

I feel in love with this pretty little Hawaiian church!

Kalij pheasants 

Nenes - the endangered Hawaiian Goose.

Spectacular sunsets

Easily accessible black sand beaches!

Plenty of sunshine so that we could enjoy relaxing and reading by the pool.

We even got to spend an evening in the beautiful Kona Temple with our friends, the Sillimans who are serving a mission there. 

By the end of our 10 day visit, I can honestly say that while Maui is my 'happiest place', the Big Island is one of my happy places!

Extraordinary!

After my last post about 'normal' this one covers a week that was anything but normal - It was extraordinary!

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we believe that families are forever.  When a couple is married in one of our temples, the vows don't end with 'til death do us part'.  They are sealed  together in marriage for 'time and all eternity'.  Any children born to that union are automatically a part of their eternal family.

Mary and Mark were married on December 20, 2000 in the Boise Temple.

Last year a darling baby boy came into their home through foster care. In July he legally became their son.  Now they could take him to the temple so he could become eternally their son in a simple ceremony we call a sealing.

 The closest temple to Mary and Mark is the Washington DC Temple but unfortunately it is closed for renovations.  The Philadelphia Temple is about 3 hours from their home so the 'sealing' was held there.  The temple in downtown Philly has the classic architecture of the city and period furniture that is reminiscent of 1776.  There is even a painting of the founding fathers in the entry way.

Mary made these cute invitations and sent them to their close friends and family.

Here's little Jackson waiting inside the temple.  Normally you can't take photos in the temple but since this was only in the entryway, a worker gave me permission. There are no photos of the actual ceremony. 

I was so touched at all the friends and family that traveled to support Mary, Mark and Jackson. 

It brought a tear to my eyes to see all the love that this sweet family has from friends in their Ward (church congregation) and from Mark's family. About 35 people came to be with them for this momentous occasion.  And remember it is a 3 hour drive from Harper's Ferry to Philadelphia. 

One of Mark's sisters flew in from Dallas, another sister and brother-in-law from Tucson, and another sister-in-law drove 6 hours one way from Buffalo, New York.  Plus a cousin came from Baltimore and an aunt and uncle from southern Pennsylvania.  And of course, Grandma Reynolds from Harper's Ferry. 

George and I were thrilled beyond words to celebrate our new little grandson!

I felt so much love also from my wonderful photographer friends.  One of the young women from our Eagle Ward now lives in Philadelphia.  I asked her if she would come and take photos for us and she agreed.  Another friend also has a daughter who lives there and since she was visiting her daughter at the time, they also came to help take photos!   Babies and husbands in tow! It was like the paparazzi!  So much fun to feel the love and support!

Families can be together forever!

Jackson Sarow Reynolds