Eva McGann is the greatest. Our whole clan was home over the holidays (more on that later) and Eva tackled the job of taking our family pic. Here are the results - love it!!!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
He's home!!!!
After two years of honorable service to the Lord as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Breton is home from Joao Pessoa Brazil!!
We missed him. We're proud of him. We love him.
Eager anticipation . . .
and happy reunions!
Wishing Shaw, Tan, and Les could have been there . .
but at least Breton got to meet Claire.
We went straight to the stake president's office for Breton's release. We love Pres. Chapman so very much and have been so thankful over the years to have had him at the crossroads of so many of our family's experiences.
Even though you can't see it, I'm pretty sure Bret's name tag is now off. Ah well, let a new chapter of life begin!
Worthy Is the Lamb!
I've been taking violin lessons from Marie Wride the great for about 4 years now. Two years ago, at Christmastime, she helped me, very patiently, to learn a few songs from Handel's Messiah. I sat with the orchestra that year, mostly just listening, but occasionally playing when my piece or two come up on the program.
This year, the goal was to learn to play the whole thing. Whew. The whole thing. We worked and worked and practiced and practiced and Marie never lost faith in me. Did I learn the whole thing? Well - yes - as long as I could play at my own speed. But at performance tempo, I had to sit out a piece or two because it was just too fast. But - I knew where we were during the whole score (an accomplishment for me in and of itself) and played almost every note.
It was exhilarating. The practicing was wonderful. The music is indescribable. The rehearsals were challenging and delightful all at once. On the night of the performance, I was a bit nervous, but eager. With each piece, I gained more confidence. When finally we played the last piece, "Worthy Is The Lamb", I was overcome with emotion. Because I had learned this music that I thought would ever be out of reach? Partly.
Because Handel is musical genius? Partly.
Mostly, because Jesus Christ, the worthy lamb, the son of God, the redeemer of my soul, has come to earth, has ransomed me, has atoned infinitely for me.
I am in awe of The Messiah.
Africa x 3
This fall, Daren traveled to Africa 3 times. He was away for 7 weeks out of 9 - coming home now and then to check in and gear up for his next outing.
He spent alot of this trip in the desert and saw amazing things and had unforgettable experiences.
We love hearing about his travel (and enjoying the goodies he brings back) but, all in all, would always rather have him home with us.
Are You Ready for Some Football?
High School football this year was spectacular! The Huskies had a winning regular season and went on to the regional tournament for the 2nd year in a row!
Our boys played key roles. Each primarily played defensive line or defensive end - but also saw some action on the O line and at tight end.
It was especially fun the weeks that they started together and the plays where they lined up right next to each other.
As a senior, Chapman has to bid farewell to Husky football, but it's been a great ride. Max has a couple years left to play.
Go Huskies!!
Straight A's
Max and Marcy were both honored this fall for having report cards with straight A's. Here's a shot of Marcy among the other honorees in her grade. Max - well, you're just going to have to take out word for it.
Section Hikers . . .
While Daren would love to hike the whole Appalachian Trail, the odds of that happening in this life time are pretty remote. So he's decided to gather info from those who have hiked the whole thing so that he can use their experience to pick out the best sections to hike.
He and Marcy hiked one of those sections over Thanksgiving. They went to southern Virginia to hike a portion of the AT that is home to herds of docile ponies that live in the wild.
The hikers had a great time - and in fact did spy lots of ponies. Marcy, a bit of an animal whisperer, had lots of good time spent with ponies. And both Daren and Marcy had a great time together hiking.
Now, which section will be next . . . . .?
Sarah Shaw Higgins Dickson 1933-2012
My sweet mother, Sally Dickson, passed away on Saturday, 29 September 2012 at her home.
She had been ill with heart disease in one degree or another since 1995. Although her heart was weak, her life was full and vibrant and active.
She was hospitalized for about a week in July 2012 and then was significantly slowed down after that. She was hospitalized again on 20 September 2012 for about another week. In a very weakened state, she returned home on Wednesday 26 September, the day after her 79th birthday. By that evening, all of her children and many other members of her posterity gathered around to bid her farewell. Her passing was peaceful and she was surrounded by many who loved her. We were able to speak freely with her about life and death and eternal families. She was not afraid to leave this life and looked forward with great anticipation to the day that she could return to be with our dad. We're happy for them both that they are no longer separated.
The family time before and after her passing was never to be forgotten. Her viewing and funeral were faith promoting events filled with love and praise - both for her - and for our Lord who makes immortality and eternal life possible.
The pallbearers, each one an exemplary man, were her grandsons that were able to attend the funeral. Each was dignified and reverent, performing their duties wonderfully.
My mom and dad had 7 seven children - and here we are, posed in order from oldest to youngest. I'm blessed to be eternally connected to each one.
My mom had 38 grandchildren, most of whom were able to travel to her funeral. She also had many great-grandchildren, 5 of whom were born within a few weeks preceding her passing.
She has left a lasting, eternal legacy.
My mom lived in our home for the past 16 years. She was a dear friend to me in daily, happy ways.
I miss her and love her more than words can express.
She's here . . . straight from heaven!!
Claire Elizabeth Tagg
was born on 19 September 2012.
She's perfect and beautiful and wonderful and amazing.
We're so thankful to have her in our family.
We love it in Spokane
As a layover on our way home from western Canada, we enjoyed, once again, the matchless hospitality of our dear friends, the Wilsons.
Their list of kind deeds is endless - helping pick up and drop off a rental motor home, offering beds and food on each end of our trip, shuttling our bags and bodies to and from the airport, offering us a chance to visit with Les and Tan, and, best of all, fun, games, boating, and friendship. I'm sure we won't get to Spokane often, but when we do, we feel like we've gone home. Thanks Kathy and Jim!!!
International Max
Max got busy this summer working further toward his Eagle Scout project. He opted to paint a map of the world at his alma mater elementary school - right next to the US map that an older brother painted for his scout project.
We had tons of help and made short order of getting that map painted. Lots of friends/ward members/scouts came to help. We are so thankful.
Now just a few merit badges to go til he's a full fledged eagle . . .
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