Relationships Matter

As a nana who lives far far away when I do get the opportunity to roll into town - I promptly roll right back out.  Except this time I am rolling with grandson, Austin to go visit my other grandson, Kellan in Madison, Wisconsin!

In doing trips like these I hope to foster and build lasting family relationships  Over the last few years I have learned that it is relationships that matter most in this life.

Your relationship with God and Christ
Your relationship with your spouse
Your relationship with your children, their spouses and your grandchildren
Your relationship with your parents and siblings
your relationship with those in your life that bring you love, support, understanding and who have your back when times are tough!

So I embark on this adventure to help foster love between two grandsons - may you too work hard at developing those relationships that are meaningful in your life!

Tough Mudder or Tough Mother

My goal to celebrate 14 years of being cancer free was to participate in a Tough Mudder Challenge!

  What is a Tough Mudder....

IT IS HARD!!

Before the challenge we all take the Mudder Pledge...

• I understand that Tough Mudder is not a race but a challenge.
• I put teamwork and camaraderie before my course time.
• I do not whine - kids whine.
• I help my fellow Mudders complete the course.
• I overcome all fears.

My son-in-law, Scott, asked if I wanted to join his team...the three young guys wore pink t-shirts to honor me as a breast cancer survivor of 14 years.  The made an awesome team.  

Thanks Scott, Alex and Mike!

Here we are before and after...

I am one

 TOUGH MUDDER or am I one 

TOUGH MOTHER!!

BOTH!!

Nana's Chores

Traveled back to the United States on September 15th to visit my new little grandson, Jack!  Will be in the USA until October 30th, and will love every day!

Today I was given a chore by my daughter Audrey, to hold baby Jack while she cleaned the kitchen.  

Wow, can I just say that it was the BEST chore ever!  Hope I get more chores like this!

Cemeteries, Churches and Catacombs

  One of the things I enjoy while traveling is taking pictures of cemeteries, grave markers and old churches.  I love to wander the grounds and listen for stories of the past.  I love to read the headstones or crypt markers, weird as it maybe but these people lived and have a story to tell and I just find that fascinating.  I always feel very peaceful while walking among the many names, my heart goes out to small infants that die so young, to the mothers whose arms ache for not being able to hold their child and especially to those markers that are nameless. 

While in Austria last week I was able to ramble through many old churches with cemeteries attached - one that even had catacombs.   I find beauty where others my not... I dare you not to find beauty is some of my photos...

Danka Austria...

Ten days ago I left on another one of my wonderful adventures...my first European visit to Austria.  As I set in the airport in Vienna I marvel at what I have been able to see and do in the past few days. 

Ron is a wonderful husband that works hard for family.  He was unable to take time off for my birthday but that doesn't stop him from spoiling me.  I had some airlines miles that needed to be used up, you acquire quite a few flying between the USA and Thailand, so I used them on a flight to Austria....and when in Austria one must dress like a "Native" !!


Here is just a brief montage of my activities...
England's King Richard was Held Prisoner here during the crusades and Sitting on the castle wall over looking the Danube River an hour outside Vienna, Austria.

Schönbrunn Palace is a World Cultural Heritage site and Austria's most-visited sight. The baroque total work of art consisting of palace and gardens was for centuries the property of the Habsburgs and is today largely in its original condition.

 

 This day was raining but that doesn't stop this Seattleite   I was able to see this beautiful Medieval Castle and all the chain male and armament that a Knight would want.

It was amazing to see building, homes, places and castles that were dating back to the 1150 through 1900's

I love HISTORY!

 After spending a few day with my wonderful friends, the Clevinger's, I was ready to get out on my own.  I rented a car and drove to Salzburg, Austria.  This is the home of many musicians and the film set for The Sound of Music.  Mozart home is here and some almost 50 churches that ring church bells at least three times a day!  Most of Salzburg was developed during the Barque Period and has some amazing architecture that I love.

 

My 54th Birthday was spent on a Sound of Music Bicyce tour of Salzburg and my touring group was nice enough to sing me Happy Birthday.  

Even traveling  alone you are never really alone!

It was A GREAT day! 

 I was able to rent a car in Vienna and the nicely upgraded me to a Mercedes Benz - WOW that was a sweet ride.  One of my talents is driving and boy was I showing all my skills on the Autobahn driving  from Vienna to Salzburg and then into Germany and back.

 One of the reason that I went into Germany was I wanted to visit Hitler's Eagle Nest.  His SS headquarters in lower Germany.  It was built high on a stone mountain and is a man made wonder. A mere 6050 feet above sea level!

I am grateful for a husband who so willing allowed me to take this trip for my Birthday.  The only thing that would have made it better is if he could have gone on this adventure with me, next time for sure!  Thanks, Ron ... I love you! 

Danka Austria

Missionary Mom

I am now getting ready to be another missionary mom.  Living in Asia still I was not able to be with John in person as he opened his mission call for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.  But through technology our entire family was able to be together as John opened his call.  Audrey, Toren and Austin are in Las Vegas; David, Mandy and Kellan are in still in New Jersey while Laura and Scott are in Dallas. John has been staying and working in Washington state, with my mother and Ron and I still find ourselves in our home in sunny Thailand. 


Here is a picture of our Google Hangout as John opens his call.  I am proud to announce that John Blain Gailey will be reporting to the MTC on October 15 and then going to serve a two year mission in the Utica New York Mission.  I am so very happy, proud and excited for him.  He has be to many countries, met many people and has endured being away from family for at least 4 years - He can do what ever he puts his hurt and mind to.  

Love this young man more then words can say.  He has been my constant companion and friend for the last four years of my Asia stay.  I have learned a lot from him and he is a hero to me.  I am proud to be a missionary MOM!  

Mantra 2014 Late but Great

I realized today that I never established my 2014 mantra.  When I mentioned this to Ron he asked me what my last years mantra was; I told him and he promptly said that I probably didn't come up with a mantra for 2014 because I was still living my 2013 mantra, the one that was dedicated to my father.  It has been a hard year - I didn't realize how much of a daddy's girl I was or how much I appreciated his warm hugs and phone calls until they are gone.

Early in March of this year I was having a peculiar hard time.  I was struggling with loneliness and trying to reinvent myself, my life and my dreams.  Ron had been travel out of town quiet a bit, John was off at BYU, the other three kids had their own families and lives and I just didn't, and in some ways still don't, fit in here.   It had been a difficult Sabbath day and I need a blessing.  Thankfully a wonderful home teacher was willing to step in and give me a Priesthood blessing of comfort and healing.  One of the things that I was blessed with was..."to know that any frustrations, conflicts, pain or confusion would be healed through the grace of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Through His loving atonement, a very real power, that surrounds me.  I would find myself being healed.  As I come to recognize this power I am to let it work within me...As I study the principles of the atonement and charity my soul, both body and spirit, will be buoyed up and will be strengthened in totality."  That was and is a great blessing - it was just what I needed.

Reflecting on that blessing the past few days I have developed my 2014 mantra:

"Through Grace, the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I can do ALL things that are good"

 
Since March I have been studying the Atonement and keeping an atonement study journal.  It has help me to focus on learning to understand the principles of the atonement and how to let it "work within me".   I have learned that purpose of the gospel of Jesus Christ is to make bad people good and to make good people better.  It is a process and not a destination.  I still struggle with fitting in here and keeping myself productively busy and not feeling lost, forgotten or lonely.  But as I use the enabling power I find that I am more able to follow the will of the Lord and to turn to Him with my problems, challenges and issues and He in turn brings me comfort, peace and satisfaction knowing that I am progressing into becoming what He wants me to be.