Adventures

Our family has always loved to travel.  Almost yearly we go on a wonderful adventure of some sort.  These vacations require planning and saving, but we have never once regretted our time together.  We have visited Europe, Mexico, Hawaii, Australia, Alaska, and many spots in the US.  As our family grows (yea!!) it will be more difficult, no doubt, to pull off long, elaborate trips, but I think the experiences have exposed our children to the "hows" of travel, and the worthwhile memories it brings.

Brittney was able to do a study abroad in London while at BYU.  Camille also completed a Study Abroad with the business school where she visited quite a few European countries.  This past winter Jace called and announced that he also wanted a study abroad experience--his country of choice?  Africa!  He left two weeks ago for Uganda for 10 weeks..  He is working with a group called HELP International teaching business and accounting classes to micro businesses.  They also do some humanitarian work, and teach classes about hygiene and social issues. . . he's helping teach a class to teenage boys about respecting women and sex ed!  Oh my! 

We were able to talk with him last night and he is having a fabulous time.  He "poops in a hole" and showers with a bucket.  He does his laundry by hand in a big tub and hangs it on the line to dry (I would LOVE to see him do that!)   He said that surprisingly, the weather is almost perfect:  it is the dry season there right now so it is about 85 during the day and 65 at night with low humidity.  Lucky.  He is eating a lot of fruit and some sort of local sandwich thing.  He mentioned how interesting it is to see their attitude about food--they truly just eat to live, and don't live to eat.  Food is simply fuel--a necessity, basic, no fan fare.  There really aren't restaurants and socializing doesn't evolve around food.  So opposite of us Americans.  Makes sense why we as a nation are getting bigger and bigger. 

So, here's to Jace and his African Adventure!  Admittingly I'm slightly jealous, but I think I'm too old for the primitive college student type of trip.  We are actually on our way to our own adventure. . . YW Girl's Camp!   Who knows, I may come home with my own crazy stories to tell.

Church is about an hour away.  He said that this week they had a baptism after church and baptized a family of 5!
 He said that it was "super cool" and made him just a bit nostalgic for his missionary days in Japan.

At a soccor/football match.  I had to laugh--Who knew that LeBron made it to the game??

Face painting outside the soccer stadium.  Crazy fans!

A group of African women they taught.

This is one of their business classes.  They speak English in Uganda, but of course it is heavily accented and there are native words here and there thrown in.  He said they just speak slowly to one another and they can communicate just fine.
 He is learning a few Ugandese phrases too. 

Lugazi, Uganda.  Definitely different than Provo and Spokane.  Isn't the world a wonderful place?

For Good

One of the truths in life is that the older you get, the less important the "day of your birth" really is.  Of course everyone likes a party and having birthdays is better than the alternative :), but when it falls in the middle of the week on a Tuesday night or isn't a "milestone" birthday (i.e. 80th!!) a creative surprise is difficult.  Brent had a birthday on June 12th, and it ended up being one of his most favorite in recent memory.

As noted, he was recently released as Bishop of our ward.  The past few months have been an adjustment for him as he is no longer involved personally one-to-one with many people.  He especially misses his time with the youth. . . and they miss him!  Several weeks ago some of the kids came up with the idea to have a special celebration in his honor to thank him for being their Bishop and their friend.  When we collaborated to find a day to surprise him, it worked out beautifully that his birthday was around the corner.  Now the only trick was to figure out how to surprise him!

Well, the past year we have had a darling exchange student from China in our ward, Eva Chang.  She has been hosted by the Hoke family, and quickly became so very loved.  In fact, she welcomed the missionary lessons and was given permission by her family to join the Church.  She was baptized in March.  She is going back to China this week and we will all miss her so much.  So, this was the plan. . . Brent thought we were going to a going-away party for Eva, and Eva thought we were having a party for Bishop McLaws!  Both were clueless (so to speak).  Brent thought we were just "stopping by" for a short time before I took him out for a "special dinner."  (Really. . . we eat together every night.  Believe me, going out to dinner is something we probably do way to often!)  He was so surprised when we walked into the Colvin's home and all the kids were surrounding the piano.  They had prepared a perfect song as a tribute--
"For Good" from the musical "Wicked". 

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you.

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good.

 It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

Because I knew you
I have been changed for good.

Needless to say, Brent and I were wiping away a few tears.  It was a beautiful tribute.  The words were so applicable.  When we serve others, we love  them and we are left with many handprints on our heart.  We then enjoyed a yummy barbeque and swim party.  We are so blessed to have so many wonderful friends in our ward.

So, Happy Birthday to Brent! 

Also Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful fathers, brothers,

son, son-in-laws and friends in my life.  

You are all great examples to me.

That's Eva with Brent on the left.   Isn't she beautiful?
The upper right is a group picture of all the kids who were there.
Bottom right is his birthday cake.

On the left I'm holding Sam Nielsen.  Lindsay and Sam were visiting for a few days.  Such a cute kid.
In the middle is  a picture of Brent with the YW.  They are all awesome!
The right is a picture of the party hosts--The Colvin's.  They are great friends.