Meet Data

One of our Christmas surprises for the kids was our new puppy, Data. For those who don't know me or my children well, he's named in honor of one our favorite Star Trek characters, Lieutenant Commander Data. The character was killed off in the last Star Trek: Nemesis movie as he saved the lives of his captain and fellow shipmates. (Our friends, Jim and Melanie, will remember me sobbing as his 'life' ended on screen). Anyway, Data is a wonderful puppy. Very quiet and snuggly and is potty training well - thank goodness. It's like having a new baby in the house sans the diapers and bottles!!

One of my favorite gifts was receiving a phone call at 6PM Christmas Night from Dalon in Hong Kong. He sounded wonderful! He's being very positive and appreciates any progress he makes as far as the language is concerned. His trainer has been transferred and his new comp is coming from an area of Hong Kong that has a large english speaking population, so the new comp is a little rusty in his own Cantonese. This is really a blessing for Dalon, because it means he has to speak more on his own and rely less on his comp. His trainer was great, but it's the right time for Dalon to strengthen his own skills.

As we made our family phone calls, I just realized how blessed we are to have technology to communicate and stay close. I love to email Dalon and receive his in return, but to hear his voice and to hear the sincerity as he expressed what a wonderful experience he's having was precious. To hear my brother's and sister's and our parents voices was wonderful and we were so far away!! What a miracle this technology is in our day.

One more thing that is miraculous! The completion of our garage. Arlen is a miracle worker with a hammer and nails. We are excited that it's done and now on to the next project - building a sewing room/guest bedroom! Yea! We're excited to have Arlen's brother, Paul with us to start that project off on the right foot!

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way Home from Waco

We received a wonderful invite to attend an Eagle Court of Honor for one of Arlen's former scouts in Waco. The timing was right due to Thanksgiving holidays so we thought we'd make a quick trip to Waco/Robinson area on Saturday, attend church and return on Sunday evening in time to prepare for school and seminary the next day. We had such a terrific time visiting with our friends there. The time was too short, but it was just the drink of water we needed after being away for a year and a half. (I love the blogs, but nothing can beat a one on one conversation!) Anyway, we attended church on Sunday and started on our way home. The weather was a bit dreary. It rained consistently from the time we left Waco until we reached Wichita Falls. The cooler weather required us to use our defroster to keep the windshield clear. A little info here - our air conditioning compressor had gone bad during the summer and we'd been told it needed to be replaced. We decided we would wait to replace it in the spring. Guess what? The defroster requires the compressor as well. HMMM....

Well, as we were driving through WF I asked Arlen were we going to stop? I was calculating hours we'd been in the car and the bladder size of each of my children as well as my own needs. Arlen was in the "Let's go as far as we can and not stop until there is a dire 'Daddy, I have to go now!' moment" mode. I understood that thought process as I've had those thoughts myself when traveling alone with the kids. For some reason, though, I felt that we should stop sooner rather than later and so requested that we do so in Iowa Park just outside WF so I could use the restroom. As we pulled off the highway into the gas station we could hear the engine making a terrible racket. The sound had been previously masked by the highway noise and the rain coming down. The rain had now turned to snow and we knew the engine was not in good shape. A quick phone call to Arlen's dad, who is a car engine whiz, and he confirmed that the engine was not in good shape and that it sounded like a bearing was about to fail. Arlen decided that rather than risk the car completely breaking down in the snow, in the Panhandle wilderness, at night, with his family, we would get a hotel and find a place the next day to fix the van. This discovery prior to a major breakdown in the middle of nowhere is blessing #1.

Blessing #2 - The Holiday Inn in WF sent a van to come get us and take us back to the hotel. I'm going to overlook the fact that the ride back to the hotel was the scariest part of the trip, because the defroster was not working, the windshield was fogged over, the roads were now snowy and icy and the van was swaying like it was top heavy. And the driver looked a little worse for the wear.

Blessing #3 - The hotel gave us a discount for our stay.

Blessing #4 - We called the Bishop in Wichita Falls to ask if there might be someone who could take Arlen back out to the car the next day and if he might recommend a mechanic in the area. The Bishop turned out to be a mechanic who specialized in car airconditioning/heating. Hmmm....

Blessing #5 - The next day the hotel took Arlen back to our car in Iowa Park so we did not have to worry about finding a ride. Just for reference this is about 15 miles one way from the hotel.

Blessing #6 - A mechanic in Iowa Park confirmed that the air conditioning clutch was frozen and that the bearing was burning out. Arlen drove the van to Bishop Scoggins garage. They had all the parts needed to replace our compressor and expansion valve - a newly discovered problem.

Blessing #7 - The final cost was much less than we'd been quoted previously for just the compressor.

We are so amazed at how our Heavenly Father watches over us. My dad reminded me of the blessings that come from having a son on a mission as well. Whatever the reason, we were blessed and protected and know that we are loved.

Seminary Stars

These are most of my seminary stars. There were a few missing on this particular day, so I'm hopeful I'll get another picture when the others are present. As you can see, they are enjoying their "Friday Food" which is served after our scripture mastery activity has been completed.

I've so enjoyed getting to know these youth and hearing them share their testimonies, knowledge and discoveries as we've spent time together so early in the mornings. I was thinking about it, and so far this school year, I've spent about 48 hours of instructive and fun time with these kids. What a privilege that is to be entrusted with this responsibility. Thank goodness it's the Spirit that really teaches! I've finally stopped trying to put all the load on myself and realized that this is a team effort. I do my part, the youth do their part, and the Spirit does his part. I still look for great ways to introduce the principles of the gospel to them, so anyone with ideas PLEASE share!! I love a great object lesson or readiness activity. The Old Testament is chock full of symbols, sacrifice, commandments, obedience, types and shadows of Christ. The challenge is to present it in a way that the youth will start wondering and questioning and searching on their own. It's a terrific challenge and one that I've taken to heart, but I love to learn from others what experiences and valuable teaching methods have worked for them so that I can improve and, hopefully, be a better instrument in the Lord's hands where these Canyon Ward youth are concerned!

Happy Halloween

Carston wanted to be Mr. Darcy for Halloween. From Pride and Prejudice, of course. I thought he looked rather dashing. He said he had his picture taken 3 times at school, the girls all identified who he was, and the teachers remarked how handsome he looked. Several kids even said he looked like Joseph Smith. How do a bunch of non-LDS kids know this? Guess what they are studying in US History at this moment? They were nice about it, however. Two of his friends dressed up as Mormon missionaries complete with white shirts, ties and bicycle helmets. They did ask Carston if he would be offended if they did this - and he admonished them to be on their best behavior while they were dressed that way. Amazing!



Landon was Mr. Bingley. Bowen was Luke Skywalker. Lauren wanted to be a bunny.
We tried to talk her out of it, because we had better costumes, but she was thoroughly happy and I guess that's all that matters!!

Timely Wisdom

I also really enjoyed General Conference this year. I always end up feeling like they were speaking directly to me. It seemed to me that there were a lot of General Authorities who mentioned their mothers and their gratitude for them. And, it also seemed that there were several talks about mothers this time and their righteous influence. It's been timely for me to hear these loving things directed toward mothers. Sometimes you just need a boost, a pat on the back and some reassurance that you are doing the right things. My favorite talk was Sister Beck's. She said, "Mothers who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less and consume less of the world's goods in order to spend more time with their children—more time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all. Their goal is to prepare a rising generation of children who will take the gospel of Jesus Christ into the entire world. Their goal is to prepare future fathers and mothers who will be builders of the Lord's kingdom for the next 50 years. That is influence; that is power." This is such a challenge in this day and age, but she put it so Beautifully! I love going to others blogs and reading about the happening in your lives and feeling of your spirits since I cannot be with you physically. At times like these I really miss your sisterhood!! (And brotherhood, as the case may be.)

The MOM Song

You have got to see this!!! It's so fun to be a mom! How amazing to have the life of a mom summed up in 2 minutes and 54 seconds!! Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxT5NwQUtVM

Familiar Faces

Dalon recently told us that he had run into Josh Flynn who used to live in Waco when we lived in Robinson. They live in the same building at the MTC and see each other often. Elder Flynn is going to the Indepence Missouri Spanish speaking mission. Dalon was so thrilled to have a familiar face nearby. He tells us that others from the Killeen Stake have joined him at the MTC as well. Carl? Jones, I believe, and Daniel Jackson. These names may be familiar to our Waco Friends. Dalon writes that the Cantonese language is coming slowly for him, but that he has not given up hope. He loves being able to hear the General Authorities speak each week and is trying hard to learn to teach the gospel with the Spirit. This week they have to teach only in Cantonese, so it will be a big challenge for him. He also enjoys attending the temple and loves the nearby scenery and the views of the mountains. Lastly, he says he's getting pretty good at volleyball. He plays almost every day and was very excited to share that he was spiking and blocking better than ever.

Anniversary update - finally

One of the many beautiful bays around St. John Island in the US Virgin Islands. A great way to celebrate twenty years of weddedness.

These guys just twaddled around everywhere. It was such a surprise to see them touring the neighborhood. Not your neighbor's dog, that's for sure.

I realized two of my life goals when we traveled to the British Virgin Isle of Tortola. 1.) I got my passport stamped. 2.) I swam with the dolpins. They were named Atlas and Zeus. When's the last time you spent time with two guys named that?

Friday Night Lights

I watched Carston for the umpteenth time play with the band, but I always come away thinking he is SO cool. The link below should show you "Tactical". He's one mean marimba!!

http://www.motionbox.com/video/player/1c9fdab01d1be692/0fd7f9d60716db94

Shoeless Landon and the Power of Prayer

Each morning I get up at 4:50 to get ready for Seminary. In the past, throwing on a sweatsuit and dropping the boys off did not require such dedication, but now that it takes a little more time to put on a dress and the face to match. It's been very rewarding and challenging so far to meet with the youth each day and try to somehow give them a glimpse of the Spirit and inspire in them a love for the scriptures.

Sometimes it is even more challenging to arrive back home AFTER seminary and be greeted by three half-dressed children, or in Lauren's case, a fully dressed child wearing Batman pajama shorts and a stained "shark" shirt which are for some reason her favorite. Anyway, this morning Landon had only one shoe. We have a shoe rack by the door, but apparently the shoes did not make it there. So, he proceeded to wander aimlessly throughout the house looking for this shoe as I instructed Bowen to change the shirt he wore yesterday and Lauren to lose the shark shirt and the Batman pants, AGAIN.

In my head I'm praying, "Dear God, Please help me.." because I lack patience, of course. Landon dug through the pile of dirty clothes in his room for the umpteenth time and I finally said, "I think it's time for you to pray" and I continued making lunches and messing with Lauren's hair. Landon disappeared briefly and then I saw him limp around the house with his one shoe one more time. I asked him had he prayed? Yes. Well, what are you going to do? His reply - I don't know. So, I ask, would you like some suggestions? He answered - No. OH. This is where I usually offer them anyway, but today...was different. I let him be. A few minutes later he beelined for his room and proclaimed, "I found it!!" What had happened? The Spirit had prompted him to remember where he had last seen the shoe and that it had fallen behind the dresser.

A recent seminary lesson taught that Moses "calling upon God, he received strength". He of course was facing a much more dire situation than an impatient Mom and a lost shoe. But what a testimony that Heavenly Father loves us enough to answer even those smallest prayers! I asked Landon what he had learned about prayer. His answer - That when we pray the Holy Ghost will help us. The perfect seminary lesson.

The First and the Last

The first day of school for the last of our children. Not only has our first child left the nest for an extended period of time, but our last has left for the vast world that school provides for 5 year olds! I think I'm growing up!

What's so funny is that by Thursday, Lauren was thoroughly exhausted by her new experiences and begged me (in between sobs) to let her stay home - it was too long and she didn't want to go. How guilty I felt taking her to school that day. But when Grandma called later and asked Lauren how she liked school THEN she loved it! I'm so glad they forget the traumatic things of life so easily and recover so quickly. How easy it is for children to remain positive and what a great example for me!!

He's official

Well, Dalon is officially a missionary. We had a great send off dinner - thanks to all who came or sent their best wishes. Wednesday we piled all the kids in the car at 5AM and took him to the airport. My folks met him in Salt Lake and transported him to the MTC. Below is his address at the MTC. He will be there until mid-November. I'll be posting this on the family blog and the Work family site as well. If you want the latest on our family in particular we will continue to post at www.workhouse7.blogspot.com
Thanks to all who have visited the site and commented to us! It's been fun to hear from you.

All our love,
Arlen and Kari

Elder Dalon Grant Work
MTC Mailbox # 235
CHN-HK 1114
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT 84604-1793

Just call me Hannah

"Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord." (1 Sam. 1:28) Today I am Hannah. From the day Dalon was born, my focus has been to teach him to love and serve the Lord and today he enters the MTC. He actually made my job easy because he naturally leans toward the light of Christ. He innately does good, desires and seeks good in this world and shuns the rest. What have I done to be so blessed? The truth is that he is lent to me and now I am, in a sense, giving him back.

Last night Dalon was set apart as a full time missionary by our Stake President. The blessing was awesome and so personal, so specific for Dalon's needs. The Lord loves him so much and has so much in store for him. Isn't that knowledge what keeps us all striving? Arlen also gave him a father's blessing and many more promises and much more insight was imparted. It was a wonderful night-even amidst the last minute packing that needed to be attended to.

I'm so grateful for all those who helped guide Dalon. Most of his life so far has been spent in Robinson/Waco area so all those who influenced him there are now part of this exciting time for us. The growth and learning he attained while living there has made him the wonderful person that he is. And so, with tears of joy for him and tears of selfish sadness for me, I eagerly await his first letter from the MTC and his first phone call at Christmas and I wonder if he made his connecting flight in Dallas.... I may be Hannah, but I'm also still Kari.

To the temple

Friday the 10th we took Dalon to the Lubbock Temple where he received his endowments. I think when I saw him walk into the room looking SO young and handsome, it became a surreal moment. I couldn't wrap my brain around the fact that my child was there-with me- in the temple. He looked a little lost but later he remarked the he could have stayed there forever! Good sign! My thoughts, "He gets it!" The next day he turned 19.

Today Arlen and I celebrate 20 years of marriage. We'll be going to St. Johns in the Virgin Islands to celebrate. I'm so excited to go someplace different and beautiful and will post all the pics when we get back. I even got a passport. Does that mean I'm somebody now?:-) A passport makes a person want to get up and go, so I'm hoping to have many other trips to various and asundry places!!

Lastly, I'm now an official real estate salesperson. Who'da thunk it? I guess all that moving, remodeling, building of property, staging of property, etc. led me in this direction. I never thought this is a place I'd go. The Lord provided this opportunity when we needed a little extra to help with Dalon's mission. He knows best, so we'll see where this takes us and I'll keep ya posted.

Kirtland events

Our time in Kirtland, Ohio was very interesting. I think I learned more about the history of the church in this spot than in any of the others. We started at the visitors center in Kirtland where they had a display on the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It was of special interest to us, one of our relatives on my dad's side, Anthony C. Lund, was the choir director for many years. He was the director when the "Music with the Spoken Word" program began to be televised. So, it was cool to see his name on one of the plaques and see some of the interactive displays they had. We then toured what was left and had been restored of the original town. Once again we were honored to walk where Joseph had walked and see where revelation had been given and to know of the people who were instrumental in building the kingdom in this place. The Lord always knew who was needed to move the work along and led Joseph there. We saw the Kirtland temple last. It's a beautiful structure and I don't want to take away from the sacrifice the saints made to build it and provide a place where temple work could begin, but it saddened us to feel that the spirit no longer resides there. Even the children remarked that it felt odd and empty to them. It is now just a building.

Kirtland pics

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One amazing experience

Before we left New York we took a little detour farther north to the great Niagara Falls. I had been to the falls when I was about 14 yrs. old with a 4-H group. That particular day I remember being gray and rainy and not very impressive. This trip with the family was spectacular. The weather was perfect, the sky brilliant and the water so impressive as to render one speechless. I heard the boys say things such as "Awesome!" "Whoa!" and, as we leaned over the side of one fall to look at the water pounding the rocks below, Dalon exclaimed in his best Darth Vader voice, "Feel the Power!" It was amazing. One of our pictures is of a statue memorializing Nikola Tesla, a pioneer in hydro-electric power. Of course, with all the engineering minds in our family he is HIGHLY revered!!

Niagara Falls

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Other Palmyra Sites

We visited the print shop where the first Books of Mormon were printed. E.B. Grandin originally turned down the opportunity to print the book. He did not want his reputation ruined by associating with Joseph Smith. The Lord softened Mr. Grandin's heart through his friends. When his friends told him he was nuts for not taking $3000 in gold and assured him they would see it only as a business venture, Mr. Grandin changed his mind. He was the only printer in the area with a certain kind of print machine that allowed the printing process to be much faster. Little did he know how he would change the world by accepting this one job!

The Martin Harris Farm was mortgaged for $3000 in gold so that the Book of Mormon could be printed. (The house that stands there today is not the original home, but they allow us to come take pictures although there are no tours.) I marvel at the dedication of the Saints at that time.

Sacred times

Walking through the Sacred Grove was one of the best experiences our family had. All the children remarked how quiet and peaceful it was. As we walked through the elegant, tall trees with the sun peeking through the leafy canopy, we could see how Joseph Smith would go there to pray on that very important day. We were also in awe of the circumstances in which he lived, how hard he worked and the load he carried on his shoulders once he had been visited by our Heavenly Father and the Savior. It seemed appropriate that as you turn away from the front of the humble home in which he lived, you are greeted by the marvelous view of the Palmyra Temple erupting through the trees. A powerful tribute to Joseph and his stalwart family.

The Sacred Grove and Smith Farm

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The Hill Cumorah

Our first stop was the Hill Cumorah visitor's center. The building is beautiful and had some marvelous original paintings of scenes from the Book of Mormon. About three minutes after we arrived at the site a huge bus of teenagers arrived from Utah. An institute director from Weber State University organizes a Church History tour each year. (We actually ended up dodging this group at several of the other Church history sites!!!) Anyway, the missionaries at the center were very concerned that our experience not be upset by this onslaught of teenagers, so they allowed us to be in the various rooms alone and then we could have teaching moments with our kids. In the room with the Christus, we heard the presentation with the tour group and then we were allowed to stay in there by ourselves. When the missionaries found out Dalon was going to Hong Kong on his mission they allowed us to hear the presentation in Cantonese!! Very fun.

The Hill Cumorah

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Church History Trip - Chatauqua, NY

We recently had the pleasure of taking our family on what we termed a 'Church History Trip'. We made some side trips to Niagara Falls, Aunt Jolyne's and Arlen's brother, Glen's home. But our focus was on learning more about Joseph Smith and the beginnings of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth. On Friday, June 29th we started out for New York. We drove all night with Arlen doing a majority of the driving, but Kari and Dalon spelled him off a couple of times. The 24 hr. drive was a hit with the kids - HA! We arrived Saturday in Chatauqua, NY where we camped at the Chatauqua Family Campground. (See separate post.) The area was absolutely beautiful and we were blessed with a secluded campsite with a private pond and room to run. The kids could run and play and make all kinds of noise without bothering anyone. Perfect!
Landon fast became the resident fire builder with Arlen's supervision and instruction. The weather was beautiful, but chilly at night - something our Texas bodies were not used to.

Chatauqua Family campground

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