Oh, What Do You Do in the Summertime?

One of my summer projects was to go through a box and organize it. Well, I found this Character Sketch that I wrote for Renee' Hazen's 9th Grade Honors English class. I remember how much I enjoyed writing this short paper. So, here is my memory of Robbie playing baseball. For some reason, when I think of him playing, I don't see him playing on the ball field at Pine View. My mind's eye takes me instead to the field on the North/West side of the Sun Bowl.

A Proud Pine View Panther

The Dixie sun’s blinding glare isn’t blocked by the stubby green grass or the red dirt of the ball diamond; so Robbie shifts the black visor on his cap which outlines the smooth neckline of his neat, short hair. Bronze cheeks set off Robbie’s taught jaw and straight white teeth. A determined glance proves that his true blue eyes are going to help get this job done!

The maroon shirt he fills is centered with a big number eight on the back and Pine View proudly visible on the front. Surprisingly clean, white pants perfectly fit his thin hips ending midway down his legs where black stirrups are set inside well-worn baseball cleats.

Robbie quickly straps his hand into a batters glove and opens and closes it to ensure the gloves perfect fit. Robbie tests the position of his feet in the soft sandy grooves of the batters box. Muscles bulge the terrain in his arms and hands as the bat, now steadied is positioned behind his head. His whipping swing breaks through a fastball, sending a hard line drive squeaking just inside third base. Involuntarily he drops his bat and with agile quick steps sprints to first base.

Counting Down the 12 Days

As has been a family tradition since I was a kid, we are again doing the 12 Days of Christmas for two families in our ward. Sione caught this spirit when as newly weds, we helped out with the annual Everett Family 12 Days of Christmas - that year for Helen Shurtliff, and she kept calling out, "Thank you whoever you are!" He realized the great delight that came to her and he was hooked! That tradition went down in history for the Toluta'u family to continue. (Helen Shurtliff has a double relationship with our Everett Family. She is a Bentley cousin of Grandpa Schuyler and was a mission companion for Grandma Ida. - There is quite possibly no other person on this earth that has this type of link to Robert and Janet!)

This year we are doing it for two families with young children. They are harder to do! They are more agile and quick to the door! They are also very observant and ask lots of questions of our kids at church. We hope that we can keep our service a surprise and allow everyone to delight in the reason for the season! This type of service has been a great benefit for our family! We need to remember the delight in GIVING and the joy in DOING for others.

We are most thankful for our many wonderful blessings at this glorious time of year and reflect on our Savior - the GREATEST GIFT EVER!

'Til We Meet Again!

It is 6:00 a.m. on Monday, October 5, 2009. Elder and Sister Everett are loading the travel van as we speak. They will not fly until around 9:30 a.m.

So about 5:50 a.m. on Friday, I got a phone call from Dad. He said, "So are you watching the BYU Football game tonight?"

I said, "Yes - did you want to come watch it with us?"

No, he said, "We have something else in mind, if you wouldn't mind."

Then he told me about their Australia mission conference that would be held in American Fork.

So happily, I headed up 9th East as if I were a faithful game goer and waited for Dad and Mom to emerge from the MTC. Before long, there they were! Mom had on her gray puffy sleeve suit and looked great! It was so fun to see them again! They are sooooo happy!

While on the way to American Fork I heard stories of attending the temple, and other couple missionaries and their faithful service. Couples at the MTC this week have also served missions. Dad and Mom are amazed at their faith and dedication. Mom was amazed to meet a guy she played in the Tooele High School Band with, that was not a member of the church. He is there serving another mission. Dad told me of a single sister that is out again - and this time off to South Africa. Adventures await! They told me about the devotionals, the talks, and their faith building teachers. It has been a great week for them!

At the mission conference Dad and Mom were able to meet some favorite people from their mission. The new Adelaide Temple President and his wife were there. He's in America to attend Conference. He used to be in the Mission Presidency. There were a few Elders that Dad and Mom knew. Dad was impressed with the dedication of one of the Elders from a small town in Idaho. He had been a bull rider. He used this experience to teach while a missionary. He explained that you don't just get on a bull and hope to ride. "That just wouldn't be pretty!" You have to work at it, and learn and practice, just like about anything else. With dedication and determination, you could become good at it - with time and practice.

Then it was off to the Lindon Wal-Mart to gather up some forgotten necessities! Eye drops for Dad and BLUE TAPE for Mom! (Just in case you were all wondering, it can't be just any blue tape! It HAS to be "Duck" tape with a white inside section, and mid-strength if you want it to stick! And Mom would know!) As we waited in line, Dad was already striking up conversation with the people around us and getting to know them better! He is so excited to share what he knows!

Dad and Mom said to let everyone know that they really love them! They said it was hard to say good-bye, but that they would love to get a letter from everyone!

All to soon, it was time to drop Dad and Mom off. Since I was waiting for traffic, I took occasion to watch Dad and Mom's silouette walk off arm in arm through bright and then dim lights of the MTC outdoor walkways as they headed back to their dorm. I watched until they were not able to be seen. I hadn't really noticed before that they are the same height.

May God be With You Dad and Mom until we meet again! Enjoy the Emerald Isle! Mom said we can count down their return based on General Conferences. Not a bad idea!

With Wondering Awe - The Island Gals SAW!

So, while out doing some church work at 7:45 p.m. tonight, we happened to be passing by the MTC when Litia said, "We need to keep our eyes peeled for a Grandpa and Grandma sighting!" When What to Our Wondering Eyes Should Appear? But a gray haired couple walking arm in arm around their corner of the MTC on the way back to their dorm after an evening stroll. Litia went balistic! "Mom, you just have to stop! You just have to! We want to prove it to them that we actually saw them!"

Kalina was in the back seat making high pitched screeches of, "I can't believe it! I just can't believe it!"

So, we turned down the stadium street, went into the parking lot of the church that shares property with the MTC, stopped the van, and jumped out to holler, "Elder and Sister Everett!" for the second time in three days! They looked up, were shocked . . . again, and actually walked over to say, "Hello!" to the girls, through the gate.

Dad and Mom look great! They are very happy and CONTENT! They said they have been kept very busy. They teach a lot of 'lessons' and enjoyed the fireside last evening a great deal. They said this was their first chance to get out for a walk. (After the crazy weather we've had today, it was a pleasant evening - autumn crisp and perfect!) Everyone said, "I love you!" and it was back inside the van for us.

We were shocked that we had just had that amazing experience! Litia said, "It was meant to be!" Long sigh, "It was just meant to be! I get to be the first one to tell Dad and Fotu since it was MY idea!"

Kalina commented, "I have such a good feeling in my heart right now! I just know that I want to serve a mission someday! I was really hoping I would get to see Grandpa and Grandma again before they left! AND I DID! I Can't BELIEVE IT!"

Seneti - not to be outdone whined, "I wanna go mission - too!"

What a fun, happy, and crazy way to end the day! We will chalk that experience up as a kind tender mercy of the Lord!

Grandpa and Grandma, "May God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again!" We LOVE you!

Let the Mountains Shout for JOY!

September 28, 2009 will officially go down in my memories as one of great JOY! It was a sweet delight to accompany Dad and Mom to the MTC this morning! The mountains were bathed in Autumn sunlight and adorned with bursting red. Squaw peak stood out above the temple with distinct shadows and brilliance! What a beautiful day to be alive! As Sione drove the van onto 9th East, Dad said, "Can't this rig go any faster?" Dad and Mom had smiles on their faces so wide you would have thought they were kids in a candy store! I have NEVER seen them so happy and excited!

Mom mentioned, "I am so glad this day has finally arrived! If we had had to wait a moment longer, I would have called the whole thing off!"

The front of the MTC was EMPTY. The gentleman who hopped up to help us invited us to take some pictures in front of the MTC since NOBODY was around!

Calling all Couples! You are needed now more than ever! Sione and I offered our missionary services, but wondered if our little Seneti could tag along. The answer was an affirming, "NOT NOW!" Then we drove around to the Jacob Hamblin building! (How fitting!)

Sione drove right up on the sidewalk - next to the outside door, and we all got out - against Mom's "Rule Abiding" desires. Seneti helped hold the handle of Grandpa's bags as we walked up the stairs to get them situated into their humble abode! Sione man-handled the rest of the bags and grandpa checked the car one last time.

Man, I forgot how much baggage a missionary carries around! (Not to mention 2!)

Seneti said, "Grandpa (the loving name she has christened Grandma - not to be confused with Grandpa-pa which is really Grandpa) you bed is funny." That is because the bed had all the linen folded neatly, but was not made. They have a south facing window, a double sided closet, a small desk with two chairs, a sink, mirror and small bathroom. I remembered that this was the same building I did my Celestial Service in when at the MTC. Dad remembered that it is the same building where he worked as a custodian when we were living in Provo.

We gave happy, content buttermilk hugs and walked down the stairs just as Dad and Mom were getting out the ironing board!

Called to Serve - and TIME TO WORK! Oh, how jealous I felt!

As Sione was dropping me off at work, we noticed that Dad's President Hinckley hat was under the seat in the van. Tucked inside, hidden from view was also a BYU baseball cap. Oh, shucks! We would just have to turn around and get those belongings to their rightful owner! So, back to the MTC we cruised. We bypassed the front desk and went straight back to our unloading spot. Undetected, I made it up to their hall and just as I topped the stairs, I saw a candid moment! Elder and Sister Everett were arm in arm - almost ready to leave the other end of the hall. I called out, "Elder and Sister Everett!" They turned around and I saw NAMETAGS! Official! "Did you want these?" I asked, while holding out the hats. Understatement of the century, if you know anything about the President Hinckley hat!

A minor miracle was underway - Mom and Dad had only returned to their room because Mom had forgotten to take their medical papers with them on their first trip out the door. Dad acknowledged that both members of the companionship had been a bit forgetful already and that they'd strive to do better! (Dad rode to the MTC with the hats on his lap!) With a good laugh, an unforgettable memoir in my head, and the lightest heart, filled with the sweetest spirit I've felt in a long time, I bounded down the stairs and back to the mission I am sequestered to for now!

May God be with YOU until we meet again!

Out of the Mouth of Babes!

     How does a two year old going on three figure out all the nuances of our English language?  Listening to Seneti in action leaves me speechless!  All I can do is laugh!  A deep down toenails laugh - might I add!  And don't you forget that a few years out from this stage - I help kids with correct speech for a living - and I'm STILL awestruck by the learning a language miracle!  How does she figure out grammar tenses?  How does she figure out pronouns?  She practices, listens, and observes - BUT STILL!  Her national test score results for speech acquisition are right up there in the CUTEST EVER range!

     Drum roll "peez!"  (No 'llllll' yet! - I hope she is not developmentally delayed!)

     Some Seneti quote-ables:

     1.  "?What ya do-in?"  To imitate - please notice the question mark smothered at the beginning of the question!  Seneti has this tactic down pat!  There is no question that she is asking you something!  Then you must use your best sing-song teeter-totter vocal pattern.  Begin on the lowest note in your range and quickly jump to the highest note, then come down and back up on middle range notes.

2.  "?You jus fine?"  To imitate - please scrunch up both eyebrows in dramatic 'oh, dear' expressions while at the same time opening your mouth wide to expedite the required quick inhalation of air a millisecond in front of the question posed loudly at the very same high pitch for all three words.  She gets a lot of practice with this question at our house!  Seneti aspires to be like Joe and John - and is our little medic!  She has to come storming dramatically in for a closer look at any casuality - no matter the extent!  In fact, just yesterday there are three noteworthy laughable examples of this.  

2.a.  I was helping Litia with a problem on the bottom of her foot and had her lay on her bed so I could doctor her up in comfort!  Litia has a low tolerance for 'future' pain - and thought what I was going to do would cause more grief - and was letting the whole world know about it!  Seneti (no longer asleep) came bursting through the previously closed door with questions spewing forth as fast as water coming out of a fire hose with the beginning one being, "?Litia, you jus fine?"  Seneti doesn't stand back to ask these questions but wants to be an eyeball away from the action.  

     2.b.  Fotu was playing shortstop for the All-Star team at the state tournament.  We had stolen some great shade and were enjoying the show.  When a hard ground ball was hit closer to third, Fotu jumped out literally level to snag it in his glove and landed hard on his side.  Seneti reacted with, "?Totu dead?"  Then when he quickly got his bearings and threw the ball to snag the next runner, Seneti with relief stated, "Oh, Totu jus fine!"

     2.c.  We have a very small garden in the back yard.  Seneti helped me pick our first 'Summer Squash' (Oh, Sione - why Summer Squash?).  When I handed it to her she screamed, "Oooh" and promptly dropped it.  "Mom, this lellow baby has bump owies!"  (Exactly Seneti - you and I have a keen understanding!) 

     3.  (Special note:  I constantly embarrass Litia - without it even being on my agenda!)  Litia had just finished her violin lesson and I was helping get a chair for an elderly grandmother that was coming in to listen to the next lesson.  As I left the room, a petite hand found its way into my hand and then Seneti stopping me so she could look up into my face and asked, "???Mom, au you STUPID???"  I looked down at her and said, "Nooo, I don't think I am!"  Then she pulled her hand out of my hand and pointing with straight conviction at Litia said, "She say it!!!"  I started laughing so hard, and Litia had a VERY CONVICTED look on her face.  Now I know what Litia says behind my back while I am off embarrassing her! 

     4.  As I was putting Seneti to bed last night, her best delay tactics began with a buttermilk hug (she pats your back or the back of your head with her dainty little hand while doing this) and, "Mom, you my best fwiend in the hoe wor_d!"  She knew that would give her a few more minutes of rockin' and huggin' before she'd have to go to sleep!

     5.  The girls all got a new tiny purse.  Litia and Kalina have mirrors.  In the van, when the mirrors were discovered Seneti said,  "Peeze!  I wanna see mysef!"  

     Edition one must close now.  I so enjoy this fun time of year with my kids!  I have had a funny observation multiple times this summer.  I've run into parents of kids I teach around town and ask them how their Summer is going.  They have ALL reflected on how ready they are for school to begin again so they can have time to themselves.  I have always reflected on how much easier it is to take care of 4 kids than 27 or 28 kids!  Summer time - hold on as long as you can!  

  

I Hope They Call Me On a Mission!

     Oh, the joy of telephone conferencing when a fat oversized white envelope is about to be opened!  There was Mom, silently speed-reading ahead on the paper signed by Pres. Thomas S. Monson (in blue ink) and leaving all of us in her wake - even Dad!  She always has been one to need to know every detail - even if we are left behind!  She was crying before we could hear an audible - "Oh, my goodness!" BUT - that was a:  GIVEN!  It took some prompting from Dad - "So, where is it?" - before we heard the cracked and happy teared voice of Mom say:  Ireland, Dublin! ! ! ! ! ! !  Nobody predicted that one!  Mom came in as the closest 'guesser' having picked Scotland.  At least as far as I know.  

So off to the Emerald Isle they go!  I am so happy for them!  Mom asked, "Do they speak English?"  I replied, "Yes, but you won't understand it!"  

And to think that Fotu spent so much time trying to find an island that spoke English to put down as his mission "guess!"  Oh, how could he miss such an island?  

     You should hear Seneti say, "Dubin!  I-an!"  It is the cutest thing!  She asked, "Can I come with 'em peez?  OK?"     

     Wow Dad!  You have really outdone yourself now!  Taking Mom on an 18 month Island cruise sounds like you are treating her like your queen for sure!  And you didn't even tip her upside down this time!  I hope you meet some amazing people who are ready to receive the gospel message!  I hope you cherish every day that you have together while serving there!  The people I know who have served there LOVED IT DEARLY!  We will miss you, but are so excited for you!

Called to Serve Him!  I have a twinge of jealousy in my soul?  Oh, how I would love to serve an official mission again!  I'm looking forward to the day!  

     While I'm waiting on that day, I better enjoy the mission I'm serving right now!  I help run an MTC!  It just happens to be family style!  Crazy, wild and certainly unorganized, but MTC non the less!  I've got work to do, to be better at the work there is to do in that regard!   

     Tonight for Mutual, we had the theme of Missionary Preparation.  I was asked to teach the youth about leading music.  Oh, the flood of memories that come back to me!  Music and mission go hand in hand for me!  Who would have ever known that I would need to play music so difficult that it would be beyond my ability and make Joe and Misha stretch their skill.  The music still needed to be played, so we pooled our resources and came up with a plan.  It was called the Treble Clef - Bass Clef duet with the four hands and minimum skills of Hna. Hatch and Hna. Everett.  We got by without anyone knowing it wasn't supposed to be that way! (Except our mission president.)  It sounded like it was supposed to in the end!

     That reminds me of the time Dad told our family that he had lead the music while Mom played the piano while on their mission in Australia and Fotu burst out laughing so hard he was ready to split a gut!  Only those who know Dad's musical ability would understand the joke!  Can you even imagine!  LOL for sure!

     I distinctly remember being asked by Pres. Pratt if I would like to do my mission over.  I told him, "No way!  But, I would give anything to keep on going from here!"  I didn't want to go home!  I was allowed to extend one transfer and I cherished every moment!  

     I hope this is a mission to cherish for Dad and Mom!  

     "Grandma and Grandpa are going away on a mission!"  Can you think of anything more exciting?