Laos: Fortunately not such a "Laos-y" trip

One of the most important visits on our trip to Laos was the Plain of Jars. It's a significant monument because first, it has massive amounts of these huge stone jars, dating back to about 100 b.c., but also it was the location of a lot of the fighting during the secret war in Laos. Almost everyone has a story to tell that involves the Plain of Jars, especially Hmong people, so it was interesting to be in this very historically rich place. 

 (note: any photos of me were shamelessly stolen from comrades who posted them on the facebook.)

By the way, we love having Jacob's kids around; they are totally social, and hilarious, and the baby is the cutest. Most of our photos we take end up being of him. 

It is an incredibly serene place. It was hard to imagine a constant warfare going on here.

 We stopped by as many Hmong villages in Laos as we possibly could. One of the places we visited wasn't actually a Hmong village but temporary housing for when everyone works in their fields. We saw everyone out planting rice, and like the curious and energetic Americans that we are - we joined them! It was actually incredibly valuable and interesting to have experienced firsthand this ubiquitous aspect of Hmong/Thai/Lao daily life.

 This is the part of the planting that comes before the wet rice paddies; all the rice is planted here and then transplanted out. I helped for about five whole minutes; I was too worried I was going to ruin their crop!

This was not one of my finer moments. I can usually avoid tourist traps, but my camera got the better of me: these little gypsy girls were selling these ridiculous little dolls. When I got down by the boat they were already pestering a few other individuals, and I started taking photos. That girl in the polka dots was a tougher saleswoman than ANYONE I've ever seen before. She said I had to buy one for taking a picture. That's okay, I thought, I wanted to buy one anyway. Unfortunately I had just gotten my kip from the ATM, so I didn't have change; in the end I got flustered and just got two to get rid of those girls!

Here's the shot that cost me 20, 000 kip (about $3).

The reason we were standing on that pier was because we were waiting for our boat to take us to the Cave of Wonders! It's a buddhist holy site for monks and the religiously devout. It is a shrine built into a cliffside.

It was a two hour trip there, and one hour back; we had to amuse ourselves. 

I have loved visiting all these Buddhist sites; these people are terribly respectful and calm. Also, any shrine you go to smells like sweet incense with candles flickering all over. A little farther up there was an actual cave that we went into (not the one pictured below), and you could only see with flashlights. It was such a nice cool place, and had tiny buddhas and large statues everywhere.

This photo is so blurry, but it really shows best what the inside was like. 

Also, this is my bike, for those that were wondering. It's a life saver. 

Hannah's Blessing

Here are the photos from Hannah's blessing (finally). It was such a special day. She is a beautiful addition to the Anderson family as well as the Cornwall clan. 

Youth Conference

Last Friday and Saturday were Youth Conference for the Arcadia Stake.  We started off at the Laidlaws for a big BBQ and Swim Party.  I am thankful that dad invites me along because I love the kids in our stake.  Two of these three beauties above are going to be in my seminary class this next year.  Friday night we had a group of boys spend the night.  We haven't had boys in a long time - nearly a decade - and they were as polite as could be.   I had cookies and goodies ready - but dad suggested Pizookies - so at midnight I started a huge batch of them.  Since we don't have any fun gaming systems dad and I went to the game closet and pulled out some oldies but goodies - bop it and tork.  We replaced the batteries and the boys seemed to enjoy it - at least they pretended to.  They stayed up most of the night watching movies - but they were quiet about it.

Saturday was filled with workshops, service, a hike to Monrovia Canyon Falls then dinner, slide show and testimony meeting.  Our youth are so wonderful!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - YIPPEE!

Talked to Hermana Cornwall This Morning!!!

I had asked Sarah last week if she would be able to call from the airport on the day she flies out.  She said that she would not be able to call and I was feeling O.K. with that instruction.  So Dad and I were very pleasantly surprised when the phone rang this morning at 5:30 a.m. and there was Hermana Cornwall on the other end of the phone!!!
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We talked for about 45 minutes.  She had said she was a little worried when her companion's tardiness made them the very last set of missionaries to the travel office in the MTC this morning and then last on the bus.  This put their luggage off the bus first at the airport. They got to check in first, get through security first and get to the pay phones first! 
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She sounded upbeat, happy, excited, mature, prepared, anxious to get to work and thrilled that her entire family had all sent her a 'Dear Elder' yesterday. (Yes Reesa - she got the package!!)  She talked about the Mission President's Training broadcast on Sunday and singing in the choir.   We asked her to speak some Spanish.  She bore her testimony in Spanish (Dad and I thought her Spanish was awesome, but we may not be good judges of that).  She said a few other things in Spanish because she said, "I don't know how to say them in English".  She talked about how much she loved the MTC, that she had been blessed with the gift of tongues and was now ready to go forth and serve in the Santa Rosa Mission.  She was joined with 30 other missionaries who were going to Santa Rosa.  Fifteen of those going are Spanish speaking Sisters.  There were bus loads of other missionaries at the Salt Lake Airport.  A bunch are coming to the California Arcadia Mission so she told them all about President and Sister Becerra and what a great area they were going to.
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Dad and I are so thankful to hear how ready she feels to serve.  I did really well until she said - talk to you on Christmas - that somehow seemed very very very far away.

Happy Birthday Melvin J. Hodgkinson - June 22, 1924

Here is Mel on the Pep Squad!!

As a manager at Mountain Bell he had to have his picture taken occasionally for an office directory.  I thought you would love the suit and bow tie!!

He was a formal guy - even liked to wear a tie with his overalls.

S i s t e r   C o r n w a l l ' s   l a s t   M T C   l e t t e r...
She flies out next Tuesday morning.
To have a letter waiting for her in Santa Rosa - send to the Mission Home - 

Sister Sarah Cornwall
California Santa Rosa Mission

5301 Badger Road
Santa Rosa, CA  95409

 

Click on image to go to "A Voice From The Vineyard"

Robbie Had a Birthday

It was almost three months ago but Robbie did have a birthday and we never posted about it.  

 We woke him up nice and early with some presents and a birthday parade.

Then had a yummy breakfast - breakfast burritos- his favorite.

Then we headed over to a bowling alley for some fun!

 Bennett cheering Daddy on.

Emary sleeping!

Oh the boys in our family are so handsome!  Look at this kid.

And below is daddys pretty girl!

 Next we headed to the playground for some more fun!

Emarys hood was a little big!

 We ended the day with Daddys favorite cake- ice cream cake- and I had them write Happy Birthday Hunkasaurus on it!  It was great!

And delicious as you can tell!

 We love our Robbie and were so glad he was born on March 25- what a great day!

Happy Anniversary Baby - Got You On My Mind

Here are some pictures from the big day!!  Our wedding breakfast was at The Heather.

Reception at the Naniloa Circle House

Here is a nice flashback picture - Terri had had a baby three days earlier and had smocked those dresses.  Wendy was the greeter at the reception.

The Wedding party.

Wow - what a hunk - who wouldn't want to marry this guy???