Hope

Here's some fun with Kingston.

We are doing well and have been very busy!! :) We have had a difficult week but wanted to share it. We are still happy and just VERY grateful for our blessings!

We've been thinking about those that we love so much. We've had 2 losses within our families this past week. A stillborn baby boy and an Auntie... Our own daughter passed away on the 10th of this month last year and so much of that time has found it's way back into our minds and hearts. We have been remembering her as we have shed tears for her and our family members at this time.

But we have hope even in this heart ache. We feel joy even though at times it seems we have been robbed of it. The painting in this picture is one my brother did. It is a depiction of the Mother Mary holding the Christ Child. It is titled Hope. We have this in our home above a mantel.
This mantel holds pictures and depictions of our own hope. On it is a little saying, "When you have someone you love in Heaven, You have a little bit of Heaven in your home." We are reminded that we may again have our arms around Naimah. That my cousin that lost her baby will too. That our Auntie will be held and hold her family once again.We are thankful to have this Hope. But it becomes much more to us as we continue to learn about our Savior, Jesus Christ. It becomes knowledge, even unwavering.
He has made possible all that we hold dear. He has brought meaning to our marriage and love for another. He weeps with us because we ache for our own arms to be filled with Naimah's little hands and feet. He gave His own hands and feet to a cross that seemed to have Him bound. But He was loosed on the third day. He fulfills that Hope and gives us the knowledge of what may lie beyond for us. Oh how we love Him! Our goal is to reunite with not only Naimah, and our other loved ones beyond the grave, but to be embraced with His hands that gives us this very Hope.

Eventful

This is Zub and I from our fun weekend!

Tuesday I got in my first car accident but it has been a blessing already. No one was hurt, besides whip lash, and so far things are working out the insurance. The other people involved in the accident actually know Emil from the bank and seem to be doing well. I joked with them a bit because they smoked about 3 cigarettes each 10 minutes after the accident. I told them that they were going to have to buy another pack of cigarettes before the police even got there. It seemed to break the ice.

I had to go to the Chiropractor yesterday, because of the accident, and it turns out that I need a lot of work. But the work I need to get done will help in many different areas of my back and neck . I feel like I got a new neck and back already! I will hopefully even be a bit taller because of sustaining low back problems that now can be worked on. Yay for me!

Thursday Emil had an interview for a possible promotion as the Store Manager at the Alberston's branch. We both feel content with whatever may be in store for us and Emil was thinking he wouldn't get a second interview. I wasn't sure really, but we just will go with what comes. Yesterday he was called back for another interview scheduled for next week! Emil was surprised but glad. So we will see what happens!


(Gadget is the light brown colored dog)
One of Aunt Elaine's sweet little dogs, Gadget, passed away yesterday. I cried for her and that Kingston lost a little cousin. The news made me sad.


B.J. and Amara, Emil bro and his wife, had they're baby boy yesterday! He wasn't due to come until the end of October, so he is about 2 months early! She has/had many health complications that induced early delivery by C-section. Currently things are alright and everyone seems to be doing well. They have named him Siotame Alamoti Lavaki, A.J. for short. We are praying for them and their situation. They have so many new things happening in their little family and want the best for them!

We are getting ready for our trip to CA and staying busy! I am trying to adjust to Primary w/o Emil and have to admit I am a little sad that we aren't doing it together anymore. I feel really blessed with my job and the friends Emil and I are gaining. Emil is putting SO much effort into all of his responsibilities. He is so wonderful to have in my life and I am SO SO blessed! I love him so much that to think about it, just making the tears flow. Marriage is so fun!

Our best two years...

We've just been doing the daily biz. We've recently been spending time with another couple named Angela and Joe..believe it or believe it! Our dogs get to play while we have a good time and it's great! Last weekend Bear Lake, a city past Logan canyon, had Raspberry Days. Angela and Joe came with us and we enjoyed the day walking around looking at everything to buy. But, we didn't buy anything, which is great, and still had a great time!

How did we do last Sunday? We could feel all the prayers for us. Thank you loving friends and family. We love you! The day was tearful and joyful. Naimah is always in our thoughts. We feel as missionary parents. We have a distance but we are still connected to her. Thank you for being mindful of us. It means the world.



Emil has applied for a promotion and will be interviewing next week. It is for Branch Manager at a different location, but still Wells Fargo. We really need this so we can get ride of some debt and help us save more. He has also been called to be the Second Counselor in the Elder's Quorum Presidency. He'll be such a great addition and they're are gonna love him! I'm gonna miss him being my companion in the Primary. But it's time for him to be else where. We definitely can use the blessings. Bring it on , we can take it!



I have the BEST visiting teaching companion and I love who we visit! I'm just so excited to have long time friends in them and appreciate how much they care about me. It's a good feeling and I'm grateful for them. They've taught me things already and it hasn't been that long. I consider it a great blessing.





We've been married for 2 years today! It's been so fun. We laugh with each other everyday. We've have have been through so much together already and have grown with each other.
I'm so thankful for Emil! He cares so much about me and doing the right thing, that it is easy for me to want to be with him every second! We even still miss each other when we are at work or something. This poem is my way of saying thank you to him and I love you!

where you take me...

as my tired eyes, crease at the soft sun,
i feel you, the prize, that completes our "one".
i blink as i smile, taste the fresh light.
i stay for a while, before we start our fight,
of this new day, that breaks through forever.
to wake in this way, and just BE together!

i see the clock, and see you in peace.
i silently speak, as i strengthen my knees,
i kneel to Him, for i know that He sees,
all of our work, which asks our commitment,
as false idols may lerk, and tempt our fulfillment.

we've made a promise, only we can break.
we can keep this, our love we can make,
bright as burning fire, and trust in His plans,
when He sends the refiner, with His marked hands.
will i stay true? will i say, "Thy will be done?"
can i say to you, i see that we are one?

your peace takes me, to this deep place,
i just feel so free, when i look in your face.
you open your eyes, and gaze at mine.
in the sun here lies, our new warm shine.
this brand new day, we need His strength to stand.
so that on our way, we keep hand in hand.

~written by, Caroline Love-aki

We recently purchased tickets to see the Broadway show called, WICKED in LA. We are SO excited! Emil has family there we will be staying with and as we work out the details and things seem to be just coming together. What a blessing! We are so grateful to Emil's family members inviting us to stay with them. We are also grateful for great family, friends, and neighbors offering to take care of the "zoo" while we are away.
Here are so pictures of the show WICKED. We get to SEE this!




















For those of you who haven't heard of the show, it is the prelude to the, Wizard of Oz. Emil and I have heard everything good about it and listen to the music quite often..as Naomi will swear to. She may even swear just thinking about it... It shows and explains the stories of the "good" witch, Glenda, the "WICKED" witch of the West, Elfeba, (hence the title, WICKED) her sister the witch of the East, and the MANY other characters. But you come to find out through the songs that things are not always as they seem, and neither are the characters. The show even goes as far as to explain why Elfeba is green, the history she and Glenda share, the history she has with the Wizard of Oz, how the scar crow, tin man, and lion come about, and how connected the all are to Elefba! Yes, this information was gathered by us from only listening to the songs. We are so excited! We only wish that Kingston could watch it with us... ;)