Wherever Grandma Is

Happy times! My whole family is here right now and we're having a great time together. This morning is "Christmas" here as we're opening presents together. Yesterday, we had our family pictures taken. We had to take four cars to our picture destination. Later, Jared and Kristen shared their conversation in their car as they traveled. They played a game where everyone named favorites and least favorites in different categories. One category was their least favorite and favorite"place". Four-year-old Nathan said Judea was his least favorite place. "Judea? Why?" Because there are so many mean and bad people there that hurt Jesus." Where is your favorite place? "St. George or wherever Grandma is!" Ahhhhh! Melt my heart! Merry Christmas!

Christmas- Keynote Style

Our Keynotes had our concert in the tabernacle last Friday evening. We had a big crowd and it went well. I think it's one of the best concerts we've done. It would appear to the outsider that this concert is the purpose of our group. The concert is the culminating event each season. It's what we work for and prepare for. But I've come to understand in a quietly profound way the real purpose of our group. It was made very clear to me this season. I spend many, many hours choosing music, writing script, setting up rest home/ assisted living performances, preparing weekly rehearsals, taking care of many details. We sang at a lot of places this year. As I drove to the first one- a particularly sad, old rest home- I thought, "Why do I do this?" My self talk was, I'm ashamed to say, very negative. "I don't have time for this. I'm tired. I have SO much to do . . ." As soon as I walked in there and saw those people with droopy heads and saggy mouths and wheelchairs and blank stares and silent pleading for love, the Lord blessed me with an overwhelming sense of what I was really doing- I was celebrating His birth in the way He would want me to celebrate it. I was making time for what is REALLY important. I could tell others in the group were feeling the same thing as there were tears and cracky, emotional voices. Then, I experienced what I believe was a miracle. We rehearse a lot. We work hard as a group and individually to have all our music memorized and to sound good. But NEVER do we sound better than when we're singing for these people. Something happens. Our voices are made more clear and strong; our blend is perfect. We sound really, really good. I personally can feel my voice strengthened. There is a literal and perceptible change. I came to understand this year that this is a gift from God. That is Him telling us how important these people are to Him. He blesses them with the very best that is within us. He tells us this over and over and over in the scriptures- how important the poor and sick and infirm and down trodden are to Him. I thank Him for this deepened understanding of that through our little service.

I also want to tell you how incredible each of those ladies are that you see in that picture. I love each of them so much. Each contributes to our group in a unique way, making us who and what we are. I marvel at their goodness and choose them as heroes and role models in my life. I feel so blessed to share these (what I've come to understand are) sacred experiences with them. We have a lot of fun, too- a great bonus! Keynotes is a very important part of my life. So, Merry Christmas- Keynotes style!

This is our visual aid this year. We sang songs with these "Christmas only" words, then ended our concert with a song that has all of these words in it.

"Official" Cruise Pictures

Patty sent some pictures from the cruise that I wanted to share:

First Formal Night

2nd Formal Night:

Sister Shopping Day on St. Thomas:

Jon (Allison's husband) did a bonus picture for us as well (I personally wish he'd spent his editing time making me skinny. Though I do really like Hal's beard. That's good.)

What Did the Prophet Ask Us to Do?

After each general conference, I scour through the prophet's talks and make a list of those things our prophet has asked us to DO. I then share this list with those I visit teach and post it on our fridge to remind us. (To see past lists, click here) This time, the list is very short. But as I analyze it, most of the things that are most important in life are on the list. I am grateful for a prophet of God.

What Did the Prophet Ask Us To Do?

October General Conference, 2011

Saturday Morning As We Meet Again

Any who might wish to do so, can contribute to the General Temple Patron Assistance Fund. (This fund assists those who need it to attend the temple the first time)

Priesthood Session Dare to Stand Alone

Read the Book of Mormon; Ponder it’s teachings. Ask Heavenly Father if it is true.

Honor the priesthood; Be true to the trust which was conveyed when it was conferred.

Know what you believe.

Be courageous and prepared to stand for what you believe. If you must stand alone, do so courageously.

Sunday Morning Session Stand in Holy Places

Reject anything that does not conform to our standards.

Develop a relationship with your Heavenly Father.

Communicate with Heavenly Father.

Sunday Afternoon Session Until We Meet Again

Show increased kindness one toward another.

May we ever be found doing the work of the Lord.

Constantly nourish your testimony.

Thanksgiving

With all three of our daughters living east of the Mississippi, we were on our own this year for Thanksgiving. Shonna and Blake traveled from Ohio to be with Michelle in Virginia, so at least they were together (they blessed baby Jaron this morning.) Our good neighbors, the Sonjus kindly included us in their Thanksgiving dinner. We felt so blessed to be with their wonderful, fun-loving extended family

The Sonjus

Macy with her Great-Grandpa

. We had a delicious dinner, then participated in their tradition of the "thankful tree." Each person wrote on a leaf what they are thankful for and put it on the tree.

That evening, I got a huge shock. Ken announced that he wanted to go to Walmart's Black Friday that was really on Thursday night. His computer chair was in sad, sad shape and Walmart had one for about 75% of what I paid for mine. Though I hate Walmart on even a normal day, I was excited to shop with my husband. We had NO idea what we were in for. As we drove to the store, Ken said, "Where are all these cars going at 10:00pm on a holiday?" We soon realized we were ALL headed to Walmart. The parking lot was completely full, with all neighboring parking lots also full. Ken found a spot out on the street. In normal Ken fashion, he wanted to divide and conquer. Mistake. We each just had a couple of items we wanted to get. One of mine was video games. Ha! Ha! The video game palettes were set up in the produce. The frenzied crowd in front of them was huge and shouting. I watched in horror as people screamed and dove for games that were being thrown out. Awesome! I decided I could live without new games for the Wii. Especially since Kristen called just before we left to go as she was on her way home from her Walmart sale. She told me, "Be careful, Mom." A man in her Walmart was trampled trying to pick up video games and was hauled out on a stretcher. And this all in celebration of the Savior's birth? Something's wrong with this picture.

We called each other on our cell phones to check out, but there were so many people, I couldn't get to him. I waited until the checkout line, and I use the term loosely, finally brought him to me. It was absolute madness. It took forever to get to a cash register, but we finally got out of there without a scratch. And Ken now has a beautiful new computer chair that doesn't lose a wheel or two every time he sits on it.

That is a cultural experience everyone needs to do once- but only once. We've had our turn! I'm grateful we lived to tell about it!

The sorry old chair:

Howard and Joni Wed

Last week, Ken and I traveled to SLC to attend the wedding of Ken's life-long friend, Howard Stucki. Howard married Joni in the Draper temple. It was such a privilege to be in attendance and to see the old happy, grinning ear-to-ear Howard back. Howard was Ken's best man at our wedding and Ken was best man at Howard's first wedding years ago. They grew up just a half-block from each other. Since they were two-year-olds, they've been a part of each others' lives. So many of Ken's childhood memories include Howard. After their missions, they were roommates at BYU (which is when I met Howard), and we've kept in touch all the years since. We think he totally scored, finding Joni. She's just adorable and, again, it's soo good to see him happy again. They even let us crash their honeymoon, as they came down here to Howard's family cabin, and we all went out to dinner one evening. (I took my camera with me, but forgot to take a picture) We look forward to many happy times with the new Mr. and Mrs. Howard Stucki! Congratulations, Joni and Howard!

Running With Angels

Running With Angels by Pamela H. Hansen My rating: 3 of 5 stars Pamela Hansen is an inspirational woman. She has tremendous challenges in her life, that I can only imagine. She lost two babies and two others have severe disabilities. She gained a lot of weight through all of that, and this is the story of her losing that weight and running a marathon (actually two!) Though the book needed some editing and focus- especially at the end- it inspired me to do and be better. View all my reviews

The Persian Pickle Club

The Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas My rating: 4 of 5 stars Set in a Depression-era, country town in Kansas, this is the story of a diverse, yet unified group of women. They cling to their love of quilts and quilting and to each other to get them through their difficulties and good times in life. There's a little murder mystery thrown in for good measure, too. I enjoyed "meeting" each of these interesting women, and came to like even the most unlikable of the bunch. This is the first book I've read by Sandra Dallas. I really liked her writing style and themes. I hope to read more of her novels. View all my reviews

Friday- In San Juan, Puerto Rico

Ken and I recently returned from a wonderful vacation. We went on a cruise with all my siblings and spouses in the Carribean. We had a wonderful time together. Ken and I went a day early so Ken could fulfill his long-time desire to bird in El Yunque rainforest in Puerto Rico. He booked us in a beautiful resort, The Rio Mar Beach Resort for two nights. We left on Thursday, arriving that evening. Ken spent the day on Friday in the jungle, looking for birds. He added a dozen or so new birds to his life list. I stayed at the beautiful resort, swimming and relaxing. This was the view from our room.

This was the view from the front of the hotel. Puerto Rico is beautiful.

Saturday- We Set Sail

After checking out of our hotel, we drove to the airport, turned back in our rental car and took a taxi to the dock and boarded the Celebrity Summit for our cruise. Soon, the others arrived and we all met on deck for the sail away party.

Sunday- Out to Sea

After a delicious Sunday brunch, we found an empty room and held our own church together. Each of us shared a favorite scripture. I took notes and wrote down what I got from what each person shared:

John: John 21. Peter, lovest me more than these? We need to "fish" the Lord's way and we will be successful.

Roger: Quoted President Packer,"We are raising children in enemy territory." Asked "What can we do as grandparents to help these precious little ones." Shared some ideas.

Pam: 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Talked about light. I wrote down "Picture of Russian children in a circle" Anybody have a clue what I meant by that?

Patty: Ether 6:4 "Commending themselves unto the Lord their God." The people on the ships who got on those sail-less ships in faith and commended themselves. That's what we need to do (go on missions, etc.)- trust the Lord and all will be well.

Joan: Mosiah 2:21 21 I say unto you that if ye should ^aserve him who has created you from the beginning, and is ^bpreserving you from day to day, by lending you ^cbreath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own ^dwill, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your ^ewhole souls yet ye would be ^funprofitable servants.

Tom: "He chose to climb" on the tombstone of the first man to reach the top of the Matterhorn, but who died on the way down. Talked about Matt 13 and the parable of the sower. Focus on the "good seed" Brought forth 100 times We need to move from focusing on success to focusing on significance in our lives. (I loved this!)

Kay: Psalms 104:33, 34 My mantra. 33 I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord.

Hal: Everything obeys the Lord. Shared several scriptures on how true power comes from obedience and gentleness and patience. The three faces of power: 1-might, 2-knowledge, 3- righteuousness

Cindy: Matt. 6: 28-34 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much moreclothe you, O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you

. This can be found in all the standard works: Luke 27, D&C, and Haggai 1:5

Ken: Alma 37:37 37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

He says this to himself from memory every night as he goes to sleep. His evening prayer is one of supplication, his morning prayer is one of thanks.

That's just a brief recap. I thoroughly enjoyed that time we spent discussing the gospel and feeling the testimonies of everyone.

Later, the girls met for battle of the sexes trivia. "Idaho Joan" was called up to represent the team and do charades. The emcee called her "Idaho Joan" and the rest of the week, people on the ship would greet her as Idaho Joan.

Joan doing her charade.

Later, they held a trivia contest. Teams could have five people, so all the girls formed a team, and all the boys formed a team. There were a lot of other teams as well. You need to understand that Trivial Pursuit is part of every Gabrielsen family gathering and has been for years and years. Often, women are pitted against men, and most often, the men win. It brings me GREAT pleasure to announce that our team of Gabrielsen women WON! No not just against our men, but the whole thing! It was awesome. Every single one of us contributed and we totally rocked! I can't remember all of the questions, of course, but here's some I remember: what is the national animal of South Africa??? Pam knew: Springbok. Iceland's chief export??? Fish (we debated on that one for a long time) How many children in the VonTrapp family? My contribution: 7. The underwater city of SpongeBob Square Pants? Cindy knew: Bikini Bottom. Oh, goodness, I can't remember any others, but it was just awesome. Do you guys remember any more? Here's us with our prizes:

The Winners of the Trivia Contest: (Applause please!) It really was our finest moment.

Later, we went to hear this acapella quartet sing. We really enjoyed them and listened to them often throughout the week.

Sunday night was formal night at dinner. Years ago, Hal started the tradition of taking couple pictures at dinner. Now we all do it. Here's our pictures that evening.

Pam and Roger

Patty and Hal

John and Cindy

Ken and Kay

Tom and Joan

Ready for the show

The evening show

Later, up at the disco, we're trying out the moves we learned at the show! (I'm kidding. We were dancing) Tom is the "Electric Slide King" He gets everyone doing it.

Monday- Barbados

Since Joan and Tom had previously taken a tour of Barbados, and since Patty wasn't feeling well, they didn't go, but the rest of us hired Simon- a local taxi driver- to take us on a tour of Barbados. It was really fun.

Simon (yes, he's driving on the wrong side of the car and the street. Barbados is English.)

The Green Monkey. I am well known to always have whatever anyone needs in my purse. I would totally clean up at the "Let's Make a Deal" show when the host asks if you have something in your purse and if you do, you win money. Anyway, I just happened to have a banana in my purse, so we got to feed the monkeys. When Ken gave one the banana, others came running and shrieking. They made quite a ruckus.

We stopped at a famous Episcopal church there.

Clown Boy. I don't know why. That's just what John calls him.

Many dignitaries have worshipped in this church, including President and Nancy Reagan.

The beautiful view

We told Simon our religion, so he took us by the Latter-day Saint church. We asked him if he knew "Mormons" and he corrected us and said, "latter-day Saints."

This in the home in which George Washington lived in Barbados.

Back on the boat. There was a gorgeous sunset that evening.

Tuesday- St. Lucia

Tuesday was a wild and crazy day, at least for me. We went out on the dock and booked a boat ride tour out to the Piton's- two volcanic mountains that grow right out of the ocean. We thought we were booking a touring boat, but when it came to pick us up on the dock, we discovered it was just a fishing vessel. It was interesting trying to get on and off that thing! You had to time your jump. Then, there weren't seats for everyone. Then the "pump" broke. It was quite the experience. But the company was great and we had a good time.

There's the pitons. I understand that even with our eventful trip, it's a whole lot easier to get to these by water than it is by land.

There's us on the back of that funny boat.

Looks like this picture made it on here twice. Well, good because, like I said, it wasn't easy getting here!

I love this picture of Cindy photographing John.

Self shot (I learned this from John. He's forever taking shots of himself. I love it.)

This wins picture of the week. Man, I love those two.

When we got to Soufriere, a small city in St. Lucia, we got off the boat. John and Cindy took a van to the volcano, but Joan and Tom and us walked around the city. After the restroom, the first stop was an Internet cafe so they could read their email from their missionary, Taylor, who is serving in the Dominican Republic. We could feel his pain, as it was SO hot in that town. Whew!

We visited this sweet church in their town square (the town square where they used to do beheadings- OOOSh!)

Locals selling their wares. . .

Including a wheel barrow full of freshly-caught fish. Locals would just come up and choose their fish and pay for them.

After the volcano visitors got back, we jumped back on that . . .vessel . . . and went out to a famous snorkeling place. The problem was, there wasn't a place to dock, and since it wasn't a touring boat, there was no ladder and no easy way to get back onto the boat. So, I opted to stay on the boat, though I was DYING to get in that beautiful water.

I was pretty bummed until "John" showed up. "John" was a local Rastafarian who rowed out to our boat on his "water taxi" a plastic canoe. He came to sell his wares- handmade jewelry and conch shells, and to get some rum from our boat, and to chat. I thoroughly enjoyed my chat with John. He had braided hair, that when taken down, would reach mid-calf. His near-toothless smile and charming ways helped me pass the time while the others snorkeled and swam. Cindy was the first of our group to attempt that difficult ascent back onto the boat. She did great. I encouraged her and we had a brief exchange. After witnessing our interaction, John asked me if she was my friend. I told him that Cindy was my sister-in-law. I then pointed out others from our family out in the water, explaining that our whole family was there together. John wistfully said, "Oh how I wish I was in that family!" Then he said it again, "Oh, how I wish I was in that family!" Then again, and again. He just kept saying it. It really made me think about what a blessing it is to be part of a family.

Cindy getting back on the boat. Isn't she cute?

After becoming fast friends, I, of course, had to purchase some handmade bamboo necklaces from "John." Ken was oblivious to all of this, and was more than surprised when he got back on the boat and I announced to him that I had gone shopping. He looked around and saw that we were completely surrounded by water. "How did you go shopping?" "The mall came to me!" My granddaughters just might find those bamboo necklaces in their stockings this Christmas. Shhh! Don't tell.