I can't believe that it has been almost 4 months since our last post. We are very much alive and well in the heartland of our nation, Rugby, North Dakota. While we most certainly miss all of our family and friends, we have settled in to our new home and new life. It has taken us just a bit to get used to the laid back way of life up here, and of course the cold and snow. We actually like it up here, the pace is slow, but the people are genuine and good "salt-of-the-earth", hard-working people who we are coming to know and love. We have everythng we need within an hour of home and don't want for anything.
Sue and I have talked about keeping our blog up to date on a more regular basis this year. We really did try last year, but oh my heck, what a year.
We want everyone to know how much we love this season. We love Christmas, and yes we love buying gifts and stuff for our family, but we really love this time of year becasue we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Because He was willing to come to Earth and gain His own body, we reap the benefits of the Atonement. Without His birth, there would be no Atonement. He KNEW what was going to happen. He knew that he would be scourged, mocked, beaten, nailed to the cross, and suffered unspeakable punishment...and for what? He did it for US...and only for US. So Merry Chrismas everyone, never forget what this holiday is really about.
So as we celbrate Christmas temporally, let us not forget the true "Reason for the Season". We know that all of our familiy members are well taken care of and are continuing to grow each and every day, They are making their own memories. We won't be away for long, and this time away from everyone is just preparing us for our Misson in a few years.
We hope this post finds everyone well, We will do a better job of checking in on your blogs and posting on ours...just be patient with us, and we won't let you down.
Until then...Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
We Made it To Rugby
After two long days trekking across America's heartland we have safely arrived in North Dakota.
We will update you on a more formal post in the days to come. Right now we have to get our house in order as everything was delivered today....now uncpaking and outting away...yikes!
Stay tuned...
We will update you on a more formal post in the days to come. Right now we have to get our house in order as everything was delivered today....now uncpaking and outting away...yikes!
Stay tuned...
Saturday, September 1, 2012
The Trek Begins
Well...we completely cleaned out our old house yesterday in preparation for our move to North Dakota. We got done around 1:30 then chilled for the rest of the day. Enjoyed jimmy Johns in the park with Minnie.
We visited Camel's Back Park and had some of the best ice cream ever at Goody's...homemade...yumbo. then capped the night off at Ling and Louies...a kind of Asian/American fusion kinds place...it has been a real favorite for us.
As we enjoyed each others company we reflected on how blessed we have been and are. While North Dakota certainly is not our "Shangra-La" we are looking forward to our new adventure together. It has been so clear to both of us that the Lord has had His hand in our lives continuously...I think in part because we have invited Him into our marriage and lives, and partly because we have remained faithful and obedient.
We could have easily backed out of our lease in meridian, but we decided early on that we wouldn't do that and that we would honor our lease agreement as well as leave the house in the same shape that we received it in.
Sue has been taking care of the house while I have been away..."what a woman I have ". I joined her at the house on Wednesday to help with the final packing of the house and the cleaning (Argh). But we both wanted to the right thing. it cost us $3750 to buy out the lease plus we forfeited our $1000 security deposit...but this was the right thing to do. We decided that we were going to do this before we started looking for a new job. My new company is so awesome and they offered a tremendous relocation package and told us that they would pay these expenses for us...blessed? ya think!
The day before we moved the rental agency told us that we would have to continue paying the utilities and have the lawn cut until the end of the lease (December) or until the house was rented. While we were bummed, we also realized that this was the right thing to do if that is what the contract said. We scrubbed and we cleaned so that we could hold our head up high when we left, knowing that we did the right thing. The moving van driver said he owned a lot of rental properties and he never had one of his renters clean his houses the way we cleaned that house. We told him that we couldn't do it any other way as this was who we were. We also asked him what kind of people he rented to.
We went and turned n our keys and garage door openers at the rental agency and they were sad to see us go. We left on our way and it wasn't 5 minutes later that the rental agency called and told us that they had made a mistake and that we didn't have to pay any more of the utilities or have the grass cut. Do you think the Lord has His hand in things....we sure do.
While we were eating dinner we realized that we hadn't picked up three piles of dog poop, so we decided we would go back to the house to make sure that that was picked up...we didn't want to leave anything un-kept in the house. it truly was in move in condition.
We're on to Billings Montana today...we'll keep you posted
We visited Camel's Back Park and had some of the best ice cream ever at Goody's...homemade...yumbo. then capped the night off at Ling and Louies...a kind of Asian/American fusion kinds place...it has been a real favorite for us.
As we enjoyed each others company we reflected on how blessed we have been and are. While North Dakota certainly is not our "Shangra-La" we are looking forward to our new adventure together. It has been so clear to both of us that the Lord has had His hand in our lives continuously...I think in part because we have invited Him into our marriage and lives, and partly because we have remained faithful and obedient.
We could have easily backed out of our lease in meridian, but we decided early on that we wouldn't do that and that we would honor our lease agreement as well as leave the house in the same shape that we received it in.
Sue has been taking care of the house while I have been away..."what a woman I have ". I joined her at the house on Wednesday to help with the final packing of the house and the cleaning (Argh). But we both wanted to the right thing. it cost us $3750 to buy out the lease plus we forfeited our $1000 security deposit...but this was the right thing to do. We decided that we were going to do this before we started looking for a new job. My new company is so awesome and they offered a tremendous relocation package and told us that they would pay these expenses for us...blessed? ya think!
The day before we moved the rental agency told us that we would have to continue paying the utilities and have the lawn cut until the end of the lease (December) or until the house was rented. While we were bummed, we also realized that this was the right thing to do if that is what the contract said. We scrubbed and we cleaned so that we could hold our head up high when we left, knowing that we did the right thing. The moving van driver said he owned a lot of rental properties and he never had one of his renters clean his houses the way we cleaned that house. We told him that we couldn't do it any other way as this was who we were. We also asked him what kind of people he rented to.
We went and turned n our keys and garage door openers at the rental agency and they were sad to see us go. We left on our way and it wasn't 5 minutes later that the rental agency called and told us that they had made a mistake and that we didn't have to pay any more of the utilities or have the grass cut. Do you think the Lord has His hand in things....we sure do.
While we were eating dinner we realized that we hadn't picked up three piles of dog poop, so we decided we would go back to the house to make sure that that was picked up...we didn't want to leave anything un-kept in the house. it truly was in move in condition.
We're on to Billings Montana today...we'll keep you posted
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
One More Week
In just one more week I will see my sweetheart for the first timie in almost 7 weeks. I'm so excited because I'm not just stopping in for a visit, but I'll be picking my special little lady up to bring her to our new home in North Dakota.
You never know where life is going to take us. You have to be open, willing, and prompted by the Spirit, to always know what you need to be doing in this life. We decided a long time to go to always invite our Father in Heaven io be a vital part of our relationship. We know that when we subject oursleves to His will, we will be fine, no matter where that path takes us. This is the reason why Sue moved to Utah, wiht no family and moving away from her family. It is the reason why we moved to Idaho, to be humbled and instructed.
Sue nor I would ever make any decision to draw us away from our families, who we love so much. But when you think about the larger picture, we know that we will find a way to see our families one way or another, and that we will be happy as long as we are together and put each other first in each other's lives.
This is just another adventure for us and we're certainly going to hang on for the ride. I have been here for 6 weeks already and I can already see some of the reasosn that Sue and I are supposed to be here, I think that we are both goiing to help inject some life into the company, the community, and our LDS Branch.
As Sue reminds me, you never really know exactly what the future is going to bring, but if we stay close to the Spirit we can always safely navigate life's rough waters.
Peace, love, and happiness to all of our family and friends....
You never know where life is going to take us. You have to be open, willing, and prompted by the Spirit, to always know what you need to be doing in this life. We decided a long time to go to always invite our Father in Heaven io be a vital part of our relationship. We know that when we subject oursleves to His will, we will be fine, no matter where that path takes us. This is the reason why Sue moved to Utah, wiht no family and moving away from her family. It is the reason why we moved to Idaho, to be humbled and instructed.
Sue nor I would ever make any decision to draw us away from our families, who we love so much. But when you think about the larger picture, we know that we will find a way to see our families one way or another, and that we will be happy as long as we are together and put each other first in each other's lives.
This is just another adventure for us and we're certainly going to hang on for the ride. I have been here for 6 weeks already and I can already see some of the reasosn that Sue and I are supposed to be here, I think that we are both goiing to help inject some life into the company, the community, and our LDS Branch.
As Sue reminds me, you never really know exactly what the future is going to bring, but if we stay close to the Spirit we can always safely navigate life's rough waters.
Peace, love, and happiness to all of our family and friends....
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Rugby North Dakota...AKA...Small Town USA
I thought that I would introduce everyone to our new home. Rugby while small and out of the way is a true American gem. Rugby is the geographical center of North America. It sits in the North Central portion of North Dakota, about 50 miles south of the Canadian border. It is a real nice, well kept city full of Midwestern pride. The peop;le are friendly and reserved for the most part. The whole town is full of true "Mom & Pop" shops. My employer, TBEI-Rugby division is a major employer in the area and is a national player in the Dump Truck bed and hoist manufacturing business. Check us out at www.tbei.com
I thought everyone might enjoy seeing a few of the sights of our new adopted home town. Enjoy the sights. Rugby is served by Minot International Airport which is only an hour a way. We have daily flights to Minneapolis, Denver, and Las Vegas. Hopefully you will get a chance to visit us every now and then. We'll keep the front porch light on for you...
Monday, August 13, 2012
Once Upon a Dream... A Real Life Fairy Tale!
Happy Anniversary Tina and Felipe -
The "coincidences" in your story are amazing to me as I sit and piece it all together...
I taught a class to the Young Women in church yesterday. I had asked my sons-in-law to send advice to pass along to the Young Women in my class about supporting and upholding the Priesthood of God that many of their fathers, brothers and/or friends in their life hold. As I prepared to share the advice that Felipe's had forwarded to me I attempted to pull up a picture of him with my daughter, Tina and their little girls. The laptop was running slow so I took the pause in the lesson to share a little known fact about Tina and Felipe's "Once Upon A Dream " real life fairy tale.
The girls in my class swooned over the story and since it is their 8th anniversary today I thought I would post Tina and Felipe's story on our blog for anyone else who happens by to enjoy:
Once upon a time there was a beautiful baby girl born into the world. When she first saw her newborn baby girl her mother thought she looked like her Great Aunt Dora (which I just realized sounds a lot like "Aurora"). The little girl was named Tina (Christina) Rose by her father.
As she grew Tina Rose loved to walk in the woods and fields and gather wildflowers in baskets around her country home in Clarence Center, New York. It made her happy arranging the flowers into vases and placing them in the home for her family to enjoy. Her father especially loved the flowers and complimented her on the arrangements she created.
Tina Rose loved the story of Briar Rose (Aurora... sounds like Dora) and her true love... Prince Phillip. After all, isn't that what every little girl wants... for the handsome prince of her dreams to come save her and carry her off to his castle to live happily ever after?
Like Briar Rose in the story, Tina Rose was a happy girl. She was so happy that she was silly! She loved to make everyone laugh, especially her father. She adored her father. He was like a prince to her. She loved to cuddle with him and felt safe in his strong arms. What a happy wonderful life she had with her 4 sisters and her mother and father!
In the story of Sleeping Beauty, Briar Rose (Aurora) had been given gifts at birth. The gift of music, the gift of beauty and a special gift to protect her from the forces of evil that would surely come into her life.
As Tina Rose came into her teen aged years she began to wonder if she had been passed over when gifts were passed out at birth. She recognized gifts of knowledge, music, art and beauty in her sisters but was frustrated as she felt she had been given no gifts at all.
Her mother cried when Tina Rose expressed these concerns to her for she knew what a special gift Tina Rose had. "Oh no, Tina! You have been given the best gift of all. Don't you know that you have the gift of Christlike love - the ability to love everyone as Christ loves them!"
(Tina still remembers this conversation clearly)
Becaue of the love Tina Rose had for others, they also loved her. Everyone loved her! She had many friends. She was happy again and knew that it truly was a wonderful life.
But when Tina Rose was 17 years old a great tragedy came into her life. Her beloved father died suddenly! She looked at the pictures and videos of her father and longed for that loving, safe, secure feeling she once had but had now lost. She was grief stricken!
Her mother reminded Tina Rose that along with the gift of Christ-like love she also had a gift of protection from the evil forces that would try to make her depressed and feel sorry for herself. So, as hard as it was to leave her loved ones behind, Tina Rose went off into the wide world to seek her fortune. She learned the art of floral design. How wonderful it was to be able to take a talent she had developed in childhood and turn it into a career! (Note the May 2012 Readers Digest article featuring Tina!)
While she was busy learning floral design at college Tina Rose gradually came to realize that one friend in particular, Felipe, was a very special friend... more special than all the others. He made her feel so happy... happy like she was a child with her father.
In the story of Sleeping Beauty, the righteous Prince Phillip was given gifts of protection against evil; a Shield of Virtue and a Sword of Truth. He used these gifts to break down the walls of branches and thorns and to destroy the evil fire breathing dragon that separated him from his dreams of happily-ever-after with his true love.
Likewise, when the opportunity had been presented to Felipe as a young man he made the wonderful choice to dedicate his life to God and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. With his Oath of the Priesthood Felipe was given (similar to Prince Phillip) special gifts of protection which are stated in holy scripture as follows:
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principallities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having lon the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shiled of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication."" (Ephesians 6:11-18)
Felipe used the whole armour of God to battle the dragon of the evil world that surrounded him as a teen and tempted him to a choose a life of ease and pleasure. He pushed himself to seek for a better life than what the evil world offered him. He left home and family to prepare himself for a future righteous life dedicated to God. When he met Tina Rose he recognized a sweet loving girl that needed the love and protection of a righteous man.
He offered Tina the embrace of his strong arms. Once again she felt what she had longed for since losing her father... that feeling of love, security and protection.
When they were married in the Washington, D.C. Temple of the Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Tina Rose and Felipe entered into God's "castle". He promised them that as long as they keep their promises of righteousness that they made in his house they will be able to live ...
Happily Ever After! AMEN ! - TRUE STORY!
The End
What's in a name?
The name Felipe in English is Phillip! -
Briar Rose+Prince Philip Tina Rose+Prince Felipe
Coincidences or Tender Mercies ?
My posts to Tina's blog about this date
Add to the drama of the tale:
FRIDAY THE 13TH of August 2004... Memories... Getting stuck between floors in the elevator of the Washington D.C. temple... Uncle Tom - had spent part of the night before in the enclosed room in his garage outside of Orlando with his family - including a baby - terrified as they listened to Hurricane Charley pass over their home. If I remember correctly, they lost power and air conditioning for over a week with the temperatures in the 90's. A tree had fallen and put a hole in their roof... As we entered the temple that day for Tina & Felipe's sealing, the sky was black and ominous as the hurricane (downgraded to a tropical storm) approached the D.C. area... One more memory for the girls who were in my car... going the wrong way, circling D.C. (seemed like forever) on the highway (the beltway) looking for the restaurant.
FRIDAY THE 13th of August 2004... Memories... Feeling the Spirit so strongly as I witnessed my daughter sealed forever to a righteous and honorable young man who had become as a son to me... Meeting the sweetest most humble people in the Moreno family and feeling an immediate bond to them... Seeing my daughter glowing with joy and happiness as the clouds miraculously cleared and she posed for pictures outside of the temple - the House of the Lord - on the most important day of her life... I love you guys... Mom
Compare:
Prince Phillip's Castle to Prince Felipe's Castle:
One more for those romantics who love this as much as I do:
Once Upon a Dream - Sleeping Beauty (1959)
A tender mercy to have this childhood memory:
I was only 7 years old when this was first released.
I remember how amazed I was to see the colors in this movie.
All we had at that time was black and white television.
I specifically remember the scene of the fairies arguing
at the end of the movie
...changing Aurora's dress
from blue to pink and back again.
Blue! Pink! Blue!
Such billiant color!
Amazing!
It was like magic to me!
MaMa (Sister) Sue Celeste - like celestial :)
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
8-8-08..A Day to Remember for Good
Four years ago today I married my sweet wife. We have had a very full, enjoyable, and adventurous life together. We have experienced so many things together, so much change, so much fun. We have chosen to be actively engaged with life...to express our love for each other, our family, and most importantly, our savior. We have tried to serve others and our Lord to the best of our ability. We have experienced so much change, some uncomfortable, but always confirmed by the Spirit.
Sue wanted us to get married on this special day because of all of the heartache it has brought to her and her family over the years...so much sorrow and pain...she wanted this day to bring a ray of happiness and sunshine to this special day.
This day has always brought me great joy as it helps me stay focused on what is so important and special in my life...my sweet wife and the life that we live and share with each other. Our marriage has been centered around each other and has been based upon love, mutual respect and understanding, and open and honest communication. We have an undying love for each other because we truly put the interests of each other ahead of our own.
We love our families so much. Some of the changes that we have gone through has taken us away from some of our children and grandchildren, but it has also helped us focus even more on each other and our extended family.
The future looks very bright...mostly because we choose to look at it that way, we are not victims and choose to life life tot he fullest. We are now entering another new stage in our life that will give us so many opportunities to grow together as well as individually, and help us gain knowledge, that will hopefully make us even better people.
Our earthly future is unknown, but we know what our ultimate goal is, and rest assured that we will continue on that path together.
I wish to express my sincere and deepest love to my special "little lady"...she is a true "Gem". Here's to 4 wonderful years sweetheart, may have so many more happy years together...let's enjoy the ride.
Sue wanted us to get married on this special day because of all of the heartache it has brought to her and her family over the years...so much sorrow and pain...she wanted this day to bring a ray of happiness and sunshine to this special day.
This day has always brought me great joy as it helps me stay focused on what is so important and special in my life...my sweet wife and the life that we live and share with each other. Our marriage has been centered around each other and has been based upon love, mutual respect and understanding, and open and honest communication. We have an undying love for each other because we truly put the interests of each other ahead of our own.
We love our families so much. Some of the changes that we have gone through has taken us away from some of our children and grandchildren, but it has also helped us focus even more on each other and our extended family.
The future looks very bright...mostly because we choose to look at it that way, we are not victims and choose to life life tot he fullest. We are now entering another new stage in our life that will give us so many opportunities to grow together as well as individually, and help us gain knowledge, that will hopefully make us even better people.
Our earthly future is unknown, but we know what our ultimate goal is, and rest assured that we will continue on that path together.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Prairie Village Museum Rugby, North dakota
I decided to check out the Prairie Village Museum right next to my hotel. It doesn't look like much, but it really is awesome. It took me 2 hours to go through it all...worth every penny of the $7 entry fee. It depicts life on the prairie from about the late 1800s to the early 1950's.
As you come into the area you are greeted by the Northern Lights Monument...why you might ask...well we are so far North that you can see these in the winter months.
The village really is just that. It has several buildings full of knick knacks, cars, and farm implements from this period of time...which is pretty cool all by themselves. But there really is an entire prairie village set up that you can enter and even touch most of the stuff inside. All of it period specific. These buildings were moved to this site I believe some time in the 1960s.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself and leisurely strolled though the village...no one to rush or bother me...I literally had the place to myself for a couple of hours.
I talked to the museum director for quite a while and she told me that the place was popular with the tourists but the locals don't come very often that's too bad because this place is a real gem.
I put a lot of time in, in my hotel room and don't do anything after work. So the time I spend on the weekends is important to me and helps keep my sanity. These little excursions really help me survive the loneliness I feel from time to time being away from the woman that I love so dearly...not to mention all of our wonderful children and grandchildren.
While we certainly plan on visiting our family on a pretty regular basis, I hope that you have an opportunity to come and visit us in Rugby too, It is a quaint little area that takes you back to a much simpler time. I think that we will not only survive the next 7-10 years here but probably thrive as well.
Here's to Rugby...our new little Prairie Paradise
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Northen Lights Monument...yes we're "that" far North :)                                             |
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