Twilight

I am back!!!! Yes. That's right. I'm back. Never to cross the Fl/ Ga border again. (At least for a couple of months.)

Hope's memorial service and internment went really well. It was very sweet. I am looking forward to getting back to normal....that's what I thought until IT happened.

I can't help it. I don't remember the last time I've been sooo mesmerized. I have to share w/ my dd Jaden and there is just simply not enough to go around. I really didn't think that once I started I wouldn't be able to stop. They should make a patch for something like this. Maybe I need an intervention. I've never done drugs and yet this need to have more. Sigh.

Twilight.... it's the latest rave. I didn't realize how intense it's addiction was. Until I cracked open the pages of the already used book. Worn and broken in by it previous users, the pages were easy to turn and held their place while I hungrily supped up the words.

Stephanie Meyers, the author/drug word lord, must have known the effect her words would have on society. She must have known what the result would be when her lexical-heroin reached the street corner of Barnes and Noble. She must have anticipated the returns as she sent her hard and soft bound crack mules to all the Borders around the world. I know I should make a stand and try as I might to stop her... but, alas. sigh. I merely do not have the strength to withstand this influence any longer. This why I write this in my blog. I hope to entreat someone to my aid.

I must now concentrate on how to retrieve New Moon (the second book of the series) from Jaden. I think she is coming down with a fever, maybe a cough and needs some, hmmmm, NyQuil. Yes, that will do it. She should sleep for a good 10 hours. HE, he, he.




*No. Really. It's a GREAT book. I don't drug my children for my own selfish reasons. I hope I can wait til 10 when Jaden goes to bed and finish the book.

One of those days (or mornings)

Well it's 3:45 am, FRI. We are suppose to get up in about an hour and a half to leave for Fl. Good thing I'm not drivin'. I just finished putting together photo albums for Hope's four sisters and Aubrey (Alan's brother). They have copies of a lot of Hope's pics from over the years. Alan and I thought it would be a nice gift for the family. The albums also include a DVD of the memorial slide show. It was a lot of work, but totally worth it. The albums came out really pretty. they are moss green and covered in handmade paper. There is a place on the front for Hope's pic and I ran a beautiful floral ribbon up the spine and tied bow at the top. The colors reminded me of Hope. As soon as I can figure out how to down/up- load pics I'll post a pic of the albums.

Gotta finish cleaning up the scrap-book stuff and take a nap. I'll post again when we get back from Fl.

Nighty-night. or nappy-nap. or whatever.

Trying to finish up memorial stuff.

I would like to send a HUGE shout out to Maryann and Cassidy Nichols for helping/doing the slide show presentation for Hope's memorial service. When I can figure it out I'll post it. It's quite beautiful.
Cassidy is a very talented up-n-coming film maker that just won first place in a YouTube contest. You go girl!!! Here is the link to her winning video. (I think.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asnByUiYmBA

Color, color, color!

O-kay. I know. I get it. I've been told by a couple of very good friends that I need more color on my blog. I totally agree. There's the whole novice blogger thing in my way. I try to learn something new each time I get on. I think my processor's slow (mine not the computer's).

Anyway this is a work in progress. Please feel free to "comment" any tips of the trade.

Dressing Hope for the Celestial Kingdom.

I went to the funeral home to dress Hope today. Her RS president, visiting teacher, and some other sweet sisters helped. It was a very spiritual experience. She looked great. Just like the Hope we were used to seeing before her decline. I was honored that she asked to take part in this.

The Hope I See In Thee

This is a poem I started I couple of weeks ago when Hope decided to end her dialysis treatments.
This kind of an emotional outlet. I don't usually share sensitive stuff like this. So I thought I would try something new this time and share.

The Hope I See In Thee
Dedicated to Alcie Hope Kendall
Sept. 1,1938- June 12,2008

Your denim blue eyes, your heart felt laughter.
Your undying love for the Lord, our Savior.
My husband, best friend, her baby you'll always be.
This is the Hope I see in thee.

11 years ago in her lap you sat so bold.
With your hand in her hand a pen you did hold.
Your love of knowledge, the gospel, artistic ability,
This is the Hope I see in thee.

Her physical features, you have more than one.
Your compassionate sevice for others like Gran'ma had done,
Following the Lord's example, "For unto the least of these".
This is the Hope I see in thee.

Your love for music, to know it by heart.
You share with your Gran'ma an incredible art.
To live and love life in your own harmony.
This is the Hope I see in thee.

At times you feel small, timid and shy.
We gave you her name for strength to try.
Courageous and strong, a fighter is she.
This is the Hope I see in thee.

Tho' you never knew her outside a hospital wing.
You and Gran'ma both loved to sing.
As I watch you grow with a spirit so free,
This is the Hope I see in thee.

Her unconditional love for everyone in the room.
Her unwavering faith when others saw doom.
"Take care of my baby." she said, "For all eternity."
This is the Hope I hope to someday see in me.

Tina Kendall
6/12/08

'til we meet again.

Today at 2:45pm, Alcie Hope Kendall (Hopie), passed from this life to the next. She is no longer in pain and I am sure she is having a happy reunion w/ her beloved Daddy. I know she is watching over us and will be there with open arms when it is our turn to pass through the veil.

We love you Mom, Sister, Friend, Grandma, our Hopie.

So I am in Fl...

I am in Fl on family biz. My husband's Mother is passing away. Alan (my dh), wanted to spend these last days on earth with her. Kind of a sad way to start a blog, isn't it? Not really. We believe in eternal life. We believe that this mortal life is but a stage or step in the eternal scheme of things.

This is a quote from our church's web site. I felt like I couldn't sum it up any better.

"From an earthly perspective, physical death? may seem like an end, though it is really a step forward in Heavenly Father’s plan. At the time of physical death, your spirit will leave your body and go to the spirit world?, where you will continue to learn and progress. In the spirit world, your memories of this life and the knowledge you have gained on Earth will remain with you.
Death will not change your personality or your desire for good or evil. If you choose to follow Jesus Christ during your life on Earth, you will be at peace in the spirit world. Those who choose not to follow Christ and do not repent will be unhappy.
Heavenly Father knew that many of His children would never have an opportunity to learn about Jesus Christ during their lives and that others would choose not to follow Him. Because He loves His children and is just, God provided a way for those in the spirit world to learn about His plan, have faith in Jesus Christ, and repent. Those who choose to accept and follow Jesus Christ will have peace and rest.
Sometime after your death, your spirit and your body will be reunited—never to be separated again. This reuniting is called resurrection?, and it was made possible by the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. You will remain in the spirit world until you are resurrected."

You can learn more by linking on the link below. We call it the Plan of Salvation.
http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basic-beliefs/heavenly-father-s-plan-of-salvation/life-after-death#d

Hope (my mil) is one of the most incredible women I know. She endured a lot and her testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ never wavered. I hope I can be as strong as she is.