Except for the Alligators

And now every day we see at least one and sometimes two alligators with their noses up and sometimes their backs in the two areas of the lake we pass by as we walk.  There is no love for this creation by Sister Gibson.

Gratitude for Creations

After returning from a temple session, our walks create even more gratitude for our Heavenly Father as we see all his creations in a new light.  The little turtles always in their same place sunning at the side of the pond, the squirrels always hopping from tree to tree, the leaves growing bigger and filling in and causing our path to seem more private, the bluebirds and the cardinals flitting from branch to branch all say thanks to Him who created us all.

April Graduation

 Another wonderful time to celebrate with sailors graduating from Power School of the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command.  It had rained that morning, but seemed to have taken a break as we drove to the compound.  Upon arriving we found all the outside chairs empty and everyone heading inside to the Bowman Center.  After setting up for a third of the students to graduate here and sending the Officers to the Rickover Auditorium and putting the last third on hold outside the room, it was announced that we were actually all heading back outside. They rushed through the speaker's remarks, honors/awards and passing out of diplomas to 435 students.  The rain began to come down - the umbrellas popped open - and the Chaplain gave a hurried benediction on a wonderful day.

Spring is here!

Oh, how lovely was the morning!  Radiant beamed the sun above.  Bees were humming, sweet birds singing, music ringing thru the ... trees....This morning we heard so many beautiful birds speaking and answering.  We saw a beautiful cardinal and saw and heard many others.  Squirrels were hopping everywhere.  The azaleas, dogwood and everything - everywhere was amazing. Oh, how much our Heavenly Father loves us!                                     

A Blessing

It’s taken some time to be able to discuss this, but a few months ago we came out of church Sunday afternoon, loaded books, etc. into the car, said goodbye to some sailors; and headed home.  About a half mile from the church, about by the Piggly Wiggly there was the sound of a “clunk” on the top of the car roof – “What? Did we hit a bird?  Did a bird hit us?  Did I imagine I heard something?”  No, Mom heard it too and looked back and saw nothing of note.  So about a mile later, Mom says, “I think we should call Matt to remind him about the meeting tonight….”  I immediately hit the brakes and made a quick U-turn – headed back to the Piggly – to SEARCH FOR OUR PHONE!!  Now that “clunk” made sense.  I had left the iphone on top of the car at the church while taking off my jacket and waving and speaking to the sailors.

Our mission “lives” were on that phone…!  Worst fears were confirmed as we saw a flat black object right in the middle of the road across from the Pig.  I pulled over and hurried to retrieve the remains.  Luckily, traffic was light.  But imagine our relief as I held up “the remains” to show Mom – an old black sock!  OK, back to the car to continue the search…, BUT “what!?” the search was over?!  As I approached the car I saw it, there just at the top of the back window – where it had first “clunked” from the roof, but where it had “stuck” thanks to the sticky grip texture of the cover Darin had picked up for us when we first got the phone – and where the air flow had not been enough to “clunk” it again, and where we were granted a tender mercy.  We laughed – and laughed – and gave many thanks – and smiled at the thought of it ever since.

                                                                                                                                  

Changes from Summer to Winter

  Walks:

Graduations:

The best part of winter - NO ALLIGATORS at the lake, just Egrets in the trees and railings and lake, Heron, Pelicans, Geese and so many kinds of ducks:

Joy to the World

We know our Savior lives - He is God's own Son.

Thankful for His gift to all - with Him each battle's won.

As we ponder the Atonement at this season of the year;

In him there is all peace - with Him there is no fear!

 A missionary Christmas is very special.  President McConkie told the Elders to not wish they were home for Christmas as they had opportunity to serve Him and feel the blessings.

D & C 100:1...Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, my friends Elder and Sister Gibson, your families are well; they are in mine hands, and I will do with them as seemeth me good; for in me there is all power.

Sister Gibson find comfort - she knows it is right to leave family in His hands - in Him is all might.

Elder Gibson is blessed with the perfect companion.  With her inspiration he could hike the Grand Canyon:  So, we on the evening of 24th December watched the DVD "Joy to the World" and went to bed grateful for the Babe born in Bethlehem and for our precious children and theirs. Then Christmas Day we opened our gifts and then headed to the Grand Canyon - i.e....the Ravenel Bridge.  We left the Crowfield Plantation area and headed to Mt. Pleasant were we enjoyed a couple of hours walking "the bridge".  It was a beautiful, fun day. 



Looking north from the Charleston side off of East Bay.





Our view of Patriots Point and Fort Sumter in the distance.



And on Sunday, December 26th, we had SNOW!