These cute little girls (and one boy) are gems. Dave and I are called as sunbeam teachers and it's so fun to engage these littles with stickers, coloring pages, or tiny carrot seeds. Dave and I love the opportunity to serve together again and adore a chance to chit chat with little people again! It's been a long time since our family home evenings were structured to as simply as standing up every time they hear a big word like "Sabbath" in Matthew 12.
One of Dalia's spiritual gifts is writing polished love notes - whether an apology note or just to boost mood, they are sweet and flowery! She acknowledges that verbalizing feelings is much trickier but her literary works demonstrate a generously compassionate side. And her mom, also a note writer, loves their shared mother/daughter bond.
Jack begged for a gym membership and despite having concerns about an overzealous approach, we acquiesced because summers are long and hot. We created rules and structure; in addition, his coach joined us by opposing certain exercises in order to keep the range of motion needed for tennis. Jack's efforts quickly showed and when he returned to school, he was met with comments like, "Dude, the bulk is looking good!" When we compared his orthodontic before and after shots, the after pic has been lovingly dubbed his 'glow up pic'.
In addition to getting stronger, Jack continues working hard on the tough mental game of tennis. His stroke is powerful, accuracy is improving, strategies are sound, and technique has finesse but he sometimes loses track of the score and did have an on-court blowup where he screamed, "Stop it, Mom!" mid match.
Luke called ahead of his wedding to inform me that as the patriarchal aunt, I'd have a special role at his wedding. He said that, as the Fahu in Polynesian culture, I'd be treated like royalty and given gifts. He was brief about their traditional wedding and what it entailed but I confirmed availability, how I should dress, and ensured that I knew how to pronounce his fiance's name. I also managed to ask what responsibilities came with the title but he replied, "nothing". When we hung up, I googled Fahu and was surprised to see that culturally she is the matriarch who holds responsibilities such as the naming of children in the family. I reached out to my brother but got vague answers and more unanswered questions. Their wedding was on the tail end of our Lake Powell trip so I focused heavily on logistics and getting everyone there instead of worrying too much about what to expect.
When we arrived in Salt Lake City, I was greeted as "Fahu" by Fetu. Other times, I was labeled "Queen Mandy". Most of the weekend's wedding celebrations were very casual - the dance starting 2.5 hrs late and a late temple ceremony too. The wedding reception was a fun, formal party and I participated as Palagi royalty. I was greeted with a beautiful lei (Dave too - who was also famed for his Fahu proximity), served a larger dinner with 5 types of meat at a specially designated table with Renee (the other Fahu), was surprised by an honorary money dance, and gifted with handmade gifts (afghans) and a portion of the wedding cake. It really was such a treat!
(In retrospect, her Fahu had schizophrenia so I was likely released from many formalities because of that but I really wish I'd been prepared with a formal money dance for the couple.)
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Tennis is competitive in Mesa! We knew it would be so quickly got them connected to a tennis pro. Jack felt his new coach worked 'magic' but both were still extremely worried. Mom was even more worried. 2 weeks of tryouts was pure torture as I prayed fervently that they'd make it - terrified that it'd be perpetual ammunition against Mesa if they didn't. Thankfully, Heavenly parents answered an earthly mother's fervent prayer and both kids squeezed onto the team... just barely at the 6th positions.
What followed was a really challenging season - where both kids learned some valuable lessons, made friendships, and improved their game.
