We arrived in Salt Lake City at 9pm on March 23rd
and made our way from the terminal to the baggage claim area. As we came down the escalator we heard a
shout and looked out at a happy gathering of my Mom and Rudy, Leah, Matt and
Jessica, Laura, and Luke all holding a big banner: “Bula Home.” We could barely wait to get to the bottom of
the escalator before running into their arms and feeling the joy of being home
with family – we made it, we did it. Is
not that a perfect forecasting of what it will be like to return home to our
Heavenly parents, Savior, and family? I
think so.
After hugs and tears, laughter and chatting, we gathered our
things and parted paths. We went off to
Laura’s home to begin our days visiting each family. The next day was especially wonderful as we
went to Church with all of the Watts family, Matt and Leah’s families, my Mom
and Rudy, and Luke along with a few other invited friends to bless Sawyer Lee
Watts. We were delighted to find Philip
and Debe Barlow among those who had been invited, and to renew friendship with
these dear friends from the past who now live in Logan. After sacrament meeting we went back to
Laura’s to visit and feast on wonderful salads and soups. It was a great day.
On Monday, we went to our first stores --- SHOCK! We determined that it may not be an
exaggeration to say that there is more merchandise in one Walmart store in
America than there is in all stores combined in the country of Fiji
(particularly if you exclude Suva). We
are just aghast at the luxury, availability, and over-the-top worldliness that
abounds here. It makes us uncomfortable.
We enjoyed our days with Laura, then went to Matt’s for a
couple days (including a surprise BD party for Matt), then down to Leah’s and
now back to Matt’s. We have enjoyed each
day though living out of a suitcase and adjusting to the time differences have
been difficult. Yesterday was the
beginning of General Conference and it has been wonderful to see the sessions
and last night go to the Conference Center for Priesthood with Matt and
Luke. Afterwards, Annie joined us for
dinner at an Asian restaurant and a good visit together. It was just amazing to be at the conference
session. Such a blessing and my heart
was drawn out to our friends in Fiji who may not ever actually see this
conference, or much of it. They will
never see the strength of 21,000 members gathered in one place, who can
actually see the Prophet and apostles and other General Authorities in
person. Oh how much they need that
strength so much more than all of us here who have it so readily available
every six months! I longed for their
blessing all during the conference session and thought of their privation in so
many ways. God bless our dear friends in
Fiji!
Today is Sunday and we will watch the morning session at
Matt’s house with Laura and family joining us, then a quick lunch and we’ll be
off on our drive towards Spokane to be with Emily for a few days. We will stay in Missoula overnight and then
arrive Monday about noon in Spokane.
This morning holds a special time for us as we prepare to
give Matt a blessing. His transplanted
kidney seems to be showing initial signs of potentially ending its functional
life. The very drugs a person takes to
prevent the rejection of a transplanted organ also are toxic to that organ and
have the potential of eventually killing it.
We don’t know, but such a scenario may be in the works and Matt’s doctor
is concerned enough to have raised the possibility. As of today, Matt is keeping this private
until further evidence confirms or refutes this concern but we are preparing to
give him a blessing today. I have prayed
fervently that I may be guided by the Spirit to speak the will of the Lord and
not have my fatherly love dictate the desire to have Matt healed over the plans
of the Lord if that is not to be so.
Blessings are always like that, the struggle to be open and receptive,
to be bold in the power of the priesthood without being driven by self
will. It’s a tricky balance, but what a
privilege to hold the priesthood and be worthy to administer the ordinances
enabled by it.
Post-note: Matt’s close friend, Gary Stapely, and I did give
Matt a blessing and at this point in time (2018) we are so grateful that Matt has been blessed with his kidneys continuing to function well. We later left and had
pleasant days in Spokane and Yakima. We
arrived home in Corvallis on April 17th. The years have flown by, and my – how happy
we are to be home!
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