The Rathgebers East to West

[ here and there & this and that ]

2010-05-13T16:50:00.000-07:00

[ here and there & this and that ]

hi all --just signing in google for my blog. don't know how this works but hi everyone. love you all . Grams

[ sister rathgeber ]

2010-04-08T14:04:00.000-07:00

I sure do miss this smiling beautiful face! Keep it up Julie :)

New Baby!

2010-03-29T16:57:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,
Charlie and I heard through the grapevine about the new addition! Addy Young :) We can wait to see some pictures and posts about her. We hope you are doing well Katie & Jimmy.

Grandma's latest life

2010-03-01T16:49:00.000-08:00

Christmas at the Beach. Going to the doctors.

Charlie and Michelle at my house in Brentwood helping out.

Back to the hospital when I wasn't eating.

Christmas at Psillos'. Big game going on here.

Love birds.

One of my favorite sweaters.

Here's to a warm winter.

Fast learner on stilts.

Latest style. Back to the store.

California carpenter fixing my baseboard.

Just don't buy sushi at Costco.

Both of us hobbling on our legs.

5 months pregnant and all the way from hawaii.

great to see them all.

Old faithful sitting on my bed waiting for me to get better.

Julie's Farewell Talk

2010-02-17T12:02:00.001-08:00

Julie’s Farewell Talk: January 2010, Bayshore Ward

I came acrosse a quote by Ezra Taft Benson that said, “We are commanded by God to take this gospel to the entire world. That is the cause that must unite us today. Only the gospel will save the world from the calamity of its own self destruction. Only the gospel will until men of all races and nationalities in peace. Only the gospel will bring joy, happiness, and salvation tot the human family.” (The teachings of Ezra Taft Benson 1988, 167)

I thought of the story in Alma ch. 17-19 The story of ammon….truly gave himself to teaching and ministering unto the people for over fourteen years. He prayed that he might be an instrument in the hands of God to bring the knowledge of the truth unto the Lamanites, The king felt the power that Ammon possessed with the spirit…. It was through faith that he followed this commandment and made such a difference in so many lives. We have this power.

I found this to be so true throughout my life and what led me to decide on going on a mission. I have had countless experiences in my life that have proved to be and have taught me how I can fill my purpose as a missionary.

We as new Yorkers are surrounded by not just thousands but millions of people each day that have not had the opportunity to hear of the gospel. They need a sense of belonging and security which only comes from knowledge that they are children of God, members of his eternal family. They want to feel secure in a world of changing values. They want “peace in the world, and eternal life in the world to come” (D&C 59:23), but they are kept from the truth because they know not where to find it (D&C123:12). It is our purpose here to be an example and represent the Lord, to be the light that spreads the gospel throughout the earth.

We don’t need to have the little black name tag to make us missionaries of our Lords gospel, and we don’t need to be set apart to share of the blessings of the gospel. Each day is an opportunity to serve and to be an example of the Savior. We need to obey to be worthy of the spirit.

Like I mentioned earlier, I have had experiences that have led me in the direction to go on a mission, When I was in my Sophomore year playing Lacrosse, I had a weird/very strong feeling to quit the Lacrosse team. I loved lacrosse, and knew I could get a scholarship if I tried hard enough. However, the girls on the team became crazier and crazier every day. The coaches wanted us to be best friends; I had a very different perspective of morals and standards than they did. Though they were very fun, and extremely talented these were not the people I wanted to become best friends with.. I decided Track was the next best solution. The girls were more reserved and I always liked to run. It was rough, My dad did not really want or understand why in the world I would want to not only QUIT lacrosse but why I would want to join track something he didn’t think was even a “real” sport because it was individual. He came to understand, and I realized it was the best decision I ever made. My relay went to states 2 times and nationals 1 time. We traveled and made 1 of my best friends Erin Garvey to this day. Again, it was faith in the Lord that helped him guide me.

Last summer I took the missionary prep class, not knowing if I for sure was going to go on one.. I had always though about it, and decided to take the class. I heard it was really good. However the first week of class. He tells us we needed to read the BOM in 2 weeks! He thought it would be smart since he thought the work load wouldn’t be as much in the beginning, but so did every other teacher I was taking that semester. I remember him giving us the challenge and me being gung ho about it. I was definitely going to finish this . . . I had just started working at the library on campus and had a good amount of hours, I also had philosophy, my last English class, and a few of my core health science classes. Well…. Philosophy alone was giving me about 60 pages of reading a night with quizzes and tests due before the second week, English had essays and it just seemed my health classes gave all of the projects in the beginning instead of the end of the semester.

I remember sitting in the library around 10 pm, and thinking to myself exhausted from work and school work, this is impossible. I cannot finish the book of Mormon and finish everything else. There is simply just not enough time in the day. It was never going to happen. And then I thought to myself, No, I told myself that I Will Finish this. It is possible; its always hardest in the 3^rd part of the race and I can finish it. This is just satan telling me I can’t do this. As soon as I had this thought, an overwhelming sense of peace came over me. That I will never forget, I could feel heavenly father presence. It was as if he was there. I know it sounds cheesy just like one of those stories, but I honestly read so fast and concentrated so thoroughly through all of my homework and finished way before I ever thought possible. I couldn’t believe it. It was a miracle, and I knew that it was faith that made it possible.

These experiences strengthened my faith that Christ does hear prayers and does without a doubt answer them. To help people come unto Christ we need to teach them the Atonement and what the Savior went through. The purpose of the gospel is to cleanse people of their sins so they can receive the Savior’s mercy at the day of judgment. Everything revolves around the Atonement. It is like a wheel that the pioneers used to pull their carts. The center of that wheel is the atonement, the spindles are things such as, temple work, the sacrament, receiving the holy ghost, baptisms and so on…if the center of that wheel is taken out then what happens to the rest of the wheel? It collapses and breaks. Without the atonement then no other function in the gospel would be complete. In 2 nephi 7 we read, “…he offereth himself a sacrifice of sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto ALL those who have a broken heart and contrite spirit;…”

He will forgive ALL of us because he knows that we are not all perfect and we all make mistakes. There are those who are finding their way back into the church that find this hard to believe. But in Moroni 10: 4-5 we read, “….and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost….ye may know the truth of all things.” He will make manifest to everyone and anyone who truly wants to have the desire to know. And they will get a feeling inside that is not like any other.

That to me is the purpose of a missionary, to be able to convey the spirit through feeling. Words can just be words to someone but if you are filled with the spirit then the person will be able to feel what you are testifying of is true. The Holy Ghost works in PERFECT unity with Jesus Christ. And with the Holy Ghost we can know the truthfulness of Jesus Christ

Helping someone make and keep commitments to the gospel can be difficult because they are now changing their life to obey new rules and to listen to the promptings of the spirit. President Hinckley said, ““Believe in yourselves, Believe in your capacity to do great and good and worthwhile things. Believe in the nature with you, the divine nature, that you are in very deed a son or daughter of the Living God. There is something of divinity within you, something that stands high and tall and noble. Get above the dirt and the filth of the earth and walk on a higher plane with your heads up, believing in yourselves and in your capacity to act for good in the world and make a difference.”

When I got accepted to BYU-Idaho. I cried, it was my last choice and not only was I going to the middle of nowhere, somewhere very very strict, I was going to be missing my summers as well. However, I was rooming w/ my cousin and I figured it would be ok. The first semester there I hated it. I told myself I was never coming back, it was miserable and cold. My second semester, I had roommates that were all older and had served missions and were very strict and abided all the rules. No shorts or even capris in 110 degree whether, no flip flops; little things that I would wonder every day why they were even in the honor code. . I grew to love the rules. By following the rules, you learn to love them, and grow every day because of them.

You learn to obey the higher law, and I believe it prepares people. I know that when rules and commandments are followed greater faith is gained, and when broken; satan uses it as a tool against you to be bitter and hate the rules or commandments even more. . People who follow the rules up there love it there, and people who don’t follow the rules, hate it there. It’s simple. I think it will be a lesson used all my life.

Why is it that we come to church week after week and know all of these principles are told to obey, to listen to the spirit, yet we always sin? It is our responsibility to pay attention and think about the testimony we have. Listen what the spirit is telling us and picture Christ as a person on earth watching, for he is watching and if we were to do die tomorrow, Every thought and action we ever did or have he knows. If we can grasp the concept of the real purpose of this earth, and the importance of it… I think it makes it a little easier to become more obedient. We are the light of Christ and people watch us and learn from us.

When you have a testimony and feel that the church is true, that the scriptures are from real prophets; Men, who had such a great and tangible knowledge that Christ lives that they left and wrote in the scriptures for us and guide or reach out to us every day. Think of how much we have to be grateful for at this time. We have everything at the tip of our fingertips, and almost all of it can be used for good or for evil. This is the time to share the gospel to the world. , . I truly have felt that this something that desperately needs to be shared to everyone on earth… when all this is realized, you understand how happy it makes you and can make others. The desire is there.

A quote that I have always loved is: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing it small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so other people won’t feel insecure around you. WE are all meant to shine, as children do. WE were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. AS we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Being the example is a great responsibility in this life. When we remember to keep the commandments and practice chosing the right on a regular basis. This is what gives us faith to keep going. And through faith anything is possible. I really believe that it is through faith that miracles happen. I know that going on a mission is something that is for me at this time of my life and there is no denying it. I heard words in my head time and time again when I was deciding; I have never been so sure of something in my life than I am right now.

With faith Heavenly father makes everything easier. People told me that before my mission things were going to be thrown at me in every direction to stop me from going. I could feel certain obstacles; but was always grateful that I have the testimony and had the inspiring answer to the lean back on. There was no reason to doubt that what I’m about to do with my life will not help however many I’m supposed to.

Alma 26:3 And this is the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made ^instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work.

I bear my testimony that I know Christ lives. I know he hears and answers prayers. I know that the scriptures are true and the prophets who have written in the standard works wrote truth. I know that Joseph smith was a prophet of God who restored this Gospel to the fullness of times and that President Monson is a prophet who receives revelation from God. The atonement is real and it works in everyone’s lives. I know that as we chose the right we will be happier and will be the example to those around us. I love my family. I’m so grateful for my friends and for the gospel in my life. I say these things. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

snow!

2010-02-15T12:58:00.000-08:00

In case you were wondering how the Rathgeber's are handling all the snow at West Gilgo... seems like they are having a pretty good time.

Time to pull out the cross country skis.

The eskimo and his wife send their hellos!!

It's a boy....

2010-01-28T18:46:00.000-08:00

We are going to have a boy due July 3rd!! And we are very excited... especially Doug! any name suggestions?

waving aloha everyone...

and supposedly that is a boy part...

Katie's getting close!

2010-01-28T18:45:00.000-08:00

Katie is 31 weeks pregnant... Baby Adelaide coming March 23rd.

Congratulations Katie! We're so excited to see the newest Young addition this summer!

Mark's Address

2010-01-26T13:40:00.001-08:00

His Mission Home address is:
Elder Mark Cadwallader
England Birmingham Mission
187 Penns Lane
Sutton Coldfield
West MIdland
England B761JU
It's $.98 for postage.

Julie's MTC Address

2010-01-26T13:39:00.001-08:00

Julie Anna Rathgeber
MTC Mailbox # 297
UT-TMSQ 0217
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

And I just thought this was kinda funny from the email they sent:

Please note the following items:

1. Your missionary's service began today. Please do not arrange or request visits with your missionary, including meetings at the temple or in proximity to the MTC.

2. All missionary mail must come through the US Mail or commercial delivery services. Hand delivered items will NOT be accepted. Do not send pizzas, fast foods, ice-cream, or any items that will spoil if they are not refrigerated within 24 hours. Missionaries are not called out of class to receive packages, nor do they have access to a refrigerator.

3. Communicate with your missionary weekly through letters sent to the above address or through the email account that the missionary will set up within the first two weeks. This account is to be used by immediate family only. Telephone calls for missionaries cannot be accepted. Your missionary will correspond with you on his/her first preparation day.

4. Families and friends should not plan to visit missionaries departing to their field of labor at the airport or MTC.

Should you need to communicate with the MTC call 801-422-2602. Do not reply to this email.

Sincerely,

Provo MTC Presidency

SLC Temple Square here she comes!

2010-01-20T16:28:00.000-08:00

Bittersweet Morning...
We just dropped Sister Rathgeber off at the MTC at 1:15 today. She seemed very excited and prepared to serve (until she found out she had to wear stockings everyday...haha...silly girl). We know she'll be a terrific missionary, she always has been. But all that doesn't change the fact that we are really going to miss her! Here are a few pictures we took; one from when she went through the temple in NYC, then 2 pics from today at the MTC. I attempted to upload the videos but it wouldn't work...sorry!

I'll get back to you with Julie's MTC address.
We love you Sis! Good luck!

The latest Thompson news

2009-11-08T19:40:00.000-08:00

So. We are married! It has been a terrific 2 1/2 months so far, and the adventures are just beginning. First, wanted to thank all of you for being so supportive of Chris and I at the wedding festivities. I know they became a touch lenghthy, w/ the double feature (Cassie & Becky), but we had a great time and hope you did too! We really appreciated you being in NY, SD and Sacramento; your love and support means everything to us.

So secondly, and for the latest news, Chris just took a job up in Salt Lake City as of 2 weeks ago so we are moving there in a week. We were just barely getting settled down here in SD so fortunately a lot of our life is still in boxes, to make the move easier :). Although sudden, we are very excited for the move and think it will be a great change and opportunity for us! Wish us luck w/ the moving process, should be exciting....

Here are a few pictures from the wedding if you haven't seen them already.

Love you all. Be in touch. Cass and Chris

Julie's Mission Call!!

2009-10-28T20:33:00.000-07:00

Thats right folks Julie got her mission call to ......(you'll have to watch)

She is really excited! Here is a video of everyone waiting around to open her call....

Heres "the" video of julie opening her call! She was so nervous that she was shaking....lets watch....

So there you have it! She is going to Salt Lake City Utah! Temple Square! She is really excited and we are glad that she is going to be close to us all!!

-Alli

Just a sneak peak...

2009-10-23T13:26:00.000-07:00

September 12, 2009 in the Sacramento Temple. Best day ever.

Just after we took the plunge...

If you want to see a few bigger pictures, go to Mark Lee of Holladay Photo's blog at http://holladayweddings.com/blog/ or you can see them all at http://holladay.instaproofs.com/

It was absolutely perfect. Thanks for making it so wonderful you guys. I love you!

Ricks in 1976

2009-10-23T13:10:00.000-07:00

I don't know if anyone looks at this blog anymore, but i just found this on BYU Provo's Ricks yearbooks digital collections... recognize anyone in here! Love it.

Doesn't he kinda look like Sean? Anyway, if you want to look for anyone else, here is the link http://www.lib.byu.edu/dlib/rixida/. See, isn't the library cool?

MY NEW LIFE--Take a look at my beautiful California home. Letter to follow.

2009-05-24T15:16:00.000-07:00

2009-04-13T19:33:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter everyone! Thought I'd put a few pics up here since I've never contributed before, so here's two from this weekend. Chris and I flew to UT on Thursday evening to spend Easter w/ his family. It turned out to be a great weekend. Jake, Julie, Chris and I went snowboarding on Friday. Then Jake, Alli and Jul came to Riverton and hung out at the Thompsons on Saturday night and Sunday for Easter dinner (except jake didn't make it that day-we missed you). It was really fun combining my worlds and having my siblings meet chris's family. Of course they were a big hit (thanks for representing the family well you guys). It was great meeting the rest of chris's family as well. His sister Amy was so nice to have us stay at her house even though she has a new baby of only 3 weeks! We missed you beck, mom and dad, but at least 4 of the siblings were able to get together. Hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday. Can't wait to see you this summer. Oh, and Jen, great pics of you playing basketball. Fun to see them. Keep up the good work.

2009-04-13T19:30:00.000-07:00

More pictures from Houston

2009-03-30T01:15:00.000-07:00

I added Jessica's blog link to the right side of the page "we're just a click away". She has tons of pictures up there. It's so fun to see how big and cute they are. The link to her website is http://psilloswilliams.blogspot.com/ or you can come here and click on it. Enjoy those cuties. Let me know if anyone else has a blog we should link to. Love becky :)

Grams news

2009-03-15T17:19:00.000-07:00

Hi, I just saw the most amazing site down here in the clear skys of Florida. The launch from cape caniveral went offf as planned and it was so beautiful. What a site to see the rocket in all its colors leave this fabulous trail of colors behaind it and then eventually brake off from the major lem. I wish you all could have been here--it was so clear-- the besst yet. I wish them well and hope for a safe journey and return. THats all for tonight Love Grams

2009-03-12T18:18:00.000-07:00

Just want to tell jess and becky how much I enjoy the pictures of the girls. They are so adorable--they make my day. and beck you look like a natual holding and reading to them. can"t wait till you have your own little ones--I know you do too. love you all Grams

2009-03-12T18:12:00.000-07:00

ok --I'm on the blog site and I'm still looking for Becks latest pictures Oh yeah, I think I sold my Fl. house today. Grams

Good times in Houston

2009-03-07T18:07:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone. This is Becky and I'm down in Houston visiting Jessica, Eric and the girls. Here is a fun video while eating lunch at the zoo. It was a very fun day :) and the girls are seriously cute.

We've also been having fun playing with bubbles and jump ropes in the yard. Ver

Livy

Rae Rae

Eric's giving the girls a bath right now and this is what I hear "You don't want to be the stinky kids do you?" Good tactic :)

That's all for now!

2009-03-02T21:46:00.000-08:00

BASKETBALL!

Christmas in San Diego

2009-01-08T18:03:00.001-08:00

All got in around Christmas Eve. Had a huge breakfast at the hotel, hung around at the hottub and then headed to Cassie's for presents under the tree and Christmas dinner. We tried really hard for a good picture, but it just didn't happen.

The Wild Animal Park was one of the highlights of the trip. We all had a pretty good time. This lion was pretty cool. Nice shot Alli.

Walking around La Jolla Cove before church.

Other than that we just had a lot of unity time. all 7 of us squished in one car for a good part of it. to the movies, out to dinner, lots of breakfast eating and just hanging around. checking the surf and even some surfing. not a bad Christmas at all.

The girls were still in SD for New Years and decided to go to this big party they have there. it was pretty fun. And Cassie's boyfriend Chris who we all liked very much.

Happy 2009 everyone!

Grandma from Florida

2009-01-04T16:27:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone, Grandma here, just signing in now that I made it to Fl. The weather couldn't be nicer--about 70-80 % The pool is warm ,although I haven't been in it yet. After a long delay at JFK, Penny picked me up and she locked the keys in the car and then we ran out of gas. It was quite a home coming , but all is well here and I'm unpacked. Patti came this weekend witih Fletch and Silken and it was quite a weekend. They brought there new dog and he she and Gilgo did not get along. There were alot of fights and we had to separarte them. Misty, thier dog, also likeD TO LEAVE "dumps" in the computer room and did so faithfully twice a day, no matter how we tried to keep her out. The kids ahd fun taking turns in the golf cart- alife saver. I had to put 6 new batteries in it $700. , but it was worth it. Between that and the dog park , the weekend was a success. While I was gone Patti did my gardning and trimmed the trees and bushes. It was good to see here. All is well and I just heard that that bid on the house in Ca. went through and so after I sign the papers and pay,I"ll be a home owner. so thats good . So I'll be puttting this up for sale I guess. Well thats bput all . oh Poor Gary hes snow bound 5 ft of snow and ice! love to all Grandma

Grandma

2008-12-05T21:49:00.000-08:00

Hi all, Just a quick note to tell you that I'm still alive but haven't been on the computor lately-Barb nd I have been busy looking at houses and doing all sorts o things. She is working full time now 9-3 and so thenwe start in. I'm waiting for the answers from 3 bids I put on did. homes. I'm also starting to pack up things around here to go to NY and FLA. I'll be in NY from Dec.21 to 29. I hope before that happens I can settle on a home. I'm in the middle of getting my bottom teeth and should be fitted on the 18th of dec. Sure hope they fit good or I'm sunk... Gilgo loves the cool weather lately and thinks he owns this complex out here. Becky, I think I will move to Yap if this doesn't work oout.. ssure looks like an awesome place to settle down with a good book> meerry Crristmas to all and to all a good night for now...LLLLoOOOVVVEE YOU GRAms

Even more..

2008-12-01T12:00:00.000-08:00

Here are some more pictures!!!

2008-12-01T11:45:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!

2008-12-01T11:41:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!

I am sorry that it has taken Charlie and I so long to post on this! We wanted to share some of our Hawaii pictures with everyone :) We had a great time staying at Becky's in Oahu and a really interesting experience on the Big Island.

Becky's trip to Yap.

2008-11-25T12:41:00.001-08:00

OK, Just got back from Yap. Just in case you don't know where it is.... It's in Micronesia. Part of the Federated States of Micronesia or FSM. It's pretty small but has 600 miles of outer islands and a few of them are inhabited. http://www.visit-fsm.org/yap/ to learn more....

I stayed in Colonia, that's the capital and the only place that had a few stores together. The rest of the island is mainly villages with small convenience type stores here and there. Mostly everything is very traditional, the housing is still mainly thatched and tin and wood. It was verrryyy lush and very untouched. many people don't work, they live off the land, so i guess that's work though. it was really cool to be there. they all speak english and the language across the federated states as well as their native languages. and everyone was really, really nice. at the conference i was there for were people from chuuk, pohnpei, saipan marshall islands, guam, kosrae, american samoa, palau and i can't remember where else, but it was a small conference so it was it was really great to get to know so many people from micronesia. i made some really great friends and i really want to go again next year to pohnpei :)

So these pictures are in no particular order.
A nice little playground.This was a stone path. I think they used to go through the villages. There are houses on either side. It was a really nice path that I wandered along.

me all by myself on the walk. someone startled me and i was embarrassed to be taking my own picture :)

it's really beautiful there. and hot. and humid. very sweaty mcgee.

this was in front of my hotel. the bus stop. tons of kids here in the morning and afternoon. right to the right of this photo there is a small field where they play after school. my hotel was awesome. and it was fun to be in the middle of town.

The last day i was there i went snorkeling with 2 other librarians from UH. It was awesome. they are supposed to have some, if not the best diving in the world. but i'm not really a diver, so we decided on snorkeling with captains JP and Joe. It was awesome and i'm so glad i went. the water was nice and warm, the fish were amazing, and the coral was even cooler. too bad i didn't bring a waterproof camera. they took us to two spots. the first one was really shallow reef and it was cool. the second was where they go diving and the coolest thing was coming from the shallow reef over to where it dropped to 50-70 feet. just a wall of total deep blue and tons of fish. it was really an amazing feeling. awe.
this is the back of my hote. i was in the one with the green roof and my balcony was the second from the left. ahhh. that place was awesome. like a beach/boat room. all dark wood, tv, cable, dvd player.... what the yap? i coudn't even get contact solution here. they said maybe next month! but a gracious missionary lent me some.

channel to get to our second snorkeling spot. it was BEAUTIFUL!!!!! mangroves everywhere here.

Joe went snorkeling while we did :)

JP and Joe. they even brought tea and hot choclate for us cause it gets a bit cold after being in the water for awhile. they are awesome.

there are like 10 sign posts like this around the island. there are only a few roads, so no biggie. lots of dirt roads.

bus stop. they had a lot of those too. and feral dogs. tons.

this is the stone money. they used to actually use this stuff. Yap is the "Island of Stone Money"

this is Tanya. she worked at the hotel/inn i stayed at. i think she was one of the helpers that made some of the 100+ head dresses that we got during the conference. everyone got at least three while we were there. she was really sweet. also, it's such a small town that budget rental car comes and meets you wherever to return, or pickup your car. now that's service.

these are some of my friends from saipan, guam, and pohnpei. i had a really great time with them.

my hotel. isn't it cute?

we took the missionaries out to dinner. i was there with a coworker and we had a lot of fun.

they made us cocunut drinks as much as we wanted.

this is the betel nut spit that is everywhere. they chew betel nut constantly. everyone. everyone has red lips and teeth from it, and a ball in the side of their mouth while chewing. it's a mild narcotic i think, and addictive i guess.

Yapese chief Charles Chieng prepares a chew of betel nut with pepper leaf and lime.
borrowed this picture from online. but this is how a lot of the men dress. in just the blue loin cloth or whatever you call it. and actually, some women really don't wear tops. they are very traditional there. not uncommon or strange. well to me a bit, but no one else seemed to notice.

sunrise. the view from the balcony in my room
these kids are so useful at such a young age. they can make all sorts of handicrafts, dance amazing and lots of other things I'm sure. and they're so cute.

I walked up to church and was dripping with sweat by the time i got there. disgusting. and i was an hour and a half early, but i got to know some of the awesome people and it was really a treat. This wonderful woman, Angie, volunteered to be our tour guide around the island. and she used to be a taxi driver so she was very knowledgeable :)

this is a meeting house where they still have village meetings. there are also a lot of men's houses that just the men can hang out in. the women are only allowed there to clean. nice right.
the ladies from yap that were in charge of the conference and the massive amounts of food they served all week. i did not loose weight that week. not at all. lots of grilled fish, yum, chicken, taro, tapioca, yams, rice, rice, hot dogs, mac salad, bananas, pastries.

this was the meeting house next to the yap state library. isn't it cool? it's a basket ball court, or a performance area. right on the water.

and here is some of the traditional dance they had the high school kids do for the closing ceremony. it was really awesome.

and these are all the presents i got for being the Hawaii library association pres and coming to represent. we also donated 1,000 to the yap state library since it was ruined by a typhoon a few years ago. that is a lot of money there, so that was nice. they were extremely grateful.
anyway, sorry for the extremely long post, but i wanted to get it all down before i forgot :)

my blog

2008-11-25T06:01:00.000-08:00

sorry i havent been posting on here. i made a new blog. anyway just letting you know so you can check it if you want. have a great thanksgiving!

http://psilloswilliams.blogspot.com/

jess

Our Visit to Utah

2008-11-24T18:07:00.000-08:00

Julie and I got to head out to Utah for a bit this month. I was there for some library meetings at BYU and Julie for Halloween I guess. It was fun to see everyone. We rallied the troops smooshed into my small rental car and partied at Olive Garden til we were stuffed. One dessert each... well for the girls at least. It was fun and so good to see everyone. Especially nice treat to see Mark :)

The two girls next to jake are Julia and April. Dougs sisters.

Hope everyone is doing well!

2008-10-15T10:52:00.000-07:00

hello again, I've just had help in learning how to do this, but I'm still not sure. The man who showed me was very commputor savy, but i'm not. The wweather here is fall like, but goes up to 70-80 every day-nnot bad! I'm starting to look for a home- if I can pick one up for a real good price, I might do it, just to have a home out here.Thr stocks grandpa left me have gone down so much that I have to owatch every penny. This Christmas will be very slim - maybe just a card ! I'll have to count the summer reunion as my Christmas. I'm trying to get temple work done and go further on Grandpas line. I go to the temple with a few ladies from my waard. My ward has more children in it then grownups, but its nice.I miss my New york family and friends so much and can't wasit to see you all. I love to see all the pictures and especially the twins- they are so cute and Jessica writes the funniest things. love and miss you all, Grandma 10-14-08

2008-10-15T10:46:00.000-07:00

hi everyone, hope this goes thru- my first blogging esperience. love grandma

2008-10-15T10:39:00.000-07:00

hi,grandma her

2008-09-22T18:33:00.000-07:00

Here are the adorable dresses that Beck made for the girls. They go perfect with the ruby red slippers so they can be dorothy for halloween! This was our trial run. It went well and the girls loved running around with the shoes and dresses-even though I couldn't get a smile on camera. And later I saw that they had cuts all over their heels from the shoes, oops! But the didn't seem to mind when they were running around!

We bought these sit on toys to keep them entertained during Hurricane Ike. They like them a lot and fight over them a lot too. But it is so cute when they take turns pushing each other around the house. They have so much fun doing it. Rachel pushes normally and Livy.....

insists on ramming Rachel into the wall, repeatedly.

But they were laughing so I guess it is ok!

Things here are good and we did great during Ike. We were seriously blessed. We had no damage to our house. Two parts of the fence broke and the two trees in the front yard cracked up the middle-they are still hanging there waiting to be removed! We were only without power for a day and a half while people in our ward still are without power (10 days now). And in the north part of houston where we live it is not even bad. Southern houston had flooding and stuff too, along with no power and no water. Those poor people. It is gonna be a long road back for them. Our area is getting back to normal. Resturants finally opened on saturday and there is no longer 2 hour waits at gas stations. We are doing good and enjoying the somewhat cooler weather-we had a 3 day tease of beautiful fall weather. Hope you are all doing good!

Aren't they sweet.

2008-09-12T12:31:00.000-07:00

Richie and Erin

2008-09-02T12:19:00.000-07:00

If you guys want to see some more pictures, or order any, i uploaded Enos' here http://picasaweb.google.com/beckgaber/RichiesWedding.
Congratulations you two.

where was i for this?

2008-08-19T12:12:00.000-07:00

and how did this dancing gene pass right over me?

thanks again silky for the videos!

happy and they know it

2008-08-19T11:55:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the video Silken.

1st Annual Family Olympics

2008-08-19T11:40:00.001-07:00

Thanks everyone for trying it out. Next year it will get even better :) I don't have pictures of the green and orange team, so if you do, email them to me (beckgaber@gmail.com) or just post them.

Family Photo Shoot

2008-08-19T11:30:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Bobby Dowling for being a most patient and great photographer.

2008-08-10T10:47:00.000-07:00

New York Reunion

2008-08-09T12:30:00.001-07:00

Grama's News.

2008-08-03T17:16:00.000-07:00

I'm here.....

2008-07-28T11:45:00.000-07:00

2008-07-09T12:08:00.000-07:00

I am so bad at sending emails now so here are a few updates.
I am so excited, I can't wait to go home and to see everyone.

Playing peek a boo in ruby red slippers from aunt becky

Pictures from grandma, grandpa and aunt hannie's trip a few weeks ago

Playing peek a boo in their new play house from Grandma and Grandpa

BFF

They hold hands now sometimes and Livy is always hugging and kissing Rach, and blowing kisses to all the random people in the store.

Thats all from here. We are all doing good. Excited for the reunion, really for all the free babysitters-just kidding everyone! They are a lot more fun this year than last year so get ready, here we come!

Maui for 4th of July!

2008-07-08T21:14:00.000-07:00

Honolua Bay. Hawaii really is beautiful.
Seven Sacred Pools. Doug's bridge jumping. Right before the Ranger came and took Enos hostage while he waited for Doug to come back. Pretty exciting.

I jumped off the lower rocks. Still pretty high.

I title this one "gazing". This one's for you grama.

Eating more banana bread. We stopped at the "Half Way to Hana" store. It's everywhere on the Road to Hana. That is really a beautiful drive, but is also the longgggessst, windiest, narrowest road you have ever seen. Especially from the back seat.

So we went to Maui for the 4th. Enos just got a nice, fancy camera, so this is what he looked like most of the time. But he got some really great shots which i'll put up some soon. This was at Ioa Valley.

I forgot how much I love strawberry guava. But I do. Aren't they pretty?

Stopped at the Hana Lava Tube. It was pretty cool. Doug stole my flashlight and left me. I didn't cry though.

Birthday #2

2008-07-07T14:49:00.000-07:00

The morning started with Doug making me his version of an acai bowl.
Yum.

Hanging out at the beach, tanning, reading, talking.

Then I got to go sailing on our neighbors (Mark Lee) new sail boat.

And I got a mani/pedi.

Ended it off going to dinner at Assagio's, pink with a suntan :)
It was really fun and I felt really loved as well.
Thanks everyone for you calls and cards and presents!

I love The Little Gym!

2008-07-07T14:28:00.000-07:00

Well the Little Gym is where i have been working this summer. Its gymnastics for little kids. We were just in the pre-parade for the 4th of july and it was really fun. I love the girls i work with too. These are some pictures from the parade and then from our Tarzan summer camp here at the gym. Notice the tree in the background. Yes, Miss Alli made that tree. =)

Birthday!!

2008-07-07T14:00:00.000-07:00

I had a really fun Birthday this year. It started at the Olive Garden, and Yes it is still my favorite place to eat, even though a lot of people have a hard time with that. Then we went to the art festival in Salt Lake. It was a really fun day. Then on sunday my real birthday my roomates made me dinner and jake came down from Salt Lake with his roomate Kent. After that a bunch of people came over for a crepe party. The night was a hit, and it was an excellent day. It was Quite and excellent Birthday. I felt very loved!

bbq all year

2008-06-27T15:19:00.000-07:00

one good thing about living here is that i can bbq all year. i'm getting pretty good at it if i do say so myself. don't you wish you were here for this meal?

crafty summer projects

2008-06-27T15:04:00.000-07:00

Here is the quilt that I started buying fabric for about 2 years ago when I visited Cassie in UT. I finally got most of it together. I still want to change a few of the squares, but hopefully by the end of the summer i can get this done! Whoo hoo!

The back of my quilt.

i got the kiwi fabric in New Zealand last summer.
I can't believe that was already last summer.

And........
I took a sewing class, beginners for the community, last semester and we learned all the basics. So i decided to try a dress pattern.....

I'm going to make another one so they can be for the twins! We'll see if they fit. It's not done yet, there will be red ribbons tied on the top of the arms. And it was supposed to have a zipper in the back, but my machine can't do zippers, so we'll have buttons :) Get ready Livvy and Rachel!

I love doing buttons. Who knew they were so easy?
And did i mention that I'm making myself one to match. we are going to be quite a good looking bunch.

Jess, can you do me a favor, can you get me their measurements from their shoulders to their knees and also around their tummies?

Thanks. I know, you're all amazed at my mad sewing skills.

nicaragua surf

2008-06-16T14:23:00.001-07:00

nicaragua pics

Sitting around together again.

2008-06-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

Just hanging around in Cassie's house :) She had just imitated Alli drinking her drink, and it was quite funny.

the low down in texas

2008-06-10T17:45:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! Well it is hot here. And probably everywhere now. We spend more time inside than outside because they only want to play for like a half an hour outside and it's a lot of changing, sunscreening and mess for just a little backyard water fun, so we stay in a lot. I tell myself that i am saving their beautiful skin, not because I am lazy! Anyway we find ways to have fun indoors too. Climbing in cabinets and closing them on each other, putting them work vacuuming, and trying out glasses that are meant for outside are just a few. They are starting to have more fun together now. They sometimes run off into the other room together and are just laughing and giggling. It is really cute. I wish we could see you all and you could see them. They are growing so quick and doing so many cute things all the time. They know the sign language for baby, holding your arms in front of you and rocking back and forth like you are holding a baby, so the other day Livy was eating pizza and she put both of her crusts and all the tiny pieces in her hands and held it against her chest and did the baby sign with it and said baby. Although strange it was cute to see her do it! Exciting stuff like that you are all missing!

POST!

2008-06-10T11:18:00.000-07:00

Jess and Julie and whoever else signs up... post something so we can get this thing going! This was from my trip to Houston a month ago. The girls are so cute. And so is Jessie. I had a great time :)

And a picture or two from the San Diego reunion we had last week. The first time all five of us have been together in two years. It was a good time.

Ready, Set, Go.

2008-06-09T19:12:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm bringing the Rathgeber family into the world of blogging. I think it might be kind of fun. But i need your help to start. I don't have everyone's email. I want everyone to be able to post so we can keep track of everyone. Who else should I invite? leave me a comment so i can email them :)