While Adam was in India clear back in early May – he really did something very sweet and special that I’ve wanted to document for some time. But because I didn’t take any pictures of said special event – I keep forgetting to blog about it. Today as I was cleaning off my dresser though I came upon some reminders of what he did and thought I’d better get to it – so here we are!
Here is an exert from my journal that describes in good detail Adam’s extra efforts to make me feel special and loved.
Written on May 8, 2013.
“Well we are on day 10 of Adam being in India. I do have to say that the time has gone MUCH better than I expected and that I truly have felt a tremendous amount of extra help and strength from the Lord. It is amazing how much better I am able to handle things when I have the Lord on my side. I truly have a testimony that he is there when we invite him into our lives and he WILL make our burdens light if we ask for it. But we do need to ask for it and to have the faith that he will help us.
I also have to say that Adam has been a HUGE help too in keeping my spirits up. Bless that mans heart he once again went WAY over and beyond the call of duty and has made me feel like the most special wonderful woman on the planet and has helped me feel his support even though he is thousands of miles away. He not only calls and facetimes (Adobe Connects) with me once or twice a day, but he knew that I would miss his hugs and kisses and so everyday he’s been gone he has had someone come over and give me a hug from him, a hershey’s kiss, and a love note telling me how much he loves me. Every note has been so different too. Some are very tender, and others are fun and in written in different accents. So far he’s done an Asian accent, Southern accent, Indian accent, Surfer dude accent, and spiritual accent (and it came to pass…). They have all been so fun and really do brighten my day and give me added strength to keep going. It has also been fun to see who shows up on my doorstep everyday with the hug, kiss, and note. So far I’ve seen Susan Millet, Mary Henderson, Peggy Lau, Adrianne Brackner, my Mom, Mumsie, Madge Clark, Mellissa Draper, Lori Muir, Carrie Cox, and Marty across the street. Adam gave me one to start out with on the first day. Adam also left me with a whole bag of Hershey’s hugs as well so that I could get a hug anytime I needed one. Its been so awesome and really makes me feel so special and loved. I sure do love my Adam.”
Below are some of the adorable letters Adam wrote to me.
Read with a British Accent
My Dear Madame Bink-a-lot,
My Dear Madame Bink-a-lot,
A most gracious welcome to Day 2 of your very own excellent adventure a la Bill S. Preston Esquire, and Ted “Theodore” Logan. It is my fondest hope that you will find much rejoicing in your time spent with dearest little ones over the duration of your journey. This epistle is penned with the purpose of hinting at my devious cunning, yet harmless plan for your safety, security, and overall enjoyment. As indicated above, you are embarking on a wonderful escapade. However, it is not my intention to leave you helpless nor comfortless. I’ve given away too much of the plot already! Needless to say, you should look forward to a surprise or two along the way! After all, what sort of adventure would this e without a bit of wonder and astonishment? Best wishes on your journey! Sir Reginald of the Rock wall. P.S. Go back and re-read while wearing a safari hat and speaking in a British Accent for effect!”
In a Southern Accent:
“Dearest squiggle bum crunchy pants Penelope Jayne,
Oh what a beautiful mornin! I’ve got a beautiful feelin’ everythin’s goin’ my way!” Hi, honey! I sure do miss your sweet sugar lips! Ya’ll may be doin’ just fine, but I’m missin’ yer presence sompin’ scarce! I aint the best judge o’ character, but you shure have a way of luvn’ people that’s right contagious! Ev’rone around you feels as if they’re the most important folks in the world! Yer smile and happy count’nance just cain’t help rubbin’ off. Its a wonder it hasn’t spread through the country by now. Ya’ll can tel how folks just want to be around ya! From yer kids, ta the ward young women, ta total strangers! Ev’rbody gravitates to ya! and it’s no surprise! Thank ya fer bein’ the wonderful woman ya’ve always been! Love ya much, Mr. Huckleberry”
California Surfer Accent
“Like Kowabunga, little surfer girl!
So I’m like so totally missing you right now. It’s been entirely too long since your beautiful babe body has been in my arms! All I know is, you are so totally excellent at doing bogus things. I have much respect for my wife who coined our family motto, “we do hard things” and is the most righteous example. It’s just like catching this way bodacious wave and then being like, “whoa!” Then going, “whoa”. Then you’re like “whoa!” Then it turns into a gnarly wave of 100 feet and you go, “whoa!” You so totally do that with your sis. She’s way appreciative. Well lovely princess babe, I totally love ya. Catch ya later! Crush”
Asian Accent
“Harro, my Royal (loyal) Queen!
I sink (think) you bely (very) good and bely pletty gilr (pretty girl). Sank you (thank you), you American fun guy! I hoping you have good week. I sankful today, you so Royal. You royal to husband, royal to God, and royal to ideals and standards. Your royalty (loyalty) is most impressive. I always know you have my back. You talk nice about me with friends. I sink you royal is good examper to me and children. I rove (love) you vely muchie! You mean world to me. You, me, buddy, buddy. Ok, buddy! Sank you! Arr my rove (all my love), You Suck (an actual name of an investigator in Korea)”
Encouraging
Dearest Sarah Marie,
“Parting is such sweet sorrow!” You can’t go wrong with a line from Romeo and Juliet, right? I realize what a sacrifice it is for you to have me gone for such a long period of time. I appreciate your good attitude. You’ve taken on this new job scenario well. I’m thoroughly enjoying my new work responsibilities. Thank you! Even though it will be challenging for you these next few weeks, I hope you can see that as a positive thing. I’ve certainly run into a fair share of challenges in the new job. I’ve found that stretching myself and hitting them with a positive attitude goes a long way! Know that I will miss you fiercly. You light up my life and I’m going to miss that light. Know that I’ll miss your hugs and kisses as you’ll be missing mine. Hopefully I can make up for that to a degree (wink wink – speaking of the virtual hugs and kisses he would be giving me through others). Stay strong and keep the faith. Remember that trials are temporary. We can use them for our good if we trust in our Father in Heaven. Much love, Your Knight in Something Shiny, Ad”
Seeing the Good in Others
Dearest Sarah Marie slappy pants,
Ah, Saturday! I hope you had a wonderful time with your awesome Mom. Tell her thanks from me for taking good care of while I’m gone. One of the things I’m most impressed with about you is the way you help others find the best inside them. You are always encouraging people to look outside themselves and look at the big picture. Of course you do a great job of this with our kid-sickles, but probably the best example is with your sister. I often over hear you encouraging Jess and helping her see the bright side of the situation. You help her see the hand of the Lord in her life and invite her to reach out to it. You see the best in people and help them to see it too, even if its not convenient or easy on you. More on that topic to come! Thank you for being the “upbeat” in the lives of everyone you meet! Lots of love you Amazing Rock Star! Me.
Indian Accent
Hello and good day to you most worthy Maria!
I am hoping this note is finding you in good spirits! Today is a holiday in my Indian homeland and might be closely associated with your Labor day! I am hoping you vill be taking some time to rest from your labors so you are not standing there beside yourself. I am also wishing to communicate to you a quality that I am very much appreciating in you. It is that of continual improvement. You are always splendid in showing to me a wonderful example of striving to be a better person than in yesterday. I love this very muchee! Your book reading, praying, and conversation are indicating to me your strong desires. Never lose that! It is great quality. I am missing you and I am loving you. Baljit. P.S. I am hoping you are finding the produce I am leaving for your benefit. This is in hopes you are not having to make trips to the store at your inconvenience. (side note: Adam had gone and bought a whole ton of fruit and veggies shortly before he left so that I wouldn’t have to make an extra trip to the grocery store with all 4 kids. It was so extremely thoughtful of him).
On Motherhood
Dearest Sarah Marie monkey pants,
How’s your day going? It’s Friday! Thank goodness! I hope things are going well and that those chili-bugs are behaving! Today I want you to know how much I appreciate your approach to motherhood! You are an awesome Mom! Your efforts to bring up our children in righteousness are spectacular! I’m impressed by your efforts to continually adjust your approach as needed. You read parenting books like crazy! Your children feel your love for them on a daily basis. They love your snuggles, hugs, kisses, and play time! The time you spend with them is so precious. they are in such fun phases of life! I love seeing them grow up with you! Thank you for being that kind of woman, that kind of wife, that kind of mother. Your posterity will bless your name for generations to come. All my love forever! Ad
Scripture Accent
Egbert 2:1-7
1. For behold, it came to pass that Sarah was diligent in performing her duties as a mother despite the trials and tribulations in her life. 2. Yeah, her husband was away temporarily, but that did not phase her. Nay, her heed and diligence were not slackened and she was blessed exceedingly. 3. Yea, in all things she did choose the right. Her righteousness was renown throughout the Payson. 4. Yeah, in fine, she did obey the voice of her Bishop to teach Sunday school, despite her anxiety towards it. And she did study and pray that she might come off conqueror. 5. And it came to pass that she did continue with integrity and did perform her labors to love her husband (for it was a laborious task to say the least) as he was prone to wander, yea, even to the nethermost parts of the vineyard. Yea, in fine, he was difficult to get along with in general and his jokes lacked funniness. 6. But behold and lo, Sarah continued and endured and even acted like he was funny. 7. And behold, her sacrifice was met with blessings from the Lord, yea, even so much as there was not enough room to receive it. Yea, her burdens were made light on her shoulders that she was able to bear them up in peace and harmony. And thus it was. Amen.”
On Thrift and Order
Bongiorno Principessa Bella!
What a week! I’m sure we both have had some amazing experiences. I hope the kids are healthy. My dear, what a wonderful example you are of leading a house of order. I very much appreciate how challenging it can be with active boys and a sizable home! You do marvelously and teach them good lessons to boot! It’s nice to know that things are clean and we minimize germs. I love being confident in bringing folks over and having a nice place to host them. You might think things are messy, but the reality is, our guests know the amount of work you put in. This order extends to financial matters as well. I never though I’d meet my match in thriftiness! You my dear, are certainly my match! But I appreciate how you make me splurge occasionally as well. I love you, my thrifty clean freak wife! You rock! Your’s forever, Splat
Isn’t my Adam simply AMAZING? He really went way above and beyond to make me feel special and loved while he was gone and it was very much appreciated. I sure am the luckiest girl in all the world to be married to him. Thank you sweetheart for helping me feel your love from half way across the world! What a gift and treasure you are to me! I’ll love you forever!
Your baby girl, Bearaboochie, and Little Maria,
Sarah