A TASTE OF HEAVEN

Yesterday was our TICBAM – talk in church before a mission and I was able to experience a taste of heaven.  People I have not seen in so long came to share this day with us.  I am sure the reunion in Heaven is going to be just like what I felt yesterday – pure joy and happiness to see people that I love, respect and that have been such wonderful examples to me. My heart was full and my tears flowing. 

Dennis gave an amazing talk on being a ‘helpmate” and having faith in God.  I appreciated his words and testimony.  He is my strength and hero!  I am so glad I get to take my best friend with me on my mission.  This is an advantage of serving a mission in your later years. 

I was able to bear my testimony on the Lord preparing the way for Dennis and I to serve.  I have seen miracles happen and the Lord has had his hand in every aspect of our life and the life of our children. I thank Him for his love and confidence in me.   I know that He loves ALL His children wherever they may be.  Alma 26:37 “Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth.  Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever.” We get to go to Swaziland and share this love and knowledge with these wonderful people.  How lucky we are!!!!

Thank you all for your friendships, kindnesses, examples, and overwhelming outpouring of love you have given us.  We are so blessed and “our cup runneth over”.

Six days and we are off to the MTC and still have lots to do.

        There is always food at the Lombardi’s and lots of it! 

Brooke Breen, Tayci and Maria

Cindy & Kris Allen

Taylor Allen

Shelly & Cindy Swenson

Valerie and Tracy Johnson, Marsha Adams

Paul and Gail Smith

Some of the Brad Allen Family

Dad Allen and Brad Allen

Dennis and his “Wealth”

Brody Reich and family

An evening at Planet Play

Combine all-you-can-eat pizza, pasta, drinks, salad, ice cream and unlimited activities of lazar tag, bumper cars, go carts, bowling, miniature golf, dance jam --- what do you have?  A great time!  Add an entire family enjoying all the fun and you have a perfect evening.  Monday night was a perfect evening at Planet Play for Dennis and I and our entire family.  As our time draws close to us leaving for South Africa, every minute we can spend together is a gift.  We will miss these  times together.  It is a good thing that we have memories and pictures that I can take with me. Here are some of those memories.  

Everyone had a great time!!!

Super Bowl Gathering 2012

Today was our 25th annual Super Bowl Gathering!  This has become such a fun tradition of the family.  It started when our oldest children were in high school and we invited their ward friends over for food and watching of the game.  Then when they went away to BYU, they brought their roommates and college friends up to watch and eat, eat, and eat some more.  I remember one year, they left in the middle of the game, went to a fireside and then came back to finish the game.  We have so many fond memories of this day  Friends of our children that we met for the first time, that soon became family friends.  The group now consists mostly of just our family, but that is still 30 people.  Some games have been exciting and others quite boring.  But the day of gathering has remained a wonderful tradition for us. 

Dancing the cha-cha

Leona’s 9th birthday

Things I am going to miss

We have 31 days until Dennis and I begin our 18-month adventure in South Africa.  As I was thinking about what lies ahead of us, I started thinking about all the things I was going to miss. It is the simple things that came to mind.  Like:

Our temple trips that Dennis and I have taken the last few years.  Our goal is to attend all the temples in the United States. Every trip includes a temple that we can go to.  We are up to 47!

Watching our grandchildren expressing their personalities.  Misti taught them a dance and they had a great time.

Our sleepovers!!!  The girls get together and do girly activities and the boys get together for a night of boy activities.

 

Our family traditions:  our grandchildren triathlon, adult 1/2 marathon on Labor Day weekend, Snowbird, Heber Valley Camp, our Sunday dinners, Super Bowl party, General Conference, Good Things Utah excursion every year on Nov. 30, etc.

Our family holiday gatherings:  New Years, Valentines, St. Patrick’s, Easter, 4th of July at the fireworks tent, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and I am sure I have forgotten some.  We take the opportunity to get together for any reason we can find.

FOOD:  The Lombardi’s love food.  This was our Thankuary dinner held in January. Remember, any reason to get together to eat and enjoy each other’s company even if we have to make one up.

Basketball.  I love watching my grandchildren play ball.  I love watching my boys play ball.  I love watching anyone play ball.

Did I mention that I love basketball?  I love the NCAA Tournament.  It is pure bliss for me during March Madness.

And more basketball!  Do you think they play basketball in South Africa? I sure hope so. Dennis said that we will have to put up a basketball hoop at our place and introduce it to them if they don’t.

Our humble home that has been my heaven for almost 39 years.

Our bed with our electric heating pad. Don’t you think I can take it with me!

My special needs friends.

My friends.  I realize that I have very few pictures of the people who have made such a difference in my life – my dear friends.  I really have to remedy that before we leave.  So, friends, get ready because I will be by to get some pictures.  I cannot be gone for so long without a picture of you. The upper picture is Sandi Martin being a flamingo. The lower picture are our dear friends from our Guest Service Mission on Temple Square. .

My 94-year-old father.

But, what I am going to miss the most is these 32 incredible people that I call my FAMILY!