Celebrating

We had such a great time celebrating Bill's birthday even though our family is 2,000 miles away.  We started out at Cheesecake Factory.  Bill felt so special since our original plan was to go to Friendly's.  After Cheesecake Factory we went to the Hartford temple and we did baptisms for the dead.  Bill did 4 male baptisms and I did 4 female baptisms.  One female was Grandma Hettinger's grandmother, Mazie Crowley.  After the baptisms and confirmations, we did the initatory ordinance which is beautiful beyond words.  Such great blessings are promised during that ordinance.  Every time we leave the Temple we feel as if we pressed the "restart" button in our lives.  A great feeling of peace goes with us as we travel home.


Bill was thrilled from all the Facetimes and digital messages from the grandkids!  He certainly felt loved.  I think we can all relate to what Jess posted on Instagram:

"My dad has taught me:

• Jim Morrison is one of the greatest poets of all time
• The roof is a meeting spot for watching sunsets and waiting for thunderstorms
• Motorcycle rides clear the head
• Fire extinguishers are the best way to win a water fight (but remember to refill them for when your house is on fire.)
• Plants are sentient beings and have an ntelligence
• Never waste your veggies
• Humor is always appropriate.  Dirty, dry, crass; it doesn't matter
• Blast your classical music as loud as you do your rock n' roll
• Standard transmissions are best
• Build a treehouse way up in a tree for your kids to look out of and IMAGINE
• "You are the captain of your ship"
• Quality over quantity
• Sacrifice for those you love
• Be kind to everyone you meet
• Question everything
• People CAN change
• Life can be so damn good if you let it