Heaven on Earth

That's right . . . I felt a piece of heaven, on earth, and it was SPECTACULAR!

So here's the story. Before we left for Iceland, we specific told our children 'do not come to Iceland while we are there'. Our reason was simple, if they each came for a week, that would be five weeks we would need to take away from our Family Search project while we showed them around. Plus, next summer, there are 40 Western Icelanders who are all cousins and descendants of some wonderful pioneer Icelandic ancestors and we are making an 11 day trek back to our family's homeland. All of our children and their spouses are going on this trip. So, we told our children, just wait, you will see every awesome thing next year. (On a side note, this trip was planned about three months before Terry and I knew we would be living in Iceland. Interesting how the Master of all, has a BIG plan for everything.)

Then, the baby of our family, Katie, called the first of July and said..."Mom and dad, me and my siblings want to come to Iceland." Before we could say....hold your horses....she said...."We don't want to see the sights of Iceland, we want to see where our parents live, where you work, where you shop, the church building you attend every week, and meet your co-workers and friends."  Well, what could we say. They would not get to experience any of those things next summer. We both said, "OK", and within hours five flights were booked.

However, in the beginning we heard Ben could not get the time off of work. A little bit later, Ben called and told me (Lil) that he was coming. I was so excited, and asked him how he was able to come. First he said his sister, Ashlie, called and "bossed him around and said YOU ARE COMING, no excuses, you are part of this family, make it happen".  His boss overheard the conversation and said, "You better go!" AWESOME! (Thank you Western Paving!)

Terry LOVES surprises, and especially surprise visits. When our daughter, Tracie, lived in Hawaii, her oldest daughter, Brooklyn, really missed her cousin in Utah, Sydnie, Ashlie's daughter. So, the first trip we made to Hawaii, Terry invited Sydnie to go with us and SURPRISE Brooklyn. That was an awesome day and a memory engrained in my heart forever, two cousins, 10 and 12 years old, laughing, crying, hugging, and screaming. That was a great day.

When Katie, our youngest daughter, lived in Australia, we surprised Katie with her sister Tracie showing up at our vacation hotel in Brisbane. Kate knew her sister, Ashlie, was coming, but not Tracie. Again, ALL Terry's idea. AWESOME!

One last surprise, thanks to Terry. When Kate found out she was going deliver her fourth baby in Australia, she needed/wanted Terry and I there. Terry decided he couldn't go, so, I invited my sister, Vina, Katie's second mother, to travel with me and enjoy the new little one. FUN! Well, as the time got closer, Terry just couldn't resist going, so we booked his flight and didn't tell Kate. The morning we arrived in Melbourne, Kate was in the hospital having her little bubs. Perfect timing . . . Vina and I went to the hospital, were there over an hour, and then daddy Terry showed up. Katie was a little irritated and told Jared she didn't want any other visitors than him, me, and Aunt Vina . . . Jared said that he had better go see who it was . . . and came back in the room with Kate's daddy. WOWSER, best surprise ever.

So, just to pay their dad back a little, we decided not to let Terry know Ben was coming. It was the HARDEST secret I've ever kept. I can't even tell you how many times Terry said, "I sure wish Ben was coming with the kids." Every time I had to agree, look sad, and come up with a sad comment. The morning the kids arrived and we were getting ready to head to the airport, Terry offered our morning prayer, and specifically asked Heavenly Father to watch over Ben since he would be home alone, without his siblings around to help him with whatever may be needed. Wowser, good thing our eyes were closed, and Terry couldn't see the BIG SMILE on my face.

Okay . . . here is an overload of pictures . . . of the MOST AMAZING FOUR DAYS with just us, the seven of us, Dad, Mom, Ashlie - 44, Tracie - 41, Tyler - 39, Ben - 38, and Katie - 32.

In all of my wild and crazy dreams, I didn't ever think I would go on a holiday, with my grown children, in a land that I love so much.

 There they are, the doors, between me and the five people I love so very much!

 One by one, they walked out. Tyler was first, paving the way, and watching out for his siblings, like always. Plus, he lived in Iceland for two years, from 1996-1998, and he was so excited to be back.

 Next came Tracie, Katie, and Ashlie. Just look at the smiles on their faces!

After all of the bags were gathered, hugs were given, and a few happy tears were shed, this happened. We heard, "Hey, you can't have a party without me!".  OH MY GOODNESS!!! Kate got the entire surprise recorded, and I know, the video above does not play .... which is probably a good thing, because there just **might** have been a few words slip from Elder Shepherd's mouth that might not be totally appropriate. However, who needs words, a picture is worth a thousand words. Just look at that embrace and the smile on Ben's face. TOTALLY PRICELESS!

 So here we are, ALL SEVEN OF US!!! Happiest Day Ever! On a side note, please note that Tyler has a Pylsur, an Icelandic hot dog, made with lamb, special dried onions, Icelandic mustard, etc. He just could not wait to have one. Yup, it's 9 a.m. and he actually had two and introduced his brother to this wonderful treat.

 This is how we traveled. We rented a van that we would all fit in. That's half the fun, right? Chatting and laughing and chatting and laughing and chatting and laughing some more, ALL TOGETHER!

 Our first stop from the airport was the Blue Lagoon. A soak in the beautiful geothermal bath and spa.

The water temperature in the bathing and swimming area of the lagoon averages 37–39 °C (99–102 °F). The Blue Lagoon also operates a research and development facility to help find cures for other skin ailments using the mineral-rich water.

The lagoon is a man-made lagoon which is fed by the water output of the nearby geothermal power plant Svartsengi and is renewed every two days. Superheated water is vented from the ground near a lava flow and used to run turbines that generate electricity. After going through the turbines, the steam and hot water passes through a heat exchanger to provide heat for a municipal water heating system. Then the water is fed into the lagoon for recreational and medicinal users to bathe in.

We had the best time ever, even though the bright sun was blinding :) 

The second stop was at the National Archives of Iceland. The kids loved meeting all the great people we are always telling them about.

 Ashlie thought these flowers were so pretty, she wanted a picture of them.

Just a picture I snapped of Katie taking a picture of a boat in the Reykjavik harbor. I loved that the kids loved seeing so many new and different things.

 We shopped, and shopped, and shopped, in downtown Reykjavik!

 Ben loved looking at the different manholes . . . he's in the manhole business with Western Paving.

 After a while, it was time for a wi-fi, hot chocolate, and bakery treat!

 Terry and Ben are more 'window shoppers', anyone surprised?

We went to the top of this church, Hallgrímskirkja church, which is Reykjavík's main landmark and its tower can be seen from almost everywhere in the city.

 Here we are sitting inside the church in the chapel 

 This picture was taken at the top of the church. For 900 ISK, about $8 USD, you can ride the elevator to the top and look out all of the windows. It's beautiful on a clear day, which we had.

So if you know Tyler very well, this is 'out of his comfort zone', but since his sisters asked, he said OK and even smiled.

The next day we went on an all-day road trip, it was SO fun! Everyone behaved, nobody said 'are we there yet?', and there was no 'she/he touched me, or is looking at me, or etc.' :)  :)

 The first stop was a small yet beautiful waterfall

 Tyler, our mountain runner, ran to to TOP of the waterfall to get a better view

 Ben and Katie followed him

 There they are, all three of them, chatting at the top

 While Ashlie was happy to just sit, enjoy the sun, and enjoy the beauty all around her

 It wasn't long before Ashlie was joined by Tracie

We had some awesome visitors join us on our trip, Hanna Karitas Bardardottir, her mother, Olof Bjarnadottir, as well as her partner Andre, and daughter Estelle. They were great hosts to guide us to an all-day trip of beauty and natural wonders.

We hiked, really mostly walked, to a beautiful place called Gjain (it is pronounced in English Gowan), it is often referred to as the Garden of Eden. 

 Tracie is going to fill up her water bottle with the YUMMY Iceland water

 Of course Katie is doing a trick

 Just because

 Time for our picnic and Olof to share her YUMMY rhubarb crumb cake....SO GOOD!

 Two brothers enjoying the view and each others company

 And this would be my world right there, plus the 23 grand kids and one great granddaughter in Utah

  

This is how you really fill up your bottle of Icelandic water

Or, you can get a drink this way :)

 Hanna, Ben, Olof, and Andre making the decline

 And there is my cute companion....walking in front of me because I stop and take too many pictures.

 Before you start the hike, there is a building of what life use to be in the olden days. Wowser, it makes me sad my ancestors had to live this way. However, I'm certain this is what made them a strong, happy, and close knit family.

 Red marks the spot where we spent our day at the Garden of Eden, which actually felt like heaven

We all had a huge appetite and were ready for a wonderful lobster dinner in Stokkseyri. It is actually called langoustine, or baby lobster. The restaurant served lobster soup that was so delicious and then buckets full of what you see above. 

Yummy dinner with wonderful friends, that actually we consider family. The three girls, Hanna, Kiddy, and Silja all lived in our home in Utah at one point or the other. It was so great to reconnect with them

 Kiddy and Katie chatting at dinner

 Silja, her hubby, and two of their three children

When Tyler lived in Iceland almost 20 years ago, Olof was like a second mother to him. He is grateful for her service to him all those years ago. You know that old saying, people will not remember what you say to them, but they will always remember how you treated them. In this case, Olof treated and cared for Tyler and the other young missionaries exceptionally well.

After dinner the entire crew went to Hanna's home and Silja had made our families favorite Icelandic cake/treat the girls use to make for us in Utah. YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY.

 There was lots of chatting, laughing, and eating

 And lots of listening

 And lots of kids laughing, because Katie was of course playing tricks with them on their trampline

One last smile and hug before it was time to leave

 It was time to head back to Reykjavik and Katie decided she wanted to ride up front between her brother and dad. She said SMILE, which everyone did, except Tyler the driver....love how he's keeping both eyes on the road.

So our apartment is on the third floor . . . the kids kept taking turns hiding at the bottom of the stairs and scaring each other. . . it was hilarious. Every single time someone would get caught screaming. I'm certain our neighbors thought 'crazy American's.

So these three cute daughters of mine, suggested we all get matching shirts. The boys went along. Then the next morning, the sisters suggested to the brothers that everyone where their matching shirts. Can you even image.....when they were growing up the suggestion would not have ever happened, let alone, the brothers agreeing with no arguments or eye rolling gestures. Yup, lots of things change and happen when everyone grows up and realizes there is nothing more important than family. Lots and lots of love happens.

We had a great day at church. Katie and Tyler both gave talks. It was almost more joy than this mother's heart could handle or even comprehend. Tyler spoke for 20 minutes and completely in Icelandic. He said he cheated, because he had written it in English, and an Icelandic friend translate it, and then 'practiced'. Everyone told me it was PERFECT Icelandic. WOWSER, I'm certain his Grandpa Johnson was smiling in heaven. And speaking of heaven, one woman told me there was a host of angels behind Katie as she gave her heartfelt talk. 

 Here's my three cuties . . . and no worries, we didn't get a family picture here because Terry and Ben couldn't be found. Ha, I found them, sneaking a few treats from my stash in the car :) 

 After church we had our traditional Sunday dinner of roast beef, potatoes, gravy, and the works. We also had a few Icelandic visitors stop by. It was a great day.

 Before we knew it, Monday morning had arrived and it was time to head back to the airport. But wait, bless Delta Airlines heart....they delayed the early morning flight by a few hours, so.....

 YIPPIIEEEEE!YIPPIIEEEEE!!!!!

 A few SnapChats along the way....Ben hand carried a beautiful picture home for me

 One last good-bye and good-night from these two

 In Iceland, to say good-bye you say Bless Bless...The kids picked up on that quickly. 

 As always, Ben is the life of the party

 See, even Tracie thinks so . . . 

 So Terry and I are still at it, making cookies to take to the families we hometeach

 Spending one day every six weeks with the missionaries here in Iceland. Two of the Elders are Assistants to the President in Denmark and attended our meeting this week to share some special training

 We spend some of our time driving the missionaries to make special visits

 We love creating and sharing goodies for the young missionaries

We are still capturing images Monday through Friday for the awesome Family Search project. It is always amazing to see how creative the Parish Priests were in decorating their books and using their beautiful handwriting skills.  We LOVE what we are doing and feel so honored to be part of this project.

This my friends is the BEST TIP EVER if you're in Iceland during the wild berry season. So Terry and I were shopping, came out to our car, and there was purple all over it. We thought someone was pulling a prank on us. Oh no, it is PURPLE BIRD POOP! The birds eat so many wild berries that they poop purple in August . . . WOWSER!!!

I would like to close this blog post with the picture above. I know that if we just 'trust Him', that our lives will be filled to the brim with blessings and goodness. If we serve Him and His children, our cups will be abundantly filled and flowing over. When we share this abundance, love, and goodness He gives us, MORE will come back to us. God is good, no, God is Great and I'm so grateful to have Him by my side.

Thank you Heavenly Father for my piece of heaven on earth - my heart is full of peace.

Bless, bless,
Oldungur and Syster Shepherd
aka Terry and Lil