43 Years of Highs, Lows & Who the Heck Knows
Wedding Announcement photo August 26, 1982, I didn’t bring any wedding photos with me on my mission. I just happened to have this engagement photo on my phone.
This week, President Quinn and I celebrated our 43rd wedding anniversary! It was fun to be able to celebrate with our son Chase, his wife Maryssa, and their four children. Chase and Maryssa are the last of our five children to visit this summer.
President Quinn finally got to meet our 19th and 20th grandchildren—the twins, Booker and Maverick, who were born last December. Their big sister Odessa and big brother Hank kept us smiling this week as well. Our anniversary was spent in a wonderful way; playing with them all at Bodega Bay.
President and Sister Quinn (Grampy and Grammy) with Maryssa, Chase, Odessa, Booker, Hank and Maverick Quinn
Standing on the soft sand I watched the highs and lows of the waves coming and going. The sun sparkled on the surface of the water. Looking for seals, I couldn’t help but wonder about all the sea life hidden beneath. As the waves came in and splashed against my legs, I remembered a little game we often play with our grandchildren at the end of a day. We asked them three simple questions:
“What was your high?”
“What was your low?”
“And what was your who-the-heck-knows?”
I smiled as I realize that looking out at the vast ocean feels a lot like looking back over 43 years of marriage. There have been so many highs, plenty of lows, and a fair share of “who-the-heck-knows” moments along the way.
Hank, Sister Quinn (Grammy) and Odessa
It is fun to reminisce all the good times. Yet, what I want my grandchildren and our missionaries to understand is this: President Quinn and I have a beautiful and loving marriage, not because there haven’t been ups and downs, difficult, sometimes sorrowful and crazy times, but because through it all we’ve both been devoted to God, to each other, and to our temple covenants. There are protections, powers, and promises in our covenants.
As I stood there, I closed my eyes, just listening to the waves, I felt grateful for 43 years of love, family, and lessons learned. What great joy my marriage brings me! I believe it is the ebb and flow of life that strengthens us and makes things more beautiful as our surroundings change. I look forward to a wonderful future.
Today, Sunday, as this cute family was packing and getting ready to return home I asked Odessa and Hank, “what was your “high”, “low” and “who-the-heck-knows” for the week?” Hank said having to leave was his “low.” I, too, always feel low when my grandchildren pack to leave. They both said riding the merry -go-round at Howarth Park was their “high”. I love it that their “high” was what happened yesterday. It can be hard to remember what happened all week for the little ones! The “who-the-heck- knows” for me is how Chase and Maryssa take care of twins, plus two more children! That’s a handful and they do it very well!
They walked down and back from the Point Reyes Light House carrying these precious bundles.
We had a good laugh when President Quinn and I went into the mission office late Wednesday afternoon to do some work telling the office missionaries about babysitting the twins so that Chase and Maryssa could take the older two children into San Francisco and to Alcatraz. Somehow we confused them and they thought for a moment we left the twins unattended at home in their cribs. Yikes! We’d never do that!
1st BYU game of the Season - Quinn Family tradition - cheering the cougars on
It’s been a great week with missionaries working hard, putting people on date to be baptized and a few attending the temple. Thanks for reading. I hope you have a wonderful week!
And now for the 8th Coming to Know Him Jounal Prompt!!! ❤️❤️❤️ I was visiting with a Sister missionary this week and we were talking about how important it is to have joy in our lives as a missionary and that inspired this prompt. President Nelson would be happy to see this prompt!
An anniversary drawing done by Elder Sellers! Thank you
More photos from this week:
Sister Browning, 2nd, Counselor in the General Primary Presidency joined in a stake primary service activity in San Rafael on Saturday August 2nd. A few of our missionaries also joined in. Click the button above to read about it and see more photos with our missionaries in the Church News.
Sisters Scott and Youngberg with Sister Quinn. Love playing pickle ball with missionaries on Monday and matching too!
Bike ride on Saturday President Quinn with Chase
Hank and Odessa playing the marble game. A favorite game from my childhood that I brought with me on my mission.
Birthday dinner for Sister Wilson hosted by the Nates with some of the senior missionaries. President Quinn & I and Elder Cawley arrived after the photo was taken. Sister Frodsham makes the best German Chocolate birthday cake!
Sister Ritchie sent me this photo from the Peterson Lane Ward. The 5th Sunday in our area was dedicated to the subject of “Love, Share & Invite.” Our missionaries there taught and did a wonderful job she reports.
President & Sister Quinn with Shandelle Breshears and family from Alaska came back to visit! So fun to catch up!
