Starry Night

We had dinner at the Hooke's tonight.  When we were in the ward (Ventura 1st), we often got an invitation to dinner when they also invited the elders.  After being at church there on Sunday, I got a text from Sister Hooke inviting us to join them Tuesday (tonight) as she was having the elders over too.  Dinner at the Hooke's is always delicious! 

Elder Teeples and Elder Castro are great elders with strong testimonies.  They are personable and easy to talk to.  We had a great gospel discussion after dinner as they shared a spiritual message about stepping forward in faith -- in all aspects of gospel living -- and how reading the Book of Mormon strengthens our faith and affirms that the gospel is true.  It IS the evidence many people ask for -- they just need to move forward with faith and read :)

I took a few pictures (for a change).

Chris, Emily, Lori, Katherine

Elder Castro, Elder Teeples, Bishop, Randy

(terrible picture -- too much light behind)

Elder Teeples

Elder Castro; Bishop playing and singing for us

Sometimes after dinner, Bishop Hooke will play and we will sing.  Tonight he had an appointment at the church, so he sang for just a few minutes prior to dinner.  I LOVE the song he sang. (He has sung it a couple of times for us.)  It is Starry Night, melody by Don McLean (1971) and words/arranged by Chris Hooke (2010), inspired by a trip with his family to Yosemite National Park.  If you are familiar with the song, you can sing it as you read the words below.  If you aren't, you will still love the beautiful words.

Starry starry night
Sleeping 'neath the Milky Way,
Giant trees that gently sway
From breezes softly whispering, "Good Night."

Streams of melted snow
Sparkling as they splashing go
O'er the cliffs, with thund'rous roll
We watch with awe and wonder in our soul.

The grandest of them all, a temple made with granite walls;
Forest floors with lakes and water falls,
Made by hands of Him on high
A gift of beauty from our God above;
One way he shows his love.

Starry starry night
Sparkling skies with stars ablaze
Shooting star, 'cross inky haze
We watch with eyes inspired with wond'ring awe.

Campfire burning bright
Softly crackling, orange light
Shining faces, spirits bright
The scent of evergreen is in the air.

The grandest of them all, a temple made with granite halls;
Forest floors with lakes and water falls,
Made by hands of Him on high
A gift of beauty from our God above;
One way he shows his love.

The grandest of them all, a temple in the hills
Under moonlit skies above, this country that we love
With family and friends we share this land
Surrounded by such splendor,
these are moments we'll remember,
As a gift from Father's hand
Surrounded by such treasure
It's a way for us to measure
All the love our Father has.