How wonderful it is to start a new year. It’s such a good time to commit ourselves to the Lord. How blessed we are to have the truth in our lives. Erik and his family came over and we ate and ate while watching football all day. It was wonderful. Being with family is a great way to start off the New Year.
Shanelle gave me some quilt blocks and I got them put
together. They are beautiful. It felt so good to be doing something I enjoy
so much. We had a sad moment when we
found out our dear friend Reva Pope had died.
Sunday I gave the lesson.
I feel like it went well. We have
spent several days trying to get our Christmas things put away. It takes forever.
Wednesday I colored my hair and just when I was ready to shower
and wash the goop off I picked up a piece of lint off the floor and couldn’t
get back up. Dad was at the temple so I
had no one to help me. I made it up but
was in such pain. It was so weird because
I didn’t do anything different than any other day. I finally made it to the shower to get the
color off my hair. I was very nervous that
I might fall. I really hurt.
Judy Sandstrom came at 11:15 and we worked on the months’
visiting teaching. It takes a long time
to figure everything out. She left at
2:15. Dad was home and we left to pick
up Ava for her birthday date. Her
birthday was in November and we are just a little late. We had a fun time with her. As usual; no pictures. It was hard with my back the way it was. I must have slipped a disc.
That evening Erik and Scott came over to help Dad give me a
blessing. It really helped in that I
could at least relax. We are so blessed
to have sons and sons-in-law worthy to give priesthood blessings. They brought a great spirit into or
home.
I took a Lortab and went to bed.
On the 8th Shanelle had tickets for us to go to the
Provo Temple open house. I borrowed a
wheelchair from a sweet lady in our ward because I knew the line would be so
long and we would have to stand the whole time.
It ended up we were there from 6 to 9:00. I was so grateful for the chair to make it
possible for me. The temple is so
beautiful. It is hard to figure out how
they made the tabernacle into such a huge and beautiful building. The spiral stairways and regular stairs are unbelievably beautiful with such incredible wood. It's hard to believe it was once a tabernacle with a balcony.
We should all do a session at the Provo City and the Payson temples.
After the session we went to La Dolce Vita for dinner. It was a good dinner and so fun to be with Erik's family.
It was just an enjoyable evening.
The next morning we took the wheelchair to Kumen Jones viewing and funeral. He is Aunt Gwen's boy. He and Dad are first cousins. It was fun to be there and see some of our long lost cousins. Dad really enjoyed it. The funeral was nice and we even went to the cemetery.
Sunday I was able to go to all 3 meetings without a wheelchair. The meetings were so good. Dad was the main speaker at Sacrament meeting and did such a good job telling about how the heroes in the Book of Mormon stayed true to the covenants they made with God. It was powerful, as always. The bishop's son, Max told about covenants also and mentioned the covenants we make when we partake of the sacrament. He read the prayer on the bread and just cried through the whole prayer. He mentioned what a privilege it was to be able to be a part of the administration of that sacred ordinance. He is a senior now and so focused.
Dad also gave the priesthood lesson. Sheri Hafen gave a most marvelous Relief Society lesson on Christ. She read from her journal of when she was in the Holy Land and heard Howard W. Hunter teach of our Savior. She had me in tears. She has a way of bringing the Spirit in all her lessons. She shares such a strong testimony.
Erik and Shanelle came over with the boys and brought us an incredible dinner (pork roast and all the trimmings) because I just couldn't do much. They are always so thoughtful.
After the session we went to La Dolce Vita for dinner. It was a good dinner and so fun to be with Erik's family.
The next morning we took the wheelchair to Kumen Jones viewing and funeral. He is Aunt Gwen's boy. He and Dad are first cousins. It was fun to be there and see some of our long lost cousins. Dad really enjoyed it. The funeral was nice and we even went to the cemetery.
Sunday I was able to go to all 3 meetings without a wheelchair. The meetings were so good. Dad was the main speaker at Sacrament meeting and did such a good job telling about how the heroes in the Book of Mormon stayed true to the covenants they made with God. It was powerful, as always. The bishop's son, Max told about covenants also and mentioned the covenants we make when we partake of the sacrament. He read the prayer on the bread and just cried through the whole prayer. He mentioned what a privilege it was to be able to be a part of the administration of that sacred ordinance. He is a senior now and so focused.
Dad also gave the priesthood lesson. Sheri Hafen gave a most marvelous Relief Society lesson on Christ. She read from her journal of when she was in the Holy Land and heard Howard W. Hunter teach of our Savior. She had me in tears. She has a way of bringing the Spirit in all her lessons. She shares such a strong testimony.
Erik and Shanelle came over with the boys and brought us an incredible dinner (pork roast and all the trimmings) because I just couldn't do much. They are always so thoughtful.
That night we went to Chad Carter’s grandmothers viewing. I knew it would be hard so we took the
wheelchair. The line was so long that it
was a great idea. She was a great lady
and Chad is our home teacher and his sons are friends of our boys.
Tuesday Erik and Clark talked me into going to a chiropractor in
Heber. It was amazing and I feel so much
better and can walk so well.
Thursday was such a fun day. We finished 5 quilts for our humanitarian project. We had 14 sisters attend which was more than usual.
Erik's family had us over for dinner again. They always step in when we need them. Shanelle cooks such incredible meals. Makes me feel guilty. We did take 2 pies; homemade from Marie Callender.
Friday we spent 11 hours at a wrestling tournament. Riley was the reason. He won 9 matches and lost 2. Clark, Di, Hailey, Molly, Lily and Jonny came. It is just fun to be with family. Erik's family came in the afternoon.
Erik's family had us over for dinner again. They always step in when we need them. Shanelle cooks such incredible meals. Makes me feel guilty. We did take 2 pies; homemade from Marie Callender.
This is how Clark's kids watch the tournament when Riley isn't wrestling
I left with Erik because I had been sitting long enough. Somewhere, somehow, I lost a pair of glasses. I do that a lot. I was thrilled that I lasted as long as I did. When we got home Tiffani and Lauryn were there. Erik's stayed awhile and visited. The cousins were happy to see each other. Only Lauryn came so we had fun spoiling her.
This girl loves ice cream
Saturday morning after I had set up for a funeral, George went back to the tournament. Tiffani went to her mission presidents's wife's funeral in SLC and Lauryn and I stayed home and baked cakes for Sister Wright's funeral.
Lauryn played outside
and when I had to go back to serve the funeral dinner; Erik and family got Lauryn and took her bowling. We all got back at about the same time so while Lauryn, Asher and Camden built a snowman, we visited again.
Tiffani had to leave because a snow storm was predicted. It was just great fun to be together.
Lauryn forgot her stuffed dog so I had a ball taking pictures of him in different situations so she wouldn't feel so badly. He has since been mailed back to Lauryn.
pondering the scriptures.
Lauryn forgot her stuffed dog so I had a ball taking pictures of him in different situations so she wouldn't feel so badly. He has since been mailed back to Lauryn.
He wanted a sip while watching football.
Granddad read "How Many Kisses"
He held the snowman up,
He was always happy if he could see Lauryn.
We were hoping the little one would come on Dianne's birthday but he decided on a day of his own. Dianne is an incredible mother. She has a wonderful mother to pattern after. She loves our son so much and that makes us so happy. She watches over her flock with all her energy. We love having her in our family.
Jan, 19th is Jalen Batchelor's birthday. WE are so blessed to have him in our family. I remember when they flew to get him and came back before the papers were final. I was so upset because I thought they would lose him. I tried not to get to close to him because it would be so hard later but he just weaseled into my heart. He is ours forever and we are so grateful. He is a special little boy and so loved by our family. We are thrilled that his permanant teeth have grown in.
Lauryn when she opened the box.
We were hoping the little one would come on Dianne's birthday but he decided on a day of his own. Dianne is an incredible mother. She has a wonderful mother to pattern after. She loves our son so much and that makes us so happy. She watches over her flock with all her energy. We love having her in our family.
Jan. 21, was a great birthday. . I woke up to Scott texting me the day and it
kept going until I crawled into bed with Clark’s family wishing me the
same. All the others greeted me
throughout the day. I was not forgotten
by one child and their family. A mother
can’t ask for more. How blessed I am to
have 5 wonderful children and their spouses who have given us such wonderful
grandchildren and so many blessings. We
treasure each one. I am so blessed to be
married to a man who loves and honors me even when I am so impatient. He is always there to help me with whatever I
need and does so much around the house for me.
He honors me as the mother of his children and does so much for the
family. He is a good man who loves our
Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ. I
love him and my family so very much and just pray that we will all be together
forever. My cute husband took me to the
movies and out to dinner (Outback) too. We do that every year. I even had a couple in the ward bring a yummy cake and sing a special
birthday song. It was just a great
day. Erik and Shanell are taking us out
to dinner on Saturday. I’m just so
happy. (Miscommunication made a belated birthday present forthcoming from Grandad).
Dinner with Erik's
A balloon penguin from two sisters in the ward
Roses from Tiff's family
flowers from my 2nd counselor
That evening Scott and Beth came over with their children, to give me their presents. They hand painted some beautiful bird houses for me. They are absolutely perfect.
Friday we went
to Kamas to watch Riley wrestle. He
pinned his guy in the first round. Glad
we went but what a short trip.
No sooner had I written this than I got pictures of William Clark Johns:
ready to turn his opponent
pin
When we
drove into the driveway we got a call from Ashley. Yes we are now officially great grandparents. She delivered a healthy little man cub. Can’t wait to see him. Her mother was there and caught the wee
one. What a treasured experience. I’m dying to tell everyone but she wants to
after they figure out a name. I’ll
anxiously wait but it's really hard.No sooner had I written this than I got pictures of William Clark Johns:
In deep thought
new eternal family
No words can express the feelings in our hearts. The restored gospel is so true and we are so blessed to know that families are forever. We have such a loving Father in Heaven.
Grandparents Clark and Dianne
Great Grammy and Great Granddad
I bought a new carpet to put under our dining room table. We needed
one and got such a good price. We like it. Erik and Shanelle were at the house so they helped us put it down. We could have never done it by ourselves, the table is too heavy. Erik helped flip our king mattress
while they were here which is another thing we can't do.
Dad
Scott
I bought a new carpet to put under our dining room table. We needed
one and got such a good price. We like it. Erik and Shanelle were at the house so they helped us put it down. We could have never done it by ourselves, the table is too heavy. Erik helped flip our king mattress
while they were here which is another thing we can't do.
That evening we
had a dinner of delicious homemade soup and homemade bread. YUM!
The 29th
we went to the Norman Rockwell exhibit at the BYU Art Museum. We grew up with the Saturday Evening Post and
the cover picture by Rockwell. He has
hundreds of paintings of everyday life in the 20th century. His paintings are all filled with emotion and
some with great humor. He captured the
innocence of youth and the emotions of the adults. He made it so you could see yourself right in
the painting. I remember being with my
Mom and Dad and eating breakfast at the University of Illinois cafeteria. Norman Rockwell was sitting at the next table
and eating stewed prunes. He kinda looked
like a stewed prune. We loved the man’s paintings
and stayed a long time.
Saturday Dad and Scott's family drove to Deer Creek and went ice fishing. They had a great time but did not catch a fish. (thank goodness) It snowed the entire day but that didn't even matter. It's just fun for them to be together, Hopefully he can take Clark's and Erik's families before the ice melts. I guess it's a fun thing to do. Me? I stayed home in a warm house with snow falling heavily outside.
While they were fishing Clark's family was hauling wood.
Sunday found us at 8:30 going to President Robison's homecoming from being the MTC President over the Ghana. Africa MTC. His wife gave such a sweet talk and he filled us with the Spirit of the Holy Ghost in Africa. It made us want to put in our papers.
Again, we are so grateful for the restored gospel of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We know our Heavenly Father loves and and knows each one of us. He wants us to come home and be as families forever. We are working on that. Jesus Christ is our Savior, brother and Redeemer. We love Him and want to follow his teachings. Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ in the grove of trees and was instrumental in the restoration. The Book of Mormon is a true book and will help lead us to our Savior. We know this to be true.
Again, we are so grateful for the restored gospel of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We know our Heavenly Father loves and and knows each one of us. He wants us to come home and be as families forever. We are working on that. Jesus Christ is our Savior, brother and Redeemer. We love Him and want to follow his teachings. Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ in the grove of trees and was instrumental in the restoration. The Book of Mormon is a true book and will help lead us to our Savior. We know this to be true.
I didn't know you had ever seen Norman Rockwell in person! I was feeling homesick reading this until I saw all the snow. Then I decided I'm good right here in South Carolina.
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