WE LOVE YA'LL

FEBRUARY

We started this month out by going to Jonny’s basketball game.  We love when the families tell us about what is happening so we can enjoy.

 The next day was fast Sunday and so good.  The restored gospel is so true and we all need to hear from others. (Not talks; but testimonies)  Some people get really carried away and we lose the idea, but many are so good.  Joseph Smith did see God, our Heavenly Father and His son. Jesus Christ.  Joseph was given the golden plates to translate, under the Spirit, and we now have the Book of Mormon, which is the word of God, given to us as a testimony of Jesus Christ.  We love this true book.  Russell M., Nelson is our prophet today and receives revelation for the church.  We can also have this great gift for our lives if we follow the promptings of the Spirit.  What a blessing in this day and age.
We also watched the Super Bowl game and were excited that the Kansas City Chiefs won.  Yeah!  Their coach is a Mormon.

I spent Tuesday in the temple doing 5 initiatory names and an endowment session.  I love being there.  I especially love the time I spend in the Celestial room.  It was a very cold day but a good one.  When I got home we got ready to go to Molly’s first game since her broken heel. 

 guarding

She did very well.

Wednesday, we went to Lily’s basketball game. 

  Lily  #10

We are great spectators.  They won in overtime.

Thursday Dad had therapy and did very well.  While I waited for him I decided to work on some crocheting.  When I reached into my bag I could not ind my hook that was my grandmothers.  I hunted and even turned my bag upside down but no hook.  I immediately called Pleasant Grove Junior High and talked to a secretary.  She said she wold go to the gym and search for it.  Twenty minutes later she called to let me know it was not there.  I was devastated.  The crochet hook was bent at the top because Grandma Jones worked so tightly.  It is kind of hard to use but I just love it.  I was so sad.  When I drove us back home I decided to look to see if I had lost it there but when I stepped out of the car I almost stepped on the hook.  What a tender mercy that was for me.  The Lord is forever mindful of us and I am so grateful for that tiny miracle.

 It snowed all day and I did not even worry driving with the roads not good.  I am now so comfortable driving my Vizzy.

Friday the 7th we went to Molly's games.  She played mostly in the JV game and a little in the varsity.  Both games were winners.

Molly

with teammates

(Clark) Grandpa (Boys call him Gronky) with our 2 great grandsons

Saturday we cleaned 2 bathrooms at the church and 2 drinking fountains.  It was hard for Dad but he did it.  We like that we can help in this way.  We had dinner at JCW's because Dad had a gift card because they missed up a order when he took some kids another time.  

Sunday was a very good meeting, especially when Sylvia Jarman spoke.  She gave a masterful talk about ministering and used the example of when they were in the Dominican Republic as Mission President and wife.  She became very ill  with a flu and was a few weeks months pregnant.  Her family and the members there helped her a lot but her baby died.  The doctors sent her home to the USA to deliver the baby.  She felt so alone but some Nuns on the flight helped her.  When she got home her parents helped her but she had to stay home for a long time.  It was so hard for her to be without her children when they were so young.  The oldest one was 13 and the little be was 5.  She spoke of other things also and never used a note.  She was filled with the Spirit and we felt such a strong testimony in everything she said.  

The next speaker is living in our ward taking care of his wife's parents.  She and their daughter live there also.  He talked about ministering in England.  We don't know if it was his wonderful accent or the message but we certainly listened.  It was just a good meeting.

In Relief Society it was just as wonderful.  Sister America Simler was the teacher and she shared a personal story about an experience she had.  She is from Ica Peru and had a shirt on with a picture of her town on it walking across the BYU campus.  A man in his 70's stopped her and asked if she was from Ica.  He told her he was one of the first missionaries to serve there and he worked so hard but not one person was baptized.  He loved the people and was so worried about them.  She told him it was where she was from.  He asked if there was a ward there and she replied that there were 10 wards and 1 stake and that they were planning on a second stake.  He was so excited to know that the people he loved had accepted the gospel. She told him that her family, Chumpitaz, was one of the first ones baptized. The whole lesson was so beautiful. That was not a coincidence that they ran into each other.  The Lord knows us and our needs.  He loves each one of us and wants us to come home.

After church, we watched the Book of Mormon video about 2Nephi 5.  We love these videos.

The next day we walked our 2 miles for the first time since Dad's surgery.  He did extremely well.  We bought the cords that let us watch The Book of Mormon videos from my computer to the TV.  WOW!  They are so good.
Tuesday, Feb. 11th, we walked our 2 miles in the morning.  We missed Molly's game because I had to cook a lasagna dinner for Relief Society evening dinner.  The dinner was for sisters to get to know each other better.  It was very helpful for me in that I don't know so many that moved in since we came home from our mission.  It was very well organized and the dinner was yummy.

Valentine’s Day was spent just doing the normal things. 

That afternoon and evening we went to Molly’s games.  Clark and Dianne were in St. George for the weekend so we were her family.

  She played most of the JV game and a little of the Varsity.  She improves every game.

It was late when we got home so surprise, we had popcorn for dinner.  When Dad opened the little fridge in the garage he found to his surprise, 3 cans of soda had exploded and many were ready to do the same.  Two of the can were split down the whole side.  What a mess.  We didn’t know it was that cold in the garage but it has been very cold here.  He brought all the cans in the house and washed them and found some we could use for dinner.  When I helped bring some in a can started shooting soda all over the cupboards and walls.  Scrubbing was required.  It’s a good thing we like popcorn.

Saturday we did our 2 miles and then since the frozen stuff in the fridge had melted we cleaned out the mess.  409 is wonderful.  We were so involved that I forgot to take pictures of the swollen cans and the fridge.  We left the fridge door open but it was still hard and frozen.  It took me all day to get it finished.  While I was cleaning I decided to make a few loaves of bread.  What was I thinking?  Thank goodness it was good.

Sunday morning found Dad putting the cans of pop back in the fridge.  Church was good.  The choir sang and I probably shouldn’t mention that we don’t like the songs the leader chooses.  Not sure the choir does either.  Our Sunday dinner was pancakes.  I always make 4 little ones for either Bob Martin or Clark’s chickens.

Monday was Aunt Julie’s birthday.  She is such an amazing lady.  We still remember when she came to California and stayed with us for a few weeks.  She was so sweet and still is.  We love her so much.  She is extremely talented but so quiet about it.

I went to visit with Vanita Law for a couple hours.  She is not doing very well.  I think she has some dementia.  I stayed too long but we laughed and had a great visit.  Vernon was there also.

I bought new pillows we had seen at Tai Pan when we walk.  They are so cute.  They remind us of helping Clark make honey.
Tuesday we went to Molly's state playoff game.  They did very well and won, which is always good.

Lily Camden and Sarah (a great family friend)

Wednesday the 19th, Asher William Bayles turned 12. 

He is such a good young man and wants to do everything he can to fulfill his assignments.  The day he was ordained he did Fast Offerings.  He loves his family and doing things with them.  He is a master Lego man.

The next day I went to the temple.  It is not as fun without Dad but I feel so good while I am there.  I love it.  After the temple and a doctor appointment, we met the Seamons at Charlies for lunch and to plan our next trip to a temple. 

We are going to Monticello Thursday. When we got to our cars, Max had a surprise for dad.  They had been planning on making a cane stand out of horse shoes. Max got bored one day and just did it.

When we got home he immediately set it up in the living room.  It is so beautiful, especially since Max made it.  We haven't been with them for 6 weeks because of Dad's surgery.
We went to Molly's game that evening at Bingham High.  She didn't get much playing time and they lost so they are through for this year.  We still love going and being with the family.

It's fuzzy but you get the idea of her dribbling with both hands.  She's a kick. 

Friday we went to Texas Road House for dinner celebrating my birthday in January.  Sometimes we just don't get things done on time and Dad doesn't want to eat steak without his right hand.

The 22nd, was a special day in that we went to the baptism of a wonderful man, Don Himenez, whose wife is a member but never thought he would be.  Don't know how old he is but late 60s or early 70s.  He listened to the missionaries and came to church and realized it was the truth.  It was such a spiritual time.  We had to move out of where the font is and into the chapel because the members of our ward and her family filled the chapel.  After the baptism, the ward had a great luncheon for everyone.  It was just a happy day.

That evening BYU beat Gonzaga, which was not supposed to happen.  We watched on TV and the crowd went wild.  When we went into the kitchen we noticed 6 or 7 police cars once again at the neighbors with their lights flashing. 

I hope that home gets the message.  They found all kinds of drugs last time.
Today is the 23rd and a beautiful Sabbath.  The snow on the patio is now gone and we are in the high 30 temp.  No coats or furnace on.  Brother Judd was a speaker and our Patriarch, Brother Andersen.  they both spoke on enduring to the end and obeying the commandments.  A visitor in RS was from Kistin's ward and we were so excited to meet her. 

She is the mother of the student, Avery Clark, who loved Erik so much as a teacher and coach at PG.
The 25th Dad ordered a cover for his truck. the next day he went back and ordered a better one.  While he was searching I got in my cedar chest and accidently found our Home Evening Chart from Blanding.  I can't remember how long we used it but I don't think we used it in Provo.  I didn't even remember saving it and it is a priceless treasure.  Every child chose an animal and then I made them and put them on a piece of burlap.  Each animal had a little toothpick flag that reminded them what their assignment was each week.  There was no way we were going to miss that evening.  They planned it the entire week.  We love how they were so excited about things we did as a family.  Those are our choice memories.

We did our 2 miles and got ready for our Monticello Temple trip.  Dad is very excited about his new Tonneau cover.  He also had many names ready for us, thanks to the South Carolina girls.  We had enough to share with the Seamons, Mikki and Jean and Lyman.
The 26th, George went to therapy and we headed to Mapleton to pick up the Seamons.  It was so comfy to be in that big truck.  We all had plenty of room.  The only problem was, we couldn't figure how to lock the Tonneau cover.  When we got to Monticello, we checked right in to our Grist Mill.  It was so interesting and fun.

The rooms were full of antiques and furnished so well.  Both rooms had king beds and even a TV.  The outside of our room had corrugated tin on the wall.  Who would ever think of that?

     

                                                         Next door was this repair shop.

We found that when we lock the truck it locks the tail gate and that locks the Tonneau cover.  We got changed and went to find Mikki's house.  It is the same floor plan as Granny's.  Of course she has every nook and cranny filled with antiques.  She has such a way with decor.  We went to the temple together and had such a wonderful session.  Howard Randall who worked at the Napa Auto Parts in Blanding was the officiator but I didn't even know that.  He certainly didn't look like he did when he was young.  The cutest girl was sitting next to me.  When we were ready to go to the veil she looked at my name and asked if I had family in Blanding.  She got so excited when I told her about us and she remembered the 3 older children.  Her name was Shelby Shumway Eldridge.  I think Clark had a crush on her at one time.  He was who she could remember the most.  We had a great visit after the session.  Dad said he knew who she was by her smile.  We had several comment on how they wanted Clark to take the job there.  We also ran into a past girl friend of Dad's Linda Lewis  We became friends when we lived there and she is just so cute and upbeat.   It doesn't seem to matter what temple one goes to; they are all filled with the Spirit and just beautiful. 

                                                  

We did the 5:00 session and then went to dinner at the Grist Mill.  Wonderful food.  We ate in the silo and had the best hamburgers. We took Mikki with us and she entertained us.

                                   

They were hand made and not frozen or all the same shape. The potatoes looked like Dutch oven spuds and were really good.  They called them fries.  It was just the ending of a great day.

Our room ($100, included taxes and a breakfast from the menu) was delightful and the breakfast menu had many items.  It was very good.  When we got to the temple, Lyman, Jean and Mikki were right behind us.  It is always such a treat when you can go to the temple with family.  That is our favorite.  We never seem to get together with our own family for that reason.

The 10:00 session was packed and wonderful.  After the session we changed at Mikki's and headed for lunch.  Monticello is shrinking and just closed 3 restaurants.  Mikki guided us to one Mike likes so we ate there; Dad's treat.  It took forever to get our order and when it came they had forgotten mine.  We didn't want to wait so Ruth shared her sandwich with me and Dad shared fries.  It all worked out just fine and we had a great time talking.  Ruth and Max thought the family was great.  They fit right in.  You know when we get together we are crazy and with Mikki, even more so.  It was hard saying good-by.
We headed home at 2:00, very happy.  We stopped at the Chevron where we always get gas and to get a drink but the gas gauge said we had over 160 miles left so we got our drinks and went on our way.  We dropped the Seamons off at their home and went to Costco to gas up.  We still had over a hundred miles in our tank.  The truck got 20 MPG.  I love that truck even more.  The ride was so comfy and we had so much room.  This was a great trip and the first time Dad had gone to a temple since his surgery.  His arm is recovering ahead of schedule because he does his therapy as directed.
Saturday we got more snow.  Love it in the mountains but we need to get ready to plant.

The last day of this month, Saturday, we got a notice from Erik.  It was the information they had received from the mission.  We were thrilled to hear from them because we had been so worried.  We had been praying for Parker but were not sure of his mission.  He is in quarantine and no church meetings but they can share the gospel with their contacts over media.  It will be difficult but they are in a safe place if they follow the directions given.  The family fasted for him and all missionaries and people throughout the world.  We love Parker and know he is in the hands of the Lord.

We are so grateful for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and the knowledge that if we strive to live His commandments, we will be together forever.  God lives, Jesus Christ is His Son and the Redeemer of the world.  Joseph Smith was a true prophet and led in the restoration of the only true church.  We love the priesthood and the blessings we receive because of it.  We are so grateful for the Holy Ghost who helps us in so many ways if we listen and act.  This life is for us to grow and learn and love together.  We are so blessed because of this knowledge and all that we have from Him.  We love each and every one of you and pray daily for each one, individually.  May we all repent of the things we need to and strive to follow Christ in everything we do.