APRIL AND THE VIRUS IS NO FOOL

APRIL AND THE VIRUS IS NO FOOL

                                          I love this little egg tree we put up every year.

We can't remember if we said anything about the Caronavirus in March but it is horrible and we have been in quarantine for several weeks.  The restaurants, National parks, athletic events, and all schools in the nation have been closed.  They advise us to stay 6 feet away from others.  Missionaries have been put in quarantine or sent home from around the world.  No church meetings are held and all LDS temples are closed.  Not going to the temple has been very hard for us.  We are following our prophet, Russell M Nelson.
Well the month started with Tiff's birthday.  The doctor said she was a boy but the nurses said he has never told a mother what she will have.  They were so surprised he said that.  (long before the pictures they can take now)  Sure enough, SHE was born on April Fools Day.  She has had it her way ever since.

This is a very old picture but it's hard to find one of her, (never alone)

She has been a delight and fun to have in our home.  She has had some hills to climb but she does it with the help of her Savior and always follows His path.  She absolutely loves being a wife and mother and all that comes with that calling.  We are never surprised at what she decides to do or go next.  Her cousin Del and Great Aunt Belvalene were also born on that date.
Thursday, Clark and the three left at home, came to do yard work and prune our fruit trees.  They were so excited because after 26 years of begging, they finally got a dog, Watts.  She is a cutie. Clark has wanted a dog forever.

 Molly and Lily making rows for peas.

 Clark, Jonny ad Granddad

The whole team except I never got a picture of Watts.

We don't know what we would do without this help in yard work.  Because of the virus we are just happy to be able to see our grands.
Saturday and Sunday was General Conference.  Those 2 days were packed full of inspiring and uplifting words from our Prophet, Russell M. Nelson (96) and others.

 President Russell M Nelson

with Elder Dallin H Oaks and Elder Henry B Eyring

Only 10 people were present at each session.  It was in a different place and the Choir at Temple Square was taped from another place.  This was all due to the pandemic the world is in.  We are as a country trying to stay quarantined in our homes.  Many have died.  This conference was in celebration of the 200th year celebration of the Prophet receiving his vision of God, our Father and Jesus Christ visiting him in the Sacred Grove in Palmyra, New York.  He, as a young boy did go to the grove and prayed.  His prayer was answered in person by God and Jesus Christ and told what to do.  We know this and know it is true.
There is no way to describe the feelings we had while watching theses sessions.  The Spirit was so strong in our home and we felt such power as these people talked.  We were glued to our chairs and felt the words of these wonderful people sink into our hearts with truth. Everyone spoke with such power, strength and such a strong Spirit.  When the Choir sang it pierced our souls.  We loved when it showed Bishop Hoops singing.  Elder Brad Wilcox from our ward was sustained as a counselor in the Young Men Presidency.  He will do an incredible job and is a man of God.

It was two days of conviction, inspiration truth and tears.  We hope we never forget these feelings we had.  We taped it all so we can watch again at any time.  After President Nelson's last talk, Sunday morning, we did the Hallelujah Shout with him and all who wished to join.  Many tears were shed.
The afternoon session President Nelson also announced 8 new temples to be built.  A building will be dedicated in China for people there receiving their endowments and Dubai asked if a temple could be built in their country.  Lubumbashi, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will also get a temple.  That will make 168 operating temples, 67 additional temples under construction or have been announced. That is a total of 235.
When we got married, our goal was to go to every temple in the world.  There were 13.
The final hymn was by the choir, "We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet" after which choirs from many parts of the world sang it in their language and we were able to hear parts from all these countries.  Our eyes were wet.  The restored gospel of Jesus Christ is the only true church on the earth.
During the sessions on Saturday, Scott and his family came to power rake our lawns.  They worked so very hard and it was amazing how much dry grass they gathered.

workers

Ava and Bethany after raking then dumping the dry grass into the trailer.

Nixon worked and Rowan played.

We were happy when an old friend of Scott's, Jake Jarman, skated by. They spent many hours together when young.

Elder Brad Wilcox's daughter, Wendee Wilcox Rosborough, wrote a book about The Holy Week of Easter.  It is an amazing book to do with families to learn about our Savior's last days on earth.  It is filled with stories, videos, games, art, and recipes.  Sunday tells about Palm Sunday.  It is a must have book.
Monday we ordered the Kingdom Keepers vol. 1-3 so we can read it with the family. Wendee's book told about Christ cleansing the temple. It was also Granny and Granddad's wedding day.
Tuesday her book told how Christ taught his disciples.
Erik, Kolton and Camden came with 2 aerators and did our lawns.  They do such a good job.  After they aerated they mowed and edged.  Everything looks so beautiful.

 Kolton aerating

 Erik and Camden

 Erik edging

Shortly after they left, Clark came with his 3 and Watts to prune Brother Martin's trees.  Watts kept trying to chase the chickens so they put her over the fence to me.  She is so fun and got in my way like puppies do.  No picture.

Wednesday was about when Judas betrayed Christ.
Thursday we delivered copies Dad made of the Restoration Proclamation to our ministering people.  They were so thrilled with it.  Dad put it on very good shiny paper.  We each have 4 people and love them.  Our book today was about was the Last Supper when Christ introduced the sacrament and served it.
Friday was such a good day because we got to fast with the world and ask our Father in Heaven to help us in stopping this pandemic.  It is so wonderful when you know so many people are praying for the same thing.  We were also praying for the many people it has affected, especially our missionaries.  We have faith that this will end.  It is also the day Christ was hung on the cross and  crucified because of His love for His Father and for us.  He knowingly did this for us and all mankind.  He made it possible for us to live as families forever if we but keep our covenants and live as He taught.

This is a picture I like and put up for the kids at Easter.  It goes with a Primary song "It shouldn't be hard to sit very still and think about Jesus His cross on the hill"

This was the day they crucified our Savior on the cross.  

Saturday was the day Christ taught the people in Paradise.

Sunday, Easter, is such a wonderful day because this is the day we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior.  We are so blessed to have this in our lives today.  Because of Christ, after we die, we live again with our Father in Heaven, Christ and our families.  What a great sacrifice our Savior did for you and us.  We cannot even imagine life without our family.  We are striving to live so we may partake of this great sacrifice and enjoy life with our loved ones, after death.

We started this Sabbath with our family meeting on line.  Dave Jennings, conducted and after Baylie Batchelor gave a great talk about the Young Women's program, Dave led a discussion about the things we learned last week during the sessions of General Conference.  It was well done and he ended with some scriptures that left us with such a good feeling.  It is wonderful to be able to be with some of our family during this pandemic.  We are all doing well.  It was wonderful to be able to fast with the world and feel peace.
Tuesday, April 14th, Kolton Bayles turned 17.  Time just flies by so fast.  He is Erik and Shanelle's second child and such a good one.  He is loved by everyone, especially the girls.  He is cute but most important so well behaved and respectful.  He loves his family and the Lord.  He honors his priesthood and loves to help others.  He is just one great young man.  It's a little rough right now due to the pandemic and no school so the friends all miss each other.

Wednesday Dad got his brace off AGAIN.  He is being very careful this time.  We had a low of 26 degrees this week and lost some of our fruit blossoms but we just hope enough are left to have fruit this summer.  Our magnolia tree froze.  The white blossoms were so beautiful.

Friday Dad and I made granola and bread.  I think I got carried away with the size of the bread.  The granola was very hard not to eat immediately.  It was so good.

Saturday again and Kolton and Camden came and made our lawns beautiful.  They carried the plow from the berm to the back fence.  We are going to try and remove some of the berm so it is not so hard to take care of.  When they finished I sliced some homemade bread and let them put butter and homemade raspberry jam on it.  They left with a can of soda.  We don't know what we would do without their help each week.  They are so fun and pleasant to have around.  We do miss Asher.

Sunday the 19th was a very special meeting with the family.  Scott conducted and I'm not going to give a list of things done every week but Lily and Hailey gave great talks.  The Spirit was so strong and powerful.  We love these meetings and hold us centered on Christ.  It doesn't get better.
Monday we tried the family scavenger hunt.  This one is a snow (grass) angel.

This week we worked outside a lot with it being such nice weather.  We walked every day at the Provo/BYU track.  We started with 1 mile and are up to 1 and a half miles now.  Very few people are there and we feel very old with the young ones. (maybe 8 other people)  We went to Costco for Dad's prescriptions. Never thought we would see it so empty.

On Thursday, I was walking back from the fence with eggs from the Martin's when I noticed something on the lawn between the clothesline and the cherry tree.  It turned out someone was in our yard that night and must have dropped it.  It's a very weird feeling.  It's a WIFI charger.  Not feeling real safe.

 Dad called Vivint Friday, because our outside camera was not working right or we could have seen who came into our backyard and what they were doing.
Friday we continued to walk at the BYU track.  We are up to a mile and a half now.  Granddad continues to find family names for us to do when the temples open again.  He has so many and found a baby who had not been sealed to the family when the others had so we are anxious to do this work.  Vanita Law is still in the hospital with a stroke.  She is such a special lady who we hope can go home soon.  It is so hard with this pandemic and quarantine.
Saturday I finished the quilt Molly wants when she gets married.  The fabric is from my mother so it is very special to me.
Sunday is still so special because we get to see our family.  Erik's family still does their own but we are so happy they do it.  Kristin and Tiffani gave wonderful talks and Cameron was the musical number.  I love theses meetings.  I never can remember the prayers or hymns and who leads the music but the Spirit was powerful.  We love this family we have been blessed with and pray for them always.  They are one of our greatest gifts from our Father.
On Monday the 27th, Kristin turned 52.

How did we get old enough to have a daughter that old?  She is such a treasure  She has overcome so many trials and used great faith in doing so well.  After many years, she has set a goal and stuck to it and has lost well over 100 pounds.  She is a new person.  She is so much happier.  She has always been an incredible person and we love her so much.  She is a wonderful mother who would do anything for her children and others.  She makes everyone around her feel special and needed, which is a great talent.  She loves and serves our Savior.  We just wish she didn't live clear across the US.

We bought seeds and plants to begin our garden.  Dad actually cut down the quantity which is a miracle.  He does love his garden.  We cancelled several of our doctor appointments because we just don't want to go where sick people go.

Some peas and onions are up and planting more later. Beans and carrots are planted.

 tomatoes, peppers, squash, pumpkins and flowers

Tuesday we made Baylie's Kitchen cherry cobbler.  You must try it.  She does a great job.

 I finally finished this quilt.

Thursday Clark and his 3 came to help with the garden and snowball bush (tree).  It is always a happy day when someone comes, especially family.  They worked so hard.  I forgot to take pictures so I waited till Monday so I could.  Forgot again.

 I finished weeding the berm.  Wild flowers are everywhere.

 The pruned snowball bush or tree.

This has been an awakening time with the caronavirus.  It is so hard on the school kids who love the socialization at school.  School has been out for over a month and will not start up again until in the fall.  They do their work online but no contact with their friends except by technology.  We are all in quarantine and stay at home except when we must have some groceries.  The elderly get to shop earlier that everyone else so that it nice.  Dad and I walk o the track every day for exercise but now that the garden is full swing we just do that.  thank goodness our families keep in close touch which makes it so much easier.  We are trying to follow our prophet and keep faith in our Savior.  This is nothing like the tests our ancestors had to go through.  We are blessed with their histories and stories of faith.  We know that our Father and Jesus Christ are well aware of what is happening and we must keep our faith strong and help others.  We are grateful for the Come follow Me program that teaches us how to keep the restored gospel strong in our homes.  This is just the beginning of our gathering of Israel.  If we stay strong we will be blessed beyond our imagination.  We are so blessed and love our family so much.  We will stay strong.  We love the family we have been given and are so proud of who they are and how they love their children.