October - Homecomings and Farewells

The first thing about October was watching the General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. How we love watching and learning what the brethren have to tell us. It is always filled with love and opportunities to strengthen our testimonies of Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. It is comforting and filled with messages to help us grow in the gospel. The music is uplifting and beautiful because of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. We take notes and refer to them at different times. It is two days of faith and knowledge and setting goals to do better. Our prophet, Russell M. Nelson, always talks. He is 99 years old and still guiding us and helping us to do better. He announced 20 new temples this time and we love that he is on top of this. Temples are so important and the more the better. Many places have to travel long distances to attend and these new ones will be a blessing. We are so blessed to have so many so close and are excited that others will have temples closer.

October 6th Bethany had a birthday. She is a great match for our son, Scott, and the mother of three beautiful children + two dogs. She loves teaching at the Dance Club and they win many awards. She is a wonderful wife and mother. 

The next day Sister Molly Bayles flew home from her mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in Missouri. She was valiant and worked hard and loved the people she served. She loves the Book of Mormon and continues to feel the missionary spirit. She always has such a powerful smile filled with goodness. We are so proud of the service she has given and will continue to serve anywhere she is.                                              

Grammy,  returned Molly, Grandad

Family  Dad taking picture

Dad always puts up the Missionary flags when someone comes home or leaves or holidays.

That evening we went to our North Carolina Mission reunion in Herriman. We didn’t know very many missionaries because it has been a long time. We loved seeing President Thomas and his wife. It was well worth the trip to Salt Lake.

Just thought I would snag a picture of what we see from our front door.

Sunday, Oct. 8th, after church, we left for our trip to Glacier National Park. We had gone last year, but it was too late in the year and the park was closed. We stayed the night in Dillon, Montana, at the Best Western Paradise Inn.  

Monday we drove to Columbia Falls. We decided to drive to the road to the Sun Loop in Glacier Park. It was beautiful and we took many pictures. We then went to Many Glaciers, which was so beautiful. There was a huge lodge there with a beautiful view of the lake and the mountains with the glaciers. It was closed for the season, which made it even better because there were few people and we could just enjoy the scenery.

 

This is a lodge on Many Little Glaciers where we would love to stay sometime.

Tuesday we drove into Canada to do a session in the Cardston Temple. We found out they were celebrating 100 years for that temple.

It is a beautiful temple.

It was very tiny and so beautiful. The wood was beautiful and the entire building was amazing. We loved it. It just had a special feeling. 

After the session we drove to Great Falls, Montana, where we had reservations for the night. Our GPS guided us to a very shady neighborhood. We drove all over the town, but did not want to stay in such a place. We were so discouraged and decided to call the hotel to see if maybe we were in the wrong place. Thank goodness we were. The city road turned to a different road and we found a beautiful new hotel. It was like the Ritz. I don't think we have ever stayed in such a place. We were thrilled. We asked if there was a restaurant close by and the front desk told us about a place where mermaids swam while you ate. It was only a block away so we walked there. It was great food, but the Mermaid pool was being washed out so we didn’t see anything. We asked the desk if they had breakfast. They answered no, but gave us a card around the corner where we could order whatever we wanted and they would charge it to the hotel. It was a very cute little fun atmosphere place. We really lucked out with this night.

Cinnamon rolls were so yummy.

Our entire floor was glass and you can see our car below.

The entire atmosphere was magic.

Wednesday we drove to West Yellowstone. This park was closed when we went last year. We stayed at the Stagecoach Inn. We love this place because it is ancient and filled with stuffed wildlife and such a spirit of the olden days. Of course we went shopping and bought matching shirts. Dad loves to shop.

This was a fun little town we stopped in.

The next morning we drove through the park, heading where Scott said there were the best animals. Everyone we asked agreed. We saw a beautiful antelope who modeled for us. We were told all roads were open. We saw hundreds of buffalo. Some were touching our car or very close. It was so exciting and beautiful. 

This was the best we could do for elk.

We started at Mammoth Hot Springs headed for Tower Falls where we saw some elk and then someone at the gift shop told us to go farther and turn around and head back to the Tower Falls and we could then go to Canyon Village to the Fishing Bridge and then to Grant Village and on down and out at the South Entrance. Perfect. Well when we got back to Canyon Village, the road was closed so we had to go back to Mammoth Hot Springs and then south to Norris. (We then learned that the road we first wanted was now open again. Ouch!!) That was way out of our plans, but we didn’t have a choice. We then drove to the South Entrance. It was so beautiful and we loved every minute and stopped to take many pictures. It is just so beautiful. 

We had snow on the way out.

We needed to be in Afton Wyoming the next morning to do the 8:30 session in the Star Valley Temple. We were meeting our Palmyra temple president for that session. We got in so late and were so tired, but we made the morning session and enjoyed being with President and Sister Miner.

We then drove home. We were so tired and had such a good time. Everything was wonderful and it was such fun to just be together.

Friday the 13th, Kristin’s family flew in to the SLC Airport so they could attend Camden’s farewell talk, going on his mission to Poland, and Kolton’s homecoming, reporting on his mission in Ghana. They are Erik and Shanelle’s boys. 

Saturday morning we went to the Provo City Center temple and did baptisms.

Sunday the 14th was the homecoming/farewell. Camden talked about how we need to do good for others and help people come unto Christ. He sounded like a returned missionary, not one just heading out.

Kolton talked about our Savior and the need for us to do good and always remember Him and pray for forgiveness. His talk was so powerful and he shared many scriptures concerning repentance. It was powerful and so well done. They both are remarkable people who love sharing the gospel of our Savior and our Father in Heaven. Tears were shed. Kolton told a beautiful story about one of the men he taught. Every picture I have of him is with those beautiful people of Kumasi, Ghana. He was there for two years and Camden will be in Poland for the same. It was so good to have some of our family there and a luncheon was served for many people after the meeting. It was a day with many wonderful memories.

October the 18th, we started clearing our garden because Jack Frost was on his way. We were so pleased because we were able to share our produce with so many people. It is very hard work, but it keeps us healthy and sharing. Clearing the garden is very hard. Dad worked every day, but when he filled two large garbage cans and pulled them across the lawn and onto the cement patio, facing his back to the patio, he forgot Billy, his buffalo statue, and tripped over him landing on his back. I heard the noise and ran out. I thought he was unconscious, he was so still. He just laid there. When he finally got up he finished one can at a time and went into the house. I could not get him to go see a doctor. He rested the rest of the day. He is still sore.

Billy the Buffalo

On the 20th, we went to St. George and attended the open house. It has been closed during several years of restoration. It is the temple we were married in 57 years ago. We ordered pizza and took it to a park close to the temple. Tiffani’s, Clark’s, and Erik’s families went with us, making it a group of 21. It was such a great remembrance for us. Dad showed them the stairs where my dad told him it was his last chance to ditch out. They all laughed. It is such a beautiful temple and filled with the spirit. We stayed the night and then drove home. It is a beautiful drive. 

The next day was a BYU ballgame (no score recorded) and a wedding reception for Wyatt Price and his bride. Cameron sat with us. It was fun to sit with Cameron. We left the game, ran to our parking lot, and made it to the church before it was over. We love this family.   

The 22nd was a Sunday, and after church we attended our tithing declaration. We love that we can talk with our bishop and declare all is good. 

Tuesday the 24th we decided to try two sessions. I made it and loved doing two. It was not hard. 

Thursday the 26, after serving in the Payson Temple, we hurried home so Dad could take Cameron to the Provo Airport so he could fly home to Texas and the BYU ballgame. He loves football, but best of all, he loves being with his family.

Friday the 27th, Hailey had a birthday and turned 27. She is amazing. She loves to try new things and loves her dog. She is always ready to help others. She has finished her regular schooling and is now working on further studies. We love her. She spent this summer with youth groups and even slept in a tent hooked on a canyon wall. She loves her nephews and nieces.

Saturday the 28th, Dianne invited us to go to the Timpanogos Temple with their family. We love serving in the temple with family. It is always a special time.

Sunday the 29th, Molly gave her homecoming talk in church after serving her mission in Missouri and Illinois. Clark was conducting which was wonderful and Jonny gave a very good youth talk and then the brothers and sisters sang a beautiful hymn. Molly filled the church with stories about the importance of serving a mission and the miracles she felt so often when talking about our Savior, Jesus Christ. She was filled with so much energy and enthusiasm, telling the joys of teaching people about Christ. She had so many Goats relatives, friends, and Bayles relatives that the church was filled. The spirit was amazing. She loved her mission and the people she came in contact with. We were so blessed to be there. After the meeting we all went to her home for lunch. Dianne always knows how to feed a group. It was a cold day, but no one noticed. Their home was filled with food and love.

On Monday the 30th, we went to the Orem Temple Open House with Erik's family. Cameron joined us. It is a beautiful temple.

The 30th was also my brother Del's birthday. He is now 85 years old. He is my hero and has been a great brother. When I won a car as a 12-year-old, I let him drive it and he'd let me sit on his lap and drive.

The 31st was Halloween and Scott and his family came. Ashley's family always comes the day after Halloween. We love it when we get to see the children. Of course they love the excitement and candy. We never get very many trick-or-treaters, but we love the ones who do come. 

This month, the twins - Lauryn and Clara - were named to the All-Conference team in volleyball and Baylie received All-Region honors in tennis.

This has been a very full month with two missionaries coming home and one leaving for Poland. We love the missionary program and the truth these youth teach the world.

Camden entering the MTC.

 What a rewarding month this has been. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful and loving family and health to be able to travel and have fun together.