Conference & Cougars (October)

We started this month with Dad watering the garden and picking up many apples that had fallen from the trees. He made some yummy cider. 

The next day we had doctor visits with our dermatologist, Dr. Huber, for our skin, and then went to Dr. Gardiner because of Dad’s bell's palsy. The doctor felt very good about how it was doing and thinks it may even recover. Good news. We have excellent doctors.

Thursday we drove around Utah Lake. We were in the truck so we could go very far. It was so fun to be together and just enjoy the day. Of course Dad got out and cut some branches to make canes. He loves working with wood. It was a very relaxing day. The next day he made his delicious cereal with oats, honey, and dried fruit. YUM.

Saturday the 5th we spent the day listening to the brethren. Elder Eyring conducted this session. The speakers were mainly from the Quorum of the Seventy. We love this time to hear messages of encouragement in living the gospel of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is so important to hear their messages and renew our feelings and knowledge so we can improve daily. Many children sang in this beautiful building with such tender hearts. They sang Holding Hands Around the World, Gethsemane, and When the Savior Comes Again. It was so touching and beautiful.

Sunday was another day filled with the spirit of the gospel of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Elder Oaks led this day. Every speaker was filled with the spirit and the time went by way too fast. The afternoon speakers were also filled with goddess and joy. Elder Brad Wilcox was one of our favorite speakers. It was his first time speaking in a General Conference meeting and he was dynamite. He spoke especially to the youth and was so loving and spoke with such love and understanding for our youth to cling to. We had tears in our eyes knowing he is such a loving man and wants the youth to follow Christ. He was the second-to-last speaker and everyone left with such a good feeling. The last speaker that evening was our 100-year-old prophet, Elder Russell M. Nelson. He was unforgettable and spoke with such love and truth. He was strong and filled us with hope and understanding for the future. 

Monday evening the 7th filled us with Baylie and tennis and the twins filled us with volleyball. We love that we can watch both on our big screen downstairs.

Wednesday the 10th we went to Dr. Russell. It was a great report and Dad can now lift 25 pounds and in two weeks he can be free. Dr. Russell had never done a harder surgery. What was supposed to be three hours turned out to be eight. He said it was the hardest hernia he had ever done.

Two days later Tiff and family came for the BYU game. It’s always fun when we have family with us. We won again. 

While they were here, we joined Clark's family for the annual fall harvest.

Sunday was a great stake conference. Even some Primary kids talked. Wonderful!

On Tuesday the 15th, we went to the Saratoga Springs Temple. It rained so hard. YES! We love the temples. And the rain.

Cameron came on Friday the 18th. 

Scott and his family went for the weekend to the mountains. He sent pictures of such beauty in the snow. George went every day to make sure Scott’s dogs were OK and fed. He also checked on the chickens and fed them. The eggs were beautiful.

Sunday we went to Springville for Kelly Bayles’ Ashlee’s homecoming. She was changed to the Moldova mission because Ukraine was too dangerous. She gave a beautiful message. Cameron was with us and we took him to the airport after so he could go home and serve.

Tuesday the 22nd we went to the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. When we got there, Dad realized he didn’t have his names. He did a Chinese name instead (1916).

Wednesday Dad took his truck to Clint’s to get it inspected. While he was there, he found out that Clint’s son Spencer was engaged. 

On Saturday, BYU won again. It was in Florida so we didn’t go. They are undefeated.

Sunday was Lily’s farewell because she has been called to the Birmingham Alabama Mission. It was such a special meeting. Her talk was so filled with the love of our Savior and so wonderful. Her brothers and sisters sang an amazing song about our Savior. Even William and Beatrice sang. It was a tear jerker.

The 30th, my brother, Debert Hanks turned 84. He has been a great brother to me and we love him.

Our house is filled with Halloween. We have leftovers from my teacher days. We love the different decor.

Our missionaries are still Camden and Cameron. Camden is really good with the language and we see Cameron often. Cameron is going to extend his mission. We are so happy. Life is good and we love it.