GREEN IS IN

                                                                      MARCH MADNESS

 We were driving and I had to take this picture of the Provo Temple.  

looks like a cross on top

March 1^st was Fast Sunday and we had  wonderful meetings.  The best part of the day was when Hailey and her roomie came for a visit.  It was so much fun to have them.  We love her so much and again I forgot to take pictures.

Tuesday I did 9 initiatories and Dad did 10.  We love going to the temple.  It’s a great way to start the day. (Better than walking 2 miles)  

Wednesday we went with the Seamons to the Payson temple and did a session.  We love that temple because of its beauty and such simplicity.  I always think of Shanelle when we go there because she helped in sewing some of the curtains. Danece Mosley and her husband were in our session and we were the witness couple.  Of course after the session we went to Charlie’s for steak and cheese.  It’s become a tradition.  

That evening Scott invited us to meet them at JCW’s for dinner.  It’s been forever since we have been with them so it was a special treat.

 sharing

 good food

 only view of Nixon

 yummy hot dog

milk shake to the last drop

Thursday, after our 2 miles Dad very patiently taught me how to do genealogy.  I can’t believe how excited I got.  We found this sister, her parents and her siblings along with a sister-in-law.  We are going to do more together.  We can now complete their work.  They are on my mother’s side.  I’m so into this.  

                    We love our 2 missionaries:

 A man in the bishopric does the news for the Pentagon. ((Elder Bayles)

Elder Bayles, Japan(back left) in quarentine.

Friday we went to Black Bear for a 25% off dinner.  We ordered the steak and were so surprised with how huge the meal was.  It was very yummy with all the trimmings.  After dinner we went to Kolton's Lacross game.  They won by many; maybe 20-6.  It was fun to watch him.

#7

Dad and Camden after the game.  The team went right to the dressing room.

Sunday, the 8th, was a great ward conference.  President Gagan gave a great talk and even used Tevia's song "Do you love me?" in it.  The RS and priesthood was together and was also very good.  They showed a wonderful video on the birth of Christ that we had seen but was so filled with the Spirit.  That evening we changed our clocks ahead for daylight savings. UGH!

Monday Dad decided to smoke the last of our Alaska salmon. 

That evening we went to a play in Spanish Fork which was directed by one of Dad's ministering families.  It was good to support them.

We spent Tuesday in the temple doing a session and some sealings.  We love it when we can spend time doing things for our kindred dead.  When we got home. Dad tasted the salmon and said it was good.  He wants to try more things now.

March 11^th was Molly’s 17^th birthday. 

 She is so amazing.  She is truly a follower of Christ.  She loves her family and reading the Book of Mormon.  She is always fun to be around.  We miss going to her games now that basketball is over  She is a beautiful young woman and is kind to others.  We love her so much.

Thursday morning we left for the Star Valley Temple with the Seamons.  We went by way of Evanston, Wyoming.  Not a real fancy ride but dad did get a rock chip on his new truck window.  Ouch.  We got to our Kodiak Mountain Resort in time to get changed and do the 3:30 session at the temple.  It was even smaller than Palmyra.  The session and the Spirit were perfect. 

 before the session

after the session

We loved it.  We ate at Subway before the session and then changed at went to a restaurant after.  Each room at this resort was a different cabin with very beautiful décor.  It was one of the cheapest places I looked up and the most beautiful.  It even had a gas fireplace in each cabin

with a most comfy king bed.  The town is called Afton.  The high while we were there was 32, a little different than Provo.

 toward breakfast

 the lobby

Breakfast was included and after we ate, we did the 8:30 session.  We loved that temple and will probably go again.  The snow was very deep which made the mountains so beautiful.  We changed clothes and Max asked us if we could go through Logan on the way back.  That drive was so much more beautiful than Wyoming.   The mountains were so steep and there were snowmobile tracks everywhere.  It was just a wonderful drive.  We went through Montpelier, Idaho, which is where I was born, so that was a real treat.  It is by Bear Lake where we are going for this year’s immediate family reunion.  The lake was beautiful with frozen ice in places.  Of course the fresh raspberry ice cream places were closed. BUMMER!

We got to Logan in time to stop and have dinner at Chuck-a-Rama.  It took us 30 minutes longer to go that way but it was so much prettier.  Dad was very tired by the time we got home but it was a great trip. We left in beautiful weather and came home to this.

When we looked on our computers, we found that all church meetings would be cancelled due to the Corona virus.  We also learned that all temples were to be closed Monday .  What a blessing it was that we could be in one.  Again, this trip only took 1 tank of gas with some to spare.

Saturday, the 14^th, we stayed in because that is what the Prophet advised.  We did have to go to CostCo for my prescription and it was horrible.  The line was longer than the building and the store was so crowded.  The line for drugs was very short so we were very fast.  It was a zoo.

That evening we did go to Vernon and Vanita Law’s 70^th wedding anniversary and Vernon’s 90^th birthday party.  We were the only ones there outside of their family.  We love them so much and they are very weak so we just had to go.  They served cracker jacks, peanuts and root beer floats with some yummy cookies.  It was so good to see the family.  They all said to say hi to the family.  We did not hug or get close.

Sunday was so special because of Kristin.  No church meetings were held because of the virus so she contacted everyone and set up an online experience for our own meeting.  It was amazing and so filled with the Spirit.  Clara and Clark gave talks, others prayed and we all sang.  We are going to do again this next Sunday and just trade who is in charge of assigning things.  We were all there but Erik’s family and they were so missed but they had their own meeting.  We need to do this internet thing more often just for fun.  We can’t wait for next  Sunday.

Monday, March 16, Dad ran the tiller over the garden plot.

  It hurt his shoulder but we hope it will be okay.  We then pruned and weeded the raspberry patches.  They look beautiful; so much better than this time last year.  Dad and Max went to get fertilizer in Max’s old truck that has a lift on the back.  It’s almost a Mater.

They got 2 loads.  Dad helped shovel the droppings that again, he shouldn’t have.

The next day was St. Patrick’s Day and Clark, Molly, Lily and Jonny came to help.  Those kids spread the  2 loads of fertilizer over the entire garden. 

                                           Molly tilled the garden after that.  What a woman.

The kids also took wheelbarrow loads of fertilizer and spread it over the 2 raspberry patches and over the lilacs. Clark and Jonny pruned while Dad supervised.

Everything looks so good.  While I was helping I also baked a batch of bread which we ate with honey and jam hot out of the oven.  Dad and Clark ate the smoked salmon Dad had made.  Not so much the rest of us.  It was just a great day filled with the help of family.  Scott was working so he couldn’t come with his family.

We woke up Wednesday to a phone call from the Anayas asking if we were all right because of the 4.7 earth quake.  We didn’t even feel it.   Clark’s family felt it and Salt Lake really got it.  The worse place was around Magna.

 The trumpet was knocked off of Moroni on the Salt Lake Temple.  The airport was closed and the front-runner train service was stopped.  We took some things to Clark’s and while we were there Riley contacted them on the computer.  We were so glad we could see him and listen to him.

What a great thing technology can be.  He is great.  We have even heard him teach a lesson on face book.  At 2:00 Dad left to have his shoulder X-Ray.  Yes, he is in a brace for another 4 weeks.  The doctor thinks a stress fracture.  As it turned out they had him do a MRI thee next day and they can't find the fracture so it is very small.  The doctor still has him in tht brace for 4 weeks and then they'll see how it is.  He's left handed again.  Ugh!
Thursday, the 19th was really special because it was Baylie Anne's. (12) and Simon's, (2) birthdays.  Fun that they have a 2 in each date.

Baylie Anne is a direct gift from God.  Kristin and I were in Kohls buying baby stuff because Kristin had flown the birth other to SLC to deliver.  We just couldn't decide what sex to gather things for so we got some of each.  When we got to the counter and were checking out, Kristin's phone rang and she just started bawling.  The people in line were very confused.  When she got composure she just yelled "I am the mother of a baby girl!"  Everyone cheered, especially me.  I asked the cashier if we could return the boy things and get more girl things.  We headed to the baby department, so excited.  Baylie has been such a blessing to all of our family and we love her so much. 

She is now a young lady with many gifts and talents.  We are so blessed to have her in our eternity.
Simon Johns is a jewel.

He is such a happy little boy with huge smiles.  He loves everything and is loved by everyone.  He is self entertained and loves to march on the bleachers at Molly's games.  He makes everyone around him happy.
Friday Scott came because our chain saw from the repair shop still doesn't work.  He cut some huge limbs out of our cherry tree.  His kids came earlier and delivered some candy and coloring pages and Nixon even drew Spider Man and sent a note.  It so brightened our day.  They put them on the porch and hurried back to the car so they wouldn't touch us because of the virus.  Ugh!

The city put a huge dumpster in front of our neighbors with instructions that they were to fill it.  They did but there is still more to put in it.  The police continue to come by and search but we are through showing pictures.
Sunday was another great Sabbath with some of our family.  Erik still does his with just his family.

The Batchelor family was in charge and Granddad was the presiding authority.  David conducted, we sang a hymn, Baylie prayed, Molly gave a wonderful talk on Jacob 5-7, Lauryn played a musical number on the piano, and then Scott gave his thoughts on Jacob  which oped a new idea of those scriptures for me.  I am finally getting Jacob's message.  We were so blessed that that Riley was able to join us from his mission apartment.  It was so good to hear and see him and feel the Spirit when he bore a strong testimony.  Ava gave the closing prayer which ended the meeting with a strong family feeling of love.  I don't know if I got the meeting straight but we love this way of worship while we can't go to the chapel because of the virus.  When everyone left the call, Dad blessed and gave us the sacrament.  I really needed it and it was wonderful.
Tuesday the 24th was Cameron David Jennings' Birthday and he turned 17.

 Our grandchildren are certainly getting older and we are not ready for that.  It does beat the alternative.  This birthday has come way too soon.  He is a smart, and talented young man who plays the piano like a college student.  He has a very tender heart and loves his twins and parents.  We don't know who he loves the most, BYU or the family.  It's a toss-up.  He can name almost all the golf courses in the US and has played on many.  He has a very strong testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and tries to do what is right.
Beth and the kids came over for some brown sugar and it is always makes our day when family comes by.  It's hard for Rowan because she doesn't understand why we have to be so far apart and not hug.
That evening we went to Vernon and Vanita Law's 70th wedding anniversary party.  We were the only ones there outside of their family because of the virus. It was also Vernon's 90th birthday party.  They are such admirable people and we love them and the family.

Wednesday  we woke up to much snow. Vegas seemed like a nice idea but we are still on a huge quarantine.  Snow in late March is not a happy thing.  Erik called to let us know that Elder Parker Bayles is now home after 3 weeks of quarantine and now his whole family is on a 2 week quarantine.  This is all because of the Coronavirus.  It is hard for him to be home but safer and he will be reassigned when is is safe to leave Utah.  I baked bread and we took it over with a bag of candy.  We honked the horn to let him know we were there and put the stuff on the porch.  Asher got the stuff and Parker waved from the front window along with Kolton.

We are all glad that he is where his family can take care of him and keep him safe.
Thursday we woke up to snow again.  At least that will help our water supply this summer which we are very grateful for.  We decided to walk at the old Provo High track.  It was good to be outside and still alone. This was our favorite view.

School will not be opened until May, if then,  The colleges are not even open.  I spent today going through pictures of when I was little; Alaska through Dayton.  It was so much fun to remember things  I had forgotten.         

 Juneau in 1948

Juneau 1945

Mama made my coat and Karen's was real which an Eskimo made. 1947

                                  Scott and his family came by and waved to us from the truck.I put up some Easter decor because I just needed to do something fun.

This was made by Ava and Nixon before Rowan.

Erik's family for some fresh air; still under quarantine.

Dianne loves her job wearing this mask for safety.

Sunday the 29th was our favorite worship with family.  This is so special for us.  Clark was conducting.  I can't remember who did what so I will try to keep notes. Humn, Opening prayer, Baylie, then William's talk, 4 years old, so precious, a primary song about Noah,everyone, Clara played a beautiful number on her violin, Dad gave a great talk about prayer from our home study, Elder  Riley Bayles shared a thought, our closing hymn was Ere You left your room this Morning, and closing prayer by Bethany B.  It was so wonderful and up-lifting.

 Can't decide which picture is the best.

Will giving his talk which was precious

Tuesday, I measured the grass in parts of our front lawn and found it to be between 10 and 11 inches in places.  Dad can't mow because of his shoulder so I decided I could.  I was shocked when I found I was able to start the mower by myself.  Even got a little prideful.  I made it around the yard one time and the Piggot's across the street came pouring our of their home.  They are such wonderful neighbors and always there when we need them.  They are not even in our ward and he was the bishop of that ward at one time.  Their senior at Orem  High, London, took over the mower and made it look eezy peezy.  She's just a tiny thing but tough.  She mowed, her dad trimmed the edges and then mowed again to make it look cleaner.

                               
                              
 What a great help.  We usually have Erik's boys do the mowing but we knew the entire family was on quarantine because of Parker coming home from his mission in Japan.

When the lawn was finished we picked up the trimmings from Clark's prunings in the back yard and finished our HARD puzzle after dinner.

It was a hard month but at the same time it was a fulfilling testimony that the Lord does send revelations to our loving Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson.  Because we follow his promptings and try to do good, we know that we are led in the right path.  We know he prepared us to handle this horrible virus and be able to do the things we need to at this time. We must not fear because we have the pure gospel of Jesus Christ to guide us in everything we do.  Me must follow Him. We are so grateful for our children, their spouses, grandchildren, and great grandchildren for living righteous lives and striving to follow our Savior.  We are filled with love for this great blessing.  We love each and every one of them 

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.