It touches our hearts to come out and find these precious chalk messages written by our neighborhood children. Nearly every day we hear the sounds of children playing in our yard for much of the afternoon and evening after school. They never seem to tire of playing in our yard.
This movie depicts the true story Dr. Dennis Slamon and his quest to find a cure for breast cancer. It is a moving story. I appreciated his persistence against all odds and his wife's loyal support. Because of his determination, he has saved many, many lives.
If I am being completely honest, I have to list ice as one of my favorite things. I love ice and use a lot every day- year round. It is especially essential for me in the summer. I fill my "jug" half-full with ice before adding the liquid. I love ice. It is one of my very favorite things.
We are so happy to report that we got our COVID vaccination boosters on November 15th. We both got very sore arms and I didn't feel well for a couple of days. I was overwhelmingly sleepy. But it is so worth it. We are so very grateful for the vaccinations.
A Mother Never Lies by Sarah Clarke
The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion by Fannie FlaggThis was the exciting true story of some real-life heroes that confronted a terrorist and saved a lot of lives on a train in Europe. We thought it was a good movie.
Is it gruesome that I blog funerals? I hope not. Funerals are somber occasions, true, but I always go away wanting to be a better person. I like to record what life lessons I learn.
Ken's first cousin, Linda Larsen passed away. Ken's mom and Linda's mom, Jennie Hintze were sisters and very close. Jennie's family had a child the ages of each of Ken's family. Linda lined up in age with Ken's oldest brother, Jim. The Hintze family and Ken's family have always been very close. Ken's family is almost all boys and Jennie's family is almost all girls. They are a delightful group.
Linda and her husband were great examples to us. They served five missions together. They loved serving in Africa and for their last mission hoped to go back there. But the call came to go to Texas. Linda was devastated. She wanted to go to Africa so badly. But she dried her tears and went to Texas. Just a few months into her mission she had a heart attack and had to have open heart surgery. Had she been in Africa, she would have died, as the medical care she needed is not available there. But she was able to have the surgery and eventually go back to work, never leaving Texas. The Lord watches out for us. That story really touches me.
I actually didn't go to the funeral. I woke up with a doozy of a headache that morning, so Ken drove alone the hour or so to Parowan, Utah to attend. I watched the funeral online. All of Ken's siblings were there, except Clark. The day before, Clark fell off a ladder, breaking three ribs and puncturing a lung. He spent the day of the funeral in the hospital!
When the prophet speaks, the debate is over.
August 12, 2021
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
We find ourselves fighting a war against the ravages of COVID-19
and its variants, an unrelenting pandemic. We want to do all we can to limit
the spread of these viruses. We know that protection from the diseases they
cause can only be achieved by immunizing a very high percentage of the
population.
To limit exposure to these viruses, we urge the use of face
masks in public meetings whenever social distancing is not possible. To provide
personal protection from such severe infections, we urge individuals to be
vaccinated. Available vaccines have proven to be both safe and effective.
We can win this war if everyone will follow the wise and
thoughtful recommendations of medical experts and government leaders. Please
know of our sincere love and great concern for all of God’s children.
The First Presidency
Russell M. Nelson
Dallin H. Oaks
Henry B. Eyering
Never in my lifetime have I seen the prophet so blatantly disobeyed. Ken made the analogy comparing looking at Moses' staff. to this current situation. All the people had to do was to look to live. But, though simple, many would not look and perished. Just as Aaron and Hur did then President Nelson's arms are being held up by his counselors. The solution is so simple. Follow the prophet. Follow the prophet. Follow the prophet. He knows the way.
In 1979, President N Eldon Tanner gave a talk called "the Debate is over." This statement has been made by many, but it it is a powerful mantra:
When the prophet speaks, the debate is over.
Though I certainly understand that some are frightened of the vaccination and it's side effects, I think this statement from the first presidency should quell their fears. I believe the vaccination was provided by the Lord for us at this time. We prayed for it. He provided it; he vetted it; we should not be afraid of it. It is just that simple. It doesn't matter what you think about it any more:" when the prophet speaks, the debate is over.
I love Halloween. I love having a day that we celebrate children. Children love Halloween. They love dressing up. They love the candy. They love the parade. They love the excitement. I don't like the dark side of Halloween, but I love the light, happy side- the part where children are celebrated.
Knowing how I feel, each Halloween, our family shares many pictures with us of their festivities. I can't get enough! Here are some of this year's jewels.
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| Jaron was milk . . . |
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| and Gabbi was a cookie! |
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| A pretty great combo, I would say! |
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| Kenny was a banana |
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| And William was popcorn. What a delicious family! |
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| Oh, and Michelle was a delicious-looking doughnut. What a cute group! Here, William was one of the Kratts brothers. He kept changing his mind. |
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| The Prince kids decorated Halloween cookies. |
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| Our tradition since my kids were little is to make Halloween soup for dinner on Halloween. All three of our daughters are continuing the tradition. This is Michelle's delicious pot-full. |
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| I know when my kids were little, one of the best parts of Halloween is the sorting that takes place after you get home from trick-or-treating. The kids sent some cute sorting pictures. |
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| Shonna had a busy day on Friday before Halloween, helping put on parties in a couple of her kids' classes and eating lunch with all of them. Such a great mom! |
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| The parade. Hannah is the prettiest witch! |
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| Yes, Lily is a cookie, too. Michelle found the costume and knowing how much Lily LOVES cookies bought one for Lily too. It is the perfect costume for her. She is our little cookie queen. |
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| And Caleb was milk, too. |
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| Anna and Olaf at the school party. |
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| Kristen knocked herself out making "How to Train Your Dragon" costumes for her kids. They turned out so stinkin cute and you can see in their faces how much the kids loved them. |
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| Elisabeth was an adorable, little dragon |
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| So scary! |
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| Always expressive Samuel |
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| These dragons practiced their fire breathing. |
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| Audrey |
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| Jake |
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| I don't know the movie, so I don't know what Nathan and Bria were. But the costumes and make up are fantastic! |
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| Sorry, Bria. Nathan is definitely taller! The two of them have be vying for the tallest honor, and Nathan has definitely passed her. |
