Getting to Know My Cousin

 This is my youngest cousin.  His mother is my dad's youngest sibling.  My dad was the oldest in his family and Aunt Nedra - his mom, was the youngest.  She had six children and this is her youngest son.  He is much younger than me.  After college, he and his wife moved to Indiana and have raised their family there.  Because of the distance, they haven't been able to attend many of the family gatherings.

Brice works for a medical supply company that sells artificial joints.  Because the orthopedic surgeon who does the most shoulder replacement surgeries in the state of Utah lives here, Brice came to meet with him.  Knowing that we and  Pam and Roger  live here, he called and we went out to dinner together.  Then Pam and Roger had us to their home for dessert.

It was just delightful to visit with him and get to know him.  

There is something so sweet in knowing he and his wife and family are living our faith and serving the Lord.  It was an instant bond and connection.  Family is everything.  I look forward to getting to know his wife, of whom he spoke so highly, sometime.   I am so grateful he called us and spent time with us.  Thank you, Pam and Roger, for hosting us in your beautiful home.

I completely forgot to take a picture that evening, so stole this one from Facebook. Such a beautiful couple.

I Want a Play Date!

 Michelle came home from her doctor's appointment to find her daily board altered a bit by five-year-old William.  Apparently he wanted a play date!

Under the Sea by Samuel

 Samuel is our 7-year-old grandson.  He is an amazing artist.  Check out the under the sea picture he sketched freehand.

 I am so impressed with Sammy's artistic talent.

You Are Trying to Write Two Books Here

Grandma's Stories

 For well over a year now I have been writing a book.  It is a collection of stories from my life.  I am calling it "Grandma's Stories."  My intent is that it be for my grandchildren.  It has been an overwhelming project for me.  My goal is to have it done for Christmas to give a copy to each of our grandchildren.  

I was nearing completion of the book when I decided I wanted to include more stories from our mission.  I thought of several that I wanted to include, then spent much time looking for where I had previously recorded those stories.  Memories fade and I wanted to make sure I had the details right.  I had several places to look:  my missionary journal, my blog, emails written home during our mission, and a small document I had written called "Mission Stories."  I was spending much time looking for the stories and pictures to go with them.  I felt I was accomplishing little.  One day, as I was hunting and feeling frustrated, I got a very distinct impression, "You are trying to write two books here."  Chills ran over me as I recognized the truth of those words.  The stories about our mission should be a separate book- a report of that year-and-a-half serving the Lord.  It was a book in itself.  

Relief flooded me as I realized I didn't have to get it all done right now.  I could finish my "Grandma's Stories" and then tackle the mission book.  I have prayed many times for help in writing this book.  I am grateful for the help that came in the form of a prompting from the Holy Ghost.

A Temple Trip to Las Vegas

 I do a monthly temple trip report, but I wanted to do a separate report of our trip to Las Vegas temple this month.  On April 12th we drove down there after I finished two Keynote performances in the morning.  Because of our last experience getting caught in traffic trying to go to the Vegas temple, we left really early to meet our 4:00pm appointment.  In fact, we got there in plenty of time to attend the 3:00pm session, which they graciously let us do.  One of the things we love about the Vegas temple is that they are so welcoming and accommodating.  After the endowment session, we did a sealing session. 

We then drove about 1/2 hour to get to our hotel.  By then it was about 8:00pm  and we were very tired and hungry.

Our hotel had a little bistro in the lobby.  We didn't feel like going out to hunt food, so we both got a nice salad.  We then went to the room and watched a little TV and then went to bed.

We had reservations the next morning for the 10am session, but again arrived an hour early.  They let us go to the 9am session, then again, we did another sealing session after.  We then set out for home.  We stopped in Mesquite for lunch/dinner on the way.

The drive through the Virgin River Gorge was gorgeous.  It was the most green I have ever seen it.  With all of the moisture recently, it was just beautiful. 
It was a pleasant, little trip to the Las Vegas temple.  

Rescue

 

Rescue by Jennifer A. Nielsen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

You’ll be on the edge of your seat from start to finish with this book set in WWII France. Meg is a brave and stubborn character who helps with the French Resistance and recues her father from the Nazis. I enjoy reading Jennifer Nielsen’s well-researched historical fiction novels and discussing them with my teenaged grandchildren.

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What Did the Prophet Ask Us to Do? April, 2023

 

What Did the Prophet Ask Us to Do?  April, 2023

Sunday Morning – Peacemakers Needed

“Today I am asking us to interact with others in a higher, holier way.  Please listen carefully.  “If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy that we can say about another person- whether to his face or behind her back- that should be our standard of communication.”

“I urge you to be a peacemaker, now and always.”

“In situations that are highly charged and filled with contention, I urge you to remember Jesus Christ.  Pray to have the courage and wisdom to say or do what He would do as we follow the Prince of Peace, we will become His peacemakers.”

“I also hope that you will look deeply into your heart to see if there are shards of pride or jealousy that prevent you from becoming a peacemaker.”

“Now is the time to lay aside bitterness. Now is the time to cease insisting that it is your way or no way.  Now is the time to stop doing things that make others walk on eggshells for fear of upsetting you.  Now is the time to bury your weapons of war.  If your verbal arsenal is filled with insults and accusations, now is the time to put them away.”

“The temple can help us in our quest.  There we are endowed with God’s power, giving us the ability to overcome Satan, the instigator of all contention.  Cast him out of your relationships.’

“Let us as a people become a true light on the hill- a light that ‘cannot be hid.’  Let us show that there is a peaceful, respectful way to resolve complex issues and an enlightened way to work out disagreements.”

“Today I invite you to examine your discipleship within the context of the way you treat others.”

Sunday Afternoon- The Answer Is Always Jesus Christ

“I pray that you will seek for the Holy Ghost to guide you in your study as you contemplate the truths taught from this pulpit.”

“Savor these sacred verses (about the Savior) and find every way you can to thank our Heavenly Father for sending us His Only Begotten Son.”

“I also invite you to study again the account of the Savior’s appearance to the Nephites in the Americas, as recorded in 3 Nephi.”

“I plead with you to come unto Him so that He can heal you.”

“Learn more about His Atonement, His love, His mercy, His doctrine, and His restored gospel of healing and progression.  Turn to Him!  Follow Him!”

Jury Duty

 My heart sank when I received an email summoning me for jury duty April 10th-13th.  Ah!  Actually, I have always thought it would be interesting to serve on a jury, but not right now.  Our spring Keynote tour season started on April 10th.  We had two performances scheduled for Monday the 10th and two on Wednesday the 13th.  Ken and I also had temple appointments scheduled for the afternoon of the 13th and the morining of the 14th in Las Vegas temple.  The Cedar City temple was closed, so we planned to get four sessions done in Vegas, spending the night down there.  

I know it is never convenient to serve on a jury.  It is an interruption of life for everyone.  But the timing for me seemed particularly bad.

I filled out the questionaire and arrived on the 10th at 8:30am as instructed.  There were about 45 people in the room waiting.  After a long wait (I was to find that waiting was the order of the day.  I was so glad I brought a book to read), we were called out one by one to line up and walk down to the courtroom.  I was among the last 20 called.  In the courtroom were three officers, the accused and his counsel and two interpreters (he was Hispanic), the two lawyers for the state and two clerks.   The accused was on trial for aggravated assault and robbery. When the judge entered, we arose just like in the movies.

 The last 20  to file in were the first 20 called to go up into the jury box, including me.  There, we were asked many questions, to which we were to raise our hand if our answer was yes.

Then we filed into the jury room in which there was a large table and comfortable chairs.  This was to be our home for the rest of the morning.  We were then called one by one into the judge's chambers to be interviewed.  It took a long time.  From that pool of 20, three were dismissed, leaving 17 of us.  Then 7 more from the group still waiting in the courtroom went through the same process, then joined us in the jury room.  They called the first three of them into judge's chambers one by one.  They were acceptable, so the other four were released back into the courtroom.  Then the 20 of us filed back into the courtroom and the jury box.  

They then released all of those still in the courtroom that had just been waiting all morning and were never interviewed.  

For the next few minutes, the baliff passed a paper between the two counsels.  Each had five turns to cross a name off of the jury list.  Ten names were left.  Then one of the clerks read the names of the ten jurors left on the list.  The other ten of us were dismissed.

I got home at about 2:00pm.  I was surprised that they didn't feed us lunch.  Everyone was hungry.

It was a very interesting experience.  I was exposed to people from all walks of life in those few hours.  The jury pool included the president of our local university.  I jokingly call him the most hated man in St. George because it was he that instigated the Dixie College name change.  But he seemed like an okay guy.  I only knew one of the others in the jury pool.  Actually, I knew his wife.  Years ago we served on the PTA together and sang in a community choir together.  

I think I would very much like to have that experience again sometime.  It made me appreciate our court system and the blessing it is to live in the United States of America.  

Coincidentally, the theme of our Keynote program this spring is "America."  Answering the call to jury duty gave the words we sing about our country more meaning.  "America, America, I gave my best to you."

A Day of Frustration and Blessings

 On Thursday, April 6th, we had an appointment to attend the Cedar City temple at 4:00pm.  We had a very busy morning.  I had an appointment to get my hair cut and then do the grocery shopping.  I didn't take time to eat breakfast- just drinking a probiotic drink.  As I drove home from the grocery store, I had a couple of other errands I wanted to take care of, but I started getting the blurred vision/flashing lights that precede a migraine headache.  I have found that the only way to ward off the pain is to lie down and close my eyes.  So I hurried home, unloaded the groceries, put them away, and found something to eat.  Then I took Ibuprofen and laid down, hoping it would go away. Ken also laid down for a short nap before we needed to leave.  But he could hear water running.  He checked everywhere and discovered we had a leak in our sprinkler system out back.  The yard and patio were flooded and the water was next to our sliding glass door.  A few more minutes and our basement would start to flood.  He turned off the water to the house.  He called the man that usually helps us with such problems, but got no answer.  He texted him, called his wife, and texted and texted again.  No response. It was time to leave for the temple.  I had dressed, but was still not feeling well.  

We discussed what to do.  I didn't want to leave until we had someone scheduled to help us.  I didn't feel good.  Finally, Stan- the lawn guy- called back and said he couldn't get to it that day and gave Ken the names and numbers of three other guys that might could help.  Ken called one and he said there were three people ahead of us, but he would try to get to our home either tonight or tomorrow morning.  So, with faith, we got in the car a good 20 minutes later than we should have.  We drove to Cedar City, changed quickly, and found they were already taking people up for the session.  We hurried upstairs and barely made it in time.  I still felt lousy.

Almost as soon as I sat down in my chair, the pain relieved and the nausea went away.  It was a beautiful session.  When we came out of the temple, there was a message from the man committed to repairing our leak saying that he had just finished and turned our water back on.  Ken called him and he said it was all done and that we could venmo him the money when we got home.

We truly were blessed for powering through and attending the temple that day.  

This is the Story of a Happy Marriage

 

This is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Some people are born to write. Ann Patchett is one of them. These essays written by her were previously published in magazines and newspapers. Though I don’t always agree with what she says, I love how she says it. She narrates the book herself and I love her voice. Not just her physical voice, but her voice in her writing. She is a masterful writer.
My favorite essay was the one where she gives practical tips on how to write a book. Since I am writing a book, this was most helpful to me. The tip that has helped me the most is to set aside a certain amount of time every day for writing. Then sit in your computer chair for that amount of time. You don’t have to write, but you have to sit there. It works!
I enjoyed every one of the essays and wish there were more. I feel myself uplifted and determined to do and be better after listening to this book. I declare myself an Ann Patchett fan.


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General Conference, April 2023

 Another beautiful general conference weekend!  We always look forward to this weekend of spiritual feasting.  There was so much to absorb.  I am so grateful the talks are printed and we can read and study them.

It seems to me that if there were themes for this conference, they would include Jesus Christ- celebrating Easter and Be Kind.

I will be posting more about this conference.

March Lunch Bunch

 Our March Relief Society lunch bunch was a lot of fun.  We met at the Black Bear Diner.  There were 20 in attendance.  What a great group!  How I love these ladies!

The overflow table:  Marcy, Summer, and Me.  We had such a nice chat. (The backlighting makes this a bad picture.)

I Want to Live by You Forever

 We stayed with the Mackrory kids for 10 days.  On the night before we were to leave, I was tucking four-year-old Lisi into bed.  She said, with tears in her eyes, "Grandma, I don't want you to leave tomorrow.  I want to live by your forever."  Those precious words keep ringing in my heart.  I want to live by you forever, too, Lisi Lu.  

And I want to live by each of these special people forever:

I am so grateful for the temple sealing covenants and priesthood keys that make that possible.

The Golden Easter Egg

 This story from my "Grandma's Stories" book is appropriate for this week.

The Golden Easter Egg

When I grew up, Kindergarten was not part of the public school system in Idaho.  If you wanted your child to attend Kindergarten, you had to pay for a private Kindergarten.  My mom put me in Mrs. Berry’s Kindergarten.  It was in a special separate structure built behind her home.  Mrs. Berry was kind and seemed old, but she probably wasn’t that old.  I don’t think we learned that much back then.  I remember learning colors (which I already knew) and maybe letters.  We had mats that we had to lay down on after snacks of chocolate milk and graham crackers.

Mrs. Berry had a fun playground that would never pass safety standards now.  Besides the usual swings and slide and teeter totter, there was an old car.  It was fun to get in that car and pretend we were on the road.  We took turns driving. 

Maybe my most vivid Kindergarten memory was at Easter time.  Mrs. Berry, before we came to school, had hidden Easter eggs all around the playground.  She explained that there were a lot of regular, colored eggs to find, but only one special, golden egg.  Whoever found the golden egg would get a special prize.  Oh, how I wanted to find that egg and win that prize.  When Mrs. Berry said, “Go!” we all ran out to the playground.  There were eggs hidden everywhere.  We all found a lot, but no one found the golden egg.  I was looking around the old car, and saw, deep down in the front of it- up below the dashboard, hidden very well, that golden egg.  I remember it was difficult to get to it.  I had to lay down, extending my body and arm to reach it.  But out I came, victorious!  I had found the golden egg!

I wish I could remember what the prize was.   I don’t.  But really the prize was finding that egg.  That was prize enough for me.  I was the winner of the golden Easter egg.

 

Update on our Sweet Brielle

 How we love our precious oldest granddaughter, Brielle.  She has had no relief from her headaches.

During their spring break, she had infusions at a children's hospital.  Each infusion took about five hours.  It was about a 40-minute drive each morning.  Kristen drove her and Nathan (her fabulous younger brother) to the hospital and Nathan stayed with her throughout.  Then Kristen picked them up.  On those days, her pain level was reduced.  Finally, have we found something that helps?  

Unfortunately since then, her pain levels have gone back up to previous patterns.  It is so discouraging.  

She is an amazing girl who just keeps living and doing, despite the pain. 

 Please pray for our Precious Brielle.

Meat Separator Tool

 How did I live so many year without this great tool?  It is marvelous for breaking up ground meats such as ground beef and sausage as it cooks.  It is one of my fairly new favorite things.  I put the Amazon link for it below.

Amazon.com: Farberware Professional Heat Resistant Nylon Meat and Potato Masher, Safe for Non-Stick Cookware, 10-Inch, Black: Home & Kitchen

The Prince Pamily Comes for Spring Break

 The Prince family came down from Salt Lake for their spring break.  They were here March 24th- 28th.  They came in late on the 24th.  Saturday started with a hike to see the Gunlcok reservoir run off.

Beautiful Pine Valley covered with snow.

They weren't the only ones wanting to see what has been all over the news.

They also hiked out to the petroglyphs out past Ivins.

Saturday evening we attended our ward party at Sand Hollow Aquatics Center.  There was a hot dog dinner, then swimming.

Grandpa read Grandpa stories to the boys

Sunday afternoon was a trip to the St. George temple.

William got Gabbi's travel copy of the New Testament and started reading.  He is only five-years-old, but he is a fabulous reader.  When I read him bedtime stories, we took turns reading.  He can read almost as fast as me.  I'm not kidding.  Anyway, he started reading and read many chapters in the New Testament.  In the car on the way home, he used Michelle's phone to start in on the Book of Mormon.  What a kid!

Our granddog, Fred.  He is such a good dog.

Michelle brought delicious rice krispie treats she had made.

Monday morning, Ken and I put on an Easter egg hunt for the kids.  It was really fun.

Some of the eggs even had money in them.

In the afternoon, the Prince family went out to the Tonaquint Park.

Fred likes to hug just like a child.  It is so cute.  

Thank you for coming Prince family!  We love you so much!