Gaige comes home from his mission early

 There isn't going to be an airport return party for Gaige, unfortunately.  His knee got injured several weeks ago during a P-day activity and it hadn't gotten better.  He had just been transferred to a new area where he was the Zone Leader.  He had been the Zone Leader in his last area.  After an MRI and other tests, it was determined that he should come home early so he could get going on the medical care needed to help the knee to heal.  That puts him coming home about 2 months early.  After a zoom meeting with Ferf, Gaige and his stake and mission presidents that was the decision they reached.  We are happy that he served well for as long as possible and now will get his knee injury taken care of.  It would have been very uncomfortable for him to fly home with the seating on an airplane, so Ferf, Kennis and Koen went out and picked him up.  He got home Friday, May 2nd.  We haven't seen him yet, but hoping to get to visit with him soon.  We are  proud of him for his missionary service and excited to see where life will take him next...after he gets his knee back in good shape!  Congrats Gaige!!!  You served with honor!  

This Sunday, March 17th, I will be giving my homecoming talk at 1:30 — I can’t wait to share about the amazing things I learned on my mission!

These last 22 months in California have been the greatest thing I have ever done. It is hard for me to even call it a sacrifice, because God gave me so much more than I could have ever deserved for leaving home for two years.

Although it ended a little shorter than expected due to a knee injury, I’m home full. Full of lessons, full of growth, and full of joy. Serving the Lord brought me so much happiness. Sometimes it was hard to recognize in the moment, but looking back now - even on the hard things - I cannot help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude for the gift my mission was.

I believe in Christ. I love Him. He is my Savior and my Redeemer, and I am so grateful God gave me the opportunity to testify of Him for nearly two years.

Come hear about it this Sunday. I would love to see you there!

115 W 2000 S, Washington, UT 84780 @ 1:30pm

He gave his talk today and did a great job of it! So proud of him. He served from the Washington Fields 12 Ward. We were able to contribute a little towards his mission each month. It was a blessing. Ferf had a dinner for him at her home afterwards. All the family except Supe's family were able to attend. That was nice. Now Gaige needs to get back on his feet. He's trying to get a job, needs to do physical therapy, get a car...all those things that have been on hold during his mission are now here ready and waiting for him...lots for him to get on top of plus the injury/healing. Love you Gaige. We'll be praying for you as you start back on the path of life. You served and returned with honor!

Tasia leaves the nest!

It's finally here!  Her good grades and smarts paid off and Tasia got a scholarship to BYU to continue her education!  We are so excited for her!  Her mom is so proud and happy for her I hope!  Now it's time to move forward with gusto and take advantage of this great opportunity!  I hope she loves every minute as soon as she gets over the nervous!  It's a shout for joy day as this goal has been achieved and now a new 'edventure' begins!!!

When God created Utah...

When God created Utah

He had a paintbrush in his hand.

 He molded mountains our of clay

 And hoodoos out of sand.  

He let the wind and water work to finish his design. 

 And left it there for all to see.  

His masterpiece, divine.

This was actually a post that I lifted from Facebook because it said what I think perfectly, only enlarge it to the whole earth!  

Kaebri's temple endowment day at the Cedar City Temple

 It was a beautiful, windy Cedar City type day. We had to be there at 2:45, the whole group could only be up to 16 people because of Covid concerns. After all of the last group left we went in. Kaebri and I went with some lady temple workers to get dressed in our temple clothes and so she could go through the initiatory work and get the new name. I went to get the new name and then waited (I was her excort) for her. Then she and I got to meet with one of the assistant temple matrons and have a lovely talk about the initiatory and the garments and other things about the temple that were very helpful in preparing Kaebri and a great refresher and updating for me. Then we joined everyone waiting for us in the chapel and went up to do the endowment session. There was much sanitizing of hands and some pretty big changes in the way tokens were given, but it was still the same teachings. Some updates included more participation from women, which was nice to see and probably long overdue. After we all went through the veil we enjoyed a sweet time in the celestial room. After that we met outside for a few pictures and then went to Milt's up Cedar Canyon for a nice dinner and visiting time. It was a wonderful day for Kaebri and all of us be together and celebrate this great event in her life and in her mission preparation. So glad we could go back to the temple finally for this special event. I have missed the temple and hope it won't be long until it will finally be more accessible.

A Wonderful, Joyful day for Bean (and us)!

 I can't think of much that could have made this Sabbath day any better.  We started out prepared with all things in readiness for things to take place later on (food preparations that Bean and I took care of yesterday mostly).  It was a beautiful day weather wise.  Paul and I got up and took a walk in the cool of the morning and listened to scriptures for the Come Follow Me lesson and a podcast to go with it.  I made a really nice breakfast and Paul got off to his meetings.  Even though our fridge went out on Friday, thankfully we have a freezer and old fridge in the garage that are taking up that slack until we can (hopefully soon) get the part to have the fridge fixed completely under warranty.  We went to church and I got to give the opening prayer and for once I didn't get all choked up and could say what I felt I wanted to without having too much emotion get in the way.  The speakers today were YSA that Paul and I have both worked with and seen good things happen in the process.  They both gave wonderful talks from the heart.  And it was just a good day to greet many as they arrived.  

Afterwards we got home and I did some YSA computer updates and then called several that we hadn't seen in a while and was able to get some moved out to where they are now and invite some that are still here to come and join us.  Hopefully they will.  Then we had a wonderful, simple dinner of grilled salmon, rice pilaf and broccoli.  (I didn't over eat all day).  

Then we went down to the church so Bean could get re-baptized/confirmed.  He has worked with two bishops in his SA Ward and with our home stake president toward this for quite some time.  And today, April 18th, 2021, was the big day when it could finally happen for him! Both bishops, the counselors and their wives, the stake president and two other men who have been very influential and meaningful friends to Bean, and the high councilor of their ward, all of our kids, spouses and grandkids except Beacher and Jem, Derek and Trigg, Jay and Brynn and girls were able to come.  Kaebri set up Zoom for those not able to attend and took care of everything for that for us.  And Grandma even felt able to attend.  So much wonderful love and support was there for Bean.  Bean's bishop did a beautiful job of conducting the meeting.  Paul did the baptism and confirmation.  Christie and Brady were the witnesses.  I gave the opening prayer and Kris Johnson gave the closing prayer.  It was a wonderful meeting. (Tavin is on his mission, so he missed it.)

All of the family came to the house afterwards and the evening was beautiful and cool.  We sat outside and enjoyed cheesecake/and or brownies with many toppings and an evening of visiting.  Bean did his eat and run thing.  He's not much into sitting around talking with a big group, but I do think he was touched by their support in being here for him at this special time.  

Sarai brought down some sweet thank you notes and cute little things she made for Paul and I (for her birthday presents) which we read before she and her family headed up the hill.  

It was a pretty much perfect, best ever, shout for joy day! (Should have taken more pics, but I was too busy just enjoying the day.)

 

Priesthood ordination day for Brenden and Gaige

 It was a sweet day today because we got to attend priesthood ordinations for Brenden (deacon) and Gaige (priest).  So glad they live close enough that we could enjoy these milestones with them.  Brenden's bishop asked the grandmas to say a few things/bear testimony - not my favorite thing to do last minute - before the ordination.  Words came out of my mouth and Paul said they were good (if he's telling the truth).  I hope so.  I am so not a speaker...and especially not a spur of the moment one.  But I still loved getting to be there for both of these events.  Another one of those shout for joy days!  

This is the sky over the chapel when we arrived at Brenden's. Kind of cool!