The final 'Grand Edventure' date of the year!

 It was hard to get this last date to happen.  We had hoped to take Zade, Koen, Noah and Brenden together like we try to do most of the time.  But Zade was under quarantine at the time and Noah was not available.  We took Brenden and Koen, but still needed to take the other two to finish this year's dates.  Then we were going to try again and Zade was again under quarantine!  So here we are down to the wire for this year and finally both boys were available at the same time!  We took them mini golfing at the same place we took the other two.  And they had a blast.  I don't think either one had been mini golfing much, but they picked it up and did a good job of being encouraging to each other while they improved their games.  Paul and I actually didn't do as well as usual.  Noah was pretty excited that he ended up winning.  It was fun to listen to these guys talk computer games and do a little cousin bonding in the back seat on the way to and from.  We didn't have a clue what they were talking about, but they left hoping to be able to get together on-line to play.  I call that a win.  We stopped at Burger King for ice cream and French fries and called it a good date!  And another year of dates is completed!  

The Christmas Tree!

We got our Christmas tree pretty early this year.  I was worried it wouldn't last well because it has been SO DRY this year.  We haven't had hardly any rain.  We went to get it the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  It turned into a bit of an adventure when we got stuck in the tiniest bit of snow and mostly mud on a little downhill slope.  Usually we wouldn't even have been able to drive on this road in our 2-wheel drive little pick up, but we actually made it a little ways in because there was pretty much no snow except in shady spots.  But we did find a way to get stuck.  We tried a lot of things, but finally settled on digging up dirt and putting it behind the wheels to made a path.  Between that and Paul's great driving skills, we got unstuck.  And then we looked for Christmas trees.  We got a really cute one for Anna Lou and then found a pretty good one for us back in among lots of fallen trees that we had to climb over to get it out.  It needed a little trimming when we got it set up, but turned out to be a pretty nice tree.  And then last night - the 19th - we saw that it is actually sprouting new little needles!  We have never had a tree do that!  Here I was worried that it would be dry and dropping needles like crazy before Christmas even came and instead it's alive and growing!  Very unusual to say the least!

Covid ornaments, masks and birthdays

 Every year Juge's family get an ornament for their tree to reflect something about the year.  This year she made one for all of us.  Very appropriate!  

Fun mask reminder at a Hawaiian restaurant.  

 

We celebrated Gaige's #15 with masks on.  A week later the Borrowman grandparents (pictures) came down sick with Covid they probably caught from a son-in-law living at their house.  

Torin's Grand Edventure Date

We are running out of year...and dates.  Torin has usually had one-on-two dates with just me and Paul, but this year we wanted him to be able to have a cousin close to his age go along. He and Joel have gotten to know each other pretty well at canning events that their moms get together for, so we were lucky to be able to have Joel down in the area to take along.  We took them mini golfing...and it was a hoot.  At first they were whacking the ball so hard it was going out of the hole range.  Then they settled in and kept it in range and went to town getting it in however they could.  They'd both hit their first shot and then go down and try to beat each other getting it into the hole.  Kind of turned into a little bit of a free for all.  But it was lots of fun and we just went along to watch and giggle mostly.  Afterwards we went to the Dollar Store so they could choose a big box of candy.  Then they came back to our house to play for a little while until the Randalls were ready to head up the hill.  I'd say it was a success!  

A day out with the Randalls

We took a fun drive out Cottonwood Road with the Randalls on Saturday to show them some of our favorite places - Dolphin Arch Flat, Dolphin Arch and the Old quarry.  Then we had lunch and took Joel on a date with Torin while Lou and Brady ran errands and Ellie and Afton hung out at the house.  It was a beautiful day outside and so fun to spend time with these peeps.  

Happy #68 Paul!

Paul's birthday was a Friday...and we both had to work, but he did get what he wanted for breakfast.  He got to open presents afterwards, and then again later in the day when Ferf and Torin came bearing gifts from all the kids. (Jay and Brynn sent their own - a fun three month subscription to treats from around the world!)  He picked out the jacket while we were up north for our anniversary trip.  REI had just what he wanted.  He picked out and mostly cooked what he wanted for dinner - steak, DO potatoes and wedge salads from Outback.  I did all I could to help out, but he's the master steak and DO potato cooker in the family.  We are blessed to have Paul as husband, father and grandfather.  He is always doing his best to be wonderful in all of those roles.   

#GiveThanks

#GiveThanks is an invitation to heal the world—and our hearts—through gratitude to God. Join in.

On Friday, November 20th, at 11 am, President Nelson gave a short broadcast about Giving Hope and Healing through Gratitude. Paul and I listened/watched in the car as we were traveling up to Midway for our anniversary get away. He counseled us to do 3 things:

Turn social media into your own gratitude journal

For each of the next seven days, post about something or someone you're grateful for using the #GiveThanks hashtag. Invite others to do the same. As we fill our hearts with thanks, we will be better prepared to light the world together in December.

Say a prayer of thanks

With all the chaos around you, it can be hard to recognize the hand of God in your life. Take a moment to reflect on your blessings and kneel in prayer to thank Him. Gratitude brings even more blessings.

Build your relationship with Jesus

Jesus Christ lived His life in thankfulness to God. You can follow His example by recognizing your blessings and expressing your gratitude.

I did enjoy participating in the on-line gratitude journal.  It brought many grateful feelings to my heart.  It was a very nice experience.  The other two things are things I work on mostly every day.  

Short version of what I posted:

#1 Grateful to have a prophet of God.

#2 Grateful to have a husband that I love to do fun new things with.

#3 Grateful that even though we can't meet with our family for our planned Thanksgiving, they are all healthy and employed at this time.

#4 Grateful for this wonderful for my wonderful home, neighbors and city that welcomed us in and has taken such wonderful care of us through these last 34 years.  

#5 Grateful to Paul and I found each other (with heaven's help) and have been together for the last 46 years.

#6 The beautiful world that Heavenly Father/Jesus Christ created for us to come to and to please our eyes and gladden our hearts.

#7 My job working with kindergartners - who drive me nuts, but are sweet, give hugs and tell you they love you.

#8 This year's Come Follow Me study program - it's inspired and has blessed our lives and strengthened our testimonies as we deal with the effects of Covid-19.  

#9 The plan of Happiness -  As Pres. Nelson said: "death cannot divide families sealed in the temple. Our separation from departed loved ones is only temporary. Thanks to the Lord’s great plan of happiness, we can all face the future with great faith and optimism."  Our Savior Jesus' Christ for doing His part to make it happen for all of us.  

I used these pics for my posts.  I didn't have one for my #7 - job post.  And I had a music video for the beautiful world post - I'm Glad That I Live In This Beautiful World Heavenly Father Created For Me.  

Thanksgiving and Christmas tree harvesting

Well, we did it...and we are still doing it!  Eating turkey I mean!  We had a nice, very small Thanksgiving with Paul, me, Bean and Grandma Kurtz.  The food was all delicious and we had a nice time visiting.  We missed having other family join with us, but Covid-19 has made lots of things different than we hoped for this year.  

Afterwards we drove up via Parowan to Cedar Mountain.  We made it up to the end of Brian Head before we had to turn around because the road was icing up.  The wind was blowing snow flurries sideways.  It was beautiful, but not to be driven in.  We were looking to see if we'd be able to come up the next day to get Christmas trees.  

Luckily today's weather was much improved, and we did make it up and did get a tree for us and for Grandma.  (She got the better tree I think.)  It wasn't without excitement...kind of as usual.  We were able to drive up a little side road since not much snow at all is on the ground up there yet.  But as we came over a rise we went just a little too far and started down the other side where there was more snow...and got promptly stuck in our weak, not 4-wheel drive little pickup.  Paul tried pushing while I drove backing up.  Didn't work.  Then I got in the back to add weight...didn't work, he got in the back...didn't work.  We put towels under the back tires for some traction...didn't work.  The we got lots of dirt and put it under the back tires...didn't work...until Paul went forward just a bit then hit reverse hard and we hit that dirt and moved back several feet.  We added dirt again and made a trail back with it and did the same again...and we got out!!!  Thankfully those prayers came through.  Sometimes I don't really feel too good about asking for help when we are just kind of dumb and get ourselves into these fixes.  

Happy 46th Anniversary to us!

 I can't believe we've been married so long!  And it's still so fun!  Paul came up with a great idea for a little get away for this year.  Monday is actually the day, but we went on Friday/Sat. up to Midway Utah and stayed a night at the Homestead House Resort.  That sounds a little bit fancier than it was, but it was really nice.  It's a cute resort with different "houses" spread all around their property.  We stayed in the Farmhouse.  Kind of old fashioned, antique type furnishings.  It's probably a lot prettier when it's not winter, but it's still really pretty with lots of winding paths between the houses and grass and big trees.  And the thing we really went for is that it has this giant crater that you can go inside of and swim in a hot spring pool that's inside!  The water comes up from below and is 90 degrees.  You come ready to swim; we had our jogging suits on over our swimsuits.  It was really pretty cold outside (our time to swim and soak was at 6:30 pm), and then put your stuff in a locker, get a life jacket on and just float and swim around this lovely warm pool inside this rock crater that is all around with just a little hole on top.  They keep the hole covered with a tarp in winter so the air inside stays warmer like the water.  Otherwise you'd be seeing daylight above you through that hole.  We had fun just because it's so unique.  Just looks like an ugly old mound on the outside and then inside is this beautiful, warm aqua colored pool.  People were using snorkels and masks and some people were having scuba lessons there too.  Probably about 30 people inside altogether.  After your time is up, you get out dry off and put on your warm clothes and go back outside to your car really quick this time of year so you don't freeze to death!  We love seeing and doing new things and this was just right.  The town of Midway is a beautiful combination of old time houses and crazy awesome gigantic/beautiful mansions.  

On our way up we stopped at Beaver to get cheese.  We also stopped a few places to look for things Paul was needing and found a wonderful birthday present/Gore-Tex jacket at REI.  We love looking in sporting goods shops.  And we ate yummy lunch in Fillmore at Costa Vida (had to eat outside because of Covid-19).  After our swim/soak we got dinner at Panda Express and took it to our room to eat it because you can't eat inside there either.  Then we walked over to the Lodge and enjoyed a few games of checkers (reminiscent of our honeymoon where we drew a checkerboard and used different colored tissue wads for men).  Then we explored the lodge and learned more about the crater and town's history.  

The next day we had really yummy breakfast in the Lodge restaurant.  I tried eggs benedict and loved it.  It was really good food and fast.  Then we enjoyed exploring the grounds some and did a little Xmas shopping there and then headed out. We stopped by Temple Square and walked around to see how the temple update is coming along and enjoyed walking through the City Creek Mall. Then we stopped in at a giant Costco in Salt Lake for a few things ours doesn't carry.  Then we lunched in Orem and picked up some Krispy Kreme donuts to bring home (ate some too).  We listened to a good book on the way when we had finished just enjoying talking.  All in all, it was just a fun, relaxing, remembering wonderful time to get away and enjoy time together.  

A Weed moment

 Time has passed and life goes on, but every now and again there are moments when the heart hurts with remembering - bitter sweet moments.  We all had one of those the other day when Lou sent this to all of us.  

Hi LouAnne. 

I was reading my scriptures this morning and remembered a letter that Lenae had emailed me years ago. I wanted to share it with you. She is such a wise wonderful person. Hope you are doing well!

Dearest Heather,

The other day, in my scripture study, I came across this scripture and it hit me really hard. It takes place when the brother of Jared and all their people had boarded their barges and headed out to sea. In Ether 6:5-6 it says:

5 And it came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind.
6 And it came to pass that they were many times buried in the depths of the sea, because of the mountain waves which broke upon them, and also the great and terrible tempests which were caused by the fierceness of the wind.

The thing that hit me about this is that Lord provided wind to help them progress, but the very thing he gave them to help them progress, also provided some very difficult trials! I’m sure it was utterly terrifying to be tossed on “mountain waves” and “buried in the depths of the sea”! I think we are given trials to give us a chance to improve and progress in the way the Lord has planned for us. He wants us to reach our destination of perfection, but we can’t do that without some very difficult learning experiences. 

Another thing that I loved about this section is how they got through these challenges. In verse 9, it says:

9 And they did sing praises unto the Lord; yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord.

Whoa! That’s pretty hard to do when you’re cramped in a barge with the only light being from a small rock at each end and the only fresh air that enter the barge (which you share with all your animals) comes from a small hole that can only be unstopped when you’re not in the middle of a huge storm. I’ve found that often, I would rather question “Why?” than sing praises. It’s hard to be grateful for trials like these! I’m still not there most of the time! But I am trying. I am trying to find joy in the journey. I am trying to realize that at least, I am moving forward and being watched over.

In verse 10, it states that:

10 And thus they were driven forth; and no monster of the sea could break them, neither whale that could mar them; and they did have light continually, whether it was above the water or under the water.

We are known! Our pain is seen! Heavenly Father IS watching out for us and protecting us from worse things. We too have light continually, we just have to acknowledge and look to it for guidance! I am so grateful that Heavenly Father provided scriptures to guide us as we face “mountain waves” and being “buried in the depths of the sea”. I am so glad that we can liken them unto us and find nuggets of wisdom and comfort in them!

I hope you can find comfort at this time and know that your pain is known and He is looking out for you! I love you so much and know that you are going to get through this and it will be ok!

Hold tight to the light!!

Love,

Lenae

Right now we are studying these verses in the Book of Mormon for our Come Follow Me Sunday School lessons.  Weed hit the nail on the head with these observations.