It's been too long since I wrote, lots of tender mercies not documented.
Our most recent tender mercy was on Friday evening. I had been invited to Dr. Maurice and his wife Tammy Brown's Christmas party. This was no ordinary party. Dr. Brown had invited all his OR crew and their spouse to a nice dinner at Spring Creek Ranch in Jackson, AND to spend the night in our own rooms at their hotel!! I had been excited for weeks. This was a high end hotel up in the top of a mountain before you get to Jackson.
We've had a mild winter, up until the last week. But on Friday, it snowed here all day. There was so much snow and lots of wind, that the roads were really bad. I needed to run some errands, but didn't dare go until around 3 pm. Then the road from our house to the river was terrible - I had to wear my sunglasses just to be able to see the edge of the road. Then even after the river, the road in to Driggs was snow covered, slick and low visibility.
Teton Pass had been closed Thursday night and was still closed when we woke up Friday morning, so that was a worry about getting to Jackson for our party. We hated to miss it, because you just don't get an offer for free dinner and motel very often.
I drove to Driggs around 3pm, called and told Blaine we better not let Elizabeth drive home alone with Carl - either he or I should lead the way - it was that bad.
Elizabeth and Carl did follow Blaine home. I finished my errands and then had to drive home myself. When I got home, we unpacked the groceries I had bought. We had been getting texts from my OR friends - some had already made it to the hotel, some were wondering about going at all. The pass was open, we invited Mary Lou and Doyle Allen to ride over with us, and we left our youngest 3 in Nikole's charge, and headed out.
Our fairly new Honda CRV got shocked back into winter roads. The worst was from home to the river, then not quite as bad into Driggs, then about the same after we picked Allens up in Victor, and over the pass. Then going down the Jackson side, the road was actually bare - wierdest thing. We arrived at Spring Creek Ranch in time to check in and get to dinner. So, that was the first string of tender mercies - safe travels on yucky, winter roads.
Then the dinner was lovely. We had tri-tip steak, hordeurves, a yummy salad, dinner rolls, creme brulay - however you spell it, for dinner. We then went to Dr. Brown's condo and did a white elephant gift exchange. It was really fun. We were with a group of alcohol drinkers and then those that don't drink.
We all went to our own rooms and then got up Saturday morning and ate breakfast. I haven't eaten so much in a long time. The dinner the night before was huge, and the breakfast was huge, too -- I had two eggs, sausage, English muffin with jam and hot chocolate. It was so good.
So, all that was given to us, paid by Dr. Mo and Tammy Brown! That was a wonderful gift. We had never heard Dr. Mo say such nice things about his staff. He bragged and bragged about us, and stood up at dinner and bascily said "I would be nothing without you." Wow!
That was the second tender mercy of the weekend - wonderful, free dinner, motel room and breakfast from Dr. Brown. Yay!
Back to Thanksgiving, we had Blaine's sister Debbie here - including Shaun, Melissa and Todd and their families. Derek was at Breanna's, because they want to be here for Christmas when Heather is going to be here. We had a great day together. Blaine's mom came, too.
We are so excited this week. Nikole came home, from her first semester at BYU-I on Thursday morning - it's so fun to have her home. Breanna and Derek will come here Thursday or Friday. Brandon and Heather fly into Jackson on Saturday at noon, which is Christmas Eve.
We've been delivering home made caramel to our co-workers and our neighbors for the last couple of weeks.
We sent out our annual Christmas letter. and have decorated our house. I love Christmas. It's my favorite time of year. I love the Christmas story of dear Joseph and Mary and Baby Jesus - how much faith and devotion and courage they had to follow the promptings and will of the Lord.
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Sunday, November 13, 2016
November 13, Elizabeth runs at Nike Cross at Eagle Island State Park, Personal Record, First Deer for Brandon
There are so many tender mercies the last few weeks.
Today Nikole got excited about family history. I'll have to find out if she had a lesson about it at church, or how she got going on it. I know Sam Galbraith helped her find some hints. I've long loved working on family history, especially on my father's line, which has hardly any work done. I've been the main one, so far, that has a deep desire to work on it, in my family. I love the old family history books and stories of my ancestors, too. Nikole said she's found 200 names!!! I can't wait to talk to her about it! That is a big tender mercy.
Brandon Pilcher got his first two deer on Saturday! He had never hunted deer. His friend from the ward's father has property. It's a big story, but Heather and Brandon were up in their tree stand (blind) at 5 am. It was freezing. By 7, Heather had to climb down to use the bathroom. She did, and then as she was about to climb back up the ladder to the tree stand. She saw a doe! She whispered to Brandon and he shot it! His first deer! A couple of hours later, they were down talking to the owner of the land. A buck showed up by the road they were on! Brandon shot it, first try! So, before noon, they had two deer, his very first time hunting deer! I think they will have to share some meat with their neighbors.
I love young women's! Our presidency spoke in sacrament today. I spoke on the value of Virtue. I spoke about the price of rubies, and how the scripture in Proverbs says that a virtuous woman is worth more than rubies. I love the young women and our presidency - such an honor to serve with them.
Last week, they mixed up the stake leaders - all the presidencies were released, except Primary - I was the only one. Mary Lou Allen is taking my place. I met with her last Monday, and gave her my things, and she is wiling to present at the Stake Leadership Training on Thursday. So I was released a week ago, which was a pleasant surprise, because I had been told I would be doing both callings until the end of the year.
Today, they changed our Primary Presidency. Changes are fun and challenging.
I had a fun, fabulous and hard trip I made with the Cross Country Team to the Nike Cross race near Boise. I volunteered to go with Coach Gleichman and Dana Wilson - we each drove a vehicle. We left Friday at noon and got home Saturday night at 10:30. I had fun being with Elizabeth, getting to know CJ Clifford John Baum, Jack Hobbs and Riley Raz. They rode in our car. I loved the Eagle Island State Park and the beautiful late for this time of year November weather. It was fun to get to know Dana Wilson better and Coach Gleichman and the youth. Our teachers and coaches give so much to our children.
It was a sacrifice to give up two full week-end days, and it was difficult for all of us to travel the 6 hours one way there and back in 2 days, but I know I will be blessed for helping. No one else would help.
I feel it is a tender mercy to have such a sweet, stalwart, true partner spouse. Blaine is so wonderful. He helps me in everything I do. We are a team of horses, both in the harness together, pulling with all our might. We love our family. We love our children. We feel the Spirit guiding us. We are certainly blessed for our efforts. We have power and purity from keeping the Commandments and keeping our covenants.
We went to the Rexburg temple on Wednesday for our date night. It was wonderful.
Today Nikole got excited about family history. I'll have to find out if she had a lesson about it at church, or how she got going on it. I know Sam Galbraith helped her find some hints. I've long loved working on family history, especially on my father's line, which has hardly any work done. I've been the main one, so far, that has a deep desire to work on it, in my family. I love the old family history books and stories of my ancestors, too. Nikole said she's found 200 names!!! I can't wait to talk to her about it! That is a big tender mercy.
Brandon Pilcher got his first two deer on Saturday! He had never hunted deer. His friend from the ward's father has property. It's a big story, but Heather and Brandon were up in their tree stand (blind) at 5 am. It was freezing. By 7, Heather had to climb down to use the bathroom. She did, and then as she was about to climb back up the ladder to the tree stand. She saw a doe! She whispered to Brandon and he shot it! His first deer! A couple of hours later, they were down talking to the owner of the land. A buck showed up by the road they were on! Brandon shot it, first try! So, before noon, they had two deer, his very first time hunting deer! I think they will have to share some meat with their neighbors.
I love young women's! Our presidency spoke in sacrament today. I spoke on the value of Virtue. I spoke about the price of rubies, and how the scripture in Proverbs says that a virtuous woman is worth more than rubies. I love the young women and our presidency - such an honor to serve with them.
Last week, they mixed up the stake leaders - all the presidencies were released, except Primary - I was the only one. Mary Lou Allen is taking my place. I met with her last Monday, and gave her my things, and she is wiling to present at the Stake Leadership Training on Thursday. So I was released a week ago, which was a pleasant surprise, because I had been told I would be doing both callings until the end of the year.
Today, they changed our Primary Presidency. Changes are fun and challenging.
I had a fun, fabulous and hard trip I made with the Cross Country Team to the Nike Cross race near Boise. I volunteered to go with Coach Gleichman and Dana Wilson - we each drove a vehicle. We left Friday at noon and got home Saturday night at 10:30. I had fun being with Elizabeth, getting to know CJ Clifford John Baum, Jack Hobbs and Riley Raz. They rode in our car. I loved the Eagle Island State Park and the beautiful late for this time of year November weather. It was fun to get to know Dana Wilson better and Coach Gleichman and the youth. Our teachers and coaches give so much to our children.
It was a sacrifice to give up two full week-end days, and it was difficult for all of us to travel the 6 hours one way there and back in 2 days, but I know I will be blessed for helping. No one else would help.
I feel it is a tender mercy to have such a sweet, stalwart, true partner spouse. Blaine is so wonderful. He helps me in everything I do. We are a team of horses, both in the harness together, pulling with all our might. We love our family. We love our children. We feel the Spirit guiding us. We are certainly blessed for our efforts. We have power and purity from keeping the Commandments and keeping our covenants.
We went to the Rexburg temple on Wednesday for our date night. It was wonderful.
October 23, Other Miracle - Sister Lou Vrabec Home Teaching
The second tender mercy of that Sunday was an experience we had with Blaine's family he visit teaches - Sister Lou Vrabec.
Blaine likes me to go home teaching with him. At church I felt prompted to ask him about visiting her that day, but when we rode home, he had also been thinking about her. She is a widow in her 70s who has lived alone, up until a couple of months ago.
So, we set up a time to go that evening. After we visited for a while, Lou brought up a question. She told us she was going in for surgery on her eye a week from that Monday, and wondered if Blaine would come back and give her a blessing the next Sunday, before her surgery.
I felt the Spirit surge. It was sweet and peaceful. That is why we were both prompted to go that night! She needed and wanted a Priesthood blessing before her surgery. We also found out her adult daughter is living with her. She is not active.
We were grateful we followed the Spirit's prompting.
Blaine likes me to go home teaching with him. At church I felt prompted to ask him about visiting her that day, but when we rode home, he had also been thinking about her. She is a widow in her 70s who has lived alone, up until a couple of months ago.
So, we set up a time to go that evening. After we visited for a while, Lou brought up a question. She told us she was going in for surgery on her eye a week from that Monday, and wondered if Blaine would come back and give her a blessing the next Sunday, before her surgery.
I felt the Spirit surge. It was sweet and peaceful. That is why we were both prompted to go that night! She needed and wanted a Priesthood blessing before her surgery. We also found out her adult daughter is living with her. She is not active.
We were grateful we followed the Spirit's prompting.
Monday, October 24, 2016
Two Tender Mercies in One Sabbath Day, October 23, 2016
I have to quickly write the feelings of pure joy and adoration for my Father in Heaven over something that happened today.
Probably only my family will read this in my life, but I won't write too much of the background, but suffice it to say that I have enjoyed my Stake Primary Presidency calling as First Counsellor. I have enjoyed getting to know the Stake leaders, the leaders in each ward of our stake. I have enjoyed doing sharing times at each ward conference, feeling the children's spirits, the teacher's love and dedication.
But I have truly and deeply missed being in a ward. We are away from our ward for all the 10 ward's primary programs, and for each ward's ward conferences. I have felt like I don't really fit in anywhere. Of course, I love my presidency - Julie, Susan and Lisa, but I've still missed my ward.
I have also felt a deep desire to be with our Elizabeth in Young Women's. I was able to serve in Young Women's when Heather was in it, and I missed being in it with Nikole. It's probably my favorite place to serve. I love teenagers.
Soooo, privately, for the last six months, or with Blaine only, I have prayed fervently that Heavenly Father would not forget me, that if it were possible, I would love to be back in my ward, and especially love to serve with my Elizabeth in Young Women's. (Our Stake Primary presidency has served for 3 years). I would always say, "If it be Thy will". I would also ask that my ward leaders would be prompted to think of me.
I knew it was a long shot, because stake leaders aren't usually released until the Stake Presidency says it' time.
When fall approached and my president began to call for a couple of stake primary presidency meetings, I thought that this was my answer. I needed to put my whole heart in, and we were going to do another year. So, I did. But I kept praying.
Well, Sunday, Lisa Foster and I asked to attend our own ward primary sacrament program. Julie and Susan went to Victor to ward that had theirs at 9 am, also.
As I was sitting in our chapel, waiting for the sacrament meeting to start, Brother Peter McKellar, who is in our Bishopric, came to me, and asked if I could meet with the Bishop at 10:15, after sacrament meeting! My heart started beating faster : ) I thought, "Could this really be?" But then I told myself that the Bishopric probably wanted to ask some primary question from a Stake leader. Or maybe they had some kind of question. I knew that Jill, our current primary president, was moving to Idaho Falls, so it could be a primary president calling. I knew that Becky, my long, dear friend who served in my RS Presidency, and has been the YW President for a long time, maybe four years, is due for a release, so it could be a young women calling of any sort . . . but I just was having trouble, believing that it could be either, I told myself it must be a question.
After sacrament meeting, Lisa and I went to our Primary, representing the Stake, to tell the children and leaders what a good job they did.
Then I went to wait outside the Bishop's office.
Soon, the door opened, and Bishop Hill and Brother Bob Foster, were in the hallway, talking to someone. Then I was invited in.
I sat down, across the desk from them. Bishop Hill and I chit-chatted for a few minutes. Then he said that they had a new calling to extend to me, that he had talked to the stake already, and received their approval, and he wanted to know if I would be willing to accept a call to be our ward's Young Women's First Counsellor in the Presidency!!!!! : ) : ) : )
Oh, my! Hosannah! Hosannah! Alleulia! My prayer had been answered! I choked right up, and cried, but squeaked out my story of praying fervently for 6 months, but I didn't want to complain, and told how I had prayed that Bishop Hill or Peter or Bob Foster would be prompted to remember me, if it was the Lord's will. I told how I miss my own ward.
Bob and Bishop Hill looked very touched. I told them they listened to the Spirit! They told me the President was Ann Marie Kunz, so really it was she who listened to the Holy Ghost. Oh! Words cannot express the joy I feel over this miracle. This tender mercy! The Heaven's are still open, the Lord still hears every person's heartfelt prayers. Valiant members of the Church still listen to promptings from the Father!
Probably only my family will read this in my life, but I won't write too much of the background, but suffice it to say that I have enjoyed my Stake Primary Presidency calling as First Counsellor. I have enjoyed getting to know the Stake leaders, the leaders in each ward of our stake. I have enjoyed doing sharing times at each ward conference, feeling the children's spirits, the teacher's love and dedication.
But I have truly and deeply missed being in a ward. We are away from our ward for all the 10 ward's primary programs, and for each ward's ward conferences. I have felt like I don't really fit in anywhere. Of course, I love my presidency - Julie, Susan and Lisa, but I've still missed my ward.
I have also felt a deep desire to be with our Elizabeth in Young Women's. I was able to serve in Young Women's when Heather was in it, and I missed being in it with Nikole. It's probably my favorite place to serve. I love teenagers.
Soooo, privately, for the last six months, or with Blaine only, I have prayed fervently that Heavenly Father would not forget me, that if it were possible, I would love to be back in my ward, and especially love to serve with my Elizabeth in Young Women's. (Our Stake Primary presidency has served for 3 years). I would always say, "If it be Thy will". I would also ask that my ward leaders would be prompted to think of me.
I knew it was a long shot, because stake leaders aren't usually released until the Stake Presidency says it' time.
When fall approached and my president began to call for a couple of stake primary presidency meetings, I thought that this was my answer. I needed to put my whole heart in, and we were going to do another year. So, I did. But I kept praying.
Well, Sunday, Lisa Foster and I asked to attend our own ward primary sacrament program. Julie and Susan went to Victor to ward that had theirs at 9 am, also.
As I was sitting in our chapel, waiting for the sacrament meeting to start, Brother Peter McKellar, who is in our Bishopric, came to me, and asked if I could meet with the Bishop at 10:15, after sacrament meeting! My heart started beating faster : ) I thought, "Could this really be?" But then I told myself that the Bishopric probably wanted to ask some primary question from a Stake leader. Or maybe they had some kind of question. I knew that Jill, our current primary president, was moving to Idaho Falls, so it could be a primary president calling. I knew that Becky, my long, dear friend who served in my RS Presidency, and has been the YW President for a long time, maybe four years, is due for a release, so it could be a young women calling of any sort . . . but I just was having trouble, believing that it could be either, I told myself it must be a question.
After sacrament meeting, Lisa and I went to our Primary, representing the Stake, to tell the children and leaders what a good job they did.
Then I went to wait outside the Bishop's office.
Soon, the door opened, and Bishop Hill and Brother Bob Foster, were in the hallway, talking to someone. Then I was invited in.
I sat down, across the desk from them. Bishop Hill and I chit-chatted for a few minutes. Then he said that they had a new calling to extend to me, that he had talked to the stake already, and received their approval, and he wanted to know if I would be willing to accept a call to be our ward's Young Women's First Counsellor in the Presidency!!!!! : ) : ) : )
Oh, my! Hosannah! Hosannah! Alleulia! My prayer had been answered! I choked right up, and cried, but squeaked out my story of praying fervently for 6 months, but I didn't want to complain, and told how I had prayed that Bishop Hill or Peter or Bob Foster would be prompted to remember me, if it was the Lord's will. I told how I miss my own ward.
Bob and Bishop Hill looked very touched. I told them they listened to the Spirit! They told me the President was Ann Marie Kunz, so really it was she who listened to the Holy Ghost. Oh! Words cannot express the joy I feel over this miracle. This tender mercy! The Heaven's are still open, the Lord still hears every person's heartfelt prayers. Valiant members of the Church still listen to promptings from the Father!
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Fall and Haunted Forest Family Outing, General Conference last weekend, Star Valley Temple, October 9, 2016
We had a wonderful evening with Derek, Breanna and Nikole going to the Haunted Forest by Rexburg. Elizabeth, Carl, Blaine and I headed out to Rexburg Saturday evening. We all ate at Fong's Chinese Restaurant. Then we drove to the Forest.
It was good, clean fun. It was slightly scary. We enjoyed each other's company. It is so fun to have those three all at BYU-I!
Breanna continues to be just beautiful - inside and out. She is so pretty. She supports Derek. My favorite quote from her this week was, "His goals are my goals", after I thanked her for being so supportive while Derek was working with Brandon to apply for an inernship with Nielsen Marketing (where Brandon works). It was grueling process. Derek ended up being selected for an interview, out of about 100 applicants, he was 1 of 12 to be selected for an interview on BYU-Provo Campus. It was touch to apply - he and Brandon and Heather got his resume in tip top shape - oh, he's really accomplished so much and it looks wonderful. He had a cover letter, one let of rec from Peter McKellar, one from Brandon. Then the interview Thursday night, then the "Mix and Mingle" with the other 11 young people and the recruiters, then home to an email that invites him to take an online exam, which asked tons of interesting not usual questions - abstract.
Derek has 10 gray hairs. We think it from being stressed over Breanna's health and then this application process for Nielsen.
I had my last Sunday in my own ward today. Now we move on to ward primary program visits.
I requested a meeting this week for our stake primary presidency, so we can plan our upcoming leadership training, etc. We are shooting for Thursday.
Brandon P. found out that Nielsen is not going to do their usual "Jump Start" program for their employees that have been there one year - my understanding is that it lets you do a program that in one year's time gives you 3 years of what it would normally take. So, he's been working his tail off, way, way over-achieving with that goal in mind. Now they're going to only offer it for new graduates.
So, now they will be staying in Cincinnati, not moving to Chicago, where the "Jump Start" would have required them to move. They can start looking for a new home to move to. They would have waited. Now they can put their rental money into a home. So far, they've discovered that a 3 bedroom home with two car garage is between $110 - $160,000, based on how large or fancy you get. Their monthly payment would be about half of what they are paying for rent right now! : )
Nikole is sooooo happy at college. She came home with us last night for Isabella Wilson's farewell and Katelyn Bates' homecoming report. But back she went. She is dating 5 or 6 young men, just having so much fun in that area. Still getting good grades, still happier than she's been in a long time so thrilled with her blessings.
Loved Sister Kayleen Moulton's lesson in RS today - about families. Loved seeing Bishop Moulton and her, they are some of our favorite people.
I have to go to bed.
Hope to type again soon. So many tender mercies in our life every day.
I love the Savior and the restored gospel. Loved going to the open house for the Star Valley Temple on Friday with Carl and Lizzie. I loved General Conference last week-end! Love our leaders.
It was good, clean fun. It was slightly scary. We enjoyed each other's company. It is so fun to have those three all at BYU-I!
Breanna continues to be just beautiful - inside and out. She is so pretty. She supports Derek. My favorite quote from her this week was, "His goals are my goals", after I thanked her for being so supportive while Derek was working with Brandon to apply for an inernship with Nielsen Marketing (where Brandon works). It was grueling process. Derek ended up being selected for an interview, out of about 100 applicants, he was 1 of 12 to be selected for an interview on BYU-Provo Campus. It was touch to apply - he and Brandon and Heather got his resume in tip top shape - oh, he's really accomplished so much and it looks wonderful. He had a cover letter, one let of rec from Peter McKellar, one from Brandon. Then the interview Thursday night, then the "Mix and Mingle" with the other 11 young people and the recruiters, then home to an email that invites him to take an online exam, which asked tons of interesting not usual questions - abstract.
Derek has 10 gray hairs. We think it from being stressed over Breanna's health and then this application process for Nielsen.
I had my last Sunday in my own ward today. Now we move on to ward primary program visits.
I requested a meeting this week for our stake primary presidency, so we can plan our upcoming leadership training, etc. We are shooting for Thursday.
Brandon P. found out that Nielsen is not going to do their usual "Jump Start" program for their employees that have been there one year - my understanding is that it lets you do a program that in one year's time gives you 3 years of what it would normally take. So, he's been working his tail off, way, way over-achieving with that goal in mind. Now they're going to only offer it for new graduates.
So, now they will be staying in Cincinnati, not moving to Chicago, where the "Jump Start" would have required them to move. They can start looking for a new home to move to. They would have waited. Now they can put their rental money into a home. So far, they've discovered that a 3 bedroom home with two car garage is between $110 - $160,000, based on how large or fancy you get. Their monthly payment would be about half of what they are paying for rent right now! : )
Nikole is sooooo happy at college. She came home with us last night for Isabella Wilson's farewell and Katelyn Bates' homecoming report. But back she went. She is dating 5 or 6 young men, just having so much fun in that area. Still getting good grades, still happier than she's been in a long time so thrilled with her blessings.
Loved Sister Kayleen Moulton's lesson in RS today - about families. Loved seeing Bishop Moulton and her, they are some of our favorite people.
I have to go to bed.
Hope to type again soon. So many tender mercies in our life every day.
I love the Savior and the restored gospel. Loved going to the open house for the Star Valley Temple on Friday with Carl and Lizzie. I loved General Conference last week-end! Love our leaders.
Monday, September 26, 2016
Heather to come home for Christmas, September 26, 2016
Heather told us today that she and Brandon's time off is approved, and they want to spend about 10 days with us over Christmas!
They will fly into Jackson Christmas Eve and fly back on January 4!
We are brainstorming on some fun things to do while they are here - some ideas are skiing at Grand Targhee, cross country skiing, sledding, tubing, seeing the Elk over in Jackson again, playing games, lots of yummy food, etc.
For Family Home Evening, Blaine and I sprayed the whole outside of our house, on the siding. We had lots of cobwebs and dirt on the siding. We used a power head and sprayed all that down, soaped up the windows with a special brew, soaped the siding where it needed it, and then went back and sprayed the soap off. It looks much better. We haven't done that in years.
They will fly into Jackson Christmas Eve and fly back on January 4!
We are brainstorming on some fun things to do while they are here - some ideas are skiing at Grand Targhee, cross country skiing, sledding, tubing, seeing the Elk over in Jackson again, playing games, lots of yummy food, etc.
For Family Home Evening, Blaine and I sprayed the whole outside of our house, on the siding. We had lots of cobwebs and dirt on the siding. We used a power head and sprayed all that down, soaped up the windows with a special brew, soaped the siding where it needed it, and then went back and sprayed the soap off. It looks much better. We haven't done that in years.
Missoula, MT Cross Country Races and Re-Cap of our Wedding Open House, Sept. 24, 2016
September 24, 2016
Blaine, Carl and I are headed to Missoula, MT this Saturday
morning. We slept in Dillon last
night. Blaine had to work until 5
yesterday, so we only made it to Dillon last night, it was about 3 hours
drive. We were able to stop in Rexburg
at 6 and eat at Costa Vida with Nikole, Breanna and Derek. It was fun to see and talk to each of them.
Elizabeth left yesterday morning, with her XC Varsity Team;
they arrived in Missoula last evening.
Mr. Gleichman is a great coach, and he always allows extra time to get
there. They were going to check in and
get the team’s race numbers and walk the course, etc.
Mr. Gleichman is going to pick up Carl’s number for us this
morning, since we won’t get there til about 9:30 and you’re supposed to pick it
up before that.
The Women’s General Broadcast is tonight at 6. I’m hoping we will be back, or else I’ll have
to listen to a recoding. I always love
those meetings.
The three of us listened to Marie Osmond’s song, Meet Me in
Montana. The words in the song are
actually true of Montana. There is a lot
of wide open space and big skies.
It rained most of the way to Dillon last night. We had hardly any rain all summer and now
it’s rained almost non stop for a few days.
Carl is playing the cello in his middle school orchestra
with Mrs. Schindler. This is his first
year playing that. He’s still taking
violin lessons with Melanie Moulton. He
is running first place on Teton Middle School’s Cross Country team. He ran a race on Thursday at Ririe. It was one of the hardest races, as far as
one huge hill that was very steep, that he had to run up and then later
down. It reminded me of the Grand
Targhee race, which is horrid. Heather
got first place in that one way back in 8th grade!
Carl did really well, but it was hard.
So, it will be fun to watch Elizabeth and Carl run today in
Missoula. I was surprised that Blaine
wanted to come. He has missed a couple
of Elizabeth’s races due to work or the week of Derek’s sealing, so I think he
was feeling guilty.
I just got a call from Elizabeth. It’s 8:10 here and they are already up and
have been to the grocery store to get food for the day. She said that last night, they arrived in Missoula,
walked the course, went to eat a nice Asian restaurant, then went back to their
motel. She says Mr. Gleichman is having
the whole Varsity Team stay and watch Carl race! He told Lizzie he wants to watch Carl!
Elizabeth is doing pretty well, but did “catch a cold” this
past week and got her pinky finger squished between a weight and the floor on
Thursday evening. Other than that she
had been doing really, really well as far as her health. You had to be Varsity to come to this Montana
race, so she was very excited to be third woman on her team last week. She’s been cutting time off each race.
Nikole absolutely loves college in Rexburg at BYU-I! It has been such a joy to see and hear her
talk about the happenings in her life.
She loves her classes, she loves being on her own, she loves dating
young men that are mature. She enjoys
her roommates. She rides the shuttle bus
that the Ivy provides. It goes all
around campus and down to Wal Mart twice a week. I’m impressed with The Ivy. Nikole’s been on
several dates. She is smart with
men. She was called to be the ward
pianist. I guess the Bishop interviewed
all his ward members that first Sunday before classes started. He found out Nikole can play the piano.
They asked her to play the next Sunday. She’s funny, and she said that they only
asked her to be the pianist for that sacrament meeting, because she
believed they were “trying her out” to
see if she could really play, and then they might ask her to be the ward
pianist, after they proofed her. She was
right : )
April Smotherman is in her room room. Nikole really likes her a a lot. I guess they are the two studiers in the
apartment. The others said they know
they will probably get bad grades, because they plan on playing. Blessedly, Nikole does both.
Derek and Breanna seem to be doing pretty well. They look radiant and happy. Breanna worries us with her health. A tender mercy is that our prayers were heard
and she was able to be healthy and whole during the wedding and their
honeymoon. They loved their trip to the
Cayman Islands and Cozumel Mexico – a cruise that was almost a week long.
Derek is working on an application for an internship this
coming summer at Nielsen Research, where Brandon works. These days it is very competitive to get
into good internships. He is working on
campus for 7 hours per week at the Career Office place he worked at last
year. Then he still works for Hal, but
it’s in spurts. Better spurts than not
at all, right? He is organized and works
hard and is enjoying his classes this semester.
I know that he’s had some really “bad” or difficult semeters, so I count
this as a tender mercy – perhaps that Breanna brought the blessing of comfort
and happiness, even during a semester.
He said that it’s because she feeds him good dinners J
We had them meet us at Costa Vida with Nikole for dinner
last night, because we needed to keep going towards Dillon, so we didn’t get to
see their apartment. The last time we
saw it was one day after they got home from their honeymoon, so it was just like
we left it – full of their wedding presents, one couch, one table and chairs
and we helped them set up their new memory foam bed.
Their apartment is really nice. I think it’s called Stone Brooke.
So, let’s go back to the open house in Driggs. So, we had a wondrous, beautiful day at the Ogden
temple, witnessing the sealing and feeling Heaven near. The weather was warm,
even hot at the temple for pictures. The
luncheon went beautifully and the reception at the Marcum residence back yard
was just fabulous.
Then our couple made it to Salt Lake that night, made it to
the Salt Lake airport very early the next morning, then made it to Miami and
later on to their crusie.
While they were gone, we brought her belongings and the
wedding gifts from Utah to their apartment while they were gone. Brandon and Heather drove a moving truck and
unpacked the whole thing, including packing her parent’s old, nice, heavy couch
up 3 flights of stairs. Blaine and I and
Carl brought another load from Driggs with their table and chairs they
refurbished, their filing cabinet and their bed parts that had come in long
boxes.
After they got home, we went back and took one of those last
items, helped them set up their bed, watched them open their presents.
Derek started classes the next morning. Breanna is off track this time, this end up
on the same track as Derek, but I think she wanted to get her health back into
normal order. She is tending 2 children
for her uncle’s family, as a job. She
works Monday through Friday from 10 to 2.
I told her it sounds like she is their mom, she runs errands for the
mom, tends the children, cleans house, does laundry, etc.
On Friday, after Derek’s first week back in classes, they
came to our home, and we had our “Open House”.
It turned out beautifully and we had many tender mercies with it. First was the weather. We had forgotten, when we planned it months
ago, that the weather the end of August and early September is
unpredictable. Sometimes it rains,
snows, or is nice and warm. The week of
the open house it rained almost every day.
It had not rained all summer, hardly, and now it turned cold and it
rained.
However, we
had been praying fervently that the weather would be nice for just one day and
evening, so we could do our open house on Blaine’s mother’s lawn. Our prayers were heard. It was windy and rainy the day before, but
when we woke up that Friday morning, it was clear and blue skies.
The second tender mercy of our open house was that my
co-worker, Rubi Valdez, came into my office a few days before the open house. She does wedding decorations, too. She told me she had a dream that she helped
me with my decorations for the open house.
She said that she does weddings for the Hispanic community, but the
white people don’t know who she is. She
figured that if she helped with decorations for ours, it would be free
advertising, and she wanted to do it for free!
Well, I’m not crazy, so I told her what I had from the luncheon we put
on , and then said I’d be happy to have her help.
So, Thursday night, Blaine and I took our Suburban and
loaded 6 round tables, 2 long banquet tables and 65 chairs and took them up to
Grandma’s lawn and set them up.
Friday, Blaine went to work, but I had the day off. I went to the yard at 11;00 and wiped all the
tables and chairs off with hot soapy water.
Around 2, Rubi came with her horse trailer full of
decorating things – beautiful shabby chic looking wooden doors for the
backdrop, a desk with drawers that pull out and mirror on it for cards, sign
in, etc., an old juke box, an old telephone, old windows and screen doors that
we spread all around. It turned out to
be very classy, shabby chic looking. We
worked on it all afternoon. Rubi brought
another friend form work, Jenny.
So, by 6:30, there we were, up in the tops of mountains, on
our Mom Ripp’s own front lawn, across from the Tetons, with a wonderful view,
ready to go. Marcums had arrived – all
but Jamison, who had some sports activities, and our Elizabeth who was at a
cross country race in Pocatello.
People started to trickle in. It was steady all night. Breanna’s mission president and his wife came
right at the very end. They are from
Utah, somewhere by Breanna’s parent’s home, but they couldn’t make it to the
wedding or the reception down there, so they drove clear to ours. That was
another tender mercy.
That Friday night, we later found out, was also Homecoming
foot ball game night at our local high school, so we feel very blessed that as
many people dropped by as did. It turns
out that people loved the cheesecake.
After trying to get them from Costco, where they were supposed to be
splendid, but that didn’t work, and then trying Sam’s Club – but that didn’t
work either, Blaine told me to just order them from Broulim’s, even though they
were about $150 more. He figured it
would take that much effort and gas money to drive to Pocatello or Idaho Falls,
so I listend. The cheese cake was
wonderful. It had either raspberries or
strawberries on top, chocolate syrup had been drizzled over the cake before the
berries were added. It was luscious.
The decorations were beautiful, our Derek and Breanna were
gorgeous, and the company that came through was great. My parents, Tad and Kortny, and Christian
and Jennifer and their families all came for a short while. That was nice. None of the Ripplingers came, they had all
come to the sealing or reception in Ogden.
So, the whole evening was as if another dream come true.
Grandma Ripp, Blaine’s mom, was so thrilled over the open
house on her lawn. She is kind of a home
body the whole time I’ve known her. She
has her children come over, but that’s about it. She doesn’t invite other people over. Well, she was so thrilled that now people
know where she lives. President and Sister McKellar were the first ones
there. He talked to her a lot about her
good family, and her continued good grand children, etc. That made her really happy. She stayed on the front lawn clear until the
end of the reception, which is unheard of for her. She usually has to go in and lie down, whenever
she is having a normal day. So, it made
me happy that she was so thrilled over it.
Words from the Sealer by Blaine, Nikki, Brandon and Heather Pilcher, September 3 or 4, 2016
Words from the
Sealer to Derek & Breanna Sealing
September 2, 2016
These are things that Mom, Dad, Brandon or Heather
remembered
No other place on
earth that the sealer would rather be…
Your challenge
will not be loving each other, you already love each other more than any couple
the sealer has seen… You are going to be a happy and valiant couple… You will
be blessed to have a happy life…
There will be a
lot of council provided by those in the room to be given outside the temple
that you should listen to but the greatest council is provided in their example
as they are keeping commandments and by how they are living their lives…
Parents and
grandparents in the room… this is one of the joyful moments for them
I know you think
you love her today but that will grow even more profound as you have
experiences in life and children
Jesus was there –
it is his house, the house of the Lord
Don’t have to wait for the Second
Coming to see him – come to the house of the Lord anytime and he will be here.
The savior was present in the temple during the sealing…
People on the
other side of the veil that were promised they could be here
God, angels, witnesses… these angels
are family/friends on the other side of the veil and are present
Remember the veil
ceremony. You will be passing through the veil one day - Derek bringing Breanna
through the veil one day, remember the name your whole life…
Authority and
keys of sealing from President Monson directly… When the prophets is prompted
by spirit to be the sealers… They sit down with Prophet at Salt Lake HQ.
Come to the
temple often and remember what is said by doing work for the dead as a reminder
of the covenants that you are making…
You are lucky to
have the promise to come forth in the first resurrection…
Remember to keep
the commitments and covenants that you have made
You are commanded
/ ‘encouraged’ to have children… your greatest joy will come from your children
Derek and Breanna's Wedding/Sealing Memories, September 2 and 3, 2016
September 3, 2016
I need to write about several tender mercies in our lives
the last few weeks, before the vivid memories are gone.
We experienced one of the most splendid blessings a person
can have yesterday, as our son, Derek Ripplinger ,was sealed for time and all
eternity to Breanna Marcum in the Ogden Temple.
He is 22, she just turned 21 in July.
It was one of those days that you just thrill over again and again.
The weather was good, sometimes even hot, but we were
grateful, because we had passed through some rain and wind storms on the way to
Layton the evening before. It was crazy
to have rain, because we have only had rain twice the whole summer, and it was
just a light rain, then. The rain of the
night before the wedding was heavy, and when it was a dust storm, you could
barely see and it rocked our Suburban.
We took Blaine’s mother, Helen, with us. She is 83 years old. She was a “Trooper” and really seemed to
enjoy the whole trip. She was very close
to Derek – she always felt a connection with him, since he was a baby, and
since we lived less than ¼ mile from her for Derek’s whole life, since he was
about 18 moths old, they did have the chance to get to know each other well.
The wedding plans took a lot of tender care for both sides
of the families. We ended up buying the
table linens for our Luncheon online – Gaylynn Bean gave me the name of the
website. It cost us less to buy than to
rent. We borrowed white table cloths
from our ward, and then used the mint green table toppers that we had bought,
with a few table runners for the head table and coral sashes for the back of
each chair. We had ordered ahead the
food from Café Rio in Layton – homemade tortillas, black beans, sweet pork and
plain chicken, their yummy cilantro ranch salad dressing, lettuce, cheese, pico
sauce and brownies from Albertson’s that had mint green leaves with a little
coral rosebud of frosting on each square.
Breanna’s sweet family had put a lot of time and effort and
love into her wedding dress, the videographer, two photographers, they had
their beautiful reception in their backyard.
They had put new bark in their flower beds, replaced their back door,
which was wood to a nicer one, decorated their yard with white lites. The caterers had beautiful doors for a
backdrop, beautiful old looking drawers with the video playing on them, a big
central table with about five popcorn flavors and Italian ice in mango,
strawberry lemonade and one other. They
hired a DJ, who played music and kind of narrated the activities at the end –
like the bouquet toss, the cutting of the wedding cake, the first dance, the
dance with Breanna’s Dad, Derek’s dance with me, the group dance, the
sparklers, etc. Marcums went to a lot of
planning and work.
I can’t fully describe the beauty of the wedding day. Both families had put lots of tender time and
effort into the planning. Of course, the
beautiful sealing was the best part of the day.
Tracey Ripplinger works in that temple, and she had volunteered to help
us get a great sealer assigned to our wedding.
We will have to look his name up, but he is in the Ogden Temple
Presidency. He did a great job. Heather, Brandon , Blaine and I wrote down as
much of the words of the sealer, as we could remember, so they can have that.
The feeling in the temple was pure peace, love and joy for
us. Breanna’s mother, Bonnie, got to go
early with Breanna, like I did with Heather, but the rest of us could come
later. We woke up that morning at Lori
and Bruce Schiess’s home. They were kind
enough to offer to let all of us stay there – Helen, Blaine and I, Brandon and
Heather, Nikole, Elizabeth, Carl and Derek.
They are empty nesters now. It
was greatly appreciated and saved us so much money. Lori is Blaine’ first cousin. They grew up in houses right next door,
though Lori was several years older than Bruce.
We woke up that morning, Sept. 2 and the sun was out!
Carl and I actually went for a walk around Lori’s
neighborhood first thing. Then everyone
started to wake up. Blaine took us all
to McDonald’s for some breakfast – Bruce and Lori both went to work. Derek thought he was starving : )
We let him go, after breakfast, or Brandon and Heather took
him to Breanna’s home.
We stopped at WalMart, because three of our children needed
to get their “sibling” gift for the luncheon.
We all found out our feet hurt in our fancy higher than normal heeled
shoes.
We went back to Lori’s for a brief rest, and then headed
towards the Ogden Temple! Lori lives in
Kaysville, so we had a little drive.
But let me back up. A
couple of weeks ago, I made the long trip down to Marcums, so I could attend
Breanna’s second bridal shower. Her ward
friends gave her this one. So, I had
seen her neighborhood, met some of her young friends, and her neighbors and
ward members. I probably wrote about
that, but it was very nice and enjoyable.
In the two weeks since then, Derek and Breanna had their
“First Look”, which is when a hired photographer takes pictures of the groom
seeing the bride for the first time, in her wedding gown/dress. They did this at a park in Salt Lake.
Those photos are gorgeous.
They have spent a lot of time in our home or with Marcums,
so we’ve had the chance to get to know her really well. We adore and love her. Her family is great, as well.
So, the five weeks somehow passed by, with them seeing each
other most of the time. They were so fun
and sweet to have near. They are one of
those few, beloved couples that you can just tell really, really, really love
each other. They remind me of the pictures
of my mother and father, when they got married.
They’re both stunningly good-looking, and they just look beautiful
together. They also remind me of President
Eyring and his wife – both tall and thin.
The best part is that they are beautiful on the inside, as well – they
both have beautiful spirits.
Derek was sure time would not move fast enough, even when we
said, “Only one week to go, or only three days, or only two days”. It was too long for him to wait for him to be
with his beloved Breannna.
Derek was really receptive to my ideas. I had dreams of a wonderful gentlemanly
courtship, proposal and marriage. He did
not disappoint me. Nor did she.
So, Breanna left our home on Monday, for the last time, as a
single lady.
Our sweet Heather flew into Jackson on Tuesday evening. I have the tender mercy of having my work be
nice to let me use my PTO Paid Time Off to take all but Monday off this week,
for my Heather’s visit and Derek’s wedding.
So, we picked her up at 8:30 Tuesday evening – Derek, Nikole and I while
Blaine took Carl to his scout review. We
had never been to the Jackson airport, so that was a nice, new experience. The Easterneres that were on Heathe’rs flight
coldn’t get over the huge mountains, that were right by the airport.
Of course it was thrilling to have Heather back home – she’s
so beautiful, mature, and wise for her young age. We enjoyed her company, and she helped us
with wedding last day advice, opinnions nad plans.
Brandon had been attending a conference for his Nielsen
business in Chicago. Because his
conference was kind of in the way for his brother in law’s wedding, that
awesome company offered to fly him home to us on Wednesday night, into Jackson,
again, and they will fly him home to Cincinnati on Monday! That is another tender mercy!
Heather’s flight was covered under their frequent flyer
miles, so it didn’t cost them anything, so that is another tender mercy! Heather got a promotion in her Macy’s
company, so she ended her last job there and will begin her new assignment
there on Tuesday.
I can’t say enough about these two helping us with
everything. I had everything planned and
ordered and made for the wedding, but they just helped in so many ways. They are good emotional support, the
appreciate everything we do.
So, we spent Tuesday and Wednesday, first with Heather, then
with Brandon, too, and our Derek. All
five of our children were home together, for the first time in quite a
while. It was wonderful.
Thursday morning, Derek, Brandon and Heather headed out
together, to go spend a little time meeting Breanna – this was B&H’s first
time to meet her. They gave the engaged
couple a “Go-Pro”, which is fairly new technology, at this time. It’s a camera, that you hold on a long, long
stick, which can get wet and it will take pictures of you doing all kinds of
things and record video, so it will be perfect for Derek and Breanna’s
honeymoon, as they are going on a cruise to the Cayman Islands and Jamaica and
Cozumel, Mexico. Brandon and Heather also
helped Marcums put up some lights in the trees in their yard.
So, we arrived at the temple grounds. Mike and Sherry kind of took over helping Mom Ripp, so that
helped us a lot
Our three youngest waited outside, with the Marcums. I guess Nikole did take Elizabeth and Carl to
get ice cream, about a block away, while we were at the sealing.
So, as we went into the temple, I just felt this peaceful,
wonderful feeling. The temple was
gorgeous, outside and inside. We all
were led to an open room, like a huge waiting room. We were able to greet family and friends
there. We met the Marcum grandparents
and great grandpa again. We met Bonnie’s
Glen Parents. They were all
wonderful. All of Blaine’s siblings and
their spouses came. My sweet mom and dad
were there, Bishop and Kayleen Moulton, many of Derek’s Ripplinger cousins,
Christian and Jennifer, David and Alene Breckenridge and many of Breanna’s
relatives.
There is so much symbolism.
When it was our wedding party’s turn, the female worker comes in, she
announced our last name wrong, but after she was corrected, she said it
right. She asked for the mothers of the
bride and groom first, then the fathers, then the grandparents to lead the
company to the sealing room.
Bonnie and I stood in the room, by our special chairs, by
the couch where our bride and groom would sit, until everyone had come into the
sealing room and were seated. Then the
sealer brought the bride and groom in, the sealer came over and greeted me and
Bonnie, then over to the witness’ side to greet Blaine and Bryant. He then met the grandparents.
The room was filled with Heaven’s Light. There was such a sweet, good feeling in the
room. The room itself is so beautiful
and light, that you just feel like you are in Heaven.
Monday, August 1, 2016
Tree Slices for the Wedding, July 31, 2016
It is a rare moment when I am alone in a room in my home. It's Sunday afternoon, our three children are sleeping downstairs in their rooms or are very quiet. I laid down for a while with Blaine, but feel I have things I need and want to do, and if I sleep, I will miss the moments.
Some of the tender mercies I saw in our lives this past week - I still hold a tender spot in my heart for Nicole Tonks - she was Elizabeth's Girls Camp Leader a couple of weeks ago. She went all out - put her whole heart and soul into the calling, and it showed so much. Such a blessing to Lizzie and our entire family. It makes such a different when members do their calling!
This week, Coach Neil Gleichman put his heart and soul into a Summer XC Camp - the camp was a week long -well, from early Monday morning until Saturday afternoon. It was vigorous. It cost $200, which is significant for today. It did include lodging in a tent by Jenny Lake and the nutritious food was included, though. They had two tents - one for men, one for women. There were only five young women from THS that attended - Kat, Ruthie Bagley, Elizabeth and I can't remember the other name. But Mr. Gleichman took them on two runs per day, usually a hike or activity in the the outdoors, and they had instruction on nutrition, how to properly run, all aspects of XC - it was outstanding.
I'm in love with Elizabeth. We missed her while she was gone almost 6 days. It's a tender mercy of God to have a sweet daughter like Elizabeth. This week will be her last week working at Corner Drug. She's worked long and hard this summer. It's a good thing we/she asked for part-time this year. She's still worked a lot. She was able to get all of the time off she needed for her camps and things, so that was nice. I do not think she will work there again next year, but Sally and Aaron Myler have been good to her.
A tender mercy is that Elizabeth has not suffered from allergies this summer. It's such a big deal - a very few days she had to take one tablet of an anti-allergy, so we feel blessed. The pain in her calves that plagued her during last school year has almost dissipated, which has been wonderful. We credit Coach Geichman for his work on teaching us to roll her calf muscles in relieving that.
Nikole is happy and excited for college. She attended Reiley Moulton's family/friend dinner last night and his farewell in sacrament meeting this morning. She had a lot of fun with Reiley, Freeman McCashland, AJ Robison, Keegan Kearsley at the dinner. Nikole had a really good date with Dallin Isaac, our cousin Jake Isaac's brother. He picked Nikole up at Breanna's home in Layton, had a fun date to Boondocks, he ripped his pants on the fence, when he tried to climb over to fetch a ball Nikole had hucked over the top, they got him new shorts at the City Creek Mall, ate there, had fun riding long boards at Breanna's church - just had a grand time.
Nikole went with Carl and I to Rexburg - she chose to drop us off at Rexburg Rapids, which turned out to be really fun - I think it is one of the best buys and deals to do, right in Rexburg - a big water park with two slides, a lazy river, a huge little kids toys and pool area, nice picnic areas with covers from the sun, a lap pool. Nikole had fun with the gas attendent and a young man at DI, who asked if she was attending BYU-I and invited her to swing dancing on Wednesdays.
I had some personal struggles this week with a wierd feeling I rarely feel of feeling like really wealthy people control everything. I know they do in the world, but it was more personal. I've always believed and taught my children that although I'd like them to set their goals high and to obtain a job that they love to do but that makes decent money - I always believed and taught that money really doesn't matter truly, it 's the service, the heart, the love of Jesus Christ and the following of Him who served and loved all - that is the pure gospel, and the way we should live.
I know Heavenly Father's house is full of many mansions, and His church on the earth and His temples are beautiful beyond anything here on earth - so I know that is we inherit the Celestial Kingdom - I've heard it's more beautiful and wonderful than anything I can imagine here, so it's worth it, but I just don't understand over-abundance of money on this earth. I don't know why people have to have super large, extravagant homes, and so much riches.
I've learned I guess it's ok if they stay humble, focused on the Savior and don't think they're better than other members and people.
My two oldest presious children are married or marrying into wealthy families. I pray their hearts will remain pure and good. Breanna's family is sweet, fun and happy. They are very good to us. We had fun hiking with them at the bridal shower. Breanna is a sweetheart.
I prayed fervently for deliverance from the sad feeling I was having. This was Saturday morning. Then I went about and we did our usual Saturday work. We had been busy last week-end, spending boat and hiking time with Terry and Derek and Breanna, so it was nice to be home. I had traveled to Rexburg to take Carl to Rexburg Rapids and to do a bunch of errands, so it was good to be home. I worked away and Blaine worked away. As we did our work and got to pick up Elizabeth at around 3 pm, I began to feel the Holy Ghost prompt and teach me. Such a tender mercy to know the Holy Ghost is real and He will bring comforts to our troubled hearts.
I had the prompting that my belief is still absolutely true - no matter whether we are poor in money, medium or wealthy - we are judged the same - the Lord uses the wealthy's money to run his programs in the church, but others have other gifts, other testimonies, other things that the membership needs - we all have talents, blessings, things we can offer the Kingdom. We are all going to be judged on our hearts, the service we gave, the commitment to living His commandments we gave on the earth.
I also had the prompting that I have going through two very big, regulary stressful (even if it's good stress) events - having two children leave home and having one get married. Putting on a marriage is a big event. So, no wonder.
I'm going to keep trying to save money on my weekly deal groceries, I'm going to keep canning fruits and vegetables in the fall, I'm going to keep being the best daughter, wife and mother I can be. I'm going to keep attending the temple regularly, I'm going to keep paying my thing, keep doing my church calling, keep loving my family, keep serving those I know are struggling. The soft and tender answer was for me!
Derek went to see Breanna on Friday. It was her 21st birthday. We sent a polka dot skirt in the mint color she loves. We helped Derek order the big canvas picture of he and Breanna she wanted, and he ordered he and she tickets for Lagoon! Wow, she's being treated royally!
He will come home either tonight or tomorrow morning - we are guessing in the morning. They cannot stand to be apart very much. : )
It's a blessing to be part of a wonderful courtship and marriage. I feel it has been a Fairy Tale, but in real life.
I've been plugging away at the decorations for our open house here. I had hoped to use the same table decorations for the lunch, the reception at Marcums, and then our open house, but that doesn't work, so we are painting jars, and I had a miracle of finding slices of trees that are in fashion. A tender mercy was that my friends John from work and Ken Schwab. I asked them if they knew of anyone who could find me a tree slice to decorate our open house with. John Dobbins told me he had just cut down a big tree the night before, on the hospital property! He would use the big saw and slice off 2 inch thick pieces of the tree! Ken said he John didn't have big enough pieces, he was going to cut wood the next day in the forest, and he would get me one! Yay! Tender mercies!
Some of the tender mercies I saw in our lives this past week - I still hold a tender spot in my heart for Nicole Tonks - she was Elizabeth's Girls Camp Leader a couple of weeks ago. She went all out - put her whole heart and soul into the calling, and it showed so much. Such a blessing to Lizzie and our entire family. It makes such a different when members do their calling!
This week, Coach Neil Gleichman put his heart and soul into a Summer XC Camp - the camp was a week long -well, from early Monday morning until Saturday afternoon. It was vigorous. It cost $200, which is significant for today. It did include lodging in a tent by Jenny Lake and the nutritious food was included, though. They had two tents - one for men, one for women. There were only five young women from THS that attended - Kat, Ruthie Bagley, Elizabeth and I can't remember the other name. But Mr. Gleichman took them on two runs per day, usually a hike or activity in the the outdoors, and they had instruction on nutrition, how to properly run, all aspects of XC - it was outstanding.
I'm in love with Elizabeth. We missed her while she was gone almost 6 days. It's a tender mercy of God to have a sweet daughter like Elizabeth. This week will be her last week working at Corner Drug. She's worked long and hard this summer. It's a good thing we/she asked for part-time this year. She's still worked a lot. She was able to get all of the time off she needed for her camps and things, so that was nice. I do not think she will work there again next year, but Sally and Aaron Myler have been good to her.
A tender mercy is that Elizabeth has not suffered from allergies this summer. It's such a big deal - a very few days she had to take one tablet of an anti-allergy, so we feel blessed. The pain in her calves that plagued her during last school year has almost dissipated, which has been wonderful. We credit Coach Geichman for his work on teaching us to roll her calf muscles in relieving that.
Nikole is happy and excited for college. She attended Reiley Moulton's family/friend dinner last night and his farewell in sacrament meeting this morning. She had a lot of fun with Reiley, Freeman McCashland, AJ Robison, Keegan Kearsley at the dinner. Nikole had a really good date with Dallin Isaac, our cousin Jake Isaac's brother. He picked Nikole up at Breanna's home in Layton, had a fun date to Boondocks, he ripped his pants on the fence, when he tried to climb over to fetch a ball Nikole had hucked over the top, they got him new shorts at the City Creek Mall, ate there, had fun riding long boards at Breanna's church - just had a grand time.
Nikole went with Carl and I to Rexburg - she chose to drop us off at Rexburg Rapids, which turned out to be really fun - I think it is one of the best buys and deals to do, right in Rexburg - a big water park with two slides, a lazy river, a huge little kids toys and pool area, nice picnic areas with covers from the sun, a lap pool. Nikole had fun with the gas attendent and a young man at DI, who asked if she was attending BYU-I and invited her to swing dancing on Wednesdays.
I had some personal struggles this week with a wierd feeling I rarely feel of feeling like really wealthy people control everything. I know they do in the world, but it was more personal. I've always believed and taught my children that although I'd like them to set their goals high and to obtain a job that they love to do but that makes decent money - I always believed and taught that money really doesn't matter truly, it 's the service, the heart, the love of Jesus Christ and the following of Him who served and loved all - that is the pure gospel, and the way we should live.
I know Heavenly Father's house is full of many mansions, and His church on the earth and His temples are beautiful beyond anything here on earth - so I know that is we inherit the Celestial Kingdom - I've heard it's more beautiful and wonderful than anything I can imagine here, so it's worth it, but I just don't understand over-abundance of money on this earth. I don't know why people have to have super large, extravagant homes, and so much riches.
I've learned I guess it's ok if they stay humble, focused on the Savior and don't think they're better than other members and people.
My two oldest presious children are married or marrying into wealthy families. I pray their hearts will remain pure and good. Breanna's family is sweet, fun and happy. They are very good to us. We had fun hiking with them at the bridal shower. Breanna is a sweetheart.
I prayed fervently for deliverance from the sad feeling I was having. This was Saturday morning. Then I went about and we did our usual Saturday work. We had been busy last week-end, spending boat and hiking time with Terry and Derek and Breanna, so it was nice to be home. I had traveled to Rexburg to take Carl to Rexburg Rapids and to do a bunch of errands, so it was good to be home. I worked away and Blaine worked away. As we did our work and got to pick up Elizabeth at around 3 pm, I began to feel the Holy Ghost prompt and teach me. Such a tender mercy to know the Holy Ghost is real and He will bring comforts to our troubled hearts.
I had the prompting that my belief is still absolutely true - no matter whether we are poor in money, medium or wealthy - we are judged the same - the Lord uses the wealthy's money to run his programs in the church, but others have other gifts, other testimonies, other things that the membership needs - we all have talents, blessings, things we can offer the Kingdom. We are all going to be judged on our hearts, the service we gave, the commitment to living His commandments we gave on the earth.
I also had the prompting that I have going through two very big, regulary stressful (even if it's good stress) events - having two children leave home and having one get married. Putting on a marriage is a big event. So, no wonder.
I'm going to keep trying to save money on my weekly deal groceries, I'm going to keep canning fruits and vegetables in the fall, I'm going to keep being the best daughter, wife and mother I can be. I'm going to keep attending the temple regularly, I'm going to keep paying my thing, keep doing my church calling, keep loving my family, keep serving those I know are struggling. The soft and tender answer was for me!
Derek went to see Breanna on Friday. It was her 21st birthday. We sent a polka dot skirt in the mint color she loves. We helped Derek order the big canvas picture of he and Breanna she wanted, and he ordered he and she tickets for Lagoon! Wow, she's being treated royally!
He will come home either tonight or tomorrow morning - we are guessing in the morning. They cannot stand to be apart very much. : )
It's a blessing to be part of a wonderful courtship and marriage. I feel it has been a Fairy Tale, but in real life.
I've been plugging away at the decorations for our open house here. I had hoped to use the same table decorations for the lunch, the reception at Marcums, and then our open house, but that doesn't work, so we are painting jars, and I had a miracle of finding slices of trees that are in fashion. A tender mercy was that my friends John from work and Ken Schwab. I asked them if they knew of anyone who could find me a tree slice to decorate our open house with. John Dobbins told me he had just cut down a big tree the night before, on the hospital property! He would use the big saw and slice off 2 inch thick pieces of the tree! Ken said he John didn't have big enough pieces, he was going to cut wood the next day in the forest, and he would get me one! Yay! Tender mercies!
Sunday, July 24, 2016
Life is But a Dream, July 24 Pioneer Day
We revere our dear pioneer ancestors, and all our countrymen who fought valiantly in World War I and II and all the other wars we've had. We love our beloved United States of America.
I've always had a deep love of ancestors, most of whom I conisider pioneer ancestors. I've always had a longing to know who they were, what they were like. And so, I've been led and blessed to slowly learn about them throughout my married life. How I love them!
Derek and Breanna came from the end of the semester, on Wednesday night and stayed with us Thursday, Friday and until Saturday morning. She sleeps in his old room and he sleeps upstairs on a blow up mattress.
Thursday and Friday, Blaine had taken off of work to be with his brother, Terry and his wife Maryann, who had come from Safford, AZ. So, Thursday they spent the day together, and then we went hiking when I got off of work at 3. We took them to Devil's Staircase, but only hiked about 1.5 hours in and then turned around. It was gorgeous, but I was surprised how dry the forest has gotten since our hike a month ago, for the marriage proposal. It was just the three couples - Terry and Maryann, Derek and Breanna and Blaine and I, because Carl had 4H, Elizabeth had been at Corner Drug working, and Nikole didn't want to go.
The hike was beautiful. I love summer here.
Friday, I had invited and planned a big boating trip to Palisades. I had one hang up. I was supposed to go to Boise to present a report to the Intermountain APIC Board on my trip to Charlotte, NC. But they let me do it by Webinar from our hospital. But it had to be from 1 to 2 pm. So, that ruined my boat plans. They decided to go around 10, so by the time I would have gotten there, I would have to turn around and leave by 11 to get home by 12 to be at the hospital by 12:30, etc.
So, I had packed the yummy lunch, and coolers and had to send them all off at 10. Todd came up, too - so Blaine, Derek, Breanna, Terry, Maryann, Nikole and Todd had a wonderful day together at Palisades.
I still was blessed to finally get through to my Webinar hook up by 2, instead of 1, then we prepared a yummy meal of roast beef dip sandwiches - with the roast beef in the hollowed out french bread, with green peppers, mushrooms, and onions, with cheese and also cantaloupe, watermelon and honeydew melon. The family loved it.
We went up and visited with Terry and Maryann at Blaine's mom's.
Terry and Derek, Breanna, and Nikole all left Saturday morning. Terry and M for Arizona, Nikole for a date with Dillan Isaac - he picked her up in Layton, at Breanna's - they went to an amusement type place - Boondocks, or something, out to eat, to the Salt Lake Temple and then long boarding - very fun, good date. Derek was taking Breanna back home to stay for 5 weeks til their sealing.
Marcums are good and welcoming to Derek. He's been blessed, just this week-end. Hal is the man who hired him to help with his business. Hal is Bryant Marcum's friend. Derek had been working about 5 hours per week during the semester. Derek had told Hal he would like to do more work. Hal said he'd get back to him. Well, Hal's secretary called Derek Friday evening, like from 6 to 8 pm, and wanted him to do a bunch of work on a big project over the week-end. They need it done by Monday morning! So, we see the Lord hears our prayers, but sometimes the answer is not convenient, but we are grateful.
Derek had to work a lot the whole weekend with this new assignment, but it will help him have money.
My Dad has his kidney doctor visit on Tuesday. I predict that they will tell him his GFR number is 15 or less, and that's it's time to choose which type of dialysis he wants, time to sign up to get the fistula in his arm, and to have the social worker come to their home and set up his dialysis center. So sad, but necessary.
Their 50th anniversary party is coming right up. Sweet Kortny finished the souvenir book - spending about 50 hours working on it.
Brandon and Heather work their hinders off in Cincinnati and Kentucky, in their ward. There are only about six families that have enough money to support themselves! So, Brandon and Heather get used a lot. They were asked to put on a ward party on Saturday. They had to use their own money, and do all the work. There is no committee, or people to help. You do it all and go pick ward members up, because they have no car and no way to get there. The Bishopric helps you.
Elizabeth is headed to a long XC Camp with Mr. Gleichman. They start in the morning at 8 - Monday morning, then go all week til Saturday evening. They sleep in the woods. It's a rigorous camp, costs $200. I think it will be well worth it, but they have a ton to learn and do in the great outdoors.
My plans to use the Mexican ladies in Layton, for the wedding lunch, had to change. Their bid is $15/plate, and children are $10/plate. We can do Cafe Rio for $10 plate and get our own water and dessert.
I loved church today - President and Sister McKellar spoke, which is a treat itself. They spoke of Patriotism. President Pehrson taught the lesson on Korihor and the wicked times we are living in are like the Book of Mormon times. RS was great, Sister/Mrs. Christensen taught about Opposition in All Things.
I love my family!
I've always had a deep love of ancestors, most of whom I conisider pioneer ancestors. I've always had a longing to know who they were, what they were like. And so, I've been led and blessed to slowly learn about them throughout my married life. How I love them!
Derek and Breanna came from the end of the semester, on Wednesday night and stayed with us Thursday, Friday and until Saturday morning. She sleeps in his old room and he sleeps upstairs on a blow up mattress.
Thursday and Friday, Blaine had taken off of work to be with his brother, Terry and his wife Maryann, who had come from Safford, AZ. So, Thursday they spent the day together, and then we went hiking when I got off of work at 3. We took them to Devil's Staircase, but only hiked about 1.5 hours in and then turned around. It was gorgeous, but I was surprised how dry the forest has gotten since our hike a month ago, for the marriage proposal. It was just the three couples - Terry and Maryann, Derek and Breanna and Blaine and I, because Carl had 4H, Elizabeth had been at Corner Drug working, and Nikole didn't want to go.
The hike was beautiful. I love summer here.
Friday, I had invited and planned a big boating trip to Palisades. I had one hang up. I was supposed to go to Boise to present a report to the Intermountain APIC Board on my trip to Charlotte, NC. But they let me do it by Webinar from our hospital. But it had to be from 1 to 2 pm. So, that ruined my boat plans. They decided to go around 10, so by the time I would have gotten there, I would have to turn around and leave by 11 to get home by 12 to be at the hospital by 12:30, etc.
So, I had packed the yummy lunch, and coolers and had to send them all off at 10. Todd came up, too - so Blaine, Derek, Breanna, Terry, Maryann, Nikole and Todd had a wonderful day together at Palisades.
I still was blessed to finally get through to my Webinar hook up by 2, instead of 1, then we prepared a yummy meal of roast beef dip sandwiches - with the roast beef in the hollowed out french bread, with green peppers, mushrooms, and onions, with cheese and also cantaloupe, watermelon and honeydew melon. The family loved it.
We went up and visited with Terry and Maryann at Blaine's mom's.
Terry and Derek, Breanna, and Nikole all left Saturday morning. Terry and M for Arizona, Nikole for a date with Dillan Isaac - he picked her up in Layton, at Breanna's - they went to an amusement type place - Boondocks, or something, out to eat, to the Salt Lake Temple and then long boarding - very fun, good date. Derek was taking Breanna back home to stay for 5 weeks til their sealing.
Marcums are good and welcoming to Derek. He's been blessed, just this week-end. Hal is the man who hired him to help with his business. Hal is Bryant Marcum's friend. Derek had been working about 5 hours per week during the semester. Derek had told Hal he would like to do more work. Hal said he'd get back to him. Well, Hal's secretary called Derek Friday evening, like from 6 to 8 pm, and wanted him to do a bunch of work on a big project over the week-end. They need it done by Monday morning! So, we see the Lord hears our prayers, but sometimes the answer is not convenient, but we are grateful.
Derek had to work a lot the whole weekend with this new assignment, but it will help him have money.
My Dad has his kidney doctor visit on Tuesday. I predict that they will tell him his GFR number is 15 or less, and that's it's time to choose which type of dialysis he wants, time to sign up to get the fistula in his arm, and to have the social worker come to their home and set up his dialysis center. So sad, but necessary.
Their 50th anniversary party is coming right up. Sweet Kortny finished the souvenir book - spending about 50 hours working on it.
Brandon and Heather work their hinders off in Cincinnati and Kentucky, in their ward. There are only about six families that have enough money to support themselves! So, Brandon and Heather get used a lot. They were asked to put on a ward party on Saturday. They had to use their own money, and do all the work. There is no committee, or people to help. You do it all and go pick ward members up, because they have no car and no way to get there. The Bishopric helps you.
Elizabeth is headed to a long XC Camp with Mr. Gleichman. They start in the morning at 8 - Monday morning, then go all week til Saturday evening. They sleep in the woods. It's a rigorous camp, costs $200. I think it will be well worth it, but they have a ton to learn and do in the great outdoors.
My plans to use the Mexican ladies in Layton, for the wedding lunch, had to change. Their bid is $15/plate, and children are $10/plate. We can do Cafe Rio for $10 plate and get our own water and dessert.
I loved church today - President and Sister McKellar spoke, which is a treat itself. They spoke of Patriotism. President Pehrson taught the lesson on Korihor and the wicked times we are living in are like the Book of Mormon times. RS was great, Sister/Mrs. Christensen taught about Opposition in All Things.
I love my family!
July 17, 2016 Derek's Proposal, more details
July 17, 2016
I’m continuing on my thoughts from July 10. So, the biggest tender mercy is that Derek
and Breanna are engaged to be married September 2!
We are blessed that our children are close to us,
emotionally. Derek shared all of their
dating life with us. I had once
mentioned that a hike to the Wind Caves would make a romantic proposal. Heather had also mentioned that the hike to
Packsaddle Lake would be romantic. We
had thought of packing a canoe into Packsaddle and having lights float out on
the water, etc.
In the end, he decided to do the hike to the Wind
Caves. He wanted a book made, with
pictures of their dating life, with a last page that said, “Then Derek got down
on one knee and asked Breanna to marry him!”
I like Shutterfly.
I’ve used it a lot to make digital scrap books. So, I uploaded their dating pictures to
Shutterfly, then Heather and I, mostly Heather were able to work on it or make
it when I went to Cincinnati. That was
special, so Heather could feel part of it.
Breanna’s ring was interesting. Nikole had gotten her graduation opal ring at
Jensen Jeweler in Rexburg. They told us
about a big sale that would be the very next week on loose diamonds. We had found out earlier that all BYU-I
students get 50% off, but this sale would make it even more on sale.
Derek took Breanna to look for rings there. She found a few she liked, but Derek felt
there was one she really liked best. He
went back later to get it, and to buy it on the day of the sale. The ring they had was a size 7, and Breanna
needed a tiny size 4. My finger is a
4.5, and I never heard of anyone with a smaller size. So, Derek
had to order the size 4 to be made from scratch, because you can’t
downsize more than a size or 2, or the ring falls apart. So, he had to get the size 7 on the sale day,
propose to Breanna the very next day with it, she had to wear it with a
“spacer” for about two weeks, until her very own correct size beautiful round
diamond with tiny diamonds all around it arrived. So, it was
a tender mercy to get such a wonderful ring at such a better price than
we would have had.
The proposal itself was supreme. Derek invited her family and ours – which we
had given him the idea, and Brandon had invited us – to hike to the Wind
Caves. Breanna is still suffering from
her illness from her mission, so she has not hiked in years. The Wind Caves hike is fairly challenging, if
you haven’t hiked lately. We became
slightly concerned that she would make it to the top. Her dad said he would carry her, if she
needed him to : ) She did make it though.
We had fun talking with Breanna’s family all the way up and
down. Jordan, her cousin, was hiding up
at the waterfall. We did not even see
him until Derek had Breanna under the lower waterfall, and the rest of us were
back, at the side, watching. We could
suddenly see his camera bag sitting on a big rock, then up popped the Droid –
the camera that flies, and it zoomed up by Derek and Breanna and up the
waterfall and under the waterfall.
Another tender mercy was that the ring box had a video
camera in it, so when Derek bent down, and pulled the ring box out, he pressed
a button and when he opened the box, it recorded Breanna’s reaction and her
expression, etc. – Technology is fun. We
had never heard of anyone doing that.
The whole event was just devine. We felt Heaven near that whole day and
evening, especially on the hike. I felt
my deceased Grandma and Grandpas with us and Breanna’s must have been here,
too. I really believe Heaven cheers
for us when something this special happens.
We have been honored to have Derek and Breanna continue to
court and date. They had most of the wedding plans done when they became
engaged.
They had their announcement pictures taken, they are going
to get their wedding pictures taken on August 17 – they invited us to watch
that “First Look” in Utah at the Ogden Temple.
I have been working with Breanna to arrange a wedding
dinner/lunch at the take center by where she lives, and to arrange the open
house here in Driggs at Grandma Rip’s, outside.
I found several tender mercies along the way.
We’ve got the grooms men’s gray vests, coral ties and a suit
for Derek ordered thourgh Lori Schies’s friend by Layton.
We have leanred that the groom’s family pays as much as the
bride’s. Especially if you put on an
open house or reception in his home town.
So, we had his clothing, his groomsmen, ties for all men in the party,
the honeymoon, the hotel for the night of their sealing, the night after in
Florida, the cruise, the wedding lunch, and the open house. A wedding is fun, and great, but also a lot
of work.
They are sweet and wonderful. Our home and family has enjoyed the Spirit in
great abundance these last many weeks.
Heather went to Nauvoo this week-end, and had her court
trial last Wednesday with the crooked boss from Provo.
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