Mother's Day and a Tin Foil Dinner, May 8, 2016

Mother’s Day, May 8, 2016

We have so many tender mercies today.  It is spring in our valley, but especially in Rexburg.  I was able to go to the Rexburg Temple yesterday with Blaine’s sisters – Debbie, Tammie, Sherry – and his mom. All the fruit trees are in blossom, the lilac bushes are starting to bloom, the tulips are all up, daffodils blooming at home.  The world is green and beautiful.

Derek came up yesterday.  He, Blaine and Nikole burned a bunch of dead grass by Mom Ripp’s house, while we were in Rexburg. 

Derek has had some very exciting things happen.  On Friday evening, after he and Breanna Marcum had shot guns and cooked tin foil dinners in the oven, with Logan Petersen and Tayler Arnold, who are recently engaged, he basicly told Breanna how much he likes her, in detail.  She told him back.  She said she didn’t want to date anyone else, but he could, if he wanted.  He told her he only wanted to date her, so they are an “item”.  I chuckled, because Derek told us he told Breanna that he was happy, but he didn’t really know where to go from here, he had never done this before : )

Our hearts are bursting with joy, because she is such a sweet, wonderful young lady.  We only met her when they came to our house and did the four wheeler ride last week-end, but we have been receiving reports from Derek, almost daily since he starting dating her 3 weeks ago.

We have prayed all Derek’s life, but especially the last few years, that he would be led by the Lord to find his eternal companion, that she would be as valiant and true and wonderful as he is.  We believe he has found her!  Blaine’s blessing to Derek last fall was that he and she would know rather quickly that they were right for each other.  It appears to be happening!  We prayed fervently that he would not make a mistake with someone else he was dating.

It’s been a stark difference, how Derek feels, when he is around Breanna vs. some other young women he has dated.  It’s such a pleasant, nice surpise.  We are so grateful to Breannna’s parents, who raised her so nicely.

We discovered that her Grandpa Robert Marcum was born and raised in Driggs.  We know many Marcums in our valley.

I’m grateful for all the mothers in my life today.  I remember the ones past – Adelaide Dye, Annie Wiseman, Elizabeth Lusk, Zella Parks Cutler, Mae Williams, Violet White and my own sweet Mom, Renee’ White and Blaine’s other, Helen Ripplinger.  I owe so much to those women.  I love being a mother and am grateful for my five superb children that I adore with all my heart.

Blaine and I have been working in our yard, trying hard to keep weeds out and our flowers and trees are budding.

Blaine gave me three hanging flower baskets, which he put up on the porch.  I love them.

Yesterday, Debbie, Tammie, Sherry, Helen and I attended the Rexburg Temple together.  We were able to view my favorite temple film, the one that has Heather’s acquaintances from her Nauvoo Mission in it.  We stopped by Deseret Book and ate at Applebee’s.  We saw Todd Anderson at Kiwi Loco.  They were having a big outdoor celebration for their five years of business.  He works there.

Nikole has mailed out her senior announcements for graduation.  We are less than a month away from that.  She met with Tiffany Wilson to have an orientation for cleaning the condos – her job for this summer.

Elizabeth has gotten a little better since last week.  Her voice and eyes sound and look normal.  She’s got a cough still, but is better.  We will switch to allergy management soon, I’m sure.  She did really well running in the 800 and mile at the track meet in Jackson.  She will have Districts this Thursday and Friday.

Kortny mostly, and I are working on a 50^th Wedding Scrapbook for our parents.  We have an overnight party planned in August in Lava.  I found an app that scans the old pictures quickly onto an iPhone.  Then we move them to Shutterfly and make a book.  It’s going to be marvelous.

Carl was asked to go with Miss C., his band teacher, to go to the elementary 5^th graders to advocate for the music program at the middle school.  He got to play some parts of songs on the drums or xelephone.  He also ran in that track race with the Tiger Griz and did exceptionally well.  He had a Scout overnight camp at AJ Woolstenhulme’s.

We just have a great time together, with our own family.  We’ve felt the Spirit, as Derek shares his life, his dating Breanna, his joyful feelings, etc.  We get along very well, most of the time.

My children are the pride and joy of my life.

I was able to Facetime with Heather last night.  They found a drive-in theatre near their home.  She was showing me the blooming trees.  I showed her my new living room curtains, my flowers that are blooming, the green hill and forest behind our home.  I’m so grateful for modern technology.

It’s been nice to have some weeks off of the Stake Primary visits.

Today, this morning, we’re on our way to see my mom.  We invited them to our house for dinner, since I needed to be with the Ripplinger Sisters on Saturday.  They couldn’t come, so we are going to them.  Christian and Kortny and their families did something with my parents yesterday.  We are going to have Brunch together and then go to their sacrament meeting.  Then we will head home.  I just worry, because my mother hasn’t been very healthy this past year.  I never know when she won’t be here, so we decided we would go see her.

I have a firm testimony that having a nice, stalwart, kind, patient, happy personality goes a long, long way in this life.  I have been around people that are particular, picky, and not very happy lately – it’s so much easier and plesant to be the other way – for yourself and all those you are around.

We had a nice nursing staff meeting.  Sandra had Soledad Trejo make Mexican food for our breakfast at staff meeting.  It was Nurse’s Week.  It was good, and everyone enjoyed it.

Breanna Marcum Comes to Town, May 1, 2016

We have so many tender mercies each day of our lives.  This week, Derek brought Breanna Marcum home for the first time.  They were on a double date.  Gary B. ended up not being able to keep his part of the date at the last minute, so Derek's nice roommate, Nathan from Kansas, stepped in and took Breanna's roommate, Madeline from Nashville, TN.  They came up from BYU-I, met us for a few minutes.

Blaine was with Carl at a track meet, the Chocolate Milk Mile, which was part of the Tiger Griz.  When Derek told me he had to find a date for Madeline and asked if I could find another four wheeler, I thought of Uncle Francis.  I called Aunt LaRue and they happily agreed to let Derek take their Red Rambler four wheeler!  That was very nice of them.  So, Blaine had arrived back home, just when we needed to go to Francis's, get the four wheeler started, fill it with gas, and get it back down to our house.

Derek got here before we were done getting the second four wheeler ready.  Blaine and I had gone the Monday before, up Horse Shoe Canyon, and rode our four wheeler up to see if "The Loop" was dry and without snow.  Blaine had to battle a few trees, it was interesting, and we did get almost to the top, but had to stop because of too much snow.  So, it was a miracle that we didn't hurt ourselves doing that a week ago, because Blaine had a "boomerang" experience with a tree.

Breanna and the others were very nice to meet and had good manners.  We took a picture of the four of them on the four wheelers before they headed out. Our new friends had not brought warm clothes, so Blaine got four sets of boots for them, and winter coats, because even though the sun was out, it was still cold when the wind blew.

They came back an hour later - very dirty, but looking happy and like they had a great time.  Derek had told them to bring a change of clothes, so that was good, because they all needed it.  The men's faces were the dirtiest, because they were in the front.

All three of them oooed and ahhhed over this beautiful valley.  They all said they wanted to come back in July, to hike, etc.  They didn't get to see the Tetons, because there was low cloud cover.

They played "Gimme Five" with Blaine and I after their ride.  The men ate chips and salsa, but the ladies didn't eat.

We had offer drinks,  but they didn't want any.  Carl made Gatorade anyway, and gave the first cup to Breanna.

Breanna was kind, happy, fun, sweet, friendly and a genuine person.  She is pretty.

We liked her.  Derek and she seem to get along well, and have fun together.

Breanna is the Relief Society President in their ward in Rexburg.  Derek is the Elder's Quorum President again this summer semester, even though he's not really taking classes, he's off track, and he moved one building over, because this other wing of the Complex had A/C and washer/dryers.  There is a second RS and Elder's Quorum in the ward.

My Heather is doing well in Kentucky/Ohio.  She and Brandon have just settled right in.  They are involved big in their ward.  Brandon helped a ward family to re-do a table top for a deck.  He had to cut the tile, replace it and put it in the new shape.  It looks beautiful.

Carl did really well at school with his four leaf clover project for the Mohr Mini Mall. One big miracle for us this school year is that Carl's teachers at the TMS really like him and help him.  He goes the extra mile in everything he does.  He planted seeds his teacher helped him find, and sold the tiny plants for .75 each.  They sold three Fridays in a row to thier 7th and 8th graders.

Carl also ran his first ever track event, the 1600.  He ran it in about 6:32! which is the fastest he's ever run!  We think he's going to be a great runner.  He does that without training or trying too hard.  He's awesome.

Elizabeth has been struggling with her health. Her calves have been giving her fits, but now she had been sick with a head cold, and chest cold for 13 days.  Finally I took her to Dr. Redd on Friday morning, she got a prescription for Augmentin and cough syrup, and I believe she's starting to improve slightly, which is a blessed miracle to me.

We fed the missionaries today - two Elders, one from Somoa, who turned out to joke most of the meal.

Nikole went to her first young adult fireside.  She says she finally doe shave senioritis.  I believe it just gets to be hard to be with some of the difficult classmates you've been with for 12 or 13 years.  She still loves us.

Nikole had a grand Prom date last week-end that I didn't even get to write much about  Clayton Campbell took Nikole.  They went with a great group of youth.  I went to Porter's, past Victor in Teton Springs, and took pictures, with Blaine  It seemed like a Dream Date to me.  They looked sweet together.

I love my family with all my heart.  My mother is struggling a lot with her health.  Blaine's mom wants Donald Trump to win the Presidential election.

The weather here has been divine.  It was forecast to be rainy all week, but it was sunny and cold two days and then today was blessedly clear, blue sky and sunshine.  Oh, it was good.

Church was great.  I was able to attend my very own ward, which I haven't been able to do for a long time, due to my stake primary job.

I'm excited about the I was a Stranger challenge by the General RS President, in General Conference. I try to reach out to those in need.

I invited two non-member friends to the RS activity on Thursday.  One told me yes, one wanted to go, but was in S. Carolina.  The yes canceled the day of the event, so I was disappointed.  But I know that the Lord counts it as missionary work when we invite.  I did call Aunt LaRue and took her, though.  It was  a beautiful night of reviewing bread making skills.  It motivated me to come home today, Sunday, and grind my own wheat, and make 3 big loaves of home made hard white wheat bread.  yum!

Heard a beautiful story in Debra Woolstenhulme's RS lesson today.  Heard great testimonies in sacrament, and I bore my own. Derek said Breanna and he bore their testimonies in Rexburg.  Would have loved to hear.

Las Vegas, Nikole Gets Asked to Prom, Derek ends Winter Semester, Heather Hikes Mammoth Falls, April 17, 2016

So many tender mercies have happened lately.

Today, my stake primary presidency went to Jackson First Ward.  We met at the Driggs Church, then drove over the Pass to Jackson.  We've been in the Presidency almost two years now.  We felt out of the swing a bit, because we have been off for Stake Conference and then General Conference, so we haven't gone to a ward conference for awhile.

President Cooke has his mother in law living with him right now.  We get to hear a lot of his stories.  He is such a good speaker, so I always can't wait to hear what he will say.  The ward council was good.  They have a little, struggling ward that reminds me of our old ward that we lived in for so many years.  They changed the boundaries a couple of years ago.  This Jackson ward was on the small side, but they are close and working hard together to pull the load.  President Cooke taught us to be happy in service.  He told about his mother in law being found on her bedroom floor, cold from a bath she tried to do by herself.  She is 90 years old and forgetful.  They found her one morning, dressed her, wrapped her in an electric blanket and put her in bed.  His wife, Anita, crawled in bed with her mom and wrapped around her and stayed with her until noon time when the Mom finally started to get warm.  He told how he felt the Spirit, felt the Lord's spirit in this service.

I love the women in the Stake Primary with me.  Julie Woolstenhulme brought her sister, which was a treat.  Her sister lives in California and is here to attend a funeral for their aunt.  Lisa Foster brought yogurt parfaits, Susan Thompson brought warm mini crossant ham sandwiches, and I got the easy assignment of liquid/drinks for us.  We had a car picnic.  The children were wonderful.

Heather and Brandon went to Mammoth Falls in southern Kentucky on Friday.  I admire them because they embrace where they live.  They bought some camping gear and took Brandon's friend with them.

Derek had a huge tender mercy and was prompted to end a relations hip that had been going on for about four months, but which had not progressed beyond friends.  Blaine and I had been praying fervently for him, that he would be guided, and he was.  We are grateful for the promptings and guidance of the Holy Ghost.  We feel very blessed.  Derek stayed her for a few days of his two weeks before semesters.  That is always a gift to have him here with us.

Derek went through 3 semesters straight.  He was weary.  This summer semester, he is off track, but will still live at The Nauvoo House, because he can keep his job on campus in the Career Development Office for 20 hours per week and he and Todd Anderson's group was awarded the "Jump Start Your Business" award or grant, so they get an office space, resources, two professors to advise and help them with Todd's Kente Style business.  We feel it an honor and a tender mercy from Heavenly Father.  It will count as Derek's internship for this summer.

Derek didn't know if he would still be his quorum's Elder's Quorum President, because he actually moved apartments.  He moved to a section of the Nauvoo House, where they have washers and dryers and air conditioning!  They did not have it at the other apartments.  It's just one building over, and their apartment is on the very end, so it should be out of that quorum.

But yesterday, his Bishop told him he would like Derek to still be the Elder's Quorum President, and they will just extend the boundaries to include Derek's apartment.  He was also asked to give the Elder's Quorum lesson for the two Elder's Quorums, because the Bishop has not called the other Elder's Quorum President yet.  Derek was getting a lesson ready on Zion, last night, when we saw him in Rexburg.  He was doing a Power Point, and was going to tie it in with how you can have Zion in your apartment this semester.  Good idea.

On Saturday, Elizabeth, Carl, Blaine and I got to go out to Rexburg in the early evening, meet Derek's roommates, take Derek to dinner at Fong's and go to the wonderful new movie Miracles from Heaven.  It was at the $ Movie.  It was so good.  It's about a girl who got a terrible intestinal problem, had a huge change in her life, then at the end, fell down a 30 foot hollow tree, and was miraculously healed.  It just made us all think about how hard trials are, and yet what tender mercies the Lord sends to us to help us in our trials.  I cried through the whole second half of the movie.  The veil is always thin in those situations and I had a hard time when I hugged Derek good-bye at his apartment. He's been home from his mission for a year, but I still miss him when he's gone.  Blaine and I talked about how Nikole will go to BYU-I in the fall and we will miss her.  We never thought we would get to this time in our life.

I'm back tracking a lot, but Nikole was asked to Prom by a great, handsome young man named Clayton Campbell.  He asked her in a cute way - see my Facebook scrapbooks I make for photos - and she answered in a cute way.  She is borrowing a pretty deep blue dress from Bella Wilson.  We had Bella and Olivia Wilson over to play games with Nikole and Derek on Friday, before Derek moved out.  We had fun with them.

Elizabeth has struggled with her calf muscles in both legs.  Coach Gleichman and I, and Mike Haskell PA all feel like she has compartment syndrome.  The Orthopod did not.  A huge tender mercy was that Eric Kunz, a chiropractor, did believe us, and he told Coach Gleichman that we should roll Lizzie's calves after she runs, with a rolling pin, or something like it.  She has been able to run in the last two track meets, which is quite miraculous, compared to what she was like a few weeks ago.  We count this as  blessing and see God's Hands in Elizabeth's life.

I have had a season of peace with my two teenage daughters.  That says it all.  I feel deep love back from them.  We are excited for Nikole to go to Prom on Saturday.  She's been tutoring Javen in Algebra 2, which has been great. She had her seminary graduation interview with Bishop Hill today.  She started attending the adult Sunday School class with Blaine and went to Relief Society.  I wish I could have been there with her.

My Dad has a GFR of 21 to 23, which is not the best news. He is 73, and one of the great pillars of my life.  Levels below 60 for 3 or more months are a sign of chronic kidney disease.  A GFR lower than 15mL is a sign of kidney failure and requires immediate medical attention.  He's had it that low for at least a year, so I feel sad about that.  He thinks it is familial.  He has a cousin that has it, too.

Blaine's mom is doing well.  She is 83.  We took her on a trip to Las Vegas with us, during our spring break.  We had debated on where to go.  Blaine suggested Salt Lake.  Our three children suggested Arizona.  We settled on Las Vegas.  I reserved our hotel for one room on a Saturday.  On Sunday, Blaine spoke with his mother.  She wanted to know if she could come on our trip with us!  I called back and luckily the Mandalay Bay hotel had another room.  She wanted us to invite Terry and MaryAnn to come from Safford AZ and meet us in Las Vegas.  They agreed!

We had a great time there.  Blaine pushed his mother in a wheel chair I had reserved for her, all over the big hotel and down the Strip.  We had so much fun on that trip.  Terry and MaryAnn were pleasant.

I had a huge surprise and tender mercy in the form of being given a scholarship from my local Intermountain Chapter APIC to attend the National APIC Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina!!!  In my quest to gain Infection Control, APIC Association for Professionals in Infection Prevention and Control has been my #1 go to for finding information, networking friends and teaching myself many, many things.  I found out about a month ago about the scholarship from a fellow Infection Preventionist from a little hospital by Twin Falls.  His name is John Harding.  He was helping me learn how to complete the NHSN inputting data.  I asked him how he obtained his training.  He mentioned our local APIC chapter awarded him scholarships to attend EPI 101, 102 and to go to the national convention.  I never thought I would get to attend the national convention.  You have to pay for flight, hotel, the convention fee of $656 and food, which would cost my hospital nearly $3000.

John told me to apply. He said the scholarship would be advertised in the e-newsletter they send in the next couple weeks.  It was.  I got permission to apply, my Angela Booker sent a little letter with the application I filled out, hers saying I would be allowed to attend if I received the scholarship, mine telling why I thought our hospital needed it.  I only had a week to apply.  I did it.

They said I would find out in a week, but I heard nothing.  After two weeks, me thinking I did not receive it, I received the blessed email!!!!  I was given the scholarship!!!  I was excited out of my mind!  I'm going to Charlotte!!

I made my hotel plans when I first applied, because it was filling up fast, and I could cancel if I needed to.  So it was good I had it.  Then I made my air flight plans after I was awarded the scholarship.  I was blessed to work it so I get to stop in Cincinnati on my way there to see Heather and Brandon for one day!

March 18, Heather's 25th Birthday and in Kentucky, 2016

March 18, 2016

My Dearest Heather:

Every year, on your birthday, I try to write a letter to you.  This year, you and Brandon have moved to Taylor Mill, Kentucky for Brandon’s first real job out of college, with Nielsen Marketing in Cincinnati.

This past year with you has brought us so much joy and we feel so very blessed.  We were able to see you and Brandon graduate from BYU-Provo.  It is a big deal for you both to have graduated together, such a rare thing.  We are so happy that you graduated from college. 

We saw you work through some hard challenges with Extreme Party Innovations.  Even though there were some very unpleasant events and challenges, we can see now that you both gained knowledge and skills that you wouldn’t have obtained any where else.  It will bless your future.  We’ve seen it has already blessed you in future jobs and situations.

We are grateful that you continue to accept calls from the Lord.  We are proud of you for digging into Cub Scouting.  Those 10 and 11 year old boys are lucky to have you.  You will grow and learn a lot, so you will be compensated and blessed for your efforts.  It’s such an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young men and their families.

I am happy that you are willing to share all your talents with your ward members and Matt.  We are always given more talents when we share ours.

I’m really excited for all the adventures and life you and Brandon will get to make together in Kentucky.  I’m proud of Brandon and his new job.  I’m excited and hope you have a job soon.  I’m excited to make a trip out there to see you sometime.

Thank you for being kind, loving and helpful to each of your siblings.  Thanks for being good to my parents and Dad’s.

I was remembering back to the evening you were born.  You’ve heard it before, but I was at work on campus at USU up until the day you were born.  I was about a week over due. I woke up on your birthday, and felt strange.  I called my work ladies – Teri Price and Debbie Brunson in Range Science.  I told them I thought I better not come in today. They laughed and said, “By all means, stay home”. 

I called my doctor’s office.  I went in later that morning, was checked, and told  I was in labor and to go to the hospital.  I went home, grabbed my over night bag and Dad and I went to the hospital in Logan. 

We were happy and naive.  We had attended a birthing class while I was pregnant.  We had practiced La Maz breathing techniques and other things to help me relax during labor.  As the day went along, the labor progressed.  Contractions came closer.  Things got serious.  I wouldn’t listen to Dad’s coaching any more.  I ended up having an epidural. 

My nurse kept calling our doctor towards the end, because your heart rate would decelerate with every contraction.  So, we knew you weren’t doing well.  My doctor didn’t come for a long time.  When he did, he saw you were suffering and we all tried to get you delivered quickly.

When you were delivered, we were overjoyed and exhausted.  We only got to hold you for a little while, because your umbilical cord had been wrapped around your neck three times.  That’s why your heart rate would go down with every contraction.  When you were floating in the amniotic fluid, you were okay, but when you were squished in a contraction, the cord would clamp down too tight, and cut off your air supply and your circulation.

You had go to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where the sick babies go. You were the biggest one in there.   Most of them are pre-mature, so they are tiny.  That wasn’t your problem.

Grandpa and Grandma White came to see you.  The nursery nurses let them in, they had to wear gowns, masks and hats.  I remember Grandpa White stroking your little back.  You would quiver when his finger went down your back.  They had you laying on your tummy.

My heart was sad and broken, because I couldn’t have you in my room with me. Bishop Fife came later, and he and Dad gave you a blessing.  Bishop Fife told me, after the blessing, that he knew you were going to be fine and come home.

However, I was discharged first, so I had to go home without you for one night.  The next morning, the hospital called to say you were ready to go home!  We had gone to the nursery as often as we could while I was there, to see you, talk to you, hold you.  Not long after your deliver, the nurses asked if I wanted to go see you.   Of course I did, but the first time I tried to get out of bed to get into the wheel chair they brought for me, I nearly passed out, and had to wait a while before we could go.

We did get ready and went to the hospital two days after you were born, and got to pick you up and take you home with us.  We were so happy and grateful you made it.

Grandma White was with me for a day or two.  I must have felt fairly good, because I wanted her to go grocery shopping with us.  She took us, but of course, that was a mistake.  I should have kept you and I home, and let her go get the groceries I needed.  I quickly ran out of steam, and I sat in the car with you while she got the things we needed.

We had so much fun getting ready for you birth.  You were Grandma and Grandpa White’s first grand child, and our first child, so it was a big deal. Grandma Williams made some cute quilts and blankets for you long before you were born. 

When we blessed you, it was at the church house where we attended our USU ward.  We had rented a building in Providence, Utah to have the dinner afterwards.  My friend from work, Teri Price, had some connection there and helped me find it.  We had all of Blaine’s siblings and the children they had at that time, the Ripp grandparents, the White grandparents and my parents brought your Great Grandparents White and Williams. 

Dad’s Ripplinger nieces and nephews snuck downstairs in that rented building and found roller skates.  They helped themselves and skated all over in the basement.  Grandma Ripplinger found out, and had a fit and made them put everything back where they found it.  That would have been Terry’s three oldest, Mike’s three oldest and Shaun.

I had sewn your long baby blessing dress myself.  It was gorgeous.  Dad gave one of his first beautiful blessings when you received your name and blessing that Sunday.

We had a fun, beautiful day that day.  We were a family.  We were in love with our darling baby girl.  It was the start of a wonderful journey.

We’ve loved you ever since.

Love you,

Mom

My mom and sister are the best, March 13 add on, 2016

I must write briefly about two more tender mercies that I recognized for this week.  I had the grand opportunity to go over-night with my mother, Renee' Williams White and my sister, Kortny Cym White Arbon.  Oh, the joy that fills my heart when I get to spend time with these two!

This was kind of a toss up celebrating both my mom's and my sister's birthdays.  It is in the middle of the two.  Kortny had requested it, because her birthday is Memorial Day Weekend, and Tad is always busy going to horse shows that time of year, so she wanted to celebrate it earlier.  My mom's is the end of February.

It's become a trend of ours, that for my mother's birthday, we usually stay in a motel in Idaho Falls. My sweet Mom pays for the motel, even though it's her birthday.  We usually stay in one by the river, across from the temple, but this time she wanted to try a Hampton Inn, I believe, out on Hitt Road, by the mall and the newer stores out there.  The motel was really nice.  I really liked it.

We met at 12 noon on Friday.  I had gone to Madison Memorial on Friday morning, at 8:30, because my friend Mikelle Barr, who is their Quality Person had arranged for me to meet with my friend, who goes to the Epidemiologist's meeting in Idaho Falls, LuAnn Dixon.  Well, when I get up very early Friday, bid my family good-bye for the two days, and made sure I was out in Rexburg and at the hospital by 8:30, the one lady said to me, "Oh, you must not  have got the message."  They had left a message on my hospital phone, at work, after I had left for the day on Thursday, saying that LuAnn, who I needed to teach me how to use the NHSN website, was not going to be at work on Friday, because she had already worked too many hours.  Well, I obviously didn't get the message, so there I was.   Mikelle was nice and let me go to their Huddle, where their leaders all meet togehter, but theirs is much more constructive and helpful than ours is.  Then she spend about an hour and shared as much info as she knew about the NHSN reporting project, but mostly other things that were good to know.  At the end of that, she apologized again, and then I left.  So, I was done with my "meeting" by 9:30.

I had a grand day, anyway.  I got a breakfast smoothie in Rexburg -oh, those are so good, went to Real Deals, which is a home decor place, looking for a clock since the one we love has "given out" and won't keep accurate time.  They had a coupon for 15% off, since it's going to be Daylight Savings this week-end, dropped something off to Derek and took him a breakfast smoothie on campus - close to where he works.

Then I went to Idaho Falls, went to Real Deals there - found a clock I liked.  I tried to go to the Scout office, to get Carl a bandalow thing to put his Scouting awards on - found out they've been in that office 50 years, but they moved, and I did not know, so I missed that.

Then I finally got to meet my mom and sister.  We went to lunch at a Mexican Restaurant that's like Cafe Rio, but not.  I can't remember it's name.  They got their first.  We all ordered sweet pork salad, even without knowing what each other were ordering.

We just had a blast with each other the whole time we were together.  We love each other, we're all kind, good, fun people.  We love to be together.  We went to the brand new Tai Pan home decor store.  We all loved it.  We looked and looked.  Hancock Fabric was going out of business and had 40% off.  After taking an hour to pick out about 8 colors of Minkee for a girl and a boy baby (someday for Heather's baby), I found out that I had to buy 2 yards of each (I only needed 1/3 yard), so I put it all back.  I did find beautiful mint green flowered cotton and tulle for a spring dress Elizabeth wants to sew.  We were worn out by then, so we went to the motel, checked in, talked for a while, then decided we were ready for dinner.  Kortny took us to a fairly new old fashioned 50's style diner out by the mall.  It was so good - old fashioned food at very good prices.  I think Blaine would have liked it.

We went back to the motel, the hot tub and pool were full of teenagers, so we skipped that.  We just talked until we went to sleep.  Ahhhhh, it was great.

The next morning, we had a free breakfast with the room, which turned out to be delicious - a great buffet.  We didn't stop then.  We went to another fabric store, Porter's.  They were having a 25 % off Minkee sale, so I ended up getting the 16 pieces of Minkee for Heather's two boy or girl baby puff quilts idea for 25% off, so I thought that was great.  These pieces were already cut into 1/3 yards and rolled and marked, so I didn't have to wait in line - just had Kortny help me choose and wala.  So, I accoomplished my two sewing goals of Heather and Elizabeth's projects - Yay!.  We went to a book store, a used book store I've always wanted to go in, by Hancock Fabric. I found the next sequel to the book Eve in Eden I've been reading, and one Mormon people's favorite poetry book, so I was thrilled.  We also went to a Ben Franklin type store way out past the airport on Broadway, that Kortny showed us.  We just had a blast.  We ate at a Chinese place out there, by my old Bernina store.  We talked and talked there for a long time.  Finally, they drove me clear back out to my car at the hotel.  I had to split up and head towards Rexburg, they go together towards their homes.  Oh, it was a precious tender mercy couple of days.

I stilll need to write about the Horses story, but that will have to be tomorrow, I hope.

I just wanted to say that I love being a Homemaker/Mother/Wife.  This week-end, I got to be mostly home, and I've just loved it.  I did laundry - I like to make my own laundry soap.  I like to keep the clothes nice and on hangers as soon as they dry.  Blaine and I took Carl and Elizabeth out to the temple Friday evening.  We had a miracle and got into the 6 pm session, even though we were only about 15 minutes before 6. I was handed a "ticket", told the man at the desk that my husband was coming soon - he had taken Carl and Lizzie to the baptistry to get them in and going.  The man gave the last two tikcets to two ladies that came in next.  He said that was all the tickets for that session.  The next people that came in got the 6:45 time.  I asked him if my husband would have to go to the next session.  He smiled and held up one more ticket, he said it was for my husband, he said he wasn't supposed to do that.  I squeezed his hand and thanked him.

Derek picked up Elizabeth and Carl until we finsihed our session, when they were done.  Carl was baptized for some of Aunt Tammie's or Ken's distant relatives.

We got to eat dinner with Derek and a girl he is dating, A......

Today, Saturday, I've been able to sleep in til 8 (which was Heavenly), do some housekeeping, make plans for our Las Vegas trip that is coming up on Thursday, during our spring break, look at some Easter recipes, think about what we will do to celebrate and remember the last week of the Savior's life, how we will enjoy Easter, even though we're going to be on the road, thought about how we will get ready for General Conference, which is coming up, made a fruit pizza for Nikole's early birthday celebration, we went to Rexburg to see the new Divergent movie - called Allegiant - which wasn't really good and ate at the same Mexican Restaurant - I had the shrimp tacos, which are delicious - when we returned, we had a surprise of Bishop Moulton bringing us fish he had caught - like he used to, Blaine and I went for a walk to Trupp's and back - it was blessedly warm today here - only needed a light jacket, then Elizabeth and I sorted out the new pattern we have for her spring dress, together. It was just so fun for me to do normal house and family things - I get so much joy from that.  I got to talk to my mother on the phone.  Life is bliss.

Billie Ann, My Relief Society Sisters and my daughter's blessed Young Women Leaders, March 13, 2016

This week has been such an abundance of tender mercies!

I always pray for missionary opportunities.  I often pray for certain people that have come into my life.  I learned deeply from my son, Derek, during his mission, from a man in his mission presidency, President Christensen.  He wrote a big on missionary work.  I read that book.  He helped me learn and see that if I am just extending invitations to my brothers and sisters who are not members, it counts as  missionary work.  I do not have to get someone baptized to count as missionary work.  Just befriending, inviting, loving, helping those people is missionary work.

I put the challenge to the test this week.  Whenever there is an event, sponsored by the Church, I figure it's a free, wonderful opportunity to invite non-members.  The RS Presidency gave out the invitations early. I took three - one for me and two for my non-member neighbors - AH and HB.   I knew they probably would not want to come, but I drove the invites to their homes and invited them.
I can tell this next part, because the woman told a lot of people at my church, so it's ok if I tell now.  I took care of a patient at the hospital, a man in his late 60's.  His wife's name was Billie Ann.  They were from deep Arkansas.  They were a darling couple.  They have the thick accent (at least for here). I won't tell all the details we spoke about, because they would be a breech, but suffice it to know that we became good friends, just I prepared him for surgery and spoke to them both.

When he left for surgery, she started to cry. It turned out she has a lot of emotional things going on in their lives.  It turned out that Blaine was able to give her a blessing of comfort, with another member man who works at the hospital.  I talked a lot with Billie and helped her as much as I could.

When I went home, I thought of her all evening.  I received the prompting that I should invite her to our ward's RS Birthday party, which would include a nice meal and a program and a game.

I didn't dare call on Wednesday, because it was the day after his surgery, but I still had the feeling.  I called her on Thursday morning, the day of the event.  I thought she probably wouldn't want to come, for one reason or another.  But I knew she was really trying and wanting to make friends.  And I knew my older group of RS sisters would be there, and many others.  So, I called.

I said who I was.  She was so excited, and so grateful for the care I had given.  Then I invited her, telling her about the meal, all the ladies from 18 to 100 that would be there.  She gladly accepted!  I was stunned, grateful, thrilled!

All day I prayed and worried she would cancel on me.  But at 5:30 she called me on my cell, and told me she had just left Felt.  I told her that was fine.  She didn't get to the church until 6, that's when it started.  So, we hustled into the cultural hall.  I took her first to the older ladies table.  Here would be my dear, friends I've had all m life in Bates - Barbara Knight, Shauna Jamison - Barbara's daughter, Tess Dalton, Janeane Driggs, LaRue Ripplinger, Leora Wood - I can't remember who else. I just took Billie right there, asked if I could introduce my new friend - introduced her - they had to ask a few times about her name --- Billie?  Dillie?  She is a character and loves to talk, so she immediately felt at home and was gracious.  My heart filled with warmth and joy.

Their table was full, so I looked for friendly women I knew would be welcoming to her.  I saw Chelsea Peterson and Kortnee Woolstenhulme sitting there.  I went to that table  I introduced Billie.  They introduced themselves, and later Becky Clayton, Jessica Beard, Sarah Henderson, Beth Brinkerhoff and maybe another sister came and sat with us and introduced themselves.  These ladies are about my sister, Kortnee's age or younger.  So, they're 7 to 10 years younger than I.

Again, bless their souls, my heart filled with warm and sweet peace and love, as they opened their "arms" and circled her and welcomed her and made her feel part of us.

Oh, the joy that filled my soul to overflowing!  The program was a beautiful presentation about Emma Smith, Kortnee Woolstenhulme sang a beautiful song about Emma.  There was a video from the church about the organization of Relief Society, how Emma said "We are going to do something extra-ordinary!"  And we have.

Afterward, I introduced Bobbie to a few more sisters.  When we left the building, Billie was only happy and complimentary about the whole evening, so grateful I had invited her.  I just melted with love and joy that the Savior and Heavenly Father let me be an instrument in Their hands to touch one sister for this few days' time.

Billie still carries a heavy load of home problems and trials that won't be solved easily.  But she loves the Bible, and now she's been in a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  When we were outside the church, I told her what it was, a bit about the Relief Society organization, etc.  She didn't seem to really catch all that I said, who would?, but I planted a seed.  And for that day, it was enough and more for me!

There are more tender mercies - a trip to Idaho Falls with my mom and my sister, and then a beautiful young women's in excellence program tonight, a talk about a team of chariot racing horses - both answers to my own prayers.  I'll write about them next.

Nikole Plays L'Orage by Friedrick Burgmuller, March 6, 2016

Some of the tender mercies for our week was that:

Heather was able to obtain two job interviews with US Bank in Cincinnati for this week.  They are at two different bank locations, both US Bank.  Brandon keeps enjoying his job at Nielsen Marketing Research.  He says that all of the people working with him are 35 or younger.  I know they are all young, sharp, on-the-ball men.  They love their ward.  The people are very welcoming.  They have callings - Heather is the 10 year old Webelos leader, and Brandon is the 11 year old Scout leader in the Highland Heights Ward of the Cincinnati Ohio Stake.  We are so grateful they are settling in and happy.  We can't wait to go there for a visit, someday.

Derek was able to go down to Provo to visit some missionaries from his Boston Mission.  He took Gary Breckenridge.  They got to take Jose through the Provo City Temple Open House.  Derek is receiving a lot of help, trying to get a good internship for this coming summer.  My friend, Stephanie Peterson, is trying to help him in Brea, California.  Derek and Todd Anderson, cousin, and thier team for Todd's Ghana Ties Company, applied to present at a big entrepreneur contest in Boise on April 1.  It is sponsored by Zion's Bank and Boise State University.  They were accepted.  I believe they are one of ten entrepreneurs that were selected!

Nikole found out she was assigned the Fall Spring track at BYU.  She is trying to make the best of that.  She has enjoyed helping with Distinguished Young Women's Friday night.  She was able to play a piano piece, L'Orage at the program, because she was last year's second attendent.  She also helped Alta, be her back-stage  mom.

Elizabeth has been taking Vitamin D which Dr. Redd told her to do, and to do the stretches that Dan Streubel gave her, and she still has some pain in her legs and feels numb at the end of practice, but she's doing it and I feel she has been blessed in it.  Young men are started to flock around Elizabeth, and her 16th birthday is not until June 30.

Carl is learning how to pass the sacrament correctly and is doing Scouts.  He is excelling at violin with Melanie Moulton, and is excelling at snow boarding with TMS Winter Sports Program.

I feel the Lord's hand helping me in my work at the hospital. He has helped me so much just the past week for nursing staff meeting and with some presentations I had to do.  I feel better about a relationship with a daughter who has been struggling.  Blaine blesses my life as he helps a lot with house chores.  I had a fun day in Rexburg Friday, was able to get a permanent in my hair and buy some groceries.  I'm very excited for my fun week-end with my mother and Kortny this Friday.

I have been studying about Eve.  I learned that Eve made the choice in the Garden that would bless all of us, at least bless others, not just be good for her own interest.  When we make choices that bless others, they are usually somewhat difficult but better, and we know they are the higher, better choice.  I am grateful for her.  Linda Prows gave that lesson, or at least about mothers, women from Elder Holland's General Conference talk.