We Prayed For Rain in Texas...

 Abigail and I had a great time having adventures together in Texas while Tiffany and Shawn tried to figure their way around Rome.  I think that although I missed a freeway exit or two and ended up trying to get to a Cibolo Nature Center through a gated community, I was less lost than they were.  At least I was a little familiar with SA as I have been there several times.  However, it is always different when you are driving for the first time without a knowledgeable navigator.  Anyway, we managed to make it to church, to  Abigail's school every day, to the field trip at the nature center, to the library, gymnastics, piano lessons, the store and the temple.  Abigail was usually right when she told me that I had missed a turn or was going the wrong direction.

 We baked cookies and delivered some to surprised but happy neighbors, we practiced the piano, read lots of books, took walks, picked up toys and ate treats.  She had picked out a little chocolate cake to celebrate Grandparent's Day which turned out to be a little too yummy.  We ate over half of it during my stay.

 On the field trip, Abigail was the first student to snag something in her net.  Her "tadpoles" turned out to be a couple of very small minnows.  She loved them dearly and after showing them off to her fellow classmates, she had to take them home.

 Abigail with her teacher, Mrs. Herrerra.

Twenty-four hours after the field trip ended., we had a little burial ceremony in the back yard.  Fortunately when Tif and Shawn skyped with us, Shawn warned her that minnows don't live very long so she handled their passing pretty well.

 One of her classmates, took this picture of us at the pizza lunch on my last day in Texas. It was fun!

 One morning after dropping Abigail off at school, I was able to squeeze in a session at the SA LDS Temple.  It has beautiful stained glass windows and I loved the peace I felt there.  The man offering the prayer asked for rain as they have been experiencing a severe drought.  As Tiffany's friend, Jodie, drove me to the airport, it started to rain.  I don't know if it lasted, but it was a refreshing answer to many sincere prayers. I hope Shawn and Tiffany had as much fun as I did.  Abigail and I enjoyed spending time together and she has a surprise for her parents.  Love you, Abigail!

What Ya Been Doing?

I've been struggling with blogging for several weeks now.  Either the website has changed or some software update has changed my computer because now I have to use a different browser to upload my photos and it takes a lot more time.  Since I'm usually scrambling for time anyway, I have allowed that to be an obstacle.

  I really haven't disappeared since my trip to S. Carolina.  In the couple of weeks I was home between trips, I have been working, doing Relief Society work,  picking and cooking zucchini and tomatoes from our little garden, working on our Providence project and getting ready for my next trip. 

On Friday, Sept. 7th, I was fortunate to attend a luncheon for congressional candidate, Mia Love, and hear her speak, along with Josh Romney and Condoleesa Rice.  All three were inspiring and I will say, it was a real honor to hear Ms. Rice speak and her message that government can't deliver compassion, healing and hope but as American citizens, we can, rings true.  She said the world needs American leadership.  We are the most individualistic and philanthropic country in the world and we need to safeguard those values and not lose sight of "who were are." She said "If we can't control our spending, then we can't champion these values."

Pennsylvania Weekend!

Friday before Labor Day Steve took a quick last minute trip to Pennsylvania.  Our son, McKay was called to serve in the bishopric of his local LDS Ward.  He asked Steve to come and ordain him as a high priest.  Steve was thrilled to do it. 

As Steve was scheduled to teach the gospel doctrine class in our ward that Sunday, I was privileged to fill in for him. I stayed home to catch up on my work and prepare the lesson.  I also took a little time to take one of my visiting teaching sisters to see the movie 2016, Obama's America.  This was an eye opening documentary that everyone should see if possible.

Back in PA, Steve, Tricia, McKay, Cameron, Jessica and Thomas took Saturday and drove over to Lancaster to check out the Amish furniture and the local bakeries.  I think that they had a delightful day together.  It was a quick but memorable trip.  Best wishes to McKay and Tricia with the new responsibilities.  Thanks for sharing this experience with Steve. 

Spirituality Is a Key to Keeping Freedom Alive

Spirituality Is a Key to Keeping Freedom Alive               
                    President Ezra Taft Benson was a strong advocate of freedom. On one occasion he wrote: “What can we do to keep the light of freedom alive? Keep the commandments of God. Walk circumspectly before Him. Pay our tithes and fast offerings. Attend our temples. Stay morally clean. Participate in local elections, for the Lord has said, ‘Honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold.’ ( D&C 98:10 .) Be honest in all our dealings. Faithfully hold our family home evenings. Pray—pray to the God of heaven that He will intervene to preserve our precious freedoms, that His gospel may go to every nation and people. Yes, in the words of the Lord Himself: ‘Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come. . . .’ ( D&C 87: 8.) Those ‘holy places’ are our temples, stakes, wards, and homes”.


Recently as I was preparing a Sunday School lesson as a substitute for Steve, I came across this quote from President Ezra Taft Benson.  His advice is sorely needed today.  I pray that we will heed it.

Today in stake conference, our stake president gave some additional words of advice.  President McCleary said "We need to SIMPLIFY OUR LIVES.  Remove things that are not essential even though they may be good.  Replace them with things that are essential.  Make time for what matters most." He went on to say what matters most is that which increases our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and repentance which consists of replacing bad habits and traditions with new and better habits and traditions.

Asparagus, School & More

Of course I took asparagus with me to S. Carolina.  After all, I have a reputation to keep up.  Not only would it go to waste sitting in my fridge back home, Jeff and the kids happen to like asparagus.  So together with chicken, fresh corn and watermelon, it made a tasty meal.
Last Monday night was the open house at the brand new elementary school.  It was difficult for Libbie, but she wanted to meet the kids' teachers and see their classrooms so we all went to see the new school and find the classrooms, library, gym, music room, cafeteria, etc.  It helped to eliminate the fear of the unknown but there was still a bit of apprehension about all the adjustments the new school year will bring.  Sadie found her seat, the hook for her backpack, and the cubby for her lunch box.  She was ready to go.

Benson met his new teacher too.  She seems very nice.  He will have other teachers also in his accelerated math and reading programs. 

After Benson and Sadie had checked into all of their various activity rooms and met the teachers, they were rewarded with ice cream bars.  They both chose fudge bars.  Sadie loved hers so much that she not only ate it, she wore it.

The next day was the last full day of summer vacation.  We were lucky enough to hit the pool between rainstorms for one final swim.  Ah!  It was loverly.

Wednesday morning, everyone was up early so they could get to school around 7:20 a.m.  It makes a long day for a new kindergartener to have school until 2:20 or so.  Here Benson and Sadie carry their lunches and school supplies to their classroom.  Sadie was VERY excited.  She was feeling so grown up.

We found out later that Benson had been interviewed by the local TV station about the first day of school in the new building.  Jeff was able to find it on the news so we could see a link.  I don't know how to post that.  Maybe Jeff and Libbie will.  Congratulations, Benson.

They rode the bus home from school, and I walked down the street to the corner to meet them.  They had a great first day of school.  Sadie loved helping me bake banana chocolate chip cookies.  The kids liked them because of the chocolate chips so the cookies were their lunch treat for the rest of the week.  Good job, Sadie.

Friday morning we had one last picture together before they left for school.  It was hard for me to leave but I felt that Libbie had made a lot of improvement and the kids were doing well with their school routine. Keep working hard at eating and drinking, Libbie. Good luck, Jeff!  Hope all goes well these next few weeks.  I flew home on Friday afternoon.

Carolina Summer

South Carolina summers seem to be a mixture of hot sun and quick thunderstorms.  We've been having both events almost daily while I have been here.  I came to help Libbie but mostly I'm playing with Benson and Sadie, having fun while Libbie remains in a persistent state of misery.

 I take walks with the kids while they ride their bikes.  We go swimming most days, play some games and read lots of books.  We've done a little school shopping, a little cooking, laundry and cleanup.

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 Jeff drove us to the beach early on Saturday morning.  The tide had washed up a stingray, some flounder and most likely a baby snapper.  Libbie watched over our explorations for about 20 minutes and then we headed home. Libbie tries to get out but then the next day she pays for it and spends most of the time in bed. Sitting in bed is pretty boring.  My crochet projects haven't worked out too well but we've at least had a few laughs over them.

 We all wish for an instant recovery for Libbie but so far it is slow.  We are grateful for her progress as she is working very hard to eat and drink the small servings I bring her. I'm enjoying the kids but feel badly that we are "sitting in the sun" while she's caught in the thunderstorm so to speak.  As my grandmother told me during my first pregnancy.  "This too shall pass.  You'll live through this".  I didn't like her answer but it was true.  Hang in there, Libbie. You are doing a great work!

Happy Birthday Sweeheart!

 August 21 is Steve's 64th birthday! Congratulations, Mr. Wonderful.  Above he proudly displays one of our first tomatoes grown in the new planter box he built for me.  I love it that we will have delicious home grown tomatoes and zucchini for a couple of months. A couple of weeks ago we purchased Steve's birthday present.  Our friend Mike told us about a neighbor who wanted to sell her deceased husband's Shop Smith equipment.  It takes up about half of our garage until we can get Steve's shop/barn built and then we will move it.  I hope that he will have a ball learning to use his new woodworking tools.  He has always dreamed of having a woodworking shop.   Here's wishing him well in his projects.  Yahoo!  Happy birthday, Steve!!!  May your dreams come true! Mine come true every day with you.