Sunday Thoughts

 We went to church again this morning.  I've missed going and love that we can go even if it is only for a quick hour.  Partaking of the sacrament is such a sacred part of our church services and I'm excited to be able to renew my promises at baptism.  So grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  

Neal and I have been watching a series of the Joseph Smith Papers and it made me think that the times we are living in now and how hard and very different this year of 2020 has been so far.  We are having our own journey and we are all creating and crossing our own trail.  But we are all moving forward with faith in Jesus Christ - just as the pioneers did in the early days of the church.  We are building upon all of the things that were done in the past.  We share the same faith and because of that we will make it through this journey just as the pioneers did through theirs.  

Happy Sabbath!

Winter has come.

 The weatherman reported that we might wake up to snow this morning and he was right on target.  This is what greeted us this Sunday morning.  The first day of actual snow on the ground is always a bit of a shock for me.  I don't look forward to winter and the cold.  I really should move to St. George!

Neal and I are watching The Chosen.  If you haven't seen this series you should absolutely watch them.  They are incredible.  It is a look and the feelings about the Savior from the people's point of view.  Much is taken from the scriptures but much is fiction.  Very moving and very emotional.  

I have to add here that while we were having lunch for Lila Mae's birthday, I brought up the subject of this series and told everyone that they could watch it on Vid-Angel if they didn't want to buy the first season CD.  Now I'm not going to go into detail about how I pronounced Vid-Angel.  I'll just say that everyone had a good laugh at the "Gam Moment".  If you want to know how I slaughtered the name you can ask one of the Gertsons.  I'll just leave it at that.

Owl and Deer

We were lucky enough to see a huge horned owl and 6 deer while at the cabin.  The owl was amazing.

 

Fire at the Cabin

 Last weekend we were invited to Scofield for our last weekend at the cabin before the water is turned off and the cabins are closed for the winter.  We had a fabulous weekend and woke up Sunday morning with a bit of sadness knowing that we would be heading down the canyon for the last time until next Spring.  We had a light breakfast and then decided to play a few hands of bridge before starting dinner and cleaning the cabin.  We were sitting at the table in the front room when Judy happened to notice some black clouds drifting by the window.  Not knowing what it was we continued the play when she noticed someone running between the cabin and the one on the East of us.  Then she saw clouds of black smoke.  We all ran out the front and to the back of the cabin to see that the whole back side of the cabin was on fire.  Ron quickly got the hose and started spraying water on the back while the neighbor came down with a huge fire extinguisher and his son followed with a second one.  After about 1/2 hour we were able to get the fire out.  In the mean time the fire department came up from Helper along with the ambulance.  They checked the cabin inside and out, top and bottom and were assured that the fire was out. After reports were written, hugs were given and mounds of thanks expressed the fire people left.  We ended up having a delicious dinner, cleaning the cabin, packing up and heading home.  The fire damage was not as bad as it could have been.  The fire didn't penetrate the cabin wall.  Just melted the siding and burned the plywood but didn't go through.  

As we were leaving the cabin, Ron asked me to say a prayer before we headed home.  I started but the emotion of the day completely caught up with me and the tears came and my ability to speak was gone.  All of a sudden I felt Judy's arms around me and she finished the prayer.  It was beautiful and sincere.  A moment I will never forget.  I've never heard Judy say a prayer of any kind.  It was a very spiritual and touching moment.

This is a picture of David who first spotted the fire, who called 911 and who came with the two fire extinguishers.  Judy gave him a hug and told him how very grateful they were.  He had tears in his eyes and said he was so grateful that he happened to be outside and saw the smoke.  

Ron and the police officer filling out all the reports.

All of the firemen, behind the cabin doing their inspection.

These next two pictures are the shed right behind the cabin.  It didn't catch on fire but the heat was so intense that it melted the siding.

I felt so badly for Ron and Judy.  The fire was started by some coals from the fire that were not out.  Ron thought they were and set them back behind cabin and the wind, that morning, started the embers up and the wood pile caught and from there the fire to the cabin wall.

We were grateful no one was hurt and that we made it home safety.  However, it took us 3 1/2 hours to get home.  The traffic was horrible coming out of the canyon.  But we offered our thanks that we made it home safe and we were all well.

 

Celebrating birthdays

Lila Mae turned 89 this year.  And she is still going strong.  She still makes bread every morning for the Dairy Keen and also works for 4 hours every day at the Dairy Keen.  She is amazing.  She goes shopping with Susan every Saturday and keeps herself busy doing lots of projects.  She is amazing.  Happy birthday Lila Mae and we pray you will be around for another 10 years.  We met Lila Mae and Susan at Joe Vera's for Mexican food and had a fun time visiting and laughing.  

On the way home, Annie drove us through Provo Canyon into Midway and then up past Wasatch Park and through Guardmans Pass.  We came out at the bottom of Big Cottonwood Canyon.  It was a beautiful ride and a very fun day.  I wish I had taken a picture of Hayley leaning out the window letting the warm air blow in her face.  It was a really fun day. 

Funny story.  Lila Mae saw some masks in a magazine and saw this one and thought it was pretty with the leaves and Fall looking, so she order it.  When it came and she looked at it closely and then asked Susan if the leaves looked like Marijuana leaves. Sure enough that is exactly what they are.  I told her she had to put it on so I could take a picture of my 89 year old sister sporting a marijuana leaves mask!  Yes we all laughed and laughed.

This is a picture of Tucker and his family celebrating his birthday.  Great picture and a very happy birthday to Tucker!

Mallory also had her birthday and we went to the Cheesecake Factory to celebrate her special day.  Even with the COVID issues we were able to gather.  I took an extra long lunch hour that day to meet them there and celebrate.  Happy birthday my little missionary!

Oh, and I have to add here that while we were with Lila Mae and Susan, Abby got word from her Stake President that her mission papers had been officially sent in to the church offices.  So now we get to wait for a few weeks to here where our second little missionary will be serving.  So happy and proud of you Abby!
 

Sunday Thoughts

 With this weekend being General Conference, my mind is swirling with thoughts that I want to record.  This conference has been amazing and so reassuring.  

President Nelson said, 

    "Unusual times bring unusual rewards.  20 new temples in 2020.  This is a unique time to grow                 spiritually.  Lay hold on the words of Christ and let God prevail in our lives."

Bednar said:  

    "Periodic tests are a vital element of our spiritual learning.  Our test is to help us prove, examine and         try.  we should prepare temporarily and spiritually.  We should press forward in Christ, stand in             holy places and be not moved."

Michelle Craig:

    "Understand your identify and purpose.  What am I doing that I should stop doing and what am I not     doing that I should be doing."  

Quinten Cook:

    "Do better.  Live righteously and be a Zion people."

Rasband (One of my most favorite speakers)

    "Temples rise above the world.  There are 168 of them."

    He also talked about our temple recommend.  He said "The temple recommend interview is to qualify     us to live in harmony with Jesus Christ.  The recommend opens the gates of Heaven"

    He also said the "Being worth to attend the temple has not been suspended even though temples have     been closed.  Our recommends are a protection from the adversary and a promise that the spirit will         be with you."

I am so grateful for conference and the uplifting and encouraging words from our prophet and apostles who serve as witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ.

President Nelson:

    "A pandemic cannot and will not stop the Lord from embracing us.  His love is constant.  He never         stops watching over us.  He has promised that He will be on our right hand and on our left, that His         Spirit will be in our hearts, and that even His angels will surround us."

    

Little gifts that mean a lot to a Grandmother

 I was watering the plants the other day and noticed this little butterfly wood cutout that sits in my Christmas Cactus.  I honestly don't remember the occasion that it was given to Neal and I.  But, it brought an emotional moment to me as I thought about my California grandchildren and how I long to see them.  This was made for me by Jordyn Lyn in 2009.  Most of the coloring on the back side is faded but it still has the little message clearly on the front.

Stitching Update

 I know that my stitching projects have little if no consequence or interest to anyone but me so I realize when I post my projects and the progress I'm making it is for me.  It is just fun for me to look back and see how much I get done in a months time.  I'm amazed at how much I actually get done.  I usually can only stitch a couple hours at the most in the evenings and the weekends are sporadic at best.  This particular projects is moving much faster than I realized.  Maybe and most assuredly it is because of the pandemic and the many hours at home because not much is available to do or go see.  Still hours to go before this is done but I'm happy with the progress already made.

October

 This has been such an unusual year and I feel like I've somehow been cheated out of Spring and Summer and now we are into Fall.  I think our focus has been so on the COVID issues and the news that it is all we've thought about for months.  The paradigm change that we have moved in to seems like it has encompassed our every thought and activities.  I don't see it changing in the near future and wonder if we will ever go back to what we thought was "normal".  

When I got these pictures from the Gertson kids I had hopes that life can move on to some kind of normal.  I loved their creative pumpkin carving.  Actually, amazing!

This first one was done by Andrew Man.

This one was done by Hayley Bug.  I was told it is leaves but I thought it was a bird in the center of swirling leaves.  I think I like my interpretation better.  

This one was done by Abby.  Amazing art work as always - even on a pumpkin!  Beautiful!

And last, but not least, a puppy paw by Mallory.  No surprised there when she has just become the 'mother' of a new puppy named Brinkley.

This is a quote from L.M. Montgomery from Annie of Green Gables.  If you haven't read the books, you should.  We are experiencing a gorgeous and very colorful Fall.  We need it to lift our spirits.

Happy October everyone!

COVID-19 and Distancing

 These are two words that we hear daily and more often that any of us would like to remember or admit.  We are all so aware of the distancing issues, wearing masks and the COVID-19 virus that is highly contagious.  These days, we all seem to be reaching for humor in our every day lives.  The county came out with these shirts and I think they are hilarious!  Everyone in the county was issued one and we are at will to wear them to work and wherever we want.  Most everyone in the county has loved them and you see them all over the place.  I'm not sure what clever mind came up with the idea for the shirt, but hats off to them!

One more belated birthday wish.

 Maren came by our home a couple weeks ago and brought me these beautiful flowers that were from Derek.  Maren said that Derek felt bad that he had let my birthday come and go and had not done anything so he sent Maren some money and told her to deliver the flowers and then take a picture of me with the flowers.  Not sure if he was checking up on Maren getting the flowers to me and wanted proof or just wanted to see the flowers.  Either way, they were gratefully received and they have been sitting on my table ever since and amazingly enough, still look gorgeous.  Thank you Derek for thinking of me and for the gorgeous bouquets of flowers.  

Grandchildren

 I love it when my kids send me pictures of the grandchildren.  I try to take as many pictures as I can when I'm around the families but love more the spontaneous pictures that are taken and sent to me.  Here is a cute one that Maren took of the four Cutler kids.  Great picture!