Abby's Birthday

 Abby came in to town to work with her students who are raising guide dogs.  KSL News went to Pleasant Grove on Saturday morning to do a news clip on the program and to film the students training and working with the labs.  We are all anxious to see the clip and hopefully other schools will want to join in and be a part of raising these amazing dogs for the blind.  While Abby was here, we celebrated her birthday.  Annie called and asked if we could have Abby's birthday dinner at our home.  Abby requested, marinated chicken, corn, baked potatoes with all the accessories.  For dessert Annie had made a chocolate cake with ice cream.  So delicious!

Cute picture as Abby is heading out the door to catch her flight back to LA.  We love you Abby and a very happy birthday!

70 Amazing Years

Saturday found the Gertsons and Neal and Jeannine in Heber to celebrate Susan's 70th birthday.  What a fun day we had.  Lynda Ann and I along with Susan's sister, Mary, invited the people that we knew Susan would want to celebrate with.  We had 26 family and friends who showed up at Don Pedro's to honor her.  And, of course, we had the waiters sing happy birthday to her and put on the Mexican Sombrero.  We knew she would hate it but we also knew that she would be a good sport and wear it while we all joined in to sing happy birthday to her.  Fun had by all who came.

I will try and name all the people starting with Neal, Susan, Ian, Robin, Lynn, Carolyn, Keith, Mary, Cierra, Kaden, Sandy, Becky, Christopher, Sara, Anna, Donavon, Dallas, Alex, Hayley, Lynda, Andrew, Mallory, Jeffrey and me taking the picture.  

A toast to an amazing niece, aunt, cousin, sister and friend.  You have been such an incredible positive influence in our lives and we love you!  Happy 70 years!  You wear it well.  
 

Lunch and Games

 Lynda Ann, Jeff and Emmi are on a 10 day trip to Japan for Emmi's 30th birthday celebration.  While they were gone I invited Mallory and Andrew to come in for a late lunch and games.  We decided on Chili's as our choice of an eating establishment.  Had a great lunch and then headed back home for games.  We played the Four Handed Game.  Mallory had never played it before but she caught on very quickly.  We had such a good time and it was so much fun to be with both of them.  

I sent them a text telling them thanks for coming and what a fun time I had with them.  Mallory sent back a text with this picture and said, "I love you both so much!!  How could I not, you're both adorable!"

Dinner and Games

 I had Tucker, Lyndsy and Maren's family over for dinner last Sunday.  After dinner we play the game Fruit Salad.  Lots of fun and lots of laughter.  Such a good time.  Desmond was here for a visit.

Greg playing his own game.  He isn't big on table games.  But he very patiently waits while the rest of uf play hours of games.  He is a great sport.  We love you Greg!!

Andrew's 21st Birthday Wish

Andrew just turned 21 and has been counting down the days for his birthday so he could go to Wendover with family and gamble.  I was invited to come along.  I've never gambled or sat at a casino table with chips in hand.  But, I wanted to add to Andrews birthday wish.  Jeff, Maria (Jeff's sister) and Andrew left in the morning to head to Wendover.  I drove out to Annie's and we left her house about 11:30 and headed to the Casino.  I had $50.00 to gamble with and when it was gone I would be done.  Our first stop was the roulette table.  I cased in my $50.00 for $5.00 chips.  I basically bet very conservative on either red or black and sometimes numbers.  I was pretty lucky and actually came out about $30.00 ahead.  From there we went to the Black Jack Table.  Jeff was on the end, then Lynda, me and Andrew.  I had no idea what I was doing but with Jeff's help Annie and I had a good time and actually came out ahead again.  I can easily see how people get the adrenalin rush when you win and you keep wanting to have that feeling.  But, Annie and I decided we would quit while we were ahead.  We gave our winnings to Andrew and we headed home.  It was a fun day and I was glad to be out there with Andrew.  What a great young man he is.  Love this boy so much.

Annie also invited us out to their home for a birthday dinner for Andrew.  Food was delicious and the games were, as always, very fun.

The cookie pizza birthday treat that Andrew requested.

Happy 21st birthday, Andrew Man!!!

Tucker

 I really think Tucker is the only one in this whole family who has the patience to work with Neal on any computer or phone problem.  When I found out Neal was going to Xfinity to talk about our bill, I quickly called Tucker and said, "help".  He came on Friday morning and spent literally, the whole day going back and forth between our home and Xfinity trying to solve a problem.  Apparently we had an old box that needed to be replaced.  After many attempted tries and getting no positive results, I suggested we stop and go to lunch.  Tucker set the TV up on streaming and made an appointment with Xfinity to come to the house and figure things out.  Tucker had heard about a taco place that had just opened so we went there for lunch.  Because we had never been there before we decided to order two of every kind of street taco.  We had fun sampling all of them and picking out our most favorite.

The Xfinity service guy came and was able to fix things.  Apparently when it was originally set up the wires weren't spliced the way they should have been causing us losing many channels that we should have had and been paying for.  I can't thank Tucker enough for helping and for his patient in working with his dad.  Believe me, he is the only one who can make it go smoothly and with little frustration (that I can see)

Valentine's Day

As I've said in almost all my past journal writing that I just love Valentine's Day.  Every year I almost think there might be the ring of the doorbell and a chocolate heart left on my porch.  Interesting how childhood memories are so meaningful and clear and make us feel good all over.

This year I sent out the Valentine card with the $2.00 bill in each one.  A tradition started long ago and something my grandchildren still seem to look forward to and get a kick out of.  Mallory sent me this picture letting me know she had received her card and her two dollars.  

Neal and I celebrated by getting pedicures and then off to Market Street for a delicious lunch.  It was such a fun day.

Love this man and appreciate so much all he does for me.

Stake Conference

 I love Stake Conference.  It seems the messages prepared and given are always so poignant and touches my heart every time along with increasing my testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ and his remarkable gospel.  

Our stake president gave a talk about the Desert of Doubt and that we can find ourselves in that desert.  He then gave 6 points for us to ponder and consider.  I was taking notes as fast as I could and I'm sure these are totally complete but the message is there.

1.  Often times doubt can turn to fear and when fear takes over we don't think clearly.  We need to avoid doubting our beliefs and conquering our fears with our testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Doubt and fear lead of to more doubts and we soon find ourselves overcome.

2.  When in the desert of doubt it is important to remember your experiences.  We need to reserve and respect the experiences we have had and they will sustain you and help you.

3.  Don't play with domino's of doubt.  Don't let one issue or doubt crash into another causing the domino effect.  Gospel truth's stand independent.  Powerful truths stand independent.

4.  Don't jump to conclusions.  Don't get lost in public opinions or internet opinions.  Know what your foundation of truth comes from and stay with that foundation - being the Savior.  

5.  Call for help.  Stay humble and teachable.

6.  Find the water.  We cannot survive without water.  Find the living waters of Jesus Christ and turn to the Savior.

Such an amazing talk.  I love the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I'm so incredibly grateful to my mother who joined the church on faith and brought her children up to be independent and filled with love for the Savior.  She was a remarkable person and mother.  I love her and miss her.

Christmas Lights

It was time to take down the outside tree lights.  We were waiting for a warm day and a Saturday gave us the perfect weather for climbing the tree and putting away the last of the Christmas decor.  I talked to Maren to see if Boston would be willing to come in and help Neal and I take down the lights.  Because of Neal's back surgery, his job was to wrap the lights as we unwound them from the three.  Maren and Boston did most of the work.  They were both up in the tree numerous times as well as climbing to the top of the ladder to get all the lights down.  

 It is a pretty fast process to take the lights down.  Putting them up takes three times as long.  Neal gave Boston a little spending money for helping us and then the four of us went to lunch together.  It was such a fun morning to be with Boston and Maren.  Thanks to you both for being so willing to come and help.  We love you both so much.

Memory Lane

 There is a sister that I work with at the temple on Tuesday mornings.  We knew each other when I lived in the old 8th ward - my other life time.  Susan Kormylo brought a picture that she found of camp.  It must have been about 45 or 50 years ago.  So much fun to look at.

Annie is on the front right and I am in the middle with the "required" long hair.  Annie will understand that comment.  So much fun to see this old picture which brings back so many fun memories of being the camp director so many times.  

Surgery

Neal has been having serious pain in his back and down his right side for the past 4 months.  He has tried everything from therapy, steroid shots to acupuncture to try and relieve the pain but nothing has worked.  He has been avoiding surgery, but I kind of knew it was inevitable.  But Neal had to figure that out for himself.  We finally went to a neurosurgeon who said that he had arthritis in his back between his L3 and L4.  I think that is right.  His lower back.  So he finally gave in and went in for surgery Tuesday the 3rd of February.  He was thrilled when he was able to get up and walk around with no pain in his leg and back.  He has a back brace that he will wear for the next few weeks to help the healing take place.  Glad it is done and overwith.

 

A Thank You

I found out that I'm leading the choir for Ward Conference.  Our choir leader is out of town and so she asked me if I would step in.  I have to laugh because a choir leader I am not but I'm always happy to help and serve where I can.  Besides, I think the ward choir members kind of enjoy a change and I do things very different.  Let's just say I'm not conventional!!  Anyway, I made some phone calls and have some people participating as a favor to me.  We ended up with about 25 people at our last practice.  I told Annie I would like to do something kind of special to thank all of them for helping me out.  So Annie got busy and made me 30 thank you notes.  OMGOSH!  Cutest things ever and I know my choir people will love them.

Is that not the best thing ever!  Thanks Annie for taking the time in your busy schedule of working, taking care of your own family and your ward calling and making numerous trips to Wyoming getting your dad's home ready to sell.  You are amazing!  
 

Prayer

This is a quote that I LOVE from President Oaks:

"You have no idea what's shifting because you pray.  You think you're just whispering words in your car.  Just crying out in your closet.  Just mumbling through tears you can't explain.  But in the spirit. Angels are moving.  Chains are breaking.  Destinies are being realigned.

Demons are losing legal ground.  Heaven is leaning in.  You're not just talking.  You're warring.  You're building altars that will outlive you.  You're interceding for bloodlines that don't even know they're being covered.  Prayer is not a soft option.  It's a supernatural strategy.

That's why the enemy fights it so hard.  That's why your phone buzzes when you kneel.  That's why your mind races when you try to focus.

Because prayer is the place of power.  James 5:16 says, "The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous believer can accomplish much when put into action and made effective by God, it is dynamic and has tremendous power."

So pray tired. Pray empty.  Pray unsure.  Just don't stop.  Because every time you pray, Heaven moves.  Hell shakes. And history changes."

Experiences in my own life have given me the testimony that this is absolutely true!  From the time I was a little girl until now.  So many miracles that cannot be explained.  

A.S.A.P.  Always say a prayer!! 

Puppy Feet

 The first of this month we got our first little (and I emphasize little) bit of snow.  It was cute to have Sprout go out in the morning and experience the first snow on the ground.  He is certainly my dog because he doesn't love the snow and doesn't seem to have any desire to 'romp' in it.  He just goes out and does his business and right back in.  He doesn't love the cold and I totally get it.

Here are some other cute pictures I've taken of Sprout.  We do love this boy and spoil him rotten.

Getting into a little bit of mischief.  If he were in our bedroom he would go under the bed!  But in the front room he just waits for me to see him and trade his find for a treat.  

We are also tending Hurley.  He is Vern and Nanette's dog who is about 90 years old in Human years.  We've had him all last week and will have him all of this week.  They will pick him up on Monday night.  I have enjoyed having him but will be happy to be back to just one dog in the house.  Two dogs on the bed at night can get just a bit crowded.  You will notice that he only has one eye.

Waiting to come back inside.

Sleeping on the couch with me after my temple assignment.  Apparently they were tired as well!

Waiting to go in after our daily walk.

Sprout telling Hurley to wake up and play.

Watching the football games.

On our daily walk.