River’s Primary Program

Lyndsy called us a couple weeks ahead to let us know that it was River’s primary program.  With Neal and I both having stake callings and finding ourselves in so many meetings on Sunday it is nice when we get advanced notice of Sunday happenings.  We were both able to attend the Primary Program and were touched by the message of the program and of course, proud of River.  He stood right up to the microphone and said, “My name is River Goss, I’m a soccer player.  But more importantly, I am a child of God.”  I shall add my testimony that we are all children of God.  Thanks, Goss’s for inviting us to the program.

We had hoped to go out to Herriman and see Brock and Boston in their Primary program but Maren and Greg forgot to let us know when it was and we missed it.  Maybe next year!

After the meeting, Neal and I drove home by way of Cumberland Road.  I knew that the home that Jeff and Lynda Ann grew up in was being remodeled, and I was anxious to see what they had done.  Jeff and Annie you should drive by the old neighborhood some time.  Lots of changes and especially to our home.  It is fun to drive down the streets of Holiday and be able to name every single family that lived in those homes.  There is an advantage of being in the RS Presidency because you do get to know every single person in your neighborhood, member or non-member.  This is a picture of our old home. 

You can see the two entrances are still the same but they have extended the garage out to the front and widened it more and they’ve taken away the cement driveway that went around the South side of the house.  It would be fun for both of you to drive by.  I always loved that home and it was sad for me to make the decision to sell it and I know it was very emotional for both of you.  But it is nice to drive by and see that the people who bought it, love it and have made some fun and modern improvements on it.

A Merry Poppins Weekend

Ron and Judy and Neal and I had tickets for Mary Poppins at the Tuacahn Amphitheater in St. George.  We enjoy going to St. George with the Stanfields and are always looking for an excuse to do so.  Ron had meetings for their condo association so we all went down Friday right afternoon.  Friday night was the production and it was amazing.  Very different from the Disney Movie.  The story line is exactly the same but there were quite a few different songs in the Broadway production.  Neal’s cousin was Mary Poppins and he was excited to see her perform. 

Saturday morning while Ron was in his meetings, Neal corrected papers and Judy and I went shopping.  We both love the “Life Is Good” products and they have a fun store in St. George where they sell Life Is Good exclusively.  We found out that they are closing their doors and so we had to get in on their half off deals.  We both bought a lot and it was sad to leave the store for the last time.

Neal and Ron played golf that afternoon and Judy and I opted to go lay out by the pool. 

Sunday morning Neal and I went to sacrament meeting and then back to the condo where Judy had breakfast waiting for us.  We straightened up the condo and then headed home.  As we came into Payson, the Payson temple stood out like the temple in San Diego.  You come around the bend in the freeway and all of a sudden it is there!  You can’t help but notice it.  Neal and I pulled off the freeway and drove up to the temple site to get a couple a pictures.  It is an absolutely gorgeous temple!  We found out they had just put Moroni on top the temple the week before.  This stop was definitely the highlight of our trip!

Grieving seems to be a life long journey.

I’ve been thinking a lot about Jamie and Mindy who have both experienced the loss of a brother in the past few years.  I want them to know how deeply I feel for them, sorrow for their loss, and pray for peace to settle in their hearts.

I too have lost two brothers, a dear sister and my mother.  I don’t think a day goes by that I don’t think about them and especially my mother. 

Some days the thoughts of mother are just that, a fleeting moment of memory followed by a smile.  But, every so often something will be said or I’ll do something or see something that brings my emotions right up in my throat and I want to be able to call her or run to Provo to see her.  Yes, I still think about her every day and I fight back the tears.  It does get easier as time goes on, but I still miss her. 

The other day I needed a funnel and I pulled out the old tin funnel that mother always used when canning fruits from the fall harvest.  That simple, beat up and well used trinket has become invaluable to me. 

I’m also reminded of mother and my siblings whenever I see a rainbow or hear a sentimental song.  Things like that help me to remember they were real.  Sometimes life gets me so busy and so far removed and those things remind me that I love them and I miss them and that I will see all of them again someday. 

So, I’ve come to the conclusion that the loss of someone we love is something we probably never get over.  My siblings will always be in my memory.  Mother will always be in my heart.   And I will continue to miss them.

A fun Saturday that we were invited to participate in!

Mallory opted not to have a birthday party for her 15th birthday.  Instead she asked to go to lunch with her parents, older sister, Emmi and her grandparents.  We were thrilled to be invited – thank you Mallory.  We all met for lunch and then Neal and Jeff decided to take the good weather opportunity and go play 18 holes.  While they were golfing, Annie and I ran some errands and on the way back picked up Mallory and Abby who had just had their nails done.  This was also one of Mallory’s wishes for her birthday. 

For you BYU fans and Utah fans alike – notice that Pa and I have on our respective loyalty shirts and happy to say that both teams pulled off a win. 

General Conference and the first fall weekend.

I love this weekend of the year.  It is one that I always look forward to.  It is a weekend of lots of changes and it is the weekend that I so fondly refer to as “going to church in my pajamas”.  I love conference weekend.  Saturday always seems to be my most favorite sessions.  How blessed we are to be able to hear messages from our Prophet and the 12 Apostles.  It is a weekend of learning, strengthening our testimonies and being able to sustain our leaders. 

It is always a weekend of change in the home.  Neal buys pumpkins for the front porch, pulls out the Halloween décor and summer clothes are put away and winter clothes take their place in the closet. The cold weather has certainly set in and the ground is now covered with frost each morning.   I have to say that I don’t look forward to winter but I love the changing of the seasons.  Each season has it’s own beauty and with each season comes the promise of another change.

Lynda Ann made me the witch that centers my dining room table and Susan gave me three ghosts that say, “Hear no evil, see no evil and speak no evil.  Good advice for all of us!

I might add here that this is the first time that the Priesthood Session is televised.  Neal is home for the first time watching Priesthood Meeting in his easy chair! 

Lyndsy’s baby shower

Lyndsy’s high school friend, Margaret, gave her a baby shower.  It was an open house type where you could come from 6:30 to 8:30.  Margaret had a light summer which consisted of a pasta chicken salad, cut up fruit, a croissant and sugar cookies in the shapes of rattles and other baby paraphernalia.  It was a fun evening.  Three of the Ottley girls came and it was nice to see them.