Mormonville - Day 5

"Attend the temple. You will be blessed for so doing. Every man or woman who goes into the house of the Lord leaves there a better man or woman than he or she was when he or she entered the house of the Lord. The house of the Lord will have a refining effect upon you. It will cultivate unselfishness within your lives. It will build righteousness. It will impress upon you the importance of doing what you ought to do. Go to the house of the Lord." - President Gordon B. Hinckley

One of the main reasons we came on this trip was to attend the Brigham City Temple Open House which means we were able to go inside for a tour before it was dedicated.

Readying for our tour of the Brigham City Temple.
In front of us across the street set the Brigham City Tabernacle.

Another view of the Tabernacle

September 10th
In front of the entrance to the Brigham City Temple
in the morning sun.
We had tickets for an early tour.

The Brigham City Temple

Another view
It was built on a site of an old school.

After our temple tour we toured the tabernacle.

Antelope Island

After our time in Brigham City we hit Antelope Island.
The largest of all the islands in the Great Salt Lake.

The overcast day made our trip on Antelope Island very pleasant.

Real Bison Up Close

This was one of Lisa's favorite parts of our trip.  She's all about animals and being able to see the bison so close was amazing.  We also saw antelope and other wildlife as we toured the island.

Beautiful scenery, but not much in the way of trees.

Visited the original homestead.
Lots of history.
It boasts the oldest standing building in Utah.

On the way back our GPS got us lost trying to find a Cracker Barrel.  We finally found it on our own and had a nice dinner.  We spent the rest of our evening visiting with the Steven's, our hosts, (which we didn't take a picture of).  They were so good to us.  Wish we could have stayed longer.

Mormonville - Day 4

We should consider

righteous things

we can do

on the Sabbath.

Gospel Principles

Chapter 24

September 9th
For our Temple Square visit we rendezvoused
with my brother, Adam and his wife Sally.

In the Tabernacle

We couldn't go to Salt Lake City and not hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  It was Sunday so we heard them perform for the morning broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word.  It was great to be there.

Another building on Temple Square - the Assembly Hall.
Me and Lisa pictured next to a beautiful side door.

Happily, Sister Ariel Ibarra (from our stake)
and her companion were our tour guides.

Our foursome by the Salt Lake Temple.

Saying our good-byes and wrapping up our whirlwind tour.
Lisa, I, and our tour guides.

Then we were off to Holladay to spend the day with Adam, Sally, Michael, and Emma.  A great meal and great company.  It was a wonderful Sabbath day!

Mormonville - Day 3

After spending the night in Provo we headed up the canyon to Sundance. We walked around the facility and then took a ride on the ski lift.

Lisa with our helpful ski lift operator.

In the air and then off to Salt Lake City.

“How grateful I am for the gospel
and for the assurance
that even friendships are eternal." 

Marjorie Pay Hinckley

After a long browsing session in the
Church Museum of History and Art
we ate at the Lion House, one of Brigham Young's homes.

Lisa happily full from her meal.

After our meal, we went right next door to
the Beehive House for a tour -
another one of Brigham Young's homes.

Me out front

This archway is right next to the Beehive House.
Once the gateway to the city.

In the Joseph Smith Memorial Building,
originally the Hotel Utah.

We went up to the Roof Restaurant in the
Joseph Smith Memorial Building to take this picture of the
Salt Lake Temple.

Lisa - all about animals,
would have loved a carriage ride,
but had to settle for petting the horse and a photo.

More horsey

After a little shopping spree at Deseret Book we were off to the Steven's house.  They graciously hosted us for most of our stay.

Mormonville - Day 2

Our first night we stayed with my cousin in Washington just outside of St. George.  We visited that evening with Doyle, his wife Julie, and their youngest son, William.  It was a real pleasure.

September 7th - Ready for another early start.
Breakfast and saying good-bye to my cousin Doyle
just before Lisa and I hit the road.

First stop - Cove Fort

Me and Lisa - Loving Cove Fort

Lisa -Checking out the action.

Covered Wagon Replica -
"I'm not getting in the seat.
Are you getting in the seat?"

After Cove Fort we filled our day with more driving.  We saw a number of sites in Provo, to name a few - BYU campus and specifically the BYU Art Museum.  We ate dinner at the Red Brick Oven reminiscent of my married days at BYU - back then it was Heaps of Pizza.  Every Monday Hugh and I went there dinner having their spaghetti special for $1.  We also went to Casey Childs Art Show at the Covey Center Theater and saw the play "Shot In The Dark" that evening.

Spend time with people who know how to use their days well. Just as iron sharpens iron, positive people will inspire you to be positive.

Rihanna

Mormonville - Day 1

WE ARE OUTTA HERE!

Lisa, happy to make an early exit Thursday, September 6th.
On our way to St. George, Utah.
First stop - Chuckarama!  We're all about the food.

Our first tour of the day was at Brigham Young's Winter Home.

Lisa at the front entrance.

On the green - in the shade.

The St. George Tabernacle

Lisa and Me
In front of the Jacob Hamblin House
Jacob was a friend to the Indians.

Last, but not least, The St. George Temple
The first operating temple in Utah - BEAUTIFUL!

Cotton was growing in and around many of the places we toured.
St. George is considered Utah's Dixie - growing cotton
just like they did back in Dixie.

I know the Church is true and being able to tour these sights are inspiring and confirm my testimony of the gospel of Christ.  It was a busy and great day and I'm glad I could share it all with my friend, Lisa.

"I am grateful that early in my life I was blessed with a simple faith that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that he saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, in a vision. Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God. That testimony has been confirmed to me over and over again."

—Dieter F. Uchtdorf,

"Precious Fruits of the First Vision", Ensign, February 2009

Mormonville

Last September I went on a trip with my friend Lisa - a road trip to Utah.  She referred to it as Mormonville and our trip has been known as such ever since.  It's been seven months since I claimed I would post a series about our adventures, but school had started and I was immediately working.  I'm happy to revisit and share.  Be on the lookout, the posts start tomorrow.

LISA

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that “friendship is one of the grand fundamental principles of ‘Mormonism.’” That thought ought to inspire and motivate all of us because I feel that friendship is a fundamental need of our world. I think in all of us there is a profound longing for friendship, a deep yearning for the satisfaction and security that close and lasting relationships can give. Perhaps one reason the scriptures make little specific mention of the principle of friendship is because it should be manifest quite naturally as we live the gospel. In fact, if the consummate Christian attribute of charity has a first cousin, it is friendship. To paraphrase the Apostle Paul slightly, friendship “suffereth long, and is kind; [friendship] envieth not; … seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; … [friendship] never faileth.”

Elder Merlin K. Jensen

Friendship:  A Gospel Principle,

general conference, April 1999

Back Blogging

I'm going to attempt to do some catching up on my blog; consequently, I'm going to be all over the place.  I said I was going to lose weight this year - TOP PRIORITY.  I also want to be more consistent in my blogging.  We're on the hunt for a new computer which will really help.  In the meantime, I'm catching up with photos I have already downloaded or that people have emailed to me.

For starters, I had another opportunity to see my cousin Susan. (Susan is really my mother's first cousin, but we're closer in age.) When I go to the Redlands Temple I try to plan a visit with her. The facility she stays in is in Yucaipa which is very close to the temple. Susan has always asked me to bring other family members to  see her.  Happily, Janna made a point to come along.  She obviously is not pictured, but is taking the photo.

The last time Susan had seen Janna she was a baby.  I went on a trip to North Carolina 20 years ago to visit my sister, Beth, and her family.  I made a point to also see Susan who was living in Beaufort, South Carolina at the time. That was the first and last time she saw Janna until our summer visit.  Susan commented on how she thought Janna looked like her girls - tall, thin, and beautiful. Wish Susan was closer in vicinity. It's been eight months since we've seen each other.  I'll probably make another trip soon.

Susan and I
Far apart, yet close in spirit.

Cassie in her element.  She helped put together a wedding for her friend Jennifer last August.

Good Friends - Jennifer and Cassie
at Jennifer's Wedding Reception

Creative Grandkids - Ammon and Dexter
with Becky looking on.

One of the other reasons I haven't blogged or got anything else done around here is because I worked steadily for a teacher who was ill.  I was happy to be of service and it was a good four months of steady work - great on the pocketbook, but it really taxed my time.  I have to say,  "I couldn't have gotten through Christmas without Becky!" She loves the holiday and I was so busy working.  She wrapped and kept track of all the gifts, so grateful for all her help.

This was taken on Becky's birthday last year - 2012.
To show how far behind I am,
she's had another birthday already this year,
The BIG Three-O (30).
In celebration, all the kids went to Disneyland this year.

Ready to go -Haley, Becky, Cassie, Tom, Sam, Bailey, Janna

January 2013 - about a month before Becky's real birthday.

Everyone said, "It was the BEST Disneyland trip, EVER!"

Sam and Cassie at Disneyland

Janna and Bryant

Over the Christmas holiday we finally had the opportunity to personally meet Bryant.  He's a good friend of Janna's.  He came to eat one evening with our family.  We had heard so much about him.  We thoroughly  enjoyed his company.  Hope to have him over again.

Cassie and Dexter
Christmas Cuteness

All the girls, on our way to the
Sierra Ward Relief Society Christmas Party.

"Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens."

Kahlil Gibran

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!!!

For seven years we have had the privilege of walking across the street to church. When people would observe us on our short walk they would comment about the ease our family had in attending church.  My response was always, "I pretend I moved to Utah!"

We lived 17 years in our previous home.  There we could walk to church too, but we usually made the short drive.  Our home was just around the corner from the Lancaster Blvd. building.  Sometimes we'd walk through a vacant lot for a shortcut, but that was never too good on dress shoes.

When we bought our new home one of the main draws was the location.  It was just steps away from the church. Before we made the final decision to buy, we would review the pros and cons of each house we had viewed.  Hughie would always say with a sense of allurement, "I really want to be able to walk to church."  I would then mention that we were already able to walk to church; he just didn't walk with us.  Hugh was currently serving in the stake so he was usually at the other building.  With that reminder, he would then add to his plea, "So . . . I want to walk together."  Needless to say, we bought the house three doors down from the church and we have thoroughly enjoyed our short jaunts not to mention the money we have saved on gas.

Anyway,  we're moving - not our house, but our ward.  Sierra Ward will now be attending church back on Lancaster Blvd. starting May 5th.  They are adding a Spanish branch to the stake, so things consequently needed to be juggled around to add the new unit.  I won't share all the details about who is going where and when, but it's obvious they had to do some orchestrating to make it all work. We will happily accept the situation.

The changes were announced at stake conference yesterday.  We had two Seventy visiting our stake, Elder Whiting and Elder Sabin.  It was an inspiring weekend to say the least.  Elder Whiting let us know that things were coming together in the Antelope Valley. EXCITING TIMES! Lots of missionaries are coming to the area too and we will soon (July) be a part of the newly created California Bakersfield Mission.

After the meeting, I wrote our stake president assuring him of our support, "We are happy to do our part in building the kingdom of God, even if it involves driving across town."

Hurrah for Israel!

"I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are the Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him?"

—Jeffrey R. Holland, "Missionary Work and the Atonement", Ensign,  March 2001

Confessions of NOT Being on the Program

Even though I made a commitment to stay strong in the month of March I easily waned while struggling to get better. I need to stay strong in spite of setbacks that come my way.

Confession #1 - I haven't exercised much, but I did start walking again.  I got in about three times a week the last two weeks of  March.  Yeah!  Hopefully exercise will be easier in April.  Mid-month I still had a bit of a headache and knee ache; but now, after two months from my fall last February, I'm feeling very recovered.  I'm definitely grateful and happy about that.

Confession #2 - My allergies always get the best of me this time of year and this year is no exception.  In fact, the doctor had me on prednisone for a week to get some of my acute symptoms to subside and it definitely helped.  I'm not perfect, of course, but I am feeling better.

Confession #3 - I only worked one day last month; very weird, since I was working daily for so long.  With hurting, being sick, so much to do (I won't list), and me moving along at a slower pace; it was just easier not to work and has given me some needed recoup time. Why is this any kind of a confession - eating makes me feel better when I'm feeling down and out.

The results for the month:

March 1st  235 lbs.

April 2nd  240 lbs.

Gained  5 lbs.

Total loss since January 1st  10.8 lbs

"A diet is when you

watch what you eat

and wish you could

eat what you watch."

Hermione Gingold

Happy Easter

I want to bear my testimony today - that Christ lives and He loves.

He brings peace and I am grateful.

Happy Easter!

 

"I am the resurrection,

and the life:

he that believeth in me,

though he were dead,

yet shall he live."

John 11:25

Trailing Clouds of Glory

#10 and Counting

Charlotte Martha Blair

6.6 lbs

19 inches

Born 1:30 PM

Pensacola, FL

March 10, 2013

A new baby in our line of grandchildren - Charlotte Martha Blair. She was born today on what would have been my husband's father's (which is Charlotte's great-grandfather) 85th birthday. That is a nice sentiment not to mention her middle name is my own first name.  Her older sister's middle name is after her other grandmother, Kristine.  

The baby came early too.  Wendy has had all her children early. Everything went well though with the delivery. The family is all doing great and we were happy to get the special news.

One other side note, because Rick and Wendy have moved so much, each of the children has been born somewhere different:

Evelyn - Utah

Will - California

Eddie - Okinawa

Charlotte - Florida

Maybe I shouldn't be so forthcoming with all this information on the Internet, but I think it's interesting.    They are anticipating another move later this year - does that mean another baby will on the way?  Just thinking out loud, too loud no doubt.

HAPPY DAY! 

"Pretty dresses,

Little Curls,

Oh thank heaven for little girls!"

The Call

We were anticipating Janna's mission call last Friday, but it didn't come.  What a disappointment, but it came Saturday!  Hoorah for Israel!

First the guesses,  I hope I got everyone:

Me - Liberty Jail Visitors Center (Liberty, Missouri)
Hughie B. - Mongolia
Bailey G. - Spain
Sam B. - France
Marla M. - Brazil
Jeremiah D. - New York
Joseph D. - Puerto Rico
Ammon D. - Taiwan
Cassie D. - Holland
Dexter D. - Italy
Ruben D. - Missouri
Mark R. - Rome, Italy
Jo R.- Helsinki, Finland
Robert R. - South Carolina
Paige R. - Pensacola, Florida
Scott R. - Rapid City, South Dakota
Nancy H. - Hamburg, Germany
Heidi B. - Spain
Danette S. - Russia
Janessa H. - Philippines
Kathleen J. - Ohio or Italy (Yikes!  Only one vote.)
Tammie H. - Japan
Annie S. - Kansas
Kim F. - Germany
Laura C. - France
Jeffrey H. - Sacrament North
Erica P. - New Zealand
Berkeley P. - Oregon
Jennifer S. - Overseas 
Anita G. - Independence, Missouri
Cei K. - Portugal
Michelle T. - Canada
Emma R. - New York
Don and Kathy O. - New Zealand
Beth E. - Canada
Candy R. - The Carolinas or South America
Jeanette M. - Japan
Sally R. - Oklahoma, somewhere warm
Jacob L. - Florida
Brittany L. - Japan
Kendra K. - Argentina or New York, New York
Zoe B. - Hollywood, Florida
Charles O. - Seattle, Washington
Aimee I. - Paris, France
Sydney B. - Lancaster . . .
Kellie H. - Boston, MA or Argentina
Alyssa A. - Lancaster
Emilyann B. - New York
Ricky F. - Texas
Mike T. - Pocatello, Idaho
Stephanie S. - South Carolina
Thomas B. - Thailand
Rebecca B. - Paris, France
Natalie B. - New Zealand or Montana
Veronica M. - Kansas
Tracie D. - France, somewhere in Europe
                 or maybe Washington D. C.
Nicole B. - Guatemala or NYC
David E. - Dominican Republic
Teancum Q. - Korea or Texas
Jared Q. - Temple Square
William B. - Jacksonville, Florida
Rick B. - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Wendy B. - Texas
Evelyn B. - Mississippi
Will B. - Alabama
Eddie B. - Texas
Dave L. - North Carolina
Lisa B. - England
Beth L. - Michigan
Kate R. - Michigan
Jana T. - St. Louis, Missouri/Dallas, Texas/Ireland
Perri L. - Spain
Jessica L. - Utah
Doyle M. - Temple Square
Julie M. - New York
Michelle G. - Tonga

The Call:  Florida Orlando Mission
               Leaving - July 17, 2013 (Janna's dad's 60th birthday)

Referred to as "The Happiest Mission on Earth"

Runners-Up:  Billy Blair guessed Jacksonville, Florida.  Bill served in the Florida Jacksonville Mission over ten years ago.  Things change, as in the boundaries; we found out that there are places in the Orlando Mission where Bill served when it was in the Jacksonville Mission.  We're making special note and maybe Janna will get to serve in those same areas.
                      Zoe Burgess guessed Hollywood, Florida.  This is where she currently lives.  It is in the Florida Ft. Lauderdale  Mission; close, but no prize.  Ft. Lauderdale is where my sister served almost 35 years ago - Spanish speaking.

Winner:  Well I'm giving it to my nephew, Jake Lockhart, for his more generalized answer - Florida.  He's coming to visit so he'll get a Disney prize when he comes to town.  Congrats Jake!

"I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord,

Over mountain or plane or sea;

I'll say what you want me to say, dear Lord,

I'll be what you want me to be."

Hymn No. 270 "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go"

Text: Mary Brown, 1856-1918

Music: Carrie E. Rounsefell, 1861-1930

Back on the Wagon

I had a bit of a setback this month.  I got injured for one.  I fell walking at the mall, twice, and tripped three times in between my falls.  What was that all about?  After 45-minutes of nearly killing myself (hitting that tile floor felt like getting hit by a Mack Truck, twice) I figured I better get out of there while I was still alive.  I haven't walked since - so obviously I am exercising less.  I don't know when I'll start walking again. I am still riding my stationary bike.

Being weakened, I didn't think about eating less, but ate more.  Mid-month I also went to a wedding and a funeral (more food). Anyway, I caught myself close to the end of the month.  I was starting to gain back a pound a day.  I caught hold of myself and regrouped mentally. I still hurt from the fall, but I can see I'm getting better, so I'm grateful for that.  It will be sometime before I totally quit hurting (or is that even possible at my age).  Anyway, I'm feeling optimistic once again, but I definitely lost some losing time.  YIKES! Becky's birthday party last night - heart attack on a plate (Chicken Alfredo) and homemade chocolate mint ice cream, none of which I should have had.  It was YUMMY!

March 1st is a new day.  Is it any wonder, I started out the year with:  On the Program for the REST OF MY LIFE!  It literally has to be that way.  I'm back on the wagon.

February 1st 236.6 (had gotten down to 231 early this month.)

March 1st  235

Lost an additional 1.6

Total loss since January 1st  15.8 lbs.

Don't dig your grave

with your own knife and fork. 

~English Proverb