A Family Tradition

Ricky went to the Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Mission

Billy went to the Florida Jacksonville Mission

Tommy went to the Texas Houston South Mission

Janna_________________________________

(Fill in the blank.)

 

Janna's mission papers have been submitted. She's given her availability date as June 17th. Tommy and Haley will be married. School will be out. Work will be over. She'll be ready to go, but where is she going?  Like her brothers before her, we're playing a little guessing game.

Let the guessing begin! 

Janna should receive her call in a matter of weeks.  If you'd like to join in, feel free to email me, call me, or leave a comment with your guess.  I'll make a post later with all the guesses.  We'll see if there is a lucky winner.  Last time I made a Texas Sheet Cake when we found out Tommy was going to Texas.  Of course, the winner happened to live here in Lancaster.  So . . . I don't know what I'm giving, but I'm giving something; you'll just have to wait and see.  I'll put up all the guesses with the winner when Janna gets her call.

"Sisters,while you do not have
the same priesthood responsibility

as do the young men to

serve as full-time missionaries,

you also make a
valuable contribution as missionaries,

and we welcome your service."

President Thomas S. Monson
"As We Meet Together Again,"
Ensign, November 2010

Elder Reynders

Scotty or I should say, Elder Reynders, left January 9th
for the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.
He was there for three weeks.
His mother is forwarding his emails
so we can hear how he's doing.


Leaving home - Clovis, CA

Uncle Adam and the cousins picked him up in Salt Lake City

Greeted at the MTC in Provo, Utah

What is the purpose of life?

Who am I?

Why am I here?

What happens when I die?

Elder Reynders arrived in Minnesota last week.
He is ready to teach and answer these questions.
He will be guided.
He will find those searching for the truth.
I have no doubt!

The BEST to you Scotty - Elder Reynders!

Time to Weigh In

I should have posted this a few days ago, OOPS!

January 1st - 250.8

February 1st. 236.6

I've lost 14.2 lbs.

Wondering how?  I'm daily tracking my weight, calories, and exercise at loseit.com.  Sounds tedious, I'm getting use to it and it's working. I've got a freebie account there and I'm grateful for the support it gives me. I've got a few cheerleaders at the house too. YEAH!  Let's hope I keep it up.   

I did have one set back and I'm still recovering. I fell walking at the mall last weekend. Guess I need to pick up my feet better and quit shuffling.  If you can believe it, I fell, tripped three more times, and then fell again.  I had to get outta there before I got killed.  Anyway, I'm recuperating.  I'm not walking at the mall right now, but still riding my stationary bike.  Here's hoping for more weight loss in the month of February and no injuries.

The only way you get that fat off

is to eat less and exercise more.

Jack LaLanne

Our Computer

YIKES!

 

Some people seemed destined to have car problems, teeth problems, health problems.  I guess we've all got something we're dealing with.  Ours is evidently computer problems.  We bought a new computer and within a week it just wasn't functioning anymore.  Rather than struggle like we did with the last one (for over a year) and then found out it wasn't us it was the computer, we decided to just take it back.  All of a sudden our ol' clunker of a computer doesn't seem so bad, in spite of it's seven year age and limitations.  What a mess!  Our consistent torment with computers goes on.  It made me think of a T-shirt I saw someone wearing once:

"You know how you have one of those days,

Well, I have one of those lives."

Here's hoping for a better computer situation - someday!

On the Program for the Rest of My Life

Happy New Year!

 

It's resolution time.  I'm going to lose weight this year instead of gaining - famous last words.  How many times have I said it?  How many times has it been my goal?  I wish I could start with a picture, but with the computer complications I've been having I'm not going to deal with it.  (I'll add one later. Suffice it to say, we need a new computer. Blogging will be easier and better when we get one and hopefully that will be this year.)

I weighed in this morning at 250.8 lbs.  I'm a good double what I was when I got married.  YIKES!  I will be writing about my doings throughout the year.  This is my number one goal I will focus on and will continue to focus on, hence, my blog post title:  On the Program for the Rest of My Life.

Family Home Evening this week was from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's latest general conference talk Of Regrets and Resolutions, he said:

"Let us resolve to follow the Savior

and work with diligence

to become the person

we were designed to become.

Let us listen to and obey

the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

As we do so, Heavenly Father

will reveal to us

things we never knew about ourselves.

He will illuminate the path ahead

and open our eyes

to see our unknown and perhaps

unimagined talents."


HERE I GO!!!

Did You Have a Merry Christmas?

Gifts of time and love
are surely the basic ingredients
of a truly merry Christmas.
~Peg Bracken
 
I admit, Christmas came to quick for me this year.  With working everyday and the last day of school being December 21st, I just wasn't ready for it all.  I suppose I always try to do too much; but with getting older, I couldn't push if I wanted to.  Instead, I went to bed and Becky took care of some of the last minute details. Thank You!  We even skipped Christmas dinner today with the idea that we would do it tomorrow when more of us were here. We've had our moments together today.  I'm grateful for less.

Best Wishes!

Have a Jolly Holiday!

I've been working more than my usual substitute norm since school started this fall. Here it's Christmas and I've worked everyday this month. Busy, busy! I just wanted to get a little greeting out there so you'd know I'm still around and hoping to get back on the blogging bandwagon.

Wishing you the best

and hoping you're having a

JOLLY HOLIDAY!

Janna the Elf

During a Christmas celebration last Saturday on Lancaster Blvd. Janna was an elf. She's a bit of a blur because she's in a giant snow-globe. She was in there for three hours - waving, wishing all who passed by a Merry Christmas, and getting her picture taken a lot.

"Well, way up north where the air gets cold
There's a tale about Christmas that you've all been told
And a real famous cat all dressed up in red
And he spends the whole year workin' out on his sled

It's the Little Saint Nick . . .
Run, run reindeer . . .
He don't miss no one!"

by Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys

Engaged!

Got the news yesterday. They were walking on the beach. They had been collecting shells. Tom called to Haley, "There's something in this shell . . ."  She came.  She saw the ring. He proposed - NERVOUS,  SURPRISED,  EXCITED .  .  .  PERFECT!

So happy for these two, Tom and Haley.

Marriage brings

greater possibilities for happiness

than does any other human relationship. 

Elder Russell M. Nelson

"Nurturing Marriage"

Liahona, May 2006

Did You Vote Today?

Trying on a few masks,
Jake and Jennie when they came to visit in October.

"Nobody will ever deprive
the American people of the right to vote
except the American people themselves
and the only way they could do this
is by not voting."

Franklin D. Roosevelt

They Came, They Went

They came, they went and because of their visit I'm back on the blogging map. My niece and nephew came to town several weeks ago. Angie (coming from North Carolina) brought her husband Edward; and Jake (coming from Salt Lake City) brought his friend Jennie. We had a wonderful time!

Of course, they came to see Poppy, but we always get the fringe benefits of those who come to see my dad. Happily, Edward, dare I say, super computer geek, (super - as in he has literally saved my life with this computer of ours); he got me straight on downloading pictures so hopefully I'm good to go until something else goes haywire on this thing.  I'll finally get to post about my trip to Utah and other stuff that has been going down around here.  Thanks Edward!

Edward and Angie at the San Diego Temple

Visiting family gravesides at the La Verne Cemetery
Angie's great-great grandparents on her mother's side.

HIKING

Angie, North Carolina girl
amazed at Red Rock Canyon

North Carolina boy - Edward
Checking out the foliage and landscape of the Mojave Desert

Tommy, Haley, Jennie, and Jake

A visit with Poppy.
Jake, Poppy, Angie, and Edward

Edward on the verge of a grueling game of Dominion!

 

Angie and Jake at the graveside of their little brother
Steven David Lockhart

He died at three weeks old from SIDS. He'd be 25 this year.

He's buried next to my daughter, Martha Ann Blair.

Hope to see everyone soon!
Edward and Angie with Hugh and I
Fun info about Edward:
He's related to Blair's in Vermont
See any resemblance between Hughie and him?

Cousins - Angie and Cassie

Even though Becky and I went to Angie and Edward's wedding last year, everyone else hadn't seen Angie in five years and it was a first trip for Edward to California.  We were glad they came and everyone was pleased to meet Edward; grateful Jake and Jennie made the trip too.  It was an awesome week.

"Y'all Come Back Now,
Ya Hear?!!"

Ask the Sister Missionaries

"A mission

is a voluntary act of service

to God and humankind."

Elder Russell M. Nelson

Janet's mission is different because she serves at Temple Square - a visitors center and she works in the chat room of Mormon.org. Not every missionary serves this way.  Sometimes they let the sisters serving on Temple Square go out and serve in the "regular" mission field; and that's exactly what has happened to Janet (Sister Reynders, I should say). As of this week, she is currently serving in the Washington Spokane Mission. She'll be there for the next 4 1/2 months. Her first area is in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. Her new address through the mission home is listed on the sidebar under her picture.

Sister Reynders standing in front of the
Spokane Washington Temple
with Sister and President Mullen
(her new and temporary mission president).
Janet will eventually return to Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

I'm so excited for her.  What an opportunity!  That's why I'm repeating Elder Russell M. Nelson's words from general conference with the added word "sister":

Ask the [Sister] Missionaries!

They Can Help You!

Elder Russell M. Nelson

General Conference, October 2012

Read it!

Ask The Missionaries

At general conference last April, President Thomas S. Monson in his opening remarks said:

"We meet each six months to strengthen one another, to extend encouragement, to provide comfort, to build faith.  We are here to learn.  Some of you may be seeking answers to questions and challenges you are experiencing in your life.  Some are struggling with disappointments or losses.  Each can be enlightened and uplifted and comforted as the Spirit of the Lord is felt.

"Should there be changes which need to be made in your life, may you find the incentive and the courage to do so as you listen to the inspired words which will be spoken.  May each of us resolve anew to live so that we are worthy sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father."

President Thomas S. Monson,
"As We Gather Once Again"
Ensign, May 2012

Those words apply to every general conference and with that said, this weekend we had the 182nd General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  It has come and gone.  Two days of watching, listening, discussing, and pondering what we learned from the many speakers. Hopefully my enthusiasm will not wane. I need to continue to bask in the light I have been given. I have understanding I need to incorporate into my life.

We also had a luncheon Sunday at our house with new friends and the missionaries during the break between the morning and afternoon sessions of conference. The weather was so nice and it was great to be with everyone. Our meal only added to a wonderful day.

This is one of my favorite talks from general conference this weekend.  Elder Russell M. Nelson from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke at the first session on Saturday.

 

Young men can serve a mission sooner, 18 instead of 19; and young women 19 instead of 21.  With this announcement my nephew, Scott, will have his missionary application in ASAP.  He was ready and waiting for this early opportunity. With this announcement their will be an anticipated upsurge in the number of missionaries serving.  Need some help?  Like Elder Nelson stated:

"Ask the missionaries!"

 

Scott on Thorley Mountain,
ready and waiting to serve
as an 18-year old missionary.

Yikes! Me and Technology

I should have been done posting about my road trip, but I'm having a hard time - can't seem to get my pictures to download.  I've had some other big breaks in trying to post earlier this year because Picasa (where I put my pictures) updated and I didn't know how to use it. I was so frustrated, but I clicked around enough and finally got the hang it.  Now the problem is either our computer or camera, but more likely - ME.  My lack of ability is probably influencing the situation more than anything else.  I just need to set aside some time to try and deal with it and time is hard to come by these days.

Anyway, I had been putting some pictures together this summer as a catch-up post.  I was working on this before the trek and way before I ever thought I'd head out on a road trip to Utah, but this will have to suffice for now.

I'm still here.  I worked most of summer school during August and yesterday was my first day working in the new school year.  Hopefully I'll get this figured out soon.  These pictures are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what we've been up to in the last six months.

Sister Ibarra and Sister Reynders
were introduced for the first time on Temple Square
by our friend Trenton.  It was a fun encounter.

Tommy with friends at the Mormon Helping Hands
service project last April.
They worked at Grace Resources

Cassie and her three youngest
surprised us by coming home from Puerto Rico in April.
Ruben and Jeremiah followed about a month later.

Tommy and the gang at Mormon Night at Dodger Stadium.

Shooting - Tom's latest hobby
How come I just keep posting pictures of Tommy?
Oh yeah, he's the only one getting photos.

Scott, Tom, Sam, and Bill
We had a bit of a reunion this summer.
Bill's family and the Reynders came to visit.
The guys made a trip to Magic Mountain one day.

The week before Hugh and I went on the trek,
Tommy went on a trek.
The Young Adults went with the Lancaster East Stake.
The Young Adults had the option of
just coming up for part of the time
because so many work, go to school, etc.
Tom was there for the whole thing.
He went on a trek as a youth
when he was 14-years old.
8 years later he's doing it again.
He loves the trek.
The YA group made up nicknames.
Tommy grew out his Texas Chops (major sideburns)
for the event, hence, his name was "Chops."

My brother and his wife with their son, Robert.
Bob finished medical school this summer.
He's doing his residency in Kansas City in neurology.

My other nephew David, and his wife and family
moved to Missouri to start a doctorate program
in physical therapy.
They made stops
along the way to their final destination.
Happily they came to see us for a day.

2nd Cousins

This picture is blurry and a little weird,

"Someone is going to break a leg!"

But it also shows all the fun the cousins were having.

Cassie's four boys were jumping and jumping and jumping,

with Ryan (my niece's oldest son) off our garden wall.

Annie and her family came visiting in August

after living in Australia for about a year.

It was so good to see them and they saw my

dad too, of course.  As always - so fun for the cousins!

"No one needs to feel alone
on the road to life,
for we are all invited to come unto Christ
and be perfected in Him."

Elder Benjamin De Hoyos
"True Happiness:  A Conscious Decision"
Ensign, November 2005

Back From "Mormonville"

Salt Lake City Temple

That's what my friend, Lisa, calls it - Mormonville, referring to our road trip to Utah.  We left September 6th and got back yesterday September 12th - 7 days.  Since when do I go on a road trip, let alone with a girlfriend?  Well it happened and I'll be doing a series of posts like I did with the trek.  I'm glad to be home and getting back in the swing of things.  We had a great time.  It was a fun and needed respite.

Description of the experience when Brigham Young entered the Salt Lake Valley:

When we came out of the cañon into full view of the valley, I turned the side of my carriage around, open to the west, and President Young arose from his bed and took a survey of the country. While gazing on the scene before us, he was enwrapped in vision for several minutes. He had seen the valley before in vision, and upon this occasion he saw the future glory of Zion and of Israel, as they would be, planted in the valleys of these mountains. When the vision had passed, he said: "It is enough. This is the right place. Drive on." 

[Wilford Woodruff, in The Utah Pioneers (Salt Lake City: Deseret News Printing and Publishing Establishment, 1880), 23; quoted in B. H. Roberts, A Comprehensive History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Century One, 6 vols. (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1930), 3:224]