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.