Quotes of the Week

When we are engaged in service to others, we think less about ourselves, and the Holy Ghost can more readily come to us.
--Henry B. Eyring

God does not begin by asking us about our ability, but only about our availability, and if we then prove our dependability, he will increase our capability.
--Neal A. Maxwell

God's objective should be our objective. He wants His children to choose to return to Him, prepared, qualified, endowed, sealed and faithful to covenants made in holy temples.
--Russell M. Nelson

Ben's Family in New York; Clean Game Closet; School Starts

 It has been so quiet around here since the family visiting ended. 

I had so much looked forward to my morning walks so I could get out of the house for a while, move my body and enjoy being out in nature. 

With the fires burning and so much smoke in the air, I have not been going walking the last week to spare my lungs the bad air. The hazy atmosphere does make for beautiful sunsets, though.

It seems that the only time I leave the house is to get take-out restaurant food and to get Walmart take-out groceries. They handed us a free sample of a fresh peach one week. That made me happy!

Time for another home church Sunday.

Rebecca brought Spencer and Madison over one day so the rest of the family could go see the theater production of "Mary Poppins." She has been elated that we have given up our theater tickets this year to them so I can avoid being in a crowd.

She was sporting her new outfit, wondering if the animal print was a bit too bold for her. I think she looks amazing in it and told her to wear it with pride!!!

While I was super happy she was so happy to be going to a play, I had to resign myself to the fact that we really do nothing fun and exciting at all.

My highlight continues to be when someone comes to see us. It was Ben's turn to mow the grass. That means we got to enjoy a smiley, busy boy Kade for a while. And then we bought lunch to thank them for the yard work.

It was fun for Kade to have two of his cousins here that day.

After lunch Kade was having an enjoyable time climbing up on his grandpa and jumping off onto the floor. I was amazed Glen didn't seem to be in any discomfort during all that considering having a full tummy.

We went to the wedding reception of one of our missionaries Cody Merrell and his wife Kierstin. They had gotten married a week or so earlier in the San Diego Temple.

Two other missionaries arrived--Dylan Allred and Nate Wilson. It was so nice to get out of the house and go on that little drive to Draper. 

Not sure if I can express in words just how much I despise wearing a mask. That's one of the perks of rarely going anywhere. No need of wearing a mask.

We had a visit from former missionary McKell Childs. 

Sabbath Day once again.

Monday morning I was happy to get the bathrooms cleaned before it was time to pick up Ben's family to take them to the airport. 

They had made plans to spend 2 weeks in New York with Haley's parents the first half of July. But, the coronavirus put a crimp in their plans and they weren't able to go.

Amazon is sending Ben to work in Pennsylvania for 3 weeks, so they decided to go a week early to vacation with Haley's family. She will stay there with them the 3 weeks Ben is working. He will be able to go see them on the weekends. Fun trip for this little family before the baby is due.

It is such a blessing Kade is not yet required to wear a mask. That would be a long plane ride for all of them trying to keep a mask on him. Haley has been having him practice wearing a mask. It might hide his cute smile, but his beautiful eyes are shining through.

I decided to get productive one day. At the beginning of the year I set the goal of cleaning out the basement game closet. It has only taken me 8 months to get around to it. But, I am reaching my goal before the end of the year!! 

Perhaps I dread this closet so much because I have a memory of Mom not enjoying the project of cleaning out the hall closet of the house where I grew up. That closet had games in it and paper supplies and other various things. It would get messy and then would look so nice once she got it cleaned and straightened. 

I felt the sense of accomplishment she must have felt each time she tackled that closet.

As with most projects, a bigger mess ensues before any progress is made. I pulled every box out, opened it up and inspected it to see if the box was intact. If it was ripped or the corners had split, I taped it up. That part of the project is what took the longest.

There were lots of random puzzle pieces and games pieces on the shelves, so I tried to get them back in their respective boxes. I still have a bag full of puzzle pieces I am going to need Rebecca's help to figure out which puzzle boxes they belong to.

Let's take a moment to admire the finished project.

Here's a side-by-side photo to really be able to appreciate the before and after.

The time had come for school to begin. Jacob's children have been able to attend school every day (except Claire who is being homeschooled). 

Earlier this week Logan wasn't feeling great so he stayed home from school. The principal called and said he has to have a negative Covid test or a letter from his doctor saying he isn't contagious before he can go back (or wait 10 days). 

Jacob said Logan has missed 4 days of school this week as they are awaiting his Covid test results. In a normal year he would have only missed the one day. Times have changed...

Rebecca's children started school this week. They attend on Mondays and Wednesdays and have remote learning at home the other three days of the week.

Sarah's boys have homeschool every day. Sarah wasn't that happy to hear that this is how it's going down for them in Las Vegas, but at least she feels more prepared for home learning with their homeschool room all fixed up.

Sometimes Jonah is the one needing the most attention while his brothers are busy doing their schooling. 

The homeschoolers are fortunate enough to not have to wear masks all during school. 

The boys did have to don their masks to attend church. 

Surprisingly, Sarah reported they did a really good job keeping their masks on all through the meeting.

Quotes of the Week

We can follow the example of our Lord and Savior, who, when tempted in the wilderness, said, "Get thee behind me, Satan." We each have to learn by the experiences of life how to do that.
--Ronald A. Rasband

Making our homes sanctuaries wherein we can "stand in holy places" is essential in these latter days. And as important as home-centered and Church-supported learning is for our spiritual strength and protection today, it will be even more vital in the future.
--David A. Bednar

Repentance is not an event; it is a process. It is the key to happiness and peace of mind. When coupled with faith, repentance opens our access to the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
--Russell M. Nelson

Quotes of the Week

Because Christ conquered death and darkness, virtually every trial and test we have in life can be turned to our advantage, and every righteous choice we make can be made with confidence and faith. That is why whatever the challenge we face, we are to "be of good cheer".
--Jeffery R. Holland

How can we ever become like our great Exemplar if we don't face trials similar to those that made Him who He is? Likewise, how can we as parents help our own children progress if we don't allow them and even encourage them to do hard things?
--Lynn G. Robbins

Remember that discipleship is not about doing things perfectly; it's about doing things intentionally. It is your choices that show what you truly are, far more than your abilities.
--Dieter F. Uchtdorf