Quotes of the Week

 The Lord does not expect us to do more than we can do, but He does expect us to do what we can do, when we can do it.

--W. Christopher Waddell

The pure love of Christ encourages diverse people to live together in Christian love regardless of religious belief, race, nationality, financial standing, education, or culture.

--Howard W. Hunter

In a coming day, you will present yourself before the Savior. You will be overwhelmed to the point of tears to be in His holy presence. You will struggle to find words to thank Him for paying for your sins, for forgiving you of any unkindness toward others, for healing you from the injuries and injustices of this life. 

You will thank Him for strengthening you to do the impossible, for turning your weaknesses into strengths, and for making it possible for you to live with Him and your family forever. His identity, His Atonement, and His attributes will become personal and real to you.

But you don't have to wait until then. Choose to be one of His true disciples now. Be one who truly loves Him, who truly wants to serve and lead as He did.

--Russell M. Nelson

My Welcome Escape from 3-Week Quarantine; Many More Family Covid Positives

 This was the Golden update when Dallas was in the throes of Covid.

After Rebecca getting sick, testing negative several times, and then getting sick again--she finally got a positive test result and had a Covid red-eye problem going on among her other sick symptoms.

Spencer had been complaining of a sore throat, so no real surprise when he also got the same test result as the rest of the family (minus Brooke who keeps holding her own with no sickness). He wasn't feeling sick for long.

This is how it was in our home for 3 weeks--until I finally quit coughing. Glen kept his distance and we always wore masks if we were anywhere close to each other--which wasn't often.

My sweet ministering sisters, Carol Pope and Tiffany Foutz, left a care package on the front doorstep.

Members of our family weren't the only ones dealing with Covid. We got a message from our Olympus Branch President informing us of the Covid outbreak in the prison that is still going strong.

I finally quit coughing and was able to go out into the world once again. Of all the places I could go and things I could do with my new-found freedom, I went to get my blood drawn in preparation for my upcoming cardiology appointment. Fun!!! 

Actually, I did have a wonderful time because the person drawing my blood was patient and determined to get it the first stick...and she did!!!!!! My hero!!!!

Then I went to a couple of stores and look who I saw at Target!!! It was so delightful to see Haley, Levi and Kade because we hadn't been together for a long time because of my illness. This happy moment made my entire day!!!!

Here are some more photos of these sweet people.

Good thing I was not coughing and I was breathing much better by the time Glen wanted to take me to a BYU basketball game. We met up with one of our missionaries, Bryant Stegman, at Cafe Rio (his choice) for dinner before the game.

At halftime, we were able to talk to Natalie for a few minutes. It was good to see her again.

We had another couple of missionaries we saw that same week. We ate lunch with Nadia Terron at Sabor Latino (her choice) where Glen ate a quesadilla and exclaimed it was the BEST quesadilla he has ever tasted in his life! 

Seriously??!!?? What's so earth-shattering about a tortilla with cheese and chicken on it??!!?? He says he would definitely go back to that little hole-in-the-wall restaurant and I told him he would have to have someone else go with him because I was not in love with my meal at all!!

We did love visiting with Nadia. She is such a beautiful woman and we loved hearing what is going on in her life.

We went to dinner with Matthew Shields and his special girlfriend at Dodo's in Sugar House (their choice--and I heartily approved). 

We were very impressed with Hannah when we met her at our missionary reunion. We enjoyed getting to know her better and are thrilled these two are moving forward toward marriage. What a powerhouse couple they will be as they go through life together.

Glen left me hanging by myself on our monthly literacy follow-up zoom call where we had some more instruction on how to teach others to read. It feels like it will be forever before we can implement what we learn since the prison is in Covid lockdown. 

Look what Sarah has been up to... The book she wrote is now available in hardcover. 

Well that was some positive Excell news. The following Covid home test results were not so positive!

The Excell family members in Las Vegas were beginning their Covid illnesses. They certainly could not blame any of us for infecting them since we haven't seen them in quite a while. 

Good thing they didn't come for Thanksgiving as they had originally planned, or they would for sure be blaming us (me) for their current sick predicament.

Eli had a headache and a runny nose.

Jeff was definitely having a rougher go of it than Eli. He began to experience the same Covid red-eye problem Rebecca was dealing with.

His eyes continued to get worse and have been driving him CRAZY!!!

Jeff reported he was achy, had sinus congestion, headache and temperature swings. Looks like despite his illness, he didn't want to miss out on the family fun of making gingerbread houses.

Then the illness hit Carson. Looks like father like son with him all bundled in the blankets like Jeff had been.

Sarah was sure she had Covid because she had been sick; but despite being sick, she tested negative. 

The long story is Sarah had signed up the family for Covid testing and Jonah's form was different than the others and so she figured Carson definitely has Covid, so she had Jonah test under Carson's name which shows he (Jonah) has Covid.

And Lincoln tested positive as well, so that meant the whole family had Covid except Sarah.

This made Sarah a little frustrated because she wanted her sore throat to be Covid so she could have an easy go of it and so they could all have it and be able to move past it without dragging their quarantine on and on.

Turns out Sarah was just like Rebecca as they were the last ones in their families to get Covid. They both got sick when their families were getting sick, yet they tested negative. 

A few days later, Sarah took a Covid home test and got a positive result.

She said the Covid line showed up immediately, but then added, "Maybe I just have Jeff's Covid breath in my nostrils from sleeping next to him though."

I am pretty sure she will now agree she has Covid because she has been feeling worse and worse and has now lost her sense of taste. She is also very tired. She has a full house of quarantined boys who are now feeling much better, but have to stay in quarantine for 10 days. 

She sent a Marco Polo, while resting on her bed, saying she had put herself in time-out so she could have a little rest. Love her sense of humor. 

She has had friends dropping off toys and things for the boys to do and also food and snacks to help them get through their quarantine. 

And that's how the Excell family is dealing with their Covid quarantine. Hoping for the parents to get feeling as well as their boys soon. 

According to my calculations, they should all be well and out of quarantine by Christmas. Fingers crossed on that one!!

Quotes of the Week

 The process will unfold in His way and on His schedule, but Christ stands ready always to heal every ounce and aspect of your agony. As you allow Him to do so, you will discover that your suffering was not in vain.

--Matthew S. Holland

Let me mention a few gifts that are not always evident... the gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; the gift of being able to weep; the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; the gift of avoiding vain repetition; the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost.

We must remember that to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. It is our right and responsibility to accept our gifts and to share them. God's gifts and powers are available to all of us.

--Marvin J. Ashton

Quotes of the Week

 What is the spirit we feel at Christmastime? It is His spirit -- the spirit of Christ.

--Thomas S. Monson

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this season, let us also celebrate all that His birth symbolizes, especially the love. When we see shepherds, may we remember to be humble. When we see wise men, may we remember to be generous. When we see the star, may we remember the Light of Christ, which gives life and light to all things. When we see a tiny baby, may we remember to love unconditionally, with tenderness and compassion.

--Bonnie L. Oscarson

I invite you to strive to ever more consistently let what God wants for you take priority over what you want for you. Seek to recognize and understand His will and timing in your life.

--David A. Bednar