We planned a winter celebration dinner for our Currant Branch Council members to thank them for all their dedication and commitment in serving with us at the prison.
This event was planned well in advance of us learning we will soon no longer be serving at the prison.
There was a new calling that had just been extended, and we were still reeling from the unexpectedness of it.
We thought we would be serving for at least another couple of years at the prison since Glen is the Branch President.
Surprisingly, all of our couples were able to attend. We were so thankful for that tender mercy.
Brenda and Bob Brisko (in the front); Lowry and Kim Redd and Kristy and Steve Belnap (on the left); Mark and Debra Blaisdell (on the end); and Linda and Mike Error (on the right).
(Left) Clark Burbidge; Marilyn and Kelly Scott; and Paul and Nadine Craig.
Scott and Kim Stebbing; and Leah and Clark Burbidge. The Burbidges had just announced a week earlier that they will be finishing up at the prison the end of February as they have been called to an inner-city mission.
We were all sad about losing Burbidges, but little did everyone know that we were about to announce we will be leaving the prison two weeks after them due to our new calling.
What we had originally planned to be a celebration, quickly turned somber as everyone was shocked thinking about losing their fearless leader. It was so sad.
We love these people so much and will greatly miss our association with each one of them. They are such fine, dedicated, determined and loving people who care greatly for the inmates. We urged everyone to keep the news of the departures quiet. We don't want them to get all riled up and nervous about the change in leadership.
It actually turned out for the best that we had planned the dinner as we had wondered when we would tell our group we would be leaving. This gave them some time to process the news before we were all together again on Sunday.
Kenny's mother passed away. Kenny had been so good to take care of his mother these last few years. We went to the funeral and Glen enjoyed being able to visit with some people he knew from the old Roy 4th Ward.
Let's keep the sad news coming as I relive going through not one day of starvation on a clear liquid diet, but two days of starvation on a clear diet.
Plus drinking that whole bottle of magnesium the first night, with the laxative pills, and both containers of Miralax in what felt like gallons of electrolyte fluid the second day.
It was all done in anticipation of an endoscopy and colonoscopy the following day. Good thing I did it because I had a 7 mm polyp that was removed. That sounded big until I googled it.
Didn't appear to find much going on in the upper scope. Just got my antacid medication changed to a different one, avoid dairy (that's no fun), and take magnesium capsules every day to keep things moving.
Glen always chooses Arby's as his after-colonoscopy-procedure meal. After missing two days' worth of meals, I wanted something much more delectable to my palate--Texas Roadhouse rolls.
Later, I researched and found out there is milk in those rolls. Whoops!!!! Already broke my dairy-free diet! And they sure tasted DELICIOUS!!!!
Do I look drugged??!! Well I should! I went home and had two naps that day. It had been a long couple of days and sleepless nights for me.
This was our welcome home scene upon our arrival.
February is the love month for us. Not only is it Valentine's Day, but it is also the month of our anniversary.
And this is how we spent our 47th wedding anniversary this year.
Meet the newest patriarch of the Bountiful Orchard Stake. This is the reason why we will soon be no longer serving at the prison.
What a shock it was for us when the stake president invited us into his office and issued this new calling.
During these few weeks until Glen gets set apart and will begin giving blessings, we have been talking to as many patriarchs and their wives as we know to learn how they prepare for and give patriarchal blessings.
Here's a sad story of a very sick little boy...
Two days later, Ben took Kade back to the doctor because he was not getting better. He got diagnosed with Influenza A. So that must be the diagnosis for the rest of the sick family members. UGH!! Not fun to be so sick!! And then Ben got it, too. YUCK!!
Now on to some fun stuff to finish up this post.
Brooke and Caroline shared their sweethearts school dance photos and told us all about their respective dates. It was a costume dance with the theme of "through the ages."
Our dear friend Jan ensured we did not have a boring, uneventful Valentine's Day. We could have been down in the basement vegging in our easy chairs (with me falling asleep)...
But instead, we were invited to a festive, Valentine's Day dinner at Bill and Jan's home.
What a great way to celebrate sweethearts day with delicious food and our friends we love so much!!
Bruno is missing from the photo because he was outside in the car on a phone call. The Winders were absent because they were in Hawaii.
Look at this group of Valentine gals all decked out in Valentine colors.
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!
