Sunday, June 21, 2026

Quotes of the Week

 As charity becomes part of our nature, we will lose the impulse to demean others. We will stop judging others. We will have charity for those from all walks of life. Charity towards all men is essential to our progress. Charity is the foundation of godly character.

--Russell M. Nelson

Your next step may well be into the unknown. But if you put your hand into the Hand of God, I know that His guidance shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.

-- Patrick Kearon

I testify that while God cares about our mistakes, he cares more about what happens after we make a mistake. Are we going to turn to Him and again and again? Are we going to stay in this covenant relationship?

-- Tamara W. Runia

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Graduation; Excells' Train Ride to Colorado; Abe and Newland Father and Sons Camp; Pre-Wedding Family Fun Activities

It's that time of the year when school graduations are held. Here is Montgomery graduating from preschool in South Carolina. 

Luke received accolades from his high school in the art department. His teacher said many wonderful things about him and his accomplishments. 

Luke had his outdoor high school graduation during a tornado watch in Omaha. So glad the ceremony commenced without any weather incident. 

After touring several art schools, Luke has decided to attend Savannah College of Art and Design in the fall. 
In Nebraska, there is always a graduation party thrown in honor of the high school graduate. Jacob and Laurie hosted the party for Luke at their home. 
It was piano recital time once again for Jonah and Carson. 
Jonah and another boy performed a duet together with the teacher sitting behind them tapping their shoulders to try and help them stay on beat. 
Carson has quite the musical ability and his teacher has urged him to find another teacher and keep working on the piano. She is now retired and this was the last hurrah for her time with this group of students. I always love going to their recitals in her home and will miss it.
Sarah's family planned a train trip to Colorado. What a thrill for Lincoln who loves everything having to do with trains. I love how he was wearing his Union Pacific cap during the vacation. 

Sarah posted a cute video of their adventures from which I snapped a few still shots to try and share a few of the things they did while they were vacationing together as a family with Jeff's parents.













The Excells had a fabulous time, but we were sure missing them around here. Abe's family was especially wishing they were here when they came to town.

Newland and Abe came to Utah a few days before the rest of his family to participate in the BYU Fathers and Sons Camp over Memorial Day weekend. 
It seems to be a tradition that they hike up to the Y on the mountain the last day they are there. 
Once finished with the camp, they arrived at our home with just enough time to shower before the other guests arrived--Wesley, Emma, Rebecca's family, and my parents--for our cook-out.
A couple of days later, Klarissa brought the other three children to be here for Emma's wedding week festivities. Monty and Magnus looked so cute in their matching pajamas.
Once Sarah's family was back home and Jacob's family had arrived in town, the whole group of cousins were able to play together. They spent one day at Lagoon.





The cousins enjoyed spending time together. 




One day everyone went to a fun, new park in Farmington. Looks like they got Chick-fil-A for lunch.


I was able to go to Hale to see Hallmarked for a second time with Laurie, Natalie, and Dallas. It was a very relaxing thing to do after all the wedding excitement of the day before. 

I had already seen the play with my parents and Rebecca when Glen was recovering from his second hip surgery. Such a cute play. So many funny jabs at all the Hallmark movies and their repetitive love plots.
The last night everyone was together, they went to the canyon nearby to have a cook-out. 


It had been a very wonderful week enjoying being all together again and most of all celebrating Emma and Wesley. More about their wedding soon to follow.

Sunday, June 14, 2026

Quotes of the Week

 No matter how long we have been off the path or how far away we have wandered, the moment we decide to change, God helps us return.

-- Dale G. Renlund

I recognize that on occasion some of our most fervent prayers may seem to go unanswered. We wonder, "Why?" I know that feeling! I know the fears and tears of such moments. But I also know that our prayers are never ignored. Our faith is never unappreciated.

-- Russell M. Nelson

So how do we come to know our gifts? We can reference our patriarchal blessing, ask those who know us best, and personally identify what we are naturally good at and enjoy. Most important, we can ask God. He knows our gifts, since He gave them to us.

-- John C. Pingree

Sunday, June 7, 2026

Quotes of the Week

 Faith is powerful not because of what it knows but because of what it does.

-- Dieter F. Uchtdorf

God is not interested in His children just becoming trained and obedient "pets" who will not chew on His slippers in the celestial living room. No, God wants His children to grow up spiritually and join Him in the family business. 

God established a plan whereby we can become heirs in His Kingdom.

-- Dale G. Renlund

We come together to worship. There is a significant difference between the two. To attend means to be present at, but to worship is to intentionally praise and adore our god in a way that transforms us.

-- Patrick Kearon