God Bless America

One of the best, well written articles about the protest on the National Anthem. Worth the read
For true Americans some reading for the night.....I am not the original author. Well written! “Athletes in this country are offered a unique and very privileged opportunity to live an AMAZING life doing something they truly love and enjoy. It’s literally an epitome of the American dream. Of ANYONE who should be thankful, as Americans, to the soldiers who lived and died to give them this life it should be athletes and celebrities. You aren’t scientists who discover new ways to make the earth safer and better. You aren’t doctors who save people’s lives. You do things like, run on a field and throw or catch a ball. You are paid millions to be able to do that for the entertainment value. What an AMAZING gift you have been given to heal and bring people in our country together as AMERICANS. Not as white people, or black people, or Hispanics, or Christians or Muslims etc.... But to celebrate and enjoy being AMERICANS. Instead you choose to use your opportunity to DIVIDE, DISRESPECT, and PUSH HATE. STANDING for our anthem is our opportunity to celebrate being American. If you aren’t grateful, and thankful for the privilege you have received for being an American in our country, why are you still HERE stealing the advantages of this life and country??!! You want to take a knee?Take a little trip to Valley Forge in January. If you don’t know where that is, just Google it from the sidelines. Hold a musket ball in your fingers and imagine it piercing your flesh and breaking a bone or two. There won’t be a doctor or trainer to assist you until after the battle, so just wait your turn. Take your cleats and socks off to get a real experience. Then take a knee. Then, take one at the beach in Normandy where man after American man stormed the beach, even as the one in front of him was shot to pieces... the very sea stained with American blood. The only blockers most had were the dead bodies in front of them, riddled with bullets from enemy fire.  Take a knee in the sweat soaked jungles of Vietnam, from Khe San to Saigon... Anywhere will do. Americans died in all those jungles. There was no playbook that told them what was next, but they knew what flag they represented. When they came home, they were protested as well... and spit on for reasons only cowards know.  Take another knee in the blood drenched sands of Fallujah in 110 degree heat. Wear your Kevlar helmet and battle dress... Your number won’t be printed on it unless your number is up! You’ll need to stay hydrated but there won’t be anyone to squirt Gatorade into your mouth. You’re on your own.  There’s a lot of places to take a knee. Americans have given their lives all over the world. When you use the banner under which they fought as a source for your displeasure, you dishonor the memories of those who bled for the very freedoms you have.  That’s what the red stripes mean. It represents the blood of those who spilled a sea of it defending your liberty.
While you’re on your knee, pray for those that came before you, not on a manicured lawn striped and printed with numbers to announce every inch of ground taken... but on nameless hills and bloodied beaches and sweltering forests and bitter cold mountains... every inch marked by an American life lost serving that flag you protest.
No cheerleaders, no announcers, no coaches, no fans... just American men and women... delivering the real fight against those who chose to harm us... blazing a path so you would have the right to “take a knee.”
You haven’t an inkling what it took to get you where you are... but your “protest” is duly noted. Not only is it disgraceful to a nation of real heroes, it serves the purpose of pointing to your ingratitude for those who chose to defend you under that banner that will still wave long after your jersey is retired...
If you really feel the need to take a knee, come with me to church on Sunday and we’ll both kneel before Almighty God. We’ll thank him for preserving this country for as long as He has. We’ll beg forgiveness for our ingratitude for all He has provided us. We’ll appeal to Him for understanding and wisdom. We’ll pray for liberty and justice for all... because He is the one who provides those things.
But there will be no protest. There will only be gratitude for His provision and a plea for His continued grace and mercy on the land of the free and the home of the brave. It goes like this...”
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
By Stanislaus Drew

Sweet Note From My Mother

Debbie and My Mother on her 80th Birthday

Thank you Debbie and Craig for all the lovely photos it's really helped lift my spirits during this really sick spell I'm having, family brings me such joy and happiness and I'm so very proud of you and Craig on you new venture at Bear Lake you will both will bring so much light and truth to your church there while serving the Lord in your new callings Craig was meant for this calling the Lord has taught him well and he has listened to the spirit teach him this will all bless your Family as we all strive to be the kind of person God would have us be so we can all be together in the hereafter , please Family keep me in your prayers that my health will improve and I can make a trip to see all of you ...I want so much to see all my great grand children and get big hugs and kisses from them I miss all that so very much ..it's such a thrill to see you Debbie as young women president that was one of my favorite calling in Florida when you were in young women and I was young women's president and now my daughter is there doing the same thing Serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who has blessed our family in so many ways .. I admire and respect you and Craig in the way you have raised your Family . Craig is like my own flesh and bones I've seen him grow from a young man into a man of great Faith and Strength and you both have my love and prayers
Love Mom Wallace

Craig's First Bishopric Meeting Tonight

Craig had his first bishopric meeting tonight and I went to play practice.  We have young women’s on Tuesday nights as well but I have not been able to attend because of my play practice, my counselors have been great in supporting me.  The young women’s activity for the first week in October is to attend Friday night the play that I’m performing in,  The Sound of Music.  I'm one of the singing nun's. They are all supporting me. It has been fun to be singing again.  My voice has changed, I can't hit the high notes like I use too, which is very frustrating for me, but trying to do the best I can.  Craig arrived home later than me from his meeting.  He came home saying he has lots to learn and has been reading the leadership manual to learn his new duties as 2nd counselor.

Play Practice

I just got home from play practice tonight.  I practiced every night this week Tuesday through Friday from six till about 9 PM or later,  We perform next week after conference weekend so this week will be a hard week pulling things together.  It has been fun to participate in a musical and getting to know the people in Montpelier, there are some very talented people and everyone is so friendly.  Love my new friends.

My New Blogger App

I just added a new Blogger app because the old one was not updated and was not working anymore so just checking out my new Blogger app.  I have enjoyed so much keeping a blog and corresponding on my phone, it’s fun to download pictures right from my phone to my app application for my blog a great way in keeping my journal.

Craig Called To The Bishopric September 24th, 2017

This past Thursday we received a call from the stake secretary to meet with the Stake Presidency Friday night.  We had to wait 24 hours in order to know what calling they were extending to us.  The anticipation left us in an anxious state of mind.  We knew the Bishopric was going to be changed soon.  Many rumors were going around that the saints in the ward felt Craig was going to be called as our new Bishop.  That was a heavy feeling looming as a possibility.  Craig and I felt brother England that served in the stake high council would be the next Bishop and very well qualified to serve in this area.  We felt that the Lord has been preparing him.  I did know in my heart that Craig would be called as a counselor to serve.  I had no doubt he would be called when the change was made.  The saints here have loved Craig.  He is so warm and friendly to all.  I was called to serve as the Young Women’s President a month earlier and felt they would not have me as a president and call Craig as Bishop, but could as be called to serve as counselor.  They have needed good strong leadership to serve in the Garden City 1st Ward.  When we moved here we felt living in this area would be our mission to help build the saints here in any way we could serve.  I was so surprised to be called as the President for young women’s.  I prayed that the Lord would extend a call to Craig in a leadership calling, at our season in life, I did not want to leave him at home with me gone serving in the young women’s.  Craig needed a calling that would keep him busy with us retired.   Craig and I attended the temple Friday afternoon in our preparation of meeting with the Stake Presidency.  It could possibly be a calling as a High council, but felt they would want to keep Craig in the ward.  The saints need his love and fellowship.  We had a ward camp out planned for Friday night, yet the weather turned very cold so the camp out was canceled and we moved to the church for a dinner,  The dinner started at 6pm at the church.  Craig and I were meeting with the Stake presidency at 8pm.  We had a very nice time visiting with the saint in the ward and getting to know some new members that I have not meet yet.  We are still meeting new people.  We have only lived in the area full-time for 10 months.  It is starting to feel like we belong here in serving the saints and getting to know them.  Having a church calling has greatly helped to make the change in our lives as a retired couple.  Crazy that we are at this season in our lives.  We had to leave the party to go home and change in our church clothes to meet with the Stake Presidency, when we returned back to the church there were several ward members still hanging around in the halls.  We felt so awkward walking into the church all dress up and having the stake presidency standing in the hall,  that made it very obvious to those there that change in the bishopric is coming.   Thank goodness they moved us quickly into a room and shut the door.   Sister Peterson the Bishop’s wife saw us walking in and she gave us a laugh, she knew what was coming.  The Stake presidency extended the calling to Craig to serve as the 2nd counselor in the Bishopric.  They interviewed both of us and asked if I was willing to support my Husband in this calling.  I'm more than thrilled.  I have strongly felt this is what Craig needed for his growth in the gospel at this season in his life.  It says in his blessing that in his older years he would served where many would come to him for advice and he would be a great influence to many because of his nearness to the Lord in serving.  I felt he needed a calling of leadership and I have all confidence in him that he will do a great job.  It was a sigh of relief, knots in our stomachs as we both felt the responsibility.  We had a great interview with the Stake Presidency.  They visited with us after extending the calling and asked us to share things about our lives in order to get to know us better.  They told us that it had been confirmed through Pray that the Lord is extending this call to Craig at this season and that the new Bishop felt strongly that Craig was going to be a great support to him as a Bishop.  We have grown to love our new Stake presidency so very much.  After the interview they told us that they would be releasing the previous Bishopric and sustaining the new Bishopric this Sunday.  We could invite what family members we would like to attend.  Wow our heads were spinning as we left.  I texted and called our family to let them know the news.  It was very short notice and knew most would not be able to attend with the long distance of driving.  Shar text back to let us know she would be here with the kids, Dave had to work and they had to make a few adjustments with their schedule.  Come to find out Aubrey was suppose to give a talk in sacrament and Shar leads the music in Primary.  Dave was her substitute and Aubrey was able to re-reschedule for another time.  Natasha said they would drive up from Salt Lake Sunday morning.  Trisha and Buck are in St George which is 7 hours away.  So we did not expect them to be here.  Ryan and Shan  could not come, Ryan’s brother was flying in town for just the weekend to see their family.  Our Stacy and her family living in California could not attend, which we greatly miss having them closer to us.  I did invite Craig’s brother Scott and Jan, Craig’s sister Shelly & Dennis to attend also.  They both said they would be here to support Craig in his new calling.  To our surprise Saturday night the Burbidge family arrived.  It was such a joy to have what family could come share in this great event in our lives.  The knew Bishop and his family were camping at Island Park about a four hr drive home and the 2nd counselor Brother Menlove and his family were in Las Vegas, they had to drive home in the wee morning hours in order to make it back, a 9 hour drive home.  Sunday was a blessed day for our families as we gathered for the very special day in our lives.  It is mixed emotions,we have grown to love the previous Bishopric so very much.  Change is hard.  But this is the plan, Bishop’s traditionally only serve about five years and the time had arrived for change.  Bishop Peterson has served 10 years, 5 as a counselor and 5 as Bishop. His wife is darling we have just loved her.  She is from Russia, she was pregnant with their last daughter when brother Peterson was called.  He was very emotional on Sunday.  At the ward party, Friday night he knew what was going to be happening on Sunday,  He had asked Craig to give the opening pray at our ward dinner.  Craig taught gospel doctrine class for the last time.  He has really enjoyed teaching this years.  He did such a great job in teaching.  We had a full meeting.   The new Bishopric was set apart after all our meetings.  We filled the entire middle section with family that could attend and support them in this new calling, what a great blessing in our lives.  Shelly’s husband Dennis was able to stand in the circle along with Buck our son-in-law to participate in the setting apart of Craig for his calling as the 2nd counselor in the Garden City 1st ward.  I”m so happy for my dear husband, for him to have this opportunity to serve in a leadership calling.  We are striving to serve the Lord with all our hearts and are greatly blessed for the service given.  I shook the President Roberts hand and Thank him after the setting apart.  I was just beaming with joy for my dear husband.  President Roberts, asked me if I was always so happy,  I told him I try to be!!  This is a blessed day for us as a couple and feel it is needed for our growth in serving in the kingdom of God.  It will be a learning time of growth for both of us.   We love the gospel of Jesus Christ and so honored to serve.  Craig does feel a heavy weight of responsibility, yet I know that he will be supported and strengthen by the Lord in the service he gives as we draw closer to him.  What a blessed day in our lives.   Afterwards we came back to the cabin for a family dinner, with it fast Sunday we were all very hungry!!  I had fasted 24 hours and I had a booming headache, I needed some physical nourishment.   
Dennis, Shelly, Craig, Debbie, Scott, Jan

Temple Names

I have 13 male names that I'm working on Edward Sparks, George King Foster, Isaac Franklin Sparks Jack Thurman Pit, Thomas Newton Dicky, Daniel McClung, James Jonathan Dicky, my Irish g-g- my Irish grandfather born in 1783- Daniel Holiday, Ray Altie Brown, Bernard Sommers,  Paul Douglas Bailes, Russell Herman Bailes, James Nichols  We have been asked to submitt 300 names from our ward to preform the temple work so I am keeping a list of the names that I have submitted and started this year.   I have 13 female names and I'm working on it this time too Francis A Freeman,  Teeny Loveall,  Miss Johnson, Idalee Sparks, Jimmy Adair, Clara Lydia Dooley, Edith Russell Walker, Eileen Pat, Georgie Kay Sparks, Selena Reden, Mary louise Bails,  Imguard Ford and Lithia Keenan.  This are all family names I have research and prepared for their Temple ordinances. I love this work and it has been a great bless in my life as I have strived to prepare their name for the temple.  Craig and I had the privilege to attend the temple on Friday and act as proxy for the sealing of families in the Logon Temple, the crowning ordinance of sealing families together for all eternity!

Family History

In the middle of all the other activities I'm still striving to work on my family history, it felt nice to attend the temple today, it had been about three weeks since my last endowment session, I've had the bug the last few days working on some of the family lines and still attending Wednesday afternoons at the family history Library in Montpelier.   I worked there for three hours every Wednesday and then I go to play practice on Wednesday nights, our stake has a challenge for our ward. for the youth to find 300 names and submit to the temple for baptisms and then to complete that cycle for each of the 300 names as a ward effort so I'm trying to do my part in helping accomplish this goal.

My Young Women Activity

Being a young women's president is a lot of work, I've had to jump in quickly and pick up the pace, life has gotten very busy with added responsibilities and then the responsibilities of performing in a play, my calendar has filled up fast.   We had a great activity last week, we took the girls all boating and this week we did a photo shoot of all the girls at the marina the following week.  I'm concerned about my older laurels they are not coming to church on Sunday.   I need to figure out ways to help them gain a testimony of attending's meetings on Sunday. I've prayed for them today as I attended the temple and put all my young women's names on the prayer roll.

Play Practice

Play practice is picking up, our first performance is less than a month away now. Opening night is October 5, sixth, seventh, October 9 and then Friday 13th, finial show is Saturday the 14th, so from here on out I have nothing but play practice almost every night for the next 2 1/2 weeks.  I have a lot of work to do to learn my parts this is very challenging for me learning to sing several of the songs in Latin and then memorizing my speaking parts.  The singing parts have definitely taken me out of my comfort zone.   I'm enjoying having the time singing and getting my voice back. I have lost my high pitch soprano voice, I could not hit those notes in the beginning it's been nice to be singing again.  My voice has changed in getting older and it is very hard to hit the high F and G notes that use to be so easy for me.  I have missed singing.  I pretty much had just stopped singing in the past five years.

Our Car Hit

It's already the middle of September.  Craig and I drove to Logan today to attend the temple and run a few errands. We just got out of the temple and had lunch at Wendy's, we were at the approach just entering the street, sitting there waiting for the cars and the next thing we knew a tire come flying off another car rolling down the road and slammed into our car. luckily we were not in our Corvette today.   It was our Lexus, it didn't hit the windshield thank goodness, it hit the side of the car and gave us a good scare, I'm sitting in the car now waiting for the police report, just grateful that we are safe.  We just got our car back from having the two front wheel bearing replaced and now this.  There always seems to something to give us challenges to deal with.