Memorial Weekend

This has been a very cold holiday weekend this year.  None of the family came up due to the cold and raining weather-  it was a beautiful day all day last Thursday about 75 degrees - Friday evening we had fun playing pickleball with our Bear Lake friends-  Saturday we spent the day inside due to cold weather it dropped into the low 40’s and has been this way the past 4 days.  I worked hard planting all my flowers pots and then I have had to cover them up with sheets to keep the cool air off of them. It rained most of Saturday. Craig conducted Sacrament meeting and our 5th hour combined meeting-  he did a great job.  This could be his last month to conduct our Sacrament meetings-  if they release the Bishopric before august-  they  are coming up on 5 years the middle of September-  I really feel in my heart Craig is going to be the new Bishop-  I guess it depends who the Lord feels is the right person.  I just know our season is running out to serve as we are getting older.   I feel it is his season of time.  It says in his blessing in his older years many will come to him because of the nearness of Lord.  I can’t think what calling that would be other the serving as Bishop-  our new stake president spoke in our Sacrament.  He is a great speaker and feed us all with his message- strengthening our families will make our country stronger-  in these trouble times we need strong families was his message.  We had fun visiting with Jackie and Flint Sunday after church.  Monday and today we were able to borrow the Rassmensen's power tiller and worked on leveling and raking the Rocky highway side.  It has been back breaking for us both.  I appreciated my hubby helping me.  I know it was something he does not like to do. We struck to the task and got it done to the raspberry patch.  Now I need to weed that area- worked in it some last week.  The weeds have taken over this year.  It looks so nice to have it all raked and level it has taken me 5 years since we moved here full-time trying to tame the highway side.  Now I want to plant perennials that will come up every year to fill in-I planted some hollyhocks by seed and some poppies I dug up from an old farm yard and some alliums I dug up along the lake highway and transplanted and they are filling in nicely this year- it’s taking them a couple years but they look big and full this year -they’ll be really pretty. I also planted tulips and daffodils in my canoe and flower bed and they looked really pretty this year. I’ve thrown in wildflower seeds in the canoe that should start sprouting as the weather warms up and it will be fun to see them grow into flowers. Craig and I worked in the yard half day -we cleaned up and drove to Montpelier to have lunch at the Mexican restaurant there. I went to the local grocery store and got a few items- I picked out some flower seeds- they had their memorial mums marked down to one dollar so I got 12 of them to plant in my new area and in my flower pots. I stopped by petals and Paris in Paris Idaho their flower nursery and I bought about seven potted plants to transplant into my pots for the summer season.   The weather will be warmer tomorrow about 65° it will be a nice planting day. Craig had Young men’s tonight so I’m taking time to record in my journal and begin my Gospel doctrine study I’m teaching this Sunday. We were going to Draper tonight but we have a fireside we want to go to Wednesday night in Montpelier for the youth- so  decided to stay here at the lake for a few more days. With this cool and rainy weather I have seen the most beautiful rainbows.  I saw the most beautiful rainbow on Friday that went from one end of the lake to the other and then again tonight it’s such a beautiful panoramic view.   One of God’s greatest gifts of beauty that I enjoy in nature. We do live in a very beautiful blessed area in the world.  We are so very blessed to live in beauty, peace and a safe place on the earth.  When other parts of the world are in such turmoil.  I Thank the Lord for this blessing of peace and beauty!

I had to take the time this afternoon to place a Mary Kay yearly order- the year has gone by so fast. May was a very busy month for us going back-and-forth to Salt Lake helping Sharlena and attending activities for our grandchildren.  

The Highlights -Our Aubrey graduates from High School and Jaxon graduate also online courses from home schooling.  Jacob graduated from 6th grade- he spoke at his graduation and did such a great job-  this a sweet picture of our Aubrey at her graduation with her dear mother Sharlena.  

Our Busy Lives / planting our Summer flowers 🌸

We have kept the road hot!!We have had to drive back-and-forth to the Salt Lake Valley And back to the Bear Lake Valley a lot these past few months. We are getting tired of driving back-and-forth. We are looking forward to summer and enjoying some warmer days. The Chaudhry family came up late Saturday night and stayed till Wednesday morning. I enjoyed spending time with our sweet little Ashtyn she is just the most adorable little girl- love her long red hair.  

They miss coming to our Easter family dinner so I gave her, her Easter basket I made for her Several weeks later. She loved her Easter bunny ears and the little Easter bunny I gave her from her grandma Lavon. She love being at Bear Lake- she kept telling me how much she loved being here- we are so glad we got to spend some time with her at the lake. This has only been her third time being here since she was born. She’s gotten a taste of the lake and wants to come back again. Her birthday is coming up on June 27 and she will be turning six years old. Maybe they can come back up again for her birthday. Well I was in the Salt Lake Valley on Wednesday-  yesterday, I hurried and did my flower shopping for the summer and bought lots of flowers for the summer season- we are back at the lake- arrived late last night after Aubrey‘s graduation. I was so tired I went straight to bed. I’m up early this morning and it’s a beautiful sunny day- no wind which is nice, it has been really windy this past weekend on the cool side. The high today is about 77° which will feel so good. The warmest day of the year so far.  I need some warmer days to warm up the lake before I’ll get in. It’s only going to be nice for a few more days and then the weather cools down about another 20° for memorial weekend. It is going to be a cool memorial weekend. I’m excited to enjoy my time outside today planting our summer flowers for the up coming summer season 🌺🌷🌹  I really enjoyed the time Ryan, the boys, Michael, Landon, Jaxon and his friend and our sweet Ashtyn spent with us at the lake for three days.  We had to cut our visit short to attend Aubrey's High graduation.  Jaxon Graduated from High School as well this year.  He did online schooling so he didn't attend a high school graduation.  Coming to the Lake with his friend was part of celebrating his accomplishments.  So glad Ryan took the time to come with his boys and bring our little Ashtyn to spend time with us.  Missed having Shannon.  She is still not talking or responding to me.  Guess she is still mad at me.  All I can say is I'm sorry and will try to do better.  Shannon is very challenging at times.  She is very stubborn too.  

Our Little Annie

We drove down Tuesday afternoon to attend our little Anni’s year-end ballet dance recital. She is so adorable- she saw us on stage and was waving back at us -it was so cute. She is just a little bitty girl that has lots of spunk!! She brings a lot of joy in our lives.  

Our Aubrey Girl / High School Graduation

She graduated from High School !! So proud of her and all her hard work !  

We drove down Tuesday afternoon to attend our Annie’s year end dance recital and then yesterday an eventful day attending Aubrey’s graduations-  hard to believe she is 18 years old-  Sharlena’s baby girl is all grown up.  She has become a beautiful young women and will do great things in life!!   So very proud of her and the young women she has become.  She is a shining light to us all !! She has had an eventful week with all her high school graduations events to attend.   We drove down to Kaysville Sunday afternoon to attend her Seminary graduation of 4 years.  Aubrey was honored to be one of the speakers out of about 75 student.  So proud her!! She was very articulate in her speaking and sharing with us an inspiring message of how the gospel has made her a better person and given her strength. She loves her Savior Jesus Christ and he has blessed her to go forward in her life. I loved how she shared her challenges and that she has learned in her high school years. She is a beautiful shining light in our family and she is anxious to serve a mission. It was a very emotional evening for me reflecting upon my seminary graduation and how I was so proud I had accomplished a four year certificate as well.  I loved my seminary years of growth and introduced to me a love of my scriptures- that I have carried on my entire life. Seminary is a great spiritual foundation that is learned early as a teen and that foundation has carried me into my adulthood. It is truly an inspired program of our Heavenly Father.  

We are so blessed as grandparents to have wonderful grandchildren.  

My eyes filled with tears as I reflected upon my own seminary learning and now this beautiful granddaughter following the same path- Which I know will be a great blessing in her life- I loved how the stake  president commented that they had obtained spiritual knowledge in those four years and would be armed with spiritual strength to go into the world now. They are a very small group of youth compared to the entire world that have spent four years of their time learning of God’s commandments and laws and how to live in righteousness in a wicked world. Which is so true -there are so few people that spend time to really learn God’s laws in the Scriptures- Making God first in our lives is the most important thing- I love the Lord thy God with all my heart, mind, might and strength.  We are so very blessed as grandparents and I thank my heavenly father with all my heart!! Wearing a beautiful sweater from Grandmother LaVon and a set of pearls.

Saturday / Our Stake Conference This Weekend

We have had a busy week - we  worked hard at the lake Monday and Tuesday cleaning up outside from the winter months.  It was dusty and dirty.  Felt good to get the upper and lower porches cleaned off. We are enjoying the wooden swing bench Craig made -sitting and looking at the lake. I enjoy watching the birds. Wednesday morning we had to head out to Draper.  Craig had to meet up with his sister Shelly for some paper work for their mother’s estate.  Craig dropped me off at Sharlena’s to help there for the day. I have enjoyed just hanging out and spending thine with their family.  I did more cleaning and helping where I can.  It wasn’t to bad - Trisha had been there on Monday cleaning for her and colored her hair.  Craig and I went to the store to pick a few grocery items and I fixed dinner. We got back to Draper about 9pm I was beat from my days work and fell asleep on the couch.   I had my MRI appointment on Thursday afternoon.  I’m a little nervous to hear what the outcome is going to be.  My left breast doesn’t feel right.  I know I need to have a breast surgery as soon as possible to remove my old implants I had 33 years ago after I gave birth to Natasha that year.  My left breast has gotten really hard.  It was an ok procedure.  They put an IV in and sent dye through my veins. I was there for an hour in this radiation tube.  Now waiting for the test results.  My bone density test from last week came back low-  I need to up my calcium and vitamin D intake to try to get my bones to stay strong to prevent falling and breaking as I get older.  So I’m a little nervous about my MRI results.  Friday I spent the morning cleaning up and doing some Laundry and going through my clothes to see if I had something Sharlena could wear. She doesn’t have much she can wear right now with her hurt leg. I found a skirt from grandma Lavon and a jacket from my mom and a white shirt from me -with some sandals and jewelry to match- so maybe it will work for her we’ll see if she likes it. Craig and I headed out early for lunch at our favorite place Teriyaki Grill. I stopped by to see Shar gave her the clothes I picked out and a few pots and pans and utensils -she doesn’t have much in her kitchen when I cooked dinner the other night. I went through what I had at our Draper house to pass on to her. She had her follow up appointment on Friday as well it’s going to be another four weeks of healing and then another surgery with eight weeks of recovery and then a complete knee replacement. She’s going to be laid up all summer long. It’s going to be a long summer for her- I feel so bad for her having to go through all this. We had a wedding reception in Logan to attend the Tombs family that we have known for over 30 years their youngest son of seven children getting married at our age that’s crazy. We had some fun convention trips with him and his wife Betsy over the years and Jerry has worked with Craig in the insurance business. Fun to see them- from -there we had to hurry -an hour drive over the mountain  to the Bear Lake Valley -to the liberty ward for a wedding reception for the Rassmensen family in our ward. It was fun to see our stake President Roberts and his wife at the reception.  We have invited them to come have dinner with us this Monday night. They are changing our state presidency this weekend so we will miss having him as our state president- seeing and visiting with him when he would come to our ward. It is our adult session tonight and Stake conference session tomorrow morning at 10:00 am they will announce the new Stake presidency then  - it’ll be fun to see who has been called to serve. It is a nine year calling. Craig has only about four more months in this Bishopric in our ward-if the new presidency doesn’t change them sooner.  I know Craig will be a consideration as -Bishop for this ward. He met with a elderly man this week cleaning up his yard as a service project with the youth. He was so funny he wanted to make a wager with Craig that he would be called as the new Bishop. There are many in the ward that feel Craig is going to be our new bishop. Craig and I feel like they’re going to call someone younger which very much will be a possibility. I do know that Craig would serve as a wonderful Bishop- just don’t know if I’m up to it - for another five years living at the lake. Time will tell where the Lord calls us at this season in our lives- we are willing to serve. I know it says in his patriarchal blessing that many will come to him in his latter years for council/ because of the nearness of the Lord-so it sure sounds like you could be a possible -Bishop. We are looking forward to attending our state conference this weekend- we made our way back up to the lake last night- I was tired from our big loop. Ryan and his family talked about coming up this weekend for a few days but the weather has turned off so cold -it’s only in the 50s- 49 is the high today.   We had another cold spell come in yesterday so it’s too cold to be out on the lake- summer is not here yet.  We keep having these cold spells coming through cooling things down- right now it has been a really cool spring. The leaves are slowly popping out on our trees looking out my bedroom window. I loved hearing the birds chirping early this morning. First thing I had to go out and see my tulips and daffodils popping up that I planted last fall so fun to see them popping up out of the ground and adding color to my flowerbeds just wish they lasted longer. I’m anxious to plant my summer flowers but it’s just too cold still maybe one more week.   

Lunar Eclipse / Spring Cleaning

May15th - Last night at 9am I began watching the lunar eclispe of the full moon.  It was an amazing natural wonder-  as the moon was shaded by the earths shadow- it appeared to be this redish color.  The stars were very bright and the night sky was beautiful to look at.  I enjoyed sitting outside and observing Gods wonders in the 🌍 earth.

Lunar eclipse!

"...all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator." ALMA 30:44

 It warmed up and it was a nice temp to be outside- so excited for summer and warmer weather to arrive.  It has been a cool spring and very windy this year.  It is so nice to have the ice melt off the lake and see the beautiful aqua blue color.  We had a nice Saturday tinkering.  Craig mowed the lawn and repaired our swing.  He made a new wooden sit for us.  We were going to throw it away because the fabric seat part had worn out.  We had bought the swing in 2009 so it has gotten lots of wear and tare.  I have looked around and haven’t seen a porch swing yet.  The one at the Ace hardware here at the lake cost $500 which is way to much.  So Craig’s making a wooden seat it is going to give us more life in our old swing frame.  We enjoyed sitting in it after his hard work and looking at the lake.  It has been a beautiful Saturday.  I stained our patio furniture and washed all the cushion.  It feels good to clean things up for our up coming summer season.  We are ready for warmer weather.  Today it is going to be about 73 degrees the warmest day of the year so far.  I’m going to hose off our upper porch and start planting some of my flower pots for the up coming season.  It is so fun to see the daffodils and tulips I planted last fall popping up waiting for them to bloom!! I placed a bunch in my canoe planter box and planter box under our very large pine tree .  I’m excited to see color burst forth when they blossom. Any day now!! 

Come follow Me Lesson for this week / My Johnson family history story -

May 16–22

Deuteronomy 6–8; 15; 18; 29–30; 34

“Beware Lest Thou Forget the Lord”

Moses commanded the children of Israel to teach the words of the Lord to their children (see Deuteronomy 6:7). As you study Deuteronomy this week, find ways to share what you learn with members of your family.

7 ​“And thou shalt ​​​teach​ them diligently unto thy children, and shalt ​​​talk​ of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest”. I love this scripture theme for my week -  I have had our Michael boy on my mind a lot lately.  He is just Lost and doesn’t know or feel the importance of the Savior in his life-  if he could only open his heart and began to have to faith to try to learn about the gospel message he could find strength and peace in his life.  God would give him direction to follow in his life at this challenging season in his life path.  He is just wondering with no direction.  

Teaching our grandchildren 

This week I’m going to reach out to all our 20 grandchildren and send them a personal message- about the gospel and what it means to me-  during my class time yesterday in church - Natasha called me several times-  I called her back after class time quickly worried something must be wrong for her to keep calling-  I had to leave my phone on silent during class time-  Natasha asked me for a family history story for Winn to share in Primary by 2pm -  he was assigned to give a talk-  I shared with them my family history story learning about our Johnson family branch when I visited West Virginia praying to find a living ancestor that would help me learn about them and how I was related.  I knew William Johnson -a revolutionary war veteran who died in 1705 was buried in the county with a historical grave marker erected by the DAR- daughters of the American Revolution- all I knew was who my great grandmother was- Sarah Margaret Johnson-  how was I related to this possible William Johnson buried in the county?  I prayed I could find some Johnson ancestor on this visit -  my last day there I knelt in prayer asking my Heavenly Farther for help?  I felt the strongest prompting after my prayer to go visit the gravesite of this William Johnson-  while visiting I had bought a history book of Nicholas county and had been reading in it each night before bed- this is where I learned about William Johnson and that he was buried there in the area- as a Revolutionary War Hero for the founding area of the county in the early 1798 time period his family came to Nicholas county, Virginia and established the Johnson family name.  So from this account I figured most Johnson’s living in the area are related-   I called the president of the Nicholas county historical society- asking for direction to where the gravesite is located?  She referred me to a Lady who lived close to the gravesite and could take me there.  As we visited she told me the lady that lives next door to the grave marker would like to meet me-  she was also a member of the historical society in the county.  I knocked on the door and met Beulah Summers - she was very gracious-  her mother was a Johnson and owned the property where William has been buried-  Beulah gave me a stack of paper complied of 100’s of Johnson family ancestors of the county and how they are all related to William Johnson the founding father of the Johnson family branch. I was in amazement how the Lord had heard my prayer and lead me to find this living ancestor who could help me in learning how I was related and who my ancestors are!  I left with 100’s of names to work on and submitted to the temple for their temple work to be completed. This has been an amazing experience in my life to discover my ancestors.   

Awoke at 4am / Flowing like a River

“Peace to her like a River”

 I visited this sacred and peaceful place in Pennsylvania, eastern USA. When Craig and I adventured back East to visit the LDS sights in October of 2018.  This thought was posted on daily living on my Facebook page- that I read first thing this morning as I awoke at 4am - 

The Susquehanna River is where John the Baptist returned as a resurrected personage and ordained Joseph and Oliver on this date 193 years ago, May 15, 1829.  ( Our Sabbath Day) 

That morning as I stood there I thought about a scripture verse from Isaiah 66:12.

“For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream.”

I felt great joy that Priesthood power has been restored in our latter days to bless all God’s children throughout the world. The Priesthood helps bring peace to our troubled world like the power of an ever moving peaceful river, flowing into the lives of those in every nation, kindred tongue and people.

I love living at the lake and being surrounded with the beauty of nature all around us. I love hearing the birds before sunrise chirping away.  It is very calming to my soul.  Craig and I had a very nice peaceful sabbath day- I taught gospel doctrine this Sunday again.  I’m always a little anxious to teach-  the Lord blessed  me with the Holy Spirit to teach and enlighten my mind. I invited 4 members to prepare parts of the lesson and share in class-  their thoughts and what the Holy Spirit taught them - it went well and added so much to the lesson.  Made it much easier for me in my prep time and I didn't have to talk as much.  I’m so enjoying studying the Old Testament this year and learning so much.  We are living in the trouble times all around us- but the blessing of the gospel brings peace to our lives.  I’m so grateful !! After church I had to come home and take a long nap-  I was up late studying and up early getting ready for church and preparing for my lesson.  It exhaust me physically in the process.  It is getting easier and I have grown so much in having this teaching opportunity. There are times I feel I cant keep doing this, but as I study and prepare the strength comes to me and I'm able to fulfill my calling.  

Barbara Turnbow Endowment / Our Michael

Craig and I attended the temple endowment session for Barbara today.  She is in our ward.  She received her own personal endowments at our age. Better than not. So happy for her to finally make this personal commitment that was needed for her own personal eternal progression.   It felt so good to be in the temple today. What a blessing for us to be able to share this special time with her.! My heart was feeling heavy after my conversation with Shannon today.  I called to check on her and see how Michael was doing-  we have been concerned about him- Craig tired several times this past week to contact him and he was not responding.  Shannon proceeded to tell me he had been shut down in his bedroom for four days- no one even checked on him.  Michael and Ryan had a disagreement which I'm sure hurt- he had up and quite his job and has just been home.  Michael is just lost right right and so unhappy-  I was shocked when Shannon told me he had been shut down in his room for 4 days and she had not even known it had been that long -when he has been in their home.  She finally went down to his room to see how he was doing. I was especially sadden to hear this.  Michael is suffering with depression and he needs help.  It is real and shouldn’t be ignored any longer.  It has been two years since he lived a summer with us and still no progress.  I tired to get him going in some counseling then- I talked to Shannon and she was going to make an appointment for him with her doctor which she never did.  They just dropped the ball. She communicated with some lady that tells the future and reads people’s suppose future saying Michael is a dark soul for now and would be for over 5 years. I don’t believe it at all.  He needs some professional help.  I was just so alarmed he was in his room that many days and no one checked on him.  We just had a young teen in our ward last week that tied to take her life.  We have been heavy hearted for her and her family.  If her parents hadn’t been in tune and acted quickly she would not still be with us.  I know Michael is suffering and he could have been left in his room un-found for days- which is horrifying to my- I told Shannon she needs to get help for him.  I would do what ever it takes to try to find some emotional support for him -  we are not qualified to help but I’m willing to find the sources he needs.  Well she got offended and hung up on me- she turned the Situation all about her.  How dare I inferred she is not helping him.  Well allowing your son to suffer in his bedroom for 4 days is appalling !!   I called Michael and visited with him.  Letting him know we are concerned about his metal health.  I encourage him to make an appointment with a doctor to get a physical.  If we need to help financially we can do that.  He didn’t need to suffer like this.  There is help- he told me that he wanted to go to a doctor but his parents said he had to pay $1000 for his copay and he doesn’t have the money.  He has felt ignored and helpless when in reality that is not the case- I’m sure his dad has wanted him to contribute to the cost of the insurance- with him being 23 years old now.  Which he should - but he needs to be in a better place and then I know he would be making his contribution.   Pray we can get him the emotional help he needs.  Pray Shannon’s heart with soften and she will realize how serious this really is.   Right now I’m anger at her with the lack of sincere concern she is showing toward him.  She appears to be so self absorbed and how dare I say anything to her. Well I’m not going to sit back any longer and do nothing.  We have to at least try to help him.  Pray for answers!! 

Back To The Lake

We drove back to the lake Thursday evening leaving Sharlena’s home.  The ward is bringing meals for them.  I was able to get some more cleaning done for her.  Just maintaining the families busy schedule. Poor Shar stuck in her recliner.  She is good in spirits at this point.  I know as time goes by it is going to become even more harder for her to be laid up.  Craig left Wednesday morning to drive to St George to met with his siblings and finalizing things with us mother’s belongings that they have been dividing.  They still had jewelry to divide up.  They have her home just about all cleared out.  Craig surprised me and came home at 2am-  he drove down and back in one day.  Thursday morning we had to unpack what he brought back.  I took the time to unpack and put away.  We were out the door by 11:30 am  so we could spend some time helping Shar.   This is going to be a long healing process for her in keeping her spirits up -it is going to be challenging as the time passes.  We were able to give them the couch we brought back from Mom Lavon’s home-  Craig picked the couch.  I don’t know what we’re going to do with it.  Come to find out Shar needed a new couch.  Their couch in their family room was wearing out and they were wanting to replace it- so it came in handy. Dave stopped by after Sharlena's dr. appointment last Friday on their way home to pick it up in their truck.  Now we need to get it moved into the house.  It's waiting in their garage until they can get things moved out to make room for it.  We also gave them the coffee table we have had for over 20’years that Craig’s Dad made- we got Craig's Mother coffee table set so we didn’t need it anymore. Mom-LaVon's- looks really good in our Draper home.   We have been working hard the past month packing and moving things out of his mother’s home and then moving into our Draper home and giving things to our kids.  I’m glad we are getting to the end of it. This last trip should be the last for us that Craig made this past week.  I didn't want to even go back down with him.  It has been too much drama from his siblings and my sister-in law -Jan-  I’ve had it with her- she is the usual bitch about things.  She blows up the last time I was there and was so un-needed.  She is very childish in many ways and has been for too many years.  I have just had to remove myself  from the relationship - I have very little to do with her.  I really despise her and how she has treated me over the years- I’ve cried to many tears wanting more from our relationship. I’m just done with her.  I’m cordially nice to her when we come in contact at family greetings but nothing more. brother Scott either.  You need the patience of job to be with him.   He is so challenging to deal with.  He is mentally draining.  Craig is kind to his brother and try’s to help him when he can.   He defends him and is a good brother to all his siblings.  I’m glad we are thru with this sorting and dividing stuff.  It was not how I thought things would go- but why should have I thought it would go any different?  I’m just grateful for the things I received and enjoying them from his mother.  She did have lots of nice things to pass on to her children and was a very good saver with what money she was able to mange.  It looks like Craig is going to end up with about $200,000.00 after the house is sold.  Mom did well for being single most of her adulthood. Who would of thought  we would receive the most heritance from his mother out of all our parents.  She was a good steward in this earth life and cared enough to leave some for her children.   

Shar’s Surgery report

This is a note she posted on her Facebook page for family and friends - After breaking my leg almost 4 weeks ago, I’m home recovering from surgery this week.

The following is an update Dave sent out to family after my surgery…

Update:

Sharlena is out of surgery.

Bones:

They are stabilized and reset the tibia with a couple of screws. They cleaned out the loose bone chips. 

Ligaments:

They didn’t repair MCL. It was showing signs of repairing itself. They made a reinforcement suture at the base of the LCL. 

ACL and PCL fully blown. 

Prognosis:

The damage to the tibial plateau was immense. Total knee replacement likely in the next 3-4 months. 

The hope is that the MCL and LCL will heal enough over the next few months that they can handle the knee replacement. 

If ligaments don’t heal on their own… they’ll have to reconstruct the MCL and LCL. Wait for full movement and then proceed with the Total Knee Replacement.

This is the news from the doctor after Shar's surgery - Craig and I were able to be there when the doctor was telling Dave what he he was able to do during  surgery and what he was not able to for her injury. It is very up setting and  had hoped for a better out come.  We spent the afternoon at the hospital waiting to see her after the 2 and a half hour surgery plus recovery time.  Dave was emotionally very upset that he didn’t even want to talk about it.  He had to leave for bit and walk round after talking to the doctor. We stayed at the hospital until about 8pm.  We were able to be there with Shar after her recovery time. Her breathing was low and they had to put her on oxygen support.  It was a long day sitting around the hospital- I was beat when we got to our Draper home.  Tuesday Shar came home from the hospital just in time to attend Aubrey’s last softball game at the high school.  This is her senior year.  Dave and Shar came straight from the hospital - and met us at the softball field.  She was in a wheel chair watching the game- it was Aubrey’s year end event for playing in the high school women’s soft ball team. Special time to have her dad Dave as the coach.  Praying for our Sharlena  to be comforted in thus challenging time in her life.  I went back and forth to her home on Wednesday and Thursday to help out where I could.  I did cleaning for her that she is not able to do right now and try to help keep some order in their home while she is laid up.  I have enjoyed being there and spending time with the family - this is a picture of Shar and Dave as she was getting ready for her surgery. 
  Tuesday with our Aubrey girl at her year end softball high school game.  They lost 1 -  14.  The other team was on fire hitting their balls.  It was fun to just be there and support her- 
Sharlena’s leg after surgery!  It is a huge incision the doctor had to make to work on her. It looks terrible and painful.  Just so sick she is having to endure all this!!

Shar’s Having Surgery

Finally Shar is able to have surgery on her knee today.  They found a doctor in Park City that is moving forward.  The major concern is to repair the bone and then fix what tendon and ligaments he can.  It has been three weeks since the accident and she is over due for having surgery.  Doctors kept pushing her around from one doctor to the next - she has seen 7 doctors.  Pray all goes well for her today.  Craig had a bad spell last night again- so he didn’t sleep well-  it was 3am before He was able to fall asleep after taking a sleeping pill.  I’m really tired today.  I woke up at 9am and fixed us  breakfast, did the dishes, tidy things up and got dressed for the day.  We headed out the door to be there for Shar.    We are about 30 min  away.  Prayers for our sweet daughter today!! 

Mother’s Day

My hubby sent me a sweet message - 

Happy Mother’s Day to the most beautiful mother on earth. Thank you for always being their for our family. Thank you for always being their for me.  You are my love and my light.  

Love ❤️ Forever and ever into eternity 

Your husband Craig

I’m so grateful for such a thoughtful husband!  He conducted our sacrament meeting today and did such a great job- so proud of him in his service he gives to our ward family.  We had a nice sacrament meeting-  the Coonrod family of 7 children spoke today - they all did a great job in their talks-two of their older children spoke and then Brother and sister Coonrod each spoke an inspiring message -  sister Coonrod talk about how the lord does hear and answer our prayers- brother Coonrod shared a sweet story about his mother as a young boy abs how she taught him the principle of repentance.   I enjoyed each talk.  We had a great discussion as we reviewed the conference talk by brother Anderson being a peacemaker in the world.  How do we do this?  To always remember Jesus Christ-  there were several quotes from the talk that I Highlighted-  

Becoming a Peacemaker- The Sermon on the Mount is a message for all but was specifically given to the Savior’s disciples, those who had chosen to follow Him. The Lord taught how to live, then and now, in a contemptuous world. “Blessed are the peacemakers,” He declared, “for they shall be called the children of God.” By the shield of our faith in Jesus Christ, we become peacemakers, quenching—meaning to calm, cool, or extinguish—all the fiery darts of the adversary.   ( Contention is the power of Satan - diffusing this contention brings peace….  As we do our part, His promise is that we will be called the “children of God.” Every person on earth is the “offspring” of God, but to be called the “children of God” means much, much more. As we come unto Jesus Christ and make covenants with Him, we become “his seed” and “heirs of the kingdom,” “children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters.”

How does a peacemaker calm and cool the fiery darts? Certainly not by shrinking before those who disparage us. Rather, we remain confident in our faith, sharing our beliefs with conviction but always void of anger or malice…( a soft answer turnth away wrath)…. We can gripe about the way things were. We can refuse to acknowledge all the good going on now. … But these approaches will not heal our national divisions. … As Jesus taught, we don’t eradicate evil with more evil. We love generously and live mercifully, even toward those we think to be our enemies.”   Being kind back dispite our differences-  What gives us the inner strength to cool, calm, and quench the fiery darts aimed toward the truths we love? The strength comes from our faith in Jesus Christ and our faith in His words. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, … and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.“… For great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”… The Importance of Agency-Two important principles guide our desire to be peacemakers.  First, our Heavenly Father has given each individual his or her moral agency, with the ability to choose one’s own path. This agency is one of the greatest gifts of God…. Second, with this agency, our Heavenly Father allowed for “opposition in all things.” We “taste the bitter, that [we] may know to prize the good.” Opposition should not surprise us. We learn to distinguish good from evil. We rejoice in the blessing of agency, understanding that there will be many who do not believe what we believe. In fact, few in the latter days will choose to make their faith in Jesus Christ central to all they think and do.  ( this is why we must take the sacrament weekly as a remainder to always remember Jesus Christ in our daily walk of life and we will make better choices -that present itself to us each day.) …  The Lord’s Leaders

Some view the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve as having worldly motives, like political, business, and cultural leaders.

However, we come very differently to our responsibilities. We are not elected or selected from applications. Without any specific professional preparation, we are called and ordained to bear testimony of the name of Jesus Christ throughout the world until our final breath. We endeavor to bless the sick, the lonely, the downhearted, and the poor and to strengthen the kingdom of God. We seek to know the Lord’s will and to proclaim it, especially to those who seek eternal life.

Although our humble desire is for the Savior’s teachings to be honored by all, the words of the Lord through His prophets are often contrary to the thinking and trends of the world. It has always been so.

President Russell M. Nelson once thoughtfully asked, “Cannot boundary lines exist without becoming battle lines?”…  The Times Not to Respond Some of the attacks upon the Savior were so malicious that He said nothing. “And the chief priests and scribes … vehemently accused him … and mocked him,” but Jesus “answered [them] nothing.” There are times when being a peacemaker means that we resist the impulse to respond and instead, with dignity, remain quiet. ( this quote gave me inspiration and courage to not speak back at my sister- in-law unkindly when she spoke unkindly to me.  Giving her time to calm down she has come to her sense.  By my actions of not adding fuel to the fire so to speak helped you descualte the moment in time when she was really heated up.  Saying nothing was the best and let things cool down. Jesus taught us to withdraw from the circles of anger and contention.

Blessing the Lives of Others

We too can move away from contention and bless the lives of others while not isolating ourselves in our own corner. I am inspired by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because while [other] churches are being divided each one in his corner … [you are working] with [others] to help the community in need.”  Helping others is our call to the world despite our differences -  John 13: A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you. …“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”  Love is the key -  having patience’s dispite the challenge.  I love this talk so many thoughts to apply in my own life.  This has been a quite Mother’s Day this year with three of our daughters in California today and Shar needing  her surgery this coming Monday afternoon pray things go well for her.  My hubby just made us to hot chocolate pudding we are staying home and resting from our busy schedule lately.  
Missing both out mothers today 

Our Saydee Bug Happy mothers grandma!! I am so grateful for your example and knowledge in life!! Love you so very much! I hope you feel so special on this day❤️

Sweet note from our sweet Saydee - she sent me pictures of her endowment day -

Sweet message from Beatrizwishing me Happy Mother’s Day -  my mother’s Mexican cleaning lady - she adopted as her own daughter -   I replied back - Thank you Beatriz - so sweet of you to remember me -  thank you for being so kind and helpful to our Mother - and Happy Mother's Day to you -  you have a beautiful boy to love and care for💕hope you are having a very nice day -  I'm missing mom deeply this day -  so glad I was able to spend Mother's Day with her last year -not knowing it would be my last.   Missing both our mothers today on this Mother’s Day - Craig and I didn’t know last year would be our last year to celebrate their lives as our mothers - miss them both deeply today - 

Working Hard

I have  been working hard unpacking the things we received from Craig's mother LaVon-  it has consumed our lives the month of April-  I brought things up to the lake that were the rustic nautical and decorated with it.  I have been spring cleaning as I go.  We had to leave  Tuesday night after Craig had Bishopric.  Shar was meeting with another doctor Wednesday morning early 8:15 am -  her 6th doctor to look at her knee.  She is really discourage -  she needs to get her leg operated on - it is going on three weeks now and the doctors keep referring her to another doctor. The knee is really bad and they aren’t quite sure how to fix it.  She is still laid up- the Doctor she met with this week put her in a stabilizing brace and didn’t want her moving her knee at a lot.  Craig and I went over to their home on Thursday and spent the day cleaning things up for them.  We cleaned their garage and I cleaned the main area of the basement. Vacuum, tidy the kitchen and laundry.  Craig mowed the yard.  The first mowing for the year and it was getting long.  Still alot more to do but we made a good dent in getting things done for them. Dave really appreciated us cleaning the garage -that was a huge burden lifted for him-  we were beat when we got home.  Shar meet with another doctor this morning in Park City. He can work on her and scheduled surgery for Monday.  He said they needed to move on it-it had been to long since the accident.  So glad to hear finally she  found a doctor to tackle the needed surgery.  He told her it is most likely going to take a couple of surgeries and that it is going to be at least a year of rehab. They stopped by on their way back to pick up the couch we brought back from St George from Mom's home-  they had planned on buying a new couch so they are excited- we also gave them the coffee table we have had for over 20 years that Craig’s  dad made.  It looks great with the couch.  We gave them the vacuum we got too and a few knick-knacks-  we are slowing getting rids of the miscellaneous things we have brought back  from Lavon’s home.  I have spent the time unpacking and finding spots in our Draper home.  I spent the day Wednesday unpacking the fun clothes and organizing my closet and trying on the things I got-  I have lots of fun clothes to wear.  My Draper closet is stocked-  I can leave clothes there and have clothes here at the lake too.  I brought up summer clothes to organize tomorrow.  Craig and I drove back up to the lake this afternoon.  We are both very tired. We have had a full week.  We needed to be back at the lake for church.  It is Mother’s Day this weekend.  Trisha, Buck and Saydee are in California this week and the Thomas family left for another family trip to Carmel, California.  Shar is laid up so we are going to have a quite Mother’s Day this year.  We are just going to rest- Shannon and Ryan stopped by Wednesday night with little Ashtyn - it was so fun to see them- Shannon had lots of fun picking things out from Grandmother Lavon’s knick-knacks,  we are slowly getting rid of it all.  I have found places in our Draper home that I have wanted to keep.  We just have things on the ping-pong table left with miscellaneous things soon I’m giving to charity-  we still have one more trip-  we don’t need anymore stuff but I guess we still have things they are passing om to us.  There is still a lot of  jewelry- I’m going to be busy helping  to care for Shar on Tuesday after her surgery.   

Tuesday - Come Follow Me Lesson -

I have taken the time this morning to begin reading our come follow me lesson this week -  it is very inspiring to me to be learning more about the temple ordinances, and learn more about how it worked in ancient days of Moses -building a tabernacle for ancient Israel -   now we are so blessed as the Lords church on the earth- to have temples beginning to dot the earth. Last conference with the announcement of 12 more temples to built -  the church will be up to 300 temple around the world.  It’s exciting to be studying this very lesson when we have our first granddaughter Saydee attending the temple for the first time and receiving her own endowment.  They are making a trip to the Newport Temple in California this Saturday at 10:15 -  wish we could be there with her. We just have way to much going on to make a trip there.  Worried about our Sharlena - she needs our help this week. Wish they were not going so far away so we could attend with her - but this is the temple she wants to go to for her first time.  She promises to attend the temple with us closer to home before she leaves on her mission  June 20th. 

Love learning more about the law of sacrifice which is taught in the temple.  Question what is the law of sacrifice ?   Sacrifice -See also Atone, Atonement; Blood; Broken Heart; Jesus Christ; Sacrament

In ancient days, sacrifice meant to make something or someone holy. It has now come to mean to give up or suffer the loss of worldly things for the Lord and His kingdom. Members of the Lord’s Church should be willing to sacrifice all things for the Lord. Joseph Smith taught that “a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has the power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation.” In the eternal perspective, the blessings obtained by sacrifice are greater than anything that is given up.  After Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden, the Lord gave them the law of sacrifice. This law included offering the firstborn of their flocks. This sacrifice symbolized the sacrifice that would be made by the Only Begotten Son of God (Moses 5:4–8). This practice continued until the death of Jesus Christ, which ended animal sacrifice as a gospel ordinance (Alma 34:13–14). In the Church today members partake of the sacrament- of the bread and the water in remembrance of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Members of Christ’s Church today are also asked to offer the sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit (3 Ne. 9:19–22). This means that they are humble, repentant, and willing to obey God’s commandments.

Blessed Sabbath

We arrived back to the lake late last night about 10:30 pm.  I finished by baby sitting shift Thursday morning when Natasha and Bridger got home at 8am.  They had a red eye flight home from Hawaii.  I had to hurry home and clean up for my dr appt. at 10:am-  it was my annual appointment with my gynecologist- since I'm still taking hormones to control my hot flashes- Thing went well-  from there picked up some lunch and back home to work on unpacking our things we brought back from St George.  We had a trailer full to figure out what to do with.  It has been a lot of work for me.  I worked half day Friday.  We headed out to see our Sharlena.  The surgeon who is going to do her knee surgery wants her to wait another week and work on her bending the knee to a 90’degree angle.  I helped her work on it.   Craig went to watch Aubrey play soft ball- she is on the high school team and Dave her dad is their coach.  I enjoyed spending time with our oldest daughter.  I feel so bad for her.  This is going to be a long recovery process and she is stuck sitting in a recliner for now.  She has lots that she wanted to get done before Cole comes home from his mission June 8th and she is not able to do much of anything.  I told her to make a list and I can help her get some things done.  Aubrey's gradation from High and Seminary gradation is this month and Jacob graduation from 6th grade.  May is going to be a very busy month.  We stayed and visited until late about 9pm before we headed back to our Draper home.  I was beat and ready for bed.  Saturday I worked unpacking all the fun clothes I received from picking thru Mom Lavon clothes-  she had really nice taste and some really fun clothes.  I was excited to go thru all I had picked from her closets.  She did have lots of clothes, like everything else.  I’m excited to wear the fun clothing items I picked out.  I had to change directions and get ready to leave by 4pm -  I had worked the day way.  We drove to Pocatello Idaho a 2 1/2 hour drive north to attend the wedding reception of Drew Moldenhauer in our Bear lake ward.  He just returned from his mission last year and now getting married-  he met his wife at Rick’s college.  They make a beautiful couple - Drew is really handsome and his new wife is lovely.  They are going to be living in the ward for the summer- Craig conducted our sacrament meeting today and read their membership records in as newlyweds.  We have had a very full week.  I taught gospel doctrine class today.  I had not taken the time to prepare as much as I had wanted to with our many activities this past week.  I read in the car to Idaho and listened to the scriptures material  on my ear pods.  I woke up at 4am to continue my preparation.  I so enjoyed studying the story of Moses and him receiving the ten commandants on Mt Sinai-  we talked about the importance of keeping our covenants to the Lord and honoring him- to keep the Sabbath day Holy-  this is an eternal Covenant with the Lord and required for entrance in the Celestial kingdom along with receiving our endowments.  The Holy Spirit blessed me with his spirit as I taught.  I never quite know how the lesson will go.  I just do my home work and then let the spirit guide the course and direction of the lesson- inviting class members to share what they have learned in their come follow me study time helps to fill in the time.  I’m so enjoying my time reading and learning more about the Old Testament. I’m so tired afterwards- I had to break my fast right after and take a nap.  This is a day of rest from the worldly cares - I needed to rest and give myself a spiritual battery charge.  

This came up on my Facebook page today an spoke to my heart - NO ONE IS PERFECT!! Not you, not them, not me. So, we need to stop expecting ourselves or others to be something that no one can. Once I started seeing others were as broken and lost as me, I was able to start viewing them with a little more compassion… even those who hurt me. Because what I have come to understand is that hurt people, hurt people.  The sad truth is that people often judge others from a place of their own imperfections. In other words, their judgements are not about you, they are about them... with their own insecurities and fears being projected onto you. That doesn't make their words any nicer to hear or their actions any easier to take, and it certainly doesn’t justify them in anyway… but it does help us in not taking their words, actions, and judgments to heart. They are not defining who YOU are, they are defining who THEY are.
So rather than judge, let us LOVE…❤ LOVE those who have “wronged” us, because we’ve done wrong too.❤ LOVE those who have “offended” us, because we’ve been offensive too.❤ LOVE those who have “sinned,” because we’re sinners too.
Discipleship is not about warmly welcoming only those who live our standards… it’s about seeing the worth of ALL of God’s children, and meeting them and loving them where they are at! Christ demonstrated this pattern well throughout His mortal ministry… may we each follow in His footsteps.Following the Saviors example -