Morning Saturday Session-Closing Talk -Apostle- Dallin H. Oaks

President Dallin H. Oaks — Kingdoms of glory

President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, spoke about how the fullness of the doctrine of Jesus Christ sets The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints apart from other churches. Part of this doctrine is the knowledge of the plan of salvation that allows for all God's children to live in a kingdom of glory with Christ and Heavenly Father for eternity. Rather than the typical idea of a heaven for the righteous and hell for the rest, the plan of salvation describes three kingdoms of glory. All the children of God have the opportunity to qualify for the highest degree of glory in the celestial kingdom, he said.-Our Heavenly Father loves all His children so much that He wants us all to live in a kingdom of glory forever. Moreover, He wants us to live with Him and His Son Jesus Christ eternally. -President Oaks explained that the celestial kingdom is divided into three levels, with the highest being "exaltation." To achieve exaltation, people have to be faithful to the covenants of an eternal marriage between a man and a woman in the temple.-He went on to say that the 1995 Proclamation on the Family clarifies the requirements to achieve exaltation in the celestial kingdom.-Those who do not fully understand the Father's loving plan for his children may consider this Family Proclamation no more than a changeable statement of policy. In contrast, we affirm that the Family Proclamation, founded on irrevocable doctrine, defines the mortal family relationship where the most important part of our eternal development can occur," he said.-The Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts — what we have done. It is based on the final effect of our acts and thoughts — what we have become.-He explained that salvation is a family matter that involves full conversion. Conversion is more than going through the motions or even being convinced of the truthfulness of the gospel; it is acting on and being changed by it, he explained.-In contrast to other preaching, which teaches us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something," President Oaks added.-There is still a lot about the plan of salvation that is unknown, but we can trust that Heavenly Father loves us and "will see that we receive every blessing and every advantage that our own desires and choices allow," he said.

6th talk - Apostle Todd Christorfferson

Elder D. Todd Christofferson — The sealing power

Elder D. Todd Christofferson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, talked about the importance of the sealing power to gather people together in Christ- The power to validate all priesthood ordinances and make them binding both on Earth and in heaven — the sealing power — is crucial for gathering and preparing a covenant people on both sides of the veil," Elder Christofferson , He said the sealing ordinance makes salvation and exaltation "universally available" across all generations, through an "all-inclusive opportunity" unmatched by any other theology. This sealing power is also what makes baptism possible, he said "This sealing power is a perfect manifestation of the justice, mercy and love of God," Elder Christofferson said. "Without the sealings that create eternal families and link generations here and hereafter, we would be left in eternity with neither roots nor branches, that is, neither ancestry nor posterity-  “The Atonement of Jesus Christ has made immortality a verity and the possibility of exalted family relationships a reality.” —

5th talk - Ian S Ardern

Elder Ian S. Ardern — Love thy neighbor

Elder Ian S. Ardern, general authority seventy, began his talk Saturday morning by encouraging members to picture a journey he took in Africa — seeing children in food poverty and mothers carrying water.-"You look around and know you are amongst a people who love God and you instantly feel God's love for them. They have gathered to receive help and hope and you have arrived to share it," he said.-With other church leaders he visited a community health project that the church humanitarian services funded along with UNICEF and the Ugandan government's ministry of health.- Compassion is an attribute of Christ. It is born of love for others and knows no boundaries. Jesus, the Savior of the world, is the epitome of compassion. - As heart-wrenching as it was to see malnourished children and the effects of tuberculosis, malaria and incessant diarrhea, there came to each of us an increase of hope for a better tomorrow for those we met," he said.-Elder Ardern said the hope was because of church members around the world. He said members' good works brightened the lives of the Ugandans who were in need and shared a witness of members' life-changing compassion. He expressed a wish that members could hear the people's gratitude. He said Jesus Christ "is the epitome of compassion" and encouraged members to develop that attribute of Christ, sharing stories of Christ in the New Testament and Book of Mormon.- It is unlikely you will know the recipients of your time, dollars, and dimes, but compassion does not require us to know them. It only requires us to love them. -"Despite our every effort, you and I won't heal everyone; but each of us can be the one who can make a difference for good in the life of someone," Elder Ardern said. He said the church is grateful for everyone's donations, and that it is enough for members to give only what they are able to and that Jesus Christ can "magnify" their efforts.

4th Talk- Carlos Godoy- Quoram Of The 70vty.

Elder Carlos A. Godoy — For the sake of your posterity

Elder Carlos A. Godoy, of the Presidency of the Seventy, shared a story about getting into the wrong taxi on his way home from the airport. He began talking with the taxi driver and found out that he was an inactive member of the church. "At that moment, I realized I did not take the wrong taxi. It was not a coincidence! I told him who I was and that I was in his taxi because the Lord was calling him back to his fold," Elder Godoy said. "Just as yesterday's decisions impact today's realities, decisions of today will impact our future and the future of our family members." —Elder Carlos A. Godoy-  After a few weeks, Elder Godoy attended church with the taxi driver. And a few months later, the driver baptized his wife and children. Elder Godoy said that he shared this experience both for good members who have fallen away and active members who aren't as faithful as they might be. People who have left the church could be keeping their current and future family members from the blessings of the gospel, he said. "The decision of one has impacted a whole chain of descendants. A legacy of faith has been broken," said Elder Godoy. "However, as we know, anything broken can be mended through Jesus Christ."  I invite you to think about it, to look ahead and evaluate "where this will lead" and if it's necessary, be valiant enough to reshape your path for the sake of your posterity.  For the second audience, Elder Godoy recommended they ask themselves how their decisions today will impact their future. So choosing to only partially obey commandments now could lead to not being in the celestial kingdom with their family later. "You know that families can be eternal. Why put yours at risk? Don't be the weak link in this beautiful chain of faith you started, or you received as a legacy. Be the strong one," he concluded.   I really liked this talk - I’m striving to be - strong and a committed link - I’m a first generation ancestor in my family link to embrace the gospel message in my lifetime- I’m striving to build an eternal family here and working to link our deceased ancestors -we are not complete without them - I know this is my mission to link families in the spirit world - 

Third Talk Elder Robert M. Daines

Elder Robert M. Daines — Sir, we would like to see Jesus

Elder Robert M. Daines, general authority seventy, said as a young boy, he saw his mother as "the rule maker" and didn't notice her sacrifices for him. He said he was "in effect, face-blind" because he saw his mother's rules but not her love.  He said people today may have a similar face-blindness with God and may struggle to see him as a father and see him as a rule maker instead.  "Perhaps you believe God rules in his heavens, speaks through his prophets and loves your sister, but secretly wonder whether he loves you," Elder Daines said.  We're not finished until we see Jesus as the face of our Father's love and follow Him, and not just His rules. When prophets and apostles talk of covenants ... They want us to see our covenants are fundamentally about relationships and can be a cure for spiritual face-blindness Elder Daines said he has felt this doubt; all members need to learn how to recognize God and Jesus Christ.He quoted a verse in the book of John in the Bible where a group of people said, "We would (like to) see Jesus." Seeking Jesus, Elder Daines said, should be the reason for everything that members do in church. Elder Daines said when Christ was first resurrected, his followers didn't immediately recognize him. "They had to learn to recognize him, and so do we," he said.  He encouraged members to pray, read the four gospels in the New Testament and seek for Jesus.  To serve in this church is to stand in the river of God's love for His children ... Help carry His love to His children and some of it will splash on you.  - I like this quote -   Elder Daines said covenants are not rules through which members earn God's love, "God already loves you perfectly," he said.  He encouraged members to serve in the church and share God's love with others and said there is room for everyone in the church. "This church is a work party of people with picks and shovels, trying to help clear the channel for the river of God's love to reach his children at the end of the row," Elder Daines said.

Conference Weekend

Our Saydee and Karlee arrived last night we enjoyed the fall weekend and listen to general conference sessions with us.  I’m so proud of these two granddaughters.  They have some friends arrriving early afternnon today.  We are listening to the morning session together.  So specail to have this time with them and so touched that they want to spend time with us here at the lake.  They both are living in Provo at student housing and working fulltime.  Saydee has a retrun missionary friend coming to meet up with her at the lake today they have not seen each other for 1O years since they were young kids. They wrote letters while he was on his mission.  She is excited to have him arrive.  She let me read one of his letters and it was very romantic, so it will be intersting to see how they feel when they finally meet up.  So excited for her. ❤️.

I sent a reminer on our YSA instagram account to watch and listen to General Conference this weekend and plan for our up coming activity hosted at our home, a banna spilt night and play scripture trivial pursuit.  

My Conference notes

Bednar was our first speaker today - his theme we are the last wagon of pioneers in our time to endure to endure faithfully the challenges of our time.   Endure faithfully living the covanant  path -in helping those around us along the way.  Each talk this morning has been a theme to serve faithfully in building the kingdom of God on the earth to gather the lost sheep to the fold- return to the covenant path- faithfully fulfill our callings - the gospel inspires our future - where will my actions lead?   We need to be valiant in our testimony of God - for the sake of our prosperity- consider the course of our path in this life - don’t be the weak link - love comments of the 70vy from Peru- our gosple actions affect our prosperity- look forward to reviewing this talk. 

D. Todd -Christoferson - gave a great talk on the importanc of eternal families and the temple sealing ordinances - great talks to review.

Highlights of the morning session 

1st speaker was David Bednar - he spoke a moving and encouraged talk to press forward- 

Elder David A. Bednar — In the path of their duty-

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles opened the Saturday morning session general conference by referencing a talk that President J. Reuben Clark gave in 1947. President Clark, first counselor in the First Presidency, spoke on the 100th anniversary of the Latter-day Saint pioneers arriving in the Salt Lake Valley. The talk centered on who he called "they of the last wagon," the pioneers in the last covered wagon of long wagon trains. He praised these anonymous and uncelebrated heroes who, day after day, week after week, and month after month, choked on the dust stirred up by all of the wagons rolling in front of them — and who overcame the relentless obstacles they encountered along the way," Elder Bednar said. I promise your personal anguish will be relieved and your obedience and faithfulness to patiently submit your will to God will be rewarded in “the own due time of the Lord.” -Then, Elder Bednar mentioned a talk from President Howard W. Hunter in 1990 that also focused on church members who live quiet, sacred lives and serve with little to no acknowledgment. “I am grateful for millions of Church members who today are coming unto the Savior and pressing forward on the covenant path in the last wagons of our contemporary wagon trains — and who truly are no less serviceable," Elder Bednar said. He quoted a passage from the prophet Samuel the Lamanite in the Book of Mormon about those "in the path of their duty," who do service and fulfill their covenants without expecting praise. Your strong faith in Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ and your unpretentious, consecrated lives inspire me to be a better man and disciple. - Elder Bednar said that many members of the church fall into this category, including.  Those who discern and meet the needs of others- Those who are repenting and returning to God- Those who haven't yet been able to access all the authorized covenants and ordinances through factors outside their control- Translators and interpreters of the gospel- Faithfully married men and women having or hoping to have families- Leaders who teach children-Those who serve those around them- "They of the last wagon, all who are no less serviceable, and you who today are pressing forward in the path of your duty are the strength of the Savior's restored Church," Elder Bednar concluded.  I like how he talks about us as the last wagon pressing forward for the cause of building zion - despite the many challenges that lay before us - we are encouraged to contine serving and. Living and following the covenant path for the last time in this despensation. Before the coming is the Savior - press forward to make our contribution - and he is thanking us as members of the church.  The lords knows the service we give  and will be blessed for our efforts- 

#2  Sister Amy Wright — Abide the day in Christ- Sister Amy Wright, first counselor in the Primary general presidency, used the parable of the 10 virgins to explain how spiritual preparation and focusing on the light of Jesus Christ can help people get through hard times. "I have learned from personal experience that spiritual preparation for the coming of the Lord is not only essential but the only way to find true peace and happiness," she said. Sister Wright said she and her family found comfort and direction through the gospel after she found out she had cancer. She felt peace, even in uncertainty, as she realized she had already taught her children important principles about Jesus Christ.  As we seek to nourish our souls with things pertaining to righteousness, small and simple things, our testimonies and the testimonies of our children will live."Because of Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, if I died, my family would be comforted, strengthened and one day restored," Sister Wright said. "If I lived, I would have access to the greatest power on this earth to help succor, sustain and heal me. In the end, because of Jesus Christ, everything can be OK."- Eternal life is eternal joy. Joy in this life, right now — not despite the challenges of our day but because of the Lord’s help to learn from and ultimately overcome them — and immeasurable joy in the life to come. "We need to simplify, focus our efforts and be gatherers of the light of Jesus Christ," she said. "My dear friends, we cannot share our oil, but we can share his light. Oil in our lamps will not only help us 'abide the day' but can also be the means of illuminating the path that leads those we love to the Savior, who stands ready 'with open arms to receive' them."Sister Wright encouraged listeners to use the power of Christ to "abide the day."  I liked how she highlighted the parable of the ten virgins - 5 virgins were not ready - we cannot give our oil away the other 5 that were prepared by daily, weekly, monthly, yearly adding the light of Christ in our lives - build as we faithfully continue to follow the covenant path - it shows to our Heavenly we are committed- dispite our weakness - each action adds to our oil in our lamps - it is something we cannot give to others - they have to choose themselves to be spiritually prepared - we can share our light and light the way for others to follow- each of these step to draw closer to our Savior Jesus Christ is what will prepare us for his second coming to be faithful and consistent in our daily efforts -will give us the strength and power to over come this world and be apart of the great wedding feast the gathering of Gods elect on the earth- 

GeneralConference

@ldsco

Friday -End Of September

The month of September has flown by.  We have kept busy with our new calling over the YSA branch - hosting and attending  activities on Wednesday evenings and attending sacraments on Sunday.  Craig has been busy meeting with Ward councils each Sunday in our stake learning who the young singles are and what we can do to support them and reach out to each of them inviting them to attend.  We are few in numbers right now with most of them going away for college or missions.  So we are trying to gathering in the sheep that we have for the fall and winter months.  We had a fun activity this week playing Pickelball at the city park.  We had grilled hamburgers.  Cody and Cory were very helpful  to set up the portable grills and cooking  hamburgers for us.  We  had16 attend this week counting the sister missionaries and brother and sister Larsen from Laketown- one of our activity committee couples. It was a  beautiful evening.  The weather is cooling off.  We did have lovely weather this week in the 70’s during the to day. The mornings are cooling off but not freezing temperatures yet - we had two days last week I had covered my outdoor plants.  They survived well- just trying to keep them alive as long as I can- they have been so pretty this year.  I have loved my fall plants on the upper deck.  I have enjoyed working outside trying to get things cleaned up.   Craig cut down a huge part of the elderberry tree that is growing on the side of the house.  It had a lot of dead branches and hitting the house. It was a two day chore for us chopping up the wood branches for fire wood and clearing out all the dead branchs.  It has been a five step process- cutting off all the branches and moving them to our burn pile -  placing in them in wheel barrel - moving them to our wood pile and stacking- and raking up all the debri and wheel barreling it to the burn pile.  It is very tiring on my lower back.  I still have more debri to rake up today.  We still have the main tree that Craig wants to cut down.  The entire side of our house needs to be cleared out.  We are pushing to get the cement retaining wall down on the south side of the house so we can finally complete our driveway area.   I’m begging Troy Peterson who does cement work here at Bear lake -to please get to us this year.  We have been trying to get some one for the past five years to tackle this project-  I was so disappointed last summer that it was not completed. I started calling Tonya peterson to put us first on the list in April and now we are going into October and still no progress- they just keep pushing us back-  I did contact Jason Matthews who works for Troy to come look at our project as one of his workers to put the heat on Troy - he stopped by yesterday to look at what’s needs to be down and is suppose to talk to Troy today-  just praying we can get this down this season before the cold weather set’s in-  I had a full day yesterday. I played pickellball for two hours - went to a yoga class on the beach for two hours.  It was lovely- I really enjoyed it.  I got home about 12:30.   Craig went golfing.  I drove up the mountain to take some some peach jam to our new neighbors building a huge log cabin home.  They are racing to get the roof on.  I enjoyed visiting  with them.  She told me about the local farmer market that is today and Saturday so I want to support them.   Craig got home from golf -it was 2:30 pm and we had not eaten yet for the day. We were both hungry so we went to Cafe Sabor for a late lunch and saved the leftovers for dinner.  I had to come home and cook a spaghetti dinner for the Holmes family -Lindsey just gave birth to a baby girl on Tuesday.  Her 4th child.  They were already home from the hospital.  I took them dinner and a cute newborn dress from Ivy city.  Their baby girl  is so darling she reminded me of my babies.  I love newborns-  from there I went and played Pickelball at our evening league night.  Not very many came. I was the only female so I was able to play with the guys.   Fun that I have progressed enough that I can play with them.  We had a full day.  I fell dead tired into bed from our full day.  

Greeting another day - I have lots I want to get done today while the weather is nice- the Autum leaves are so beautiful I need to take a drive up the canyon to enjoy them before they all drop, 

 

YSA Is Keeping Us Busy

We had a beautiful rainbow and were able to capture in the backgroung with the YSA group in attendance with our new President Symes-

We hosted the YSA activity at our home last Wednesday.  I worked hard all getting ready.  I fixed a yummy dinner, sloppy joes with my yummy potato salad and pumpkin squares.  The weather was on and off all day so we didn’t know if we were going to be able to play volleyball.  We ate dinner first and then the weather cleared up so we could play some volleyball.  We actually had more girls attend this week- 6 which was really nice. We have been few in numbers only one girl on our last three activities. I met a new girl from Randolph she has a ways to drive about a 45 minute drive. It was so nice to visit with her.  She opened up and told me she tried commiting suicide this past year.  I told her I was so glad she is still with us.   Hope to get to know her more and that she will keep coming.  This week we are playing pickelball and having hamburgers. We are incharge again- Craig’s two counselors will be out of town this week.  Craig had a busy Sunday he had a 7am meeting- I got up early and fixed him a nice breakfast and then I went back to bed and slept till 10 am.   Our YSA ward sacrament is at 1pm -  Craig asked me to lead the come follow disscussuon so I took the time to study and prepare.  We had only 5 locals show up for sacrament,  we did have several visitors. In total we had 15 in attendance which was nice. I lead the music.  I’m the only one that can do it.  I wish I could sing my voice has given out on me.  The hymn are so high and I can’t sing the high c - nothing comes out-  I just mouth the words.  I’m getting good practise leading the music each Sunday.   Crazy that it has already been a month serving in the YSA branch.  The time has flew buy. Funny but not so funny- on my way driving to church there was a small spider hanging down from the window - I thought I killed it and it fell to the floor-  well while I was sitting down just after leading the sacrament hymn I felt a tickle in my shirt and looked down and could see a the spider crawling on my chest- it bit me and it hurt. I had to get up and walk quickly to the restroom during the speaker.  I couldn’t wait.  I pulled off my blouse fast flipping the darn Spider on the floor. It was just a tiny one but it sure did sting- after I put myself back together I returned to my seat. It stung for a while- I was creeped out thinking there was a spider still in my shirt.   It finally stopped stinging by the time I arrived home an hour later.  I got home at 4pm and Craig arrived shortly thereafter.  He had along day of church from 6am till 4pm and he still had some reading- learning about his responsibilities- reading out loud and putting me to sleep.   Looking forward to playing Pickelball this week with our YSA Members.  

Monday A Week later - Beautiful Fall Day

Today has been a very nice day after our cool spell of freezing weather last Thursday - Saturday.  It was cold and raining alot.  I was able to get our big front windows washed on the lake side last week.  It felt really good to have some clean windows.  I now need to tackle the north side of our home -that I have not gotten done this year yet.  We have had so much rain rolling in and out this summer and fall so far. We are slowly getting things winterized and put away for winter.  Craig tinkered with Dale’s small tractor moving our dock off the lake and leveling out the lake bed where the water has dropped clearing out the weeds that have grown. He took the tractor back today.  He had fun tinkering with it.  We also moved the dirt up the diveway that the rain has washed down, we raked and leveled  the lower driveway.  I was able to get some weeding done.  I have not been able to keep up with it this year.  The weeds keep popping  up from so much rain.  It looks nice to get things weeded.  I worked on the highway side today cutting down my Holly hocks and saving the seeds. I still have a lot to do but making some good progress today.  The sister missionaries call this afternoon and wanted to know if I could make a bridal bouquet for sister Starla she could possibly be getting married tomorrow afternoon. I don’t think it is going to happen.  I just talked to Starla a few days ago and she said it would be about a month out.  She is still waiting for her divorce papers to be filed and final.  So I stopped my weeding and made a flower arrangement with what I have.  Her colors are purple and blue.  I had some purple silk flowers and actual have some purple flowers in our yard - I picked and added to the arrangement.  I think it turned out pretty.  The sister missionaries are being very optimistic.  I didn’t want to bust their bubble so I prepared just in case things do change and they miraculously are able to be married tomorrow.    Craig and I unloaded the tralior of wood and stacked it neatly on our rock ledge.  He went to the church to work on a few things and I tinkered in the yard.  When he got back we took a late Rhino afternoon ride up in the mountians.  The Autum leaves are so pretty right now turning fast.  I just love all the bright Autum colors on the trees of our Bear lake mountains.  Saturday with the cooler weather we did pick some apples and made apple juice- it is yummy.  I want to pick more with the freeze we just had they should be ready to pick.  That is on my list to pick more apples and make apple Juice.  I just need to get some more weeding done on the highway side. I want to paint our trim- there is lots of touch up that needs to be done.  I had a telephone visit with the heart doctor going over my test. He said my heart scan looks amazing for my age. I have no blockage of any kind.  I have felt better the past two months so don’t know what was going on with the spells I had in the spring.  I’m doing much better.  I was glad to be able to do a phone visit and not have to drive all the way down to Salt lake just for the appointment.  When nothing has been discovered wrong with my heart.  That is great news !  We have had another busy fall day.  

Sunday Evening - Monday

After the Primary program I stopped by the Thomas home to view all the new fun home decor Natasha has added in their new home.  She has come a long ways since they started moving in May -when I spent an entire week helping move things in.   She worked on staging all her book cases in the house adding family pictures and fun looking decor.  It has turned out so nice. she has several floor length book case areas in their home so it takes a lot of things to fill in.  That’s the fun part adding the special touch.  So proud our Natasha! She is an amazing young mother and doing a great job raising her 4 children. Her Ivy Ciyy business has grown so much over the past 8 years.  I wore one of her dresses to church.  I had fun changing afterwards into one of her new fall designs.  I came home in a new dress.  I spent my Sunday afternoon resting-  by evening I watched the evening news and this is when I saw a very negative news report about Tim Ballard who has been bringing to light the child trafficking that is taking place all over the world and that  America is number one in participating in- this a terrible crime to children.  It breaks my heart that any child is subjected to this terrible evil. After being sexually abused myslf as a child myself -but to no degree these children are exposed too.   I have admired the courage and work he is doing to bring this evil to light-  so I was greatly surprised to here this new report saying the LDS church condemned Tim Ballard and is not associated with him.  I saved a news report written by a Vice publisher last Friday that was written not in an honest way connecting the apostle to Tim Ballad. The publisher is very anti-LDS and had twisted the facts.  As I read other news reports- I could see right thru their depiction to defame his good name and the church.  So I could see why the church had to make a statement.  Monday on the Alex’s Jones news podcast I listen to weekly he talked about how the left - are coming after him to discredit him for the good work he is doing and make him the bad Guy with all kinds of untrue attacks.  Natasha sent me about 16 tick tok videos speaking about Tim Ballard and twisting the real truth all from this article that was just printed on Friday-  He is speaking up for abused children and they are making out like he is the villain.  We live in a world where evil is made to appear good and good is slandered to appear evil - satanic forces are at work to destroygood people fighting for a good cause.   Tim Ballad created a blockbuster movie this year “Sounds of Freedom” all about his missions in finding trafficked children and free them from this terrible enslavement of evil.  He was the founder of Under operation railroad - going in disguise working to find and release children trapped.  It is horrifying this evil business is in full force and happening in America.  Since the movie came out in theather Tim has had to resign from his founded company.  He life has been threaten by many around the world.   He is an LDS Man and has spent 20 years of his life sacrificing for this cause to release children- it is a dangerous opperation.  Now that his name is out there in the public it is even more dangerous for him and his family. Pray for him to be safe and that he can contine the amzing work he has accomplished.  I haven’t even seen the movie yet and I’m still a big fan for him and support him in his efforts-  the article leaked that he is considering running as a senator for the state of Utah- replacing Mitt Romeny-  I would support him in the new cause in his life.  What he has been doing has not been easy- a very dangerous fight for the freedom of children.  He went to Washington last week and spoke to the senate speaking about this huge problem in  America and that our government needs to stop it somehow.  I watched him boldly presenting his case to congress in a viedo clip.  This is a fight worth fighting for! So with that said I was consumed Sunday evening doing my homework trying to figure out what was going on- I could clearly see it was all an attack to discredit his good name! I called Shannon to discuss what I had heard in the local news and how they were twisting the real truth.   Tim Ballad is a neighbor of Shannon’s and Landon's actual a good friend to one of his sons.  We had a great discussion-  Shannon is very knowledgeable about his cause and totally agreed with me what was taken  place.  The our local media was attacking him.  

Late that evening about 1am my dear hubby walked in.  He drove down from the lake.  He wanted to be there with me for my doctors appointment Monday afternoon when I meet with the plastic surgeon. It was late but we visited for over an hour and final fell sleep!  Come Monday Craig went to the gym and ran a few errands.  I cleaned up for the day and tinkered in our Draper home.  In visiting the night before Craig told me we’re hosting the YSA activity at our home Wednesday and that he needed me to be there.  That changed my palns for the week.  We weren’t at our Draper home home barely 24 hours. I had to pack up and head back to the lake with Craig Monday afternoon after my doctor appointment. The appointment went well.  They are able to fit me in for surgery November 1st- I'm dreading having to take the time out for this sugery, but I’m not getting any younger and I need to have my breast implants replaced.  My left side has become really hard and is very painful.  So I’m scheduled to have a breast lift with new implants.  As I’ve become older my breast have dropped alot- sagging - trying to enhance my body the best I can for my age.  I do need to lose weight - so this will Motivate me to lose some by my surgery date.  It was funny when we were driving down the road from our Draper home to my appoinemnt we saw a man walking down the road.  Craig said looking at the man from behind that he looked liked Brent Russell- I said it does look like a Brent Russell's walk- we flipped around in the car and pulled up by him to see if it was really him and sure enough it was.   We haven’t seen him since one of our last friend Christmas parties in about 2005 - it has been over 15 years since we had last see. Him.  The Russell family lived in our neighboor were raised our children the 1st ten years of our marriage. They were older than Craig about five years and Brent served in the Bishopric.  They had some fun times working with the young men in our ward in the 80’s -  it was fun to visit with Brent-  he was so surprised to have us stop and visit with him.  He lives up in Suncreat up the mountain from us.  He comes down to walk the path along the street to the Draper temple. I love walking the same pathway. The first thing he said to me was Wow you look great !   I have blonde hair now that I’m older.  It was a really nice compliment being 66 years old.  We are all getting older and aging-  Mother nature has been good to me and I’m not aging as quickly as many of my friends in our age category.  I have  very few wrinkles on my face -which I have been blessed with good skin.  I take the time to put my makeup on daily and beautify myself each day.   I like to say a little face paint goes along ways and hides the imperfections.   Craig likes it  when I fix up. It make me feel better about myslf and fun to dress up even when I’m still aging and not as pretty as I use to be.  Just trying to make the effort to be the best I can for my age - hard to belive I’m 66 years old.  I’m no spring chicken anymore - a full fledge grandmother of 20 grandchildren  I love dearly.  Craig and   Imade another drive back up to the lake - the autumn leaves are beginning to pop out on the mountian sides - so pretty to see- I enjoyed our drive back to the lake.  Home sweet home - 

   

Busy Week /Thomas Grandkids Primary Program-

We are coming to the end of September. Only 1 more week.  The mountainside are flaming with bright autumn leaves.  I love the fall colors and have enjoyed decorating our lake home in autumn decor.  I have collected lots of fun things over the years so it has been fun to get it all out and find a special spot to display in our home. I decorated our Drpaer home too so when I come down I can still enjoy the season-  I love my autumn  decor as much as Chriatmas.  I actual leave out my Autum decor the months of September, October and November- I caught a ride down with Jackie and Flint last Saturday evening september 16th- so I could attend the sacrament primary program for our Thomas grandkids.  It was 9am Sunday morning.  Craig wasn’t able to attend with his new calling serving as the YSA branch president he could be in two places at one time, with the three hour drive time he wasn’t able to make it back to the lake for his YSA meetings.  So we spilt up to divide our time and support the Thomas family.  I had two doctors appointments during the week scheduled.  I was able to get into the plastic surgeon - dr Bindrup Monday afternoon and Thursday morning I had a follow up appointment with the cardiologist about my heart scan.  I had planned to stay for the week at our Draper home when I left Bear lake Saturday evening-  I had to wake up early Sunday morning to get ready for church and arrive at the Thomas ward at 9am for their sacrament meeting-  Winston, Annie, and our little 3year old Cora were all speaking in the program.  I videoed clips of each of them so I could send to Craig-  this way he wasn’t totally missing out.  They all did so well little Cora was the first with her sunbeam class to participate in the Program - she spoke clearly and loud enough for all to hear - she didn’t need any help- it was so adorable to see her so confident to stand at the pulpit and say her part - “ Hi my name is Coco- I can be like Jesus, by being Kind”  when they sang their primary songs it was so fun to watch Cora she would do the actions and participate in the singing the best she could.  At one point it was really funny when other children were speaking- she would get distracted and wiggly around in her seat.  I watched her do her new dance moves leaning downward and moving her feet up in the air upside down - I could see her little feet feet pointing upward from her seat-  it was comical to watch. 

Annie did a great job on her talk and Winn did awesome too- he gave a very inspiring talk -  I was so proud of them all .  It was fun to watch them each speak.  I enjoyed visiting with the Thomas grandparents Matt and Mindy afterwards.  

Memories I cherish in my heart.

Our little Coco did such a great joy speaking her part

Winniston gave an amazing talk along with Annie

it was fun to see them sing and Cora do the actions to the songs

Lovely Family picture on this specail day.