What You Might See On the Road?

I loved this clever license plate- 1 Ne 3 7 which clearly means ! Nephi 3:7, a very powerful and popular verse of scripture in the Book of Mormon---one of my favorites'----

"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall  prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."

I wish that I had thought of that---a symbol of their testimony everywhere they drive.  Love this.
 

Clouds--

Sometimes you just need to look at some cloud pictures and remember how amazing they can be in the sky--their changing shapes, their reflecting colors, all of it.

Go outside today and check the skies!!!

 

Halloween Bingo

...in November. I had to do a Halloween Bingo Game for Jena's dance class, so I kept it to play with Jessica/Elessia's kids on Halloween.  However, that night was too busy.  I kept it and brought it when I watched the kids on Saturday night.  They loved it and the simple dollar store toys I had for prizes.  They want to do it again for Christmas which might happen. :)

Two of the kids picked puzzles so we spent some time putting those together --a couple of times that evening. 

Ezri picked a painting project and of course, wanted to do it as soon as Bingo was done.

 Carter was proud when she did hers all by herself.  The first time, she had a few extra helpers (which she really didn't need.) She was patient with them, but immediately after they were done, she quietly took it apart and then put it back together by herself.

Fun times!


 

Night TIme Session at the Layton Temple

There is something unique about seeing a temple lit up in the night. 

I have loved learning and pondering more about the temple and the work that we do there.  In addition to all of the spiritual and doctrinal reasons for the temple, I have been struck lately by how it gives purpose to many people as they get older and move into their "retirement" years--both the opportunity to serve as temple workers but also just to be able to serve there. You are able to help people even though you can't stand up long enough to can beans at the cannery or hoe weeds at the local welfare farm.  You can still have service opportunities and the uplift that they give in your life in the temple every and any day you can be there.  What a blessing---for that time I get old!
 

Utah Shattering Silence Coalition

 In addition to several meetings with county and state officials as well as at the state hospital, we also had a nighttime gathering with our members including a dinner and then a business meeting. It was so great because we got to meet Sheree Sobel from New York in person as she and her husband came to spend some time with their son, Doug who lives here. People took photos but I need to track them down to add.

We also joined a community event sponsored by Jenny Wilson, major of Salt Lake County.  They hosted the film, "The Definition of Insanity" which is centered on the Miami-Dade model to divert and support people.  Judge Leifman, a central force in that program, was there to answer questions as well.  We were able to connect and reconnect to many people we have spoken with over the past three months as well as meet new people in this arena. We shared a table with NAMI Utah in the lobby and got "caught" in the photos they posted on their social media platform. All in all, a very productive event for us.

Now, we are gearing up for our film event which is this Thursday at the Salt Lake City Library!  We are hosting the film "No One Cares About Crazy People." More on that later.

Community Thanksgiving Dinner at DBH

Ben invited us to attend the Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Journey House mid-month.  The food was amazing, and it was fun to share it with other DBH employees, local police, and other government officials.  We are grateful for the work that Journey House does with Ben and others suffering from these complex brain disorders.

 

New Railing

As part of our remodel and preparing our house for when we are old, we had railing added to our front porch and garage entrance.  I could have used those during my summer months of sickness/recovery, but find them handy now as well.

 

Northern Lights

On November 11, Jessica sent us some amaing photos of the Northern Lights which they took from their front yard in Northern Ogden.  After Gary took Jena to dance, we headed out to the Causeway area (along with lots of other people) and parked and did our own watching.  With your eyes, it was very hard to see, but through the cameras, you could capture the green and the reds.  I learned later that I should have used the night mode but here is our faint photos.  It was still fun to be there with so many others in the parking lot and along the sides of Antelope Road and enjoying this unusual moment. I guess that there were solar fires and flares which led to the Northern Lights being seen in some areas as far south as Florida.  Gary is hoping this removed "Northern Lights" from my secondary bucket list, but I don't think so.  It just makes me want to get closer and see it in "full color."

THE WORLD IS JUST AN AMAZING PLACE!!

 

It Is Now Past Thanksgiving.....

Where did November go?

It is a problem when I don't keep up with the blog on a weekly bases.  I do have photos to help me remember certain things, but much gets lost week to week in the busyness of life.  (For which I am sure you are all grateful for.  There is already so many photos of so many things and words about them all.  Hopefully, something will be useful to some one or two of my descendants in the future.)

My calendar for November shows that I was busy most days, going here and there--often taking Jena to a variety of her activities. So, I will give a general update on everyone--

Jena:  She is attending the RISE program twice a week, usually on Tuesdays and Fridays.  She loves it. She is also doing FHE with her ward on most Mondays, a dance class on Tuesday evening, Institute on Wednesday in Bountiful, and Friend to Friend theatre class on Fridays in Centerville.  She is still looking for a job and spends an hour a week with Jeri, her job coach, doing applications and having a few interviews. She usually attends the temple with us on Thursday mornings.

Tosha and family are still in Tacoma.  Niki started middle school which means an earlier start to his day to catch the bus.  Tosha is still doing event setup and organizing usually on the weekends.  She is amazing at it.  She also manages their social media presence.

Ben is still living at home.  He attends Journey House, the Clubhouse in Davis County, five days a week. And occasionally he does their recreational activities after hours.

Scott and family are in Oro Valley and still loving it there.  Scarlett also started middle school. Scott still works for Benner Health and is also working on his MBA which he hopes to complete in April of next year.  Chantel continues to serve as a fitness and nutrition coach which she does mostly online.

Jessica and family are busy with life as well.  Jessica, who works at the Salt Lake County program for young adult homeless individuals, also started back to school at Weber State to get her master's degree in social work.

Gary pointed out that they--Jessica and Scott--following in my footsteps.  I actually hadn't thought of it in that way, but I guess they are actually following my example of following my dad.  I was about five when my dad received his masters degree from University of Idaho.  For some reason, my parents took us kids--3 or 4 of us five years and under--to the graduation.  I am sure it wasn't fun for my mom.  However, I have one clear memory of that experience--I can remember the "hoods" and thinking to myself--I am going to do that someday so I can wear that hood.  Weird for a five year old--I am sure I had no idea what "getting a masters degree" even meant.  But that thought and image stayed in my mind and as I got older, I set up goal on getting a master's degree and as it turned out, I ended up getting two--one in school psychology in 1987 and one in social work in 2017.  And I made sure to take a photo of the hoods, both times.  Maybe you will want to follow our example and get a master's degree.  There are lots of ways to get knowledge, to work, and to grow---you need to figure out the best way (and healthiest) way for you as a person.

Gary missed serving in the temple during the closure for cleaning and repairs of the Syracuse Temple. We continued to go to the temple by serving in the Layton, Ogden and the Saratoga Springs Temples during the break.  Gary has been working hard on the outside of the house--fitting our rain gutters with leaf guards, trimming brushes, and making many trips to the dump and the DI. He arranged for some neighbors to help carry up some old furniture that we no longer need (bye to Scott's old heavy dresser) and our old freezer.  Excellent progress as we continue to settle back into our house. He also continues to solve family history problems in FamilySearch and FindAGrave.

Organizing the basement and de-junking our storage room have been my ongoing project the past several weeks. I have made progress and filled the trailer and Gary's truck a few times for DI and dump runs. Carpets are being cleaned downstairs on Dec. 8 so I have a deadline now to finish the reorganization of the storage room.  We have TOO much stuff, but it harder to get rid of stuff than it should be.  Having a space for something is not a good enough reason to keep it.  One hard thing (which I am still working on) is my collection of art work. I loved these pieces enough to buy them to begin with and many have hung in our houses from West Jordan through Hong Kong and Plano and now here---but I have added other things and the rooms have been reorganized for other purposes. Some pieces I have kept thinking my kids might want them--but no, they have their own style and taste in these things as they should.  Others I have kept to switch out--and sometimes I do, but is that enough of a reason to store something and will I continue to do that as I get older?  Some pieces were from my dad and I want to keep them but where should they go?  Decisions, decisions, as each piece brings memories and feelings...............and I haven't even begun to sort the boxes of photos I have to organize and to share with my kids.  That is the project for January.

I have also been busy with Utah Shattering Silence Coalition. We have had meetings and more meeting this month as we have tried to connect with other people involved in the systems in our state involved with treating those with severe mental illnesses.

I continue to recover from my bypass leg surgery.  I am a bit frustrated because I can't seem to get past 2 miles or 45 minutes of walking each morning.  If I try to add even a few more minutes or a bit longer distances, I can't seem to manage a regular day without my leg swelling and hurting.  I have decided to stick with the 45 minutes for a couple more weeks and then try again adding more distance to my walk. We had our first snowfall today so will be trying out the indoor track at the Syracuse Community Center this week if the snow is still on the ground in the morning.

That is our summary so you can skip the next few posts which have more details.  Life is ramping up for the holidays already so I hope I can get November recorded before all of that starts...

"What Have I Learned?" "How Are You Different?"

These are the questions still bouncing around in my head.  They are the questions that Therese Collins challenged us with at our last class at the end of October. To recap in case you missed my first introduction to the class back in September.  This was an 8-week class given by Sister Collins (my former mission leader) which she designed around a talk given by President Nelson in October 2022, "Overcome the World and Find Rest."  She designed the course and put together an amazing collection of presenters, music, quotes, and personal experiences to teach us and motivate us and to increase our understanding of our covenants. Most of all, to make a step--tiny or huge--but a step forward closer to the Savior.

Each Saturday morning, she provided 6-10 sheets of quotes, activities, and scriptures for us to use during our class on Monday and to keep in our journal which she provided at the beginning of the class.  I took notes both in the journal and on the sheets she sent us (which we glued into the journals). I added summary pages to some of the lessons and will probably go back and do that for the few classes which I didn't attend since I was out of town. My journal is now packed with great quotes and priceless information, but there are still many blank pages.  I am trying to figure out how to use the journal for future study and as a reminder of the truths I heard and felt.

Our course of study:

One week there was an emphasis on our patriarchal blessings.  We were invited to print a copy and then mark it like we would do with the scriptures--highlighting special parts, noticing words which were repeated, looking for warnings and blessings, etc. It was AMAZING!  I kept my working copy in this journal for future review. I also took the opportunity to write down what I remember about the experience of receiving my patriarchal blessing when I was 15.  That was good as well.

The topic of the desires of our hearts is an important one for me and I loved the class where we talked about that.  We also had an assignment to choose a scripture from a list and rewrite it as if it was written specifically for us.  When I decided to use that for my summary of the class, I knew that I did not want to have a traditional heart shape, but I wanted an image that reflected the human heart inside of us.  I want my desires to match our Savior's with my WHOLE ACTUAL heart and I want His Image and His Teachings to be found there.

As you can see, we learned things, we heard things, and we felt things as we discussed a variety of topics together in the group and in smaller discussion groups.  These women were almost all from Sister Collins's stake in the hills of Draper.  They came from different backgrounds and were living lives for the most part in certainly different economic ways than the more suburban life of Syracuse.  I didn't know any of them.  But you know what?  It was great to hear their comments and testimonies and many times I would think--I wish I knew that person and could have known the rest of THAT story or experience they shared. And when we did one on one discussion groups, it was so amazing to connect with them on these gospel topics. It all was well worth the hour drive down and then back and a great way to start the week.  

And it was fun to connect with Sister Collins during the week as we thought of other things we could have said and I learned near the end that many people did the same thing with her---she said she was going to miss these spiritual emails coming each week.  We love her and she loves us as a class and individually and the people she invited to share were amazing as well.

But it still goes back to the question--how am I different because of this whole experience?

1. I have "uped my game" in regards to the temple.  We have done fairly well going once a week (except when I was sick with the kidney stone), but I think I was taking it a bit casual.  I loved it, but I wasn't using the experiences there to worship intentionally.  Being intentionally in our discipleship is important and one of those places is the temple.  I have also focused on learning more about the temple covenants and history.  I am currently reading a small three book series about the temple and hope to read more to expand my understanding. My new goal: four endowments, a sealing session and an initiatory each month. I know it isn't a huge commitment but it is the right goal for me right now.

2. I am different because I have learned some new teaching skills which I hope to use as a gospel doctrine teacher.  It is good to learn from others.

3.  I am more connected to my patriarchal blessing and to my testimony of them in general in our lives. I hope to continue to write about its fulfillment in my life to share with my children and grandchildren after I am gone.

And the desires of my heart continue to adjust and refocus on things that really matter--Jesus Christ, His Gospel and His Atonement in behalf of all of us; our family; and the community we live in. May I be found doing good.

Thanks, Theresa.  Until the next time....

Draper Views

Although I have been making weekly trips to Draper for my "Living Within My Temple Covenants" class, it wasn't until the last day that I noticed that you can see Antelope Island from the road.  Since I am a fan of the Island, it was worth stopping to enjoy the view and take a few photos.

It was beautiful to see the island and the whole valley in front of me and the colors in the mountains behind me...although I should have taken a photo a few weeks ago to get the brighter colors--and also the rains had started so I took this photo from inside the car.

 

Saratoga Springs Temple With the Ellises

Since the Syracuse Temple is closed for a month, we made plans to meet the Ellises at the Saratoga Springs Temple for a session and then for lunch. I had seen many posts about the colors in the temple when it was first opened, but it was great to see it is person.  And I also love the many purples throughout the building in different designs  plus the blues and greens and the dark woods.  It was great to be there with them.

but we forgot to get a photo at the temple so settled for this one at the Village Baker down the street.  Yummy food and better conversation.

 

Harry Potter Week at RISE

At RISE, for the past two weeks they have been learning about Harry Potter related things.  The director sent me this photo of Jena. Loved it!! She has enjoyed her days learning more about Harry Potter including making chocolate frogs and butter beer.  

Halloween Fun--It Is More Than Just One Day!

 After our ward Fall Festival, we began the run of Halloween related events.

We attended the Ballard Halloween Bash where they had this amazing Halloween inspired dishes including Green Mac and Cheese and pumpkin empanadas which were amazing.

On Saturday, we headed to Founders PArk for the Syracuse Pumpkin Walk which was crazy busy but fun.  Jessica, Elessia and the kids joined us but apparently I didn't get a group shot.

The Syracuse Band playing The Monster Mash

Love the polka dot pumpkin

There were about 1000 craved pumpkins plus lots of decorations around the park and lots and lots of people and cars.

Jena had the following Halloween Gatherings:

    Monday, Oct. 27-- Stake YSA Dance in Morgan  (she got home at 11 pm with the biggest smile on her face

    Tuesday, Oct, 28-  at dance  (We provided a Halloween Bingo Gae and prizes)

    Wednesday, Oct.  29--at Institute--no costume but she took treats to share

    Friday, October 31-- At RISE--an all-day party

                                        Then Chili and Scones--the Hall tradition with trick or treating

Jena likes Halloween and it is a good thing because she had a lot of it this past week.

Trick n treating with the grandkids

The Penko Game at the Reinhardts..

Jena said it was too hard to walk in the skirt which
inspired her whole costume this year, but she liked
being a cowgirl.

Abby Pessetto Frazier
 with Ellie and Jena

Checking out something funny on Jessica's phone....you can't really see her in the middle of the kids.

And Grandma Holly's (Hall) witch is back on display!

Elder Jack Neese is Home

 and we were able to attend his Homecoming last Sunday in West Point.  It was fun to meet his parents and also to spend time with the other missionaries who came.  It is so great to see them again.

And Fun Continues...

The next day after we got home, we attended a play at the Jewel Box Theatre at Hale Center Theatre called The Murders of 1940.  I had never heard of it before and had a cute premise of the author writing the script while participating in some of the scenes.  It made me laugh which is fun, although I don't think it is a play I would want to see again.  (Oct. 15)

As we were leaving the theatre, we had Jena sit in the Sister Act photo spot since that show was still going on.  We saw it the following Wednesday in the main stage and loved it.  No one is quite Whoopie Goldberg, but the cast all did a good job and it was fun.  (Oct. 22)

I also started back walking in Jensen Pond and after a two-week absence, the colors were definitely changing into the fall and the morning air was much brisker so I moved to my winter cap.

I just love the colors in these pictures taken on a bit of a rainy day. ( Oct. 16)

It is times like this that I wished I could paint.  I would love to make these colors, shapes, and layers come onto a canvas.  Maybe in my next life----nature is so amazing.  And we are blessed to understand that this earth was provided to us by a loving Heavenly Father through His Son, Jesus Christ, for our own growth and learning.  The earth is perfect!!!

Gary and I have different walking paces and morning schedules so we rately walk together...but one morning our cars enjoyed being together!  (Oct. 17)

On October 17, Gary and I had the great pleasure to meet our old friend, Rob Dinsmore and his wife, Sally.  Rob lived on the same floor with Gary as college freshmen and then later entered the MTC on the same day.  Rob went to Brazil.  Rob was the first person who told me that I should consider marrying Gary.  Before they left on their missions, he told me that he didn't understand why we hadn't dated because we would be perfect.  Since Gary had been dating my friend, Jody, I didn't give it much thought although later, Jody also said something similar to me.  Wise friends.  Rob got married later in life and they live in El Paso.  We had never met Sally, but found her easy to talk to and we had many things in common that we love, including travel.  Sally and I got a lot of talking in a brief lunch especially for people who just met.  Rob did good!

Heading to pick up my groceries one Saturday morning (Oct. 18), I pulled over to catch this photo of a balloon.  We don't see them very often around here so that was fun, too.

And later that night while Gary was serving at the temple, Jena and I showed our BYU loyalty and cheered BYU to a victory over Utah.  24-21.  That was a fun game to watch.

And finally, the following Tuesday (Oct. 22), we attended our Ward Fall Festival.  Here is Jena in her cowgirl costume with the skirt she had gotten at the Goodwill in Oro Valley while shopping with Scarlett and Chantel.  Unfortunately, her vest and shirt got held up in shipping but she found another brown shirt to wear for tonight.

So after a fun two weeks of vacationing followed by plays, parties, friends, and a BYU win over Utah, it finally felt like life could settle down and I could maybe get some much needed work done around here. Of course, Halloween was just around the corner.....