Quick Visit (Oct. 4 and 5--Days Two and Three)

We enjoyed sharing General Conference with Valerie and Austin (and the rest of the world as well).  It was awesome. It was an interesting moment in time between the death of President Nelson and his funeral, and the Church and the world were definitely mourning this great man, but the Church has systems in place and things proceeded the way they needed to and the prepared talks were perfect for now and the next 6 months.  Of course, we missed President Nelson--but at 101, he had lived a life that few can match or even imagine. He can "rest" if that is what happens--actually I believe he stepped right into the work there without too much sightseeing along the way. That is his style.

We were blessed to have a visit with Landi and Lance on Saturday night (no photo) and then Justin and his three kids came to visit between sessions...photo below.  No pictures of Valerie and Austin but they were there as well as Lynette who came over for Saturday.  Fun to see sisters any time.

Justin with Carson, Kendall and Jayden

On the Road Again--To Mesa and Oro Valley (Oct. 3-Day One)

Here are the FOUR of us heading to our long awaited trip to Arizona--first stop Mesa to spend time with Valerie and Austin and watch a BYU football game (Friday night) and General Conference on Saturday and Sunday. Then on to Oro Valley for a few days with Scott, Chantel, Scarlett, and James.  It was hot, but it was fun and a great break from "recovering".  We were so glad Ben joined us and so proud that even though it was hard for him to be out of routine and other things, he came and he had fun.

On Highway 20 and then 89 on the way to Kanab, Utah.  Fall colors everywhere....

And then south of Page....

A dust storm ...

Coming into Flagstaff, AZ.

And on into Mesa area...

(sorry, poor picture because of the sun and the dirty car windows, but the Saquoia are always amazing.)

Outside Views

One of the pleasures of rainy days in watching and listening to our rain chain.  Everyone needs one.  They are magical.  There was lots of rain while we were out of town (more on that in the next post) and it led to wet carpet in the room formerly known as Scott's room.

Gary has been working on cleaning out our gutters and putting guards in place to help them stay clean from leaves and stuff which caused the overflowing in the game room window well which led to a wet game room.  When we got home, Gary checked those gutters by the room that got flooded and they were clear.  So we are not sure why that room flooded but now need to get new carpet so we can move things back into that room which is now our guest room (will be that is.)

Gary got this orange stabilizer for the ladder.
It works well and makes us both feel better
about Gary working on the gutters and using the ladder.

While I have been in recovery mode, Gary continues to work on fixing and repairing and getting things ready for the winter.  He has been amazing.

Temple Work

On September 25, I did the initiatory work for Susanna Gale.  Look when her baptism and confirmation were done--in 1918!!!! I have never seen that early of dates without the rest of the work being done at some point afterwards.  I came home and told Gary that I had to do her endowment as soon as possible which I was able to do on the 30th.  Then last week, we sealed her to her parents.  She definitely was celebrating in the spirit world.

Temple work is a very interesting type of service.  It isn't really face to face service since we are doing work for those who have died.  However, there are moments when you feel glimpses of their awareness and joy.  Not every time, but it is there so much in the sweet peaceful places in the temple.