And she is back on the slopes...

And no, that isn't me, but Jena who started back on January 11th.  She is skiing again with Terrie who has been her teacher, mentor, and friend since Jena was in 8th grade.  They have a great time.  This year, Jena wanted to go down Becker, a longer slope to start off with, and Terrie said that she did great.

Last run on Friday--Jena in the blue with Terrie in front in the orange.

Cutest skier on the slope

 We have had some snow off and on over the past two weeks.  One day when coming home, I was "awed" at this beautiful sight to the east down our street.  It is, of course, not as amazing in my photo, but the snow covered mountains had a layer of clouds below and white/grayish clouds above, but there was a layer of bright blue sky outlining the mountain tops.  The blues and whites were stunning.

The earth is so beautiful!

Saturdays

I took Fridays off so that I could get more of my life caught up with.  Rarely have I had Fridays that I could do that which weren't committed to other tasks.  This past Friday was no different as I had a long dentist appointment to start the process of a crown on a back molar with an old filling that had finally failed.  I did the usual errands and worked on my Christmas cards and went to the temple.  It was a great day and allowed the next day--Saturday-- to also be amazing.

Gary and Jena headed to bowling all morning while I finally did some housework (I have been gone for while and there was Christmas before that so there was a lot to do.)  I even was able to get the storage room cleaned and back together after all the Christmas stuff was repacked and put back in their spots.

Then we dressed up and headed for the Hale Theatre for the final show of the 2018 season....because I couldn't imagine seeing "Wizard of Oz" in December.  I think it was always shown in January of every year of my whole childhood!!

They now have a "photo op" wall to take pictures and post on social media

Hard to get a self with three people with varying degrees of commitment
to a successful photo

I had to say that I really was not that excited to see "The Wizard of Oz."  As mentioned it was a yearly movie at our house and by the end of growing up, Todd, Mike and I were not fans, but the younger ones still were.  Growing up in the 1960's and 70's, who did run around the playground saying "lions and tigers and bears, oh, my" for a couple of days after the yearly showing.  (Historical side note:  Back then prior to even VCRs, you didn't have the option of replaying movies at your convenience. So the networks could do that for you. Hence the annual "Wizard of Oz" shows. For my kids, I am sure there were many shows that they watched that many times in a year--when they were in "that phase.")  However, I loved it.  Hale Theatre had amazing sets and special effects which you couldn't even figure out how they could manage on a round stage.  And the costumes were gorgeous.  Lexi Walker, a professional actress, played Dorothy and she was amazing as well. It was so good.

After the show, we left the theatre in Sandy, UT, and headed down to Springville, UT, to attend Aubree and Griffen's reception at the Springville Art Museum.  Aubree has been one of Jena's roommates and mentors in her college program.  And they are very good friends.  It was fun to share the evening with her.

 And the venue was very fun as well.  In addition to the expected art on the walls, they had a fun inside courtyard area with this funky water feature.  That would be fun in your back yard.

Then after leaving the reception, we headed a couple of blocks to a small restaurant called "Art City" which is built from an old trolley car and then expanded outward.  I had met my friend, Sandy Lai, there once for lunch and loved their rosemary garlic french fries.

At my request, Gary is checking a score of a basketball game--BYU of course.

We got home after 10:00, but with Church at noon and the house and Primary lessons ready to go--it was a great Saturday.

Hope you had some great Saturdays filled with getting things done and having fun!

Two Hour Church- January 6, 2019

As I pointed out to my Primary class, this was an historic day that they could remember and tell their own children about.  We started the 2-hour block of Church today.  The tricky thing for me was how to adjust to teaching only a 20 minute lesson in Primary following the new guidelines and allowing the children to also share what they had learned.  I studied the individual study guide through the week and started thinking about the lesson, but kept worrying about the whole 20 minute thing and having the students share their own experiences.  How do you do that?

On Friday as I was preparing a small treat to take around to my new Primary class with a note about the room number, etc., I realized exactly how to try to do that.  In that flash of a moment how revelation comes at times, it was clear.  The simple things which I had assemble for their "welcome to a new year in Primary" served as the framework for our lesson...even though when I bought them, I didn't know that was the purpose for them--I just thought they would make a fun treat bag for my class.

The package included:

1.  A stuffed Teddy Graham:  This represents each one of us.  We are responsible for our own learning.

2.  A red pencil-  The scriptures are the key to learning about Jesus and His gospel.  Underline important verses to you.

3.  A package of TIC TAC:  Easy for sharing (six of the eight had shared with their family) because we are going to share what we have learned at home in our class and also we are going to be "Tac-tful" and supportive when others are sharing  (see how I did that!)

4.  A picture of Christ--to remind them of who we are studying and He loves them.

5.  A little tea light:  For Christ is the light of the World and we each grow our light as we become more like him.

I also gave them this note so they knew actually what we were going to discuss.

We sat in a circle and I placed them items on a tray in my lap and we talked and shared together.  It was amazing (and made better by the amazing class I have this year.  Smart and reverent--an amazing combination for nine year olds.  I have a new teaching partner and she is going to be great as well.)

Each week we will give the students a card with something to prepare for the week ahead.  It is going to be a great year in Primary.

Have I mentioned that it is an amazing time to be a member of the Church?

"Go to the temple"

That was a text I got from my sister on Thursday, January 3, 2019.  So Friday afternoon I did.  And I cried.  And I wrote back to her:  "Truly there has not been a more blessed time to be a Saint than now except perhaps for those groups who walked and talked with Christ during his mortal life or on this continent after his death.  I followed your directive and went to the temple this afternoon."  And that sums it up!

Out my window as I drove away.