Summer Pasta Salad

As I have mentioned, one of our assignments is to provide dinner for Institute on Tuesdays and Thursday.  It can be a bit challenging because you don't know how many people will be there--2 or 10!  Clarksville is more consistent at 2 or 3, but Ft. Smith is very inconsistent.  Nevertheless, I have decided to be creative in my meal planning and try new things.  Now, this is probably a pretty basic thing for you, but we loved this Summer Pasta Salad with cheese and tomatoes that I found in he internet.  I had had something similar years ago and just looked to find the right recipe. 

It was a hit and luckily enough for our crowd of about 10 that night.  I will definitely do it again.  We served it with French bread, grapes, and ice cream sandwiches for dessert.

A Very Hot P-Day

and the Church was closed for an annual deep clean of all of the carpets and pews.  That meant the young missionaries had no place to play basketball and volleyball in-doors.  Despite temps around 100 and a heat index of 109, they did meet at a park to play sports for awhile.  We told them when they were too hot, head to our house for root beers floats, games, and air conditioning.  They took us up on that offer and we had a fun afternoon with them.

One of the sisters was on the phone with her family-
one of their activities for the day and she was afraid
it would be too loud in the house to finish her conversations.
Others of the missionaries used our bedrooms to
have their weekly calls with their families.

Game playing after root beer floats and other treats.  I was glad that we have (barely) enough room to accommodate them during these hot days.  Tomorrow the gym will be available at the Church and lots of room for games and exercise together.

It is a privilege to have missionaries in your home anytime, but 12!!!  a great bonus!

Ben Update

Ben sent me this picture this past week on the day of a BBQ at Journey House--a clubhouse at Davis Behavioral Health.

Ben with a staff member from Journey House

This made my day!! Ben has been struggling so much with his illness and has been in and out of the Crisis Care Unit in Layton over the past several months since being discharged from the state hospital.  One of his struggles has been related to being outside so it was so good to see him outside and part of the preparations for the BBQ with the neighborhood police officers.  He told me it was hard, but he was able to eat and talk with people during the event.  That was so great to hear.

He ended up having to spend Friday night at the CRU again, but was able to be discharged the next day back to his group home.

He is a giant to me.  He keeps battling and keeps hoping for a better life for himself.  He so much wants the typical things that adults want--a spouse, a family, a home, a job...but they seem so far away at times.  However, he clings to those dreams and hopes for himself and battles every day.  I want to be tough like Ben when I "grow up."

One positive thing is that the treatments for the liver are working great and his liver is doing well.  We appreciate your thoughts and prayers in his behalf.

Grandchildren Update----

 It has been awhile since I posted pictures of our darling grandchildren so here it goes!  They are growing up even though we are not there to see it.

Jessica and Elessia's kids:

Starting at the bottom and going clockwise-
Zander (6 1/2), Liam (8), Ezri (2 1/2), Carter and Alex (4 3/4)

Scott and Chantel headed to Hawaii with their kids for a family vacation.  They loved it.

Scarlett (9 next week) and James (6) with Scott and Chantel and "guests"

The day after they posted their photo from the Polynesian Center (which they loved, by the way), my niece, Landi Johnson and her family posted their family photos from there.  Turns out that they were in Hawaii at basically the same time, but didn't know it.  They tried to connect up on the last day but not enough time to make it work.  What are the odds!

Tosha and Austen

Niki (9 next month) and Cooper (6) with their flowers they made for their teachers.
Tosha said that she loved making those with me when she was little.
Niki and Cooper loved that as well.

Ava (4 1/2)

So lucky and blessed to have them all in the family!!!