Highlights:
Spiritual
When I came home from Phoenix Children's Hospital on Sunday night, I shared my worry with Facebook. Now, I am rarely a fan of Facebook - too much "stuff" goes on, and I really only am on to talk to Allison and keep up on faraway acquaintances. However, I just asked for prayers for this little granddaughter. I truly stand all amazed at the outpouring of love and prayers, from close family and friends to people I only knew a little in high school. There is so much good in this often crummy world, and sometimes all it takes is a sick little baby for that good to just overpower any evil. My faith in the goodness of so many people has been renewed.
I also was thinking on Sunday night about Priesthood blessings and miracles. Annalee was not awake and definitely had something out of sorts. Nathan and Dad gave her a priesthood blessing, right after her spinal tap. They were looking for all sorts of infections and thought she would be in the hospital up to seven days. Two days later, she was home without a sign of anything. Now, I could say the hospital was wrong and grumble about healthcare. I did stop and (after kicking myself) fall on my knees and thank Heavenly Father for that healing miracle from that priesthood blessing as well as all the loving prayers that were offered. I then thought about all my other grandchild miracles: I was in the waiting room where the Wilkins sat with us, waiting on Adam's surgery when he was just a little infant. He was miraculously cured by the power of the Priesthood. Gracie had what was thought to be a growth in her lung, possibly cancer, that with blessings of the Priesthood was merely an aspirated sunflower seed. Josh was in the NICU when he was born, and it took days for him to get out. Blessings of the Priesthood made it possible for him to be home with his family with no lasting effects. Kelsie is a miracle, with mommy laboring for hours and then having to be delivered by emergency ceserean. And Amber talks of the day Kelsie's daddy died in the motorcycle accident, and how Kelsie, who was always needing holding when fussing, was at peace and content when Mommy was feeling lost. Heavenly Father blessed little Kelsie to be strong and help her mommy and angels were with her. After Kooper was born, the hospital tests just kept finding things wrong. We were all offering prayers for that sweet little boy and he was healed of whatever it was. Sammy was just a newborn when Mommy had to return to the hospital with hives. He was such a good boy, with Grammy having to feed him in a strange bottle and all. Allison may have itched like crazy, but she always had enough to feed that baby and keep him healthy and growing. Priesthood blessings helped her endure that horrible itching. She didn't complain once when I was there! Kaylee was blessed to have good health, and since she was breech, she had to be delivered c section, and she was blessed to have good health and be able to overcome any illness that she has faced. I didn't write it all on Facebook then, but I do recognize all my blessings and the blessings brought to our family. Miracles happen every single day!
This week, on Tuesday, we lost another beloved Apostle, Elder Richard G. Scott. He had been in failing health and it was not a surprise. He always spoke of his love for his wife, and it was so clear that he missed her so. When I saw the date of her death today, she has been gone 20 years. I could nearly imagine the joyful reunion of Elder Scott and his wife, never to be apart again.
Wednesday was truly a Latter-day Saint kind of day. I started my day at the 6 am temple session. I picked up my visiting teaching companion later and we went and had a great visit with one of our sisters. I got my visiting teaching letter off to the sister that only wants letters. That evening, Dee and I attended the 7:30 pm session at the temple. It was nice to know all four officiators in the session.
Visiting teaching was completed Friday for the month with a letter to a new sister on our list. I tried to email and call and she hasn't gotten back to me yet. They have a home in Flagstaff and I feel they are spending more time there right now.
I enjoyed listening to the Women's Conference Broadcast at home this evening. Dad was working outside and it was nice and quiet. Great talks, beautiful music.
Sunday was a great Fast and Testimony meeting. Our young men 16 and over serve as Priests in the Aaronic Priesthood, and we had Priest after Priest bearing testimony of their love for Jesus Christ, for their gratitude for trials, their trip last summer up Mount Whitney and the things they learned as they faced achieving hard things. We had a wonderful lesson in Sunday School from the Book of Hebrews and in Relief Society we had a lesson on a David A Bednar talk on turning to Christ to overcome fears. It was another great day. I hurried home to quickly eat and run out to stake choir practice, when Dad heard my phone beep with a message. Vegas Primary Program is October 11. So, I will be there instead of singing in the stake choir. Totally good trade off. And no choir practice!
I worked on indexing Revolutionary War records for Massachusetts. So far this year, I have indexed 5719 records.
I am read the October Ensign Magazine and truly loved the article on the Plan of Salvation by Elder Robert D. Hales. That is one I am going to print up and study again and again. The Plan of Salvation is something we often forget or fail to understand fully. . In the Book of Mormon, I am in Alma 8.
Dad's reading is as follows: Book of Mormon - Mosiah 11; Bible - Numbers 9. continuing reading the Fourth Thousand Years.
Family
The Wilkins Family
Adam went to an event at the Adventuredome on the Strip on Friday...and Allison had an "adventure" of her own when picking him up:
Spiritual
When I came home from Phoenix Children's Hospital on Sunday night, I shared my worry with Facebook. Now, I am rarely a fan of Facebook - too much "stuff" goes on, and I really only am on to talk to Allison and keep up on faraway acquaintances. However, I just asked for prayers for this little granddaughter. I truly stand all amazed at the outpouring of love and prayers, from close family and friends to people I only knew a little in high school. There is so much good in this often crummy world, and sometimes all it takes is a sick little baby for that good to just overpower any evil. My faith in the goodness of so many people has been renewed.
I also was thinking on Sunday night about Priesthood blessings and miracles. Annalee was not awake and definitely had something out of sorts. Nathan and Dad gave her a priesthood blessing, right after her spinal tap. They were looking for all sorts of infections and thought she would be in the hospital up to seven days. Two days later, she was home without a sign of anything. Now, I could say the hospital was wrong and grumble about healthcare. I did stop and (after kicking myself) fall on my knees and thank Heavenly Father for that healing miracle from that priesthood blessing as well as all the loving prayers that were offered. I then thought about all my other grandchild miracles: I was in the waiting room where the Wilkins sat with us, waiting on Adam's surgery when he was just a little infant. He was miraculously cured by the power of the Priesthood. Gracie had what was thought to be a growth in her lung, possibly cancer, that with blessings of the Priesthood was merely an aspirated sunflower seed. Josh was in the NICU when he was born, and it took days for him to get out. Blessings of the Priesthood made it possible for him to be home with his family with no lasting effects. Kelsie is a miracle, with mommy laboring for hours and then having to be delivered by emergency ceserean. And Amber talks of the day Kelsie's daddy died in the motorcycle accident, and how Kelsie, who was always needing holding when fussing, was at peace and content when Mommy was feeling lost. Heavenly Father blessed little Kelsie to be strong and help her mommy and angels were with her. After Kooper was born, the hospital tests just kept finding things wrong. We were all offering prayers for that sweet little boy and he was healed of whatever it was. Sammy was just a newborn when Mommy had to return to the hospital with hives. He was such a good boy, with Grammy having to feed him in a strange bottle and all. Allison may have itched like crazy, but she always had enough to feed that baby and keep him healthy and growing. Priesthood blessings helped her endure that horrible itching. She didn't complain once when I was there! Kaylee was blessed to have good health, and since she was breech, she had to be delivered c section, and she was blessed to have good health and be able to overcome any illness that she has faced. I didn't write it all on Facebook then, but I do recognize all my blessings and the blessings brought to our family. Miracles happen every single day!
This week, on Tuesday, we lost another beloved Apostle, Elder Richard G. Scott. He had been in failing health and it was not a surprise. He always spoke of his love for his wife, and it was so clear that he missed her so. When I saw the date of her death today, she has been gone 20 years. I could nearly imagine the joyful reunion of Elder Scott and his wife, never to be apart again.
Wednesday was truly a Latter-day Saint kind of day. I started my day at the 6 am temple session. I picked up my visiting teaching companion later and we went and had a great visit with one of our sisters. I got my visiting teaching letter off to the sister that only wants letters. That evening, Dee and I attended the 7:30 pm session at the temple. It was nice to know all four officiators in the session.
Visiting teaching was completed Friday for the month with a letter to a new sister on our list. I tried to email and call and she hasn't gotten back to me yet. They have a home in Flagstaff and I feel they are spending more time there right now.
I enjoyed listening to the Women's Conference Broadcast at home this evening. Dad was working outside and it was nice and quiet. Great talks, beautiful music.
Sunday was a great Fast and Testimony meeting. Our young men 16 and over serve as Priests in the Aaronic Priesthood, and we had Priest after Priest bearing testimony of their love for Jesus Christ, for their gratitude for trials, their trip last summer up Mount Whitney and the things they learned as they faced achieving hard things. We had a wonderful lesson in Sunday School from the Book of Hebrews and in Relief Society we had a lesson on a David A Bednar talk on turning to Christ to overcome fears. It was another great day. I hurried home to quickly eat and run out to stake choir practice, when Dad heard my phone beep with a message. Vegas Primary Program is October 11. So, I will be there instead of singing in the stake choir. Totally good trade off. And no choir practice!
I worked on indexing Revolutionary War records for Massachusetts. So far this year, I have indexed 5719 records.
I am read the October Ensign Magazine and truly loved the article on the Plan of Salvation by Elder Robert D. Hales. That is one I am going to print up and study again and again. The Plan of Salvation is something we often forget or fail to understand fully. . In the Book of Mormon, I am in Alma 8.
Dad's reading is as follows: Book of Mormon - Mosiah 11; Bible - Numbers 9. continuing reading the Fourth Thousand Years.
Family
The Wilkins Family
Adam went to an event at the Adventuredome on the Strip on Friday...and Allison had an "adventure" of her own when picking him up:
"Someday me trying to navigate the Strip on a Friday night to pick up Adam at the Adventuredome while Sam choked on water in the backseat, which made him throw up like crazy, which prompted Josh to throw up (in poor Sam's lap, because, well, he was already gross), and Grace to open her door to gag while we were driving WILL be funny. Tonight not so much."
The Ethan Rice Family
Kaylee started the week feeling poorly, and Wednesday, Cameo took the day off work and went to see their doctor. Double ear infections! Poor kid. She made it through the week, still with the cough but mommy said she didn't complain a bit about her ears! Word is that Kaylee had a good potty week and weekend. Let's hope Grammy doesn't mess it up!
The Doran Rice Family
On Tuesday night, when I texted Amber, I found out that Amber and Kelsie were down with a bad cold, and Doran had pain in his leg...and Kooper was enjoying every moment of freedom and having a great time. That boy is a regular eight o'clock to bed kinda guy...except for Tuesday! We remembered Doran and Charles on Friday.
Morgan
Morgan gave us a call on Friday with stomach troubles. He was concerned he might need a ride to the emergency room. We first got him some more mild food: rice, bananas, apples, Seven up, peppermint tea, ramen noodles, soda crackers, and graham crackers. That seemed to calm his stomach and he didn't call with any more complaints. Dad checked on him later, and he said the pain was still there, but the nausea was gone. He has a pretty nice room in his apartment: awesome television, red locker cabinet to hold dvds and video games, a nice desk for his computer, a chair and a sleeper sofa.
Kayty
Kayty had Monday off work. I checked her off and on...and finally told her good morning...after 3 pm. Rough life! She had a good day at work Tuesday and Wednesday. This is what she does on her days off...this was Thursday..
The Nathan Rice Family
Nathan and Jess stayed in the hospital with Annalee, day and night. Monday evening, Nate let us know she ate breastmilk all day, and that they removed her IV. What awesome news! We even got a little pic
Thursday, Nate came by to grab something to work on his brakes. It was his last "day off" . Annalee seemed to not want him to lay down and rest the night before, since everytime he got her asleep, wrapped up, and put into bed, her eyes popped open. She likes her middle of the night daddy time. They purchased a really nice breast pump and Annalee has a great meal supply in the refrigerator already.
We got this on on Saturday morning:
Work
Dad thought his Monday would be pretty uneventful, but his schedule became filled with meeting after meeting. Tuesday he had more meetings, some training, a brief trip to the Deer Valley plant and more meetings.Thursday, he went out to work with engineers at the Sky Harbor repair and overhaul facility at Honeywell. He also filled in for other SDE's and got drawings pulled and delivered.
Dad's Truck
Dad tried to install the motor mount bracket, but it would not fit properly with the newly installed oil pan, so he is going to fabricate brackets, first from wood and then from angle iron. He cut the metal after the mock up from wood worked,
and he prepared to go to his friend, Joe, and get them welded. Rubber pads were ordered and a piece of angle iron will complete them. He then can install, get the motor mounts attached...and then return to the goal months ago of installing a new cam and getting the engine running.
Dad's Garden
Dad and I took advantage of a cool Monday evening and dug seven wheelbarrows full of extra dirt and he hauled it to other parts of the yard. This will be his tomato garden in January, and he adds peat moss and many other things to make the soil more nutrient filled, so some dirt had to go. I also got all the old plastic and buckets hauled off to the trash and the garden area looks pretty nice. The missionaries in the ward want to do some service, and we shared that they might want to come over and dig up the oval garden area so dad could prep that. Dad went down to Grandma's on Tuesday and got some manure for the gardens.He has also resumed daily coffee ground pick ups at the nearby Starbucks. Each bag goes right out to the garden.
Missionaries came by on Saturday to help dad dig...and then they got some of his awesome chicken sandwiches for lunch.
Other highlights:
Cool, humid, but as always, nary any rain. Just a drop or two. Not even a puddle.
On Tuesday, my car hit 141414 on the mileage odometer...and I saw it.
Dad finished off a bottle of his favorite hot sauce. I bought a bunch online when Nate was still in Korea, and the first one is gone.
On Thursday night, I had such a good time! Janet Whiting is a sister in our ward that I have really wanted to get to know since our ward realigned. A couple of weeks ago, she shared on our Ward Facebook Page that she was having a weekly sewing/craft get together on Thursday nights. I decided to go and I had such an awesome time. It was only the two of us, but she shared her skills, her set up, and it really inspired me to get back into more sewing, on my weeks off, that is. She made this, with my minimal help
Sunday Lunar Eclipse/Blood Moon
Not so highlights:
Our monsoon is drawing to a close, and the Phoenix Airport received over five inches of rain this season from June 25 to September 25. Us??? Not so much. In fact, barely anything. We did manage to keep that pine tree out in the front yard watered and alive, and the date palm in the back yard got extra hose time and looks awesome!
