Week of February 11 - 17, 2018

Highlights:

Spiritual

 Sunday was Ward Conference. It was a true blessing from heaven that as I sustained Russell M. Nelson as Prophet, I had a strong personal witness that he truly is a prophet of God. We had a very spiritual Sacrament Meeting. I was in the choir and we had practiced "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" to perform during this meeting and had been practicing for weeks. As our bishop spoke, he shared the special meaning to him of this particular hymn. One of their children, and their only daughter, Nora, was still born. At her funeral, this hymn was sung and it brought them such comfort. Then the choir sang. Never did a song have more meaning than it did at that time. It was as though the Lord had it all planned. Our stake president then spoke, and his message of love and welcoming and service was also beautiful.

I had a cub scout committee meeting soon after church and then came home to complete my assignments from that meeting. Dad attended his Self Reliance class that afternoon as well.

I had cub scouts on Wednesday. We completed Running With The Pack Required Adventure with a fun obstacle course. Two boys completed their Wolf Badge with this, and two only lack the Cyber Chip to complete their Wolf badge now. Youth had a dance so dad attended a temple session.

I took a Hershey Kiss treat to one sister I visit on Wednesday. As I found out that my friend had passed away, I texted Linda, another sister I visit, and then she called and we talked for awhile. Linda's husband was in a serious motorcycle accident a year ago that took his life ten days later...right at this time. So she was devastated about Janet's death while going through her own struggles of this sad time. She is doing well otherwise and is probably going to sell her house here and just stay near family and friends at her main home in Flagstaff.

I have indexed 5770 record so far this year.

I am in Ether 3 in the Book of Mormon. I am also reading the Ensign Magazine on Sunday. I listen to a General Conference Talk every morning as I exercise. I just completed my third time through. Starting again on Monday.

Family

The Wilkins Family

This was a very rough week for Joshua and for the Wilkins family. He came down with a stomach virus. He couldn't keep anything down. He had to be taken to the Emergency Room on Wednesday due to dehydration. He was able to go to his school Valentine Party on Friday - these are the Valentines Adam made for him

He did go to his party Friday, but ate very little, and came right home and went to bed. We have been praying for him. Grace went to a sleepover at her best friend, Katelyn's house. Adam had a couple of days off school during the week and was a great help to Mike and Allison. Sam's preschool with Mom was postponed for the week, and he is anxious to return to learning letters next week.

The Ethan Rice Family

I FaceTimed with this family on Sunday evening. They had a great dinner cooked by Ethan and were enjoying time together. Earlier, they had a fun time feeding the ducks. Kaylee had a Valentine's Day party at school on Wednesday. Wadey tried to hug his friend, Mason. 

Wadey also thought being dressed like a 100 year old was not too bad!

We received a cute Valentines Day card this week. Kaylee is quite the writer and artist!

The Doran Rice Family

Doran and Amber had a good, busy week. Doran took Friday off to have some fun with the kids.

Morgan

Morgan is busy working a new job at the Trader Joe's Distribution Center.

Kayty

Kayty still is looking for a job. She has applied as a Phoenix Police Dispatcher, at Maricopa County as a court clerk, and at two insurance companies, along with many other places. We completed her income taxes so she has about a month of money. She continues to organize and clean her room and has probably doubled Deseret Industries profits for this year.

Three saves this week: two minor, one major

The Nathan Rice Family

School is getting more intense. Nathan had three exams this week. These take roughly three hours each to complete, plus studying prior to and regular homework. Jessica's semester is getting rough too. So, to help with the kids on a particularly rough week, I am flying up to help out March 1 - 10. I am just hoping I don't freeze! Nathan did well on the exams, was offered an internship at Ruger, but had to decline due to them wanting to complete school at the end of the year and not push out graduation any longer. 0

Dad's Garden

Garden is doing well. Harvesting pounds of snow peas and lots of cabbage. Tomato plants are growing. This weather has been so good for the garden. 

Year of the House Part 2

Still working on the tile. Dad purchased more tile to cut. We had to get a new sack of thinset and ended up having to return it after a few tiles and getting a different variety.

Other highlights

Rain this week and clouds were wonderful.

Valentines Day was uneventful. I gave Dad a card and that was about it. I made a pretty good breakfast and lunch for him while he was at meetings, and he made some snow pea chicken for he and Kayty to have for dinner.

Nano Shopping included two grocery stores and blood work at the lab. 

We spent our late Thursday night cleaning the Phoenix Temple. We hadn't done it for two years, since last time it was soooo much work. This time, it was a lot of work, but it seemed more organized and was not as exhausting. Dee and I cleaned Administration, which included the offices of the Temple presidency and the matron's office. 

Dad enjoyed a great scout campout to Bartlett Lake on Friday night.

Not so highlights
My sweet friend, Janet, died early Wednesday morning. I was devastated to find out the news. I just drove her to the doctor a few days ago and she was beginning another round of chemo. She always had a smile, a love of learning, and a willingness to share her gift of sewing with everyone. I spent an evening at her house a couple of years ago and she sewed and showed me all her projects while she made me a zipper purse.