Week of March 25-31, 2018

Highlights:

Spiritual

We had a good day at church on Sunday. Sacrament Meeting and Sunday school were wonderful and full of great testimonies, and we learned more about Sabbath Day observance and using the Just Serve App in Relief Society.  Choir was great as well. Dad attended his regular Provident Living Improving Job Skills meeting.

No scouts for either of us this week due to Spring break. We attended a session at the temple on Thursday evening. Mark and Delores Kuhlwein received their Endowment. Many ward members came. The best was the two missionaries that taught them surprised them: Elder Colleran - who is now Tim Colleran and flew out from Boston to attend (also came by for a visit) and Elder Webb, who is still serving. What an amazing culmination for them. It was a great evening. I attended on Friday and did some initiatory work.

We were able to participate in the Solemn Assembly at the beginning of General Conference on Saturday, March 31, 2018 and sustain Russell M. Nelson as our new prophet, as well as the first Presidency, and two new Apostles added to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. It was a sacred experience to stand in our family room, each in our turn, to sustain, and then all together to sustain our new church leadership. We had to miss afternoon session due to being at Dorrie's for Easter, but dad was able to attend Priesthood session and experience the combining of ward Elders and High Priest quorums into a Melchezidek Priesthood quorum. What great service will happen from joining those two quorums.

The Family Search website messed up on my records after I submitted one on Wednesday and I am unable to get on or access any of my numbers, etc. So, no number total for the week because I still cannot get to my records.

I am in Mosiah 7 in the Book of Mormon.

Family

The Wilkins Family

Sam gave a wonderful talk in Primary on Sunday, and they shared with us on Marco Polo. He was very brave and did a great job. They all dressed up in their Easter best on Palm Sunday, since General Conference falls on Easter Sunday. Allison made both her skirt and Grace's matching dress, at Grace's request. I think they all look wonderful!!!

They had a good week, aside from the fact that Grace's ingrown toenails that were operated on became infected. She is better after having been put on antibiotics. During their Spring Break, Josh attended cub scout day camp, they made rock crayon wax art, went to Sam's club and had a great time together as a family.

The Ethan Rice Family

This family had a busy and fun week. Kaylee had a great party/Easter celebration at school on Thursday.

Wade was NOT a fan of the Easter Bunny!

We spoke via FaceTime both Friday and Saturday...so nice to be able to just visit with Ethan and family. On Friday, Kaylee took me out on the deck and said over and over, "Look at the clouds, Grammy. They are purple and pink. They are so beautiful!" They had pizza delivered on Friday night and it was a favorite of the family. Saturday, they dyed eggs, had ham and mashed potatoes for dinner, and Cameo worked on her wonderful Easter Carrot cake to share with friends. I am so thankful that, even though they are far away, they stay in touch, especially on days family gets together. 

Wade deciding how these pretty shoes fit...

The Doran Rice Family

Here is another picture Morgan took during the Saturday Boating Escapade

And a pic of Kooper and two of their rescue dogs...

We had fun with them celebrating Easter at Grandma Dorrie's house. 

Morgan

Morgan is doing well and readying to head out to Georgia to visit Ethan and family next week.

Kayty

Kayty had a good week at work, and spent her Saturday volunteering as a Princess for an event at Luke Air Force Base.

The Nathan Rice Family

We spoke via FaceTime with Nathan and family on Sunday. Ellie had gotten some great rest and was feeling a lot better. Anna and I had a good visit. She still doesn't quite understand the phone and that I am so far away, but she kindly shared a Trolls bandaid with me through the phone. She had helped Mommy and Daddy make some yummy chocolate chip cookies and was enjoying a few as well. We also spoke with Nathan on the phone late Sunday. It is a rare treat for him to be able to talk and also be awake! He has lots going on this week at school, and is readying for next semester and his Junior project to begin. On Saturday, they attended a community Easter Egg Hunt at the park. Anna had a blast collecting eggs and local business had filled them with coupons for fun things. She got a little football. They enjoyed watching General Conference and participating in the Solemn Assembly. When Anna was shown President Russell M. Nelson and told he was the prophet, her response was, "So cute!" I love it. They had a picnic Korean barbeque afterwards while the girls enjoyed the lovely weather and the swings. Nathan enjoyed Priesthood session and they worked in the evening making a cake for a dinner with friends on Sunday. 

Dad's Garden

Tomatoes are doing well. The heat is getting the Winter vegetables and snow peas are going to seed now. 

Year of the House Part 2

More stone trim cut and put up. We planned out the tile for the floor.

Other highlights

Walks and jogs this week were great. The moon was beautiful!!

Nano shopping went well. We also went for lab work and to the bank.

Easter at Dorrie's 

I accidentally but truly caught Sam stealing an egg from Kelsie's bucket!