Week of December 16-22, 2018

Highlights:

Spiritual

We had a lovely Sunday. The talks in Sacrament Meeting were so inspiring, and for a special musical number, one of our Young Women played on the piano while the organ played as well. It was beautiful! I helped out in Primary with my friend, Jody, and my past cub scouts. She gave a beautiful lesson about the prophets foretelling the birth of Christ, and then shared the movie "The Gift". (Kids, remember those VCR movies we would watch on Sunday. This was the one where the son has to get up early to help his dad milk cows, slop hogs, etc, and how he didn't like it, but realized doing that for his dad would be the perfect gift, so he got up early to do all the barn chores and his Dad could enjoy Christmas morning for the first time.) (Jody had to search youtube for it, btw). She gave them each slips of paper to write down a service or kindness they could do in the coming days as a gift to Jesus Christ. She told a story of her favorite Christmas where their family had no money due to a recent job loss and how the children gave of themselves to each other, and as adults, that still remains their favorite Christmas memory. It was a great message for those nine year olds, and then we had a great Sharing Time presented by our bishopric second counselor.

Dad attended a planning meeting for Young Men on Sunday. Due to the change announced Tuesday that makes all young men enter and advance in January of their advancement year. It will be a wonderful change and very interesting. Choir practice went well and we are nearly ready for Sacrament Meeting next Sunday: our Christmas program.

In the evening, the Wood family and the Call family from our ward came over Christmas caroling - all beautifully musically talented so we got a choir performance - and then they came in to see the living room decorations and the village. The sister missionaries stopped by later. We listened to lovely Christmas music all day and it was a beautiful day.

I attended a session at the temple on Tuesday morning. It was good to be back there, and I felt so much peace.

No scouts the rest of the year for me, and Dad was in Idaho celebrating graduation for Nathan.

I completed reading the December Ensign Magazine, and also completed my second time through listening to General Conference. I am Mormon 1 in the Book of Mormon.

I have indexed 23241 records and reviewed 64145 records so far this year.

Family

The Wilkins Family

Joshua struggled through the weekend with a terrible flu, and then woke up Monday with very sore lets that he could not stand on. Allison took him to the doctor...

Allison shared...

Last Friday, Josh woke up with a sudden high fever, chills, body aches and sore throat. Classic flu symptoms. I gave him ibuprofen, lots of fluids and made soup, and by Sunday night he felt better.

Today he woke up and couldn't put any weight on his legs. Couldn't stand or walk at all. It freaked me out, so I took him to the doctor. He has a rare flu complication known as viral myositis, which means the flu virus attacked the muscles in his legs, sending lots of enzymes down there that cause swelling, extreme pain and muscle atrophy.

So this guy, who normally can't stop running/climbing/kicking a soccer ball ever, suddenly can't walk. And it's just about the saddest thing I've ever seen. If you get a chance, send a prayer his way.

Many prayers were offered all week for Josh as he made small improvements each day.

 Update on Josh: He still can't walk and just falls to the ground if he tries to stand or walk. So he's been getting the star treatment and getting carried around a lot. Lucky for us, he's our little guy. 😁 A big blessing has been the pain/atrophy is only below his knee (calf area), so we found an old pair of Adam's volleyball knee pads, and he can get around pretty fast on those.

Josh is standing and taking a few steps with support. He is still sore and gets tired easily, but he has been standing/walking for longer periods throughout today. Thank you so much for all of your kind words, prayers and support. It means so much.

The Ethan Rice Family

Ethan, Cameo, Kaylee and Wade had a very busy last Saturday.

Our nephew/cousin, Elder Brigham Moore, is serving a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and is currently working in the area Ethan and Cameo live. 

We found out from Kaylee on Tuesday evening that Ethan and family won the neighborhood house decorating contest...

Their home is lovely!!! Congratulations!!!

On Friday, Kaylee's school had a Pancakes in Pajamas Brunch.

The Doran Rice Family

Happy Birthday, Amber on Tuesday! (Not Monday as Mom mistakenly posted on Facebook.) They had a good week, were busy with family, work, dogs, and helping at a school party. On Saturday, while Amber and Kelsie spent some time together, Kooper and Doran came over. They had helped Nathan unload the moving truck into the storage unit Jessica's parents paid for them to use till they can find an apartments and Nathan starts working. Then, Dad and Nathan went out to do some target shooting.

Morgan

We saw this sweet picture on Wednesday morning.

On Saturday, they sought out and caught a couple of huge catfish.

Kayty

Kayty worked this week...so very grateful she still has a job. Her pay is rather confusing without an official site to sign in and get hours recorded.

Three minor saves this week.

The Nathan Rice Family

Nathan was very busy finishing classes, tests, a video and a final early in the week. Dad arrived in Salt Lake in the morning, Sharynn and family picked him up from the airport, and took him up to Rexburg,

Later on Tuesday, he kept the girls occupied while Jessica packed and cleaned.

They went to the doctor on Wednesday morning (while Papa fed them cheerios, fruit, and chocolate milk) and found out this...

Our newest little grandchild will be a granddaughter!!! We are so excited!!!

I got a quick FaceTime call and saw Nathan in his cap and gown, and Doran, Jessica and the girls in very good seats waiting. (I did cry when I saw him...while I am sad I had to miss, I did everything in my power, and hoped for heavenly intervention. My answer ended up being only one could go, and it was Dad's turn this time. Glad I could have Kayty here and alive to take care of.)

Here are some pics Dad took before...

Ellie appears to be chatting with fans at their celebration dinner.

Dad's Garden

Picked tomatoes, carrots and a turnip this week. All is looking great. 

Other highlights

Great jog on Monday morning! Surprisingly, more people had put up Christmas lights on their homes over the weekend. Plus, on the way home, I got to see the Christmas Comet (officially 46P/Wirtanen). I woke Dee up to see it too. The rest of the week was evening walks, but as I would check outdoors early in the morning, walk down trashcans, etc, I would see it too. On Saturday, I also enjoyed the Snow Moon as I jogged.

Nathan's College Graduation...Dad's Camera Pics

And the move to Phoenix...

Nathans dear friend, Eduardo, and his wife and son

 Spent the night at Sharynn's

Not so highlights

Dad's last day working from home...