Week of April 19 - 25, 2020

Highlights:

Spiritual

Sunday went as usual. We awoke. I got ready with hair curled and dress on. We watched Music and the Spoken Word, a BYU devotional talk, and a General Conference Talk on BYU tv. We partook of the Sacrament. Sunday also included visits from Grandma as well as Nathan and family.

No temple trips again this week. This makes six weeks since we have had a temple open to attend.

I continue to listen to a General Conference Talk first thing every morning. I study my Come Follow Me lesson and read the Book of Mormon after my jog.

I have indexed 7445 records and reviewed 38678 records so far this year.

Family

The Wilkins Family

The Wilkins family had a good and busy week. Mike is working hard and staying healthy. Allison continues computer work for her writing job and for the church. They spend their off time doing school work, playing the piano, playing games, doing puzzles, and enjoying media time. Sam loves Pokemon now and is quite hooked on it. Adam is letting his hair grow out a bit, which is a common situation now since no one can get their hair cut professionally. Grace is sad Trek is canceled for this Summer (though Adam is not sad) and is looking forward to participating next year when Josh can also be a part of it. The family is enjoying good meals, and works in the yard cleaning up weeds, etc. Allison spent time last week helping a friend clean up and ready her house for sale. We were excited to learn Sam lost tooth number two this week!

The Ethan Rice Family

Ethan, Cameo, Kaylee, and Wade and a much better week. Last weekend, Ethan helped Cameo change her hair color.

They celebrated their 14th Wedding Anniversary on Tuesday. 

The Doran Rice Family

On Saturday last week, Doran, Amber, Kelsie and Kooper spent lots of time retrieving previously purchased pavers, getting them in the car, to their yard, and properly placed. They did a great job.

On Sunday, they participated in a Social Distance Protest requesting that the quarantine be lifted in Arizona.

They had a good week. Kooper saw his doctor and moved from a cast to a splint. The bones are healing very nicely.

They left Friday with their camping trailer for a family getaway.

Morgan

Morgan is well and continues to work.

Kayty

Kayty had a good week, though she is now at the point that she says she is living at work and never gets to go home. She gets up at 7:30, starts her computer up and is working in a few minutes, works all day till 4:30, leaving the house for 15 minutes to get one of those nasty soy burgers at Burger King, and then eats dinner and back in her room to watch tv for the evening till she falls asleep around 1 am. I see what she means. She did get a new mattress delivered to replace the one we purchased new for Allison when she was a kid.

One major low this week. 

The Nathan Rice Family

Nathan, Jessica and family are doing well. They have bikes for the girls and love to take babies and bunnies on their bikes for a ride. They came by Tuesday night and we watched Anna and Ellie while they got a quick bite to eat.

Jessica got her hair cut this week and it looks so nice...and very cool.

Dad's Garden

We picked our first tomato this week! Two more have also been picked. It looks like we have a lot of Black Krim tomatoes, which are very good and low acid. We also have lots of volunteer cherry tomatoes.

Carrots are about done for the year and many are going to seed, as is the cilantro. Dad has a lot of oregano still doing well that we have already dried, and his new basil is growing. Citrus trees still seem to have lots of baby fruit on them. The heat came on with a vengeance this week so we will have to see how things go with the tomatoes. Not sure if I will have enough to can. 

Other highlights
Dad was back to work on Monday and worked with half his co-workers again since the other half are furloughed. Some suppliers have themselves let many employees go. Planes are not flying. My flight to Georgia next week was canceled on Thursday morning and I was put on another flight...not a nonstop.

Happy Birthday to Dad on Tuesday! I made him a pineapple pie (and he didn't die, even though I used Pillsbury refrigerated crust that I had purchased for Thanksgiving), made his favorite bread almost like Sherry does (she does a better job, but I managed) and green chili burros. He was contacted by Allison and the kids, Ethan and family, Doran and family, Nathan and family, and Kayty was here so she gave him a nice card. 

We celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary on Friday with Dad picking up his favorite Chinese food for both of us for lunch. I am so thankful for these forty years and all the learning and growth I have been blessed to experience. I would not choose anyone else to share my eternity with.

The heat is here. It hit 100 degrees for the first time on Saturday, and the night never cooled down so I had the air conditioning on for the first time on Friday and left it on 24 hours. Never before have I needed to do that.

Not much else happens. I organized the light bulbs and cleaned out three more cupboards. Yes. My life in quarantine has deteriorated to organizing light bulbs. I cleaned out the washing machine and scrubbed out the filter. We fixed the bathroom sink that was having a hard time draining and installed the new part to complete our earlier faucet installation. This quarantine continues here and driving is very sad, with lines to get into grocery stores and empty parking lots everywhere. We continue to pray for an end and for health. 

Week of April 12 - 18, 2020

Highlights:

Spiritual

Easter Morning began early for us, as I went to check Kayty at 4:45 am and found her in mild seizures. I did as I normally do, giving a little soda, waiting five minutes, giving more, waiting five minutes. I walked something out to the kitchen when she let out the most blood curdling scream I have heard in my life. Dad ran in, and I ran down the hall. He lifted her up and immediately gave her a priesthood blessing. She immediately stopped seizuring and, though it took two hours to get her all the way back, I could sit cradling her in my arms and give her soda every five or ten minutes. I read Conference talks on my phone as I held her and Dad waited to help. I was so thankful for Jesus Christ and the Restoration of the Gospel that brought the power of the priesthood back to the earth.

After she fell asleep, I got ready and we listened to a message sent by our bishop. It included a talk from him as well as talks by Brother and Sister Williams who moved into our ward two weeks ago and whom we have never seen. It was a lovely start to Easter morning. We then watched Music and the Spoken Word.

This letter from President Nelson's Wife, Wendy Nelson, to the wives of the General Authorities was shared on the internet today. I just nearly cried.

My Dear Sisters,

I woke up this morning NOT to the shaking of our home from yet another aftershock from the earthquakes we have recently experienced here in SLC, nor to an updated internet view of the mapping of the devastation of the Coronavirus. 

The first image that came to my mind even before I got out of bed was Minerva Teichert’s painting of the woman praying in fields which have been ravaged by crickets. It is called, The Miracle of the Gulls. 

You know that true account. Believers, like you and me, know that the Lord sent numberless seagulls — in the very moment of deepest distress by some, and of deepening faith by others — to devour the crickets and then regurgitate them in the Great Salt Lake. What was the outcome? The lives of some 4,000 pioneers were saved.

My dear sisters, whom I love more than you would ever believe, you and I are Latter-day women of God, disciples of Jesus Christ, who believe in miracles. Why? Because we know the Source of those miracles. We are perfectly poised to participate in bringing forth the miracle the Lord has in store for the world.  (See Bible Dictionary on “prayer.”)

As you and I continue to pray — and fast as we are able — the Lord WILL send ”seagulls” to devour OUR “crickets” (aka presently, the Coronavirus). 

The politicians and the scientists will do their best to make projections about the days ahead. But — they will not know to factor in “The Miracle of the Gulls.”

Although at this April 2020 General Conference, we will not be able wrap our arms around you, or hear the feelings of your heart, we will be thinking of you — and always praying for you — as you do your work for the Lord that you pre-mortally covenanted you would do. 

A work that makes ALL the difference, helping to gather scattered Israel and to prepare a people ready to receive the Savior when He comes again. 

I pray that each of us will hear exactly the message from April 2020 General Conference the Lord has prepared for us. 

Thank you for your prayers for this unique, “memorable and unforgettable” Conference — because the fight with “the opposition” is real and relentless. 

I leave you with greetings and gratitude from President Russell M. Nelson who loves and honors you, your husband, and your family members. 

With love and faith,

Wendy W. Nelson

PS: THE SEAGULLS ARE ON THEIR WAY AS WE CONTINUE TO PRAY!

The image of those seagulls has lifted my heart.

The temple remains closed, sadly.

I completed reading all General Conference Talks and continue to listen to at least one every morning. I studied my Come Follow Me lessons and videos for the week and read further in the Book of Mormon.

I have indexed 7077 records and reviewed 36503 records so far this year.

Family

The Wilkins Family

I talked with Allison and family on Sunday night via Marco Polo. Everyone is doing well and enjoyed Easter Sunday. Swimsuits were brought by the Easter Bunny and Adam and Grace's looked great. Mike brined and then grilled an awesome turkey and they had potatoes and carrot cake for Easter dinner dessert. Adam's schooling for the year is complete, though he can bring up any grade in any class so he is working on that. Grace died the bottoms of her hair with Kool-aid and it looks great. Joshua is enjoying time with his family as the quarantine continues. Sam did receive a tooth fairy visit and enjoyed receiving two dollars and some watermelon gum. Mike is still working full time and when the busy time is finished after the quarantine, the managers will look into converting employees from temporary to permanent. Allison continues doing computer work for the church and her writing, though there are not as many jobs available now. 

The Ethan Rice Family

Easter morning began with Ethan having some relief from his ear pain, but the swelling remained very sore throughout the week. He did get some relief by later in the week though his hearing is still compromised. They walked to a small putting green in their neighborhood and had a good time.

We received a FaceTime call showing us some pretty awesome bubbles they were creating. 

The Doran Rice Family

Doran and Amber are busy working, both in the field and from home. The kids are doing well with the schedule Amber created for them and are looking forward to a camping trip in the near future.

Morgan

Morgan is doing well and continues to work.

Kayty

Kayty had a good work week, though slow internet is making it rough to work much of the time. She began the week with a rough Sunday, but seemed to do better during the week. She is looking at purchasing a new mattress next week since our bulk trash pickup is at the end of next month. 

The Nathan Rice Family

Nathan and Jessica visited on Sunday and on Monday. The girls loved Kayty's old Barbie dolls that I had found in the attic a few months ago and cleaned up.

Everyone is doing well and enjoying extra time with Mom and Dad.

Dad's Garden

We actually had people come over to pick carrots. Tara, Sydney and Tanner Larson from church came.

I continue to pick chard and spinach for Dad's salads and we still have a lot of carrots to pick. I also cleared out under the key lime tree so that it will be easier to pick up limes in a few months.

Other highlights

Monday was a house workday and then yard workday. Dad started putting river rock on the back of the pizza oven and made good progress. He had it all completed and acid-washed by Thursday.

Monday night we were surprised by rain.

Tuesday we tried to collect more rock but our old site was no longer available. So we returned to our old river bottom near home. One project led to the other and we ended up hauling granite in the yard.

We got lots of stuff hauled out to the bulk trash pile. We also covered the tomatoes from sun burn. 

Week of April 5 - 11, 2020

Highlights:

Spiritual

I am writing this moments after the morning session of General Conference has concluded. General Conference has commemorated the 200th anniversary of the Restoration of the Gospel and Joseph Smith's First Vision. Every word spoken was uplifting and inspiring. President Russell M. Nelson shared a new church proclamation, only the fifth such proclamation in the history of the church. 

THE RESTORATION OF THE FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST A BICENTENNIAL PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD

 The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We solemnly proclaim that God loves His children in every nation of the world. God the Father has given us the divine birth, the incomparable life, and the infinite atoning sacrifice of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. By the power of the Father, Jesus rose again and gained the victory over death. He is our Savior, our Exemplar, and our Redeemer. 

Two hundred years ago, on a beautiful spring morning in 1820, young Joseph Smith, seeking to know which church to join, went into the woods to pray near his home in upstate New York, USA. He had questions regarding the salvation of his soul and trusted that God would direct him.

In humility, we declare that in answer to his prayer, God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph and inaugurated the “restitution of all things” (Acts 3:21) as foretold in the Bible. In this vision, he learned that following the death of the original Apostles, Christ’s New Testament Church was lost from the earth. Joseph would be instrumental in its return. 

We affirm that under the direction of the Father and the Son, heavenly messengers came to instruct Joseph and re-establish the Church of Jesus Christ. The resurrected John the Baptist restored the authority to baptize by immersion for the remission of sins. Three of the original twelve Apostles—Peter, James, and John—restored the apostleship and keys of priesthood authority. Others came as well, including Elijah, who restored the authority to join families together forever in eternal relationships that transcend death. 

We further witness that Joseph Smith was given the gift and power of God to translate an ancient record: the Book of Mormon—Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Pages of this sacred text include an account of the personal ministry of Jesus Christ among people in the Western Hemisphere soon after His Resurrection. It teaches of life’s purpose and explains the doctrine of Christ, which is central to that purpose. As a companion scripture to the Bible, the Book of Mormon testifies that all human beings are sons and daughters of a loving Father in Heaven, that He has a divine plan for our lives, and that His Son, Jesus Christ, speaks today as well as in days of old. 

We declare that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, organized on April 6, 1830, is Christ’s New Testament Church restored. This Church is anchored in the perfect life of its chief cornerstone, Jesus Christ, and in His infinite Atonement and literal Resurrection. Jesus Christ has once again called Apostles and has given them priesthood authority. He invites all of us to come unto Him and His Church, to receive the Holy Ghost, the ordinances of salvation, and to gain enduring joy.

Two hundred years have now elapsed since this Restoration was initiated by God the Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Millions throughout the world have embraced a knowledge of these prophesied events. We gladly declare that the promised Restoration goes forward through continuing revelation. The earth will never again be the same, as God will “gather together in one all things in Christ” (Ephesians 1:10). 

With reverence and gratitude, we as His Apostles invite all to know—as we do—that the heavens are open. We affirm that God is making known His will for His beloved sons and daughters. We testify that those who prayerfully study the message of the Restoration and act in faith will be blessed to gain their own witness of its divinity and of its purpose to prepare the world for the promised Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  

This proclamation was read by President Russell M. Nelson as part of his message at the 190th Annual General Conference, April 5, 2020, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

After reading this in the Sacred Grove, we as a church participated in the Hosanna Shout and joined with the choir in singing "The Spirit of God". Temple Square and the Conference Center were empty, and yet we as members of the church all over the world were united. As I listened outside, there were few cars driving by. This pandemic keeps people at home. And yet, even in the difficulty of illness and separation, Heavenly Father is in charge. With this General Conference, there is nothing for most people on the face of the earth to keep them from turning on their computer, to listen to the messages and feel the Spirit. The missionary first discussion has been given these last two days. I have seen missionary after missionary return from far away to be home. I even had the thought that, perhaps, these missionaries will be needed HERE to teach and spread the Gospel to whomever may have had the chance to choose to, or to accidentally turn to see Conference. Dad and I used the hankies we had waved at the Phoenix Temple dedication during the Hosanna Shout. We felt the presence of the Holy Ghost very strongly as we stood in our family room and shouted and sang. What a blessed day it has been. 

We also enjoyed Dad's Conference Guacamole at lunch and were blessed with many special experiences at the last session of Conference. Temples were announced in Dubai, UAR! and a small temple in Shanghai China (very small, for ex-pats and local members while the Taiwan Temple is being upgraded). The closing song was "We Thank Thee Oh God For a Prophet" and it included a montage of the Tabernacle Choir as well as choirs from South Korea, Germany, Africa, New Zealand, and it was very beautiful and moving. 

We both participated in the Worldwide Fast to end/ease the Corona Virus and it's effects on Friday.

I have read my Book of Mormon daily and have spent my week reading and watching video presentations about Easter and the final week of the life of Jesus Christ here on the earth. I have also watched a General Conference talk daily. I completed reading the April Ensign Magazine and started reading each Conference talk.

I have indexed 6707 records and reviewes 35462 reckords so far this year. 

Family

The Wilkins Family

We spoke to Allison and family on Sunday via Marco Polo. They are doing well and looking forward to a week of "Spring Break". Sam's schoolwork is taking lots of time for Allison to assist and this has left a lack of time for Josh. It will all work out though and they are doing fine. Mike has been doing well at work and given greater responsibilities that we hope will lead to official conversion to a permanent employee. He is staying safe and healthy. They have been working hard to clean up weeds and blow leaves while the weather is nice. They have even taken the opportunity to do some sprinkler trampoline jumping. They enjoyed General Conference and yummy cinnamon rolls. They made friendship bracelets as they listened. This week, since there is nothing fun to do, they created wonderful and safe things to do.

Allison shared on Facebook:

It's SPRING BREAK here, and I needed a change from our last 3 weeks of hanging at home. But I also crave a little structure. So, I decided to do a theme day each day this week. Today was 🌈 rainbow day. We visited the 7 Magic Mountains, experimented with Skittles, made melted crayon rocks, ate rainbow pancakes and made rainbow cookies.

I'm not going to complain about being at home because we are safe and healthy... but it isn't easy. It made little things like today seem extra fun.

🦓 Safari Day 🐅 We explored the Wetlands, raced wiggling snakes, took virtual tours of the animals at the San Diego Zoo, watched the live-action Lion King, and ate anaconda subs and zebra cakes.

☠ PIRATE DAY ☠ We had a safe social distance treasure hunt (frozen custard was the booty found at the X), made balloon-propelled pirate ships, played pin-the-eye patch on the pirate (thanks to Grace's drawing skills), watched Peter Pan and ate Pirate's Booty.

On Friday, Sam finally lost that first tooth! He, in fact, did lose it, and Adam tried very hard to locate it on/near the trampoline.

The Ethan Rice Family

This family is doing well and had a fun Easter activity last week.

We Facetimed on Tuesday. Their planned trip had to become a staycation thanks to Covid19 but they were enjoying their time together.

They made treats in the Easy Bake Oven and both kids helped Cameo on Friday as she baked her traditional Easter Carrot Cake.

They had hoped to get away for a fishing trip on Friday, but Ethan was stricken with a horrible ear infection that left his face swollen and him in tremendous pain. He finally went to Urgent Care and was given medication, a wick and drops to help him heal. 

The Doran Rice Family

Doran and Amber had a good week. Work is busy for both of them, but they are staying healthy and Amber's schedule and system for the kids is working well. Some of their puppies were adopted out. Kooper misses his little friends but all is well. We enjoyed sharing Easter at Grandma's on Saturday.

Morgan

Morgan is doing well and enjoys his work and it staying healthy.

Kayty

She had a good work week and even got a couple of hours of overtime in.

I was woken by banging early Friday morning...12:13 am. Kayty's lights and tv were still on, like usual, so I wouldn't have normally gone in...but this time I did. Full seizures. It took me over an hour to get her back. I couldn't go back to sleep so I just stayed up and started my morning.

The Nathan Rice Family

Nathan and Jessica and the girls are doing well. He has permission to work from his job site and is the only one there. Jessica has been struggling with seasonal allergies and the girls started the week with fevers but are doing better. Emma spent her first night in her sister's room and did well. Everything is going well for this family. 

They had their own Easter Egg hunt on Saturday.

Dad's Garden

We harvested lots of carrots this week. Our tomatoes are looking great. We also should have a great crop of key limes in a few months. 

Other highlights

Sunday after General Conference, we thoroughly enjoyed watching "The Other Side of Heaven Part II" on BYU tv. I also turned on the radio and enjoyed Christmas music before bed. Such a nice treat on the weekends till this quarantine ends, but it makes me want to put up decorations!

We actually got some paper towels on Tuesday evening as we shopped at Sam's Club. The supply was plentiful and not a lot of people were shopping so it was really nice. I have put dates on toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls and now know our monthly needs, which helps in getting a better supply. Dad also has some to help out a co-worker who couldn't find paper products.

Tuesday night, Dad and I sat outside on the pool deck and were able to see the Space Station travel across the night sky. 

Friday night, Dad found out that one of his friends had to close down his small business. So very sad! The small business just cannot absorb the losses of lack of tourism, etc. due to the Corona Virus.

I also sat and enjoyed a recording on tv of  Handel's Messiah by the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. Since there are no live performances now, this was a recording of a previous performance. I enjoyed 2/3 of it, ending with The Hallelujah Chorus.

Grandma had her annual Easter Dinner and Easter Egg hunt on Saturday. It was much smaller in attendance but we had such a wonderful time. Since most of the time, we only experience the abnormal, to have a day of normal was breathtakingly wonderful.

I found 35!! More than I have ever found!!