Week of August 23 - 29, 2020

Highlights:

Spiritual

What an absolute joy is was to attend Sacrament Meeting with our small group of ward members (last names from R-Z on Sunday morning. As I walked in, I literally was brought to tears. I thought that would happen when I can finally return to do work for the dead in the temple, but I had not anticipated my spirit reacting in that way. I thought about the importance of remembering, and added this to one of my most spiritually defining memories. Dad enjoyed giving out a bit of candy. Otherwise, we did the typical Sunday reading, phone calls, Marco Polo, and studying. 

No temple again this week. 

I continue to listen to a General Conference talk, read the Book of Mormon, and study the Come Follow Me lessons each day.

I have indexed 13936 records and reviewed 70,939 records so far this year. 

Family

The Wilkins Family

The Wilkins family is doing well. As they spoke with me on Sunday, they were preparing their special back to school dinner, though this time it was fondue with homemade bread. She had the kitchen festively decorated with little apples. Their theme for this year is "The Reward is Worth the Effort". They always read "The Kissing Hand" and she makes handprint sugar cookies with Hershey kisses in them. Mike gave back to school priesthood blessings afterward. Mike is doing well at work, though it is a great struggle to apply for new positions. It must be done on his own time, but on an on-site computer with a manager having to sign him in. Otherwise, all is well and he is doing great. Allison is doing well and keeping up with work and home school. The Las Vegas temple will open for all living ordinances next week so that is good news for her work. The kids are doing well. Adam's last week of Summer vacation was pretty uneventful. He finds physical therapy boring. He did get to meet his tech teacher online and went with Mike to visit and help the family they minister to. Adam's contribution to the Sunday fondue was sauteed mushrooms he had found a recipe for. Grace is excited about school. She showed me her school Chromebook and how she signs on. She is taking Spanish, English, and Biology among her other classes. She also showed me her seminary teachers' pics. She is busy babysitting and saving her money. Josh had a thorough check-up with the neurologist and she is concerned that Josh's pain exists in both knees and feet, requiring heat and or icing. He does have Spinal Stenosis but that should only affect one side. She ordered another MRI and wants him to return to the Orthopedic doctor for additional testing and treatment. He likes school and is looking forward to soccer. Sam is doing well and likes his teacher. He has done a lot of reviewing so far, but is really enjoying his online learning and his teacher. 

The Ethan Rice Family

With Grandma Liza still visiting, we have tried not to interfere with their time with her. 

The Doran Rice Family

Doran and Amber are doing well at work and homeschooling continues for the kids. 

Kelsie found a way to miss Zoom meetings by adjusting the camera and having this set up. 

Morgan

Morgan and Cassie visited Monday as they returned the canoe from a fun camping trip. Thanks to Morgan for bringing over his well-organized toolbox and helping Dad with the water pump. He had the correct clamp that ended up helping tremendously!.

Kayty

Kayty had a good week at work. She continues to work on her new wall art. 

1 major and 1 minor low this week. 

The Nathan Rice Family

This week was a good one. They stopped by to visit on Sunday.

And they came by on Tuesday as Nathan came to help with Dad's starter installation. Happy 3rd birthday to Miss Ellie on Thursday. We went to deliver her gift on Thursday evening. 

Annie had to be seen at the Emergency Room for what turned out to be an infection rather than something more serious. The original plan was for Papa and I to care for Ellie and Emma, but, even though Nathan and Jessica had already had Covid, they would only let one parent in, so we got to visit with Nathan too. 

Dad's Garden

Dad is nearly ready to start planting seeds next week and he is looking forward to it. Basil is still providing for us and for friends. 

Other highlights

My car battery died on Sunday, so a new one was purchased on Monday. In addition, Dad's car overheated on the way home on Monday from a supplier. Turned out the water pump had gone out. Morgan, and later Nathan came over to help out install it and a new belt. 2020 has hit the jeep tremendously. We are starting to look for a vehicle to replace it. 

The weather was terribly hot this week as well. Every day was 113 Monday through Friday and the early mornings all started out for me in the low to mid 90s. And then, late Saturday morning...rain! 

Got a letter off to my inmate sister, Debbie. 

Me and the Target Dollar Spot had more than one meet up this week. I say the term "dollar spot" is misleading. 

I got to visit Nano for her birthday on Saturday. It was nice to see her and Elizabeth let me take my mask off. We had a good visit. 

Took what might be my last swim for 2020...unless a grandkid comes by. Even with molten 113 weather all week, it seemed rather chilly in the pool tonight.