4th of July with family

Well, it was the 4th of July and we are still in Utah. I'm like Tiffany and I love to have parties and go places and be festive. Saturday I wanted to go to Provo to the Freedom Festival but Gordon worked in the morning and then went to the bench in Salt Lake to load up office furniture that had been donated to our St. George thrift store. Gordon is not a festive person and doesn't get all caught up in an event. So we just came back home. Monday we had been invited to go to Park City and play with the Leon Blake family. It was fairly cool and it was drizzling rain part of the time. I had so much fun being with the piles of kids and chatting with all the families. Blake and Estee came up in the afternoon. We had a GREAT BBQ. Gordon and Blake and the Blake Boys played tennis...the girls shopped a little. We all went to the Park City golf course and watch the fireworks. They were great but it was cold and rainy. We were all wrapped in blankets and had our umbrellas open. We ate kettle corn and salt water taffy and the kids had their own pile of fireworks. A fun day.

A Peek at the View

A peek at the View

The Bucket Trip

I'm trying to recover from a FABULOUS trip with Tiffany, Ryan and kids. It is always so exciting to see the grandkids and be with them on their own turf. Aidan is growing up and seems to really enjoy learning. He'll still let me hug him. Lacey is the diva. She is so cute and is always ready to do make-up and nails. She is a sensitive spirit and loves to hear stories and sing our special song. Cassidy is amazing. She is just this little short princess running around and talking in huge words like she was twelve. She knows she's adorable.
We piled all of us in the car for our road trip. It was a tight fit. But we had a car carrier on top which was essential. Our first night was in Cleveland. The drive there was just so beautiful. I was sleepy along the way but I just couldn't close my eyes or I would miss something. Wednesday morning we picked up Ryan and headed for Kirtland. We took some of the back roads and it was just gorgeous! Ryan gave Tiffany and I each to tokens. That was for stopping and getting a picture. We had to choose carefully. We were at the John Johnson Farm first then went to Kirtland to the Newel K Whitney Store and the Kirtland Temple. In the cemetary across from the temple we stood and sang "The Spirit of God". I want to talk about the spiritual side of all of these places in the next blog. We had a perfect, beautiful day. The children were so patient in listening to the missionaries as they spoke. That night we raced on to Niagara Falls. We were able to see it at night with the lights on. But the next morning we just couldn't believe it. It was definitely a bucket sight!!! The river is so powerful that it just thunders over the falls. The morning was cloudy and it made for a spectacular site when the light streamed onto the water of the falls.
We had the unique experience in Buffalo. We had scheduled to see a 1830 Book of Mormon at the Rare Book part of the Library. This book was one of the original 5,000 copies that was published in Palmyra. We were able to handle it and see that it had no verses but had chapters. I was surprised to see one place that said "Prophecies of Samuel the Lamanite". The testimony of the 3 witness was at the end. And it had a list of items and references that I haven't seen before. I'm sure it was added later. They didn't know who the book belonged to. We then drove on to Palmyra to see the Sacred Grove. It was beautiful and stood higher than any other ground around. Gordon saw a little trail from the monument and so we walked down the back and side area. I'm so glad we went that way because it was natural and so easy to visualize Joseph walking up there to talk to Moroni and see the box with the plates.
Next we went to Fayette and saw the Peter Whitmer home where the church was organized. We sang the song, "I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." I loved this place because it was so peaceful. Gordon and I went to the temple that night. After the session we walked around the temple to find the open window that looks from the temple out toward the Sacred Grove.
The next day we went to the print shop where the Book of Mormon was printed and published. It was very interesting. Then we went to the Joseph Smith Farm and saw the old log house and then the newer home. Our last thing was to go to the Sacred Grove. It was very beautiful on the farm. Lots of trees with brightly colored leaves. We sang "Oh How Lovely Was the Morning". Just walking into the Sacred Grove was and experience. Here was where a watershed of history occurred. You could feel the sacredness of it. I wanted to have a revelation there...as I supposed everyone wants to...but no revelation came. But my testimony for what happened there is strong. You want to search for the EXACT place but it's impossible to tell. What I received was the assurance that the Lord is no respecter of persons and that here in that obscure place the Lord found a faithful, seeking person and responded to his simple prayer. I have a testimony that God continues to do that. Those that seek Him He will reveal Himself to, whether it is in Aloha, or Boise,Twin Falls, Grenada, North Salt Lake, Bountiful or Louisville. I hated to leave the area, but I was glad that the last place we went was the Sacred Grove.
So we then headed back to Kentucky. We laughed and sang songs. We ate too many snacks. I told the children the story of Heidi which they loved. The memory will always be very dear.

CAF Office moved

This week we have been busy trying to organize information and identify the actual numbers for CAF. How many volunteers went on expeditions in 2010? How much in supplies went to various project? What were the expenses of each project? How many people were impacted by the service? We are trying to apply for grants and we need all those figures. You can imagine that the information is VERY hard to identify. Most of the time it is not documented. But we are trying to get a handle on it.
Also, the day came when Dad had to move the CAF office out of the Costa Vida building to another location. Brett was sooooo generous to let us use that area for nothing. Now we have to pay $200/mth. We are in the same area but in a different building. On Thursday we moved the desk and file cabinet and other stuff he had. On Friday we brought some chairs and another file drawer from the warehouse. We hope to have things in place tomorrow. It is a nice place and I think it will work out all right.
An advisory counsel member brought a huge load of wood to the warehouse on Thursday so that we can build shelving and try to organize that place. There are lots of things in there that we have no idea what they are used for. We need a doctor to work with us for a while as we organize so we know what we can use and what needs to be trashed.
Gordon sent a load of dental chairs to Los Angles yesterday. They were very nice and were donated by a dentist in Lander, Wy. They have been bought by a dealer in LA who will pay cash and give us 4 older dental chairs to try to sell. We are sending them to TJ.
So we are SOOO excited to here that Tijuana will be getting their own temple!!!! I think it will mean so much to the saints there. I think the church there will feel like it has come of age. Maybe that will help in the work against Satan that is so prevalent in that area.
A busy week behind....a busy week ahead.
Forgot to mention...our Jewish friend, Jael Cohan returned to Israel today.

fun with grandchildren

This last weekend we zoomed up to Boise for a fun-filled time with grand kids. Melinda called and said that it was Homecoming at Centennial and that Tom would be playing. And Clint said that Andy would be running cross-country in Boise. AND Melinda said she was hosting the Homecoming Dance dinner for 12 couples and could I come and help. We were excited for the fun and went. We had a fun time with the family at the game. Tom did really well and it was fun to watch him play and interact with the team members. We wore special shirts and everything. The next day I watched Luke and Tara play soccer. We also set up the decorations for the dinner. We were busy the whole afternoon. At 4 we went to see Andy run. We saw him at the beginning then RAN over the park to see him come down the hill. Then we RAN from there back to see him finish. I was exhausted by time I got back. But we were there for him. Melinda and I cooked the dinner and set the tables. It was fun to see the couples all dressed up. Dad and Mike had gone to the exciting BSU game. We had a busy but fun time with the family. They are all involved in good things and that is fun to share.

Granddaughters

This weekend we had a real treat. Kate and Savanna came to stay for a couple of days. I had a whirlwind itinerary for them. We picked them up at 6:30, I had pizza in the car and we zoomed down to Salt Lake to the dollar movie. It was Karate Kid. I think they loved it! Not many in the theater on Thursday. Next morning after waffles, we were off to the Church History Museum. Now it wasn't as boring as you think. We saw a huge Angel Moroni, the actual Book of Mormon printing press. (do you know where the saying "mind your p's and q's comes from???) We saw the personal affects of almost every prophet. We saw how they build the tabernacle roof. Then we were off for lunch at the Joseph Smith Building. They thought it was so beautiful. Next we rode the Trax trolley for a few blocks. Then we zoomed home to get ready to go to the Clearfield High School Homecoming football game. CHS won of course. At 10:30 pm we were roasting HUGE marshmallows for somemores. Saturday we went to Michael's and picked out supplies for headbands and necklaces. Then the rest of the day we used our creative talents to make ACCESSORIES. We had a great time! Love those granddaughter times.

new friend

We were hosts to a new friend a couple of weeks ago. While attending the LDS Dental Convention in Provo, we had a lady from Israel stop by our booth. We chatted for a few minutes and she told us that she was a visiting professor from Hebrew University in Jerusalem who was teaching Arabic at BYU. Her name is Jael Cohan. She said she loved music and would go to the Jerusalem Center for their concerts. We asked if she would like to hear the Tabernacle Choir. She said she would love to. On Sunday before Labor Day we called and made arrangements to pick her up and host her for the day. We went to the Conference Center for the Choir concert. It was wonderful, of course. Afterward, we took some pictures and went down front to see the organ. At the front of the center we saw Elder Scott. I ushered her over and introduced her and myself. He shook our hands and talked to her for a few minutes. Afterward I explained about apostles and told her what a privilege it was to see and talk to one. THEN we walked up to the next level and saw Senator Orrin Hatch. OK well, I just marched up to him and introduced him to her. She was delighted when he opened his shirt and had a chain with a Hebrew insignia. He said he had worn it for 34 years to remind him of his responsibility to Israel. She asked him if he knew Marvin Goldstein, the composer and pianist. He said that he was a very good friend and were in the process of writing a symphony together. He said he had the first movement written. Senator Hatch also told her that he had written a Hanukkah song. We brought Jael to our ward for church, then we went back to Temple Square to see all the buildings and exhibits. It was quite the day. We loved to hear about her life and family and she was enthralled with all we had to show and tell her about. She had lots of questions about the temple. We loved being able to show her the new temple exhibit in the South Visitors Center. It was great to make a new friend.

Antelope Island

Last Saturday Gordon and I had errands up in Layton and Farmington. So that morning we decided that while we were in that area we would take a side trip to Antelope Island. Now that island is what looks like a mountain from this side of the lake. It is hard to realize that on the other side is the largest part of Great Salt Lake. I had lived in West Point for 20 years and watch the clouds and storms come over that island. In fact I saw it every day. But I never had gone there. We found out that it is now a State Park. It only took us a few minutes on the causeway to get there. They have little tables and facilities to shower after going in the water. There is a sandy beach which I was totally not expecting. There are antelopes, buffalo, deer, tons of seagulls. It was a very relaxing experience. I want to go again when we have more time to explore. BUT... there are these nasty little nats that flocked to my hair and bit my head. I must have had a zillion bites because I was scratching my head for 2 days. Next time I will be better prepared and have BUG SPRAY!!! Dad and I had a little picnic from KFC. It was a great day together.

CAF display

We have had lots of opportunities to talk to people about Charity Anywhere Foundation but one of the exciting ways is to attend and display at the Dental Conventions and the college international fairs. We are able to show some of the pictures of expeditions and teach them about what the foundation does. A little over a week ago we were able to display at the Utah Dental Convention. It was so fun to meet people and see their desire to serve kindled by our display. God blessed us with 4 important connections. 1) A professor from the UofU said she wanted to meet together to design and program of international experience for her International Health students. She would develop the curriculum and we would handle the out of country expeditions. 2) A gentleman talked to Gordon about a sizable donation. 3) We received some offers of equipment that could really be used 4) We were informed about an international eye program that we might be able to work with that is supported by Sears Optical, Lenscrafter etc. Dr. and Mrs. Zambrano were here as well as an orthodontist and a pediatrician from Ecuador. We worked hard on our display and I thought it looked pretty good.

Amoung prophets and apostles

One of the things that is hard for me to get used to here in Bountiful is seeing important church officials just walking around. People here are used to that but I'm always so amazed and feel like I should bow to them or something to show in what high regard I hold them.
Elder Enzio Bushe lives about 2 blocks from our house. He is just such a sweet and delightful man. When he talks...we all listen. You can actually see the light of Christ in this man.
Elder Earl Tingey has his home in our ward and often went to church here. He was the President of the 1st Quorum of the Seventy until about 6 months ago when he turned 70. At that time he was released and called as the Temple President in the Washington DC Temple. It was always hard to make a comment when he was in the classroom. Everyone would say..."How do you see this Brother Tingey?" And then we'd listen REAL hard and get out our notepads. Of course they are in DC now.
Just recently President David Beck was made President of the General Young Men's program. He lives around the corner from me. He is an amazing man and has come from an amazing family. I introduced Clint's family to him when they were here for Homecoming.
Last spring Suzanne and I went to see the tulip gardens at Thanksgiving Point. As we were walking along, we passed Elder L. Tom Perry with his wife and family. I greeted him with a smile...but I really wanted to bow.
Last week I was at our Costco and President Ukdorf's wife was just ahead of me in the line. Did you ever think that apostles's wifes had to buy groceries and cook?
We went out for clam chouder at a restaurant with Leon and Suzanne on Friday night. In walked Elder Hollon and his wife with some friends. Leon and Suzanne knew them quite well while they were in Chile so they smiled and said hello.
Yesterday morning we went to the Tabernacle Choir broadcast and concert with Natalie Cole and David McColough(?) It was fabulous. There were the Choir, the Orchestra and the Bells of Temple Square plus dancers and childrens' choir. But at the end, our Prophet went on stage to personally thank all the participants, expecially the guests Natalie and David. The spirit there was like being one of the shepherds at Christ's birth and hearing the choir of angels. At the end, the Tabernacle Choir sang what they always sing at the end of their performances...God Be With You Til We Meet Again. Even Natalie Cole had tears in her eyes.
Anyway, two things I want to say about this. 1. I know that they are who they say they are...leaders of the latter day church of Jesus Christ. You can feel it as you get in the range of their spirits. They are good, kind, humble people. 2. They are still real people who have to do their wash and shop for groceries and clean their sidewalks. I see that they have grown into great people by their simple actions and search for the truth.
This has made me want to work and do better. I want to search deeper and repent more and spend my time better.
Just thought you'd like to know.

Halloween 2009

I don't exactly know why I love Halloween, but I do. Always the fun stuff, never the bloody or gorey stuff. I love the fresh fall nights with leaves scattered your feet and the whoosh in the trees that makes you wonder if there really are ghosts. I love dressing up, pretending I am someone else. I think it's the way I pretend that I am someone else.
After going to the Wee Witch Weekend with Melinda and Deanna and kids, I just couldn't stand it that I didn't have a cool witches hat. So when I found a cool one at Walmart, I snatched it up. The friend that I was with made me get the stockings and wig and so I was set to be a witch. Blake had invited us to come to a dinner party at his house and Gordon and I decided to go in costume. He was the Phantom. We were just silly about it but it made us smile. The party was great fun and we got to see Blake and Estee hand out the Halloween treats at his house. They were so cute. Blake had decorated so nicely. He had beautiful glasses filled with different kinds of candy corn. (kind of like you Rachael). He had a really cool vase that was large on the outside with an inner vase. He filled the outer vase with orange and yellow candy corns and the inner vase was beautiful yellow roses with orange tips. The food was good and so was the company. We had a great time.

fun with Old Friends

Last night we wound our scarves around our necks and headed of into the cool night to meet some old friends of ours from West Point. Dianna(Page)Farr has been a friend since we started 1st grade. It has been fun over the years to touch base with she and her husband,Wynn. SOoo we had tickets to the Hale Theater for the musical "Curtains". We went to dinner first and just talked about what was going on in our lives etc. But laughed over stuff in the past.I've never heard of the play but it was so funny that we all were laughing out loud. The music was really fun and we had a delightful time. I came home with a huge smile on my face. Dad loved it too but he thought I talked way to much. Got to watch that.

BYU Homecoming pictures

BYU Homecoming 2009

Our annual Homecoming tradition is to have whatever family that is available, go to the parade in the morning, eat free pancakes, go to the BYU bookstore and then have the boys go to the game and the girls go shopping. So this year we jumped out of bed and zoomed to Provo in time to see the fun parade with all the bands and dancers and floats. We stood in line FOREVER to get the free blue pancakes. We went to the bookstore and picked up BYU sirts and footballs etc. We hadn't purchased the tickets and this year because they were ranked TCU they were all VERY expensive. But, it was rainy and dark clouds hovered overhead so...Clint was able to buy from those whose family were fair-weather fans...for $10 each. Clint, Andy, Coby and Grandpa took their blankets and umbrellas and went to the game. The girls headed to Gardner Village where the witches were everywhere. It was so fun! THe girls had their faces painted and we snooped in each store. Great time was had by all.

First Grandchild LDS Missionary

We had a special privilege of taking our 1st Grandchild LDS missionary to the MTC this week. His parents had said their "good-byes" in Portland, Ore. When we first saw him at the airport, he just looked so handsome. We had to be at the Mission Training Center at 1:15 pm exactly, so we had to watch our time. It was such a loving feeling as we pulled into the MTC and saw about 50 clean-cut, smiling missionaries to greet us. They started talking to Elder Wight right away. As we were unloading his luggage they continued to ask him questions and tell him how wonderful it was to be there. We all hugged and snatched this picture. He turned around with the missionaries with a huge smile on his face. I was weeping but with joy. His adventure to Moscow, Russia begins.

African Experience

There is no way to express in words the experience we had in Senegal, Africa. But I would just like to say that the people were wonderful. They are poor and most live in a manner that hasn't changed in 200 years. I saw that life could be VERY simple and still have meaning and happiness. They work hard. The hardest part was to realize that health care was a major lack there. Almost half of mothers die in child birth. That was why there were so many babies at the orphanage...almost 60 out of 180 children. And although I don't have figures, many of the babies also die. Most of the children have congestion or runny noses. Many have skin sores. At the orphanage they had almost no playground equipment with only dirt to play in. They have very caring volunteers. Every effort is made to give loving care and provide a clean environment. There are lots of areas in which we can assist. It would be a blessing to get wheelchairs to the disabled. The orphanage needs help every month for the milk and formula they provide. We are trying to get a medical/dental expedition to go there next June. It was an amazing experience.

Amazing African dancing

Concluding our African visit in Senegal we were treated to an authentic African dance.