HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO KATE & JONATHAN!  Nov 20

Kate and Jonathan celebrated 19 years this past Monday!

We love you and appreciate all that you do for us!

Happy Thanksgiving 

From Chicago - 

Chris, Kim, Grant, and Blythe had a quiet and stress-free Thanksgiving.  I think that means that didn't have a lot of company 😊.  Sadly, Spencer had to work, and I know he was missed!

From Iowa - 

Kate and Jonathan invited friends over, one

who was a vegetarian, so Kate made extra 

dishes and their friends brought extra dishes, 

so they had a ton of leftovers.

The day after Thanksgiving they went to the

Tannenbaum Forest Festival which is held

every year at the Amana Colonies.  

From Colorado Springs -

Angella and the kids celebrated at home

while Josh was in Wisconsin.  Angella did

amazing and she and Eilis are now inspired

to set aside time each week to do more

cooking together.  If you look closely, you see

Ben's little hand trying to sneak something - 

maybe the glass of juice? 😋

Dad, Sendai, and I went to Monument this 

year.  We had a wonderful, and very relaxing

day, delicious food, and great company!

They taught me how to play Cover Your Assets, and hmmmmmm - I wonder who won??? Hmmmmmm, I wonder who beat Paul? 😂

Thursday night Angella brought the kids up to spend the night and then they put all of our Christmas decorations for us on Friday.  They did a great job!  Even Ben carried boxes up and down the stairs for me.  Hollie got the ornaments on the tree and hung the outdoor wreaths and bells on the little tree.  Eilis was a little under the weather so we just assigned her the starfish for the top of the tree - the rest of us were too short.  Ben brought the small tree from downstairs and had a great time decorating it - even got the lights on it.  

JUST 5 MORE DAYS - (BUT WHO'S COUNTING?)

Max will be flying into Chicago this Friday.  It doesn't seem possible to me that he has been gone for two years.  Can anyone else believe how quickly time has gone by? (and I finally just learned how to upload his Google photos ).  

I love so much the concept of "Light the World"!  There are so many good things we can do each day that will help us focus less on our own struggles, and give more attention to those in need.  I am working on a list for my Primary class and thought I would challenge you also this week to - 

Call someone you miss

Learn to say “Merry Christmas” in a new language

Carry an extra snack for someone in need

Plan some one-on-one time with a loved one

Let a stranger go ahead of you in line

Be patient with waitstaff and customer service. 

Let me know how it goes 😊

HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEK!  To all of those who may get a break from work, and school, and more time to spend with family.  That is the best thing, isn't it?  To spend time with those we love the most! I hope you all take time this week to enjoy each other, some quiet time for just yourselves, and time to reflect on your blessings, where you are, where you want to be, and what Heavenly Father has provided to help you get there ~

Elder Matthew Holland was the visiting authority at our Stake Conference today.  In many ways it was just like having Elder Holland (the original) speaking to us - they sound so much alike and have the same sense of humor.  He gave a wonderful talk about having hope and faith - especially when you feel the blessings you need or are praying for are delayed.  

Also, the Mission President for the Colorado Springs Mission shared a story about a time when he and his wife were living in Idaho and they were helping at a special Easter display and program that the Church holds for the community.  He said an older gentleman came up to him and with tears in his eyes, pointed to a picture of the Savior and said he wanted to buy it.  President Kotter told him that the picture wasn't for sale and the man then asked if he would step out into the foyer so he could talk with him.  The man told President Kotter that he was so touched by the picture - that for years he had been distant from his faith - and that picture instilled in him a desire to become close to the Savior again.  President Kotter asked if he would like to attend one of our Church meetings on Sunday.  The gentleman said no.  President Kotter asked the man if he would like a copy of the Book of Mormon, and explained to him about the teachings of Christ that are found in it.  Again, the man said no.  President Kotter said the thought then came to him to ask the man if he would like for President and Sister Kotter to accompany him to the local Catholic Church the next week.  The man said yes, and so the following week, President and Sister Kotter attended the Catholic Church with this man and helped him make connections with the priests there.  President Kotter pointed out that we are taught to love, share, and invite.  We might not think of this as a great example of missionary work, but whenever we show love to someone that is exactly what we are doing.  President Kotter said the man keeps in touch with him regularly by email.

We said good-bye to Elder Ballard this week.  What a great man and what a wonderful legacy he left.  Just wanted to add the following thought - 

"In what will become his final resting place, on the headstone he shares with Sister Ballard, he left advice for all of us.

Remember:

• Think straight.
• Keep it simple.
• “Preach My Gospel.”
• Seek the one.
• Counsel together.
• Stay in the boat and hold on.
• Love and just serve.

This life, he said, is a “process of trying to prepare ourselves, a day at a time, to be a little better, be a little kinder, be a little more prepared for that day, which will surely come, when we shall pass back into the presence of our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I leave you my witness and testimony that I know that Jesus is the Christ. He is our Savior, our Redeemer. He is our best friend.”

SO THANKFUL - 

My favorite hunters returned home on Wednesday - without meat - but so thankful they returned home safely!

For Ben's Amazon wish list - He makes me smile

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/34HBT4TPJIUAQ?ref_=wl_share

For Sayre's artwork

He calls this the Big Fat Chicken 😀

For Kevin and his patience

I talked Kevin into playing games with me twice this week.

One night it was Rummikub (moves too slow he says) and this past Friday we played Yahtzee - not his favorite.  Moving onward - He's been a great sport - but I'm not giving up!

For my new Stanley sticker 😁

Kim wins the Primary President of the Year Award!

Today, she had 3 of her 6 Primary teachers who couldn't come.  She had three siblings with autism, who usually don't come, show up, and she had one extra child who was visiting.  Kim's counselor, Leslie, and Blythe taught one class, her music leader took another class, and Kim taught a class.  When she got to class one of the kids got sick and threw up 😳

My best guess is she took a really good Sunday nap!

I have to say I am so thankful for each and every one of you.  You add adventure and love to my life and each one of you has a place in my heart forever 💖

What wonderful memories I think we all have of our time living on Okinawa!  It is truly amazing that there is a Temple there now, and what a blessing it will be to the Okinawan people and also all of the LDS military members.  This is just a little of the article in the Church News today.

OKINAWA, Japan — It has been almost eight decades since the final battle of World War II claimed the lives of 240,000 Japanese and U.S. servicemen and Okinawan civilians here in Japan’s southernmost prefecture.

Now, this place, once defined by war and made sacred by the blood that was shed, has a new symbol of peace and unity — the Okinawa Japan Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Okinawa Japan Temple on Sunday, Nov 12. The temple is the fourth in Japan and the 186th worldwide.

Akira Yafuso, also an early stake president in Okinawa, spoke of the 240,000 people who died in Okinawa. “I believe and I feel that this land of Okinawa is purified or sanctified by the blood of these ancestors and military personnel,” he said. “And now it is so great to have a house of the Lord in Okinawa, to have a symbol of peace. We want to be the Lord’s temple-loving people.” 

Alsuko Nakado, 99; Tamihara Sadako, 101; Uechi Toyoko, 98; Makiya Teru 97, at the dedication ceremony.

Remembering the Okinawan sunny days, warm winds, and fun times at the beach 💕

A Sad Good-bye

We lost a good friend in August but actually didn't find out until just this past week.  Our friend, Duke, who was in our Addiction Recovery class really made a connection with Kevin.  He had been sober for. 20 years, but continued to come to our meetings, as well as, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.  He was smart, and kind, and had worked as a military contractor for many years.  He had just become active again in the Church and he would call and spend hours talking to Kevin about gospel questions he had.  We were able to go to the Temple with him last Spring and then saw him there often when we were working our shifts.  He was preparing family names to take to the Temple and had asked if I would go through for his Mom who had recently passed away.  Always good to keep in contact, Kevin had reached out several times but had not heard anything back.  At the Addiction Recovery class this week a new sister came, and when asked how she found out about the program, she said that Duke had told her she should come, and then she continued to share the news of his death.  

Kevin was able to make contact with one of his sisters today and mentioned to her that we would like to do the Temple work for her Mom.  She didn't say no, so I'm going to be hopeful that that is something we will be able to do in the near future.

Happy Veteran's Day to Kevin!

Jake's school had a Veteran's Day assembly this week and Jake invited JiChan to participate.  We had a wonderful time and the kids were so cute.  Thank you Jake, for thinking of JiChan- he loved it!

Kevin also received a special text from Spencer who is always so thoughtful.  Thanks, Spence!

Speaking of Veteran's Day, if anyone is looking for a really good movie that deals with the Battle of Okinawa, I love Hacksaw Ridge.  It is the true story of Desmond Doss who saved 75 men by belaying them down the Okinawa cliffs by rope.  I don't want to give away all of the story but one last little tid-bit - Desmond Doss refused to carry or shoot a weapon.  

Family news - 

Thank you for all of the photos I received this week!

Samantha and a DECA teammate. It looks like they are somewhere fun!

Emma and a new haircut!

Cory and kids at the Pumpkin Patch!

Chris at the really horrible BYU vs. Iowa State game.  What happened????????

   

I also loved this so much!  We had Milo one day this week and he got real comfortable on the futon bed, and the next thing I knew Sendai had taken over and Milo was on the floor.

And then there is Amos - he has the bed, blanket, and pillow all to himself 😂

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY,  EILIS!

She turned 17 on November 2nd and her smile brings me so much joy. Eilis is incredibly creative, which is a trait she definitely didn't inherit from me. She has been actively involved in her school's Robotics team and this year, she has been teaching herself how to play the guitar and piano. What I admire most about her is her perseverance. She listens, practices, and then practices some more. Her progress has been remarkable, and her attitude is amazing. I love you so much, Eilis! The kids had a blast with the color glow candles from Nothing Bundt Cakes. And of course, Eilis mentioned she was going to take them to her Science teacher today.

One of my favorite photos of this cute girl 💖

Soccer is finally over for this soccer family 😕.  Hoping to win but wanting the season to be over . . .  Adam's team of Liberty Lancer's made it to the quarter-finals but lost on Saturday to end the season.  

Adam is an amazing coach and a great example to these young kids.  Lily is playing indoor soccer which starts in another month, so they won't get too much of a break - this sounds a lot like someone else I know.  Someone who used to sign himself up for a sport, after we told him we would think about it 😀

AND THANK YOU!   To every one of you who texted, called, prayed for, and came over this week.  You made me feel loved!  💜.  It was fun to have Kate here - she kept Dad in line, and me in bed 😊.  She cooked, cleaned, ran errands, downloaded Taylor Swift, and helped me escape from the hospital.  I am so glad she got to spend some time with her good friend Katie (friends since high school days).  

And thanks to Jonathan and Sayre for sharing her with us.  Kate said Jonathan was playing in a concert on Friday, so he took Sayre with him, and he was good the whole time with his iPad.  

Also, I love this homework page that Sayre did - 

(I'm assuming it is homework) Anyway - he's my kind of guy!

Just for Josh - I am posting a photo of me sleeping.  My leg is sore, but each day I have been able to walk a little further.  I don't feel much like eating, but Dad has made me some great Orange Juliuses, and we got the best grapes ever from Costco.  The Relief Society brought in a Pork Tenderloin this evening that tasted good (and Sendai will concur because she got some when we weren't looking).  I have my first post- opp appointment with the doctor next Thursday and I am looking forward to leaving behind the walker and T.E.D. hose.  

Odds and Ends

Kim sent me this gem this week.  Remember the days of our Toyota Van?  Remember the wind would just push it into any lane?  

Hollie has been taking photos for her school - for their activities and special events.  We may have another budding photographer in the family - 

Kim has also been sending me Sunday Selfies, which is a great idea.  If anyone else wants to participate, I would love to post your photos ~

Also, Just ran across this tonight!

Missing cute Grant and our Grammie-Camp days !

Hope you all have a wonderful week - and take pictures - and send them to me 😁